Amtrak Auto Train Family Travel
All Aboard: Family Adventure on the Auto Train to the Most Magical Place on Earth
The Amtrak Auto Train is a long-distance passenger train service in the United States that allows passengers to bring their vehicles along for the journey (The ONLY AUTO TRAIN IN THE US). Operating between Lorton, Virginia (near Washington, D.C.), and Sanford, Florida (near Orlando), the Auto Train offers a convenient way for travelers to transport their cars, motorcycles, SUVs, and small boats between the Northeast and the Southeast. Passengers can relax in their seats or private accommodations while their vehicles are safely carried in specially designed rail cars. The Auto Train provides a unique travel experience for those looking to avoid the hassle of driving long distances or flying.
Benefits of Taking the Amtrak Auto Train with Kids
When planning a family trip to Florida, choosing the mode of transportation is a crucial decision. While flying and driving are popular options, taking the Amtrak Auto Train can offer several advantages for families with kids.
Cost-Effective
One of the main benefits of opting for the Amtrak Auto Train is that it can be a cost-effective choice for families. When comparing the total cost of airfare for the whole family along with rental cars and other associated expenses, the Auto Train can provide a more budget-friendly alternative. Flight prices vary depending on the destination, time of booking, and the airline. In contrast, the Amtrak Auto Train offers a unique travel experience where passengers can bring their vehicles along.
Flying might be more cost-effective for solo travelers or small groups on shorter trips, especially if booking tickets well in advance or catching a sale. However, for families or individuals looking to bring their vehicles along and avoid the hassle of driving long distances, the Auto Train can offer convenience and potentially save on rental car expenses at the destination.
Ultimately, the price comparison will depend on individual circumstances such as group size, vehicle transportation needs, flexibility in travel dates, and personal preferences. Travelers should weigh these factors to determine which option provides the best value for their specific situation.
We hear there is a deal coming in May!!! We will keep you updated or you can keep checking here !!!!!
Convinience
Traveling with kids can be challenging, especially when navigating airports or spending long hours in the car. The Amtrak Auto Train offers a convenient way to travel to Florida without the hassle of airports or constant stops for rest breaks. Families can enjoy a comfortable journey with the flexibility to move around, relax, and even sleep in their own vehicle.
Also, getting to leave all of your luggage in your car, especially when traveling to a place like Walt Disney World or Universal, is a HUGE bonus and allows for you to bring those extra ears!
Entertainment and Amenities
Unlike long drives where kids may get restless or flights with limited space, the Auto Train provides onboard entertainment and amenities. From scenic views to dining options, families can make the journey itself an enjoyable part of the vacation. Kids can move around, play games, or simply enjoy the experience of traveling by train.
Roomettes, Bedrooms and Family Rooms include a 3 course dinner and breakfast in the trains dinning car.
Time-Saving
While driving to Florida can take hours or even days, and flying involves waiting times at airports, the Amtrak Auto Train can save families valuable time. By combining travel time with overnight accommodation, families can arrive in Florida refreshed and ready to start their vacation.
All seating and room types have access to a lounge car where you can play games, buy food, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. We have never had a problem finding a place to sit and play!
Family Bonding
Traveling on the Amtrak Auto Train offers a unique opportunity for families to bond and spend quality time together. Whether enjoying meals in the dining car, playing games in the family room, or simply watching the landscape pass by, the train journey can create memorable moments for kids and parents alike.
Stop Waiting for the Destination and enjoy the Journey
In conclusion, taking the Amtrak Auto Train kids to Florida can offer a cost-effective, convenient, entertaining, time-saving, and bonding experience for the whole family. Consider these advantages when planning your next family trip for a stress-free and enjoyable travel experience.
We added to the adventure by brining things to decorate our room. The twinkle lights gave it an added touch of magic and was fun to plan and do as a family!
Check out our Instagram Highlight for a more indepth look of our Amtrak Travels HERE
Our Stay at Sweet Escape!
Recently, we had the opportunity to spend a night at Sweet Escape, a rental property located in Clermont, Florida which is about 45 minutes away from Walt Disney World and about 35 minutes away from Universal Studios Florida. And for everyone used to driving in the greater Orlando area, the route did not include I-4 so traffic was not a problem for us during our travels. To say the stay was amazing is an understatement - this property had everything imaginable to keep our family entertained and we think it would be a fun adventure for your family too!
So, let’s start with the basics. The property has over 8,400 square feet of space and is situated on 5 gated acres. The property can accommodate groups of up to 52 people. Just to be sure that you understood that last sentence correctly, the property can accommodate groups of up to 52 people! We only had 15 in our group, so finding a bedroom was not a problem for anyone!
On the grounds there were plenty of activities available. Our family played disc golf, miniature golf, basketball and volleyball - all which are easy with the included equipment. Another favorite of our kids was the swimming pool (shocker) which is shaped like a giant ice cream cone. Any of the pictures we included here or were able to find on the internet do not do this pool justice, you really need to see it for yourself. The hot tub, slide and splash pad were also nice outdoor additions and gave us a feeling of being at a resort, not a rental property.
Not to minimize how amazing the outdoor setup is, but now let’s move into the really impressive part of the stay - the house and guest house.
As we mentioned above, the house and guest house provide over 8,400 square feet of space and 11 bedrooms.
Some of our favorite bedrooms in the main house were the Lollipop Ballpit Bedroom, the Cotton Candy “Carnival Sweet”, the Dessert-ed Bedroom and Milky Way Laser Tag Bedroom. Each room is heavily themed and well appointed and includes a game that can be played. Our kids especially loved laser tag (which was extra fun at night with the disco ball in full effect)! One of the adult favorites was the sauna, which is located in the Hot Cocoa Sauna & Spa Bedroom (also, it can be arranged to have a massage therapist visit the house for any adults that need extra relaxation).
The main house also included a karaoke lounge, arcade, virtual reality gaming, movie theatre and huge kitchen/living room. Another really cool feature that we discovered was the ability to play movies poolside with the automatic dropdown screen and speakers on the back of the house.
At the guest house, there was another arcade (yes, you read that correctly too) as well as a couple more bedrooms themed just as well as the main house. This is the perfect place to sleep for the adults who like to be part of the fun, but then escape the house full of kids who were up all night playing arcade games and singing karaoke (believe us, we know from experience). The guest house also included an interactive family game “The Mystery of the Cereal Killer” where your family uses clues to solve the mystery and find the killer! Our kids want us to point out that we did, in fact, find the killer.
As you can tell, our family really did have a blast on this adventure. Even though we were able to spend a night at this wonderful property, it wasn’t nearly enough time to really enjoy all of the amenities it has to offer. If you are in the Orlando area and looking for something different (or housing an entire football team) you should check this place out!
P. S. Here is a link to their website.
Have a Magical Day!
The Colonies at Williamsburg – Vacation Village Resorts Review
A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of staying at The Colonies at Williamsburg – Vacation Village Resorts. The resort is located in Williamsburg, Virginia and is close to numerous area attractions and family adventures (more on this later). Whether you are looking for a long-weekend or a week-long adventure, there are plenty of reasons to visit!
This post will highlight our stay and showcase the many benefits we experienced at this amazing property! Spoiler alert: our family loved this resort and think yours will too, so click here for your special offer to plan your next trip!
To make this easier, we will break down our stay into 3 main categories – the rooms, the amenities, and the location. But, before we get started, we wanted to bring special attention to all of the staff we interacted with during our stay. They were all helpful, courteous and worked to make our experience as good as it could possibly be!
Last thing before we get started - in the lobby of the main resort building there is a coffee machine (complimentary) that mixed all types of different drinks and was a highlight for our family throughout the weekend.
The Rooms
Throughout the resort there are multiple room setups that can fit families of almost any size, and for our trip we stayed in a two-bedroom lock-off suite, which is two one-bedroom suites with a common foyer. If your family is larger do not worry, the resort also offers a four-bedroom floor plan. Quick mention - the rooms are all equipped with a washer and dryer.
Parking is also a breeze: the resort is set up like a condominium complex where the parking for a given unit is generally right in front of the door. This is especially helpful after a long day of exploring when everyone is just ready to get back to the room to relax!
If you haven’t been able to tell yet by the pictures, these rooms are HUGE. Each one-bedroom suite had a spacious living room, equipped with a fireplace, as well as a dining area and a full kitchen. The kitchen was well-stocked and included all of the basic appliances to make your trip more comfortable (including a blender if it happens to be margarita season?).
Coffee and breakfast in the morning was easy and the kids enjoyed having all the extra space to spread out while they watched their morning cartoons.
The bedroom had an extremely comfortable king bed and plenty of storage space for our suitcases. Even more impressive was the oversized bathroom complete with a vanity, bathtub, and shower. It also had a separate vanity with a sink – so getting ready for our day was easy!
For additional sleeping locations, the couch converts to a queen bed – which we utilized for our kids. Normally they despise sleeping on a pull-out couch, but the quality of these pieces led to no complaints!
The Amenities
Whether you are looking for relaxation or action, this resort has something for you. Some of our families’ favorites included the indoor pool and the arcade room. It was a little late in the season (end of September) for the outdoor pool, but the size and water features had our kids asking to return in the summer months so they can experience all the fun!
In addition, the daily scheduled activities were a big hit with our family and the kids were excited to make their own stuffed animals (complete with an outfit) and their own hand scrub to bring home as a souvenir. Other family activities included DIY Bookbag Patches, Open Crafting and Scavenger Hunts.
For the adults, an outdoor hot tub is always satisfying as well as the available fitness center and tennis courts to burn off some of those vacation calories. Pro tip: we brought grandparents along for this trip and with all the kid’s activities it is the perfect resort to leave the kids and escape for some adult relaxation time!
The Location
Possibly the best feature of this resort is its proximity to tons of things to do! Our trip was focused on Busch Gardens Williamsburg (20 minutes away) and the travel was efficient and easy to and from the park. We were also situated closely to Water Country USA, Jamestown, Yorktown, and Colonial Williamsburg (only a 10 minute trip). About a mile from the resort is Williamsburg Premium Outlets so all our shopping (and eating) needs were met without any hassle. Another tip: there is a grocery store located in this shopping complex so stocking up your room with all of your essentials is easy!
A few other area attractions include Virginia Beach Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Williamsburg. With all of the available options, it is easy to see how a family could visit the area and never run out of things to do!
So that is it, our review of our stay at The Colonies at Williamsburg – Vacation Village Resorts. Our family truly had a memorable time, and we can’t wait until our next visit (our kids have already requested to visit again)! If your family is looking for a new adventure or somewhere new to stay in the Williamsburg area, this resort should be at the top of your list.
Have a magical day!
What’s in our Disney Park Bag?
As many of you already know, one of the most important aspects of a Disney vacation is being prepared for what could happen. Circumstances change quickly at Disney - it can go from sun, to torrential downpour, back to sun in the blink of an eye. And our kid’s attitudes can change even quicker! We have found that having the proper supplies in your ‘park bag’ can save the day, especially when the unexpected occurs. (Quick side note: The unexpected will occur! It always does, and for us that is part of the fun that comes with every Walt Disney World adventure!)
So what does our typical ‘park bag’ look like? First, it depends on what kind of park day we’re planning. If it is a longer day we are planning we generally take a backpack. If a shorter park day, we opt for the fanny pack/crossbody.
Backpack
First and foremost, we think about the weather. We make sure everyone has either an umbrella or a poncho for when the rain arrives (notice I said when, not if). We don’t like to move around the parks in the rain, but when we think the rain is about to end we generally move to our next attraction and want to be as dry as possible on our way (this is a great way to get on an E-Ticket attraction with a lower wait). If we think there is a really good chance of getting wet, we will also take a change of clothes, especially for the kids. Believe me, you haven’t experienced feeling cold until you’ve tried to eat in a Disney World restaurant while soaking wet! Lastly, depending on the time of year, we may pack a long-sleeve shirt for the evenings when the temperature falls.
Next, we think about charging supplies. If you haven’t noticed, we film in the parks constantly and need to charge our phones several times throughout the day. We use portable chargers and fuel rods. At Walt Disney World, fuel rod exchange is free so after you make the initial investment staying charged in the parks is easy. This may not be as much of a concern when you aren't filming your trip, but with the necessity of using the My Disney Experience app to navigate your day, keeping a fully charged phone has never been so important.
Then we think about comfort. This is where we make sure everyone has sunglasses or a hat and that we have plenty of sunscreen. We also carry basic medical supplies such as band-aids, Dramamine, and Advil. All of these items have saved our day on at least one occasion, and have helped stop a kid meltdown about a million times.
Lastly, we include a few miscellaneous items like a waterproof case (to store our phones on water rides), chapstick (because Frank is addicted to it), cash (because even though it has never happened, how would you pay for anything if your magicband didn’t work?) and portable fans (see our favorite fans here). It is also worth a mention that when our kids get tired of wearing their Mickey ears the backpack is a perfect place for Mom or Dad to carry them around.
Fanny Pack/Crossbody (click here to see our favorite)
Removing any of the items from the backpack list above is tough for us, but when we are planning a shorter park trip we don’t like carrying a large bag around.
Again, the most important thing to remember: plan for the weather. Even in Florida, the weather outlook over a period of several hours is fairly reliable. If it is going to rain, we dress accordingly. If it is sunny, we just wear sunglasses or hats. And after we apply sunscreen in the room (for a short trip) we know it will last for the duration of the visit and reapplication won’t be needed. Also, if you had a true weather emergency, these supplies can always be bought in the parks but we generally advise against this given the high prices you will pay versus using your pre-bought items.
We also leave our medical supplies in the room. Each park at Walt Disney World has a first aid station. It is common that someone in our party will get a headache or will scrape their knee. When this happens, a simple visit to the first aid station gets you the attention that you need! We have always found it interesting that the parks sell Tylenol and Advil - and it is quite expensive - but if you visit the first aid station they will give you a dose of the same medicine for free!
So what actually makes it into our fanny pack/crossbody? Phone chargers, of course, and cash. But not much else because the space is so limited. Sometimes we can fit a single portable fan, but this just turns into an argument later in the day over who gets to use it. And our general rule when carrying a fanny pack/crossbody? If you take it from the room with you, you are wearing it (or carrying it) the rest of the night!
Just remember when planning your vacation that every family is different and has different needs so be sure to pack your "park bag" to fit your family!
Have a Magical Day!
What is the Best Season at Walt Disney World?
We wanted to dedicate this post to a question we get all of the time - when is the best season to go to Walt Disney World? And for the purpose of this post, let's all be comfortable with "any season" being an unacceptable answer.
For a lot of families, we know the decision of when to go to Walt Disney World is the first step to planning. Between festivals and special events, each season at Walt Disney World has unique experiences that aren't offered all year around. Crowd planning is also something that can play into this decision, but since COVID we feel like this is becoming less important (we will expand on this later). So, here we go, this is our guide to which season is best at Walt Disney World.
Spring
We love visiting Disney in the spring - the weather has generally been favorable for us and we seem to get a good mix of Florida sunshine (and heat) without too much rain. Although the experiences are fairly standard at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, Epcot has the Flower and Garden Festival which is our second favorite festival in Epcot. If you haven't been to the Flower and Garden Festival, think of a scaled back version of Food and Wine with some impressive flower arrangements and topiaries on display. With the exception of spring break, the crowds are generally manageable this time of year and we have been lucky to experience some spring weeks where we had extremely low crowds.
Summer
The best way to describe central Florida in the summer is HOT. Having been on this planet for 36 years, there is nothing that feels hotter than a summer day walking around Walt Disney World in 100 degree heat. (PSA - Honestly the heat in the summer there is no joke. We see people getting sick over and over because they seem to push themselves too hard. Stay hydrated and take breaks!) There are also no real special events to enjoy - and before you say Food and Wine Festival starts in July, try "enjoying" different foods from around the world while getting melted by the sun and dripping in sweat. Food and Wine is a fall festival for us.
The crowds in the summer are generally increased as well, mainly because kids are out of school and it is the time when a lot of families take their vacations. In our opinion, this has become less of an issue since the park reservation system has been in place because it seems the crowds are managed better and spread more evenly throughout the year. We could be way off on this, but that is how it feels for us.
Fall
This is the time of year when a lot of things come together at Disney: the festivals, the special events, the weather, the crowds. This used to be our favorite season at the parks, and if you go this time of year there are a lot of awesome things you can explore. Let's start with the Food and Wine Festival - one of our favorite things to do at Epcot is explore the different offerings while walking around the World Showcase. There is generally live music, an energetic crowd and if you are there in the evening you won't be melted by the Florida sun. Over at Magic Kingdom, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) is taking place and is an amazing event to experience at least once in your life. Even if you skip the Halloween event, Magic Kingdom still showcases its fall decorations and generally offers different deserts fitting for the season.
This has historically been a less-crowded time in the parks as well. As we mentioned above, we feel like this is becoming less important but still something that should be considered. One of the downsides to fall at Walt Disney World - all of the fun at the Food and Wine Festival, MNSSHP and some of the seasonal offerings come at a price - and those can add up if you're trying to "experience it all" when you visit.
Winter
As someone who doesn't live in Florida, we have to remember that Florida doesn't actually have winter. We are coming from piles of snow and freezing temperatures to watch the great citizens of Florida wear winter coats when it is 65 degrees outside. To us, this weather is perfect because the days get hot - but not too hot. The nights get cool - but not too cool. It is the perfect time to experience the parks in long sleeves or pants, and not be sweating every minute of the day.
During the month of December, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is happening over at Magic Kingdom. Although we don't enjoy this event as much as MNSSHP, it is still a great experience for families and should be on your to-do list. Over at Epcot, the Festival of the Arts begins in January, which is an extremely under-rated event. It brings in some of the elements of both Food and Wine and Flower and Garden festivals, while showcasing Disney art and artists throughout the park. (This is the time in this post where Paula interjects and wants to say the Festival of the Holidays is also a great event at Epcot. It is an ok festival, but you certainly shouldn't plan your vacation around it.)
Probably the most intriguing aspect of this season is the crowds. The lowest crowds we have ever experienced at Walt Disney World were during the winter months, with the exception of Christmas and New Years. If riding rides is your main goal, this is definitely the time of year for you!
So, now that we went through our thoughts on each of the seasons at Walt Disney World, which is our favorite? Currently, it is winter - the combination of weather and crowds coupled with festival and special event offerings fits our family perfectly at the moment. There have been times when we would have said spring, and times we would have said fall (sorry summer) and we imagine that as our family continues to grow all of our opinions may change.
Have a magical day!
Our Top 3 Walt Disney World Resorts
As you may know, we have had the pleasure of staying at every Walt Disney World Resort. Each resort is different and the offerings between the resorts can vary greatly, even within the same resort category. We have resorts that we love, and ones that we love less. In this post we’re going to tell you why we love our Top 3 Resorts and why we think your family would love them too!
Disclosure: At Walt Disney World there are Deluxe Villas, Deluxe Resorts, Moderate Resorts and Value Resorts. Comparing Value Resorts to Deluxe Resorts isn’t exactly fair, so we will do a future post related to our favorite resorts in each category.
Another Disclosure: These rankings are completely our opinion and are not based on any measurable objectives. Whether you agree or disagree, feel free to comment here.
So without further hesitation here is our Top 3 Resorts at Walt Disney World:
Number 3 - Riviera Resort
This resort is in our top 3 for obvious reasons; it is beautiful, has great transportation options, and it’s new!
The hotel is designed with European inspiration and has amazing views over most of Walt Disney World. Some of the best views (and food) on property can be found at Topolino’s Terrace. The rooms are wonderfully designed and they all feel close to the action since this resort is built upward (instead of spread out like moderate resorts).
When it comes to transportation, there are few places on property that are better. Getting to Epcot and Hollywood Studios is easy using the skyliner, and the other parks feel close with the resort's dedicated busing and central location on property. After a long park day, having efficient transportation makes our trip better - especially with children! Speaking of making life easier with children, our current favorite character breakfast is at the resort which is really convenient when getting your family up, ready and on time to those early reservations.
Lastly, this resort is the newest resort on property that isn’t the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. New isn’t always better, but the quality of the bedding, state of the furnishing and decorations, and optimal use of the space in the rooms is on point. This resort truly makes us feel like we are at home, if our home was on a European Riviera!
Number 2 - Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House
There are few resorts we have been to anywhere that match the scale and beauty of the lobby at Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House. This is the resort our family has visited more than any other, and it is one of our home resorts we own through Disney Vacation Club. The rooms are decorated in the same African theme of the lobby, and between Jiko and Boma good food is easy to find.
Quick Interruption: Paula wants to mention the distinct smell of the Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House. She says it smells like "wood" and "warm", whatever that means.
If you choose a savannah view room, you will have the unforgettable experience of seeing animals right from your balcony. In our experience, it is common to come home from a long day in the parks to be greeted by giraffes right outside of our room. If you are going to Walt Disney World for once-in-a-lifetime/never want to forget memories, then this resort should be at the top of your list.
The transportation is split between Jambo House and Kidani Village, but each location only has one stop, so this doesn't negatively impact the experience too much. If you can’t tell, resorts that do not have their own busing or have multiple bus stops are generally not our favorite. One of the obvious downsides to the resort is its distance from just about anything on property but the lush setting, 11,000 square foot pool and animal filled savannas make the extra travel time worth it for our family.
We're not really sure why (maybe because the resort is secluded?) but this resort feels relaxing to us - more relaxing than any other on property. It is always quiet, The Mara (quick service restaurant) always feels empty, and the pools never feel over-crowded. The rooms have been going through an upgrade so depending on where that process is at it is possible that the rooms could feel a little worn, especially when compared to a resort like Riviera.
Quick Note: Whoever at Disney made the decision to switch to clothes steamers in the rooms (instead of irons) made one of the best decisions in recent memory at the resorts. The steamers they chose work wonderfully, and we have tried to buy one from the resort every time we have visited recently because we cannot find the same steamer anywhere!
Number 1 - Grand Floridian
This is probably not a surprising choice to anyone, but it is very hard to compete with a resort this elegant that is within walking distance of Magic Kingdom. The night-time views of Cinderella's Castle from the Grand Floridian are some of our favorite on property, and if you're willing to spend some extra money, there are food options at this resort that are second to none (cue Victoria and Albert’s). The rooms are wonderfully appointed, and, in the words of Disney, you will experience "Victorian elegance meets modern sophistication at this lavish Disney Resort hotel".
All of our room views have been amazing and they consist generally of Magic Kingdom, Seven Seas Lagoon, or the monorail. Transportation to Magic Kingdom is easy with a short monorail ride (or boat ride) and to Epcot is efficient with a few monorail rides. We are not really a fan of the transportation options to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom (shared busing with another resort) and, because of this, our stay at Grand Floridian was Magic Kingdom/Epcot focused.
The pools at the Grand Floridian are all great experiences, and it has the added benefit of a full-service spa and salon onsite. Although it is temporarily unavailable, there is a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at the resort as well.
Lastly, being on the monorail gives you easy access to all monorail resorts and the amazing experiences that are at each. One of our favorites is stopping over at Trader Sam's (at the Polynesian) for a late-night drink. Although this is not part of the Grand Floridian, its proximity is an added bonus for our family.
We hope you enjoyed reading about our favorite Walt Disney World Resorts. As always, you can visit us on Instagram (@practicallyperfectfamily) to follow along with our adventures!
Have a magical day!
Why Disney?
How can you go to Walt Disney World so often? There are other places to vacation! Don’t you get bored?
These are questions we get frequently because, admittedly, we go to Walt Disney World a lot! It has been our family’s preferred vacation destination for the past decade and we continue to make lifelong memories with every trip.
We are so grateful that you have followed along with our adventures so far (@practicallyperfectfamily) and here we wanted to give you a more in-depth look at why we are a Disney family and why we visit Walt Disney World every chance we get!
But why Walt Disney World? That is simple - we first visited Walt Disney World because that is what parents do, right? We didn’t love Walt Disney World prior to our first visit. We didn’t even understand everything it has to offer. And we certainly didn’t know anything about the history or origin of the parks.
Our love for Walt Disney World came long after our love for what we now call the ‘Disney’ lifestyle. And by the 'Disney' lifestyle, we are not talking about cartoons and stuffed animals. Nor are we talking about turkey legs and churros. In fact, when we started living our ‘Disney’ lifestyle we weren’t even associating it with Disney at all!
For us, the ‘Disney’ lifestyle we are talking about is a life of adventure, curiosity and creativity. We are talking about a life of endless possibilities and one where you can work to achieve anything you can imagine. We are talking about a life where not only can you read about different areas of the world and different cultures, but one where you can pack your bags and experience them yourself. We are talking about a life where tomorrow should be different than today, where we keep being innovative, and where we aren't constrained to do something just because it has always been done that way.
When we chose to become a family, and then chose to expand our family, this 'Disney' lifestyle is how we envisioned to live. So far, (almost) every decision we have made has been with these principles in mind. We are always looking for something new to experience, something new to learn and something new to create memories.
So, it's true, just like millions and millions of other families in 2012, we first visited Walt Disney World simply for the thrills that are provided by a theme park. We were looking for another adventure; another place to spend our hard-earned vacation where we can forget the stresses of everyday life. But what we found was actually quite different. We found a home. Not a physical home (unfortunately), but a home for the way our family was striving to live.
The same principles that are the foundation of our family vision are at the core of Walt Disney World and were central to the way that Walt Disney lived his life. It was these concepts that physically manifested themselves into Mickey Mouse, then further into the emergence of a full-length animated feature, and ultimately into the construction of Disneyland (and later Walt Disney World). And it is these concepts that continue to shape Walt Disney World to deliver amazing experiences for families to enjoy together!
So now that you have been there and done that, why would you keep going back? Well, this is where it gets really interesting in our journey. Over the years, we have been able to fill our buckets over and over with the different experiences that Walt Disney World has to offer. We have seen our children get their first haircuts, watched them overcome their fears by riding new rides, renewed our wedding vows, ran half-marathons, stayed in amazing resorts, and had world-class dining experiences. And although we have created some of our best memories with these experiences, we realize that we could have created similar memories almost anywhere!
What makes us come back to Walt Disney World time and time again is how we feel when we leave - inspired. Inspired to go home and try that new idea. Inspired to start that new career. Inspired to not care what other people think about our plan. Inspired to keep living our family vision. And most importantly, inspired by knowing that even when faced with a setback (or outright failure) Walt Disney was able to go from bankruptcy to Disneyland because he had a vision and was committed to that vision. It is this inspiration that has served us well as parents and professionals, this inspiration that is responsible for @practicallyperfectfamily and this inspiration that will be responsible for all of the amazing things that are coming next!
So what is next? Well, as long as we continue to leave inspired, we will continue to visit Walt Disney World. The rides, resorts, food and cast members only make the decision easier for us! (Quick shout out to all Walt Disney World cast members, they truly keep the magic alive!)
We have loved sharing our adventures with you and we are so grateful to be on this journey! This past year has been amazing and we know the next will be even better! In the meantime, watch out for @practicallyperfectfamily whether it is at Walt Disney World or living our best 'Disney' life!
Have a Magical Day,
The Practically Perfect Family