Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Pinterest Pins


Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop...

This week's theme: Pinterest Pins


Funny Trips and Getaways Ecard: If you don't let me peer across Crescent Lake this instant, it's back to a Moderate for you...


My Pinterest link: http://pinterest.com/kjay009/magic/

Disclaimer: I'm a reluctant pinner, and I'm much more apt to repin than to post something of my own. 
This card, however, was one of mine... :) 


Thanks to Deb @ Focused on the Magic  for hosting the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop! 

If you hopped  over, I invite you to check out my other posts, and please consider joining.

Check out all the other Wordless Wednesday links, and remember to share some comment love...

Focused on the Magic

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: The Letter H


Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop...

This week's theme: The letter H


Husband doing the Hula at Spirit of Aloha

+

Hula Hoop Heaven at Trail's End, Fort Wilderness...


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Thanks to Deb @ Focused on the Magic  for hosting the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop! If you hopped  over, I invite you to check out my other posts, and consider joining! 

Check out all the other Wordless Wednesday links, and remember to share some comment love...

Focused on the Magic

Monday, January 21, 2013

Plussing the coffee

Many people in the WDW community are familiar with the trials and tribulations of finding a good cup of coffee in the world. Nescafe has been the brand partnered with Disney throughout the parks and resorts, but that's about to change soon! (Was that a giant sigh of relief I just heard)?

News broke last year that Starbucks would be entering the parks, setting up shop in the Main Street Bakery.  People lined up on both sides of the aisle to express either their outrage ("How could they sell out?" "Too corporate for Walt's Main Street!" "I won't pay $6.00 a cup!")  or their glee ("Finally-a decent cuppa joe!"). I see it as a good thing, and I welcome the change. Disney is plussing the coffee, for sure. 

In addition, Disney has just partnered with Tampa-based Joffrey's Coffee & Tea Co. Joffrey's will become the official specialty coffee provider for Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Vacation Club resorts in 2013.

But how do I plus the coffee at home? By serving it in one of my very special mugs. Mugs make great souvenirs- they can be a daily little reminder of a particular trip or a special memory, or they can serve as a gentle nudge to get you thinking about next time. Do you drink your morning brew from a souvenir mug?


My current favorite: the E-Ticket Mug






*Post updated in February to include the new Joffrey's info.



Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop...

This week's theme: Transportation




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Thanks to Deb @ Focused on the Magic  for hosting the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop! If you hopped  over, I invite you to check out my other posts, and consider joining! 
Check out all the other Wordless Wednesday links, and remember to share some comment love...

Focused on the Magic

GAC

The Guest Assistance Card- or GAC- is a way that Disney plusses the magic for guests with disabilities. A GAC can assist people with a wide range of needs, by providing accommodations at attractions. For many, the GAC makes the magic accessible when they otherwise might have to forgo an attraction or experience.



 


A well-worn GAC...

To request a GAC, a visitor needs to go to Guest Relations at any of the parks, and talk to the cast member there about any special assistance they might require. The CM will need to know what accommodations are needed (for example, a way onto an attraction without using stairs, or a quiet or shaded area for waiting), rather than a diagnosis (“I have xyz condition”). The accommodations can be for a temporary issue, or for a permanent disability. If requesting a GAC for another person, such as a child, that person must be present when the card is requested as well as when the card is used. A GAC will allow the card holder, plus up to 5 people, access to the accommodation. This is meant to allow families to be able to stay together to experience attractions. The card is shown at each attraction entrance, and the CM provides direction.

A common misconception is that this is a front-of-the-line pass. Not so; rather, attractions will have varying ways of making accommodations. Sometimes it's an alternate entrance, sometimes GAC holders use Fast Pass lanes, sometimes there's a separate area for waiting or loading- the options vary depending on the location.

Another misconception is that you somehow have to "prove" disability in order to get a GAC. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) makes it illegal for Disney (or anyone) to require such proof. Guests need to explain what accommodations they require, not what their disability or diagnosis is. Don't bring a doctor's note- they won't want to see it.



Because no proof is required, there is somewhat of a dark side to GAC use that has sprung up over the past several years. I've read many a heated forum discussion thread on the supposed subculture of fraud and abuse of the GAC system. Apparently, people lie to get the GAC, using it to hopefully shave some time off their attraction waits. While I have no doubt this sometimes happens, I wonder how rampant it really is. I think many of these accusations are more likely other guests making assumptions, because a GAC user might not "look" disabled in their view. What do you think? I'd love to hear your take on it.

I've never used a GAC myself, but I know of a few families who would never be able to experience the magic of WDW without one. Do you have any experience using a GAC? What are your thoughts on the process?


Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Wordless Wednesday


My first time participating in the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop...

This week's theme: Disney Time








Thanks to Debs @Focused on the Magic  for hosting the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop! 

Focused on the Magic


Sunday, January 6, 2013

Breakfast at home...

I just tried my hand at plussing the pancakes- what do you think?? While fun to eat, the mold I used for these only makes one pancake at a time...so not very practical for a family breakfast. Hmmm...I wonder if there's a multi-pancake version out there somewhere. Let me know if you find one...