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Adventures In New Fantasyland.. And It IS A Fantasy!
Ella Rucker, you just moved to New York City, became a mother, a published writer and a producer – exceeding your wildest dreams. What are you going to do next?
“I’m going to Disney World!”
I’ve watched the Superbowl for so many years and heard those words, but I’m not so sure I ever imagined myself a starting quarterback making that dream come true. Hearing those words, however, was always on my list. And now here we are, on our way not just to Disney World, but as invited guests to enjoy and review the New Fantasyland!
I’m going to start with a little story. When I was but a wee lass, I learned that Cinderella’s real name was Ella. She gets the “Cinder” from all the work she does with the cinders around the fireplace. So, of course, as a child with plenty of chores, I identified with her plight; now as a single mom I feel like I get a chance to don my glass slippers, provided by Fairy Good Enough Mother Rene, of course, and get myself to the ball. And in true single mom fashion, I’ll also get to travel with Joelle. Yep. One woman, with a toddler, running through airports like Cinderella at midnight. Let’s just hope all I lose is a glass slipper.
As much fun as it is to sit here and prep my little one with YouTube videos for the big trip (please, oh, please learn who Belle is before we get to Beast’s castle!), I have a little anxiety. Disney foots the bill for the trip but I’m a single mom and money’s tight. So I’m on the lookout for ways to save money and one of those is Disney’s Art of Animation Resort . The great thing about Art of Animation is that you can still get all of the Disney fun while being budget-conscious. Each family suite has 2 bedrooms, 2 separate baths and can sleep up to 6 people; that’s more than enough space for the wee one and me! There are laundry services on site, Internet access and in-room babysitting available. Rene and I had a chance to preview it this summer while at Disney Social Media Moms, earlier this year but I can’t wait to actually stay there!
Of course, I’m packing all kinds of snacks, and, unlike my recent foray into the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, I won’t forget the pouches of juice for her and bottles of water for me.
As of this posting I’m having someone search for a great deal on a memory card for my video camera. I already got a sweet deal at BuyDig.com on a Sony Bloggie, but you just can’t have too many ways to capture these moments. So making sure to think back to your last vacation snafu (yup, ran out of memory while we were at Disney) and correcting that locally if possible is definitely a money saver. (I’ve known I was going on this trip for how long and I leave this to the last moment? #GEMontheGO is right!)
But as Rene says, I’m not going to borrow trouble, and I’m sure I can handle it. We’re not about perfection around here, and so what if she decides to poop during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade or cut in line for pictures with some of the characters she loves (she did that last time with Chip and Dale)? She’s a kid and this is her dream trip, too. It took me 39 years to get this far. I’ll be darned if I ruin the fun for a princess-in-training by teaching her how to worry before she has her first tea party. It’s going to be a great adventure and I’m just tickled to pixie dust that I get to go to the New Fantasyland ball!
This is a working trip. I know…. I know. Working at Disney? But it’s okay because I get to bring you guys along for the fun. I’ll be doing a series of blogs right here on Goodenoughmother.com on our adventures, but for real-time fun, facts, and fantasy you can click on all the buttons below to follow me!
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More From GEM:
The Mouse and Me: Previewing The Disney Fantasy!
The GEM Debate: What’s Wrong With A Skinny Minnie?
Going Social: Disney Social Media Moms Day 2
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