A little over two years ago, I had the crazy idea to start a blog about Walt Disney World. A number of things contributed to this, but the main reasons were probably a couple of questions that I get asked a lot:
- “Why do you go to Disney World all the time? Don’t you get tired of it?”
- “How do you afford to go to Disney World so often?”
Having a friend who knew all about blogs and such, I was encouraged to share my love for the Mouse and my desire to answer those questions, by starting a little blog of my own. First hosted over on Blogger.com, I quickly realized all the things that my little site could do and be, so before long I made the decision to become a “grown-up” website and www.theaffordablemouse.com was born.
The rest, as they say, is history. 🙂 Two years later, I am astounded at how this has changed my life. First, it has brought me some wonderful friends! I have come to know some special folks and my life is richly blessed by the addition of them. I don’t know what it is about Walt’s vision that inspires people, but I truly believe that Disney folk are among some of the most wonderful and inspiring people on the planet. And I am honored to know so many of them.
Among the most special Disney people that have come into my life are the wonderful ladies of The Affordable Mouse. Brenda, Kelly, Debbie, DeAnna, Belinda, Rachel, Shannan, and Lisa unselfishly share their time and Disney love with us every week and I am grateful beyond words for their support and love for TAM and what we do. Ladies: you all mean the “world” to me!
I am also astounded, as I look back, to see how a little idea can grow so large and impact so many people in only a few years! When I see that we have thousands of Facebook Friends and Twitter followers, in addition to the thousands who read our daily blog posts, email updates and newsletters….I can see that what we do truly helps people to live the dream that I had when I started: to help people create Disney magic for their families.
Of course, it was to further help people with their Disney vacation planning…and to realize a long-held Disney dream of mine….that I became a Disney travel agent this past spring. I absolutely know that without The Affordable Mouse….and the support of you, all of our wonderful Disney Friends…I would never, ever, have done this. And I can honestly say that being a Disney vacation planner is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.
All that being said, I….we….have a lot to celebrate! 🙂
Now, I don’t know about you, but I think that giveaways are one of the best ways to celebrate, don’t you? 🙂 So over the next 6 days, we will be doing some giveways…one each day, starting today! Each day’s blog post will feature at the top, the Giveaway of the Day, along with a *simple* question to answer. To enter, simply answer the question in the comments below. I will then choose one winner using Random.org from everyone who enters before 11 p.m. ET. Please note: you must answer on the blog post to be eligible!
Want to know what you can win?
Well, here are the prizes, in reverse order:
Saturday, December 10: Mickey Tote Bag
Friday, December 9: $25 Gift Certificate to Garden Grocer
Thursday, December 8: 18” Golden Anniversary Plush Winnie the Pooh
Wednesday, December 7: Copy of Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World With Preschoolers
Tuesday, December 6: Cars or Princess Wipe-Off Board
And today’s Giveway: Winner’s choice of a custom Tee or Onesie (with Mickey or Minnie ears, or Christmas Mickey or Minnie with Santa) from Stitch-This Custom Embroidery.
Winner’s choice of fabric, thread color, name, tee color, tee or onesie, long sleeve or short sleeve. (Thank you to Stitch-This Custom Embroidery for their donation! Please be sure to visit their website to see all of the beautiful custom things they create!)
And now, for your chance to win today’s great giveaway from Stitch This, please tell us in the comments below: What is it about Disney that makes YOU want to visit?
Good luck……and from the bottom of my heart…….THANK YOU! 🙂
Find out how the FREE services of a Disney World travel agent can make planning your Disney vacation simple…and for a limited time, get a FREE Disney gift card when you book your trip with me! ($2000 minimum package cost)
That magic, relaxed feeling you have once you get through the turn style. All the worries go away and you’re filled with happiness. AND of course, the smile that doesn’t leave my daughters face the whole time we’re there.
The smiles that are the most precious of all…on our children…makes everything that we do to plan so worth it, don’t they?
We have been brought up with Disney and passed it along to our children as a wonderful family place of fun and adventure. When you walk onto Main Street all your cares and problems just disappear and you are immediately filled with excitement. You are able to relive past memories and at the same time make new ones. Always seeing smiles on people unless it is time to leave and go back home!
Yes….the smiles of others always make me smile too Patti!
I have always loved Disney. I love the movies, I sing along to the songs (still), and of course the characters are adorable which is all what made me want to visit when I was a little girl and still makes me want to go back today. But now that I’m a mother of three I wanted to share all of the magic with my boys. I started them on the movies and books at a very young age and then we first went to Disney World in 2008. It was amazing!!! The cast members truly make you feel like your the only ones there! Of course your not the only ones there your there with other people who seem happier, stress free and you smile because you know they feel the magic too! When people ask me why do you all keep going back to Disney I tell them because it’s home and in my home I’m a princess!
Jennifer, one of my favorite Disney memories actually isn’t at the parks but was taking our daughter to see her first Disney movie! It was Aladdin…and I am pretty sure I was more excited than she was!
The Magic! When you step foot on Disney property the magic consumes you!
I remember Karen, the first time I heard a Cast Member say “have a magical day” and I thought….well I certainly AM! 🙂
I consider Disney as my other home. That is the only place that I can escape the real world and live life without a care. There is a magical tranquility that is like no where else on earth, so that is why I go every chance I get.
It’s my other home too Elizabeth! 🙂
I watched Disney on TV when I was a kid. Sunday nights would find us all planted in front of the TV to see what adventure we were in store for. I did get to visit Disney World as an adult but was probably one of the biggest kids there. My dream is someday to be able to take all of my nieces and nephews toe see the “Mouse”.
Ahh Sunday nights in front of the TV: Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color! Great memories indeed!
There are so many… One reason is the Cast Members. It is a true pleasure to visit a place where such a high level of service is provided. My favorite is when you’re looking at a map and a Cast Member notices and asks if he can help. You don’t get that type of attention every day!
No Lisa…you certainly do not.
What is it about Disney that makes YOU want to visit?
That magical feeling of everything is perfect and right in the world as soon as you see the castle. The fact that I cry every time I see one of those commercials with the parents surprising their kids with a Disney vacation. And that the commercial, where the little boy says, “We’re too excited to sleep!” is one of my favorite (and most quoted) commericals of my life. And lastly, that this past year has been one of the hardest of my life, but my husband was smart enough to know that even though we had money problems, we still needed Disney vacations in our life, and I was able to completely forget about every problem I had for those three wonderful weeks.
Meghan…that is my favorite commercial too. And yes, we quote it ALL the time as well! 😉
What makes me NOT want to visit is a better question, lol. I have never had an experience at Disney that has made me think “Oh, why did I come here!” And I’ve lost a cell phone, a purse, a wallet. I’ve had a screaming 4 month old, poopy diaper blowouts and fresh out of diapers :). I love disney, and I ALWAYS want to visit. It’s magical and it makes my kids smile.
Great point Renea! Even the challenging times are ok because you’re at Disney!
So many reasons to want to visit, where to begin. Our upcoming visit will be my fourth time and my 4 year old daughter’s first. Everyone in my family loves Disney EVERYTHING! Disney World is such a magical place. I’m getting tears in my eyes just thinking about the place. So many good memories are made there. No matter the age, you always feel like a kid again when you go and when you meet any of the characters. I still get excited to meet Mickey himself. There is never a dull moment because there is always so much to do. If we could afford it, I would go every year. It truly is the happiest place on earth!
Yes Heather I truly believe it IS the happiest place on earth!
What makes me want to visit? Probably the memories I have as a child….that feeling of nostalgia and wanting to pass that on to my kids now that I’m a mom.
Isn’t it special Brooke to share those feelings with your children?
The special, magical way that I am treated from the minute I step foot on Disney property.
If only every place treated us in that special way Sarah!
the reason i love visiting disney it is a place where everyone can be the kid in their heart and no one cares.it is the magic that when you walk into the parks you forget all your worries you had and enjoy yourself.
One of the things I love the most…acting like a kid and no one thinks it odd!
“Why do you go to Disney World all the time? Don’t you get tired of it?”
– Disney World is the place to go all the time for us because it makes new memories. It provide us the chance to enjoy new rides and shows. Get to meet new characters; no place can replace it.
“How do you afford to go to Disney World so often?”
– We afford to go to Disney World by saving up even with free airline tickets with the help of my dad’s Delta SkyMiles, arrange a stay with a rental car combined. We don’t go every year, but when we do we truly enjoy every minute.
Cathleen I love creating those new memories each time as well!
The magic! No other place compares!
This Kim, is what I tell people ALL the time!
My uncle took my sister and I to Disney as a Christmas present when we were 10 and 8 and we had the best time! We just went to the Magic Kingdom, but it was wonderful!!!! The parades, characters, and excitement!!!! The memories are priceless!!! I cannot wait to take my daughter and son next year to Disney!
Yes Bridget the memories are priceless indeed!
It was always a dream of mine to go to Disney world! honestly I never thought it would EVER be a dream that came true! I knew I could never afford it when I quit smoking I had to give myself a goal for my “treat” in being smoke free so I started banking the money I would have spent one day I came on a website, sent away for my DVD and planned and booked my FIRST wdw vacation!! Just me and my 5 yr old son! Disney to me is a dream come true! So to answer 🙂 WHAT ABOUT DISNEY MAKES ME WANT TO VISIT The magic The making dreams come true and the Priceless memories I will be making with my son! see ya in April WDW 🙂
Everything! ºoº I’ve been going since before I can remember & now I love seeing all the magic through the eyes of my 2 year old! ºoº
We love the warm weather, beautiful hotels and great food! We most LOVE the look of awe and excitement on the kids faces when they see a character, ride or fireworks!! It makes the trip unforgettable!!!
First off I love seeing my kids smile and happy to see their favorite characters. My kids mean the world to me. Second I love how WDW makes me feel like a kid again. I can wear silly hats and still look normal.
The fact that there is something for EVERYONE! My whole crowd loves it!
I enjoy going to Disney because of the memories and joy that it brings. I can nover be upset for more than a few minutes when I am there. Yes I have been upset because something I planned did not go right or something but I end up smiling in no time.
I love visiting disney because it makes you feel like a kid again and kids love it
When we go to Disney we forget all troubles or sadness! We forget that our family is so far away and we experience happiness in the eyes of a child. We become children along with ours and just enjoy every detail!
Thank you everyone for entering! Be sure to return again tomorrow for Day 2! Winner for today’s giveaway will be emailed and announced tomorrow morning! 🙂 Have a magical evening!
I cannot even put into words the magic I feel that comes from the first moment I start to plan a trip, step upon the Magical Express, and arrive at our resort. Those special words ‘Welcome Home’ are music to my ears. Eight trips later and I still get misty when I stand on Main Street, USA. WDW holds so many memories for my family. Each visit brings back special reminders of “remember when….” My daughter is currently a cast member with the college program at the American Adventure in EPCOT–something she has wanted for a very long time. Dreams do come true at WDW!!
Some may think this is a “cop out” of an answer.
But my answer has to be EVERYTHING!! I love it all! Even the crowds, the grumpy people, all of it!! Its just a magical place to be, to get away from anything and everything and thinking that the special magic you feel is just for you!
Everything about Disney makes me want to visit. 😉 It is so magical! My first visit was when I was almost 2, so as long as I can remember Disney has been this amazingly magical place. I got to experience taking my husband on his first trip to Disney, and our kids just took their first trip. Now the joy and excitement for me are all the new experiences they will have, and we will share with them, the smiles, the looks of wonder, and all the memories they have. My daughter was not yet 2 for her first trip back in March, and she still talks about her favorite things. 🙂
I LOVE the escape of Disney. Nothing matters except who you are with then you go. I love going to Disney to truly escape into a magical world!!! I dream about it when I am not there and enjoy every second while I am there!
The magic makes me want to visit time and time again. No two trips are ever the same!
i love how accomodating they are with special needs kids. that keeps us going back every year!
I have always said that Disney is in my bones. I’ve only been to Walt Disney World–in fact I worked there about 12 years ago, and I never had to go to work. I GOT to go there. I believe in the magic that is there. No place else on this planet (as far as I am concerned) gives you the feeling that you are a kid and I’m always happy there. I cry everytime I see Cinderella Castle for the first time–every trip. You can actually feel the magic. The parks are so much fun, and nothing else matters–Hakuna Matata–No worries. The only place I want to vacation for the rest of my life.
The excitement on my sons’ faces, the magic, the mouse, the feel that everyday is Christmas.
Congratulations to Elizabeth Barrett who was the winner of Day 1 of our Birthday Giveaway! And thank you to all who entered! It was wonderful reading how much Disney means to you! 🙂 Good luck in the rest of this week’s giveaways!
My son and his family took me – his 62 yo Mom – to WDW for MNSSHP this past October. My 2010 Christmas gift was for a trip of 2-3 days in 2011; well we stayed a week! Last time we were in WDW together was 1992 when I took my 17yo and 20yo for a five day Christmas visit. There is no way to see everything; so numerous visits are on the horizion. I even received a ten-day, park hopper, no expiration so I can go ‘home’ soon. It was so nice to have Cast Members, POP Century staff, and others always saying “welcome home” = Priceless!
I just love how it makes me feel…young and full of adventure…I can’t wait to share the excitement with my daughters!
It’s the Magic. Nothing matters except being with family and having fun! Bills and worries disappear, and it’s just the amazing feeling that I get walking around the corner and seeing Cinderella Castle. It’s so amazing!!! Just the other day my friend asked me “Does pixie dust fall out of your coat?” to which I relpied “If I shake it hard enough it will.”
I just love the magic! It also reminds me of my dad when he used to take me when I was little.
We absolutely love Disney and everything about it. Since our miracle baby was born through grave difficulties, we have visited Disney World regularly. Then the economy hit our family really bad and have been unable to afford to go. Our daughter is graduating with her Masters in Pediatric Psychology as well as turning 25 next month and the one gift that we so desperately wanted to give her in celebration, we cannot do and it is so sad. She if course tells us that she doesn’t need anything except for her parents and for us to be healthy, but Disney is magical and so full of all if our childhood memories with her and its the one thing that I wanted to surprise her with. Perhaps we will have to put our next visit off for a couple more years, but what a wonderful surprise to give such a precious person who has stayed the course academically and now graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA who asks for nothing. If you know if anyway that her father and I could surprise her for her accomplishments and turning 25, please let me know.
I thank you and God bless
Trina Hager
Huge Disney Fan!!
Trina hugs to you! I don’t know of any specific ways but I hope you get a chance to celebrate with her, if not this year then soon. In the meantime, celebrate your wonderful daughter and her accomplishments!