20 Facts about my Disney Life

I was recently tagged in a post called ‘20 Facts about My Disney Life’ by the lovely Hannah from Courage and Kindness and it got me thinking. I’m really quite new to the, uh, Disney life. I mean, I visited the parks as a kid, my parents took me to Disney World a few times and I’ve been to Disneyland in California a few of times, too. And of course, I’ve always been a huge fan of the movies! But I think I only really discovered the Disney ‘life’ a few years ago, on my second visit to Disneyland Paris.

It’s really weird looking back on my previous times at other Disney parks. My friend and I went to California years ago, and we went to Disneyland, but I don’t remember much about it. I hadn’t done obsessive amounts of research. I didn’t bore him with trivia about the park, and I didn’t know the tips and tricks necessary to make the day as queue-free and smooth as possible. I forget where we ate, or what it was and, shockingly, we didn’t even think about going into California Adventure! I read that it was mainly food few rides and that was enough to convince me it wasn’t worth the time or money.

What the heck??

Nowadays, I’d know California Adventure like the back of my hand before I even went in there. I’d know where to queue and where to eat and I’d know what was worth the fastpass. I know exactly how to make a trip to Disneyland the very best it can possibly be, and we’d strike with military precision.

So what’s changed?

Well, honestly, it’s the internet - or specifically, the Disney community. I went to Disneyland Paris with Moose last year for our anniversary and it was the most magical time ever. Before we went, I threw myself into planning and research. We’d done DLP before, but only for one day back in 2012, so planning a week long break was a whole new ball game for us. I found forums and communities and vloggers and before long I was making Disney friends on Twitter and Instagram. I learned that there was so much more than the week or two weeks of a Disney vacation - that it all extends so much further through the community, and it’s so great! I won’t get back to Disney World for a long time yet -  we’re trying to be sensible and save for a mortgage instead - but I can still live the Disney magic through vloggers and bloggers! Watching people vlog their experiences, even the mundane parts like checking into the hotel or the journey on the bus, brings me such joy and anticipation! Someday that'll be me! And until then, I get to live vicariously through others, and share their joy and adventures. It's great!

So yes, while I'm quite new to the Disney Life, as it were, I've certainly thrown myself into it big time! I can safely say this blog is going to start focusing just a little too much on a certain Mouse! And so, without further ado, I present to you, 20 Facts About My Disney Life!

• I have been to Disney World twice, Disneyland three times and Disneyland Paris four times!
• My ultimate bucket-list goal is to get to every Disney park! So, only a few more to go!
• My favourite traditionally animated Disney film is The Lion King, hands down! I used to be super involved in the Lion King fandom when I was a kid, and even spent time roleplaying as a hyena, haha!
• My favourite CGI Disney film is Tangled! It's just beautiful, the songs are amazing, Rapunzel is lovely and Flynn is gorgeous *sigh*.
• I want 'See The Light' as one of my wedding songs!
• We spent Christmas in Florida once and spent Christmas Day in Epcot!
• On my first trip to Disney World, I was too scared to go on Thunder, Space or Splash Mountain! My Dad, however, really wanted to ride them and ended up going alone! I feel so bad for him and wish we could have a do-over so I'd be first in line with him! I was a dumb kid.
• I dream of attending Dapper Day! It combines two of my most favourite things - vintage fashion and Disney!
• I don't remember much about my first ever trip to WDW apart from the Enchanted Tiki Room, which we all went into not knowing what it was, and we were all bored sick! Sorry, I know it's an original and all, but nope, not for us, haha.
• My favourite place we visited in 'Downtown Disney' was the Adventurer's Club! Only it was in Pleasure Island, back then, and it was amazing!
• I've ridden the Haunted Mansion during its Nightmare Before Christmas makeover!
• I love visiting Celebration, Disney's own town! At Christmas they pump out fake snow and sing carols on the streets and it is absolutely magical! And we had a killer Christmas dinner there, yum!
• My favourite necklace is a Disney Couture 'Simba' necklace in gold that Moose bought me. It's so classy.
• I seriously considered applying for the Disney International program but couldn't face the idea of moving away from home for a whole year. :(
• I saw The Lion King in the theatre in London for my 18th birthday and cried pretty much the whole way through.
• The Jungle Book is the first movie I ever remember seeing in the cinema! They must have had a re-release or something. I went with Dad and he sang along to most the songs haha.
• Moose and I celebrated our fifth and six year anniversaries at Disneyland Paris! I'm hoping our tenth might be spent at Walt Disney World ;) ;)
• I'm soon-t0-be a Disneyland Paris annual pass holder!
• I really want to break into the Disney Vlogging world and think I'll start this November when Laura and I go back for the Christmas season!
• Since my first trip to DLP in 2012, I've bought a different pair of Mickey (or, rather Minnie) ears each trip! I now have four, and can't wait to get a Christmas themed pair this November!

The header photo was taken by my lovely friend Laura who is a super duper photographer! I tag my friend Sarah!