the Disney Driven Life

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Category Archives: True Confessions of a Neurotic Disney Mom

Which Way To Wonderland?

by JL Knopp (NDM#1) | @jlknopp1 | Published: Monday, October 17, 2011

I stare out the window of the minivan and watch as the I-4 signs indicate we are getting closer to Walt Disney World. Normally, this is a trek that makes me really happy, but tonight it is quite the opposite. “I’m a little bit nervous, and I sort of don’t want to go,” I confess to Jackie, my fellow NDM and escort for the evening. “Why? We are going to have so much fun,” Jackie assures me, “It’s a social media event. That is what you are all about. There is no way that we aren’t going to have the best time ever!” “It’s been so long, Jackie,” I lament. “I am really out of the loop since inner mouse went on hiatus and I started working. Maybe I’m a ‘has been’ at this point. I don’t even really know how I should handle myself at this thing. I just feel incredibly awkward.”

Also posted in Disney Company, Events, Lifestyle, Relationships | Tagged A Cup of Disney, Ashley Reeve, BuyAliceInWonderlandCostumes.com, costume, Disney Tourist Blog, Disney Trick or Meetup, Halloween, Haunted Mansion, Jackie Gailey, Len Testa, Lou Mongello, Mad Hatter, Mad Hatter costume, Neurotic Disney Mom, Sarah Bricker
16 Comments

FOR THE LOVE OF MICKEY

by Molly B. (NDM#398) | @realdisneymom | Published: Friday, August 19, 2011

Photo Credit: Jeff Beckley

I can not imagine my world without Mickey Mouse. He has been a part of my life since the age of 3 when I first lay eyes on him while in Walt Disney World for the first time, and I am privileged to have been able to pass the love for this amazing pop culture icon down to my 2 little boys.

Mickey is a part of our every day lives in many ways. I must admit I have logged an awful lot of time on the telephone with Mr. Mouse. If my husband could take a look at my imaginary phone bill he would probably be alarmed that I might be being unfaithful to him with old Mickey! How many of you have said “If you don’t stop that right now, I am calling Mickey!” If you have never used this threat than you are a better Neurotic Disney Mom than I, because when my boys are getting a little out of hand I have been known to throw this statement out at them. If they don’t stop what ever naughtiness they are into at the mere mention of these words, then the phone gets picked up, some random numbers get punched, and I have a conversation with Mickey about how naughty children are not by any means allowed at his home. The conversation is always ended with “Yes Mickey, thank you, I will tell them what they have to do to redeem themselves.” My almost 5 year old looks so forward to his trips to Walt Disney World every summer, so whatever Mickey says, goes! If Mickey is not happy with his behavior then you better believe it is getting turned right around! At least for a couple minutes…

Also posted in Children, Disney Company, Disney Driven Life, Lifestyle, Parents, Psychology | Tagged admirable, agenda, alarmed, amazing, bowls, breakfast, call, Chef Mickey, clothing, complain, Contemporary Resort, cups, Disney Lifestyle, eat, Epcot's Character Spot, every day lives, Fantasmic, friend, good behavior, husband, imaginary, little boys, love, memorable, Mickey Mouse, motivation, naughty, Neurotic Disney Mom, out of hand, parades, plates, play mate, pop culture icon, privilege, redemption, statement, summer, telephone, timeless, trip, unfaithful, Vacation, Walt Disney World
6 Comments

PACKING DISNEY STYLE

by Molly B. (NDM#398) | @realdisneymom | Published: Friday, August 12, 2011

Photo Credit: Molly Beckley

This Neurotic Disney Family is currently 10 days away from their much awaited vacation to Walt Disney World. The kids and I are completely brimming with excitement and yesterday the husband even quipped, “We’re 11 days away. I’m actually pretty excited.” Swoon! What music to a Neurotic Disney Mom’s ears! I have reached the end of my months of planning the annual journey to my homeland, and I am currently in the final stage. Packing. This is the 4th time I as an adult have packed for a weeklong vacation to Walt Disney World. The first time it was just me and my husband on our honeymoon. The last two times it was for my family of 4. The new addition of our little princess came in January so this is the first time I will be packing for a family of five, including three children under the age of 5, two of whom are still in diapers, and one on a baby food diet. This can be quite an overwhelming task unless you attack it with complete organization and the realization that you might not sleep much the night before you leave. This doesn’t bother me much as I know I can catch a nap while sitting in The Hall of Presidents. So here are a couple tricks of the trade I have picked up over the years that help packing go a bit smoother!

Also posted in Advice, Children, Disney Driven Life, Home Photos, Lifestyle, Parents, Planning, Travel Tips, Vacation | Tagged amateur, attack, Avery mailing address labels, baby food, baby wash, band-aids, Bins, Children, clothing, collection, conditioner, diapers, Disney, Disney Lifestyle, ear hats, excitement, family, family size, garage, homeland, honeymoons, hotel room, husband, invest, Journey, L.L. Bean, labels, lotion, make-up, Mickey, Neurotic Disney Family, Neurotic Disney Mom, organization, overwhelming, Packing Disney Style, Personal Organizer, personalize, pin necklaces, pirate, Pirate and Pals Fireworks Cruise, Pirate's League, plane, planning, ponchos, princess, shirts, shop, sleep, swooning, The Hall of Presidents, tips, toiletries, Toys, tricks, Vacation, Walt Disney World, zip lock bags
4 Comments

MY NEUROTIC DISNEY KID

by Molly B. (NDM#398) | @realdisneymom | Published: Saturday, July 2, 2011

Photo Credit: Molly Beckley

Not only am I am Neurotic Disney Mom, but I have a Neurotic Disney Kid. My son Jake is 4 years old. He will be 5 on August 29th. On August 5th he will be embarking on his 3rd trip to Walt Disney World. Last year we created a chain link count down complete with a plethora of Disney characters on the chains to count down our trip to WDW. Every day he would wake up, and promptly come jump on me, asking me to help him take down another piece of our chain. And then every hour on the hour he would ask “How many days again Mommy?”. This year we decided not to do a count down. What I really wanted to do was surprise him with our trip this year but since he has been going to WDW for the past 2 years every summer, he just kind of assumed we were going. Since he’s only 4 and doesn’t really have a concept of dates, I figure that I can still surprise him the morning of our trip.

Also posted in Children, Disney Company, Disney Driven Life, Imagineering, Lifestyle, Parents | Tagged animatronics, birthday party, Cast Member, chain link count down, Disney Characters, Disney Driven Life, Disney Lifestyle, Face Book, hotels, Imagineer, itineraries, Mickey, Mickey pancakes, movies, Neurotic Disney Kid, Neurotic Disney Mom, packing, parks, Pirates of the Caribbean, play room, pool, robots, sand box, slides, Splash Mountain, summer, surprise, swings, Thunder Mountain, Touring Plans, trip, Twitter, Walt Disney World, You Tube
5 Comments

INNER MOUSE 29 – CONFESSIONS OF INNER MICE

by JL Knopp (NDM#1) | @jlknopp1 | Published: Wednesday, March 30, 2011

The Disney Driven Life brings you another episode of inner mouse. In this week’s show, Scott and JL discuss Disney confessions. Scott and JL share some of their own personal confessions concerning strange habits in their Disney lifestyle and read confessions that have been submitted by other Disney fans. Making a special appearance, Jennifer McGill from the 90s Mickey Mouse Club, spills a few confessions of her own in some video clips. Come share the laughs and let us know some of your Disney confessions.

Also posted in Community, inner mouse, Lifestyle, NDP Community, Relationships, Vidcast | Tagged confessions, inner mouse, Jennifer McGill, Mickey Mouse Club
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ROMANCE + DISNEY = WOOZY WOBBLY GIDDINESS

by Ami B. (NDM#381) | Published: Sunday, February 27, 2011

I am fresh from a dreamy weekend In Disney World with my hubby. We stayed in the lush, Pacific Northwest Wilderness Lodge, dined at Citricos dressed to the nines and strolled through parks slowly…watching, talking and seeing shows. It was a short weekend escape, but it was truly an escape. This weekend is a memory I will hold dear forever. Now that I am home again, I have begun thinking about our next romantic weekend away. I’m not sure when that will be, but you know, it’s good to be prepared.

photo credit Ami Brundick-Eller

Also posted in Dating, Leisure, Lifestyle, Marriage, Relationships, Solo Life, Travel Tips, Vacation | Tagged Ariel, dating, Enchanted, ideas, intimacy, kissing, marriage, movies, planning, romance, Tangled, Tarzan, The Little Mermaid
2 Comments

A PASSION FOR VINYLMATIONS

by NDI64 | Published: Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Are Vinylmations driving your Disney Driven Life crazy? Join my world.

Like many other Vinylamtion collectors, I started off disliking these little artistic gems. I walked by them in many Disney retail locations with a resentful look that said “silly pieces of plastic”. Oh boy, did they have their revenge on me!

It was the Lotso Vinylmation that got me started. I liked Lotso and felt I deserved just that one. You know, because it was Lotso.

Also posted in Disney Reviews, Vinylmation | Tagged Collectibles, Vinylmation
9 Comments

MORE MAGIC PLEASE!

by Stuart S. (NDD#47) | Published: Thursday, October 21, 2010

Since 2006 my family has been going to Walt Disney World every other year with the last visit this past July. That is going to change at least for me and my wife as we will briefly visit the parks before and after Lou Mongello’s WDW Radio Show Dream Cruise.

Like so many others I feel very fortunate to have any time at all to spend in the parks and on property. While I am grateful for that time it’s never enough. Each time I visit Walt Disney World it becomes more difficult to leave. With each succeeding trip it gets harder and harder to be away from the most magical place in the world. I find myself longing for the day I can return and plotting my course of action to bring me back to the land of hope and dreams.

Also posted in Organization and Plannning, Relationships | Tagged More Disney magic, Organization and Plannning
3 Comments

DISNEY’S PORT ORLEANS – BOB JACKSON

by Natalie H. (NDM#268) | Published: Sunday, October 3, 2010

This past week, I traveled to Disney World. Along my journey, I decided to visit Port Orleans. My son and I had been at our resort, All Stars Movies, and were in the line to go to Magic Kingdom when we decided to change to go to Downtown Disney (MK was closing in an hour for the Nights of Joy!). So we headed on to Downtown Disney. After a short while there, I remembered some of my good friends on Twitter had mentioned going to visit the show by Bob Jackson at Port Orleans Riverside. The show is at no cost and is located in the River Roost Lounge where tables are available.

Also posted in Disney Reviews, Organization and Plannning, Resorts | Tagged Bob Jackson, Entertainment, French Quarter, Port Orleans, Riverside, Show
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EVOLUTION OF A DISNEY GEEK

by Stuart S. (NDD#47) | Published: Thursday, September 23, 2010

After vacationing with my family at Walt Disney World in July 2001 it wasn’t until November 2006 that we returned to the “Holy Land.” I was already a big fan of the mouse but it wasn’t until that 2006 trip that I started to really explore my passion for all things Disney.

At this point I was still a closet Disney fan. I feared speaking about my passion with family and friends would only result in mocking and ridicule. So, I turned to the internet for answers. Although I was familiar with some sites like http://allears.net/ I wasn’t yet familiar with podcasts nor did I have any clue there was an online Disney community.

Also posted in Lifestyle, Relationships
2 Comments

REMEMBERING WHY

by Stuart S. (NDD#47) | Published: Thursday, September 9, 2010

This time of year has been a particularly difficult one for me ever since September 11, 2001. It is this time of year we remember and mourn all those who were suddenly and cruelly taken away from their family and friends.

In a September 13, 2009 article I posted to my own blog I mentioned how in early 2000 my then employer temporarily relocated our company to the 106^th floor of tower two in the World Trade Center as our mid-town headquarters was undergoing a major refurbishment. The plan called for the construction to be completed and for us to return to the mid-town location in late September 2001. I was never comfortable in the World Trade Center but I was able to block out and put my fears aside. Fortunately for us things didn’t go as planned and after returning from a vacation to Walt Disney World with my family in early July 2001 I was back in my mid-town office.

Also posted in Organization and Plannning, Relationships | Tagged Airline Security, Organization and Plannning, September 11
9 Comments

DISCOVERING YOUR INNER MOUSE

by Stuart S. (NDD#47) | Published: Thursday, September 2, 2010

Let me start off by stating this is not a review of the Inner Mouse video podcast. Although, I do personally think it’s an excellent show that less than halfway through the beta test really hit its stride and ascent to greatness. Rather, the inspiration for this article came from the beta test show family stories told by John, JL, and Scott. And no, this is not my story, I wrote that during my early days of blogging on my own blog site. This is what I believe our “inner mouse” is.

Also posted in Lifestyle, Relationships | Tagged inner mouse
3 Comments

DISNEY INSTITUTE – MY FIRST ‘WOW’

by Donna F. (NDGM#14) | Published: Saturday, August 28, 2010

I still vividly remember the day, it was January 22, our facilitator was Mark Matheis and the tour was Backstage Magic. Why do I remember this day after all these years? Because it was my first experience with the Disney WOW.

The tour was jam-packed with fun Disney facts and “secret” places. Places that most people only dream of seeing, like the corridor under the Magic Kingdom, the daunting holiday decoration warehouse and a special visit to the Disney Florist, to name a few.

Also posted in Disney Institute, Disney Reviews, Fitness | Tagged BACKSTAGE MAGIC, Disney Institute, Mama Melrose, SMALL BUSINESS
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DISNEY INSTITUTE-TRANSFORMING A SMALL BUSINESS

by Donna F. (NDGM#14) | Published: Saturday, August 28, 2010

I never envisioned that the Disney Institute (DI) would transform my business, but I must confess that it did. Don’t get me wrong. It didn’t happen overnight. In fact, it has been an ongoing process ever since my first Back Stage Magic tour in 2005. That tour led to a full 5-day workshop Disney’s Value Chain Unlocking the Magic in your Business in 2008 in Orlando Florida and subsequently a Keys to Excellence workshop later in 2008 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Since that time I have had a number of DI experiences that have affected my small Bulk Mail business in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Also posted in Disney Institute, Fitness | Tagged BACKSTAGE MAGIC, Disney Institute, SMALL BUSINESS, VALUE CHAIN
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THE COMMUNITY REPORT: CONFESSIONAL

by Amanda P. (NDI#76) | Published: Sunday, June 13, 2010

We’re all Neurotic Disney People, and we all do neurotic Disney things. That said, sometimes we do things so neurotically Disney that we surprise ourselves. Thus comes the Confessional.

The Confessional is a page on the Disney Driven Life website where you can confess “your deepest, darkest, most neurotic things you have done in times of Disney desperation.” Your fellow NDPs have done or thought tons of crazy things and posted them on this page for your reading pleasure. In addition to being fun to read, however, the Confessional is also a great place to let out the pent up neurotic Disney secrets to the world.

Also posted in DDL Announcements, NDP Community | Tagged Community Report, NDP Confessionals, NDP roster
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CAST MEMBERS = MAGIC MAKERS

by Stuart S. (NDD#47) | Published: Thursday, June 10, 2010

Everyday Walt Disney World guests feel the magic being in the parks and on property. Whether it’s guests selected to lead a parade, a princess giving your child a great big hug, or a resort front desk person providing friendly and courteous information, there is no other place on earth that will make you feel more welcome and special than Disney.

One of the things I love about Disney is that no matter who you are, and no matter how young or old you are, everyone is treated like a V.I.P. It’s something that separates a Disney vacation from any other. At Disney, you’re not made to feel like you’re just part of a crowd, you’re made to feel like a very special individual amongst other very special people.

Also posted in Lifestyle, News, Relationships, Travel Reports | Tagged Cast Member, Disney magic, Disney Princesses
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CAN YOU TEACH MY ALLIGATOR MANNERS?

by JL Knopp (NDM#1) | @jlknopp1 | Published: Monday, May 24, 2010

Over the last four years, I have gradually become dissatisfied with the irresponsible attitude that sometimes dominates our society. It seems like rather than doing what is best for civilization, the general consensus is to take the easiest road in most matters. The worst part is that when it comes time to “lie in the bed that was made,” no one wants to own up to the mistakes and the consequences. We hear, “It was someone else’s job” or “It was someone else’s responsibility.”

Also posted in Lifestyle, Relationships
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A GENTLE PUSH

by JL Knopp (NDM#1) | @jlknopp1 | Published: Monday, May 17, 2010

Strolling down the path that leads to Tomorrowland, I see the very thing to beckon Elle to my side . . . a mobile trash can. Although this is the first time I have ever laid eyes on the traveling waste receptacle, I immediately recognize it as PUSH. Reports on the internet of PUSH have frequently intrigued me, and I feel a rush of excitement over finally spotting it.

“Elle,” I call out in wild enthusiasm, “Quickly come here!” Elle’s eyes widen at my antics. She knows that I have made a magical discovery and rushes to me. “Look,” I direct, “Do you see that trash can?” She nods. “It’s a walking trash can,” I explain. Elle giggles while she watches PUSH zig-zag across the path ahead of us. I continue, “Its name is PUSH. It is a real, functioning trash can. Do you know why it is called PUSH? You can push its door to throw trash inside,” I elaborate. “Can I try?” my eager waste manager inquires. I respond with a crisp, “Sure!”

Also posted in Relationships, Travel Reports | Tagged anger, Cast Member, character, character handler, disappointment, Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, embarrassment, epiphany, etiquette, Magic Kingdom, mistake, misunderstanding, pre-schoolers, PUSH, redeem, Tomorrowland, trash, trash can, upset
4 Comments

A NDM IN HER NAKEDNESS

by JL Knopp (NDM#1) | @jlknopp1 | Published: Monday, May 10, 2010

The idea of taking my trio of Mouse-centered kiddos to a Disney park as a single parent has me scared. I have never attempted a magical expedition “child heavy” and husbandless. My mommy senses warn me that this situation has the potential to be disastrous.

I am a Neurotic Disney Mom, and as such I tend to daydream while I walk through the fanciful streets of The Happiest Place on Earth. What if I slip into my Disney coma and lose track of my most precious treasures? What if while I’m looking to the left a monstrous Mousenapper snatches my little micelings from the right? My mind races through an alarming number of possible scenarios.

Also posted in Relationships, Travel Reports | Tagged afraid, Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, fear, NDM, Nemo, Neurotic Disney Mom, single parent
4 Comments

TWO-PIECE OR NOT TWO-PIECE

by JL Knopp (NDM#1) | @jlknopp1 | Published: Monday, May 3, 2010

This time of year is always overwhelming for our family. Joel works steadily around the clock at his office to meet pressing deadlines. This leaves me to solely manage the affairs of our home and children. Therefore, I am always on the brink of insanity, but these past seven days have been unusually stressful.

Last week I quit my job due to a precarious situation that was worsening in nature daily. Since then I have been tense as I search for a new source of income to pay for our Disney Vacation Club membership. Our failing economy hasn’t done much for my job search or my nerves with the “doom and gloom” that is now a regular part of the news, but this is not the full extent of my recent anxiety.

Also posted in Disney Vacation Club, Lifestyle, Relationships | Tagged bad economy, bikini, birthday, cellulite, death, Disney Vacation Club, Disney's Beach Club Villas, EPCOT, jellyfish, job loss, poolbathing suit, potty-training, relaxation, Stormalong Bay, stress, Walt Disney World, weight gain
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