From One Mom to Another: Tips on Disney, Races and Kids

Walt Disney World offers an option to make ride reservations in advance, called Fast Pass+.  These Fast Passes+ (FP+) are available starting at 7am Florida time (Eastern time zone) 60 days in advance of your trip if you are staying on Disney property or 30 days in advance for everyone else.  Using a FP+ allows you to use a special line queue that has a wait of 15 minutes or less (most of the time).  Here is a quick step by step tutorial of how to make a FP+ reservation and a few ways you can maximize them. (Make sure you tickets are linked to your account.) Step 1:  Decide which park you want to go to each day as your primary park.  You get 3 FP+ to start and they all have to be at the same park.  (In this example we will use Magic Kingdom.) Step 2: Review dining reservations.  I write them down so I remember where and when.  Step 3: Log into the My Disney Experience App.  Here is the start screen (on iOS)....

This is an example of a Magic Shot.  We got the original and then they added the words and the ghosts. Going to Disney can be a once in a lifetime experience and you will make memories that you may want to document.  Disney offers a service called PhotoPass in their parks.  PhotoPass is a service where professional photographers take photos of you and you can purchase them.  PhotoPass also includes those fun photos of you crying in terror on rides.   This is a ride photo from Buzz Lightyear There are a several of options available when you go to purchase these photos.  1. Purchase each photo separately (unlimited downloads) 2. Purchase unlimited downloads from a single day 3. Purchase Memory Maker ($169 as of 10/18) unlimited downloads of all the photos from your entire trip for a year I recommend purchasing Memory Maker in advance (it is $30 cheaper).  It is discounted if you are military and included in some annual passes....

I didn't die on the mountain, although at the starting line I was having visions of my body being found by skiers this winter .       http://runtherut.com/ The back of the expo.     The expo before the 11k start             First turn The 11k starting line Wave 3!!     I toed the starting line of the 11k race in The Rut Mountain Runs on Sunday, September 2.  I knew it would be the most technical trail run I had ever done and the highest but I had trained, or so I thought. The Rut Mountain Runs are part of the Skyrunner USA series.  They take place at Big Sky Ski Resort just outside of Bozeman, Montana.  There are several race options including the Vk, 11k, 28k and 50k.  If you are one of those crazy ultra runner types you can combine the races as the Vk is on Friday, the 28k is on Saturday and the 11k and 50k are on Sunday.  All ...

You can see several of our outfits in these pictures from June. I'm wearing my backpack in the bottom left. I love to travel and I really enjoy traveling with my kids. When I fly I normally choose by price and flight times.  The budget airlines that fly out of my local airport charge for everything, especially luggage. So I have learned to pack in carry on.  It helps that I travel where it is warm most of the time but not always. That being said, here is how I pack for a seven day trip without checking luggage and having spare room for souvenirs.  Everyone in my family packs the same stuff but here is where we start.  My luggage: 1 hard sided carry on - get one with wheels and an expanding zipper 1 medium sized back pack - I like one a day pack style rather than a school style 2 vacuum seal bags - Get the self sealing kind that you roll to get the air out Here is a work outfit. Clothes I bring: 7-10 outfits - ...

Taking a break to reapply sunscreen and drink some water. My photographer was annoyed I wanted a photo and wasn't ready to get back in the lazy river so bad lighting.  Not healthy but my kid loves mac & chz My kids love a day at the waterpark.  They love big ones like Disney's Typhoon Lagoon or little ones like the in my hometown.  Waterparks can be stressful but they don't have to be.  Here are 5 easy tips to make your day a success.   My park bag, cheap and different 1.  Eat first.   Waterpark and all amusement park food is expensive.  Plus eating first allows you to start on a full stomach and you don't have to worry that your kids won't eat because they are 'too busy'.  2. Bring a unique park bag.   I use a reusable shopping bag this one is from a business in Colorado and I live in Montana so I was pretty sure no one else had one.  Pack light or pack a lock. I like to pack light and only carry...

 (Not us): Photo: Montana River Guides Montana has some of the best white water in the nation.  My son loves rafting and outdoors.  He decided to skip the last couple Disney trips so I have found other opportunities to spend time with him.  One of our favorite getaways is spending an afternoon on the river.  We have been rafting together for several years now and love the fact we can get some nice waves within an hour of home.  Hunter could guide us because last year he took the Swiftwater Rescue and Raft Guide Class and guides for a local summer camp, but we don't have a boat.  I haven't purchased one because we aren't sure what Hunter plans to do when he graduates next year so we just book a tour with our favorite local guides. Montana River Guides (MRG) is a local company owned by Mike Johnson, one of the nicest men you will ever meet.  He hires great guides and has a wonderful staff.  They will ensure you are safe and have a gr...

In this photo Jake and I both have lanyards with our pins on. Photo: Disney Photopass  What is Disney Pin Trading?  If you have never been to a Disney Park you may not know or you might not understand it even if you have why people are walking around with pins on lanyards and display pouches.  Disney sells pins, most are the size of a quarter that you can wear, display, collect and/or trade. But why? People collect things for different reasons, pins are the same.  Here's a couple reasons you might want to buy some collectible pins. Reason 1.  They are a fun souvenir that doesn't take up a ton of space in you luggage and are easy to display. Reason 2.  If the pins are limited editions or rare they may increase in value just like any other collectible. Reason 3.  Pin trading is fun and can be done anywhere in the park.  It is a great way to pass the time and gives you a chance to interact with Cast Members and other...