Best Disney Photo Blog Ever: Mrs. Lo's Disney Photo Blog 2013

Day 1:  Sunday, December 1st.  We arrive at our resort, Disney's Wilderness Lodge

The first thing we do:  take the ferry across Bay Lake (8 minutes) to the Magic Kingdom, which is completely decked out for the holidays

Time for a Photopass picture!

Then it's off to the brand new "Be Our Guest Restaurant" in the new Fantasyland.  Our concierge started trying to get us in 180 days prior, but it wasn't until the last week that they were able to get us a dinner reservation.  Hottest dinner spot in Disney right now!

But it was worth it!  Great food and service, and the "Palace" looks just as you would imagine it.  There are different "wings" -- the Forbidden wing, where you will see the Rose under glass and the Ballroom where there is a giant sculpture of the Beauty and the Beast dancing and rotating like a music box.  Finally, you can meet the Beast on your way out in the Library.  He was a very gracious host!

This was our 11th trip to Disney, can you guess what the kids chose as their first ride?  

You guessed it, the one and only Small World!

Day 2:  Monday December 2.  We started out with the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast at the Grand Floridian, where we met all the characters 

We had such a great time at the Grand Floridian, they we ended up buying a piece of the magic .... yep, that's when we toured and new Grand Floridian Villas and decided it was finally time to Mouse up and become DVC members 

After that, time to explore the holiday beauty of the Grand Floridian

Then it was time to Monorail it over to the Magic Kingdom for some magical haircuts at the Disney Barber Shop, another LoBiondo Family tradition ...

How many times can we ride Space Mountain?  A lot

Time to park hop it over to Hollywood for Dinner at the Sci Fi Theatre.  Mom and Dad shared a milkshake and Fried Pickles, yum!  Then our first peak at the Osborne Spectacle of Lights

Day 3:  Tuesday, December 3rd.

Enforced Rest Time:  an essential of Disney Vacation.  Resting all day at the Resort Pool.  Then off to the Magic Kingdom, for a late lunch at Tony's Town Square Restaurant, home of the Lady and the Tramp!

Then over to Frontierland for some old favorites:  Splash Mountain

 and Frontier Thunder Railroad.  Then back to Tomorrowland for Buzz Lightyear.  With the new MagicBands, Resort guests can book all Fastpass rides in advance.  You get 3 per park per day.

Getting a little hungry, let's head to the new Gaston's Tavern for giant hunks of pork and hummus.  Seriously, that's all that's on the menu but it's delicious!

Time for ... Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.  There is a Parade with characters and music and of course, Santa!  There is not cocoa and cookies served throughout the park and a very, very special Wishes (fireworks) spectacular over the Castle.  Not to be missed!

Day 4:  Wednesday, December 3

It's an Animal Kingdom Day -- starting with Lunch at Tusker House.  This is a Character Lunch with an absolutely fabulous buffet filled with delicioius African food, as well as traditional fare.

Do not miss the Kilamanjaro Safari, a full on animal preserve filled with magnificent animals living in their natural habitat, many of whom are endangered species.  Bring a camera with at least 200x zoom, I had 300x.

Then off to see the Lion King, a 30-minute musical and acrobatic spectacular, also not to be missed

And last but not least, Expedition Everest.  We had Fast Passes but got lucky and rode 3 times in a row with no line.  

Finally, it was time for Dinner and a movie and AMC's Dine in Theatre in Downtown Disney.  The older kids went to see "Catching Fire" while the young and young at heart caught "Frozen," both great movies

Day 5:  Thursday, December 5th

We started the day with a photo shoot back at the Wilderness Lodge, anyone can book a photo shoot through Disney's Fine Arts Photography services, and you can choose from several of the Deluxe resorts as your backdrop.  It is worth every penny, these are the best photos I have ever had taken of my family!

After lunch at the Whispering Canyon, this was an all EPCOT day:    Spaceship Earth (where you go inside the "EPCOT ball"), Living with the Land, Mission Space, Soarin' and of course, our old favorite, Figment!

Then it was time to explore the World Showcase, where many countries are "recreated" in true Disney style, and have dinner at the "Biergarten", in Disney's Germany.  Delicious, authentic German food served buffet style and live, traditional German music.  

Followed by night time in the World showcase and ILLUMINATIONS firework and music display!

Day 6: Friday December 6th

First, some R and R back at the Resort Pool ...

Then, off to Hollywood Studios.  First stop, Tower of Terror.  Cover your eyes, Minnie!

You don't want to miss the Great Movie Ride, American Idol, Star Tours and, of course, Aerosmith's Rockin Rollercoaster!

We had dinner at one of our favorites:  Mama Melrose Restaurant, which is right next to the Osborn Spectacle of Lights which is also not to be missed.

Day 7:  Saturday, December 7th.  

Last day but the Disney Magical Express doesn't take us to the airport until 3:30pm, so plenty of time for some Disney magic.  It so happened they were filming ABC's Disney Christmas Parade that day.

Last ride of 2013:  the new Under the Sea Little Mermaid ride.  Another great trip is in the books, see you next year Disney, at our new Grand Floridian DVC Villa .... or maybe sooner, who knows!

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Have a magical day, everyone! <3 Mrs. Lo 

The Magic of Disney

THE MAGIC OF DISNEY - we have just returned from our 11th trip to Walt Disney World, and it was more magical than ever. Sometimes, I feel the world breaks down into two groups of people: Those who can appreciate the Magic of Disney (you don't have to actually travel there to appreciate it) and Those who do not. I will never forget sitting in a judge's chambers in another county a few years ago. The case was over and I was chatting with the Law Guardian, the attorney assigned to represent the children in the custody case. I was on my way to Trip 6 or 7 to Disney. The LG told me that his kid was "over" Disney, he was too cool for it. How old is your kid, I asked, thinking he would say 18. "He's 11," said the LG. I didn't pull any punches. "Honestly, that's your fault in not preserving the Magic for your kid. Mine are 8 and 11 and they can't wait. I honestly question whether you are qualified to be a Law Guardian, as you seem to have no understanding of children,” then I turned on my heel, clutched my Disney purse and marched off. He was flabbergasted. But I meant it. My kids are now 13 and 9 and still love every single minute that we are at Disney World, and can't wait to go back next year.

Our first trip to Disney was in 2006. I was only working part time, from home, picking up spare hours from different law firms, to maximize my time home with the kids. Anthony had just become partner at a new law firm, and they had agreed they wouldn’t take any profits out for the first year, giving the firm time to build a profit. We didn’t have a lot of extra cash for lavish vacations. I spent two years banking money every week into a vacation club savings account, just as I had seen my parents do my whole life. Eventually, it added up to enough money to book a budget-conscious vacation to Disney at the Carribbean Resort (a “moderate” from those who know the Disney hotel scale – it goes Budget, Moderate, Deluxe, Deluxe Club Level, DVC). I couldn’t get my husband to agree to book a Disney vacation, he was trying to save money for college and retirement, and everyday expenses. So I surprised him. One day at dinner, I announced we were going to Disney World in a few months. The kids were over the Moon with Joy, holding hands and jumping up and down. My husband was a little more cautious. “Did you play Lotto or something? You’re not gambling on college football again, are you?” I showed him the bank book and he finally relaxed into the idea; but he wasn’t feeling the Disney Magic. I, on the other hand, had the Disney Magic instilled in me at a young age.

My first trip was 1971, I was 6 years old, and my parents managed to take us 3 times total, thanks to their Vacation Savings Club account.

There is no describing the first time your kids see Cinderella’s Castle in person. Truly, there are no words, it is beyond Joy, seeing the wonder and magic in their faces, reflecting back your own joy; and reflecting back that this is how your own parents must have felt when they saw the Joy on our little faces. The first trip was tough because we were all such Disney rookies. Even though I visited every Disney chat site, called Disney all the time, and read the Unofficial Guide to Disney World cover to cover (800 pages) twice, nothing can prepare you for your first visit. The logistics are overwhelming and I definitely overbooked us. I ignored the advice to build in some “magical rest time.” We’re all young and healthy and athletic, we don’t need rest, I thought. Wrong. Everyone needs rest. We hit the “Disney Wall” mid-trip and spent a whole day at the hotel napping and watching Disney movies in our room. Then we were refreshed.
Flash forward to our most recent trip, last week. The last few trips, we have been staying at Deluxe Resorts, Club Level, meaning we have our own floor for Club Level guests, with our own Concierge, who will do everything from book dining and shows to go out and get makeup for you (true story). Club Level also has almost 24 hour beverages and food available, with Open Bar from 8 pm to 11 pm, and a “Club Room” with lounge, TV, and Fireworks viewing in some. I have gone from Disney Rookie to Disney Expert. I don’t need a map in any park except for Animal Kingdom (it’s so big!). I know the Disney transport system like the back of my hand. I often know more about Disney than the people who work there and am happy to share my knowledge with the obvious Disney Rookies I encounter. I consider myself a “Disney Ambassador,” spreading Disney cheer and knowledge everywhere I go.

There is definitely a Science to Disney World. I book our ADR’s (Advance Dining Reservations) 180 days in advance (the maximum advance booking time) and make sure I get every restaurant we want. I buy Magic Your Way Park Hopper passes so we can “hop” from, park to park. I get the Disney Dining Plan so we get the discounted meal plan, and I even book our Fast Pass rides in advance. We didn’t wait one minute for any ride in Disney. And I build in at least 3 big chunks of rest where we just hang out at the Resort Pool and chill. I spend all year planning our trip, and it is worth every penny and every moment.

Our very first trip, Mr. Lo wasn’t really feeling the Disney Magic at first, he was too overwhelmed with all the events I had planned. Then we went to the Disney’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade, which is the best Christmas event in the world. Christmas parade, fireworks over the castle, hot cocoa and cookies all over the Park. As the music swelled during the fireworks show and we looked at the faces of our 2 and 6 year old boys, awash with the glow of fireworks, and magic, and Christmas, and exhaustion – my husband turned to me and said, “Thank you, my Beautiful Wife, I now get the Magic of Disney thing.” It was a simple but beautiful way of saying, this is Us, this is our magic, let’s do this every year, and sometimes twice a year.

Michael still isn’t big on the thrill rides, so Anthony usually elects to stay with him while Christian and I do the thrill rides, like Aerosmith’s Rockin Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, and Everest. It’s our little Mother-Son tradition. After riding Expedition Everest 3 times in a row with him, Christian was so happy, he picked me up, threw me over his shoulder, spun me around and said, “Thank you, Mom, for always going on the roller coasters with me, you are the best mom ever.” I felt a twinge over vertigo but all worth it. That was thanks enough.

And Michael. Well, Michael IS the Magic of Disney. He can’t remember a time when he didn’t go to Disney every year and he has never been exposed to Television News. He want to become a veterinarian and work at Animal Kingdom helping the African Safari animals. He believes in everything from Tinkerbell, to the Tooth Fairy, to (of course) Santa. Everywhere we go, whether it’s Disney, or just swimming lessons, he spontaneously hugs me and thanks me for being the best mom ever.

This year, we finally took the plunge and bought a piece of the Magic. It has long been a dream of mine to buy into the Disney Vacation Club, and we finally did it this year, with our home resort being the brand new Grand Floridian Villas. So we know we’ll be back every year, and we bought enough points so we can vacation somewhere else as well. It definitely takes the sting out of going from 86 degrees to 36 degrees. We know for a fact we’ll be back next year because we have a place in Disney.

Do you have to book a trip to Disney to experience the Magic of Disney? Not at all. For the years leading up to our first trip, I made sure we watched every Disney movie in the theatres, owned every old movie on DVD, and decorated our tree with Disney ornaments. I listened to (and still do) Disney music on my iPod and read Disney story collections to the kids at bedtime. I shopped at the Disney store and made sure the kids had every Disney stuffed animal. But really, Disney is a state of mind. The best way to keep the Magic of Disney in your Heart: turn off the TV news FOREVER, turn on old Disney movies on your DVD, and remember: All it takes is faith, trust, and a little bit of Pixie Dust! Remember to Count your Blessings, everyone and have a Magical Day! For more of the LoBiondo Family Adventures at Disney World,

KEEPING YOUR KIDS SAFE ONLINE - SOCIAL MEDIA

KEEPING YOUR KIDS SAFE ONLINE - Mrs. Lo is a pro bono attorney for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and has been asked to share the following important information about kids and social media.  A survey of 12 to 17 year olds revealed 38% had posted self-created content such as photos, videos, artwork, or stories. Another survey of 10 to 17 year olds revealed 46% admit to having given out their personal information to someone they did not know. The likelihood kids will give out personal information over the Web increases with age with 56% of 16 to 17 year olds most likely sharing personal information.

Tips from the NCMEC to Minimize Potential Risk of Abuse
- Social-networking websites often ask users to post a profile with their age, sex, hobbies, and interests. While these profiles help kids connect and share common interests, individuals who want to victimize kids can use those online profiles to search for potential victims.

- Kids sometimes compete to see who has the greatest number of
contacts (friends/ likes) and will add new people to their lists even if they do not know them in real life.

- Kids cannot “take back” the online text and images they post. Kids may display images or write information that is provocative, harmful, and/or inappropriate. Online Web postings are accessible
by the public. Individuals who have access to this information can save and forward these postings to an unlimited number of users.

- Talk to your kids about how once images are posted online they
lose control of them and can never get them back. Only allow your kids to post photos or any type of personally identifying information on websites with your knowledge and consent.

- Kids may not realize the potential ramifications
of their online activities. They can face consequences for posting
harmful, explicit, dangerous, or demeaning information online including being humiliated in front of their families and peers, suspended from school, charged criminally, and denied employment or entry into schools, as well as losing existing scholarships/ positions on athletic teams.

- Instruct your kids to use privacy settings to restrict access to profiles so only the individuals on their contact lists are able to view their profiles.

- Remind kids to only add people they know in real life to their contact lists.

- Make sure you have your kids' username and password and monitor regularly.  Visit social-networking websites with your kids, and exchange ideas about OK versus potentially risky websites.

- Ask your kids about the people they are communicating with online.  Make it a rule with your kids that they can never give out personal information or meet anyone in person without your prior knowledge and consent. If you want to consider a meeting, talk to the other kid’s parents/guardians. If you agree to the meeting, accompany your kids and meet with the other kid and his or her parents/guardians in a public place.

- Encourage your kids to think “Is this message harmful, dangerous, hurtful, or rude?” before posting or sending anything online. Teach your kids not to respond to any rude or harassing remarks or messages that make them feel scared, or uncomfortable.

Be smart, you wouldn't let your kid watch inappropriate movies, yet they are out there in the Twitter sphere going crazy, literally, because they think no one's watching.  Letting your kids tweet and use social media with no supervision is the modern equivalent of letting your 2-year old get on and off the subway by themselves everyday.  They might be OK for a while but, eventually, somebody's going to get hurt.

But, Mrs. Lo, you say, then my kids will think I'm a helicopter parent.  Good.  That's our job.  A public service message from Mrs. Lo and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.  <3 Mrs. Lo

Juliana LoBiondo
www.LoBiondoLaw.com