Gary hails from Canada and he’s a lifelong Disney fan. In the 1950s he watched the original Mickey Mouse Club and The Wonderful World of Disney on a snowy old black-and-white television. Gary was mesmerized by the Disneyland that Walt introduced to the world during those Sunday night shows! In 1977 he took his young family to Walt Disney World for the first time and suddenly that Disney magic he experienced as a child was rekindled. Since then Gary and his wife Carol have enjoyed about 70 trips to Walt Disney World, 11 trips to Disneyland and 11 Disney Cruises.


From the Tickle Trunk — Walt Disney World News October 1982

Posted on
Let’s pull another old newsletter out of the Tickle Trunk and look at a very exciting time in the history of Walt Disney World! The October 1982 issue describes the newest theme park, EPCOT Center which opened that month. Look, there’s even color on the front page . . . and it’s just buzzing with … Continue reading "From the Tickle Trunk — Walt Disney World News October 1982"
No Comments

From the Tickle Trunk — Walt Disney World News 1981

Posted on
According to The Walt Disney Archives, the Magic Kingdom’s first map wasn’t a guide map as we know it today, but a multi-page newspaper called The Walt Disney World News. The first edition, with a huge headline “Vacation Kingdom Opens,” celebrated the opening of the park with photos of company founder Walt Disney, Walt Disney … Continue reading "From the Tickle Trunk — Walt Disney World News 1981"
2 Comments

The Fort Wilderness Book

Posted on
If you were to ask me, “Which Disney resort is your favorite?” I would immediately answer, “Fort Wilderness Campground.” It will probably come as no surprise to you that Carol, a compulsive collector, has saved some keepsakes, mementos and souvenirs from a resort which ranks high on her list of favorites. They were scattered throughout our home, some in her pin collection, some in the Tickle Trunk, some in scrapbooks and others in book cases or file folders. About two years ago she decided to put them all together in her new Fort Wilderness Book. Once she had it all assembled in a large 3-ring binder, we were both pleasantly surprised by some of the treasures she had picked up over the years. Here is a look at a few of the highlights from the Fort Wilderness Book.
12 Comments

Disney Buttons

Posted on
A long, long time ago a young mother named Carol took her six-year-old son Rob to Walt Disney World. She bought a three day park pass . . . then the problem became apparent! How do you ensure that a very active youngster doesn’t lose a valuable ticket? Hmmm . . . what to do? … Continue reading "Disney Buttons"
6 Comments

Money Saving Tips

Posted on
There are plenty of people who bemoan, “Walt Disney World is an expensive place to vacation.” While those people are correct in some ways, in my opinion they are way off-base in other ways. Yes, there are many places where you can vacation for less money than a Disney park or resort . . . … Continue reading "Money Saving Tips"
7 Comments

2014 AllEars Group Cruise – Day 7

Posted on
Carol had ordered room service coffee for 7:00 a.m. so we were up and moving at 6:50. It was so calm and quiet that I thought we must be docked at Castaway Cay. Carol stepped out on the veranda and told me we were still at sea, sailing slowly. There was no sign of the … Continue reading "2014 AllEars Group Cruise – Day 7"
13 Comments

2014 AllEars Group Cruise – Day 5

Posted on
We finally slept until our normal 7:00 a.m. Everything was peaceful and quiet; we were docked at Falmouth, Jamaica. Carol went to Deck 11 and picked up coffee which we enjoyed on our veranda as we looked out over this scenic town on the north shore of the island. As soon as the ship docks … Continue reading "2014 AllEars Group Cruise – Day 5"
3 Comments

2014 AllEars Group Cruise – Day 6

Posted on
This morning we woke at 7:15. Cuba was visible through the haze on the western horizon and Haiti was just out of sight beyond the eastern horizon. I brought coffee back from Deck 11 and we enjoyed it on our veranda as we watched the Caribbean, and a few container ships, roll past. What a … Continue reading "2014 AllEars Group Cruise – Day 6"
4 Comments

2014 AllEars Group Cruise – Day 4

Posted on
It was a wasted day. A gloriously wasted day. This was exactly the kind of day we hope to have during a cruise! For Carol and I, the cruise is not about the ports of call and the excursions. For us, it’s all about the ship-board experience. It’s about being pampered . . . it’s … Continue reading "2014 AllEars Group Cruise – Day 4"
6 Comments

2014 AllEars Group Cruise – Day 2

Posted on
Carol and I have found that we never sleep past 7:00 a.m. while we’re cruising, so she always orders room service coffee for 7:00 a.m. It arrived on time, as always, and this time she included a few small pastries. We were booked for brunch at Palo and the pastries were intended to tide me … Continue reading "2014 AllEars Group Cruise – Day 2"
5 Comments