Disney….Making Dreams come True

Neuschwanstein 
Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

Hello, My Readers...

When I was little, like every little child, I loved

Disney Castle at Walt Disney World Orlando
Photo Credit: Google Free Images

Disney films (still do...ssshhhhh). My parents saved and saved to take my sister and I to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. I was 7 and my sister was 9...this was back in 1998 - wow aged myself. Now, it was very expensive to fly then - still would be for a family of 4, so my parents chose for us to drive there. The distance from Oil Springs, Ontario, Canada to Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida is approximately 2,000km. How do you keep the children occupied? How do you plan on eating, drinking and making stops for the bathroom? The answer is you can't plan on those things, you just have to take them as they come.

In the United States they have it planned out for drivers. There are many rest areas in each state, as well as many signs that tell you where you can get gas and restaurants. If there are no gas stations for many miles there are usually signs posted on the major state highways, like Last Stop for Gas for 55 miles.
To keep us engaged, we played car bingo, license plate watching - finding the different states license plates, I spy with my little eye, and other car games. I also wasted an entire roll of film (yes Film, my sister and I got Crayola Panoramic Cameras for Christmas that year) on photos of my stuffed Bunny. Oops, sorry mom for paying for 25 photos of Bunny when we got them developed.

Once we arrived at Disney, it was a wonderland. There is nothing else in the world like a Disney Theme Park. My favourite park is Epcot, because you can travel around the world in about a day. 

My Family Holding up the 1976 Sign in front of the Castle.
Photo Credit: Kathy Gadsby

25th Anniversary Castle
Photo Credit: Kathy Gadsby

Disney World Resort was celebrating their 25th year and we got to be a part of it. Attached is a photo of my family where my dad is holding up the 1976-year sign. Many people held up year signs from 1965 until 1998 when this celebration was happening. This was in Magic Kingdom in front of the Cinderella Castle that was transformed into a giant pink birthday cake, topped with faux icing, lollipops and gum drops. My parents were approached and asked if our family wanted to be a part of the celebration and could have pom poms and a sign in front of the castle while the celebration went on with Mickey, Minnie and many dancers. There was also celebratory cake served. 

As an adult now, I want to go back to enjoy the park more and see all of the new additions. When we went, they didn't even have Animal Kingdom like they do now. So, it would be great to go back and stay in one of their resorts on the property and do all of the parks again.

In 2017 I got to go to the Neuschwanstein Castle, in Füssen, Bavaria, Germany. This castle is one of the real castles that was the inspiration for Cinderella's Castle. As Disney World in Orlando, Florida is home to the Cinderella Castle, seeing the Neuschwanstein Castle brought back some of those childlike memories of being at Disney World. This Castle was built by King Ludwig II. It was never finished but they do show the parts of the Castle that are finished. King Ludwig II was killed at age 41. There are many speculations that he was murdered however, it was ruled suicide. His father King Ludwig I, "King Max" owned a bright yellow Castle Hohenschwangu. The Hohenschwangu castle is situated in the village while Neuschwanstein is up the mountain. 

Neuschwanstein from the Bridge
Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

My Sister and I with Goofy.
Photo Credit: Kathy Gadsby

If you are ever in Germany and have the chance to see the Castle, you should go! It is ginormous in size and the scenery is stunningly breathtaking. I also recommend going on the short hike around the castle to the bridge. There are some great photos that can be taken from there of the castle. While living in the Bayern Region of Germany, I visited this Castle twice, and I loved it both times. Once was with some classmates through the University, while the other time was more nostalgic as I was with my parents. My parents and I rented a car and drove to the Castle. We could see it from a distance peering through the trees, but once we took the horse and wagon ride to the top you could really see the extravagance of the architecture. 

Thanks for reading...

1st Anniversary of Blogging

Hey Readers and Followers,

This is a collage of photos from Venice.
Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

It has now been 1 year since I have begun this blog, it doesn't have quite as many posts as I was hoping for but hey we are getting there. My one year Blogging Anniversary is October 5, 2018. I never thought this day would come, and to be starting this post while on a study trip in Sweden just sounds astounding to me.

This is a collage of photos from Germany.
Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby & Eugene Kim

A year ago I started this blog, and a year ago October 4th, I booked my trip to Venice, Italy. It was so cool. In 1 year I have been in and out of 5 countries. I am from Canada and travel often for shopping or dinner to the United States. I completed a semester of studies abroad in Germany where I got the opportunity to travel to Italy. I wish I traveled more while in Germany but it can get expensive, and I am not completely comfortable traveling to foreign countries alone as a female. Then I went to Sweden recently and currently am Studying back in Finland. Those are my travel destinations briefly. I can not wait for more adventures.

This is a collage from Finland last year.
Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby

I have had the opportunity to meet and network across these countries, and having connections and friends from all over the world is a large asset in the Tourism world. I hope to someday connect with many of these people whether for personal gain or for future career opportunities.

I can not forget the memories and experiences I make each time I am home from traveling. It is so exciting to see all of my friends and family each time I head back. I love that everyone stays in touch while I am gone and they go out of their way to make plans with me when I am home. When home the time always flies by but what can you do except grasp those memories and really make the best out of the time you have.

This is a collage of photos from the summer.
Photo Credit: Danielle Gadsby & Janet Vanderwerf

I am now finishing my 3rd year studies as well as my 4th year studies (at the same time). Hoping to graduate next fall after completing my thesis. So this is possibly my last time in Finland, though I will be back someday to see the people I have met. I have gotten quite close with a Finnish friend and her family, so it would be great to host them in Canada as well as return here to visit them.

Lets hope there are many more years and experiences to share in the future of this blog.

Bye for now...