Ayeh, headed to Maine this summer

Falmouth, Maine pic.twitter.com/AhnnxpSW0Q

— New England Scenery (@NEScenery) May 9, 2014

Disney Survival Guide

So, next week I'm heading to Disney World with my sister, to celebrate her 50th birthday. Being veteran Disneyphiles and Disney Vacation Club members, we've got this trip nailed. As I was gathering some things to take on this trip, I thought I'd share a few things you should take on Disney trips that I've found useful over the years.

Noise Canceling Headphones

If you have them, take a pair of noise canceling headphones. The flights to Orlando are notoriously filled with families, which means yelling, crying, screaming children. And some parents. On the way to Orlando they are happy (but still noisy), and on the way home they are cranky. You can thank me later.





Comfy Shoes

Disney World covers approximately 42,000 acres (~70 square miles). You will walk a LOT. On concrete. This is not the place for new shoes, pretty shoes, flimsy shoes, etc. Find the most comfortable shoes you own and take them with you. Period. If you have two pair, take both. Your feet will thank me.




Rain Poncho

Disney World is in Florida. It will rain. Depending on what time of year you go, it will rain a LOT. Every. Single. Afternoon. You can be like the bulk of the tourists and run into the closest store when it pours, and come out with an expensive yellow or clear Mickey poncho, or you can be smart and bring one from home. They are cheap and can be purchased online. Pick a cool color like blue and your family will stand out in the crowd, making it easier to spot all the kids.




Small Backpack

Take a small backpack in your suitcase to use in the parks, especially if you have kids. Put those ponchos in it. Put clean socks in it. Put water bottles in it. Put snacks in it. Put tissues in it. Put a few plastic grocery bags in it. You get the idea.









Snacks

Take control of what you and your family eat and spend. Bring along some snacks. Make sure they won't melt or crush easily. I've found things like Justin's Peanut Butter pouches, and prepackaged single serving bags of fruits & nuts to be a good choice. If you have nut allergies, try some granola or trail mix. It's far easier to grab something out of your bag instead of waiting in a long line to buy some overpriced junk food.



Patience

This is probably one of the most important things to bring along on any Disney trip - patience. Lots of it. There will be lines. Lots of lines. Unless you are a Disney pro and know which rides to hit when, or you have scheduled your FastPass tickets well in advance, you're going to be standing and waiting for rides, food, bathrooms. Just be patient - you'll get there!




If you take these things with you when you visit the Mouse then you should be well on your way to an enjoyable vacation. Remember, Have Fun!!

Plane Clothes

On the eve of my next trip, I sit here thinking about what to wear on the plane. I need something comfortable, and versatile enough to go from cold NJ to warm New Orleans. I arrive early in the morning, and I'll be renting a car and doing some sightseeing before checking into my hotel later in the day. Here's what I'm planning on wearing on the flight down:

Deva Lifewear Basic Shirt (purple):

Sadly, Deva Lifewear no longer makes their cotton clothes due to a lack of acceptable materials. I have several of their shirts and I swear by them for comfort.










L.L. Bean Perfect Fit Pants (black):

I usually wear these for yoga, but they're perfect for travel. Lightweight and comfortable, they'll be perfect for walking around and sightseeing.











Women's White T-Shirt:

Nothing fancy, just a layer under the cotton shirt to keep me warm until I get to my destination.











Keen Mercer Lace CNX Shoes:

I have these shoes in black and beige, both of which will be accompanying me on this trip. I'll wear a pair of black, low cut socks with them.










Black Pashmina Scarf:

Purchased for $5 on the streets of New York. I'll use it to keep warm on the plane.











L.L. Bean Women's Fitness Fleece Jacket:

Mine is black, so it goes with everything. It makes a great layer, especially for travel.











L.L. Bean Trail Model Rain Jacket:

Mine is a lovely shade of blue - again, a great lightweight travel layer, and according to the forecast, a perfect addition to have in New Orleans next week!









So, there you have it; my travel outfit for a day of changing weather :-)

This Won't Be Good For Me....

In exactly one week, I'll be getting ready to eat these.

There's no mistaking #NewOrleans for a health food hub. Here are our #BigEasy food picks: http://t.co/iyjy2IsvvS pic.twitter.com/B3B7auicwe
— Fathom WaytoGo (@FathomWaytoGo) February 28, 2014

Tracking My Travel

I've been thinking about getting another tattoo. What do you think?

Keeping Track of Countries In A Permanent Way - http://t.co/YmnSa4FvIo via @MichaelWTravels pic.twitter.com/WavP9rN0JI
— BoardingArea (@BoardingArea) February 17, 2014

2014 Travel Plans

While we may not be going on any dive trips (again) this year, there are several other trips planned. First up (after another jaunt to DC for work last month) will be another work trip, this time to the outskirts of New Orleans. Shortly afterward will be a week long visit to Nashville to visit my cousin. In May, we'll be taking my sister to Disney World for her 50th birthday. Early summer finds us on a pilgrimage to the Baseball Hall of Fame, in Cooperstown, NY. And late summer we may be spending a week with friends in a house in Maine. And here I was, feeling sorry for myself because I'm not going diving.

All aboard!

The end of this year has me taking three trips by train, specifically on Amtrak. The first was a few weeks ago for an overnight in Washington, DC to see family. The second is tomorrow, heading back to Union Station in Washington, then on to Rockville, MD by Metro for a week of work. The third is back to Rockville in January, also for work.

I had forgotten how nice it is to travel by train - the coach seats are comparable to business class on a plane, and you don't need to stay buckled in the whole time. The bathrooms are big and usually clean, you can buy food (although it's not that great), and there's free wifi. I almost wish it was a longer trip! From central NJ, it's a less than three hour trip - far less stressful than driving, and by the time you factor in parking costs, also way cheaper. I'ma also spoiled because I live 10 minutes from the closest Amtrak stop.

While Amtrak is nice, it could be far far better - take a look at European trains and you'll see we have a long way to go.  Regardless, I will still enjoy my upcoming trips.