Magical Blogorail Black Loop Introduction

Welcome to those of you joining me from the Unknown Magic Within Walt Disney World and those of you just hopping aboard.  I am the Final stop on our Magical Blogorail.

I am very excited to be taking part in my first ever blogorail loop as part of Magical Blogorail Black.  I want to thank Beth at Pursuing the Magic and my fellow bloggers on the Black loop for allowing me to be a part of this special crew.  It's definitely an honor to be among you.

Singing in the Rain, 2010

My name is Paula, aka LeagueCityMouse.  Wife and Mommy of two.  I am a very serious and professional person on the outside, but a kid at heart inside!  As a compulsive over-planner, I can't function without my "to-do" lists and my schedules.  My first trip to Disney in 1971 and have been 14 or 15 times since.  Somewhere in the late 70's/early 80's we seemed to have misplaced a trip. 

 



1971.  My Dad, brother and I

Growing up, my family would take trips to Disney World every few years.  From 1971 to 1989, we went to WDW between 7 to 8 times (I’ve lost track).  Coming all the way from Texas and not flying, these trips were big adventures.  We’d usually take 2 weeks for the trip in order to drive the truck pulling the RV.  Except for the first two trips, we would stay at Fort Wilderness, so in a way, I grew up with place.  The Fort was always a fun place to explore and run wild.  Lots of things to see and do; and great memories were created.  Back then you could swim in the lake, go to River Country, ride the train, or visit Discovery Island.    Alas, all those things are gone, but I am looking forward to new things, new adventures, and a new view of the Fort when I return this summer with my own family to celebrate my 40^th birthday!   

In front of the Empress Lily



When I’m not planning trips to Disney World, I work as a project engineer and occasional rocket scientist.  OK, so technically, I’m not a true rocket scientist, but I have been fortunate enough to support NASA and the manned space program for many years.  NASA has been my life for the past 15 or so years and I’ve worked many different projects, Shuttle being my latest and I plan to spend the last flight with her before heading to bigger and better things (I hope!). 

1980

What I love most about Walt Disney World is the attention to detail.  Those hidden little treasures you can find in the parks and resorts that the majority of people overlook are addictive to me.  I just want to know more and more about why, and how, and when.  I adore the back stories and history associated the development of the parks and resorts.  The ingenuity, engineering, and imagination that goes into WDW is absolutely amazing. 

   

1987

My blog initially started as a way for me to keep the Disney magic alive prior to and after Disney vacations, as well as a place to answer questions that I’m often asked about first trips to Disney World.  You know the questions …“My family and I are going to Disney World this summer. What’s not to miss?”  Little do they know that simple a question could elicit such a detailed response.  You see, I’ve tried to answer that question with one or two lines…even a paragraph and I’ve determined that it’s just impossible.  Because Disney is Disney.  I don’t know any other way to say it.  Disney-ites, Disney lovers and those of the same ilk can sympathize.  As a result of my quandary, I decided to write this blog to share.   I certainly don’t claim or hail myself as the ultimate Disney fan.

1989

Just google “Walt Disney World” and you will get tons of official and unofficial guides on the subject.  Some of them I highly respect and recommend!  These are all great sources of detailed knowledge. I just want to write out of enjoyment; much the same as Walt Disney.  He didn’t create the theme parks as a business venture with the sole goal to make money.  No, he started it so that there would be a place for families to go to enjoy together.  Before Disneyland in California was built, most amusement parks were establishments meant for adults and not “kid-friendly”.  I just want to write for a few goals: 
1) improve my writing skills (I have to admit that writing is not my strong point); 
2) to answer those questions I get from friends and family; and 
3) just for the enjoyment of it.

So, in the words of Walt, “To all that come to this happy place, welcome.”

2009

Thank you for joining Magical Blogorail Black this month.  We will be back July 12^th with an all new theme.  Keep checking in with our blogs in between loops to keep up to date with our Disney info, photos and stories.  If you are looking for more Disney magic, you can make your way over to The Magical Blogorail website to see all our members and their blogs, as well as all our previous loops.



Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1^st Stop ~ The Disney Chick

2^nd Stop ~ Manda’s Disney Blog

3^rd Stop ~ Mommy Mouseketeer

4^th Stop ~ Unknown Magic Within Walt Disney World

Final Stop ~ The Magical Mouse Pad