About Elizabeth

I have been making wishes -- especially ones that would get me to Disney destinations --  since early childhood.  My grandfather was an artist who began working for Walt Disney in the late 1930s and then at different intervals in the 1940s and 1950s.  He worked on Snow White, Pinocchio, Bambi, Fantasia, and several other projects.  Cherished childhood memories include visiting Mickey and Minnie when I stayed with my grandparents.  Back then, Sleeping Beauty Castle seemed so large, the Matterhorn looked so realistic, and the Pirates of the Caribbean ride was super scary.

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Other interests occupied my time as I grew older.  I earned a Ph.D. in American History from the University of Virginia and became a tenured professor at San Jose State University in Northern California.  After my husband and I relocated to the East Coast, we were soon blessed to welcome twins into our family.   It wasn't surprising that our daughters were introduced to Disney destinations at an early age.  

Going on a cruise is my family's favorite mode of travel.   While our girls were still young (five years old),  we took our first Disney Cruise Line sailing over Halloween.  We have been completely hooked ever since.  My family has been all over the globe on Mickey and Minnie ships, including the Western, Eastern, and Southern Caribbean, the Bahamas, Alaska, Mexico, and the Mediterranean.  We have taken cruises of varying lengths -- the shortest was a two-night to nowhere out of New York, and the longest was a recent fifteen-night South Pacific from Sydney to Honolulu. 

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Disney also has an amazing property on the island of Oahu.  Aulani, A Resort & Spa in Ko Olina adds to the special memories of visiting the Hawaiian Islands.  The time, effort, and money that went into creating this place by Disney Imagineers are mind-boggling.  If you have the chance to vacation at Aulani, my advice is to look up, down, and all around as there are so many "hidden touches."   My family has experienced Aulani three different times, and I urge everyone to add it to their "must-visit" list.  And yes, Stitch, Lilo, and some of our favorite Disney pals are there all outfitted in their special island garb.

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Another great place to vacation is Disney's property on Hilton Head Island.  My family has been there several times before Christmas and we have loved every minute of it.  Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort is beautiful and there are so many fun things to do there.  My family enjoys birdwatching, nature hikes, and splashing around - both in the pool and in the Atlantic Ocean.  My daughters also loved participating in several fun kids' activities offered in the daily schedule.  If you are looking for a fun getaway, Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort is a great option.

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Several years ago, I started training to participate in runDisney events.  In 2014, I ran my first ever half marathon at the Tinker Bell Half Marathon and also the inaugural Tinker Bell 10K at Disneyland.  It was no looking back after that!  I have participated in numerous runDisney events on both coasts, achieving several "coast to coast" medals.  I checked off one bucket list item a few years ago when I participated in the "Goofy Challenge" at Walt Disney World, which included the Half Marathon first and then the Marathon the next day.  Afterward, I hopped on the Disney Dream and finished the amazing runDisney marathon week events with the Castaway Challenge 5K race.  My family runs with The Mouse too - one of my daughters placed second in her age group during a Wine and Dine 10K, and a few months later ran her first Half Marathon ever during the Princess events.  It goes to show that being on vacation can include healthy exercise amid all the other fun.

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I have traveled extensively to non-Disney Destinations as well.  While we were still University professors, my husband and I taught University students for a semester in Bath, England.  We have traveled all around the globe hitting such places as Norway, Australia, Palau, Guam, Saipan, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and the list goes on.  We are the type of parents who believe in taking our children, when possible, on our travel adventures.  Through the eyes of a child, destinations seem ever more magical.  Now that our daughters are young adults, our travels together are so meaningful because we get to share precious time before they head back to their Universities.

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For my fellow cruising enthusiasts, I  am an Accredited Cruise Counselor with the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), which is the world's largest cruise industry trade association.   In addition to specializing in Disney Cruise Line,  I can also assist with Virgin Voyages (Gold Tier certification), Royal Caribbean (Master of Adventure certification), Silversea (Ultra-Luxury, Classic Ocean and Expeditions specialist certifications), and Princess Cruise Line (Staff Captain rank).   For anyone interested in river cruising on the great waterways of Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa, I highly recommend having me find you an innovative itinerary on AmaWaterways through Adventures by Disney.  

I can't wait to spin the globe and find new places to explore with you.   Do contact me with your global wishes!

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