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I first went to WDW back in February 2007 (woah ten years ago now!!) with my mum, brother, dad and my grandparents. Then I went with my mum, brother and older cousin in August 2013 and both times we missed out on some very important things to experience at WDW:
1. Stayed at a WDW hotel
Both times we stayed in off-site hotels fairly close to all the parks, in order to save some money. Both hotels were decent and had everything you needed in a hotel. However we have never experienced all the amazing things with staying at a WDW hotel- the theming, the closeness to all the parks, the magic bands etc. Hopefully the next time we venture across the pond we can have the luxury of experiencing everything a WDW hotel offers.
2. Made dining reservations at popular restaurants
When we went in 2013, WDW were making huge changes to the parks like adding Gaston’s Tavern, Beast's castle, the seven dwarfs mine train, the expanison of disney village (now known as disney springs) plus so many other things. So we missed out on quite a lot unfortunately, especially dining at the popular restaurants like Be our Guest restaurant, Ohana in Polynesian Hotel, Cinderella’s Royal Table etc. One thing we have to do when we go again as the popular restaurants look stunning!!!
3. Taken a safari in Animal Kingdom
This may be very surprising to most Disney fans as it's one the things to do whilst visiting AM. However, we only seem to spend about half a day in this park and we miss the safaris, animal trails etc. We only seem to focus on the rides and stuff like that to be honest with you. I love AM but I just don't love it as much as the other parks. However we the new Pandora world at the park now, I'm sure we'll be spending more time there next time.
4. Used magic bands
Again this is something which wasn't really around when we went in 2013 (maybe it was, don't quote me on it). However it's so popular now and anyone can get them, whether you are staying on or off site (the bands are free if you stay in a disney hotel). They look so amazing and it does so many different things. For example you can buy things and pay for your meals with the bands, as well as booking fast passes unlocking your disney hotel room and entering the parks. I would love to try out these next time we go!!!
5. Visited Typhoon Lagoon
Okay this is one we didn't choose to not do. In 2013 we planned to do Bizzard beach and Typhoon Lagoon however when we visited Bizzard Beach there was an electrical storm so we had to leave early unfortunately. Then because we went to Wet n' Wild and Universal Studios we ended up not having enough time in the two weeks to go to Typhoon Lagoon. I was so upset because we hadn't been to that waterpark before and it looked absolutely incredible!! However, my family and I have agreed that is one of the top things we have to do when we visit WDW again.
6. Been to WDW outside of school holidays
One day I would love to visit WDW outside of school holidays. The lines would be a lot shorter, the weather wouldn't be as warm too! It would be a completely different experience. However with my brother and I still doing our studies it probably won't be for a long before this one gets ticked off the list!
7. Done the Carousel of Progress
This again will create shocked faces to those who have visited WDW before, and I really don't have an excuse for not going on this ride. It looks so chilled and relaxed for those days when its hot and all the queues are far too long. I definitely need to do this next time.
8. Actually pin traded with cast members
I get so attached to my pins, which is why I don't think I could ever trade my pins- it's funny because that's what they are there for, right? I have quite a lot of pins, and whenever I go to a disney resort I have to buy some. I started collecting them in 2007 so some of them are ten years old now but they all hold a lot of memories, and I take them every time I visit a disney resort.
9. Been to four parks in one day
This would seriously tire me out if I even tried to attempt it. Plus I love taking me time around the parks and try to take it all in, and I feel like doing this would be super rushed to get all the best things done.
10. Bought a balloon in Magic Kingdom
This seems a super cute idea- taking pretty pictures with the Mickey balloon in front of the castle and on Main Street USA. But what happens when we all want to go the same ride? I don't know what I would do with the balloon! Plus walking around the park all day with a balloon attached to my wrist would irritate me slightly.
-What things haven't you done at WDW? Is your list similar or different to mine?
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Yesterday I finished my first week back at university as a second year student and let me tell you it's been a fun but stressful. I got to see all my uni friends again which was lovely; we got to caught up on our summer holidays and stuff like that as well as finding out who was going to be in my different lectures.
I realised that doing five modules this term, then three next term would be a difficult challenge- with all the work, clashing deadlines and high expectations for assignments etc. This made me really stressed out because I thought I might have missed the deadline to drop a module his term, and pick up an extra one next term so that didn't help me settle in at the start of the week. Also on Tuesday I was in uni from 10am until 6pm which meant I didn't get home until 7pm. Yes I did have a four hour break in between my lectures from 12 until 4pm, but it was still such a long day. Then when I arrived home I was absolutely shattered, I could have just gone to bed at 7pm if I didn't have to eat dinner, and my emotions were all over the place. So Tuesday was an emotional rollercoaster but every first day is bound to feel like that. Wednesday and Thursday were a lot better, as I felt more settled in and ready to start second year. I'm also in the process of getting the module change resolved which I'm so relieved about. Now I have attended all the introduction lectures I feel far more relaxed about the modules I've chosen and I cannot wait to do second year. My friends outside and inside of uni have helped me a lot this week to just take a day at a time, help me to settle in and try not to over stress and worry about the tiniest things in life. I feel like the hectic first week back is always inevitable whether it's college,uni, school, sixth form or even work. Emotions are always all over the place, but that's what the first week back is for right? To get to stressed out and worry, but then to realise worrying doesn't help the situation and all you need to do is to take a step back and try to work it out. I know second year is going to go so quickly, and yes it's going to be hard but I will get through it and in no time summer 2018 will have finished and I'll be in third year, writing about the first week back all over again.
I recently read "CharlotteShares" blog post where she discusses some things she's good at, and I thought why not do the same. Not a lot of people now, I think anyway, discuss what they are good at in life as they focus more on negative things about themselves. Everyone is guilty of being too hard on theirselves, and forever comparing to others, thinking they are no good. Well I'm here to challenge myself and share my own talents, and celebrate them!!
If you want to read Charlotte's blog post, click here- CharlotteShares 1. I'm very organised
I would say I've always been organised. Throughout school I would come home and get homework done straight away, I would plan out my homework etc. Being at university for a year already, I have learnt to control my organisation and find other ways of organising to suit me better. And yes, I’m one of those people where if I say I’ll meet someone at 12pm, I’ll be there for 11:50am... Being early is better than being late right?
2. I'm good at taking photos
I know a lot of people say they are good at photography and ‘well it’s easy to take a decent photo’ but since studying Photography at ALevel I realised it takes a lot to get the right shot, and its helped me to get the perfect photo using different techniques, equipment etc. ALevel Photography was a lot harder than most people think.
3. Procrastinating
I think this one is self-explanatory...
4. Planning a disney trip
This is where my organisation skills come into excellent use. I love planning everything far in advance so we know exactly what we are doing. I also love to watch different Youtube videos on planning disney trips, and disney vlogs to help me organise every more!!
5. Binge watching Netflix
I'm addicted to Netflix okay.. isn't everyone?
6. Getting the work done
If I have outstanding work, I will make sure I get it done (or the majority) as soon as possible. Having said that, with university work especially it can be hard to keep on top of it all- this is where late night sessions come in.
7. Worrying
This is something I've always been good at. I’m so good at overreacting over the simplest thing, then thinking of the worst case scenario, resulting in me stressing out and worrying. Sometimes I don't even realise I am worrying until someone tells me I am, whoops.
8. Multitasking
I'm fairly good at this skill I would say. It's only since I started sixth form back in 2015 where I have acquired this skill, and it definitely comes in handy with uni work.
No one is perfect, everyone has their flaws but we all need to celebrate our talents more, and focus less on the negative things.
Last night I watched Footloose at the Peacock Theatre, Holborn with my mum and brother to celebrate mum's birthday. It was amazing! We only booked the tickets a few days ago, and we sat in the first and second row!- mum and brother sat in at the front and I was behind.
<That was how close we were... very very close!!! Unfortunately it is only at the west end until 30th September in London, but if it comes back I would definitely go and see it again. The actors were incredible with all the dancing, acting and singing as well as playing the different instruments used throughout. There were two pianos at either side of the stage (kinda hidden but so you could see them too), as well as guitars, flutes and clarinets used on stage. The actors would swap round playing the different instruments which was a great twist as usually there would a band either below the audience at the front or on stage. This made you feel a lot more immersed within the story. All the actors did an incredible job portraying the storyline, themes and emotions shown in the film, as well as showing new scenes and songs which weren't originally in the film. This gave more depths to some of the characters which were not protagonists. The different settings and props they used also were so authentic, adding to the sense that you felt involved in all the drama, happiness and sadness. We didn't actually realise until the day before that Gareth Gates (who was on runner up on PopIdol in 2002) was one of the main protagonists, Willard. Back when Gareth was on PopIdol little Lidia loved him and his music so seeing him on stage was very weird!! Mum absolutely loved it so I'm glad we decided to go on her birthday. My favourite part had to be when they did the iconic scene from the film where the high school kids get to have prom, and dance! They danced and danced and sang the theme song as well as a few songs that were used also. Confetti came down from the ceiling and they wanted everyone to get up and dance-we decided not to stand up because others behind wouldn't be able to see, but people sat at the sides were dancing and singing! They really made you feel like you were part of the musical. The stage was set up with balloons and party decorations too which was great! I honestly didn't want it to end, it was amazing. I love going to the theatre, but I love it even more when it's one of my favourite films at the theatre!! I cannot wait to go to the theatre more!! Anyway here's some pictures from last night (not of the performance obviously).
I’ve been at university for a year now, and it's crazy to think how the time has flown by! I have learnt lot of things, academic and personal, here's some which I feel are important.
1. It's never too late to make friends
During freshers and the first few weeks, it can be easier to friends however once that period has ended there is general feeling people have already made their friendship groups. It took me a while to realise this didn’t need to be true. I am still making friends within my course, as well as out of it. There is no time limit to when friendship group making is over.
2. The late night working sessions are inevitable
Even if you are never behind with work and always get on top of it, late night sessions will make an appearance where you are basically falling asleep on your laptop keyboard. I always try to get as much work done days/weeks before the deadline, but it isn’t always possible to keep that up especially towards the start of exam period.
3. Do the extra reading!
One of the most important things first year has taught me is to do the extra reading. This will help you to stay on top of the topics covered; you will gain a better understanding of what the lecturer is saying, than just sitting there clueless. Yes I’m guilty of not doing all the extra reading (because there is a tonne!). When I didn’t I couldn’t follow the lectures, then assessments came around and I would struggle I’m not gonna lie. Oh and when the lecturer asks you questions, the extra reading will come in handy trust me.
4. Student life is what you make it
It is easy to feel like there is only one type of student- you binge drink, spend the all time napping and you always leave your assessments to the last hours of the deadline. For a lot of people, that's what university is about which is fine, but there are a lot of people (e.g. me) who aren't about that life. It’s okay to not be the typical student, I am certainly not haha!! And don’t think you are ‘boring’ if you don’t do all the stereotypical student things; university life can be anything you want it to be.
- What have you learnt from your time at uni? Have you learnt similar things or completely different things? How have I forgot to post about my Disneyland Paris trip with my best friend?!!! Shame on you Lidia!! At the end of June I travelled to Disneyland Paris with one of my friends for a few days... it was the first proper holiday I had away from my family (I went to Vermont, America on a skiing trip with my school in year 8 but that doesn't really count) and it was honestly so fun. My friend and I had reams of fun whilst we were there and we got up to quite a lot within those four days. We managed to go on most of the rides in Disneyland Park, but at the Walt Disney Studios Park we only managed to get on a few- the dates when we decided to go (25-28th June) were very very busy for both parks unfortunately. We still had an amazing time though; we met quite a few characters, had a character breakfast at the Plaza Gardens Restaurant location near Main Street, watched some of the shows include the stunning Illuminations fireworks show, where we were lucky enough to fit right at the front, opposite the castle!! We also had plenty of opportunities to take cute pictures around both parks. We also go the Photopass experience included in our tickets, which we used a lot- around the popular photo spots like in front of the castle as well as character meetings and ride photos. If you know me, you'll know what I mean when I say I took a lot of pictures, and you guessed it... I'm going to post a few of my favourites on here to share. To be honest I didn't take as many as I normally do, but I think that was due to me wanting to take everything in for once haha!! ~ Have you ever been to Disneyland Paris? What's your favourite thing to do whilst you're there?
With Netflix and other streaming devices widely available now, is binge watching just part and parcel of watching shows now, right?
I am guilty of binge watching several tv shows, however I have a little bit of a commitment problem when it comes to staying up to date with some shows; I get quite far then I either become ‘bored’ of the show or I find another show to watch. This usually happens in the middle of a series, and happens randomly even when the whole world is watching the show excessively I decide not to carry on. Over the course of the summer I’ve tried my hardest to catch up with the shows. However finishing some have been more challenging than others. pretty little liars:
I started watched this around 2015. It was always topic of conversation between my friends and I. We would even start watching the new episode together at break times then gradually finish it at lunch times. Around the end of season 5 (basically right before A was revealed) I decided to stop mainly because my brother had accidentally spoilt A reveal so I thought ‘whats the point?’. Within these past few weeks however I decided it was time to catch up so now I’m three episodes before the end of season 7!! I’m going to be sad to finish it because it was and still is a large part of my life; I wish I hadn’t stopped in 2015/2016 to be honest!
walking dead:
Again I started watching around end of 2015. It was actually my Photography teacher who got me hooked to it as we had a coursework book based on zombie apocalypse. He told us to watch the few episodes to get a sense of what the environment would be like and how the zombies are portrayed. I then became hooked on it for so long, then around season 3 I felt bored with the storyline and decided to stop. However since June I’ve picked it back up again and I’m on season 6 so I’m nearly there!
teen wolf:
I feel like my love for netflix and tv shows began in 2015, because once more Teen wolf came into my life around the same time to PLL. I was so good with this one as I followed it for a long time, then when season 5 came out I watched the trailer and it just creeped me out; it just looked like something I wouldn’t enjoy watching so I stopped. I’m getting back into it now and I’m on season 6. I thought I would be able to watch it as the new episodes are coming out but season 6 is taking forever to finish.
vampire diaries:
I can’t remember when I first watched it; must have been around end of 2015- start of 2016. I watched up to the fifth series religiously, and then I decided it was going a bit too far so I stopped. I don’t know if I’ll watch anymore but it was very fun to watch.
gossip girl:
I started this at the beginning of this year and I’m not going to lie, it has been really hard to keep watching. I love it but after watching PLL for so long I keep comparing the two- yes I know I shouldn’t as it’s completely different but I can’t help myself. I’m currently on season 3, I’m not watching it religiously but every now and again I check up on gossip girls drama.
stranger things:
I was on the bandwagon straight away when this first aired, but then I randomly stopped half way through. I definitely need to pick this back up again as the new series is coming soon!!
What happened to photo albums? The ones which hold hundreds and thousands of memories from holidays, family outings or anything for that matter. The world at present is obsessed with hi-tech phones, and just storing photos on these devices; what happened to storing photos in albums?
Growing up my parents, especially my mum, would take pictures of my brother and I playing at home, on family holidays basically just at any given opportunity. The difference between then and now is that she would print off the photos and place them in photo albums. Now we are so obsessed with posting pictures from our summer holidays on social media, just anywhere online to be honest- yes I am guilty of doing this a lot. It can be easy to get lost the social media bubble and forget what it was like at that moment when you took the picture. But what I love doing is carrying on the tradition of creating photo albums with the different pictures I have taken. The nostalgic feeling you get from flicking through the pages of an album is different to the nostalgia you feel when flicking through your photo album section in your phone. I know very few people who create photo albums now, which is sad as I feel memories feel a lot more precious and more alive when in a specific album. Also I love those albums will hold the pictures and memories forever, and they won't just get lost in my phones storage system. I will one day show my children them just like my mum has done with me in the past. This whole thought of photo albums and nostalgia comes from me just completing a photo album dedicated to my trips to Norfolk and Cornwall this summer. I want to hold onto the traditions I had when I was younger just like cds and vinyls. I'm basically sticking with my roots and will always be a 90s girl at heart, even if I can spend hours on social media and Netflix. Okay I know it's been crazy while since I last uploaded a post, but I wanted to give an update on how my driving lessons are going at the minute.
I've had five lessons so far, and my sixth will be on Wednesday, and I can say I am absolutely loving them! After everything that had happened last time I took to driving lessons, I am finally enjoying them (if you don't know what I'm on about read my previous post). The first lesson he wanted me getting used to the gears and roundabouts( because I dreaded them!), so he took me around where I lived as well as taking me on roads with a 40, 50 and 60mph speed limits- which was very nerve racking because I hadn't been in the drivers seat in nearly two years!!! As the lessons went on I've discovered things which I am naturally good at, like parallel parking three-point turns, roundabouts and changing up gears, as well as things I need more practice on; for example reversing round corners, bay parking, and occasionally changing down gears... oh and checking my mirrors that is a big one!!! When I say 'occasionally' changing down gears I mean when I'm coming up to a junction or roundabout, and I have to judge whether I can change from 2nd to 1st or if I can continue in 2nd slowing down my speed. This will come in time, my instructor said as I need time to adjust being behind the wheel again after so long. Bay parking I have always struggled with, which is no surprise and reversing round a corner was one I hadn't practiced before I stopped late 2015. My recent lesson was my best according to my instructor, as we practiced parallel parking again and again- every time I did it I was spot on. I always thought I wasn't good at this parking technique, but apparently I'm a natural! My confidence has definitely grown whilst pursuing lessons again, I can't believe how low it was when stopped doing lessons two years ago. I also have my theory test soon which is crazy as it seemed only yesterday since I booked it! I've been really cracking down and revising using the theory app on my phone. The mock tests I've done so far have been good, with results of 46/50 for the multiple choice which is a solid pass (43/50 is the pass rate). The hazard perception is more struggling, hopefully between now and my test I can improve. I am slightly nervous for the test but not as nervous as I thought. I will update on how I go on, if I fail I fail as long as I've tried my hardest. If I pass I'll be a happy bunny then I can concentrate on my practical test!! |
Hi I'm Lidia, a 21 year old English graduate from the UK. Blogger of all things lifestyle, disney, reviews and travel.let's get social:Categories
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