Walt Disney World: It's Not Just for Kids » pank

WDW Not Just for Kids Review: Savvy Auntie

Hedy — Sun, 01 May 2011 15:56:28 +0000

I know it’s not directly Disney related, but given that Melanie Notkin and the Savvy Auntie site were huge inspirations for me starting this site, I couldn’t not mention her new book, Savvy Auntie. I recently read this book, on my Kindle (although I bought my DSIL the dead tree book version, and the cover is pretty). On the whole, I was really a fan of the book.

One thing that the book did right away which I liked was in its discussion of types of aunts, it mentioned both ChildAunts and TeenAunts. Having been both, it felt nice to be acknowledged. It also mentioned aunts by choice. While I am not one, being the goddaughter of a fabulous PANK in her own right (to whom I just sent Mother’s Day flowers), I also enjoyed this inclusion.

By Melanie’s own admission, the book focused on new aunts of young children. This was cool in the way that it answers questions that you wonder about but are afraid to ask (like about the dead skin on babies and what your loved one is going through during pregnancy). However, I found myself wondering when the version for those of us Savvy Aunties who are now navigating the world of high school, middle school and dating is coming out.
I really liked how this book addressed a lot of the stuff that no one but a PANK would think about: it covers dealing with a loved one’s pregnancy if you’re having fertility issues, discipline, and how to answer the question of why you’re not married.

Obviously, I zeroed in on the line about wanting to take your nieces and nephews to Disney World. I gotta admit, I’m torn: my knee-jerk reaction was “But what if you want to go to WDW without them?” On the other hand, I am looking forward to going with my nephews this summer (in theory, the new job has made it a question mark). Of course, taking a 15 year old and 12 year old whose love for Disney matches your own isn’t exactly taking a a teeny toddler.

I recommend this book, and I would think it would make a great gift for the Savvy Aunties in your life.

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2011 Disney World Moms’ Panel Application coming up!

Hedy — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:15:15 +0000

Update 9/13: Applications are open!

If you are looking to apply to the Walt Disney World Moms’ Panel, applications for the 2011 panel will be accepted starting on September 13, 2010, and continuing through September 17, 2010. If you are interested in applying and are an adult Disney fan, but are not a mom, please note that nowhere in the qualifications does it even list being a parent as a requirement.

As such, I highly encourage any PANK, or other non-parents who are Walt Disney World enthusiasts who meet the qualifications to apply. Me? Well, as you all know, I applied last year, but was not selected (and I have to admit I still find it hysterical that I’m a member of Mickey Moms’ Club). However, writing out my application led me to realize that I am passionate about the experience of being an adult Disney fan, which led to this blog. I am not planning on applying for the 2011 panel because I would rather dedicate the time to this blog. However, come next year, I may be singing a different tune.

So here is where all of you come in. Are you a PANK, DINK, childfree, or other non-parent? Are you applying to the 2011 Moms’ panel? First of all, go read the fabulous piece by Zannaland on applying (note that she specifically mentions that you do not have to be a parent). Secondly, once you apply or beforehand, let me know. I’d love to cheerlead for you on my blog on Twitter. I know that Rikki mentioned she might be applying, but I know there are other folks out there. So leave a comment on this blog, or drop me a tweet @wdwnotjustkids if you apply.

Rides you won’t do?

Hedy — Tue, 18 May 2010 20:59:23 +0000

Or, the chicken exit walk of shame is not just for kids. This topic is blatantly yoinked from Disney College Blog. I’m a little bit a brazen rider, and a bit a chicken when it comes to Disney rides.

My list of won’t rides are pretty standard: Dinosaur, Stitch’s great Escape, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, and Mission Space. I’ve done the walk of shame thrice in Disney World: the first time was Alien Encounter when I was 12. The pre-show with Skippy, combined with anxiety about the alien tapping you on the should, left me popping out of the pre-show into the gift shop. As such, I have never tried Stitch’s Great Escape. The second departure via chicken exit was at Dinosaur at age 18. The pre-show once again freaked me out. My last use of the chicken exit to date is from Mission: Space, in 2006 before the orange and green sides were in place. I’m claustrophobic, and the images of you in your capsule freaked me out.

When I was too young to use a chicken exit, I went with the ever-popular hide face in my father’s lap technique on the Haunted Mansion (which I now love!), Pirates (ditto!), and Snow White’s Scary Adventure. I went to Snow White on my December 07 trip. I am only going on that ride again with my great-nieces, whomever they may be.

I did go on Dinosaur in August of 2008. I had asked my then-nine year old nephew to sit on the outside so the dinosaur would eat him, but he declined. I tried pep-talking myself by pointing out that I had loved Indiana Jones at Disneyland. I lasted one dinosaur-in the ride photo, I am bent over looking like I am either praying or about to keel over dead. Needless to say, I’m never going on it again, and I’m pretty sure I’m not trying Stitch or Mission Space again.

Mickey Moms’ Club…

Hedy — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:56:56 +0000

Courtesy of shopping blog.com

I’m a member. Actually, allow me to rephrase that-I’m a member of the Mickey Moms’ Club. The reason I’m a member is because I applied to be on the Walt Disney World Moms Panel last year. In my Moms Panel application, I sung the praises of what a PANK could do for the Moms’ panel. However, I was not accepted, and am now on the Mickey Moms’ Panel.

Anyway, point of that was that I open my e-mail today, and have an advertisement for a What Will You Celebrate?” In–Home Celebration.” Being lured in by the all-important phrase “special gift”=AKA free Disney stuff, I read further. Surprise, surprise. It has items for adults and children. Of course.

Do I blame Disney for this? Of course not,Disney is a company, and they’re marketing to a key audience-families. However, let’s stop and think for a moment-know who is an awesome PANK? Minnie Mouse. So I think Disney should start looking to us PANKS as a force to bring them money, with or without kids.

Remember my contest for a $25 Disney Gift Card runs until 3/19 at 7pm EDT

Mickey Balloon image courtesy of shoppingblog.com

About This Blog

Hedy — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:40:12 +0000

To all that come to this happy place, welcome!

There are oodles of Disney fan sites out there. Why am I littering cyberspace with another blog? It is my personal opinion that while there is a plethora of Disney World information out there, sites which directly address adult travelers to Walt Disney World are expressly are scarce. I love Disney World. And one of my best trips was, in fact, the trip I took with my precious nephews in 2008.

That said, there’s a joy to being an adult traveler in Walt Disney World that I think a lot of people miss out on. Sure, people love Vegas’ open container laws and wandering The Strip with a beer in hand, but how many people know of the delight of wandering Epcot with a Grand Marnier slush while passing through the beauty of World Showcase. And don’t get me started on the plethora of eating opportunities! In short, the goal of this blog is to both educate and celebrate the fact that Walt Disney World is not just for kids!

Also, I think that adults who don’t have children (or, at times, even don’t have young children) are an invisible market. Case in point-the Disney Mom’s panel and the Disney Social Media Moms event. I have nothing against Mom bloggers or the Mom’s panel, but PANKS, DINKS and the link seem to be not a priority for the Disney Parks, at least on paper.

About the Blogger

Hedy — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:07:25 +0000

Truth be told, if you looked at me on paper, I am quite possibly the last person you’d expect to be a Disney freak. A good friend of mine once asked how the Hedy family got into Disney when we are so snarky. To give you the reader’s digest version, I was pretty much born a Disney freak. I had one of my three older brothers go to both Disney World and Disneyland with his SO-they brought me back my Mickey Ears hat. I longed and longed to go to Disney World. When I was told at age eight we were going, I got every guidebook from the library I could get my hands on. Know how some people report they knew their kid was a baseball star from the time the kid picked up a bat age at three? My mother will tell you about how I was discussing the best way to tour the Magic Kingdom at age nine. We then returned for a trip after Christmas when I was 12 (I saw the castle cake) and for my graduation present in 2002.

Aside from family influences, I have a degree in Women’s Studies, which a lot of people would see as being an oxymoron to a Disney Freak. And it is, but every girl’s got to have something.

Anyway, I’m 26 years old and I have one cat. I am a proud PANK (Professional Aunt No Kids) with one niece and two nephews whom I adore (who shall hitherto be referred to as Sharpay, 15; Mordie, 14; and Ferdie, 10). I’m an Aquarius and a vegetarian.

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