What is your name? Diane Porter
MFL member Diane Porter and Hubby Jim, at AK, Dec 7th, 2008.
Who does your family consist of? My Hubby and me. Our son (35) is a resent widower, he joins us when ever possible at WDW.
What is your occupation? Retired, I was a cake decorator at Publix.
Who is your favorite Disney Character and why? Right now Tinker Bell, there is just something so magical about Tinker Bell, I think in our losses in our lives and trying to put things together again, Tinker Bell just represents a magical new beginning for our Family. BUT I love Minnie's hats.
How many times have you vacationed to a Disney destination? To MANY to count, first time was Disney Land in the 60's. (we lived in Phoenix).
We lived in Florida when WDW opened and went in October of 1971, now we go at least 3 times a year, last year I was at WDW 6 times, so I would say way over 100 times... We live two hours away.
What is your favorite Disney Resort (or off site property) and why? No real favorite resort, we go for the "value" resorts, we spend little time at our room, and when you live and work in Florida wages are low, so we make our trips affordable, so we can make more trips... We Love to visit the Grand Floridian, especially at Christmas time, we try and visit at least one resort other then our own, at least once with every visit.
What is your favorite Disney restaurant, in or out of the parks? No real favorite restaurant, we did the Castle one time, it was very special, but we love Cosmic Rays and Flame tree grill. Good affordable food.
What is your favorite ride or attraction at any of the Disney parks? I love the first site of the castle it still takes my breath away.
When visiting Disney theme parks, do you "park hop" or not and why? Yes we park hop, mostly because we are only there for 3 days, so we want to hit all 4 parks and maybe a resort or two, but I love it when we are there for 4-5 days, then we normally do not park hop, we are both pass holders, so we have the option at a whim.
What is your favorite Disney memory? Probably the first time we went to WDW in 1971 and seeing the Castle, there was 8 of us and it was amazing, but in those days it was hard to decide what rides to ride, since you had only so many tickets, A-E. Another first time of seeing the Osborne Family Lights at MGM, like WOW, it was amazing, I have not missed them since I first found them, I really missed them the year they did not have them, when they tour down the back lot houses, before they moved them onto the streets of NY. Also the night we dined in the Castle and the fireworks went off right outside the window we sat at, that was so special. We thought 9 pm reservations for dinner was way to late, but took them anyway, and like wow.
What is your favorite "extra cost" event/tour? WE have not been able to afford the tours, I would love to do them all, but we did do MVMCP, love it all.
Have you met any MFL members at a Disney park? I won the 3 nights at the Swan last November, and I met a lot of people, can not remember many names, but Jud was on our floor and met my mom, several times and made her feel good, she was feeling lousy, in pain, and then in December Hubby, Jim, and I were there for 3 days, first stop was DHS and we ran into Jud with Joyce and Mike and we all rode Toy Story Mania together, then we parted.
Besides "things Disney", what do you like to do in your free time? I am a computer junky, I reserach and read anything I think of, and I LOVE to take pictures, I have a camera with me at all times with spare batteries, just never know what will be there to see.
What would people be surprised to know about you? I do not know, I have been married for almost 39 years to my best friend. I think people outside of this group, to do not know we are Disney addicts and most people do not get it, but that is fine with me.
What is your best MouseForLess money saving tip? I am not sure, I have enjoyed reading things on the group and have learned so much, you would never know I am a Disney addict and been there so many times, I still learn new things on MFL.
What area of TheMouseForLess.com do you use most frequently? None in particular.
What is your favorite aspect of MFL? Great ideas and tips for doing things at the World, some I forget I read till we are there and see something and go OH yeah......
