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A simple newsletter to bring more FUN and CONNECTION to your family.
Each month, you'll receive:
✨ Vacation Land: Magical vacation planning fun and videos.
📆 Family Land: A monthly theme to inspire your family schedule at home. A recipe to try. Plus tips to nourish your marriage and parenting.
Each land offers engaging questions to think and ask one another.
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What to expect in this email:
Vacation Land: Holiday-themed Disney trivia, tips for Disney World Christmas Parties, family "would you rather" questions, and planning video links.
Family Land: Gifts-themed table-talk questions, date night and family night ideas, and GIFTED themed movie night ideas.
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VACATION LAND
Family Vacation Planning & Disney Fun
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DISNEY TRIVIA (answer below)
All 4 Disney World parks decorate BIG for the holiday season. But which park has the MOST Christmas/holiday themed events included with your day ticket?
A. Magic Kingdom
B. Epcot
C. Hollywood Studios
D. Animal Kingdom
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Disney World Vacation Planning Tip
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
& Jollywood Nights
Visiting Disney World this holiday season (or planning ahead)? Here’s a quick parent guide to the two festive after-hours parties!
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (Magic Kingdom)
What it is: A festive after-hours event on select nights (Nov–Dec) with exclusive shows, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, free cookies & cocoa, additional exclusive treats for purchase, and shorter ride lines.
Price: Around $169 to $229 per person (varies by date).
Best for: Families with young kids who love classic Disney Christmas magic and can stay up a bit past bedtime.
Why go: Snow on Main Street, amazing holiday entertainment, and a cozy, family feel.
Why skip: It runs late (7 p.m.–midnight), so little ones may fade fast.
Top priorities:
Watch the parade from Main Street (snowfall included!)
Don’t miss the fireworks — they’re truly magical.
Grab your free cookies & cocoa throughout the night.
Use early entry (from 4 p.m.) to ride favorites before the party starts.
Jollywood Nights (Hollywood Studios)
What it is: A glitzy holiday celebration with a retro-Hollywood vibe, live shows, rare characters, and themed treats (extra cost) on select nights (Nov–Dec).
Price: Around $159 to $199 per person (varies by date).
Best for: Parents with older kids or night owls who enjoy music, dancing, and something different from the traditional Christmas party.
Why go: Unique shows (incl. Muppets and Nightmare Before Christmas) and characters, shorter lines for major rides, and festive photo ops.
Why skip: It’s a later event (7:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m.) and geared a bit more toward adults.
Top priorities:
Catch the live entertainment throughout the night.
Meet rare characters like Phineas & Ferb or Powerline Max.
Try a themed snack or mocktail.
Arrive early (entry at 5:30 p.m.) to fit in rides before the party starts.
For more vacation tips, check out my Disney World Planning Guide for Families below.
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$15.00
Disney World Planning Guide for Families
Feeling overwhelmed by all the details of planning a trip to Disney World? This guide is for you! It's got 61 pages full... Read more |
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With your family, let's play...
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WOULD YOU RATHER...
- Decorate for Christmas right after Halloween or wait until after Thanksgiving?
- Eat unlimited cookies or drink unlimited hot cocoa?
- Watch Muppet's Christmas Carol or Nightmare Before Christmas?
- Visit Epcot or Magic Kingdom around the holidays?
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Vacation Planning Videos
All 4 Disney World Parks at Christmas—Which Is the Most Magical?
Experience the Christmas magic at all four Disney World parks—Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom—without needing an extra party ticket!
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Is the NEW Zootopia Show at Animal Kingdom Worth It?
This brand-new 4D experience replaces It’s Tough to Be a Bug inside the Tree of Life Theater, and I’m sharing my honest family review.
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BEST Tips for Taking a Toddler to Disney's Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios with a Toddler? What I Wish I Knew Before Going!
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Disneyland vs Disney World Food Fight! Who Will Win?
It’s time for the ultimate Disney food showdown! From churros and Mickey pretzels to world-class dining and unforgettable snacks, both coasts claim to have the best bites — but which one truly wins when it comes to quality, flavor, and fan favorites?
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What video topic would you like to see next?
Reply to this email and let me know!
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November Theme
Meant to inspire your family play time and movie nights this month. EVER AFTER ADVENTURE PACK with more fun coming soon!
"GIFTED"
With Thanksgiving approaching, it’s the perfect time to pause and be thankful — not just for the whos and whats in our lives, but for the unique gifts we’ve each been given, and how we can share those gifts with others before the official gift-giving season begins.
Family Conversation Starters:
- What’s something you’re really good at that no one else in our family can do quite like you?
- How could you use that special gift or talent to help someone else?
- In Encanto, each family member has a magical gift. If you could have one of their powers, which would you choose — and why?
- What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food or treat that always makes the meal feel special?
- As the holidays approach, what’s one way we can show kindness as a family? Let’s brainstorm a few ideas (like baking cookies for a neighbor, making cards for a nursing home, or leaving a thank-you note for a delivery driver) and pick one to do together!
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Royal Family Tips
Live intentionally! Add these ideas to your calendar.
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MARRIAGE
Dreaming Together
New Year’s is often about resolutions and goals, but November is the perfect time to slow down and start dreaming before the whirlwind of Christmas fun begins. Here are two meaningful date night ideas to help you connect, reflect, and dream together:
1. Gifted Twist: “The Gifts We Bring”
This is best to do outside of the home, away from home life distractions...Before or after you create your dream board (see below), take a few minutes to talk about the gifts each of you bring to the marriage.
Ask:
- What strengths do we each have that help make our dreams possible?
- How can we use our gifts — big or small — to support each other this year?
- Where have we seen those gifts at work already in our relationship or family?
- Write one word or phrase for each of your unique gifts on your dream board — a little reminder that your shared dreams are built on the strengths you already have.
2. Dream Board (At Home)
All those New Year’s goals have to start somewhere — so why not dream them up together?
Set aside about two hours of uninterrupted time (think: the length of a movie) for this creative and meaningful date night.
You’ll need:
Poster board or blank wall & paper
Colorful markers
Magazines or computer/printer for pictures
Start by making a list of what you’d love to do, see, or accomplish in 2026 — in areas like:
💑 Marriage
👨👩👧 Family/Parenting
🙏 Spiritual growth
🏡 Home life
💰 Finances
💼 Career
🌴 Vacation or travel
🎉 Just-for-fun adventures!
Then, place your ideas on the board or wall. Get creative — draw, cut out photos, print inspiring pictures, write quotes or scriptures, and add dates where you can. Make it colorful, meaningful, and uniquely you.
Hang your board somewhere you’ll see often, so those dreams stay front and center all year long.
Need extra inspiration? Pinterest or YouTube have tons of ideas to get you started!
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PARENTING
Our Family is Gifted
Now that you’ve dreamed together as a couple, it’s time to bring the kids into the fun! These activities help your family recognize each person’s unique gifts — and dream together about how to use them in the year ahead.
1. Family Gift Boards
Everyone gets their own mini “Gift Board”!
You’ll need:
Paper or small poster boards
Markers, magazines, glue, scissors, stickers — whatever makes it fun
How to do it:
Have each person write or draw what makes them gifted — things they’re good at, love doing, or that make them unique
Add one way they could use that gift to help others this season (kindness, creativity, serving, etc.)
Decorate freely — make it colorful and full of personality!
Once everyone’s done, hang all the boards together on a “Family Gift Wall” as a reminder that every family member brings something special to the team
💡 Optional: Choose one “gift” to use together this month — like baking for a friend, helping a neighbor, or making cards for someone who needs encouragement.
2. Dream Big Family Night
Keep the dreaming going — this time, as a family!
You’ll need:
Cocoa and snacks
Magazines, printed pictures, or markers
One big poster board
How to do it:
Talk about what you’d love to do together in the next year
A new activity to try
A family trip or adventure
A way to show kindness or give back
Something to learn or create together
Add words, drawings, or photos of those dreams to your board
Display it somewhere you’ll see often — a visual reminder of what you’re working toward together.
Need some ideas to inspire you? Check out the Family Bucket List Ideas image from Ordinary and Happy. Or check out this site: https://allprodad.com/101-weekend-family-activity-ideas/
Or ask ChatGPT!
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"Gifted" Family Movie Ideas for November
💫 Discovering Your Gifts
- Encanto* – Everyone’s gift is special, even if it’s not what they expected.
- Hercules* – Finding strength and purpose beyond just power.
- Leo – Discovering how humor, kindness, and honesty can change lives.
- Matilda – Using your smarts and compassion for good.
- Mulan* – Courage and self-belief can be your greatest gifts.
- Ratatouille* – Passion and creativity are worth sharing, no matter where you come from.
- Wish* – The power of hope and believing in your dreams.
❤️ Sharing Gifts & Family Teamwork
- Coco* – Using your talents to connect with family and honor those who came before.
- Frozen* & Frozen II* – Learning that love and sacrifice are the strongest powers of all.
- Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile – Sharing your talents to bring joy and confidence to others.
- Onward* – Two brothers discover courage and family bonds through their shared adventure.
- Sing 1 and Sing 2 – A celebration of finding your voice and cheering for others to shine.
- The Lego Movie – Creativity and teamwork make everything awesome.
- The Mitchells vs. The Machines – A reminder that family quirks are part of what makes you special.
- The Peanuts Movie* – Staying true to yourself is the best gift you can give.
- Yes Day – Saying “yes” to fun, connection, and shared joy as a family.
🌟 Gratitude, Growth & Giving Back
- Charlotte’s Web – Friendship and kindness leave lasting impact.
- Elemental* – Appreciating differences and finding strength in connection.
- Pocahontas* – Respecting creation, gratitude, and the gift of understanding others.
- The Greatest Showman* – Embracing your uniqueness and celebrating others’ gifts.
- Wonder – Kindness is a gift that changes the world.
*Disney+
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DISNEY TRIVIA ANSWER
All 4 Disney World parks decorate BIG for the holiday season. But which park has the MOST Christmas/holiday themed events included with your day ticket?
A. Magic Kingdom
B. Epcot
C. Hollywood Studios
D. Animal Kingdom
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