Donyell R, North Carolina
- 8/2/2020
About Me
I am the daughter of a retired teacher and factory worker, wife to a smart and kind man, and mom to twin courageous and intelligent girls. In the real world, I teach at a four-year university preparing the next generation of teachers and teacher-leaders. My real-world job has taught me the joy in finding one's passion and living a life that inspires others. I am drawn to Disney because of the creativity, imagination and wonder it inspires!
About My Family
With an extended family from the northern, southern, and western United States, I have been raised to believe that life is worth dreaming, as it is both precious and short. My girls' love of life, generous spirits and inquisitive nature fit well in our boisterous, supportive family. We have rural and city roots, with family who have suckered tobacco and others who have to be within reach of a mocha-flavored latte! My husband and I have come to understand that in the midst of our diverse extended family, we are always connected by the belief that the world should be explored. Traveling to Disney together has taught us how to compromise. While the girls and I are thrill-seekers who would ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or the Tower of Terror a million times, my husband would prefer to relax at the resort. He rides those "death-defying rides" (as he likes to call them) with us and we spend quality time at the pool with him. I have the kind of girls who would prefer to Jedi their way through the Parks all day and Princess back to the resort at night!
About My Disney Experience
When my working class parents piled two of my cousins and me in the back of a small Plymouth Horizon decades ago and drove us twelve hours to the Walt Disney World Resort, I learned that travel can be an unforgettable experience - even on a budget - that provides life-changing memories. When my husband brought me back to the Walt Disney World Resort on our honeymoon, I realized that it would always be the place where we laughed and took a break from the world together. And when we took our girls on their first Walt Disney World Resort vacation, I remember their complete wonder upon seeing Mickey Mouse for the first time, disbelief when they were picked to be in The Festival of the Lion King show, and astonishment when a cast member found a "Princess Bus" for us to ride all by ourselves back to our resort. We left with them asking the never-ending question: "When can we go back?" Those memories and the ones we have made as a family since then inspire me to help others find their own Disney magic!
Questions I’ve Answered
- On Aug 2, 2020
Miranda from FL asked“We are annual Passholders and my son just turned 3yo. Am I able to buy him an annual pass because we have one?”Donyell AnsweredHi Miranda!Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! It is always my pleasure to greet a fellow member of the Annual Passholder family!I had a similar question, so decided to call and chat with a few... - On Aug 1, 2020
Ian from UT asked“Hi, I am Booking a Walt Disney World Trip for My Family of 7. Do you have any suggestion for hotels, at a moderate pricing?”Donyell AnsweredHi Ian,Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! I am thrilled to hear that you are planning a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort!The resort hotels are one of the many reasons we love visiting the...View Related Videos
- On Aug 1, 2020
Candyce from AL asked“Can I transfer a magic band on one Disney experience account to a different account? I found the option of deactivating it but it says it’s not valid when I tried to add it to the new account.”Donyell AnsweredHi Candyce!Thank you for stopping by the Disney Parks Moms Panel! We are delighted that you brought a question to us.Like you, we appreciate the usefulness of MagicBands and the memories they help us...View Related Videos
The best digital tools for Walt Disney World Resort vacations!
- On Aug 1, 2020
Barbara from TX asked“When my magic bands came in there were no annual pass holder sliders. I purchased my annual pass right before shutdown own of the parks. So we still need to activate them. Will we get the sliders in person when we activate?”Donyell AnsweredHi Barbara!Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! It's so nice to see you stopping by with another great question. I am always pleased to talk with a member of the Annual Passholder... - On Jul 26, 2020
Kimberly from OK asked“We planned an anniversary, and had our restaurant rezzies made 180 days out. Those got canceled but we are still keeping fingers crossed that we can book Victoria & Albert’s Sept. 24 or 25. Any hint on when it will reopen of if there is a waiting list?”Donyell AnsweredHi Kimberly,We are so happy to see you stopping by the Disney Parks Moms Panel again! Let me first say that we also had all of our restaurant reservations for our upcoming trip cancelled. Those were...