This is the first week that I'll have stepped into an airplane and traveled since July 2019.  That is just incredible to me.  I would constantly travel if I could, but during a pandemic...I just didn't have the opportunities.

But now...I do!  I'm traveling a LOT!  This week I am hopping from one destination to another.  And I can't wait.

On Thursday I will head to Kansas City, where I will visit my son and have a much needed haircut from my awesome stylist.  Then I will stay with my sister, who is just minutes from the Kansas City airport.

On Friday, I will meet my daughter at the airport where we will fly to ATLANTA.  We love Atlanta.  We've had many happy and important moments there.  We will help at the US United Alabama and Georgia State Pageants!  Pictures are coming!

Now, when I booked this flight, every single flight back to Kansas City had a layover in Orlando.  Orlando = Disney.  I'm a Disney Nut.  Dang it, I'm going to Disney.  So Daughter is headed back to Kansas City, and I'm heading to the Happiest Place on Earth (hey, let's admit it...we all need some happy now).  I'll be staying at Pop Century Resort from March 7-10.  I visit Magic Kingdom on Monday, while lunching at the Crystal Palace, and I will be meeting two friends at Epcot on Tuesday!  Yes, there will be pictures.

So there will be travel this week.  I'm starting to pack my dusty bags.  I got a new set of luggage last year, just before travel was banned.  I'm anxious to use it.  My airline and parking apps are being used again.  I'm looking forward to earning points toward my freebies...just for doing what I love...travel.

I've had it.  I'm bored.  I'm restless.  I'm ready to hit the road.

SO I am.

I'm heading to Atlanta for a pageant in March.  No, I'm not competing this time.  I'm going to the US United Alabama / Georgia State Pageant as a Lifetime Queen.

As I booked my flight, I realized I had a layover in Orlando.  That's always an issue with me because when I think Orlando, I tend to grow mouse ears and a bow.  And that's exactly what happened.  I booked a few days at Disney.  On site, of course, because I've never quite grown up and I love the fantasy of the Disney resort hotels.

So, I'm over 50, Type 1 diabetic, and I'm traveling.  During a worldwide pandemic.  Am I crazy?  Maybe, but to me, it makes sense.  Here are my 8 reasons why:
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• Disney is limiting crowds at the parks.  In order to visit a park, you must have a reservation ahead of time.  This limits the number of people coming in, and keeps social distancing easier to achieve.
• They clean often.  This is Disney.  Cleanliness is next to godliness.  Do you remember the episode of Roseanne when the Cast Member with the broom followed Darlene around, and when she littered, he immediately swept it?  That's EXACTLY how it's always been, and rumors have it that they are even more serious about cleaning now.
• Dining is also limited.  It's just as difficult to get reservations now as it's ever been.
• You are required to wear masks.  As in, you will leave if you don't.  I have my creative ears on and I'm making some cute masks with my Cricut and Heat Transfer Vinyl!
• There are no self-fill stations.  Have a refillable mug?  A Cast Member fills it for you!  Same goes for water refills in the parks.  You hand over the cups and keep the lids, ,and the Cast Member will fill it with your drink of choice.
• Your 6' or 2m. distancing marks are VERY CLEARLY marked.  You know EXACTLY where to socially distance stand while in line.
• You handle your own luggage on Magical Express.  I don't know if that means I don't get the super cool yellow tags anymore, but I do know that *I* am in charge of my bags, so that makes me happy.

I feel safe going to Disney.  I'm doing the "Straight to room" feature on the app so that I can avoid the registration and check in lines.  I am checking on wait lines when I'm in the parks and will use those to help me stay aware.  I have my cleanliness kit that will be in my park bag.  And I am going to be alert to my surroundings.  I have never (knock on wood) gotten ill while visiting Disney, and I certainly don't expect to start now!