Yep! That’s me alright! The majority of you actually taking the time to read this can appreciate what this means. The people closest to me (my family and friends),  not so much. I seriously do not understand what is so hard to comprehend about a 36 year old mom having a passion for all things Disney! Let me rephrase that “…a 36 year old mom being addicted to all things Disney!” I have people close to me who are addicted to tobacco, alcohol, exercise, and so on. So, someone please tell me what is so wrong with me having an addiction to something that makes me happy?! That’s right, you can’t! This mom lives and breathes all things Disney.

My name is Caroline Knowles and I am a 36 year old soccer mom of two fabulous children! I have a 15 year old son who just started his Freshman year in High School (seriously, am I old enough to have a child this age?!!); and I have an 8 year old daughter who just started the second grade. Both of my children play club soccer (futbol for my overseas viewers) so we practically live on the soccer field.

My family and I live in Fairhope, Alabama, along the Alabama Gulf Coast, just miles away from the beach. While this is very convenient at times, Hurricane Season can be quite miserable! We live and breathe crimson and houndstooth in our family. Roll Tide Roll!

I spent the past 15 years of my life working as a litigation Paralegal. I spent my days (and some nights) working on Court deadlines and extensive legal battles. Since 2010, I have worked solely on the Deepwater Horizon Economic Loss Claims in connection with the BP Oil Spill. I spent hours upon hours working on claims for families and businesses who literally lost everything in our coastal community during this disaster. For the past four years I fought trying to obtain justice for these people. Let’s just say there are still people waiting for their payments over four years after the Spill! I suffer from chronic migraine headaches and they started spiraling out of control. I decided it was time for a lot less stress which for me meant a lot more MICKEY!

I formed Magical DIStrations, LLC which is the company that owns and operates this website. Magical DIStractions, LLC also operates Magical DIStractions Vacations, which is my travel agency. I have taken and completed the College of Disney Knowledge and I am now Disney certified to book any and all Disney Destinations travel! If you would like a quote or if you have any questions related to any of the Disney Destinations, please do not hesitate to contact me. My direct email address for the travel department of my business is caroline@magicaldistractions.com.

My goal is to bring you all of the up to date Disney news, including menu changes, attraction refurbishments, resort renovations, coming attractions, rumors, upcoming travel discounts, and much more!

I have been fortunate enough to have many DIStracted Disney loving authors agree to contribute articles here on the site. Most of these friendships were formed through the #DisneyMP (Disney Parks Moms Panel) process. There is something to be said about the Disney community. We all stick together like family. Please take a few minutes and get to know each of these amazing authors on our DIStracted Team page.

In addition, I have been so blessed to have had so many of you volunteer your photographs for publication on this site. I have a page titled “Photography Contributions” where I have listed as many of you as I can remember who have given me photos. We are always looking for new photographs of anything Disney related. If you would like to contribute, please email your photos to caroline@magicaldistractions.com with the subject re: “DIStracted Photograph Submissions.”

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Where it All Began

I grew up with a love for Disney. I was fortunate enough to have a family that frequented Walt Disney World. I grew up in Birmingham, Alabama so we were able to easily drive to Orlando. Here are a couple of photographs of me in #wdw from the earlier days!

As you can see from these photographs, Michael Jackson was HUGE in Walt Disney World at the time. My children think it is hilarious that Mickey Mouse is wearing a “space suit.”

There are a lot of things I love about the 80’s; the music, the movies, however, the clothing worn by Disney characters definitely isn’t one of them!

Needless to say my love for Disney started early on. Actually, my very first job was working at the Disney Outlet Store in Foley, Alabama at age 16. I was in heaven! Of course, I only worked there during the Summer. I  still have some of the lithographs obtained from original releases while working there (Pocahontas -1995). My life took different paths than originally intended, however, in the long run I ended up doing what I always dreamed of, spending every day working on Disney!

I have been fortunate over the years in being able to share Disney with my own children. We try to go to Walt Disney World every year if possible. We live in Fairhope, Alabama which is approximately 7 hours away from Lake Buena Vista. My hope is now that I am a travel agent and editor of this site, I will be able to start taking more frequent visits.

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My Disney Favorites

Favorite Character:  Classic Mickey Mouse

Favorite Disney Movie:  Peter Pan

 

Favorite Disney Destination: Walt Disney World Resort

Favorite Disney Park:  Magic Kingdom 

Favorite Disney song: “I Won’t Say I’m in Love”  from Hercules 

http://youtu.be/I_bEWXs_FX4

Favorite WDW Value Resort:  Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Favorite WDW Moderate Resort: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Favorite Deluxe Resort: Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Favorite Quick-Service Restaurant: Tortuga Tavern (Magic Kingdom/Adventureland)

Favorite Table Service Restaurant(s):  Yak & Yeti (Animal Kingdom Park),  Flying Fish Cafe (Disney’s Boardwalk).

Favorite Signature Dining Restaurant:  California Grill (Contemporary Resort)

Favorite Character Dining Restaurant(s):  Ohana’ Best Friends Breakfast (Polynesian Village Resort), and Chef Mickey’s (Contemporary Resort).

Favorite Disney Blog(s) & Website(s):  My No Guilt Life, Addicted 2 Mickey, Allears, Chip & Co.

Favorite Disney Merchandise:  Dooney & Bourke, Vera Bradley, Mickey Mouse watches, Mickey Mouse t-shirts, PANDORA

My Disney Must Haves:  Subscription to Celebrations Magazine, Mickey Ears, Trading Pins, and Disney Jamberry Nails!