What is your name? Erica Colmenares
MFL member Erica Colmenares and DS Max.
Who does your family consist of? I'm married to Phil (44) and we have one son, Max, who is now 10 and feels deprived if there isn't at least one Disney trip planned per calendar year.
What is your occupation? Umm, lots of things. Until recently I worked from home, mostly on Magically Speaking (the newsletter of TheMouseForLess) and also for TourGuideMiKE. Since I got a job at my DS's school, I've scaled back to "just" doing the newsletter. The newsletter gives me the excuse I need to spend a LOT of time reading about Disney on the internet. LOL.
Who is your favorite Disney Character and why? I love Chip and Dale. Especially when they are together. They have such a nice way of bouncing off each other, giving each other a hard time but in a kindly way. They always crack me up. And it's extra special seeing them together- usually Disney has them split up.
As an ImaginEAR, what regular feature/job do you do for MFL? - Magically Speaking.
How many times have you vacationed to a Disney destination? Uh-oh! Let's see. Once in 1975. Then a big jump to 2004- I've visited WDW eleven times since 2004. Wow! No one tell DH, ok?
What is your favorite Disney Resort (or off site property) and why? We own DVC at the BoardWalk Villas, so I'd have to say that's my favorite- I like being familiar with where I am staying while on vacation. POFQ was where I stayed on my first post-1975 trip, and that was a magical vacation, so POFQ has a special place for me as well.
What is your favorite Disney restaurant, in or out of the parks? The best meals I've had have been at The Plaza at the MK, at Kona Cafe at the Poly, and at Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club resort. YUM!!
What is your favorite ride or attraction at any of the Disney parks? Splash Mountain is my very, very favorite. Besides that, I love the World Showcase. And I still am in mourning for Who Wants To Be A Millionaire- Play It!
When visiting Disney theme parks, do you "park hop" or not and why? We have mostly had APs since 04, so hopping has been easy. Often, though, we won't, because we'll have FPs that we grab in the morning with return times for the afternoon, so we come back to the same park to take advantage of that.
What is your favorite Disney memory? My best memory was of my DS's first trip, when he was seven. It was a surprise for him. His dad was overseas, but was able to give DS a wake-up call on the morning we departed for Florida. Watching DS's face as he went from sleepy to super-excited was wonderful. That whole day, the plane trip, the drive to WDW, seeing POFQ, and going to Epcot for the first time- it all turned out perfect.
What is your favorite "extra cost" event/tour? Around the World on a Segway (no comments from the peanut gallery- just because I fell off that one time doesn't mean it wasn't fun!)
Have you met any MFL members at a Disney park? If so, who and what did you do? Let's see. I've been to two MouseFests, so I've met a bunch of MFL people. I won't even list them because I know I'll leave out someone important. I also got to go to SeaWorld with Jud and Beccy and her kids. That was great, because Jud and Beccy were old hands, and it was my first time- I didn't have to plan a thing!
Besides "things Disney", what do you like to do in your free time? We like to travel to other locations, and I love planning any trips. I've also pretty active in our church. Between work, Disney and church, I pretty much fill my time.
What would people be surprised to know about you? Maybe that I was born in England? I don't know what else- I'm pretty much a "what you see is what you get" gal.
What is your best MouseForLess money saving tip? Bring a water bottle with filter to the parks- stay hydrated without having to buy drinks from Disney!
What area of TheMouseForLess.com do you use most frequently? Resorts!
What is your favorite aspect of MFL? I love how everything about this list has community in mind. It's one of the friendliest lists out there, thanks to the regulars on the list.
