Pixie Dust Required: Disney Fan Friday starring IVY MAGNER!

I am so happy to bring back Disney Fan Friday posts! This week, I get to introduce you to an amazing woman! I do not even know where I met Ivy Magner because we are in so many of the same Disney fan groups! LOL. But what I do know, in every single one of her posts, two things stand out. Her love and devotion to her family, and her love for Disney! What is so awesome, is that those two are combined to create a family who is obvious about their love for each other and Disney and truly know how to enjoy life together!!! You can not help but be happy to get to see things like that! I hope you enjoy learning more about Ivy and her family like I have!

HOW OFTEN DO YOU VISIT DISNEY?
We live in SC, so not as often as I'd like. But we typically go two-to-three times a year. And I usually do an annual girlfriends' trip.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DISNEY MEMORY?
My mother passed away in October. Rather than sit around feeling depressed at Christmas, we decided rather last minute to head to Disney World. We had always avoided the parks on holidays, but we really needed some Disney. We had such a fantastic trip. Standing under the Osborn Lights on Christmas Day with the people I love most on this planet was amazing.

IS YOUR FAMILY AS CRAZY ABOUT DISNEY AS YOU ARE? IF SO TELL US MORE.
We all love Disney. The movies, the parks, the cruises. All of it. Our collective wardrobe is probably 60% Disney (75% if you count Star Wars). My 13-year-old daughter is my ride-or die-chick. (Get it? Ride. Ha!) She and I could open and close the parks every day of our trip. My hubs and 16-year-old son aren’t quite as committed as we are. They need to take breaks (a.k.a. naps).

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SOUVENIR YOU HAVE GOTTEN FROM DISNEY AND WHY?
My favorite souvenir from our Disney Cruise/WDW honeymoon is our son. smile emoticon Our other honeymoon souvenir is a Mickey head ornament personalized with our names and wedding year. No one else is allowed to hang it on the tree or even touch it because I would lose it if it broke. And I love the frying pan with Rapunzel's signature that hangs in our kitchen.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO DO EVERYTIME YOU VISIT DISNEY?
Take a family photo in front of the castle, ride all the mountains, and go on the Tower of Terror at least twice.

HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED SOME SPECIAL DISNEY MAGIC? TELL US ABOUT IT IF SO....
We’ve experienced Disney magic a handful of times—from free treats to getting to go to the front of the super long Peter Pan and Pinocchio lines. Most recently, we received some magic when our son turned 16 in January. I had mentioned his birthday when I made our reservation. We came back to our room one night to find a big birthday package. There were balloons, (including one with Mickey singing happy birthday), birthday ears, a cake, Rice Krispy treats, flavored popcorn, and a hand-painted glass birthday tray.

During the Year of a Million Dreams, our kids got to walk in the parade at Hollywood Studios. I’m pretty sure I blubbered like a baby when that happened.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE DISNEY CHARACTER AND WHY?
My favorite princess is Tiana because she has a great work ethic and can take care of herself. On a more shallow level, I think she has the most gorgeous dress. I love the villains in general because they keep things interesting.

WHAT MAKES YOUR DISNEY PASSION STAND OUT ABOVE OTHERS?
Disney is part of my everyday life. I turned my obsession with mouse ears into a business, so most days I’m working on something that is inspired by Disney. I don’t think there’s a room in our house that doesn’t have a Disney touch. Our guest room and bath are Disney Cruise Line themed. Our two Yorkies are named Phineas and Ferb.