A travel agent shares her best tips for tackling Disney

Making Time for Travel

Take advantage of the preschool years with a magical vacation to Disney World.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRIAN MCGOWAN ON UNSPLASH

BY JAIME DEARMAN

While you may be thinking there is no way you would want to do Walt Disney World with your preschool-age child, there are some advantages to enjoying the magic during this time with your little one. Here are three reasons you should visit the parks during this precious stage of their lives (and yours). As the saying goes: The days are long, but the years are short.

THE MAGIC

Experiencing Disney World through the eyes of your child is a special sort of magic—especially during the preschool years. Their inhibition and ability to believe in the fairytales allow you to capture memories that are unique to this season. I hear so often that “my child won’t even remember the trip.” Before you know it, you may actually hope that your child doesn’t remember everything so that you get to have this experience all over again the next time you visit. It is magical to see your child meet their favorite character for the first time or to experience the thrill of a ride. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry happy tears, and you’ll want to do it all over again!

THE FREEBIES

Children under age 3 are free—yes, free! They do not require paid admission to get into the parks. That’s amazing on its own, but in addition, dining plans are on the horizon to return. In the past,

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you were not required to include children under 3 on dining plans; they could simply eat off of your plate or you can purchase them something at as needed. There are some exceptions to this rule, but Disney knows a child this age doesn’t typically eat a full meal, so the cost savings when it comes to dining is a nice perk.

THE ACTIVITIES

Often, parents think they should wait until their child is tall enough to ride all the rides. However, what may happen is that, once your child is tall enough to ride all the rides, he or she may not want to visit the attractions that are geared toward younger children. But, taking your child at a young age can often build a love for these “kiddie” attractions. Think about Dumbo. It isn’t super exciting, right? But, I love it because it is a ride from my early childhood. I’ll always love it, and I’ll always ride it.

It is such a pleasure when I help clients plan trips geared toward younger children, and then I get to hear all the joys parents didn’t expect to experience. It is never too early (or too late!) to make these magical memories. And don’t forget that using a travel agent can help you make your trip planning a stress-free experience. It costs you nothing more than if you had booked the trip yourself!

Jaime is a local travel agent specializing in Disney and family vacations. Visit jaimedearman.com or contact her at j.dearman@mmvagent.com. (Her services are provided at no additional cost to clients.)

KIDS WHO SHINE COOPER WILLIAMSON

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE

The Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex (SHAC), a multipurpose sports facility that includes soccer fields, a splash pad, playground, and more, is gaining something else, thanks to Vestavia Hills High School (VHHS) junior Cooper Williamson. As part of his Eagle Scout project, Cooper is raising money to build a disc golf course at the complex, located behind Liberty Park off Sicard Hollow Road.

Cooper, who lives nearby with his mom, Nicole, dad, Chris, and brother Liam (age 14)— older brother Archer is a freshman at Auburn, majoring in engineering—was first introduced to his project by a fellow Scout who was working on his own project. “My friend heard the city of Vestavia was looking for a Scout to take on the [disc golf] project,” says Cooper. “I was just starting to learn about the sport, and the idea sounded fun.”

In addition to being a member of Troop 76 in Liberty Park, which Cooper joined when he was 10 years old, he’s also a drummer in the VHHS Marching Band and he periodically plays percussion with his church’s praise band, too. And since beginning the disc golf project, he’s added that to his list of hobbies, too. “I play regularly now with my friends and my dad and watch the pro tour coverage on YouTube,” he says.

After visiting multiple courses around the region for inspiration, Cooper became concerned that he wouldn’t be able to fundraise enough to cover such a huge undertaking. “I wasn’t sure I could get enough money for the materials and equipment on my own,” he says, “because it required quite a bit more than the typical Eagle project. So, one of my advisors suggested hole sponsorships, having seen that with projects in other cities.”

There are 18 holes and one available sponsorship for each one. The course will bring consistent traffic and revenue to the area, and in exchange for the initial $250 sponsorship— which will last at least two years—a sign will be displayed on the tee post at each hole with sponsor information.

“I’ve filled many of the slots, but a few are still open,” says Cooper. (You can reach him

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at cooper.charles.williamson@gmail.com.)

To get started, Cooper had to ensure he could see the project through successfully. “I had to trim down the course project to something I could handle, but that would also get the course up and running,” he explains. “The city had a space at the SHAC that would work, and my disc golf advisor—Mr. Ben Swam with Dynamic Discs Iron City—provided guidance on laying out the course.” Following the design, Cooper had to have his plans reviewed and approved by the city before installation could begin. He’s now in the process of adding baskets and tee areas, with a goal to complete the course in the next couple of months.

“Hopefully we’ll be up and running by April or May,” he says. “I plan to schedule several workdays with other Scouts to help dig, prep the site, and install the baskets.”

When it’s complete, Cooper’s hope is that the course will be a fun activity for families and the community to enjoy for a long time. “The course uses a space the city owns but wouldn’t be too useful for other purposes,” he says. “Most courses change a lot over time, so this is really just a start. Disc golf is growing fast, and having a place to play close by is going to be really nice.”

As for his experience, Cooper says Scouts has been a positive addition to his life. “I’ve made good friends and learned a lot about leadership and practical skills I don’t think I would have had a chance to learn anywhere else,” he says. “Being an Eagle Scout like my brother would be great, and something I would carry with me my whole life.”

You can check out Cooper’s project video at youtube. com/watch?v=2-ESO7nyGjE.

Olivia Tetralogy of Fallot Patient Olivia Tetralogy of Fallot Patient

was actually through her leg. MENDING HER The path to HEART was actually through her leg. MENDING HER The path to HEART

Olivia was born with a congenital heart defect requiring open heart surgery at 3 months old. She also required a second Olivia was born with a congenital heart defect requiring open surgery as a teen to replace her pulmonary valve – but this time heart surgery at 3 months old. She also required a second they went through a vein in her leg to insert the Harmony surgery as a teen to replace her pulmonary valve – but this time Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve in her heart. This less-invasive they went through a vein in her leg to insert the Harmony path to replacement shortened her recovery time, and she went Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve in her heart. This less-invasive home the next day. Olivia was the first pediatric patient in the path to replacement shortened her recovery time, and she went southeast to receive the Harmony valve, and it was here at home the next day. Olivia was the first pediatric patient in the Children’s of Alabama. southeast to receive the Harmony valve, and it was here at Children’s of Alabama.

To learn more visit ChildrensAL.org/heartTo learn more visit ChildrensAL.org/heart

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