Yesterday, I woke up to a delightful 66 degrees here in Wilmington. While I know that other parts of the state dipped into the 50's and below, the 60's on September 01, here in Wilmington, is basically unheard of! 

It has prompted my desire for a real fall even more, which is, honestly, something we really don't get here. Sure, you can see a change in coastal landscape, the temps drop into the 80s (instead of the humid 100+), but there is little change in leaves, weather, etc. til closer to the holiday season.

Yet, my fall travel desire and nostalgia factors have been STRONG lately. While there are many places near the Carolina Coast I want to explore (hello New Bern), I am really missing Disney, especially the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. 

To be honest, outside of conferences & retreats, fall travel isn't in my cards this year. Between our congregational events and the various planned kids events, I don't really have free weekends! Plus, trying to find pet care or places that I can take my pet with me get quite expensive. I need a new post just on that alone :) Working parts of many Saturdays and/ or parts of Sundays means it's difficult to get away too. 

Halloween is one of my favorite holiday. While it is odd to many, if I think about it, as a church worker, I work the entire Advent season, Christmas Eve, Easter, and all in between. I hardly ever get to enjoy anything in Christmas because of the crazy December schedule, Lent & Holy Week keeps me occupied throughout the spring. I'm even often at camp or some youth event on my birthday, as it falls in the middle of the summer. 

I think Halloween is the one time when I can have fun and be me, regardless if I wear a costume or not. Yet, I prefer the "fun" kids version of Halloween. Think Hocus Pocus, It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, and Haunted Mansion. Think Tower of Terrors, Halloweentown, and Twitches. 

Keep your Annabelle's, Freddie's, Michael's, and M3GAN over in your own Halloween corner, please. 

Unfortunately my fall schedule is way too packed to take a trip and financially, it's not in the cards this year, so what are some ways that I can enjoy Mickey without physically being there?

1) Disney's Youtube Channel: Live, Shorts, Videos, Podcasts, and more will help fill that Disney need!

2) Disney Parks Blog : Check out what's happening in the parks; including info on all things MNSSHP, foodie alerts, characters, & merch!

3) Find your favorite content creators. Disney creators are actually in the parks a lot and stream various parts of the party and parades for us! 

4) Stay connected to your favorite Disney socials. Some years, parades are streamed by Disney themselves!

5) Save up money and block off time in your calendar to head to your favorite event next year! If you are like me though, with the kids back in school and fall programming at it's peak, it may not always be in the cards to attend an event like the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, but sometimes it's worth to take time off and make those memories! 

6) Check out this year's foodie snacks and make them at home! Alot of the speciality cookies, cakes, and treats can be made at home. I actually have a few mickey molds, so I could very well make my mickey Halloween cookies!

This is just one of my favorite travel memories made during past falls. Of course, I love the mountains, I do love the coast (and want to explore more), and other parts of the country at fall! 

What are your favorite fall travel memories? 

Do you have fall travel plans this year?