Disney Cruise Line’s VoluntEars

Disney Cruise Line’s VoluntEars

We all love DCL and the amazing service they give us. Did you know DCL and their Crew Member Volunteers give back to the ports they call upon? Well, they do! DCL does not talk about it much, but I want to share some of what they have done and are doing.

 

No matter what port, US or foreign countries DCL finds ways to give back. Here is a short list of what I know they have done.

1.       Lets start with the first big win for DCL, Castaway Cay. Castaway Cay was owned by a Bahaman businessman. It let locals raise animals and grow food there. Until one day he went to visit the island and tried to land his small plane on the airstrip he had built there. He was met by drug traffickers! They had taken over the island. He few off and sold the island to a company he did not know. It turned out to be DCL.

a.       DCL contacted the DEA in the mid 1990’s and let them know about the drugs on the island and the fact those drugs were coming into Florida. The Mouse roared and the traffickers were kicked off.

b.       Disney hires locals from nearby islands to come work there when guests are on the island. They run many of the tours/Port Adventures offered there.

c.       Disney has several shops where local Bahaman artisans can sell their wares.

d.       Locals are hired to assist in the maintenance of the island.

e.       The majority of the island is kept in a protected wild state to preserve the eco system.

2.       Sent VoluntEars to Children’s hospital wards to pain murals to make hospital visits a little less traumatic to the children. This is done both US and in many countries. This includes US, Bahamian, Caribbean, Vergin Island and Mexican Ports

3.       They have help with funding upgrading medical equipment for children’s care.

4.       DCL will bring educational material and supplies to local schools.

5.       DCL will send entertainment Cast Members to schools to teach the children how to put on a Disney themed play. From set, costume design and making, acting/singing and

6.       DCL has offered tours of the ships and interaction with crew members so young people can see the different types of positions from Bridge down to Maintenance. They also have offered some scholarships for colleges that teach what is needed to be bridge positions.

7.       It times of disaster they will bring much needed supplies, including food and medicine.

8.       After disasters they will give financial assistance to the local area affected by the disaster.

9.       When DCL makes an agreement with a port they don’t just look at port and say, “We want to come there let us dock.” They look at what is needed to improve the sounding area to the port to help the locals and improve the guest experience there.

a.        The current example is Avalon, Catalina Island, Ca. Disney signed an agreement that gives their ships preferred portage 1 or 2 days per week, depending on the season. Disney realized that Avalon is a wonderful port for guests. DCL could see sustaining the additional number of visitors they would bring, long term was not the best for either the Cruise Line, Guests or Avalon. DCL has committed to helping improve the city’s infrastructure, including but not limited to water, power and roads. They will work with the environmental groups of the island to help protect the wildlife and lands. Local shops, restaurants and artisans will see an increase in business. This is a win for everyone in my opinion.

b.       On the Island of Eleuthera, Disney worked with locals to build Lookout Cay and even had locals help design shows and create menus for food served on Lookout Cay. DCL employes locals as some of the entertainers for shows performed there. The jobs spread past the Lookout Cay area to locally owned Tour Companies that give tours to DCL guests! A very financially and physically depressed area has and is being really helped. Like Catalina, local shops, restaurants and artisans will see an increase in business. Another win for all involved.

 

Disney Cruise Line does not make many announcements about the VoluntEar projects. Many I know of some from outside sources, that are naming groups of people, organizations, and businesses who are helping during a disaster. Some I know about some things because of hearing locals speak of it. Either way it gives me another reason to sail Disney Cruise Line! I want to support a company that is this forward thinking.

Check the Blog Count!! Pixie Pranks & Disney Fun Hit 2,000,000 All Time Views!!

 Check the Blog Count!! Pixie Pranks & Disney Fun Hit 2,000,000 All Time Views!!

 

At 12:15 pm Pixie Dust & Disney Fun Blog hit 2 million views!!! This is AMAZING to me, and I thank you so much for joining me on this trip!

 

This blog was started early 2011 and took until January 2025 to hit its first million views. 2023 the average month view count was around 10,000-15,000 views per month. 2024 it jumped to an average of 25,000 per month. During 25 I had what I though was a fluke huge month of over 57,000 views in one month!!! 2025 averaged around 35,000 views per month. Looking at the starting number for the blog in January, 2026, I thought I might reach 2,000,000 by the end of 2026 or early 2027. I was excited!!!

 

Now onto 2026!! January 1^st started out with 1,342,892 views. January ended with an average count of 36,480 for the month. This count was in line with he average of 2025. February ended with 30.793 for the month and again in line with the average. Then came March!!! March came in like a lion with an all time high view count of 103,432 for the month!! April decided to be stronger than March and had 137,173 views! Could this be a fluke? Something that could not be sustained?  Then May popped in!! 166,661 views to break the previous and all other all time views!!! With all of this I could see I was getting very close to my magic number! Still I figured the count may hit 2 million by July or August sometime.

 

Today at 12:15 pm the blog hit 2 million all time views! June has already hit another record view count of 184,386 views for the month of June and the month still has 8 days left. If the count continues at the daily rate it is at I will have around 240,000 views this month! The average daily rate is around 8,000 views per day!

 

Any guess when the blog will hit 3 million??? Sign up and Follow the blog to get emails when I post!! Follow the blogs Facebook Page so you can see what is posted on Facebook!

 

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Disney+ Has a Couple of Fun Things for Disney Fans to Watch!

 Disney+ Has a Couple of Fun Things for Disney Fans to Watch!

Recently added is, ”How Disney Build America.” This is about an eight episode serries that is all airing. This is about the things that Walt Disney personally and the Disney Company did to change how things are done in America and actually the world. As a major Disney Geek I knew a lot of the information but some I did not know all of the information shared. It truly shows how much of an innovator Walt Disney was and how he personally brought it out in those he worked with.

 

June 24^th, 2026, a two episode of Behind the Attraction Premiers on Disney+!! This is a special treat for Disney Cruise Line Fans!! I am really excited about this!

 

The first episode will be a look at the History of the Disney Cruise Line. From concept to the Disney Adventure! Learn about how they picked the design of the ships, color schemes, design, and the two private Islands.

 

The second episode will be the Building of the Destiny. This will go specifically into the design, theming and the process of building the Disney Destiny!

 

Both of these will be a special treat for DCL fans/addicts. Yes, I’m hooked on DCL and I’m not afraid to admit it!! I always learn something new when I see these shows.

 

You can also go back and look at the building of the Disney Wish and Treasure by searching Disney+.

Remembering Margaret Kerry the Real Life Tinker Bell

Remembering Margaret Kerry the Real Life Tinker Bell

I have some specific memories I want to share about Margaret Kerry and fun with her at Walt’s Barn. If you don’t know what Walt’s Barn is look out Walt’s Carolwood Barn. Simply put it is the small replica barn from Walt’s Hombly Hills home where he would work on his 1/8 scall backyard train. He also did a lot of the planning of Disneyland in that barn. It is the birthplace of W.E.D. now called WDI (Walt Disney Imagineering). I was volunteering for a special event at Walt’s Barn along with Margaret. We were giving a private tour. She would come do these as often as she could. I showed people around Walt’s Barn sharing stories about Walt, his love of trains and some of the special items in the barn. After the tour Margaret gave a special talk about her time working on Peter Pan as the live action model for Tinker Bell. She spoke about Walt and the animators she met there. She came and helped sweep up the barn, set up, gave her talk (and on other occasions than this one took over my part of talking about the barn because I passed out from heat.) and then she would help clean up and shut things down. She was just a regular volunteer.

At this time of this incident I was taking care of my sweet Mum-In-Love. She had Alzheimer's and could not be left alone for even 5 minutes. I could not find anybody to watch mum for me so brought her along with me. There were seats she could sit in and cold water to drink. It was a safe enclosed area and I did not have to worry about her. Then Margaret showed up. Sweet Margaret started talking to Mum. They shared stories of their faith in God, the husbands they loved and lost, childhood and family. While I took care of my responsibilities Margaret spent time with mum. Margaret befriended her, took care of her and kept her from wandering off. She allowed me to do something I loved doing, sharing stories about Walt the Man. Margaret knew that would give me peace, and she truly enjoyed spending the time with mum. 

Another much beloved memory I have of her is from the Los Angeles Live Steamer Ghost Train of 2017. This annual event was a crowd pleaser that packed out and was a great thing to do for Halloween. I arranged for a train to take the volunteers of Walt’s Barn (Located on the LALS Area in Griffith Park, Los Angeles) on a ride! This is a nighttime ride with lighting, animated figures, music, and special effects. Think of a walk through Haunted House but instead of walking you are riding on a 1/8 scale train at night! It was about a 20-minute ride! Margaret got the front seat and I fully expected her son to sit behind her, remember she was 86 at the time and this is a straddle type bench seat. You need good balance to ride and many, especially older people riding at night, just do not feel stable enough to do it. NOPE!! Margaret wanted me right behind her!! Look at the picture!! I’m a little person! My husband is right behind me and Margaret’s son is behind him! The rest of the Barn Crew is behind that. OFF WE GO!!! We roll out of the station past a huge, talking, animated haunted tree. Margaret giggled like a schoolgirl and said, “You don’t scare me one little bit!” Thus, the adventure began!! Through Grandma’s Potting Shed with a GIANT Audre II and pots of her hungry babies. Killer Clowns, Western Ghost Towns, simulated electrocution and a mine train spewing flame from its smoak stack! I nervus, no terrifed she would feel unsupported and worried about falling off and here she was making silly comments to the talking figures along the track! She would comment on the quality of the voiceover work and how good the actors that did it were. She loved the special effects and commented on them all. All the time I’m behind her thinking, “OMG!! If Tinker Bell falls off this train and gets hurt I’M DEAD!! Every single Tink fan in the world will hunt me down!!” I never had to worry. Margaret was rock steady the entire ride She held herself more like a 26 year old than a 86 year old! Not one little bobble or need for me to support her!! What childlike joy she had!! She loved every moment.

One more story. Margaret was about to publish her book “Tinker Bell Talks” and she was talking to me about it. (If you have not read it I highly recommend you do so.) We got talking about things we were doing outside of Walt’s Barn. I told her about a book I’d been writing for years. It is a Christmas book for families to read together at Christmas. She asked for a copy so I printed one for her. Margaret was a master storyteller. If you ever had the pleasure of hearing her speak you know what I mean. She liked my book and had one major comment. The book needed illustrations! I could not afford an illustrator nor could I draw myself. We had just finished giving a tour of the Barn. She pointed to the barn and said, “Where are we?” I told her, “Walt’s Barn.” At that she put her fists on her hips, tipped her head to the side in that all too familiar Tink with a Tude pose and gave me “The Look.” You know that one eye half closed, slight frown on the lips what you going to do about it look. She said, “If you can dream it, you can do it! Go draw those illustrations!” I did draw those illustrations, and the book should be out this Christmas! It is in the final editing faze. Took time to find a publisher I could afford. This was the woman who brought one of Disney’s most Iconic and beloved characters to life and danced her way into our hearts. She had the spirit, sass and just embodied the belief she could do anything she wanted, including flying if she really wanted to. She will always be missed but we need to remember that she has just gone on and we can still find her by following that 2nd Star to the Right and Straight onto Morning! We will find her there if we just have Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust. She left a pile of Pixie Dust wherever she went.

Here are some of the pictures I drew because Ms Tink told me to try! Well not just try, DO!!

Until We Meet Again In Heaven Tinker Bell – Margaret Kerry - From Pixie Wings to Angel Wings

Until We Meet Again In Heaven Tinker Bell – Margaret Kerry - From Pixie Wings to Angel Wings

Margaret Kerry and me at Walt's Barn. Just 2 Barn Pixies sharing their love of Disney.

Margaret Kerry has set aside her Pixie Wings and earned her Angel Wings. She is now with the Lord she loved and the husbands she adored. She was 97 years old.

 

I met Margaret Kerry several times at Disney Events such as D23 and Disneyana. She was always a treat to speak to with an amazing story to tell. I also had the pleasure of being a docent at Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California with her. There we became friends. We called ourselves the Barn Pixies. There she helped me perfect the art of storytelling. She was a Toast Master and a true wordsmith. She encouraged me to finish writing my book and I’m eternally happy she did so and hope to have it published soon. She told me the book needed illustrations. I told her I did not draw. We were standing in front of Walt's Barn at the time. Margaret through the perfect Tink Tude with fists on hips and head tipped to the side. With a stern expression she told me, "If you can dream it you can do it! Get those illustrations!" When Ms. Tink gives you an order you comply!! My book will have illustrations I drew because of her.

 

Margaret Kerry was one of the models for Tinker Bell. Tink had a face model and then Margaret did the live action reference. In truth I think the face was also Margaret. She also was the model and voice for the Red Headed Mermaid in Peter Pan. In all honest truth she embodied the spirit of Tinker Bell. She was forever sassy and playful. She knew what she wanted and off she went! She had the most positive attitude I’ve ever known. I learned many life lessons from her.

Margaret asked this be posted on her Facebook Page Tinker Bell Talks

Margaret had an amazing and Pixie Dusted Life. Don’t believe me? Find her book Tinker Bell Talks and enjoy some of the stories she told. Her first husband came up with several creative ideas for cartoons and Margaret was part of it. Back in the early days of television they would use still pictures of a character and cut out the lips/mouth. Actors, often Margaret would put their lips through the lip hole and speak the characters’ lines. I remember watching these shows as a child! She did early TV Shows and movies. Her first movie was at the age of 4 or 5. She was a beautiful little fairy in A Midsummers Night Dream with Mickey Rooney as the Puck. She was also in National Velvet as a background actress and stand in for Liz Taylor.

 

Margaret was married 3 times. Her first marriage gave her 3 wonderful children but ended in divorce. Her second marriage was full of love and joy and she was left a widow. Her third marriage was one for the movies and worthy of her Pixie Dusted storied life. She had fallen in love with Robert around WWII. He went off to war and they went their separate ways. 70 years went by and Robert was a widower. He had told his son about Margaret and how much he had loved her in his youth. Robert’s son found Margaret and encouraged Robert to write to her! Even after 70 years apart Margaret remembered him! They were married 4 months later on Valentines Day, 2020 just before Covid. Robert died May 24, 2026. She loved Robert dearly and they had gone on a cruise to the Mediterranean recently. Robert was 100 years old. She was helping him write a book about his time in WWII.

 

Within the last few months Margaret had been at Disneyana and Comic Conventions. She was also a frequent visitor to Mayberry Days where they honor Andy Griffith. Margaret had played Andy’s girlfriend for a couple of episodes of Mayberry RFD. As recently as last year Maragaret was seen tap dancing on stage talking about her life.

 

Maragaret Kerry led a life full of adventure, joy, sorrow, hardship and positivity. She went from being an Orphan Train Orphan to a beloved performer and one of the kindest people I knew. I’m honored she called me a friend and even called me by my nickname, Tinky.

Is Cruising Safe??

Is Cruising Safe??

Right now there is a lot of talk about 2 separate events that recently happened on Cruise Ships. There are separate incidents across multiple cruise lines.

 

Let’s start with the Hantavirus. First off Hantavirus is a deadly virus connected to rats and usually spread when their droppings dry out and get blown around as dust. The Hantavirus contracted in this incident is a novel type that is rare. The possibility of you being exposed to this type of virus is small. Earlier this month a couple went bird watching and then they boarded the MV Hondius, a Dutch cruise ship. They had contracted Hantavirus while bird watching and brought it onto the ship. They did not get it ON the ship. This is causing global concern as this has become a person to person spreading virus instead of the normal. Should you be concerned? Yes and No.

 

On a cruise ship you are in close contact with a lot of people. Because of the limited space between people and enclosed environment with large areas that can’t be vented to open windows or doors things can happen. What do you do to stay safe? Wash your hands frequently. Be kind to others and stay in your cabin if you feel sick. Choose your cruise line carefully! The MV Handius was not the cause of or the start of Hantavirus. It was people who went bird watching and may have not stayed clean enough before boarding the ship. Still, you need to make sure that the cruise line you choose has a good health record and keeps the ships clean and rodent free.

 

The second bit of news is how 25-28 crew members of various ships from multiple cruise lines were arrested for child porn not for sexual assault on a child. Disney Cruise Line is the one line mentioned most and it is difficult to find information on the number of crew members from the Disney Magic were arrested. It is also hard to find out what other lines had crew members arrested in this investigation. It is important to note it was not JUST Disney Cruise Line that had crew members arrested.

 

Is this something you should be aware of? Yes. Is it something that should keep you from sailing? I do not think so. I’ve heard there were at least 5 different ships that arrests were made on. If the ships had an average of 1,000 crew members each, that means there are approximately 5,000 or more crew members between those ships. The percentage of crew members arrested was small. It is equivalent to the basic number of sex offenders in the general populous no matter where you are.

 

Do you or your child go to an amusement park, park, club, school or church? Be aware there are sex offenders there! No business can give you a 100% guarantee they do not have a sex offender on their payroll. Sadly, this is reality we live in.

 

What can we do to protect our children from sexual predators? First off teach your child to say NO loudly when they feel uncomfortable with an adult or an adult’s touch. Teach them to physically respond and protect themselves. Second, teach them to tell you if something happens and never judge the child. Listen and investigate, do not assume evil intent until you have investigated. Third, do respond if something does happen.

 

Many people are saying they are afraid to take their children on a Disney Cruise because some crew were found with pornography on their personal devices. Did these crew members work with the kids? I’ve heard some were cooks and other crew positions but no confirmation of any crew members working with kids was arrested. Reality is we don’t know. Were any charged with touching a child? From the reports I’ve seen the arrests and deportations were not in response to interactions with children. It was due to content on their devices. Once again, I’m going to be clear it was not only Disney that had crew members arrested. Disney has a zero tolerance policy and they have publicly stated they have revoked the crew members contracts. All were deported to their home countries.

 

Should either problem that happened in the past few weeks keep you from sailing? Not really. Either problem could happen on land as well as sea. Concerned about Hantavirus? Don’t go near rodent infested locations, wash your hands frequently and bath regularly. Worried about your child being sexually assaulted? You have two choices. Keep them locked to your side never allowing them to explore the world. Or you can educate them and teach them to protect and advocate for themselves. You can either raise a child to be fearful or powerful. The choice is yours.

Discover the Newest Land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Updates from Tropical Americas

Discover the Newest Land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

Updates from Tropical Americas

By: Disney Destinations

For almost three decades, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park has been a celebration of nature, storytelling, and adventure coming together in unforgettable ways.

 

You can feel the magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom through the savannas of Africa, the Himalayan peaks of Asia, the floating mountains of Pandora – the World of Avatar, and soon, the lush rainforests of Tropical America!

A New Natural Wonder to Explore at Animal Kingdom

 

When it opens in 2027, the new land will represent one of the most culturally rich regions on the planet. From the northern reaches of South America, through Central America, and into parts of Mexico, this is a part of the world where nature doesn’t just surround communities – it shapes them.

 

And ancient cultures are still present in everyday life. Explorers and curious travels continue to fall in love with the region and all there is to discover.

 

During the 2024 Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, we shared the Tropical Americans will be home to Pueblo Esperanza when it opens at Animal Kingdom. Just as you stroll through the Port of Harambe in Africa, or wander the Kingdom of Anandapur in Aisa, you’ll get to experience Pueblo Esperanza, a town with its own history, vivid culture, and of course, vibrant nature.

 

Welcoming Tropical Americas Home

 

Imagineers have long dreamed of adding a land inspired by this region to animal Kingdom. In fact, earlier concepts of potential park expansions imagined guests journeying into the ancient Maya temple and exploring a lush rainforest . . . sound familiar?

Inside Imagineering’s Research Trips for Tropical Americas

 

From the very beginning of this project, Imagineers knew the story of Tropical Americas needed to be grounded in the real world. Just like the Imagineers of yesteryear did when first building Animal Kingdom and the exciting additions that have opened since, our team embarked on several research trips to learn more about the region’s culture, customs, architecture, and folklore.

 

Imagineers always want to tell Disney stories from a place of curiosity and humility, and these trips allow them to go beyond simply re-creating the areas that inspired them. Recently, a small group took a trip to Honduras where they met with Maya artists whose life’s work is carving and recreating intricate details found throughout the Copan site, one of the most extraordinary and well-preserved cities of the ancient Maya civilization.

 

Together, they traveled through the lush mountain valleys to the very quarries that have supplied the region for centuries. They experienced firsthand the striking red and green stones native to the landscape. Witnessing the artistry was a breathtaking moment, made even more meaningful knowing that the same materials that build Copan will find their way to Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom and be crafted by carvers using the time-honored techniques.

 

The team also traveled to Colombia to immerse ourselves in the places and cultures that inspired Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto,” which will be represented in the first-ever Encanto attraction at a Disney park.

 

There, guests will be invited to celebrate Antonio’s new gift: the ability to talk to animals. And along the way, they’ll learn that no matter what their special gifts or abilities are, they’re all part of the “familia” of living things. During the research trip, the team met with many of the people and visited many of the places that the original “Encanto” filmmakers first visited in researching Disney Animation’s Academy Award-willing film.

 

They also gathered first-hand experiences to ensure Pueblo Esperanza feels like a real, lived-in town true to the region – from the colors and materials of town plazas to the hues of haciendas in varying light to the way buildings respond to climate and terrain.

 

Those journeys are not just about where they go, but the insight, inspiration, and deeper understanding that shapes every detail they bring back. Imagineers travel because there is always more for us to learn, and each experience brings us closer to telling these stories with authenticity and care.