Matthew C, Minnesota
- 8/3/2025
About Me
I'm a lifelong Midwesterner living in Minnesota with my wife and three kids. I work for an exhibition company creating educational exhibits and writing text for children's museums, so I know a lot about how kids behave and how their brains work. I visited Walt Disney World a bunch of times as a child, but my fandom went to "infinity and beyond" once I had my own kids. Before I knew it I was quoting the Jungle Cruise and had strong opinions about background music loops! These days I spend my free time reading about Disney history, watching baseball, cooking, and planning my family's next Disney adventure.
About My Family
My wife and I met when we were 16 years old and working together at summer camp. She wrote me a letter saying how much she liked me and she's been my Mary Poppins (practically perfect in every way) ever since. We have 3 kiddos at 3 very different stages of childhood, which means we're always busy with one activity or another. Planning our next Disney vacation is a family activity. We spend months talking about which restaurants we want to try, which resorts should we stay at, and whether we think our youngest will be able to stay up late enough for fireworks. Maybe next time!
About My Disney Experience
My Disney experience began when I was less than a year old and over the course of my childhood we visited enough times that I developed a strong emotional response to the smell of Pirates of the Caribbean. My future wife and I ventured to the Vacation Kingdom in college and we faked a marriage proposal in front of Cinderella's Castle to prank my mom (she didn't buy it). I started taking my own family when my kids were toddlers and I quickly found that I enjoyed the planning part of the vacation almost as much as the vacation itself. Do my wife and I create spreadsheets to compare the amenities and costs of value, moderate, and deluxe resorts, as well as a breakdown of all possible expenses? Yes. Yes, we do.
Questions I’ve Answered
- On Aug 2, 2025
Pamela from MN asked“Can you help me understand the options I have for a private photoshoot in the parks? We have a multi-generational trip coming up and I'd like to capture some special moments in the parks together! Thanks!”Matthew AnsweredHey there, Pamela! Welcome back to planDisney! I’m always happy to help a fellow resident of the North Star State. There are so many photo opportunities throughout Walt Disney World, but your...View Related Videos
- On Jul 31, 2025
Anthony from Merseyside asked“Hi We are Visiting in Sept 2025 .We are off site but i have reservations booked at chef Mickey for 12:25pm , we then plan to visit magic kingdom and stay on that night for Mickeys Halloween party. Could you suggest the best place for parking for the day.”Matthew AnsweredHiya, Anthony! Welcome to planDisney, and thanks for sharing your question with us. I’m happy to help you navigate your vacation to Walt Disney World. Your best parking option for your day at... - On Jul 30, 2025
Lauren from NJ asked“Coming to Disney world October 1-5 & hoping to do Hollywood studios oct 3. But wondering about the fantasmic schedule because we want to book the fantasmic dining experience. Is the show only on certain days or should I be good to book the reservation”Matthew AnsweredHey there, Lauren! Welcome to planDisney! I’m happy to help with this question. As a fellow Disney vacation planning enthusiast, I appreciate that you’re doing your research before your...View Related Videos
- On Jul 29, 2025
Telisha from NC asked“does usps postal employee get discounts on theme park tickets”Matthew AnsweredHiya, Telisha! Welcome to planDisney, and thanks for sharing your question. Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays our panelists from the swift discovery of your answer! I’m... - On Jul 28, 2025
Arnold from FL asked“What is the difference between The Eat to the Beat Concert Series and The Food and Wine Festival? Are they one in the same?”Matthew AnsweredHey there, Arnold! Thanks for stopping by planDisney and sharing your question with us. I’m sure you’re counting down the days until your Walt Disney World adventure. Let’s dig in...