Hello and welcome to our Disney blog! We’re Sarah & Tom Bricker, and we founded this site as a place to assemble our photos, tips, and opinions about Disney. Our goal is a fun website providing informative and entertaining commentary to like-minded fans and tourists planning trips to the Disney Parks.
With that, we take seriously being objective and critical, but we still enjoy the parks a lot. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t visit the Disney parks so regularly or have a blog devoted to the subject. Our goal is to present a frank and candid assessment of all things Disney. You will seldom meaningless fluff words like “magical” here, and this blog most certainly is not “sprinkled with pixie dust.” This is written by real people trying to offer unbiased advice based on actual experiences visiting the Disney theme parks.
We take that our honesty and integrity very seriously, and are proud of how we cover all things Disney. While we don’t believe we are biased towards anything (aside from excellence), as you can see, there are ads on the site. You can read more about the various bribes, kickbacks, hush money, potential conflicts of interest, and blood diamonds we receive on our marketing disclosure page.
We make the regularly visit Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, and Tokyo Disney Resort. Currently, Walt Disney World is our home park complex. We previously lived in Southern California for a few years before putting everything into storage to travel “for a few months.” A few months turned into a full year, during which we pretty evenly split our time between Japan and the United States. We’re now temporary Florida residents. Meanwhile, most of our stuff still “lives” in a California storage facility, awaiting our return.
Our personal approach to the Disney Parks is fairly laid back. While experiencing attractions matters, we try to savor the experience of being there, and being with one another. We enjoy the art of the Disney theme parks, dining, and the exceptional ambiance that makes Disney theme parks so much more than just simple amusement parks or kiddie parks.
Since first opening the doors on DisneyTouristBlog, we have been honored and humbled at the response to our website. The site has seen a strong surge in readership, growing from 2 readers (our parents!) back in mid-2011 to over 11 readers today (the dog and cat count, right?).
There has also been a precipitous increase in hate mail, and the undeniable highlight of the site’s history is when it was attacked by robot walruses. That last part hasn’t actually happened yet, but we fully expect it to occur in the year 2055. Here’s where most websites would feature some reader testimonial quotes showcasing its greatness. Unfortunately, we could only find two such quotes that weren’t laced with vulgarity:
“Wow, this weblog is totally tubular.” -Tom
“Bodacious internet site, dude.” -Sarah
As you can plainly see, our many fans adore Disney Tourist Blog. Actually, the blog has been cited by the New York Times, MarketWatch, Huffington Post, Yahoo, BuzzFeed, Examiner, and a myriad of other resources far more reputable than this one…oh…and Perez Hilton! 😉
This is all great, but it is not enough. We started Disney Tourist Blog for the sole purpose of surpassing Google as king of the internet. Sadly, this day has not come (yet), but it has been a good ride, nonetheless. As for the future of DisneyTouristBlog.com? Well, there’s a great big beautiful tomorrow (and robot walrus) shining at the end of every day!
By the way, all photos on this blog are by us as are all of the blog posts. You will never find a guest post here, because we strive for this blog to have a consistent voice. If you’re interested in purchasing Disney photo prints for your office or restroom, check out some recommendations and tips (and where you can just download my photos for free).
If you’re interested in writing us, please visit the Contact Us page. If you’re interested in advertising or partnering with us, please visit our marketing page.
Find Us Online
Facebook | Twitter/Blog | Twitter/Tom | YouTube | Pinterest | Instagram/Tom | Instagram/Sarah
Love your site, it’s the best Disney blog IMO… I have a question about dining reservations, that I was hoping you may at least have a theory about. My daughter and I go to Disney almost every year, and due to divorce it’s just the two of us. I was looking up our dining reservations, which will be available to book tomorrow (18th) and just gaging availability by looking up 17th time, etc. I noticed when I ran a search under a party of 4 vs a party of 2 (which we are), there was a ton more availability for a party of 4, specifically for in park dining, like the Crystal Palace, Tusker House, The Plaza, etc. Cleary, if a party of 4 will fit so will a party of 2, I understand limited availability for large parties.. but the only thing that makes sense to me is that they’re hesitant to seat a party of 2 in a 4 top table because clearly it’s not the same amount of money/price, which strikes me as pretty unfair when I have a smaller family size and it’s putting me at a disadvantage. I’m considering making the reservation for a party of 3 or 4 (which had similar availability and downgrading it later. Think that would work? Is that a good strategy or should I not do it? Thank you so much! And again, love all the good info on the site!
Your suspicion is correct. However, downgrading typically doesn’t work until it’s time to check in for your reservation, at which point you might run into some resistance from the restaurant.
It’s a YMMV thing and bit of a gamble. I wouldn’t hesitate to do it for 1-2 must-do restaurants over a trip, but I probably wouldn’t do it for every single reservation. That’s just me, though.
Just wanted to say how much we enjoy DisneyTouristBlog – it is a go-to site for us regarding all things Disney. I’d say I want to be you when I grow up, but I’m twice your age … and don’t blog. The photos are gorgeous, the information relevant, and the writing is exactly what I want. You have an amazing ability to write what we’re thinking with added information and tips to allow us to put our thoughts into practice on our next Disney trip. So grateful for your blog and wanted to send our praise to Sarah and Tom.
I love that it’s just the two of you — when I’m researching things, I often say “well, TOM says….” (even if it’s sometimes Sarah — maybe a monthly musing post by her sharing some of her thoughts and observations?)
PLEASE PUT ME ON YOUR EMAIL LIST. I FOR SOME REASON DO NOT GET THEM ANY MORE AND REALLY MISS THEM THANKS LISA BORGMAN NENE5@SBCGLOBAL.NET
Tom (and Sarah), love your blog and your simple humor. I just see your blog as a chance to enjoy Disney when we are not there. I do envy you having the ability to go so often and experience more than most of us can. We try to go once per year but don’t always make it. ( I did calculate that I could stay at the Polynesian resort 365 days a year for only $182,000 ! ) Thanks for sharing.
fireworks when they will return
JUST WONDERING IF THERE ARE ANY PLANS IN THE MAKING IN REGARDS TO WHEN THEY WILL BE STARTING FIREWORKS AGAIN.
I would like to subscribe to your blog
Larry Hansen
lordbrowne@yahoo.com
My wife and I always enjoy your opinions and our next trip is going to be a split between the Boardwalk and Anamial Kingdom DVC. You usually cover ever hotel and ever restaurant, except one. I realize you are not a Veteran or an Active Duty family, but can you develope a relationship with a source that could get you into the property, to rate and review Shades of Green. I believe your opinions are worth while and military people could benefit from them. Semper Fi
I would like to subscribe
I was getting e nails. for some reason they stopped. The link will not go to my e mail. I want to subscribe again. Can you please add my e mail again. T Y
jtduttonjr@aol.com
Please put me on your subscription list.
I am an avid Disney Parks visitor and full blown Disney addict. This is hand down the best blog there is for all things Disney Parks! I have been a follower for years and have brought others on board to see the light. Thank you Tom and Sarah…keep up the good work!
I truly enjoy your blog. I’ve used your tips on trips to both WDW and Universal as well. We’re in absolute agreement about a lot (down to the Frog Toggs chill pads)!! I’ve been rummaging for information all over the web about Adventures by Disney. Have you done one yet? Any thoughts? We’re currently booked for ABD Alaska June 2020. I read your blog about your Alaska cruise, and it definitely is making me feel better about the cost associated with our trip since we’re going to get to experience SO much. Just curious for any thoughts / tips you may have. Keep up the great work!!
Definitely interested in your opinions on the ABD! Just recently looked at the ABD European River Cruises and thought they looked very interesting. Then, a coworker of my husband’s told him that we were about 40 years too young to consider these type of trips. I would love to hear from someone else who has done a similar, non-oceanic Disney cruise.
Can you make a post or two about discovery island and river country??
I am simply trying to get back on the email list
Me too. I cant figure out how.
jtduttonjr@aol.com
Please put me on your subscription list.
If you want to keep your website on Google’s fast page, then of course I can give you good advice
Thank you!
Hello,
I am a professional blogger outreach services provider, with a high range of clients.
We need the editorial post:disneytouristblog.com
We are interested in your site as well as your other sites. Please send me the price.
Waiting for your positive response,
Thanks,
Best Regards,
Thank you so much for this site
Unfortunately, we cannot manually add emails to our newsletter mailing list, as it requires verification.
You can subscribe to our email newsletter here: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/newsletter-2/