As I told you in my post yesterday, one the first full day of our annual Walt Disney World trip we tackled the Seven Dwarf's Mine Train. This is a great roller coaster that is just a step above kid-level, but not too intense for people afraid of coasters like me!

Check out this great ride and let me know your thoughts if you've ridden before!

Jenn Whitney is a travel enthusiast and mother of four. Her goal is to share her experiences and knowledge to help families plan amazing vacations around the world. Jenn is the owner of Whitney World Travel, a boutique family and luxury travel agency, and an Accredited Cruise Counselor. You can contact Jenn by e-mail at Jenn@whitneyworldtravel.com.

Well it is that time of year again... The Whitney's have descended upon Orlando, FL to enjoy a week at Walt Disney World. This is certain to mean lots of fun rides, maybe a temper tantrum or two, and of course LOTS of sweets!

Lots of fun is in store for this trip, so check out how it's gone so far and what is to come!

We've all been there. Just a few days away from vacation and you are super excited about what lays ahead. The only thing between you and the perfect getaway is often the most dreaded thing of all-- taking your crazy family on the airplane! Inevitably the kids will get impatient, an adult in your group who may travel often for work will get annoyed with the inefficiency of family travel, and very quickly the powder keg explodes!

Well have no fear, here are a few tips to help make the flying process as smooth as possible.

For today's Adventures by Disney highlighted trip we are taking a look at the "Quest for the West"-- the adventure that takes you to some of America's most beautiful places like Jackson Hole, Brooks Lake, the Grand Teton's, and Yellowstone. This trip brings together the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation within some of the most amazing landscapes you will find in the United States.

This week in honor of the new 2016 dates being released for Adventures by Disney we are going to provide a more in-depth look at some of the most popular and unique adventures available. With Adventures by Disney you truly do get exposed to cultures and experiences in ways you thought were not probable on vacation, but always dreamed were possible.

Perhaps the most popular adventure of all is the Viva Italia adventure. This 9 day, 8 night trip takes you on a journey through Rome, Florence, Venice, and Tuscany. You're exposed to the beauty and grandeur of Italy's history and culture-- experiencing old world charm in an equally relaxing, luxurious, and adventurous manner.

If you didn't know already we've got a BIG family. Four kiddos in total-- 3 boys (15, 8, & 4) and a princess (2). Because of our family size we tend to go the road trip route over flying... Lord knows it is not cheap to put six people on a plane these days.

As a family we regularly drive from wherever we live at the time to Walt Disney World. When we lived in Northern Virginia it was about twelve hours. Now from Houston its usually about 16. Before my parents moved to Dallas we made several trips between Houston and Washington, DC-- 25 hours of driving! The most amazing part of it all... We do it straight through nearly every single time.

So with all this driving I constantly get the question-- how do you maintain (your) sanity on these long trips!? Well, here are some of our tips.

When one thinks of the spots of natural beauty in California certain places seemed to be burned into our collective consciousness- Yosemite National Park, the Redwoods, Monterey, Death Valley. One place in particular though has always caught my eye and it tends to be a hidden gem few outside of the state know--Mammoth Lakes.

This picturesque area was first settled in the 1870’s as prospectors sought out riches in the mountains of the eastern Sierra Nevada. Alas the treasures sought were never realized and the small mining town quickly disappeared. In its place soon popped up settlers looking to find a life of prosperity based on other natural wonders— fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, and adventure.