This sponsored post by Crazy Imagination Travel can help you plan the perfect family adventure.
YOLO (You Only Live Once).
Carpe Diem! (Seize the Day!).
Embrace the Journey.
You’ve likely heard one or more of these phrases before. For me, life is about finding “The Magic in Between.”
Over the last twelve (!!) years as a Travel Planner, there have been a LOT of changes when planning for Disney parks. While we can debate whether all of the changes have been good or not, they have certainly created a more complicated planning experience (and created more job security for yours truly). 😉
There are books, videos, blogs, vlogs, TikToks, reels, Instagram stories, and Facebook groups galore that cover just about anything to do with anything, but ESPECIALLY all things Disney and Disney parks. Some are endearing (I’m not crying, you are!), some make your heart sing, others share the latest “hack” or “how to” for the latest change, and others simply highlight all the things you MUST do when you visit a Disney destination. The topics are endless.
There’s a lot of great content out there (and I am here for it!). Over time, however, I’ve noticed that more of my clients come to me overwhelmed, fearing they’ll ruin their trip if they miss out on certain things. Of course, I use my experience and resources to help my clients achieve their goals, with backup plans in place if needed. I also remind them that, more often than not, the real magic is found in the moments “in between.”
One of my favorite “Magic in Between” moments with my family was during a visit to Magic Kingdom for my younger daughter’s 9th birthday. She chose to go to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, our only scheduled event of the day (our arrival day). Afterward, while we debated whether to head back to the resort or stay in the park, the kids wandered over to the Sword in the Stone. Over the years, we had (unsuccessfully) tried our hand at the Sword in the Stone multiple times. In fact, we had only seen one person successfully pull the sword out of the stone—and what a delight that was!
Little did we know that the ultimate delight awaited us that drizzly afternoon. As the adults continued to mull over options, my daughter – freshly coiffured from her boutique experience – pulled the sword out of the stone.
I’ve never seen her grin so big, and ours matched hers as we shrieked with disbelief and delight. Then, it was my son’s turn. To our amazement, the sword pulled up for him as well.
.
More grins, more shrieks of delight. Then, my oldest made her way to the sword. Not only did the sword pull up for her (!!), but it wouldn’t go back down, AND THEN, to our ultimate delight, the sword started going up AND down on its own!
I imagine there was a Cast Member somewhere just cackling at the scene s/he created. For our family, it was and is a gleaming example of the “Magic in Between” we’ve experienced in the parks.
I cannot promise you’ll have the same experience at the Sword in the Stone, but I can promise you will miss the “Magic in Between” if you don’t allow space in your travels (or in your day, for that matter). As the saying goes, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”
I welcome the opportunity to serve your family, to create a little magic, and to help your family find the “Magic in Between”. Visit my linktree to request a quote for one of the destinations I serve and/or to find me on social media. Also! Find me on Instagram @the.magic.inbetween for more “Magic in Between” stories from travel and life. Because every day should have a little “Magic”!
My name is Tara Johansen. I am a Jesus follower, a wife, and a mom to 3 “kids” who aren’t kids anymore (sniff). I am also a Travel Planner with Crazy Imagination Travel. In this role, I work tirelessly to create magical experiences for the families I serve. My niche is Disney destinations, particularly the parks and Disney Cruise Line, but I also plan for a variety of other cruise lines and All-Inclusive destinations.
![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://stlouismom.com/travel/the-magic-in-between/&media=https://stlouismom.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Pic-1-1-scaled.jpg&description=Tara with Crazy Imagination Travel encourages us to find "the magic in between" when planning our family travels.){kind=link}