So… Why A New Blog?

11

 

Hi… I’m Beci and I’m addicted to travel…

among other things like Disney, photography, music, pyrotechnics, animals, philanthropy, theme parks, Marvel, Thor, Star Wars, Thor, and much more (not necessarily in that order and a story for another blog).  I am very lucky to have the day job I do, making magical vacations for people, working with the best team of people on the planet and helping to teach the craft to others who want to partake in the magic as well. I feel blessed to be able to travel to various places and try new things. I am a veteran of 80 or so cruises on 12 different cruise lines and too many countries to count off the top of my head. You can say its in my blood and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

One of my favorite sayings I’ve been using for years is ‘Adventures are better with friends!’ And technology has made that so much easier over the past few years. My company has a blog over at www.MouseFanCafe.com where we chat about all things Disney and I do spend quite a bit of my working hours at various Disney destinations. However I wanted a place to post and chat about destinations and experiences that may or may not be Disney related as well as have a forum to be less company focused and more… well.. like me.  (and not afraid that something I post will get me a call from the mouses’ legal team).

Adventures with Beci? Whats up with that?

The answer is rather complicated and mixed in with a little emotion. Besides being an offshoot of my favorite saying above, thus readily available in the week I decided to start this journey before traveling, its also a tribute to a person who did something amazing for me.

Back in 2010 I would routinely live stream various things I wanted to share.. IlluniNations, Wishes, or just strolling through the Disney parks chatting with random people along the way. An acquaintance turned friend named Nolan Woodall created a FB page to track my meanderings. He called it Adventures by Beci with the Droid people.  (yup.. Im addicted to my droid too even though my friends are trying ot get me to give in to the Apple craze). Nolan didn’t tell me about the page right away. Instead he waited a bit and shared it with others first. When he finally fessed up I felt so honored that someone cared that much about what I was doing, and keeping me company while I was doing it, that he created a page so he wouldn’t miss any of the fun. He was always in chat when I streamed and it was a joy to talk with him as I made my way from place to place between meetings and other happenings. What I didn’t know until I got to know him better thru the months was Nolan suffered from a congenital heart defect and sadly he lost his valiant battle and passed away in 2012.

So long story short… the name helps remind me of a person who was truly kind and would do anything to help anyone in need if it was in his power to do so. Wouldn’t it be an amazing world if more people thought of others first, like Nolan always seemed to do?  I am so honored to have known him and happy to find some little way to always remember the kindness he once showed me. Nolan was also very forgiving of my random typos due to fat fingers… or typing too fast .. or trusting auto correct – or a combination of the three.  I hope you be will too.

Beci Mahnken is Chief Magic Maker at MEI-Travel & Mouse Fan Travel. With more than 23 years in the travel biz, she is a frequent guest on many travel and Disney community podcasts including WDW Radio, and partners with other great travel creators like LaughingPlace.com, AllEars.net and RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com. She was recognized by Travel + Leisure magazine as the Super A-List Agent for Disney travel and serves on their Earmarked Advisory Board. Beci has long worked with the Disney fan community to help support fan efforts and create high-profile events and has a passion for supporting deserving charities with a special emphasis on animal welfare efforts. She has a love for exploring history, ocean cruising, and river cruising and served on advisory boards for the prestigious GTM event and TravelAge West Magazine. Beci's dedicated to her craft of sharing the magic of travel with anyone who will listen.

Discussion11 Comments

  1. OH MY GOODNESS. I was shocked and thrilled to read this! I am so happy that you can remember and share Nolan in this way. Sometimes I am sad thinking he has been forgotten. You made me very happy.On 8/13, it will be three years since he left us. Hard to believe. I remember you telling me about the Facebook page but I couldn’t access his account.Paige was able to hack into it somehow. He would be thrilled to read your new blog and very honored. I can’t wait to read about your adventures and follow along. Maybe one day we can once again share an adventure. Nolan will no doubt be looking over your shoulder! By the way, I couldn’t convince Larry to go to WDW but we finally took a vacation and spent 3 days in Charleston. We loved it! He was very tired but enjoyed it. He has finally come to realize his mortality and is doing what his oncologist advises… enjoying the time we have left together. Love you sweet lady. Keep in touch. Hugs.

    • beci

      So happy you approve. : ) He was such a big support and I miss him especially when I live stream.

  2. Beci, this is great! It was such a pleasant surprise to read that Nolan was the inspiration for the name of your new blog. I always loved seeing him online in live streams and such. I think of him often and I know he’d be thrilled to be a part of your adventures in this way. Wishing you lots of fun with this new adventure. Keep up the good work.

    • beci

      Thanks so much! And Nolan was great… Some suppliers are a bit restrictive on what can be posted by the company — i thought it would be good to have a spot to not worry about it so much. then again, maybe I should with the random things i think sometimes! LOL! Thanks for following along and always supporting me!

  3. Lorraine Pfaller

    First thing I heard today was that Russell Wilson signed a new contract. Second news was that you have begun a blog which I am looking forward to following. Great beginning of a day!

    • beci

      Thanks Lorraine! And you are the first person to tell me about Russell!! YEAH! Thanks for following along!

  4. I love that you’ve started a blog! My wife and I have been a fan of everything you do with Lou for years. I look forward to following you along on your many adventures! Congratulations, and best of luck!

    • beci

      Thank you so much!! and Im a fan of yours. 🙂 Thanks to you and your family for your service!

  5. I finally have some time to stop and get cought up on your blog and videos. I’m so excited to follow you on your adventures.

    While I never met Nolan in person I know him from being in the box with him. During the 40 hour podcast I was pleased to be able to chat with Nolan into the wee hours of the night and early morning. I had no idea about Nolan’s condition at the time but he was always positive in everything he would chat about.

    He will be remembered in the box forever.

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