Meet the Blogger: Mary from The World Is A Book

This week, Mary from The World Is A Book is sharing why travel is important to her family and what’s so great about Disney.

*****

1. Why did you start The World Is A Book?

I created this travel blog for several reasons actually. First, I wanted to do something to remember our family  trips and have something my kids can look back on beyond the pictures and videos. I love documenting trips, taking pictures and have always enjoyed writing too.

The blog was a great medium to use all of that and with an indefinite shelf life. It’s a record of our experiences and lessons we’ve learned along the way. I work in a technical field looking at programming code all day. Having this blog has also been my creative outlet.

As I’m entering my second year of blogging, I have enjoyed meeting and interacting with other traveling parents  and other travel bloggers all over the world. This blog has evolved from a travelogue to also sharing tips and  tricks with other families and inspiring other families to travel. I’ve told people that my travel blog has become  my third child. It takes a lot of work and time but definitely worth it.

2. Why is traveling with your kids so important to you?

I grew up on two Pacific islands and we didn’t get to travel growing up. But, I’ve always loved the idea of travel and exploration and vicariously traveled through many books. I want my kids to have those experiences I
didn’t have growing up and see the world early. The great thing is I’m seeing the world with them now.

My husband and I want them to learn about other cultures and know there’s a whole world out there for them to explore, learn from and discover.

It’s the other main reason for my blog’s name. It warms my heart to know they now understand and appreciate the differences in people and see the world beyond their neighborhood.

Time with our kids is fleeting and limited these days with work and school. These family travels are a special time we spend together to make those lifelong memories. Travel helps us create memorable family moments they’ll treasure into adulthood more than material objects we’ve given them.

3. I know your family has a thing for Disney as does mine. What is it about Disney that makes it one of your favorite  places?

Disney brings out the inner child in all of us. I grew up watching a lot of Disney movies and every time I go into the park, I always feel like a kid again and brings back a lot of happy memories. Going to the parks is also a wonderful escape. As soon as you walk in, you’re in this fantasy bubble and you can momentarily forget your worries and live in this dreamland.

Disney is an unrivaled family-friendly destination. No matter what your interests are or how old your kids are,  everyone has a great time at the parks.  We feel so blessed to live an hour away from Disneyland Resort and after all these years our family still enjoys each and every visit.

*****

Mary is an island girl at heart, a tech geek and a working mom who loves cruising, National Parks and traveling the world with her husband and kids but calls San Diego home. You can follow the family’s adventures along with tips and guides at The World Is A Book, on Twitter or on Facebook.