All Hail Disney!

That is our new motto around here.  All Hail Disney!  Mark is now employed by ESPN Regional which is owned by Disney.  That makes him a brand new Disney employee with all the benefits that come with that.  The biggest benefit is health insurance, of course.  Mark has been self-employed for the 20 years since he graduated from college.  The only time he had health benefits that he didn't pay 100% was the almost 3 years of our marriage before children when I worked and carried the benefits.  Health insurance is expensive!  For our family of 5 it would have cost us about $11,000-$12,000 this year.  We will still pay for family benefits through Disney but it is a substantial savings.

The fun benefit will be free admission to Disney parks except for blackout dates.  We will live about 8 hours from the closest park so that isn't something that we will be using often.  It sure will be great when we get to use it!

The benefit we have actually used is the one that is a big deal to a bunch of 4 year olds and their parents.  We get a discount at The Disney Store!  Last Saturday Mark took his brand new discount card out for a test drive to get each of the kids a gift.  He picked clothes out for them at The Disney Store in Charlotte and I called up the pictures on their website to get kid approval.  Frankly, it was a bit of a toss up as to which they were more excited about all week.  Daddy visiting or the Cinderella, Belle and Lightning McQueen clothes!  OK, Daddy won that contest but the clothes were a big hit!