Who Is Aronda Parks?

She’s back--with a new hairstyle and a sharp, take-no-prisoners attitude. You’ll love her; you’ll hate her; but you can’t ignore her.

Who is she?

She’s our columnist-in-residence, Aronda Parks, a Disney fanatic since--well, she refuses to let us divulge any information that might disclose her age. Suffice it to say, she knew Annette Funicello long before she began designing collectible dolls!

Though her expertise is self-proclaimed--after all, Dave Smith hasn’t yet asked her to assist him in the Walt Disney Company Archives--hundreds of friends and acquaintances frequently solicit Walt Disney World Resort travel advice from her. In Making Memories 2004, as well as on this site, she shares her opinions, tips and bromides in a "Dear Abby" format that’s sure to tantalize. She targets questions whose answers are harder to find than the traditional questions about the best dining spots, favorite rides, coolest pools, best dinner shows and the poshest hotels.

"They say familiarity breeds contempt," says Aronda, her eyes twinkling. "If that’s the case, I should absolutely loathe Walt Disney World Resort. But you know, the more I visit--and I’ve visited way too many times!--the more I fall in love with the place, the people, the whole experience. I’ve gotten to know many of the folks who work there, and the Resort has also become a wonderful place for reunions with friends and family. And now that the hard economic times have eased up a bit, it seems as though the Company is growing the parks once more. I’m falling in love all over again!"