I’m Vanessa, the heart behind The Pixie Packed Family. I’ve been married to my husband, Troy, for 32 years. We’re the parents of four incredible adult children and proud grandparents, too. Our two oldest sons have families of their own in Ohio, while our younger two, Seth and Arianna, are still a big part of our everyday life at home.
Arianna is our youngest, a pastry chef who shares our love of Disney—especially the EPCOT festivals—and you’ll probably spot her joining us for those whenever her busy schedule allows. Seth is our third child and has Down syndrome, autism, is non-verbal, and was recently diagnosed with retinal degeneration, leaving him legally blind. He depends on us every day, and while our family’s journey has come with challenges, it has also taught us to celebrate life’s smallest moments and biggest victories.
Life hasn’t always followed the path we expected, but looking back, every twist has led us exactly where we’re meant to be.
In 2021, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life. After years of teaching high school and collegiate Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry in Ohio, I stepped away from the career I loved to become Seth's full-time caregiver.
Around that same time, our family embraced a completely new adventure. We sold nearly everything we owned, bought a fifth-wheel camper, and moved from Ohio to Georgetown, South Carolina. It was a leap of faith that changed our lives.
Then, in March 2023, something unexpected happened — we took our first Disney vacation together. Like so many families, we thought we were simply planning a fun trip. Instead, we discovered a place that became something much more.
Watching Seth experience Disney was nothing short of magical. His excitement, joy, and pure happiness reminded us that Disney has a unique way of bringing families together, creating moments you'll remember forever. Before long, we found ourselves planning our next trip… and then another. We were hooked!
Our love for Disney continued to grow, and in 2025 another exciting chapter began when we moved to Kissimmee, Florida. My husband, Troy, joined the Disney team, bringing us even closer to the magic we had fallen in love with.
Today, The Pixie Packed Family is the result of that journey. This is where I share everything we've learned along the way — from vacation planning and honest resort reviews to park tips and Amazon finds that have truly made our trips easier. My goal is simple: to help families spend less time stressing over the details and more time making unforgettable memories together.
Whether you're planning your very first Disney vacation or you're a seasoned Disney fan looking for new ideas, I hope you'll find inspiration, helpful advice, and a little pixie magic here. Thank you for being part of our story — I can't wait to be a small part of yours.
See you in the parks! — Vanessa