Southwest Airlines Community

A tradition started when I was very young. My aunt took me and my cousins to downtown Chicago for a weekend during the holiday season. I grew up in Northwest Indiana and to go "into the city" was a treat. It was exciting. In fact, to do so during the holiday's was even more a thrill because there was always so much going on.  For the next few years, this tradition blossomed and I began to take my own family to downtown Chicago during the holiday season. It's been about 15 years since I first began attending the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival.  No matter where I lived (Baltimore or Texas), I found a way to make it to Chicago for this amazing weekend festival.  The parade is the the big kick-off. In fact, it draws close to one million people each year.  The crowds are so thick, you have to get there early just to get a good spot to see the parade. The Disney characters have a special place in my heart and since they are a part of the festival, this makes it even more important for me to attend. For the last 4-5 years, I have been organizing a group of Southwest volunteers to show their Fun-LUVing attitude and Warrior Spirit and "adopt-a-block" in front of a Million People for this parade. If I don't get a chance to spend the holiday in Disneyworld, why not bring Disneyworld here to Chicago!  That's exactly what happens during the weekend.  Mickey and all his friends are here to "light the lights" on Michigan Avenue.  With a wave of his hand, the lights come on block-by-block like magic. It's the most exhilirating thing!  Not to mention our Southwest volunteers have had the loudest, liveliest and craziest block's on the "Mag Mile" than anyone else! It doesn't stop there - this is a WEEKEND festival, so I normally book myself a hotel room for me and my family. We make a weekend out of it.  Here are some things my family and I like to do when we are in town for the Holiday: Check out the decorated windows at the historical Marshall Fields (now Macy's); Have lunch around the largest Christmas Tree at the Walnut Room; Go ice skating at one of two different rinks downtown; Stop in the many hotel lobbies to enjoy some hot cocoa; Begin some early Christmas shopping at some unique and upscale stores; Take a family carriage ride on the lakefront at night; Visit the Toy Fair at Navy Pier; Do some shopping and eating at the German Market at Daley Plaza (Christkindlmart); Visit the Trees Around the World exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry; Check out the show, "A Christmas Carol" at the Goodman Theatre (no relation); And - don't forget to see the fireworks at the end of the Lights Festival Parade!  When I heard that Southwest was going to be a sponsor again I was "all in" and just couldn't wait to share the news.  Some of the fun things our fantastic Company will be doing in 2012 is: As the Official Airline of the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival we will: Provide a unique photo capturing opportunity of iconic Michigan Ave holiday scenes at our booth with our FUN green screen for our Customers attending Pioneer Court Lane. Our fantastic Flight Brigade will “march” in the parade, the Flight Brigade is made of up of SWA Employees from across the system. Local MDW Employees escorting a super-size Rudolph helium balloon down Michigan Ave during the lights parade. I am looking forward to once again showing the people of Chicago and the visitors from all over the World that our Employee's have the MOST FUN and know how to OWN THE HOLIDAYS.  ... View more

Anyone who has met me will probably tell you I am a huge Disney Fan!  I have been to Walt Disney World® at least a hundred times.  My son, who is 5 years old, has been at least 10 times. So, when I was asked to represent Southwest Airlines and speak about our great Company at the Disney Resort Showcase, I answered with a resounding, “It’s on!” My goal for the event was to let the world know why flying Southwest Airlines for a family vacation to Disney World is the best way to go. Radio stations flew in from all over the map. At first I was nervous, but I quickly realized that it's pretty easy to talk about something you know and LUV! We started our media adventure at the Magic Kingdom, we arrived before anyone else was let into the park - entering through a "Cast Member Only" door, or "backstage," in Disney lingo. Disney created a Southwest Lounge right inside the Tomorrowland Terrace. The Southwest Lounge was a place for the media to relax and grab some coffee or a bite to eat before their next broadcast or interview - the set up was complete with comfortable seating, refreshments, and people buzzing about the park. Every day, a different Disney park and a new Southwest Lounge - Disney helped us bring our Southwest hospitality from the air to the ground. Our Disney accommodations were amazing. We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and it is truly breathtaking. The Animal Kingdom Lodge is a large deluxe resort with several Savannah areas where you can observe giraffe, zebra, and kudu right outside your window. Thank you, Disney! Each evening there was a different reception to showcase some awesome Disney magic! Thursday night Disney launched its new ride at The Star Tours Galactic Premiere Party! I am a huge Star Wars fan and the New Star Tours ride opened last weekend! You have to check it out. Just like Southwest, Disney is a Family and we love our reunions together - where we have a chance to celebrate our two brands. The entire experience was a lifetime opportunity and a dream come true for me. This was not like any other trip I have been on. I was actually working – networking with media folks, discussing topics with Disney Cast members, learning how Public Relations and Marketing really help us as an airline, and doing it in the most magnificent place on Earth: Disney World! ... View more