The REAL ID Act - how will it impact you?

Hi friends! The air is feeling crisper, the leaves are changing colors and I'm making a whole lot more soup for dinner, which usually means it's fall!  It's been fall for a few weeks, and in the Pacific Northwest we've been enjoying a beautiful fall.  The mornings have started cold, with it warming up into the mid 60s in the afternoons.  We have some rain in the forecast, but I've been immensely enjoying this weather we've had. Fall brings the return of after school activities so life in the afternoons and trying to get dinner together has become my own personal challenge again.  I finally broke down and ordered an Instant Pot, and I think we've used it at least half of the days since Amazon delivered it.  Do you have an Instant Pot?  If you have any favorite recipes, send them my way! Since it's fall, it means the end of the year is around the corner.  With the new year there will be some major changes coming for some people while traveling.  Read below to see how you might be impacted.    Have a magical week, sweet friends!

Mark Your Calendars:  Upcoming Events from Disney Parks! NOW - October 31, 2017 (Select Dates) - Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland NOW - November 1, 2017 (Select Dates) - Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party At Walt Disney World NOW - November 13, 2017 - Epcot International Food & Wine Festival November 9 - December 22 (Select Dates) - Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World The REAL ID Act - how will it impact you?  In 2005, Congress passed the REAL ID act to establish minimum security standards for state issued driver's licenses and ID cards.  The REAL ID act prohibits federal agencies (like the TSA) from accepting those licenses and ID cards from the states that do not meet those standards for official purposes (like air travel). What does this mean?  Right now, you can still use your regular driver's license as an ID for flying. Beginning January 22, 2018, if your state is not in compliance with the REAL ID Act and has not been granted an extension, you will need another form of identification when you are flying, or for other official purposes.  If you are planning to fly, and your state has not yet been granted an extension, you need to start planning now to make sure you have a valid form of identification. Examples of valid identification is a US Passport, US Military ID, DHS-designated enhanced Driver's license.  There are other options as well - visit the fact sheet link below for a full list of acceptable identification.     There is sure to be a rush of passport applications as we get closer to this deadline, so plan ahead and don't get caught in the rush. TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States. The companion will need acceptable identification For more information, you can view this fact sheet, provided by the TSA