Ever wonder what Mary and Maggie Brascia are doing on any given holiday away from the PPA Tour? Well, they’re probably at Disneyland. 

The California-based pros, along with their little sister, Molly, and their parents, love to take a few trips a year to “The Happiest Place on Earth.” 

“We’ve been pass holders my whole life. I’m not currently a pass holder because I travel so much for pickleball, but growing up I’d go all the time,” said Mary. “In high school, I went with my friends over 30 times throughout the year. Disneyland always has just really good memories.” 

Before the Veolia Lakeland Open last month, Mary, Maggie and their boyfriends took a group trip to Disneyworld’s Magic Kingdom.

“We try to go to Disney World anytime we’re near Orlando,” said Maggie. “I think all the parks have something fun, but Magic Kingdom is my favorite because it reminds me of Disneyland at home.” 

The Brascia girls grew up going to Disneyland, so they always enjoy seeing what the other park has to offer. 

“We were really excited to go on the new Tron ride because they don’t have it at Disneyland,” mentioned Mary. “We loved it so much that we actually waited 60 minutes for it – twice.”

“Tron is definitely the most thrilling ride,” added Maggie. “But we also went on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, which was really fun, too.”

Despite their busy schedules, the Brascias still travel to Disney a few times per year, and when they go, they go all out.

“When we go to Disneyland, it is an all-day thing. We get there right when it opens, we ride the tram, go straight to Space Mountain, and make a loop around the park,” said Mary. “We hit all the big ones like Thunder Mountain, Tiana’s Bayou, and Matterhorn. That’s one of my favorites.”

“We’ll watch the parade and try and stay for the fireworks to knock everything out in one day,” added Maggie. “It’s a whole family event. Now all the boyfriends come with us, too, so the group keeps growing.”

But the Brascia family ties to Disney run deeper than just being avid patrons.

Vinnie Brascia used to work as a guide on the Jungle Cruise. 

“If you know our dad, you know his humor and his personality, so it’s very fitting,” revealed Maggie. “He would be the person on the boat giving the tour, telling all the corny jokes, and talking into the walkie talkie. He loved it.”

“Our dad is just such a jolly, fun personality, so he has the best personality to work at Disneyland,” praised Mary. “It’s really neat that he gets to come with us now.”

For the Brascias, Disney is riddled with nostalgia. 

“Growing up, our family vacations were always going to Disney. We grew up in California, so we would go to Disneyland with some family friends and all stay at the Grand Californian. We’d do it every summer. We’d swim in the pool, then go to the parks all day. It was just so much fun,” shared Maggie. “That’s why I like it so much. It just feels so nostalgic, and it reminds me of when we were kids.”

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