Extreme Backyard Makeover
DISNEY STYLE !
BY MELISSA RICHESON
Ka-chow ! A little Cars-themed inspiration for this extreme backyard makeover . PHOTO BY COURTNEY REYNOLDS
When we purchased our fixer-upper home in Florida , the backyard was in such bad shape that we couldn ’ t walk through it safely .
“ It ’ s a good size ,” our real estate agent said . “ But you ’ ll just have to trust me on that .”
The shabby lot was so overgrown that we couldn ’ t even see the back fence . The pool was filled with black water and tadpoles . It was horrible .
But we took a chance and bought it anyway .
For a year , we worked hard to fix up the house and clear the land , but at that point , we were left with a space of trimmed weeds pretending they were grass .
“ This yard is a blank canvas for something awesome ,” I told my husband . “ Someone could create a work of art .” But with two little ones at home and other priorities piling up , that someone wasn ’ t either of us .
Then one day , we heard an ad on the radio about a production company accepting applications for a new HGTV show called My Yard Goes Disney . A Disney-themed backyard ? Yes , please ! Our location was outside the prospective area , but we knew our property would be a great fit .
So we took a chance and applied anyway .
Several emails , essays , phone calls , and videos later , we were accepted ! We were going to have our very own extreme backyard makeover — Disney style !
BACKGROUND : Cars section at Disney ' s Art of Animation Resort . PHOTO BY JUDD HELMS