Dec 1 2014

Cyber Monday Deals For Disney Fans

(contains some affiliate links & I may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking)

Did you venture out with the hordes of people trying to snatch up all of those deals this weekend? It was crazy out there! If you didn’t quite finish your shopping or if you are just getting started, here are some great Cyber Monday deals for Disney fans or for people shopping for Disney fans.

Do you know someone considering or planning a Disney vacation for next year? If so, my new book, A Tale of Two Resorts: Comparing Disneyland and Walt Disney World, is now available from Amazon just in time for the holidays! This reference book is loaded with facts and information about all of the hotels, restaurants, attractions, experiences, entertainment choices and resort extras that are available at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Each chapter includes handy side-by-side charts that compare the weather, crowds, events, accommodations, admissions, transportation, and dining that each destination offers. And of course, there’s helpful advice about budgeting, planning your trip, and organizing your day. My favorite feature? As a mom who has experienced the highs and the lows of taking kids on a variety of rides, I have included a Word of Warning for each and every attraction that needs one, giving you a heads up on what you need to be aware of before taking your child on that particular ride. Amazon has an amazing Cyber Monday deal where you can take an extra 30% off any book by using the promo code HOLIDAY30 at check out!

Looking for some unique Disney merchandise? Zazzle has an official Disney store filled with items adorned with all of your favorite characters. The options are plentiful including clothing, mugs, mouse pads, electronic covers, notepads, luggage tags, watches, hats, toys, games, posters and more. For Cyber Monday, Zazzle is offering an incredible discount up to 65% off, just click here, search for Disney in the upper right-hand corner and then select the Official Disney Store. Use the promo code ZAZCYBER2014 at check out!

I love Shutterfly! If you haven’t used this site before, now is the perfect time to give it a try. All you do is upload your favorite photos and then you can use them to create gifts. I have made puzzles, photo books and calendars with my favorite Disney World vacation pictures. The quality is spectacular and the gifts I have made were some of my parent’s favorites. For Cyber Monday, Shutterfly has an outstanding deal going on where all customers can receive an additional 25% off on top of site wide savings. Just click here and use the promo code CYBER25!

Giving the gift of travel this holiday season? My friend, Jennifer Hardy, at Destinations in Florida has a great deal going on from now until the end of the year. If you book a package for $2,500 or more, each child in the traveling party will receive a pair of mouse ears or autograph book and each adult will receive a $10 gift card. Just click here and fill out the quote form to take advantage of this amazing offer!

Do you have kids that like to dress up either at home or while on a Disney vacation? BuyCostumes has tons of Disney princess costumes for very reasonable prices. For Cyber Monday BuyCostumes is offering 25% off site wide. Just click here and use the code CYBER25!

I hope you find these deals helpful and Happy Shopping!

Nov 26 2014

Gift Ideas And Deals For The Disney Fan In Your Life

(contains some affiliate links & I may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking)

Do you have a Disney fan that you are shopping for this year? I thought it would be helpful to put together some fun items that Disney fan’s would love to receive this holiday season. So here we go….

What do Disney fan’s want more than anything? A Disney vacation! Disneyland or Disney World…we’ll take it. My friend, Jennifer Hardy, at Destinations in Florida has a great deal going on from now until the end of the year. If you book a package for $2,500 or more, each child in the traveling party will receive a pair of mouse ears or autograph book and each adult will receive a $10 gift card. Just click the image on the right and fill out the quote form to take advantage of this amazing offer!

How about getting a Disney reference guide to wrap up to surprise that special someone with the Disney trip you just booked? My new book, A Tale of Two Resorts: Comparing Disneyland and Walt Disney World, is now available from Amazon just in time for the holidays! This reference book is loaded with facts and information about all of the hotels, restaurants, attractions, experiences, entertainment choices and resort extras that are available at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Each chapter includes handy side-by-side charts that compare the weather, crowds, events, accommodations, admissions, transportation, and dining that each destination offers. And of course, there’s helpful advice about budgeting, planning your trip, and organizing your day. My favorite feature? As a mom who has experienced the highs and the lows of taking kids on a variety of rides, I have included a Word of Warning for each and every attraction that needs one, giving you a heads up on what you need to be aware of before taking your child on that particular ride.

Looking for more books for the Disney fans in your life, check out Theme Park Press! Theme Park Press is the world’s leading independent publisher of books about the Disney company, its history, its films and animation, and its theme parks. Their catalog includes guidebooks, memoirs, fiction, popular history, scholarly works, family favorites, and many other titles written by Disney Legends, Disney animators and artists, Mouseketeers, Cast Members, historians, academics, executives, prominent bloggers, and talented first-time authors. On my list this year is The Unauthorized Story of Walt Disney’s Haunted Mansion!

How about some personalized Disney swag? Zazzle has an entire Disney store filled with merchandise that can be personalized. Need t-shirts for the whole gang for your upcoming trip? No problem, Zazzle has you covered. The options are plentiful including clothing, home items, office products, pet stuff and more. Right now they are offering an incredible deal up to 60% off, just click here and search for Disney!

I am obsessed with Shutterfly! If you haven’t used this site before now is the time. All you do is upload your favorite photos and then you can use them to create gifts. I have made puzzles, photo books and calendars with favorite Disney World vacation pictures. The quality is beautiful and the gifts have been well received. Now through Friday, November 28, Shutterfly has an outstanding deal going on where all customers can receive a free 12-month calendar. Just click here and use the code FREECAL!

Do you have kids that like to dress up either at home or while on a Disney vacation? BuyCostumes has tons of Disney princess costumes for very reasonable prices. Now through Sunday, November 30, BuyCostumes is offering 20% off sitewide. Just click here and use the code BLACKFRI20!

Not much of an online shopper? Would you rather venture out into the crowds and check out items in person? I decided to head over to my neighborhood mall in Colorado to see if I could find any Disney merchandise. I was actually amazed at everything I found! Of course, there is the obvious first stop at the Disney Store. It is filled with plush characters, video games, movies, clothing, toys and more for Disney fans young and old alike.

What if you don’t have a Disney Store where you live? No problem. I found Disney merchandise at lots of other locations.

The Lego Store had several Disney Lego sets for both boys and girls.

Build-A-Bear had cute Anna, Elsa and Olaf plush available to make and dress.

The Calendar Store had this cute Mickey Mouse calendar.

Hallmark had Disney Precious Moments, itty bittys plush and “Be a Part of the Story” Disney books.

I found t-shirts and more plush at kiosks throughout the mall.

Pottery Barn Kids had Star Wars and Marvel bedding and luggage.

JC Penney had its own mini Disney Store section filled with great options.

Pandora has this beautiful new Disney inspired bracelet and charms.

Too many options? I was able to find Disney gifts cards at Target and my grocery store, King Soopers (Kroger).

I hope you find these gift ideas and deals helpful! Happy shopping and good luck out there!

Nov 18 2014

Happy Birthday – Why I Still Love Mickey Mouse

Happy Birthday to my dear friend, Mickey Mouse! Even though I am much older than most of Mickey’s fans, I still love that guy. Why would a grown woman still hold a special place in her heart for a Disney character? Well, I’ll tell you. To me Mickey Mouse embodies all that is good in the world. He is a symbol of fun, family, friendship, goodwill, charity, hospitality, love, peace, education, acceptance, hard work, determination and dreams. He stands for and represents daily all of things that we should strive to be and to teach our children become. I love to watch Mickey interact with kids, families and people of all ages from around the world when I’m visiting Disneyland and Disney World. He welcomes everyone warmly and with joy. If only everyone could be a little more like Mickey Mouse during this holiday season and every day!

A few of my favorite Mickey Mouse photos throughout the years…

Check out these fifteen fun facts about Mickey Mouse from Disney Parks Blog:

Walt Disney wrote the first script for “Plane Crazy,” the first short created to star Mickey Mouse, while traveling on a train from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Walt initially named Mickey Mouse “Mortimer,” until Walt’s wife, Lily, suggested “Mickey” was a better choice.
Disney Legend Ub Iwerks was a lead animator for Mickey Mouse in “Plane Crazy,” and produced an estimated 700 drawings per day for the film, some during the day (as a part of a secret project for Walt) and others after hours in Walt’s garage.
The short film “Steamboat Willie” was the first short starring Mickey Mouse released, but was actually the third created. The first two, “Plane Crazy” and “The Gallopin’ Gaucho,” initially failed to find distributors, but were picked up and released later.
When penning Mickey’s movements, early animators drew inspiration from popular comedic film stars of the day – like Charlie Chaplin.
The first Mickey Mouse Club was formed by theater owner Harry Woodin in Los Angeles. On his own accord, Woodin devoted Saturday afternoons in his theater to showing only Mickey Mouse shorts and led children in a Mickey Mouse pledge. Walt later partnered with Woodin and spread the idea of Mickey Mouse Clubs to movie theaters across the nation.
The first Mickey short in which Mickey spoke was “The Karnival Kid,” the ninth Mickey short, which was released in July 1929. His first words: “Hot dog!”
Walt Disney wasn’t satisfied with the first few actors chosen to provide a voice for Mickey Mouse, so he did it, and continued to do so through about 1947.
A Mickey Mouse comic strip, penned by Ub Iwerks, launched in January 1930, and at its height was printed in 40 newspapers in 22 countries.
The first piece of Mickey Mouse merchandise was a tablet of paper that featured the mouse, designed for children. The first Mickey Mouse doll was designed in 1930.
Mickey Mouse made his debut appearance in the “Macy’s Santa Claus Parade” (now “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”) in 1934. Measuring 40-feet-tall, the balloon was hand painted and guided by men and women dressed in Mickey/Minnie Mouse costumes.
When Walt was contemplating a name for his first theme park (Disneyland park), he once considered calling it “Mickey Mouse Village.”
Mickey Mouse was the first animated character to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which was given on his birthday (November 18) in 1978.
Mickey Mouse has been a prominent feature at Disney Parks since Disneyland park opened its doors in 1955, with guests interacting with him in character meet and greets, viewing him in parades or snapping up Mickey Mouse merchandise.
The Partners Statue, a sculpture of Walt and Mickey holding hands, debuted at Disneyland park on Mickey’s birthday in 1993. A second Partners Statue debuted at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in 1995.

For more great Mickey Mouse photos like the one from the parade, check out Disney Parks Blog.

Happy Birthday, Mickey Mouse!
See ya’ real soon!

Nov 13 2014

TouringPlans – What’s On TV In Disney World

Please check out my latest article about what’s on TV in Disney World featuring an interview with everyone’s favorite Must Do Disney gal, Stacey Aswad!

Nov 11 2014

Do You Want To Build A Snowman? How To Draw Olaf

As I am writing this, the temperature outside my window has plummeted and the snow has begun to fall. By tomorrow, I might actually be able to go outside and build a snowman. However, I am not a fan of cold weather so I think I would much rather stay inside my warm and cozy house and try my hand at drawing a snowman instead. I love the Animation Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. On every trip, my family and I go there to attempt to draw one of Disney’s beloved characters. Sometimes our creations are true works of art and other times they are just hilarious souvenirs. If you get the chance, I highly recommend trying it the next time you are in Disney World. In the meantime, please check out this video on how to draw everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf, right in the comfort of your own home! And if you are like me and wishing for a just little more summer, please check out Olaf singing “In Summer.”