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 25 2014

Honoring The Disney Turkey Leg

In honor of Thanksgiving this week, I thought this would be the perfect time to pay tribute to the famous Disney turkey leg. These Flintstone-like hunks of meat are a fan favorite and even a rite of passage for many park-goers. The Disney turkey leg has such a loyal fan base that Disney even offers turkey leg merchandise such as t-shirts, pins, air fresheners (That’s right folks, you can make your car smell like a turkey leg!), magnets and more. Here’s a little turkey leg trivia for you:

The Disney turkey leg made its debut in the late 1980’s at a kiosk in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom.
More than 1.8 million pounds of turkey drumsticks are consumed every year in Disney World’s four theme parks – Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Each drumstick weighs about 1.5 pounds.
Despite the persistent rumors that these are emu legs, the drumsticks do in fact come from male turkeys that generally weigh 50 pounds or more.
Each turkey leg is approximately 720 calories with about 36 grams of fat.
The turkey legs range in price from $10 – $13 depending on the location and if it comes with a side dish.

If you are going to be in Disney World for Thanksgiving (or anytime) and want to try one of these enormous drumsticks, they can be found at:

Flame Tree Barbecue at Animal Kingdom
Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner at Hollywood Studios
Fairfax Fare at Hollywood Studios
Toluca Legs Turkey Co. at Hollywood Studios
Fife & Drum Tavern at Epcot
Turkey Leg Cart in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom
Turkey Leg Cart in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom
Avalunch at Blizzard Beach
Surf Doggies at Typhoon Lagoon

Anyone hungry for turkey now? Happy Thanksgiving and I hope you have a wonderful holiday!

What do you think of Disney turkey legs? Love ’em or hate ’em? Please leave a comment!

Making a trip to Disneyland, Disney World or both? Need help planning your dining? If so, please check out my book, A Tale of Two Resorts: Comparing Disneyland and Disney World. This reference guide offers a complete listing of every dining location from table service to snack stand available at both resorts plus helpful information about each and every dining spot such as location, atmosphere, cuisine type, meals served, dress code, menu selections, kid’s meal options and more.
Available from Amazon!

Nov 20 2014

Disney World News – Frozen Gingerbread Castle

It’s that wonderful time of year again when Disney goes all out decorating every square inch of the resort for the holidays. We aren’t just talking Osborne Family Lights and Frozen transformed Cinderella Castle friends, every resort hotel is also included in the festivities. This year at the Contemporary Resort, guests are being treated to an all-new Gingerbread Holiday Ice Castle on the 4th floor Grand Canyon Concourse inspired by Disney’s animated hit Frozen. This 17 foot tall masterpiece is embellished with snowflakes, sugar and chocolate-coated trees. And, of course, it wouldn’t be complete without our favorite characters Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven. There is also an Ice Castle Kiosk where you can purchase Frozen themed merchandise, build-your-own snowman marshmallow kits, Frozen ice desserts and gingerbread treats.

Thinking about making your own Frozen Gingerbread Castle? Here’s what they used:

423 lbs. of chocolate
514 lbs. of flour
212 eggs
67 lbs. of spices
35 lbs. of sugar syrup
311 lbs. of honey
222 lbs. of icing
1,500 gingerbread shingles

Check out this fun time-lapse video of the Gingerbread Castle being assembled:

If you get the chance to see this masterpiece in person this year,
be sure to look for the 14 “hidden Olafs” in the display.
Happy Holidays!

(photos and video courtesy of Disney)

Nov 17 2014

Disney World News – Holidays Around The World At Epcot

Every year at Epcot, the holiday season is celebrated with a special event called Holidays Around The World. This year the festive happening will be held from November 28 through December 30. It is filled with yummy food, joyful music and wonderful traditions from countries around the globe. Here’s the scoop from Disney Parks Blog:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Holidays Around the World at Epcot where the World Showcase countries reflect the seasonal traditions – including tastes of homelands far, far away. Starting our stroll at Promenade Refreshments, try the Turkey Waffle – a filling sweet potato waffle with roast turkey and green bean casserole (all-in-one holiday dinner). Then head to Canada for pecan-maple bark, a nod to our Northern neighbor’s bounteous maple sugar production. Next door in the United Kingdom, it’s hot applejack cider with whiskey and a blend of seasonal spices – sip while you listen to stories of Father Christmas. France sweetly celebrates with the classic bûche de noël au chocolate (chocolate cake shaped like a log) at Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie, and glace au apin d’epices (gingerbread ice cream) at L’Artisan des Glaces. Japan adds teriyaki chicken karaage, a Japanese version of crispy fried chicken bites with teriyaki sauce, at Kabuki Cafe, and you can hear the story of the hollow-round Daruma doll and the Japanese customs of the New Year. Up next, American Adventure, with freshly baked gingerbread men, chocolate chunk cookies and sugar cookies, hot chocolate, hot apple cider and peppermint bark at the Sugar and Spice Holiday Bakery (perfect snacks for the Candlelight Processional). Look for Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with Hanukkah and Kwanzaa celebrations throughout the holidays, plus our favorite Voices of Liberty Dickens Carolers. At Italy you can meet La Befana, the kind-hearted witch who arrives on the eve of the Epiphany to grant gifts to good children – like panettone, the sweet bread loaf served at the Gelato kiosk, along with sweet moscato wine and ciocolata calda (hot chocolate). In Germany, listen as Helga tells the story of the first Christmas tree as you nibble on stollen fruit cake and sip glühwein (hot spiced wine). Learn about the Christmas gnome in Norway and indulge in the traditional rice cream at Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe (so popular they leave it on the menu year-round).