Downtown Disney consists of seventy five extraordinary shops,
dining venues & outdoor artisans that fans of Walt Disney World and locals have
enjoyed for decades. A few years ago they began chipping away pixie dust by
pixie dust, taking the beloved clubs away that made up Pleasure Island &
everyone’s favorite the Adventurer’s Club.The Adventurers Club featured animatronics, puppets, and
a cast of adventurers who performed in shows and improvisational comedy while
mingling with the club's patrons. The Adventurers Club opened with the rest of
Pleasure Island on May 1, 1989 and was designed by Joe Rohdes who also designed
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge & Aulani Resort & Spa in Ko Olina,
Hawaii. In good Disney fashion, change is a comin’, if it’s possible to have
more stores, dining venues & entertainment~ why not~ and make it a bit more
themed~ Go big or go home-right, hence; Disney Springs.
Doubling in size &
grandeur, Disney Springs will have more than 150 unique restaurants & retail
shops, themed after the lakeside towns along the Florida coastline at the turn
of the century. Homey charm & distinctive décor with food trucks galore will
make this location on Disney property sought after by many. It will hopefully
invoke family togetherness & a laid back vibe, in hopes that many Disney
peeps magically forget they’re spending lots of coinage, lol. The expansion
plans consist of much needed parking garages; the new garages should
add thousands of parking spaces to the area. Disney Springs will feature a charming
Town Center which will include
shopping & dining along a relaxing promenade & three other sections
named: Landing, Marketplace and West Side. Landing will consist of restaurants with
water views; Marketplace will have an
innovativefootbridge
spanning the bay between Fulton's and Cap'n Jack's and an expanded World of
Disney store, yes I said EXPANDED-as if World of Disney needs to be larger! West Side will consist of new elevated
spaces with magical entertainment. My family is fevered with anticipation and look
forward to the completion of Disney Springs, in Spring 2016.Originally
published on http://theadultsideofdisney.com/.
What
do you do when life throws you a curve ball?You swing for the fences of course.Last June, my bags and #George were packed and ready to head to Phoenix,
Arizona to be a part of the Disney Social Media Moms On The Road Celebration. So just what is the Disney Social Media Moms Disney on the
Road Conference?
Now in
its third year, Disney Social Media Moms Celebration On- the-Road creates an
energetic forum where Mom influencers and social media enthusiasts meet for a
half day program filled with inspirational messages and educational content
designed to support the goals and unique lifestyle demands of Moms. Having been
lucky enough to be a part of both On the Road when it was in San Francisco last
summer as well as the “holy grails” of invites, the Disney Social Media Moms
Celebration when it was in Disneyland this year, I knew I was about to be a
part of something very special from learning what's what was next for Disney
Parks, as well as being able to participate in interactive sessions and hear from
a dynamic line-up of speakers. Add in seeing old friends, finally being able to
meet online friends in person, and showing off my #DisneySide, it just couldn’t
get any better-that is until the pitcher threw me that pesky curve ball.When you wake up in the hospital on Tuesday,
knowing that your plane ticket to Phoenix was for Monday night, after a moment
of processing and taking in the situation, you realize that it’s time to put a
back up plan into place.With a quick
check to make sure the hospital had Wi-Fi, a call home to have your laptop and
#George delivered, we were still all set to attend Disney On The Road thanks to
the Mom TV live webcast.
Special thanks Maria Bailey of BSA Media , Mom Select, Mom TV, Blue Suit Mom, and Mom TALK Radio. who along with
incomparable Leanne Jakubowski O’Regan, Disney Parks Director of Social
Media who, along with their teams put on these magical events each year. Even
from the other side of a computer screen, I was able to learn so much in such a
short period of time but that is a part of the many things that makes these
events like no others.Here are just a
few of the many, many inspirational things I came away with:
What’s Up Next For #Disneyland
As anyone that has ever met me knows, my heart
belongs to Disneyland.My first trip to the #HappiestPlaceOnEarth
was in October 1955 and I have not missed a year to this day.If you hadn’t heard, Disneyland is
celebrating its Diamond Anniversary next year and Michele Himmelberg@mhimmelberg,
Disneyland Public Relations Director was on hand to share a sneak peak of some
of the magic that Disneyland has in store for us in the months ahead.I have been lucky enough to have literally
grown up with Disneyland throughout the years, but listening to Michele and the
legacy that Disneyland leaves behind while laying the foundation to the future
reminded me once again how it important it is to celebrate the past, as it is
the key to all of our futures.It’s the
spirit that lives on in all of us that we hand down from generation to
generation that will continue to live on, long after we are gone. What better
gift is there to give? Stay tuned to the Disney
Parks Blog and #Disneyland60 for the entire up to the minute news of this
once in a lifetime celebration.
Disney Parks Social Media-It’s About Teamwork
If you have never had a chance to listen to or
meet Erin Glover @gopluto, Disneyland
Social Media Director, she truly is as Gary Buchanan has dubbed her, America’s
Sweetheart.Erin has been on hand to see
such things as the Disney
Parks Blog and the social media division grow from a few people writing a
few stories a week to the backbone of Disney news and media it is today and the
reason for its success can be summed up in one word-teamwork.Erin shared that unlike days gone by, today
the social media department is run much like a newsroom; a newsroom that allows
for not only creativity and storytelling but for people to write about their specialties
and what they are passionate about. No truer words were ever spoken when she
spoke to the fact that when you write about what you are truly passionate
about, your writing will have an authentic feel and vibe to that, which keeps
people coming back for more.Like
everything that puts Disney head and shoulders above the rest, when you have
good story telling from the heart combined with the essential element of
teamwork, you have the all the necessary elements to bring Disneyland alive
whether you’re in the Parks, or sitting dreaming of your next trip.
Capturing the Magic Through Your Phone-
Tracey Clark, @traceyclark, TraceyClark.com was one of the people I
was most excited to learn from.Like
thousands of other moms and dads, I get so caught up in quickly taking the shot
and then posting it for family and friends to see, I never really gave it a
second thought of how I could easily turn my picture into a photograph.First off, she told us all get out of what
she termed “snapshot mode” In other words, your picture should capture the
feeling in the moment, and not just the moment you had your family for example
stand in front of the castle.From
Tracey I learned that everyone, even me had a story to tell and to tell my
story from my point of view.Don’t be
afraid to crop, edit, tilt (who knew I could tilt a photo) straighten or to
change my perspective.One of the things
I adore about teaching kindergarten is giving them the opportunity to have
cameras to capture kindergarten from their point of view and every year I’m
astounded by what they see through their eyes.Here Tracey was giving me permission to do the same thing-to kneel or
lay down on the floor, to stand on something, to tell the story through the
eyes of me. From Tracey I learned that it was ok to tell my photographic
stories up close, or even a little out of focus, because some days are just
like that.I am now working on
consciously elevating my photography just by seeing things a little bit
differently, or maybe I’m just now capturing what real event I want to
remember-not that my family was in front of the famous castle but the joy on
their faces, or lately the rolling of their eyes when I tell them they have to
go stand there for a picture-those are the moments I will keep in my heart and
the memories I will remember.
So much was learned in just a few short hours
from these inspirational speakers and so many more. While I am so thankful that
I was able to hear their messages and words of wisdom, one of the things I missed
most about not being there in person was the electricity and energy that fills
the air and goes hand and hand with attending the Disney Social Media Moms On
the Road Conferences in person. There is no way to replace camaraderie, the
laughter, the hugs and even the tears that everyone feels from the moment you
step foot into the room until long after you leave, but still being able to be
a part this once in a lifetime experience just makes me more sure than even not
to miss it next year.Thank you Maria
Bailey and the Disney Social Media Moms team for allowing us all to be a part
of the magic once again.Believe in the
possibilities…live your dreams.
One
of many highlights of the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration last
April came
during breakfast Saturday morning when we were suddenly surprised as the Reading Rainbow Theme came
alive throughout the room.And then to
our amazement, as we all sang along to this melody that was such an important
part of all of our lives, we looked up to see LeVar Burton himself appeared before us.I don’t think any rock star would have had more squeals of delight than
those that greeted Mr. Burton as he stood before us.
For one brief moment time stood still and
each one of us was reminded of the joy and love that “Reading Rainbow brought into each of
our lives, and that of our children, and even our grandchildren.Even though “Reading Rainbow” left the
airways in 2006, thanks to the magic of the Internet, YouTube and videos, it’s
ability to instill and foster a pure and deep love of reading still lives
on.Two years ago, Burtoncame out with a Reading
Rainbow App
for the iPad in the hopes of connecting with today’s youth on
their technological level. But his quest to bring back the joy and art of
storytelling did not stop there as he was determined to bring an unlimited
library of books to a much wider audience. Not every child has a tablet and
more schools than not do not have access to today's technology. So just how
does the driving force behind Reading Rainbow intend to bring back the power of
reading to all families? Mr. Burton is on a quest develop a web-enabled Reading Rainbow for at-home use,
create a classroom version along with lesson plans and teacher-friendly tools,
and subsidize the cost so any school can use Reading Rainbow anywhere for free.
Burton has set out to raise a million dollars, and has offered up plenty of
prizes for donations that run the gamut from a LeVar himself recording your
voicemail, to hanging out with you via Skype to sending you an autograph. But
what matters most is this will help more kids learn how to read. And although a
million dollars sure sounds like a lot, in this day and age where actors are
asking for money for movies, regular folk are seeking funding to be the next
great reality television stars, and still others are asking the public though
Kickstarter to fund their dream vacation, finally without a doubt I can say
that this is indeed a Kickstarter cause that I can get behind and so should
every family in America. Read more about LeVar
Burton's Kickstarter campaign and then join in by ensuring that generations
to come will come to know what we already know “ Take a look, it’s in a book,
Reading Rainbow. I can be anything, take a look, it’s in a book, Reading
Rainbow.”
To read more about LeVar Burton's work with reading and Disney, check out Give A Book, Get A Book campaign.
Gayle
is a lifelong educator by day and avid blogger by night and is the owner and
cofounder of the Disney Gals, one of the
most popular Disney blogs around! Proud mommy to 5, Grammy to 4 she is blessed
to share her life with amazing family and friends who encourage her to chase
her dreams no matter where they may lead. When not in the classroom, she
can be found following her son as he dances his way through life, or working
with young performers in free nationally recognized after school children’s
theater program that she founded 13 years ago. On any given day you will find
Gayle skipping her way through life with a giggle and a smile knowing that today is
meant to be lived and enjoyed. To learn more about Gayle, click here.
Anyone that knows me, and even those that may not
know me, knows that the words “Healthy Eating” and “Gayle” are usually not two
things associated together. As much as I hate to admit it, I live completely
and totally on, well, not the healthiest of diets. All that has changed thanks
to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration held a few short weeks ago at the
Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California and the Disney TRYit! campaign.
Truth be told, I had no idea that eating
right and eating healthy could taste this good! Thanks to the magic of the
Happiest Place on Earth and the TRYit! Campaign, all of the attendees and our
families were treated each day to a wide variety of healthy and mouth-watering
food.
Each day from the opening night dinner for ourselves and our families at
Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree to the closing breakfast on Sunday morning in Cars
Land, the magical people at Disney went out of their way to show all of us just
how easy it is to eat meals that are both delicious and nutritious. Through the Magic of
Healthy Living and their new TRYit! Campaign, the good folks at Disney are looking out for each of us by encouraging families to try a
variety of new foods and fun moves in an effort to teach everyone that living a healthier lifestyle is easily obtainable. Throughout the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, we found ourselves with incredible
food choices that would satisfy even the pickiest of eaters, yes even me, and it wasn’t just
the grown ups filling up their plates with salads, main entrees and scrumptious
desserts (even the s’mores were healthy) –kids were going back for seconds
and thirds as well.
Not only did the
magical people at Disney have us eating healthier, but they had us up and out
of our seats and moving, whether it was to the band playing at the Big Thunder Ranch
Jamboree to the DJ spinning for us in Toontown on Saturday Night to our very
own Disney Fun Run on Sunday morning, it was all about learning a better way of living.
One of the ways Disney has already implemented
their healthy eating initiative into the Parks and into our lives is with their
Mickey Check seal of approval. What
is the Mickey Check? The Mickey Check is a tool that makes it easier to
identify nutritious choices in stores, online, and while on vacation at Walt
Disney Parks and Resorts. The Mickey Check can be found on select kids’ meals
and fruit carts throughout Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® Resorts, on
various Disney-licensed food products sold at grocery stores across the
country, and on qualifying recipes at Disney.com/tryit and Spoonful.com. To
receive the Mickey Check, foods must meet Disney Nutrition Guidelines developed
by health experts and align to federal dietary guideline recommendations.Now all families can keep a healthier
lifestyle and still enjoy all the fabulous food you’ve come to know and expect
when visiting any of the Disney Parks.
You don’t have to be at the Disney Social Media
Moms Celebration to eat healthy at the Disney Parks.Trying a variety of new foods and fun moves
is part of living healthy. That’s the message of Disney’s TRYit! Campaign. From
inspirational messages on-air and online to a special TRYathlon event and road
tour, kids and families are being encouraged to take action to be their best.
The TRYit! Campaign is not just for inside the
Disney Parks. Any Disney fan already has seen this plan come into our own homes
though the Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior and Radio Disney in the
form of storytelling and short-form programming. In August, a TRYathlon TV
Special on Disney XD and Disney Channel will bring together real kids and
Disney talent to demonstrate how good for you can be fun too! Kids will compete
in a one-of-a-kind TRYathlon that tests their skills, fosters teamwork, and
allows them to discover new ways to challenge themselves.
The TV special will kick off a road tour – hosted
by Radio Disney – to bring the TRYit! Campaign to 10 cities across the U.S. Go
to www.Disney.com/TRYit to find
inspiration to be your best or to stay up to date on local events, contests,
and other ways to participate in TRYit!
So let’s review-great food, delicious and nutritional
selections that are easy to make and bring about a healthier and happier
you-sign me up!For more information of
the Magic of Healthy Living or the Disney TRYit! Campaign, or for great recipes
and suggestions on how easy it is to implement these quick and simple changes
into your own family’s day to day life, be sure to check out http://citizenship.disney.com/try-itor go to Spoonful.com for a wide variety of
activities and recipes and ideas the whole family will love.If I can do it-anyone can!
Disclaimer:
I was invited to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at Disneyland and
have offered a special discounted rate that was offered to all attendees
and their families. In addition, I have received products to help make my
experience even more magical.I will be
sharing the unique things I learn throughout the Celebration however these are
my own personal thoughts and opinions, not those of the Walt Disney Company.
Gayle
is a lifelong educator by day and avid blogger by night and is the owner and
cofounder of the Disney Gals, one of the
most popular Disney blogs around! Proud mommy to 5, Grammy to 4 she is blessed
to share her life with amazing family and friends who encourage her to chase
her dreams no matter where they may lead. When not in the classroom, she
can be found following her son as he dances his way through life, or working
with young performers in free nationally recognized after school children’s
theater program that she founded 13 years ago. On any given day you will find
Gayle skipping her way through life with a giggle and a smile knowing that today is
meant to be lived and enjoyed. To learn more about Gayle, click here.
