Wordless Wednesday - July 17, 2013

TO THE DISNEY GALS WORDLESS WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP!

THE THEME OF THE DAY IS

Social Media Disney Memories!

 

The Disney Gals were lucky enough to have three of our group invited to three different Disney events!  Check out their photos below.

Disney Gal Heather:

 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2013

5 little extras that add magic to Your Disney Cruise

It seems inevitable, every time I go on vacation there’s always one or two things I wish I had brought. But after sailing with Disney a number of times I think I have packing down to a science. This is my top 5 list of “extras” to bring that will make your cruise smooth sailing and allow you to spread magic to others.

1) Something to be autographed – You can spend a lot of your time hunting down individual character autographs, or you can relax by the pool while the Guest Services does the work. At the start of your cruise, drop off a picture frame, matting, pillow case…whatever you would like signed to Guest Services, then pick it up fully autographed at the end of your cruise.

2) Singles – I’m talking money here, not people.  Most everything is included in the price of your cruise, and what is not included is charged to your room. But there are a few times when you’ll be happy to have cash on hand. When you are boarding the ship as well as debarking, you will find workers to help you transport your bags. They like tips! And if you order room service during the cruise, your delivery person will also accept a tip.

3) Pirate attire – Ahoy mateys! Be ye ready t’ party like pirates? Disney supplies all cruisers with a bandana during dinner and will sell costumes on board, but if you want to save yourself time and money, bring pirate gear from home. Your fellow cruisers run the gamut dressed in just the bandana and an eye patch, to full out Captain Jack Sparrow. Be prepared.

4) Sand Toys – This is one of our favorite ways to spread magic. We bring a bag of toys from home and write on the inside in permanent marker “Enjoy your cruise, from your Chicago friends.” Then we leave the toys on Castaway Cay and watch as the younger cruisers pick them up and play all excitedly.  Plus, there's no harm if you use them first :)

5) Door Decorations – There’s nothing more festive than decorations, so why not let everyone know your celebrating by decorating your stateroom door. It can be something as simple as a happy birthday sign to full out door coverage. Once again we like to spread a little magic by putting fun decorations (Mickey heads, Jolly Rogers, etc) on random doors. We have also put a white board on the door to leave each other messages as to where we are. Sometime other cruisers leave a note, all in good fun! Just remember, Disney does not want tape on their doors. Make sure your decorations are magnetic.

That does it for my little extras. Let me hear what other things you like to bring. I sail in 3 weeks and may need to add your suggestions to my suitcase!

Here's the Latest from D23

DISNEY CONSUMER PRODUCTS TAKES FANS ON JOURNEY FROM SKETCH TO SHELF AT DISNEY’S D23 EXPO 2013

Disney’s Ultimate Fans to Enjoy Access to Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Content and Merchandise

Disney Consumer Products (DCP) will give Disney’s most loyal fans an up close look at an extensive collection of interactive experiences and merchandise that celebrate Disney, Marvel and Star Wars timeless characters during the bi-annual D23 Expo, the ultimate Disney fan event. 

Held at the Anaheim Convention Center from Aug. 9-11, 2013, Disney fans will have the chance to follow their favorite products from “sketch to shelf” and learn how Disney Consumer Products extends storytelling from character and content extension to product development through featured discussions, art and sculptures and final product displays.

While at the D23 Expo fans will also be able to immerse themselves in exhibits, hands-on demonstrations, special signing opportunities and exclusive product offerings at the Disney Consumer Products Pavilion.

Disney Consumer Products’ exciting lineup of events and attractions includes:

Candlelight Processional

Booking for the Candlelight

Processional Packages

It’s that time of year again, yes it is only July 15^th, but it is time to book your Candlelight Processional Packages. If you have ever been to Walt Disney at Christmas time you can understand the excitement of being able to book your dinner (or lunch).  Who will be there to narrate on the night you book?? That is half the fun of planning your dinner.  I know people who have gone on more than one night just to get to hear someone else narrate.  We were able to see Gary Sense narrate on Christmas Eve the year our youngest son was stationed overseas with the Air Force and our oldest and his wife were stationed in Kodiak, Alaska for the Coast Guard (this was the reason we were at Disney on Christmas, our family was far away).  Gary Sense is very pro military and helps when and wherever he can the soldiers and their families and he have such a moving speech about the military being away from their families at Christmas that both my husband and I were sitting there in the front row crying. 

Guest Author Sunday

Guest Author

 

 

Chuck Jones

 

We are so excited to welcome back Honorary Guy Chuck Jones.  This week Chuck shows us that not matter what your age, everyone is a kid at heart when it comes to rides!

                        Top 5 Disney Rides for Seniors and the Motion-Challenged

By Chuck Jones

             This topic is for those that love the Disney rides, and particularly love the thrilling extreme rides but are unable to ride them because of advancing age or being afflicted with a medical sensitivity to motion.  I am one of those people.  I am 61 years old now, but as a young kid I used to ride every extreme ride that came along.  In Atlanta, Georgia, every fall we used to have a big traveling carnival called the Southeastern Fair come to town for two weeks.  They had to assemble every ride from the first plank to the last nail, and had a huge roller coaster that seemed to teeter and tremble to the point of collapsing at every turn and dip.  But I rode that thing with vigor and excitement too many times to count.  Then, in high school I played football and got several concussions (this was years before they realized the danger in this that the NFL is now fighting).  The first time I decided to do a ride after these concussions was in college.  Me and three of my college buddies were commuting back to campus one early fall Sunday night after a weekend at home, and came upon one of those shopping center carnivals.  They thought it would be great fun to stop and do the rides, and I went along hesitantly.  The first ride was the Tilt-A-Whirl.  It was also my last ride.  I told them I was sick and had to go back and wait in the car.  I barely made it to the parking lot when I stopped and threw up so much that I swore I could taste the cranberry sauce from last Thanksgiving Dinner.  I made it to the car and crawled into the back seat and closed my eyes.  The next thing I remembered was waking up in my dorm room bed.  Somehow they had gotten me out of the car and into the dorm.   After that, I knew I couldn’t do the thrill rides anymore, and to further establish that, about five years ago, I was diagnosed with vertigo.  So, being 61 years old with a history of concussions and vertigo, I have to choose my rides very carefully.  This is hard because I still love the excitement of the best thrill rides, so I have come up with this list of the very best ones that people like me can ride.  I promise you that these rides are sure to thrill, but not make you sick, so give them a try on your next Disney Vacation. 

5 Dos and Don'ts to a Truly Magical Disney Dining Experience

Trying to figure out the ins and outs of Disney dining can be just as overwhelming as planning your actual Disney vacation.  By following these few simple Dos and Don’ts I can help you take the stress and worry out of planning your Disney dining!

Do eat at unpopular times

Most people would typically consider breakfast to be around eight or nine in the morning, lunch at noon, and dinner around six or seven in the evening. It makes sense that these would be the busiest times at the quick service restaurants as well as the more difficult times to get reservations at the table service restaurants. Go ahead and change up your dining schedule when visiting Disney. You’ll have better luck getting reservations if you eat breakfast at 10:30, lunch at 3, and dinner at 8. Not to mention, the quick service restaurants will be a lot less crowded during off times, so while everyone else is eating lunch at noon, you can saunter right on up to all of your favorite rides!

Do not forget to make a reservation

Yes, reservations are so important that they bear repeating. Things have changed at Walt Disney World. A few years ago, it wasn’t as necessary to plan your meals ahead of time, and you had a fairly good chance of walking into a restaurant and being seated. However, that all changed with the introduction of the Disney Dining Plan. Now that more and more guests are taking advantage of the pre-paid Disney Dining option, the table service restaurants and character meals are booking up a lot more quickly. To have the best chance of getting in at the restaurant of your choice, it is highly recommended that you make your reservations  as soon as it hits the 180-day mark before your vacation.

Trailer for Disney's 'Saving Mr. Banks' Premieres

To bring Mary Poppins to life, Walt Disney had to work his magic on children's novelist P.L. Travers.

 

  Inspired by true events, 'Saving Mr. Banks' is the extraordinary, untold story of how the classic 'Mary Poppins' made it to the screen - and the testy relationship that the legendary Walt Disney had with author P.L. Travers that almost derailed it. 

  The following description can be found on the Disney Movies page for 'Saving Mr. Banks.'

Two-time Academy Award®–winner Emma Thompson and fellow double Oscar®-winner Tom Hanks topline Disney’s “Saving Mr. Banks,” inspired by the extraordinary, untold backstory of how Disney’s classic “Mary Poppins” made it to the screen. 

When Walt Disney’s daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite book, P.L. Travers’ “Mary Poppins,” he made them a promise—one that he didn’t realize would take 20 years to keep. In his quest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer who has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood machine. But, as the books stop selling and money grows short, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles to hear Disney’s plans for the adaptation. For those two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulls out all the stops. Armed with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs from the talented Sherman brothers, Walt launches an all-out onslaught on P.L. Travers, but the prickly author doesn’t budge. He soon begins to watch helplessly as Travers becomes increasingly immovable and the rights begin to move further away from his grasp. It is only when he reaches into his own childhood that Walt discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt her, and together they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing films in cinematic history. Disney presents “Saving Mr. Banks,” directed by John Lee Hancock, produced by Alison Owen, Ian Collie and Philip Steuer, and written by Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith. Executive producers are Paul Trijbits, Andrew Mason, Troy Lum and Christine Langan.

The film will release in U.S. theaters on December 13, 2013, limited, and open wide on December 20, 2013.

Trailer: Saving Mr. Banks on Disney Video 

What are your initial thoughts on Saving Mr. Banks? Let me know if the comments.

Summer Camp-Flubber

Bringing Flubber To Life

 

This week at Summer Camp it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get ready to make FLUBBER!!! Just the name conjures up visions of fun. Whether you are old enough to remember to the original 1963 “Son of Flubber” movie with Fred MacMurray or the newer version with Robin Williams, you automatically know that when Flubber is involved, hijinks will ensue.  No need for your own chemical laboratory for our Flubber, like most of our Summer Camp Activities, our Flubber can be created for little or no expensive just by using items you already have on hand at home.  Let’s get started:

Wordless Wednesday - July 10, 2013 - Disney Storytelling

TO THE DISNEY GALS WORDLESS WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP!

THE THEME OF THE DAY IS

Disney Storytelling!

Disney Gal Tricia:

Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage ~ tale as old as time...

Current Disney and Orlando Area Discounts

DISNEY AND ORLANDO DIGEST
courtesy of Destinations in Florida

To Book Any of the Following Deals, click here or on the banner below!



Walt Disney World

FREE Dining – EVERYONE can get the free Disney Dining Plan for travel dates of 9/2/13 – 9/25/13. You must purchase a package that includes a minimum of 3 nights’ accommodation at a Disney Resort and a minimum 2-day Base Ticket. If you stay at a Disney Value Resort, the Quick Service Dining Plan is free. If you stay at a Disney Moderate or Deluxe Resort, the Basic Dining is free. You can also upgrade from the Quick Service to the Basic Dining for an additional $19 per adult per night and $3 per night per child. You can also upgrade from the Basic Dining to the Deluxe Dining for an additional $45 per adult per night and $20 per night per child. Book by 7/31/13. Disney will require a deposit of $200 and final payment is due 45 days prior to arrival.

Save Up To 30% on Rooms at Select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels - Book your room only or package reservation and save up to 30% off the Disney Resort hotels for 8/15/13 – 9/28/13.. You can book a room only or upgrade to a package with tickets. You can even add one of the Disney Dining Plans for additional savings. This discount expires on July 31, 2013.

On the Road with Disney Performing Arts

     Where do you go when you’ve danced your way through life and you’re in between high school and college? For one lucky Disney Gal Son, you head to the Disney Performing Arts Conservatory located in the heart of the magic-Disneyland!  The Conservatory is a five-day comprehensive series of workshops, which focus on acting, dancing and vocals.  Led by the Disney entertainment professionals, participants are treated to what Disney does best-storytelling with daily themes ranging from “Building Story Through Character” to “Putting It All Into Action” all culminating with live performances at  Stage 17 and the Hollywood Land Backlot Stage, both located in Disney California 
Adventure Park.

          Each day, Zack will be immersed in intensive sessions  where he will learn from industry recognized teaching artists who will illustrate how each craft  supports the overall performance quality of any show. In addition, he will go behind the scenes for In-Park Experiences: where  the Conservatory participants will see up close how the performing arts bring our parks to life. From viewings of shows, atmosphere entertainment, parades and attractions, participants will view our live entertainment experiences through the eyes of those who created them, and learn to recognize the elements of a great show.

           Sound like a dream come true?  Of course it is! This week Zack is hard at work looking for the perfect 16 bar musical theater song that showcases his talents and he’s looking for your help.    If you have the perfect song that a 6’4” tap dancing lover of all things Disney should do, let us know here. Next week, we will take you along as he picks the song, and just what goes into getting THE audition of a lifetime not just practically, perfect in every way!

Honorary Gal Sunday

Welcome Back Tamela Hansen

WDW Specialist

I have often had the question asked to me "Why would you go to Walt Disney World when it is so hot"?  Well the obvious reason is because the kids are out of school, and of course we need Mickey added to our summer fun!  So what is the best way to beat the heat at Walt Disney World during the summer?   We just got back from a week being there and WE DID IT!

Boo to You-Halloween is Just Around the Corner

It's Time to Get Your Scare On

It’s time to get your scare on - Halloween is almost here! Friday the 13^th is the perfect day to kick off this year’s Halloween activities at the Disneyland Resort. From September 13 - October 31 the Happiest Place on Earth will get even spookier with the return of Halloween Time. This year people will have thirteen lucky nights to choose from to attend Mickey’s Halloween Party.  Halloween time features all your favorite Disney Villains, Mickey Mouse and his friends all dressed for Trick or Treating, a Dia  de los Muertos Celebration and the special after hours Mickey’s Halloween Party. Add that to the return of my favorites - Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and Haunted Mansion Holiday and you’ve got yourself the best party in town.

Mark your calendars so get your tickets early before they sell out at Disneyland.com/Halloween! Tickets go on sale Monday!

Disney Dining is Easy if You Follow a Few Simple Dos and Don’ts

Trying to figure out the ins and outs of Disney dining can be just as overwhelming as planning your actual Disney vacation.  By following these few simple Dos and Don’ts I can help you take the stress and worry out of planning your Disney dining! 

Do Speak Up if You Have a Food Allergy or Restriction

Disney parks are well known for accommodating food allergies and dietary restrictions and/or intolerances. No matter what restaurant you choose, the chef will ensure they create a delicious meal that won’t exclude anyone or their needs. Once you are seated at your restaurant, your server will usually ask you if anyone in the party has any food allergies or dietary restrictions. If they do not ask, be sure to speak up and let them know. The chef will then visit your table to discuss the food allergy or dietary restriction and will come up with a meal that accommodates those needs. Disney is renowned for their world-class service, so of course this would extend to their restaurants. They are going to do everything that they can to ensure you have nothing less than a fantastic meal.

 

Don’t Forget to Cancel a Reservation

With advance dining reservations becoming more and more difficult to get, Disney has instituted a credit card guarantee at most of the more popular restaurants and character meals. At the time of making your reservation, you are required to give a credit card in order to hold the reservation. If you do not cancel within at least one day of your reservation, most restaurants will charge you $10.00 per person in your party. However, there are some restaurants, like Mickey’s Backyard BBQ, that will charge you the full price of your dinner show if you do not cancel with sufficient notice or do not show up all.

Here's a review of what we've covered already:

Week 1 Do and Don’t

• Do Make Advanced Dining Reservations
• Don’t be afraid to try something new

Week 2 Do and Don’t

• Do get a Disney Dining Plan
• Don’t forget to leave enough travel time to get to your dining destination.

Week 3 Do and Don't

• Do a Character Meal
• Don’t Forget About the Resort Restaurants

Be sure to check back next week to see what my next Disney Dining Do and Don’t will be!

Written by Meghan Blair, the "Disney Foodie" -- As a Florida Resident, Meghan combines her love of Disney and her love of food! She will give you the best restaurant and dining tips and suggestions to make your meals, just as magical as the rest of your vacation! Book your next vacation with Meghan by clicking this link.

Wake Up With Disney and Donald Duck!

Disney fans are in for a treat as they can now Rise and Shine to the angelic voice of none other than...

Donald Duck!

Okay, so it's not angelic at all but it sure is cute and there's nothing quite like listening to an irritated Donald Duck when you refuse to wake up promptly! That'll get ya movin! In addition to being an alarm clock, the app also provides an animated weather forecast, flashlight, and nightlight functionality. There are several interactive features that allow you to tickle and poke the famous duck to see what kind of reaction you can get, as well as help him play a little golf, dance around, and more! For a limited time, this app is also offering two included costume/ background changes (Safari and Fire Chief). Currently, the app is only compatible with the iPhone, iPad Touch, iPad running iOS 5.0 or later and is priced at $0.99.

Summer Camp Tie Dye Mickey Tee Shirts!

It's Tee Shirt Time At Summer Camp

Color me happy! Today at Summer Camp, we are making Tie Dye Mickey Head Tee Shirts.  This project took a little planning ahead of time but the results are totally worth it. The best part, even if you are a craftily challenged person as I am, you can still create these fun tee shirts for the entire family. Let’s get started!

Supplies for Mickey Tie-Dye Shirts

Tie-Dye Supplies or Tie Dye Kit (we got ours at Wal-Mart for under $10)

Soda ash (if not part of the tie-dye kit)

100% white cotton shirt

Waxed dental floss

Sewing needle

Rubber bands

Pencil

Paper

Plastic wrap

Ziplock Bags

Gloves

Plastic tablecloth to protect your crafting area (we did this project outside)

Wordless Wednesday - July 3, 2013

TO THE DISNEY GALS WORDLESS WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP!

THE THEME OF THE DAY IS

July Calendar Shot!

Happy 4th of July from the Disney Gals!

If you cannot see the photo's, click here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/disneygals/sets/72157633761599555/

 Special Thanks goes out to Deb from Focused on the Magic for hosting the weekly blog hop!
 

 

Top 5 things to Bring to Your Disney Cruise Line Terminal

You've booked your Disney cruise, you've research all the shore excursions, you've made your spa appointments, and now the day is FINALLY here! Today is the day you board one of Disney’s beautiful ships, and you are more than ready. Or are you? There’s always that last second bit of panic over what you should have packed in your suitcase or what you should have brought with you. To help ease your mind, I give you my top 5 suggestions of what to keep with you in the terminal.

1)      Cruise Line paperwork – Whether you have filled out your forms ahead of time online, or are completing the documents mailed to you by Disney Cruise Line, you must bring signed copies of the Cruise Contract, Embark/Departure Form & Payment Authorization Form. Make sure the Cruise Contract is signed by all members of your party and then present all your forms at the check in desk. 

2)      Citizenship Documentation – US citizens must present a passport, passport card, or an original birth certificate with a government issued photo ID. Children under 16 may use just an original birth certificate. However, if the cruise begins and ends in different ports, passports are required.  Non-US cruisers should consult their local Consulate or Embassy for document requirements.

3)      Family – As tempting as it is to have one person stand in line while the rest of the party checks out the terminal, my advice is to stay close. Or at least keep a watchful eye on the person making their way through the check in line. When it’s your turn, everyone in your party will need to be at the desk to be photographed. The pictures that the Disney photographers take of you on board the ship will be linked back to your family through facial recognition technology. So when the cast member checking you in takes your picture, remember, smile and don’t blink.

4)      Day Bag – Since your suitcases will not be delivered to your stateroom for a few hours, there are a few things you may want to carry on the ship with you. I highly recommend bringing your swimsuit (if it’s not already under your clothes) and sunscreen. The Aqua Duck will not be too crowded and neither will the pools, take advantage. No need to worry about towels, they are supplied for you. Keep your camera in this bag. There are photo ops in the terminal with Captain Mickey and Minnie as well as numerous shots once you've boarded the ship. Also, if you have any kind of medication, best to keep it with you at all times.

Photo courtesy of the Disney Cruise Line Blog

5)      Your smile – This should be a no-brainer, right? However, a crowded terminal can turn even the happiest camper into Grumpy. While Disney does a great job at staggering embarkation times and has cast members to keep the line moving, there will still be cruisers that don’t have everything in order and slow down the process. Must be their first cruise (or they don’t read the Disney Gals Top  tips). It’s almost guaranteed if you complain about that family, they will be sitting by you at dinner. Instead, imagine the wonderful trip you are about to take and let that smile sail across your face. Next!

Christmas in July

Anybody craving a little Christmas in July? I just happened to stumble across this video I made from our Disney/Sea World Christmas Vacation in 2011. I know many of you have been busy making your December Advanced Dining Reservations and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party plans so I thought I'd try to help get some of you in the mood that are deep in planning mode. ENJOY!

Disney Social Media Moms

Disney On The Road

San Francisco