Guest Author Sunday- Welcome Back Leanne Tomala

Guest Author Sunday

Welcome Back Leanne Tomala

Disney Gals are thrilled to welcome back Leanne to our Guest Author Sunday Writer's Chair. This week Leanne shares a special magical encounter from her recent Disney Cruise.

You Just Never Know…
 

I recently returned from a seven day cruise on the Disney Fantasy.  The trip was everything I hoped it would be and more.  I planned, and planned, and planned, from the time I booked in January 2013 up until cruise day in November 2013.   Dinner and brunch reservations were made, as well as port excursions, almost to the point that I knew what I would be doing every single day.  The magic, however, came at a totally unscripted moment. 
 

After a mid-afternoon nap in my stateroom, I was craving those delicious Mickey pretzels that are served on Deck 11 at Flo’s.  I popped out of my stateroom and hit the “up” button for the elevator.  The bell dinged, the door slowly opened, and I am face-to-face with none other than Mickey Mouse!  He’s all alone in the elevator, except for his cast member escort.  I am so taken aback by this discovery that I’m not sure what to do.  I regain some semblance of composure and hop into the elevator cursing to myself that I am without my phone/camera to capture this moment. 

While riding up to four floors to Deck 11, I’m feeling like a school-girl who bumps into her crush in the school hallway and is at a loss for words.  Mickey “asks” me if I am having a good time, and I really don’t remember what I said because the moment was so surreal.  Being the gentleman that he is, Mickey kissed my hand when the elevator door opened at my destination.  I did not want to get out because I wanted Mickey all to myself for just a few moments more.  I floated out of the elevator and wanted to shout “he likes me!” just like I would have done at thirteen years old.  It was not quite my fifteen minutes of fame; more like fifteen seconds. 

Saving Mr Banks

Saving Mr. Banks

As you know Kelly and I were able to see a preview of Saving Mr. Banks a few weeks ago.  We thought since the movie is opening world wide we you re-post our review and give you a few links to check out:



This past week, Judy & I had the honor of pre-screening Saving Mr. Banks, thanks to D23 and the Music Box Theater. I can safely say, we both thoroughly enjoyed our evening.

For those unfamiliar with Chicago's Music Box theater, it was built in 1929 and has restored it's original architecture and decor. Being surrounded in the past was the perfect set up to enjoy the first feature, Mary Poppins. For as many times as I've seen this movie at home, it just seemed funnier and more endearing when watching with hundreds of others. It was wonderful hearing the whole crowd laughing out loud and offering up a huge round of applause at the end. 

Wordless Wednesday - December 18, 2013 - Disney Inspired Letter "R"

WELCOME TO THE DISNEY GALS WORDLESS WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP!

THE THEME OF THE DAY IS

DISNEY INSPIRED LETTER "R"!

Disney Gal Beth:

Disney Gal Kelly:

Runners/Writers Wanted for a Virtual Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Blog Hop!

 

 

Attention experts, pros, beginners and wannabes, we want YOU! My co-host ( @Distherapy of :DISTherapy fame) and I are looking for runDisney lovers who will join us in a Virtual runDisney Blog Hop on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014. Each potential writer will choose a race topic, (from Runner Tracking to the Disney Family Fun Run 5K to the Cool Down Party), and cover each pixie dusted inch of it, from an instructional and/or personal point of view. Together we'll map out the journey of the Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend, for the both the benefit of first timers and to get the adrenaline pumping for ourselves!

 

  

 

 

Would you like more details? Would you like to claim your favorite chapter of the runDisney fairytale? Please contact me HERE. This blog hop is open to bloggers and non-bloggers alike. Remember, every post is magic

Nothing Says Christmas than Something Made From the Heart

Christmas Handprint Calendars

     Christmas is right around the corner and you don't have to spend a lot to create the perfect present and one that they will cherish for years and years to come.   The only thing you will need for this easy, easy project is paint and construction paper (both available at any Dollar Store), a paint brush, felt pens and glitter to decorate with and a willing child.  My calendars have evolved and changed over the years, and at one point we actually painted feet as well as hands to make some of the pages,  but the sentiment is always the same-to create a "handprint" memory of your child that year. There are literally thousands of ideas online right now and Pinterest is once again my new best friend. I've included directions to a more detailed version that includes poems for each month below but the ones I made with the girls yesterday as well as with my class are without the monthly poems. The only thing you are limited by is your imagination! 

Wordless Wednesday - December 11, 2013 - Character Encounters

WELCOME TO THE DISNEY GALS WORDLESS WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP!

THE THEME OF THE DAY IS

CHARACTER ENCOUNTERS!

Disney Gal Kelly:

Saving Mr. Banks



This past week, Judy & I had the honor of pre-screening Saving Mr. Banks, thanks to D23 and the Music Box Theater. I can safely say, we both thoroughly enjoyed our evening.

For those unfamiliar with Chicago's Music Box theater, it was built in 1929 and has restored it's original architecture and decor. Being surrounded in the past was the perfect set up to enjoy the first feature, Mary Poppins. For as many times as I've seen this movie at home, it just seemed funnier and more endearing when watching with hundreds of others. It was wonderful hearing the whole crowd laughing out loud and offering up a huge round of applause at the end. 

Welcome to the Disney Christmas House

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like A Disney Christmas 
Here In Northern California

            Nestled  in Sonoma County, some 50 miles north of the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, residents from hundreds of miles around are treated to Scott Weaver’s little slice of Disney Christmas heaven.  Each year for the past 16 years, Weaver has transformed his Rohnert Park home into a castle with over 300 handcrafted characters, 40,000 lights, a waterfall, a tower, a train and a bubble machine. His self-described "Weaver Winter Wonderland" gets bigger every year. The display, a labor of love, takes Scott over a month of 12-hour days to set up . Each year Weaver is allotted five weeks of vacation from his job. He sets aside four of those weeks for preparation. 

Wordless Wednesday - Dec. 4, 2013

WELCOME TO THE DISNEY GALS WORDLESS WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP!

THE THEME OF THE DAY IS

DECEMBER CALENDAR SHOT!

Disney Gal Judy:



Disney Gal Kelly:

Disney Classics - 4 CD Set Review

Disney Gal Judy (writing from Port Orleans Resort with sketchy internet):

I am reviewing two of the four disks, Disney Timeless Classics and Disney Television Classics.   I think my favorite is Timeless Classics; this disk has all the music from my childhood along with a few from our sons.  Who can pass up A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes?  Along with one of our sons favorite from when they were really small; Ugly Bug Ball (okay I might be showing me age now).  

The second CD brings in the music from all the different Disney TV shows, again it runs the range from the 1950's to Mickey Mouse Club House and Zorro to Wizards of Waverly Place.  I might not know all the shows but this gives everyone in the house a chance to know a song on the CD.  I would recommend purchasing this set if you are a Disney "person" as it will cover all the bases!

Disney Gal Kelly:

My two disks to review were Disney's Modern Classics and Disney's Theme Park Classics.

My first mistake was listening to the Theme Park Classics while driving. Each song takes you back in your mind to your happy place; sailing with pirates, hang gliding across California and finding your inner child with a little purple dragon called Figment. I don't remember much else of the drive down I-294 except for conducting (yes, I admit it) the instrumental tracks.  The nice part about sitting down to listen to these songs, is you hear parts you've never heard before. Instead of paying attention to the characters or worrying about when the drop is coming, you can enjoy every detail the songs have to offer. You will be amazed how much you miss while on the rides and appreciate them even more on your next visit. I have to tell you, there are a couple tunes on here that I did not recognize, but that is the beauty of the CD, you get to enjoy songs from both parks. I figure if I ever get over to Disneyland, I won't look so much like a tourist if I'm singing along.

My second disk was the Modern Classics. My daughter actually asked for this one when I told her Judy and I were sharing the set. These are the songs she grew up on, movies from the 1989 until present. Out of the 23 tracks, there were 3 songs we couldn't sing every word to. Give us a week, we'll have it down. Every big Disney musical movie from the last 25 years is represented on here starting with The Little Mermaid all the way through Tangled and Toy Story 3. If I had to find one thing I would change, it would be to add more tracks, because one song is just not enough from those movies. But then again, I guess that's what movie sound tracks are for. We had a ball with this CD playing "Name That Tune". I would give my kids just a few of the opening notes and they would give me song title and movie, then everyone sings along, sometimes in the worst voices possible. Yep, that's our #DisneySide.

If you are looking for a great gift, or something to add to your music collection, look no further. These CD's will delight your kids, make those all-too-cool teens silly for just a bit, and bring back magical memories for you. Walmart.com is already sold out, but Amazon has them in stock for $32.09. Enjoy! 

*We received a free Disney Classics Box Set for review purpose. We also received compensation from the company. All opinions are our own and not influenced in anyway. Our reviews are our personal and honest opinions. 

Judy is a Disney Gal who loves picking up hitchhiking ghosts, sailing the rivers of the world in search of the ever elusive backside of water and singing with the tiki birds while enjoying her dole whip. She is the mother to two sons in the military and their wives. She has several furry grandchildren and cherishes how her husband reacts when he hears "Welcome Home". To learn more about Disney Gal Judy go here.

Kelly is a Disney Gal who loves finding fun and adventure on the High Seas aboard the Disney Cruise Line. Whether it's pampering, para sailing or the unlimited Diet Coke, she enjoys all the ships have to offer. She is currently wearing down Commodore Tom to allow her to blow any of the ships' musical horns. As of now, he is disinclined to acquiesce. To learn more about Kelly, click here.

Guest Author Sunday

Welcome Leanne Tomala

Our Newest Honorary Gal

Meet our newest Honorary Gal- Leanne Tomala! Leanne shows each and everyday that it's all about being young at heart. Leanne is hooked on runDisney having completed two 5K events and now is in training for the Princess Half.  Her love of Disney showed through as she was one of the chosen few to advance to Round 3 of the Disney Parks Mom's Panel this year.  Leanne currently resides in Saint Peters Missouri and is a proud mom, grandmother and has been married to her own prince charming for the last 38 years.  Welcome Leanne-we're so happy to have you as an honorary Gal!

#DisneySide at Four
This week's inspiration comes from a 4 year-old boy, my grandson. He stays at our house a few nights a week and part of our bedtime regimen is reading stories from the many books left over from my children. Tired of reading the same old Mercer Meyer Little Critter series, I decided to improvise the other night and tell a story about a little boy and his grandparents that fly on an airplane and go to Disney World.
Taking the details from our own recent trip, and highlighting the best parts of the vacation, (leaving out the part when Grandma's back goes out and she's unable to walk) I wove a magical story that captivated his attention and invited him to participate by asking "and then what did they see?" The surprising part for me was that he remembered the little details that made this vacation so special.  I hoped that he fell asleep with visions of Mickey Mouse dancing in his head.
The next night, I went back to the Little Critter books but he stopped me mid-sentence and told me he wanted to hear the story about the "little boy" again. After each re-telling of the magical moments of the trip, he jumped out of bed and ran to Papa to tell him the story, too.
Show us your #DisneySide is for the young, old, young at heart and everything in between.  For this 4-year-old, #DisneySide becomes the stuff that sweet dreams are made of when he sleeps over at Grandma and Papa's house.