Gearing Up to "Meet the Mouse- It's Magic Band Time

   

While gearing up to meet the MOUSE, make sure you accessorize! Aside from our family MICKEY shirts from the Disney store, we made our own family shirts.   Nothing says "stick together" like  everyone wearing matching Mickey's!  We created tie dye shirts using white t-shirts, elastics, and navy blue tie dye powder.  First you make a large circle and put an elastic on it.  Then create two smaller circles with elastics.   The more Mickey's the better.  After dying the shirts and removing the elastics - presto!  You can even do this with white socks! 
Aside from choosing the colors (um, why no purple?), you can also accessorize your Magic Bands!  We received a pack of Magic Bandits to use on our bands.  Although we have yet to try them, Minnie is waiting to hop on my wrist!  That is until I see an Olaf one!  T-shirt tip: Wait to tell your husband about all the matching clothing until packing day when he sees multiple shirts!  Once he gets to the magical world of Disney he will be so happy, he will wear anything!

                                                                    Ready for the trip!

Candlelight Processional Dining Packages Are Ready and Waiting For You! It's Christmas In July!

Photo Disney Parks Blog

It's Christmas in July! Starting on July 8, you will be able to start booking their Candlelight Processional Dining Packages. This is great for you early planners since the event starts the night after Thanksgiving (November 28) and runs through December 30.

We also have a partial list of celebrity narrators including Candlelight veterans Whoopi Goldberg and Jodi Benson, and two fabulous new narrators – Academy-Award-winning actress Sharon Stone and Saturday Night Live alum Ana Gasteyer.

For those of you unfamiliar with the event, it’s a gorgeous re-telling of the Christmas story with a celebrity narrator each night and seasonal music from a massed choir and huge orchestra. The event started at Disneyland park in the 1958 with Walt Disney himself. At Walt Disney World Resort, it’s presented at the America Gardens Theater at Epcot, a beautiful venue, especially when all decked out for the holidays.

I’ve had the honor of being in the cast choir – you know the folks in the green Christmas tree robes – for six years. I thought it was a magical experience watching this program. Little did I know that being on stage, a part of it, would be even more. I’ve had a chance to sing along side actors like Neil Patrick Harris and Gary Sinise, and gospel legends like Amy Grant and Steven Curtis Chapman, who is back again this year.

Here is a partial list of celebrity narrators:

• Jodi Benson – 11/28 – 11/29
• TBD – 11/30 – 12/2
• TBD – 12/3 – 12/4
• Whoopi Goldberg – 12/5 – 12/6
• TBD – 12/7* – 12/8
• TBD – 12/9 – 12/11
• TBD – 12/12 – 12/14
• Sharon Stone (New) – 12/15 – 12/17
• Ana Gasteyer (New) – 12/18 – 12/20
• Marlee Matlin – 12/21 – 12/23
• TBD – 12/24 – 12/25
• TBD – 12/26 – 12/27
• Steven Curtis Chapman – 12/28 – 12/30

Narrators are subject to change without notice. – Show Times are at 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m. & 8:15 p.m. each night. *Show Times on December 7 are 6:45 p.m. & 8:15 p.m. only

Candlelight Processional Dining Packages, available on select days, start at $35 for lunch and $50 for dinner for adults, include a delicious meal at an Epcot restaurant and a guaranteed seat for one of the Candlelight Processional performances. Note: Availability is limited. Guests can call 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463) or book online at www.disneyworld.com/holidays.

Gearing Up to "Meet the Mouse"- A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned

                                                                       Spare some change?
How do you save for your Disney vacation?  Aside from our special savings account and our Disney Visa we have a family tradition which gets the kids involved, we collect spare change.  Each year we start collecting all the spare change we find or have and put it in large jars (we are big applesauce eaters).  We then designate what we will use the money for when we cash it in.  This year our kids chose to save for character dining (after overhearing Mom and Dad say it is more expensive this year now that our 10 year old is an "adult").  We will put our change towards dinner at Chef Mickey's and our breakfast at  The Crystal Palace.  Our kids get very excited to see a jar get filled and then to start a new one.  They are even more excited to roll the change and make the deposit at the bank.   For our upcoming trip we have $351.00 to pay for dining with our favorite "friends". Tip: encouraging your children to ask their grandparents for change every time they visit will fill the jars faster!

Gearing Up to "Meet the Mouse"- The Countdown Begins!

For those planning a trip to Walt Disney World, 180 is a magical milestone number.  At that time you can book all your dining reservations and who doesn't think about food on their vacation?  Mmmm, can smell those MICKEY waffles already.  But, to your young ones at home 180 days will seem like forever.   Keep a countdown in your house so your little ones can see the number going down and their excitement levels will be going up!  We have a "countdown in the kitchen" where we take turns changing the number.  You can highlight certain days like: 100 days (kids just happen to love that number) and 60 (fast pass selections - pick your favorites kids) and as the number gets smaller they will realize their magical vacation is near!  My son has a countdown app on his kindle device and our family phones have the countdown to the minute! 

Gearing Up to "Meet the Mouse"- Give Your Luggage that #DisneySide Touch

Of course Disney will send you fancy luggage tags for your trip.  But if your family packs like mine does  you may need additional tags.   A simple activity that we did was to create our own Mickey luggage tags.  We traced Mickey heads with chalk onto black foam.  We punched a hole in the ear and used a metallic sharpie to write the address (on the other side). Get some fancy ribbon and presto!  We attached these homemade tags to the kids backpacks, carry on luggage and camera cases!  Our luggage is ready and waiting!

Get Ready for a Spooktacular Time! Disneyland® Halloween Party & Ticket Dates Announced!

Get ready for a Spooktacular time- Halloween is fast approaching! Dress up and trick-or-treat throughout the ultimate Disney neighborhood—Disneyland® Park—during Mickey’s Halloween Party*! The Happiest Place on Earth just got spookier, so scare up some fun with Mickey during his private Halloween bash!

• Take in the magic of Halloween Screams fireworks spectacular—a Mickey's Halloween Party exclusive! Meet Disney Characters in their Halloween costumes and watch them parade down Main Street, U.S.A.
• You can also enjoy many of your favorite Disneyland attractions, plus special Halloween "treats," like Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy and Haunted Mansion Holiday, inspired by Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. Don't miss out!
• Mickey's Halloween Party is only offered on select nights seasonally, so tickets are limited.

The best part- you can purchase your Mickey’s Halloween Party tickets early – and on your mobile device by simply clicking on Mickey's Halloween Party.

Be sure to mark your calendars for the following dates:

• July 16: Tickets on sale to Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders, Disney Rewards Visa card holders and Disney Vacation Club members
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• July 30: Tickets on sale to general public
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• Mickey’s Halloween Party 2014 dates: Friday, September 26; Tuesday, September 30; Friday, October 3; Monday, October 6, Wednesday, October 8; Friday, October 10; Tuesday, October 14; Friday, October 17; Monday, October 20; Wednesday, October 22; Friday, October 24; Monday, October 27; Wednesday, October 29; and Friday, October 31

Book early! You don’t want to be left with no trick or treats!  And Boo to You!

Looking for the Best in Dining? Don't Miss the "Flavors of Summer" Menu now at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

A Feast Fit for Papa Himself

Last month I was lucky enough to be treated to a feast fit for a king or queen when I was given a preview and special tasting of the brand new Flavors of Summer Menu that is now being served at the upscale 

Hemingway’s located inside the luxurious Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in the heart of Orlando Florida.  From the moment you enter the spacious and open atrium lobby of this deluxe hotel, with expansive views and grounds, you know what you are about to experience is nothing less than first class all the way. Walking into Hemingway’s you are immediately transported into the days of Hemingway's fishing expeditions from “Cayo Hueso” to the coast of Cuba.   

The open and airy seating, whether you are alone or with a group, lends itself perfectly to the culture and cuisine of these areas are where the inspiration of this restaurant comes from.  Add to that their new Flavors of Summer Menu and you have the perfect ending to any day or the perfect way to celebrate that occasion. 

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This new fixe prix menu, which you can also order with a wine pairing, is served by their top notched and ever attentive wait staff that go out of their way to make you feel more like long lost family then first time guests.  

Appetizers range from a Key Lime Caser Salad or the Key Wester Salad to a smooth and rich Florida Rock Shrimp Chowder.  Entrees ranged from Hemingway’s “Cayo Hueso” Crab Cakes, Duvall Street Shrimp Scampi and the incredible Crispy Black Fin Snapper to the Cuban Criollo Chicken that literally melted in your mouth.  Every dish was seasoned to perfection and accompanied by a wide variety of vegetables and plated in such a way that made you feel that you were looking at a work of art. 

Even though it is easier said than done, make sure, whatever you do, that you save room for dessert because they truly save the best for last. 

Whether you choose the Key Lime Tart or the delectable Peanut Butter Bombe, it is absolutely the perfect end to a first class meal. The Flavors of Summer Menu is only being offered for July and August but if you in search of fine dining at its best, search no further than Hemingway’s located in the beautiful Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in the heart of Orlando Florida.

MARVEL AND IMAX GIVE FANS WORLDWIDE AN AMAZING FIRST LOOK AT THIS SUMMER’S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EPIC ADVENTURE—

MARVEL’S “GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY”

MARVEL’S “GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY”: AN IMAX® 3D FIRST LOOK

FEATURES EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE TO BE SHOWN IN 150 SELECT IMAX® THEATRE LOCATIONS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA ON JULY 7 AT 7 P.M.

Marvel Studios announces Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy”: An IMAX® 3D First Look, featuring 17 minutes of exclusive footage from the highly anticipated summer blockbuster “Guardians of the Galaxy.” The sneak peek will be showcased in 150 IMAX® theatre locations across North America on July 7 at 7 p.m.

Select IMAX 3D® theatres nationwide and internationally will offer the special screening of thrilling, never-before-seen IMAX 3D footage of the James Gunn-directed epic space adventure, which opens in U.S. theatres on August 1.

Commenting on the exclusive footage, director James Gunn says, “We’ve re-mastered some of our epic sequences into the IMAX 3D format, taking the scope and scale to new heights while creating a truly immersive, cinematic experience that will take you further into the Marvel Universe than ever before.”

“IMAX and Marvel fans are some of the most die-hard in the world and we’re excited to offer them this exclusive extended first-look at one of the summer’s hottest upcoming movies in IMAX 3D,” said Greg Foster, Senior Executive Vice President, IMAX Corp. and CEO of IMAX Entertainment. “James Gunn’s visionary film in IMAX 3D is going to give our audiences an immersive experience they won’t find anywhere else, and we’re thrilled to get the ball rolling and reward fans early at this unique event.”

Tickets to the July 7 Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy”:  An IMAX 3D First Look are free and are available now for U.S. and Canadian screenings on a first-come, first-served basis through www.facebook.com/guardiansofthegalaxy.

Fans who attend this sneak peek will also receive a limited-edition collectible Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” IMAX poster.

An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel's “Guardians of the Galaxy” expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits—Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Quill discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand—with the galaxy's fate in the balance.