HILARIOUS!

     The Disney Cruise Line offers so many opportunities to make amazing memories.  There are fun and exciting things for everyone in the family to take part in.  Some of the best memories you will make may include the activities on board the ship!

     If someone were to say "Family games", you may think, that just sounds boring!  Well, let me tell you about the most memorable experience we made aboard the Disney Wonder participating in a family game called "How well do you know your family"! 

     First off, to get noticed you had to do something very extraordinary to get the host attention!  Since the only thing I can do is a few cartwheels (I was wearing a dress and that would not have been appropriate) my husband Dale took one for the team! 

     Dale ran up on the center floor and did his notorious "donkey kick" and of course was picked to participate!  My youngest son Landen partnered with Dale to play the game. The host picked four families to participate and then went through and introduced himself and everyone participating in the game.  

     Since we are from Alabama they had to make a joke about it!  We also met other people from Alabama that were on the cruise ship, so that was cool!  Now the question you may be asking, what is an official donkey kick?  This is where you jump on to your hands and go vertical then kick your legs in the air!  They say a picture is worth a thousand words so I'll let that explain it.

The host asked my son questions and my husband had to write the answers he thought my son would say,  of course he only got about half of them correct!  But, the whole process was completely hilarious watching my son answer questions and my husband sweating it to figure out the answers!  Then the host switched them around.  My husband answered the questions and my son had to figure out my husband's answers!  We all laughed!  The whole room laughed, we made new friends,  I made friends with the people around me (since they knew that was my family was on the stage) and we took pictures with some of them.  Who would've thought that one little family game show on a cruise ship, you could make so many memories and make friends that will last a lifetime!

     So the next time you go on a cruise and you see in your Daily Navigator a family game show or something the family can participate in don't dismiss it.  That game show or activity will probably bring about one of the most memorable experiences on your cruise! 

            Just don't forget to show your DisneySide!

D23 Disney Fanniversary Celebration Dates for 2014 are Here!

D23 HITS THE ROAD, BRINGING BELOVED MEMORIES TO LIFE WITH THE DISNEY FANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Rarely Seen Film Clips, Photos, and Art Highlight the Roadshow Event, Which Will Tour the U.S. this Fall.

 For the third year in a row, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will hit the road with D23 Disney Fanniversary Celebration presented by Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection. The live event will visit 11 cities across the U.S. to commemorate dozens of magical Disney milestones celebrating landmark anniversaries this year.

Hosted by Disney archivists and the D23 Team, Fanniversary 2014 will revisit beloved theme park attractions, animated and live-action films, characters, TV series, and more than 90 years of Disney history including Donald Duck, the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair,Sleeping Beauty, Haunted Mansion, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Little Mermaid, and many more. The event, which runs approximately 105 minutes, will also feature the never-before-heard track “Evil Evil” from Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection Sleeping Beauty and a demo recording from Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection The Little Mermaid. Fanniversary events will be open to the public, with special admission prices for D23 Members.

In addition, following each show, two rare items from the Walt Disney Archives will be on display for guests to see and photograph: a hat worn by Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins and a “Duckster” award. Created in 1952, this bronze-colored award in the image of Donald Duck honored those who made significant contributions to Disney over the years. Both Walt Disney and Donald Duck himself were among the recipients of this unique prize.

D23 Gold and Silver Members will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets on May 21 for $23 each. Tickets will be available to D23 Free Members on June 11 for $33 each, and remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public on July 9 for $40 each. Tickets will be available at D23.com/Events. The touring schedule is as follows:

·         August 9: Burbank, Calif.

·         August 10: San Diego

·         August 16 & 17: San Francisco

·         September 6: Chicago

·         September 13: Seattle

·         September 20: Atlanta

·         September 21: Philadelphia

·         September 26: Washington, D.C.

·         September 28: New York City

·         October 4: Boston

·         October 25: Orlando

For times and locations, please visit D23.com.

Fanniversaries that guests can look forward to celebrating at each stop include:

·         Donald Duck (80th anniversary)

·         Disneyland TV show (60)

·         Sleeping Beauty (55)

·         Darby O’Gill and the Little People (55)

·         Disneyland’s Monorail, Matterhorn Bobsleds and Submarine Voyage (50)

·         Disney’s contributions to the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair (50)

·         Mary Poppins (50)

·         Haunted Mansion (45)

·         The Love Bug (45)

·         Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (35)

·         Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios) (25)

·         Splash Mountain (25)

·         The Little Mermaid (25)

·         Pleasure Island (25)

·         The Lion King (20)

·         The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ (20)

…and many more!

More details about D23 Disney Fanniversary Celebration presented by Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection can be found at D23.com/Events.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold, Silver, and Free Membership levels at D23.com and at www.DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow us @DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.

Mickey & Minnie's LOVE Story

In 1928 Mickey Mouse was born on a train from New York to L.A.; he popped out of Walt Disney’s head and onto his drawing pad. The intention Walt had for Mickey was simple, simply to make peeps laugh. Mickey Mouse far surpassed his intention which brings me to his vivacious “GIRLFRIEND” Minnie Mouse. She first appeared in 1928, in “Plane Crazy”. Minnie’s trademark outfit is a red & white polka-dot dress with white bloomers, high heels & matching bow. Minnie has gone by many aliases Princess Minnie and Maestro Minnie to name a few. Some even believe her “real name” is Minerva Mouse, but the Walt Disney Company has her name registered as the one & only Minnie Mouse. Her best gal pal is Daisy Duck & of course her main squeeze is numero-uno himself “Mickey Mouse”. In the September 30, 1933 issue of Film Pictorial magazine, Walt Disney addressed the most asked question “Are Mickey & Minnie married?” his response NO but “in private life, Mickey is married to Minnie.” So yes & no is the answer, I guess it’s whatever our imagination wants for them. Mickey’s creation was born out of necessity to replace Walt’s previous star Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. But Mickey could not fill the void alone, thus Minnie was created to be the impetus for Mickey, she was created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. Mickey & Minnie were not an item right away, probably had something to do with Minnie’s independent demeanor; Gloria Steinem ain’t got nothin’ on Minnie, lol! The 1929 animation short “Mickey’s Follies” portrayed the moment that Mickey Mouse first expressed his feelings toward the high-heeled vixen “She is my little Minnie Mouse.” It was also Minnie’s first song appearance with “Minnie’s Yoo-Hoo”, this song firmly established Mickey and Minnie as a couple & them living happily ever after. "I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse."
—Walt Disney

True Facts:

The actors who voiced Mickey and Minnie — Wayne Allwine and Russi Taylor — were married in real life.

Minnie was originally voiced by Walt Disney. 

Both of Minnie’s parents are farmers. 

Minnie is actually the one who introduced the character of Pluto in The Picnic. 

Who Knew Healthy Could Taste So Good! The Disney TRYit! Campaign

Two Thumbs Up for the Disney TRYit! Campaign!

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-it  or 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.

The Invites Are Out! Disney Social Media Moms Disney on the Road Phoenix Here I Come!

It’s official!  Today I was thrilled and excited to discover a most pixie-dusted email waiting for me.  In June I will be packing my bags, and of course George, and hitting the road to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Disney on the Road Conference in Phoenix Arizona.  I was so blessed and humbled to be a part of this magical morning last year when it was in San Francisco and there are no words to express what it was like to be a part of the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration that was just held several weeks ago at the Disneyland Resort and knowing first hand   just how special these events are makes it even more thrilling when you see those magical words “You’re Invited” greeting you in the first line of the email.

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. You can expect to hear what's new, what's next with Disney Parks, participate in interactive sessions and hear from a dynamic line-up of speakers.

Be sure to follow along for this most magical of mornings right here and follow all the happenings of the Disney on the Road series as it travels from Philadelphia to Chicago to Phoenix by checking out www.DisneySMMoms.com
 or on Twitter at #DisneyOTR and of course #DisneySMMoms.

To read all about my experiences from last year’s Disney on the Road San Francisco, check out http://www.disneygals.com/2013/07/disney-social-media-moms.html

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.