The Disney family experienced a loss yesterday. Diane Disney Miller passed away, Walt Disney's daughter. It was her and her sister that was Disney's inspiration for for Disneyland. The Disney legacy of family entertainment live on in her seven children, 13 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. My deepest sympthies go out the entire Disney family as well as the company.
I apologize for not posting anything recently. After getting back from vacation we have been crazy busy. Hubby is still in graduate school at nights (he did a project on Disney recently). And if we weren't busy enough we got a new puppy four weeks ago. Not just any puppy we got a Saint Bernard puppy, She has already doubled in size and much taller than when we first got her! Needless to say I hope to be posting a new blog/podcast very soon.
We are 3 days away from leaving for our vacation and 5 days away from being where they house the mouse!
I have spent about 6 months doing my homework and planning every detail for this vacation. It is a much needed vacation. So, for this pre-trip I am just going to go through our long checklist of everything.
1. game plan
2. car ready (oil change, clean, triple aaa)
3. car activities
4. snacks
5. clothes
6. toiletries
7. camera other electronics (ipod, phones/chargers, back-up batteries)
As you can see I am already late on some to-dos but that is so I see it as a notification!
This is a generalized list of all the things I do when I get ready to go on any trip. There is a lot involved but it is worth it knowing you are away and things are taken care of at home and you have what you need on your trip. I complete and can check off a lot of items on this list however there are a few important items I have yet to accomplish. I still have time it is only Tuesday and I have till Friday. Some things you cannot do till a day or two before and those are mainly the things I have yet to cross off.
To help me along with the packing and getting ready I use an app called Packing Pro for the iphone. This app does cost maybe a dollar but that is a small price to pay. The app includes a default list, you can customize your own list and more importantly it saves your list so you can use it in the future. This app really helped me last year when I went on my honeymoon I had everything that I needed and then some. I am using it again this year to make sure I have everything again. I have provided the link to the App if anyone is interested.
my customized list. The nice thing is on any item you can detail to what bag the item is in.
This App is really useful when you are flying and are limited to what you can take with you. Also, you will have an inventory when you need to return from your trip ensuring you wont forget anything while on vacation!
In addition to getting ready to go on I have to move desks at work; so I have to clean out my cubicle this week. Also, we have some friends staying at our house while we are away this means we have to clean house from top to bottom. Luckily we did a lot of it this weekend already. Please let me know what you do to get vacation ready. You can email me at dislizney13@gmail.com or you can make a comment in the section below. If you enjoy the blog and are following along please let me know!
Also this will be my last post until after the big trip! My next post will be a trip report as well as clips from the vaca!
My opinion on the upcoming films Saving Mr. Banks and Frozen. Two films coming to the theater this holiday season that I am excited to see when they do come out. After listening to this podcast over and over I have a found a few mistakes for instance Ann and Elsa will make 12 and 13 Disney princesses respectfully. I do not claim to know the exact story of the two films I am only speculating based on things I have read and trailers I have seen.
This week I am going to great lengths to ensure the short car ride is filled with fun and excitement. Any games we decide to play along the way will be themed to anything Disney (movies, music, parks, etc.). I have a couple in mind that I ran by my husband and I will go into more detail with them below. As it is just my husband and myself these games are more geared towards adults kids can play them. This is going to be interesting as one adult will always be driving so it will be interesting to see how we play these games. They should keep us thoroughly entertained and get us ready for Disney Magic!
"Let's make some magic!"
Game 1: Disney Movie Mash-up
Description: In this game; players will
take turn guessing which two movie titles are mushed together based off of the
clue given.
Instructions:
Step 1: Player one gives first clue.
Step 2: Player two guesses the answer
Step 3: Player two gives clue
Step 4: Player on guesses the answer
Step 5: repeat 1-4 until all clues have been given.
Answers:
You will take two movie
titles one of which must be Disney (i.e. The Lion King and The King's
Speech) and mush them together. Note: articles (a, the, etc are exempt)
The Lion King's Speech
Clues:
Clues should include characters, plots, etc to help the guesser
guess the answer.
As Simba ascends the thrown he must go
through speech class as he has a stutter and cannot perform perfect speeches!
As you can see I mushed the two plots of the film together, you
can basically come up with any clue that will get the guesser to the answer.
Scoring: 1 point for each correct answer the person with the most
points wins the game. In the event of a
tie be creative for a tie breaker it can be anything. (Example: you are one the road the first
person to spot a white car wins the tie breaker, or the first person to get a
truck to honk their horn wins!) The possibilities are endless.
Things to note:
1. You will have to come with these before you go on your trip. (After my trip I will post mine so you can use them to help as well as the recording of us playing the game.)
2. It is easier if you come up with the answer before the clue. I just thought a bunch of titles that you could put together.
3. The hardest part is coming up with titles you can mash together.
20DQ
This is just like 20 questions with the variation of it having to be something related to Disney.
Examples:
1. attraction at a park
2. Disney song
3. character or movie
You can narrow it down to only the parks or just a character if you wish.
Name that Disney tune:
Description: Play a Disney song on the radio and have the person guess the name of the song bonus points for the movie it is in.
Variations: humming or whistling the song.
Ariel humming Part of Your World multilingual!
Disney Trivia (more for adults)
You will need a book for this game or a set of cards from Disney's Scene it. In this game you will go back and forth asking questions you can keep track of correct answers or you can just play for fun. I am excited to learn things I may not have known beforehand and will be able to apply it to our trip at the World.
Disney Plot Limericks
This game will most likely be difficult and very entertaining at the same time. The objective of this game is to pick a disney movie and come up with a limerick describing the plot. I will be recording ours and maybe I can come up with one to post pre-trip!
Start with A and think of a character then the next person will go to B... When one person gets stuck and the other person steps in before the player can come up with a name then play will continue the player to end with the letter Z wins unless that player is stumped then the other player may step in and take the win. Characters must be animated
Description think of a Disney Character either animated or live action. Example Mary Poppins. The next player will take the last letter of the name and think of a new character (s) example: Simba. Play continues until some one is stumped when person is stumped point is awarded to other player.
These are just a few they I have come up with a lot of them are games played on road trips already I just changed them to be Disney themed. If you have and game ideas, variations, or a better way to keep score please make a comment below and also follow the blog.
This is my first attempt at a podcast. In this episode I will be talking about Disney's The Little Mermaid. I discuss my favorite characters and my thoughts on the movie. Please leave me feedback on how you thought the podcast was.
Aurora and Philip in Eric's Castle!
Favorite Song: "Kiss the Girl"
Favorite non human character: Flounder
Favorite Scene: Triton turns Ariel back into a human
Fun Fact: Grimsby's voice is also the same voice for Rodger in 101 Dalmatians.
You can find tons of cool stuff about this movie as well anything else Disney here
Also, if you like all of my posts so far please follow the blog for upcoming posts and pod-casts Thanks so much for all of your support I truly appreciate it!
First time in a long time I went to see a movie so Monsters University of course was well deserved. I tried to not watch too many trailers or teasers for this movie. (I did not want to spoil it when I saw it, I.e. I didn't want to see all the funny parts in the commercials) I have to say I was not disappointed.
This movie was fantastic a true disney classic. I am always iffy on sequels or in this case prequels. Disney's last prequel that I remember was kind of a let down (Ariel's Beginning).
Monsters University is definitely one for the ages in all aspects of the phrase.
This is a movie ALL ages will enjoy young, old, and everything inbetween. It a movie that families will be watching years from now and generation after generations will be able to enjoy this classically funny and whimsical film. It really is a thing of beauty.
Lets just take a moment to appreciate the quality and work that has gone into this film. The scenery is truly fantastic and quite literally out of this world. I recall from Monsters Inc. that there are over 2.3 individually animated hairs. I sure this to be the case in this movie as well. As always Disney is at the top of technological advances and is always setting the bar for quality!
Which character are you? Let me know in the comments!
The story line is well developed and one that everyone can relate to as well and learn something (just like Disney to make learning fun). I have to say that watching the characters interact and all the events taking place brought me to college a place that I haven't been to in while. The storyline did kind of remind me of Revenge of the Nerds (absolutely hilarious, a must see) but at least this one is for all ages and a true underdog triumph adventure.
Overall excellent movie a must see. One that I will surely buy. My husband was doing his goofy laugh (the one you only hear when he thinks something is extremely funny).
Favorite Character: Art, hilarious as well as versatile. Also, very cute!
Favorite Scene: Oozma Kappa initiation scene
This is totally unrelated to this movie but it is related to Pixar and I found it to be a good read. The Pixar Theory
So I have done some major planning today. I not only have restaurant reservations from before now I have a day by day, hour by hour plan. This in no means that the plan will be stuck to but hey a girl can dream. The following is what our 7 day plan looks like. Complete with restaurant reservations. (I am sure I will have to change the plan multiple times before it is complete) Click on the link to look at the itinerary Please let me know in the comments if you have any suggestions. (i.e. rides I don't have on my list, or places to eat)
You guest it The Princess and the Frog. Excellent film the most recent cartoon animated film for the theatres. This was a breath of fresh air when it came to theatres. Disney had taken a break from making cartoon animated films and then decided to go back to their roots (Good Move). A great spin to the classic tale. I love that Disney takes classic tales puts a Disney twist on it. I am looking forward to this in the upcoming film Frozen.
I believe this film came out around Christmas time. I remember going to see it with my boyfriend at the time (Husband now). Now every time I watch it I am reminded of a time when we hadn't been together that long and we didn't know we would be here today. Soon after we saw the film in the theatre. Steve left for Cali for a job. Leaving me at home needing to finish school. Long story short we got married and lived happily ever after. All by wishing on a star!
With all that said, I love this movie. Although Prince Navine is not my favorite prince he is definitely an excellent prince. He has a great accent and loves jazz music enough said. Tiana was a great addition to the Disney Princesses. I love the fact that Disney focused on her being a hard worker. Lets be honest a little hard work never hurt anybody and hard work makes an easy life!
Favorite song: When were human
Favorite Character: Ray
Favorite scene: Tiana's and Navine's Wedding scene
I have been doing major magical planning all week long (even at work
). From dining in the park to an hour by hour itinerary. It is safe to say it is almost completely planned for; except a few things they we need to wait on.
Word of advice do not wait to make dining reservations as you will not get your first pick. Most guide books suggest 180 days prior to vacation. Don't make the same mistake I did and think that is too early. It is never too early, you can always change it later. Also, use the mydisneyexperience website right off the waltdisneyworld.com website to book reservations.
I might even suggest using a site like touringplan.com or onceuponatimetravelers@yahoo.com (travel agents) to help you with your plans if you are like me and can't alway think that far in advance. All of these including the new mydisneyexperience are excellent tools that will help bring your vacation from fantastic to fantasmic!!
So far we have changed our current reservation to include a table service meal per day and one quick service meal per day. We looked at the math and we think the meal plan will pretty much pay for itself. So, this is what I would have to say to anyone who thinks they might have a lot of sit down meals (Which we tend to do a lot), just go ahead and pay the extra money chances are you will end up paying more then it is worth anyway!
Alright as far as packing goes this is what I do; last year I bought an iPhone app called Packing Pro. It is an excellent app that allows you to customize your packing list, as well as has a default list of essentials that you might need on any trip. Best part of this app is it will save your information for the next time you plan on using it. I have tons of packing tips and ideas (most I found on pinterest) let me know if you want me to tell you about any of them!
Next item of business...I FOUND MY LEAVE A LEGACY INFORMATION PACKET! There are two locations but they are right next each other.
Here are the tile locators address,
- East 6-F-21-8-12
- East 6-F-21-8-11
If I remember correctly we had a little trouble finding them at first even with knowing what they are suppose to look like. I am sure if you look you can a cast member for help and I believe I did show you the picture of them so you should be able to find them.
That is all I have right now, I will keep you update when the trip gets closer. I am sure I will have plenty of updates to come. We are 70 days out and counting. We both need a vacation really bad right and absolutely can not wait to have a fun filled and somewhat relaxing vacation.
Alright fellow Disney finatics, I broke down and went back to the way I usually spend my weekends. I put in Tangled! During the winter season either Saturday or Sunday the hubby and I would spend the morning watching one of our favorite disney movies Tangled. This movie is excellent it brings in the magic of the disney classics like Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid while also brings its own modern twist to it. It has all the disney qualities; A beautiful princess that sings and has animals as friends and a charming man that aids her in her quest for independence, the perfect ingredients for a disney classic. This movie should be seen by everyone. I have probably seen this movie more than 1000 times. I never get sick of it and it hasn't been out that long! I know almost all of the words and the songs. My favorite song being "i've got a dream". The Fact that Flynn Ryder is one of the few disney characters to question singing in a disney movie it absolutely hilarious. He is not your typical "prince charming" which is what I think makes Flynn Ryder on of the best Disney Princes!
I believe Disney should continue to make more movie like this.
"I've got dreams like you now really, just much less touchy-feely. They happen mainly somewhere warm and sunny. On Island that I own tanned and rested and alone...surrounded by enormous piles of money!" - My favorite part of the song
If I am not obsessed with Disney enough I had a break down and made Walt Disney World reservations for my 1 year anniversary. While I was doing this I had my honeymoon playing on DVD. So I could go back and see all of my favorite Disney shows and get inspiration. I am planning a 6 night 7 day trip. We will be staying at the Disney's All Stars Movies resort.
This trip will be starting over Labor Day Weekend which ironically is a very good week to go crowd wise, weather wise might be another story but I can say when we were there last year the same time we did not run into any weather issues except hot and humid (bring sunscreen, if you are like me and extremely fair skinned, get the babies 70 proof sunscreen and apply throughout the day) I have a vague idea of what parks we are going to be going to on certain days and what attractions we would like to see in those parks but as of right now no immediate plans.
Definitely something we will be seeing!!!
I called Disney to make my reservation and I have to say they have customer service down to an art. Every time I call I always get some one extremely enthusiastic and willing to go into detail about my trip and congratulate me on our stay down there. (hint: to anyone making reservations to Walt Disney World or Disney in general, skip the web and go straight to the phone it is more personable and it creates even more magical memories. As, planning the trip is also part of the magic and memories) . I plan on sharing my planning experience here on the blog. Feel free to ask any questions and possibly get insider tips. If I don't know the answer I know where to find it. Start planning your magical experience today! https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/
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