Meet my "3 Little Characters"

Some days this blog gets taken over by the Fairy Goddaughter's "3 Little Characters". These are special posts for you to learn about Walt Disney World through the eyes of teens/tweens.  If you have children who are younger or you, yourself are younger than my 3 characters, don't let that stop you from visiting.  They've started visiting WDW from as early as 4 months old, and will share memories and view points that will help with kids of all ages.

I would like to take a minute to introduce you to these 3 special characters:

 

This is the oldest of the three. He's 15 now. A fan of Sci-fi, and Action Adventures. Hollywood studios is probably his favorite of the WDW parks. He's a thrill seeker and you can always find him on roller-coasters. The faster the better.  

The middle character just became a teen a few months ago. She's just about as adventurous as her older brother. But her heart lies in Epcot and Animal Kingdom. She's my world traveler. Nothing like a day in World Showcase. She can't get enough of the wildlife or Expidition Everest at Animal Kindgom either.  

  

We've got one tween in the house. She just turned 12. Not as much of a thrill seeker as her older siblings, though she is getting more daring with every visit. Magic Kingdom is her most loved park. Character greetings and shows are some of her favorite things to do.

As you can see we have a wide range of ages, tastes, and personalities. Be sure to take notice of their little character symbols. You'll be seeing them throughout the pages of the blog. It will be a quick way for you to see and find their viewpoints. If you ever have any questions for them, just drop us an email. 

Weekly Update...

New at Animal Kingdom

Adventures Outpost Officially Opens

With the closing of Camp Minnie-Mickey, to make room for the new Avatar Land at Disney's Animal Kindgom, Mickey and Minnie needed a new home to greet their favorite guests.  And today they found one.  

(photo courtesy of Disneyparks.com)

Adventures Outpost character greeting spot has officially opened. Completely indoors, it's a pleasant change to the old outdoors spot.  Waiting in line, especially during those hot, hot Summer months will be more pleasant.  Not only because of the air-conditioning, but the new added details.  While waiting you can view pictures of the happy mouse couple's travels to Asia and Africa.  Once you are in the same room with the characters, there is even more to see.  Mickey and Minnie have gathered all their souvenirs  luggage and field notes for you to enjoy.

You can find the new Adventures Outpost on Discovery Island and Disney's Animal Kingdom park (It's where the old Beastly Bazaar store used to be).  It will be one of the first places we visit on our next visit Walt Disney World.  

Trip Tips-It's Never To Early To Plan

I think one of the best tips I can share with you, is that it's never to early to plan. Now, don't get me wrong, if you find yourself making a quick, impromptu visit to the World, go and have fun. But I'm a planner. Sometimes I think planning is almost as fun as going.

So where do you start?

First thing to do is order your FREE Walt Disney Vacation Planning DVD.  It is a great way to get a feel of everything that Disney has to offer.  Parks, Hotel, Cruises, Adventures, and so much more.  We ALWAYS going to Walt Disney World in Florida.  Someday we hope to visit the other parks and take in all that Disney has to offer, but for now, it's Walt Disney World.

And since that is where we have been, the majority of our knowledge and experience is about Walt Disney World.  But don't let that stop you from reading the blog.  Much of what we share is completely applicable to the other parks (Especially planning tips-Tuesdays, Films-Fridays, Scrapbooks - Saturdays, and Wednesdays will contain News and infos about any and everything Disney).

Once you have decided WHERE you are going I would suggest you decide on your budget.  If you're collecting coins in the change jar or using the money from your recent lottery win, there is a vacation waiting for you.  Everyone deserves a Disney vacation at least once in their lives.  

Your budget needs to be realistic.  I suggest to plan for everything.  Don't assume anything. And then plan a little bit more.  Don't leave anything out.  My goal is to make this a real vacation.  To make it doable for those with even the smallest of budgets.

Second thing you're going to want to do is began to devour all the resources available to you.  There are guides, websites, and apps that you'll just want to get.  Today we'll talk about guides.  You can find them at your local book stores.  Trying to keep to your budget?  Look at the library or local Goodwill.  The editions may be older, but so much of the information is all the same.

My must have is 

Disney Passporter

Design magical vacations with this travel guide and planning system for everyone's favorite playground. Fourteen built-in organizer pockets keep plans, maps, and memories all in one place, and the travel guide includes everything you need to plan the perfect vacation. All Disney parks and resort hotels are described in depth, with ratings, floor plans, and maps. Comprehensive information for planning, traveling, and dining is also included, along with an entire section devoted to extra-special Disney magic. Design your vacation with the help of nine planning worksheets, write your itinerary on the front of each organizer pocket before you go, store guidemaps, brochures, tickets, and receipts inside the pockets while you're there, and record expenses and memories to review and share when you return. This is the ultimate traveling companion for Walt Disney World!  (Passporter website description)

I can't say enough about this Disney guide. There isn't an area left out.  There are detailed descriptions about each of the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels.  

Each of the Parks has multiple pages filled with tons of information. 

           -A detailed map

           -Tips and notes

           -Shopping

           -Times

           -Transportation

           -Character Attractions

           -Rides and Attractions -

This part is great.  There are detailed descriptions, photos, ride restrictions, length AND ratings.  3 separate ratings.  2 by the authors and on by average reader poll.  There are also Teen/Tween and Kid tips.  This has really helped us determine if a certain attraction is appropriate for everyone or something someone might want to or need to forgo (Think scarey, motion sickness, etc).

The pockets: An amazing way of planning, keeping track of dining reservations, hotel information, etc.  You can store your receipts in the pockets and make notes for scrapbooking when you return home.  

The guide can be found at most major book retails, or on-line at their store (http://www.passporter.com/wdw/guidebook.asp).  There are a wide range of options to fit every budget.  A current 2013 collector's edition for $59.46 (15% off regular list price), spiral bound edition for $21.21, e-reader for $16.96.  If those edition's don't fit in your budget you might think about buying in older edition.  I've seen used 2011 editions on Amazon.com for just under $4.  

(They've also got a long list of other guides that you may find useful, 

Vacation Club Guide, Cruise Line, DisneyLand, Sidekick, Character Yearbook, etc. )  (And just in case you're wondering, no, I don't work for them or get any type of compensation).

If you're not a book person their site is great.  Great downloads, on-line commmunity and general information.  They also have a great newsletter you can sign up for.    

Other guides that have found their way onto my shelf:

The Complete Walt Disney World (by Julie and Mike Neal)

Walt Disney World with Kids (by Kim Wright Wiley)

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World (by Bob Sehlinger w/ Len Testa)

Walt Disney Aorl Resort Guide to the Magic for Kids (by Tim Foster)

Birnbaum's Walt Disney World by Birnbaum travel guides

Birnbaum's Walt Disney World  

Fodor's Walt Disney World 2013

The Little Black Book of Walt Disney World

That's just the beginning.  There are so many out there. So spend some time this week finding what suites you best.

Disney's Tower of Terror

Main Attractions

  "You are about to discover what lies beyond the fifth dimension...beyond the deepest, darkest corner of the imagination...in the Tower of Terror" 

As you walk down Sunset Boulevard at Disney's Hollywood Studios, looming above the trees is a sight that sends chills down your spine.... The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Standing 199 feet tall, the height alone is enough to cause even the bravest soul to second guess their choice to enter the queue. 

But if thrills rides are your cup of tea, don't hesitate a moment.  ToT will NOT disappoint you.  Designed and decorated like the old Hollywood Hotel, the ride begins in the lobby, goes to the library and the boiler room.  

You then board a 1917 cage elevator

Once on board you will be catapulted 13 stories at frightening speeds.  Like human rubber bands you'll plummet and rise, plummet and rise. Never knowing just how many times.  Once you catch your breath, you'll leave thrilled.

For those of you who aren't as adventurous, you can can enjoy the pre-show.  Just before boarding the elevator, let the closest cast member know you'd like to take the "chicken-exit".  But if your fear is elevators, this won't help, because the chicken exit is an elevator.  As a single mom, this was so helpful.  I stayed with them until they boarded the ride, took the chicken exit and was waiting for them when they got off.

               This is a Must-See.  Great Ride.  Fun, not to scary. 

Even with a fear of elevators, I tried the ride anyway.  And boy am I glad.  It was so much fun

I tried the ride.  And it was 'okay'.  With only a little cloth seat-belt, I felt like I was going to fall out.  So if you're young and small, you might not like this.  Since I'm older and bigger, I might try it again.  The last time I went on it I was only 7.

General Information

Location:  Sunset Boulevard at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Restrictions: Must be 40" tall''

Fastpass available

Scrappin' the Disney Way

If you know anything about this Fairy Goddaughter, you know that two of my favortie things are Digital Scrapbooking and Disney.  So when I can put them together....well, it's a little bit of Heaven on Earth.

I spend a lot of time scrapping.  Not only do I create layouts, but I design digital supplies as well.  I've got a blog, and facebook page.

But there is no Scrapbook place I would rather be than over at

Its a wonderful site.  There's just so much to do.

 The MouseScrappers shop is a wonderful place to find digital scrapbook supplies that are perfect for all your Disney layouts.  Such talented designers.  You won't know what to buy first.   

The Forums....I don't know where to begin.  There is just so much here.  Areas dedicated to just about every area you can think of "Disney".  All the parks, lands, characters.  Then there are the challenges (weekly, template, designer, phone, kit, photo scavenger hunts, photo swat, scraplift), Disney "talk", travel.

The Gallery is the place to see all the amazing layouts that the members have created.  You can get amazing ideas, learn new techniques, share your layouts.  I love getting great ideas here and getting my Disney fix between trips.    

 

The Blog is a great way to keep up with what is going on at Mousescrappers.  It's also filled with a wealth of general Disney information.

 

I can't say enough about the team at Mousescrappers. They are talented, professional, generous and just the best team ever. (And I have to admit, my dream is to one day join their ranks.  And you know a 'Dream is a wish your heart makes...If you keep on believing The dream that you wish will come true') 

You can view my Mousescrappers' Gallery by clicking the layout below.

Thanks to my Fairy Godfamily, I've got a whole slew of Disney photos to scrap.  So each week I'll post what I've created.  If I don't get around to scrapping a new page, I'll share some of my favorite older ones for you to see.

And please know that I'm more than happy to help you create your own Disney scrapbooks.  Just let me know what you need.

Fantastic Films

Fantastic Films

 

Fantastic Films is dedicated to our favorite Disney (and Pixar) films.  These films are such a part of our lives and memories.  I remember my father taking my siblings and I to a theater in the next town.  There would always be a short and then the feature film.  As I grew, the theater changed, and my brother stopped coming, but the tradition continued.  Then when I became a mother, I started taking the little characters to see their first Disney film.

Disney films come in all kinds of "flavors" as do our viewing opinions.  So while one movie may be my least favorite, it may be one of the characters most loved of all time.  So each week we will pick at least one movie.  We will then:

                ~Give a detailed description of the movie

           ~Provide general information such as cast, characters, date, etc.

           ~We love Disney music. So we'll give song and soundtrack information

~Ratings:  Group and individual ratings.

~Photos

Rating information:

Each movie will have the opportunity to earn 5 Mickey Heads.

          

5 being the Best -to-1 being the worst.

You'll be able to see 5 different ratings for each film.

 A separate rating from each of us individually

and then an average overall rating.

 

Our Magical Journey has begun.....

Once upon a time there was a young lady (hey this is my fairytale.  NO Laughing).  When she was a very little girl, her parents brought her to a Magical Kingdom.  It was there that her heart stayed. Over the years the girl grew and so did the Magical Kingdom. But no matter how much time passed the magic never ceased and her heart longed to return.

The Princess searched far and wide, but never found her perfect castle.  She traveled the land, looking for her home and her Prince Charming.  There were so many times she thought she had found him.  One Prince even returned her to the Magical Kingdom, only to be hurt in a battle and lose his crown.  But the others all turned out to be Villains in disguise.  

Sadly the Princess' King and Queen were taken from her.  Leaving her an orphan.  But she was not alone.  For out of the darkness came 3 beautiful characters.  They loved her and shared her fairy tale   Growing into a young prince and 2 pretty princesses of their own.  

And the story doesn't stop there.  For this Princess (daughter to the only true King), was not alone here in her Magical Kingdom.  She had her very own Fairy Godmother and Godfather. The loved her as one of their own, often helping her and her little characters return home to enjoy the magical kindgom.

These pages will be filled with all we know and love about our

 Home Away From Home

Each post will be devoted to one of the following topics:

Main Attractions - Talking about the Parks
Trip Tips - Tips to Plan and Enjoy Your Disney Vacation
Weekly Updates - News and information
Teens/Tweens Topics - The "Characters" take on the World
Fantastic Films - Disney & Pixar Film Review
Scrapping the Disney way - Scrapbook Pages, New & Old

We hope you join us on this Magical journey
to the 
Happiest Place on Earth