Enchanted Tales with Belle

Visiting Walt Disney World soon?  Do not miss this attraction!

When Fairy Tales Come True: An Up-Themed Disney Engagement Party!

I am many things.  Three of those are: someone who life has broken in the past, a true believer in fairytales (and the heroines that rule them), and a cynical optimist (yes, you read that correctly, I both doubt it will come and believe in happy endings at the same exact time).

Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party at Walt Disney World

I was a bit skeptical about paying for a dessert party. 

A Disney Halloween Story

Before our huge family trip to Disney for Thanksgiving, I tried to convince my son to dress up as Peter Pan or Captain Hook for Halloween.  I figured it would get him psyched up for vacation and he could take the costume with him to wear at the Magic Kingdom.  Disney and Halloween are the perfect match after all.  They are made for each other.  Endless characters to choose from and exotic costumes to conjure up from your wildest imagination! 

Logan chose Iron Man instead.  It was a great costume and he had a blast pretending to be Tony Stark.  

Iron Man

Then.... we got to Disney.  

Then.... he rode the Peter Pan ride.  

Then.... he became obsessed!

It happens to the best of us.  The Disney bug!   

A year later and the obsession is in full swing.  

Peter looking for his shadow!

Happy Halloween from our little piece of Neverland to yours. 

May you never grow up and stop wanting to dress up!

Roll Call: Vanessa!

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

I'm Nesa, just your friendly neighborhood Disney enthusiast (something we have in common I’m sure).  I’m also sure we’re eventually going to get to know each other very well, but I figured to break the ice, I'll tell the story of my very first Disney memory.

I was about 5 and it was our last day at Magic Kingdom so the goal was to get as many autographs as possible. My grandma and I had just made our way back from a Chip and Dale meet-n-greet, and she was insistent that we take a break. I impatiently obliged but immediately started looking for my mamma because -Who was going to take me to hug Pinocchio?!

 Making the executive decision to find her instead of waiting,  I wandered off and got lost. . . I'm not sure how long it was before I found refuge by crying in a squish-free corner. After what felt like an eternity, I felt a tap on my shoulder, so I look up and a Fantasyland Cast Member was there to wipe away my tears. He grabbed my hand and told me he was taking me to the place where all “lost parents” go to be found. (For those who don’t know: MK Baby Care Center between Casey’s and Crystal Palace.) Along the way we made pit stops at Sleepy Hollow (for ice cream) and the Christmas Tree Shoppe (for a Little Mermaid back pack and tea set to keep me entertained). It delights me to know how unbeknownst to me at the time, my first proper interaction with a Disney Cast Member, was a prime example of  one “Making Magic”. Fantasyland guy didn't have to console me much, get me ice cream, or toys or anything, all he had to do was walk me over. He was just one sincere cast member making sure a lost little girl still had magical time. 

15 years later. . . I find myself at Magic Kingdom again, this time as a college program Cast Member. As my first shift was coming to an end it dawned on me, that I would have 6 months to make tons of magical moments for so many people!  I can’t wait to share some of these moments with you, and hear about yours! 
Until next time, see you all real soon!

It's A Small World in Walt Disney World

After taking a look at Disneyland’s It’s A Small World attraction, let’s take a look at the version most of us are familiar with. In 1971, the attraction was recreated at Walt Disney World. It was an Opening Day attraction and is still considered a must do for a Walt Disney World trip. With a cast of 300 traditionally dressed hosts and some of their papier-mâché friends, it’s hard not to love your ride through the Seven Seaways Waterway. Although it was meant to mimic the Disneyland version, It’s A Small World in Florida has some distinct differences. For one, it visits some different areas of the world such as:

·         Scandinavia

·         The British Isles

·         Western Europe

·         Eastern Europe

·         The Middle East

·         Asia

·         Africa

·         Antarctica

·         South America

·         Australia and the South Pacific Islands

The famous white and gold façade is placed indoors. Unlike Disneyland, Walt Disney World’s crazy weather and insane heat forced imagineers to keep most of the lines for attractions within the show buildings. Another difference is the grand finale room where all of the children gather to offer their celebratory farewell. Unlike its twin brother, Walt Disney World minimizes the color scheme to only showing hues of cool tones and white/gold brilliance. It truly brings together the visual and thoughtful idea that we are all the same, no matter where we come from.

Please enjoy this look at Walt Disney World’s It’s A Small World attraction and there may be a treat at the end.

As some of you may know, my husband and I honeymooned in Walt Disney World. After a long day at the Magic Kingdom, (we made it for the Welcome Song and everything) we finally got to this attraction toward right before dinner. As we sailed through the Seven Seaways Waterway, I looked over to my left and found a surprise. I couldn’t help but capture the moment. ;D

Post by Monique Garcia.

Happy 50th Birthday, It’s A Small World!

It’s A Small World turns 50 this week. Amounting to this celebration, Disney has posted pictures and history to their blogs and spread the cheer throughout social media. “The Happiest Cruise that Ever Sailed” was originally created for the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair. It was created in honor of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).  It was transferred to the Disneyland Resort and opened on May 28, 1966. This E-Ticket attraction has been re-imagined for each of the Disney Parks around the world.

This attraction is definitely a staple to each of the family vacation to Disney World. Recently, I was finally blessed to be able to trek out to Disneyland and ride the original (or at least its latest reincarnation). As the first It's A Small World attraction, it has undergone many updates. The 2008 refurbishment brought in a cast of 37 familiar faces to the Disney community. In each scene, characters from Disney and Pixar films can be found amongst the other 300+ dolls that had been in place since opening day. During the holiday season, It's A Small World undergoes a holiday transformation including songs featured in the attraction. They have also created a nighttime presentation on the outside facade of It's A Small World, which also undergoes its own Holiday treatment.

As in Picturing Disney fashion, here are some photos from It’s A Small World in Disneyland.

Unlike the loading bay in Walt Disney World's version,
Disneyland's loading bay is outside.

Peter Pan & Tinkerbell (she is flying next to the crescent moon) in
the beginning of England.

Alice & the White Rabbit in England

Cinderella, Jack, & Gus in France 

Pinocchio & Jiminy Cricket in Italy

Aladdin, Jasmine, & Abu in the Middle East

<3 <3 <3 My Favorite <3 <3 <3

Mulan & Mushu in China

Simba, Timon, & Pumba in Africa

Each time I tried to get a shot of Timon he went back into the
prop next to Pumba and Simba. However if you look closely,
you can catch his little face popping out ever so slightly.

Donald, Jose Carioca, & Panchito Pistoles in Mexico

The Three Caballeros

Ariel & Flounder in the South Seas Room. Although she is not really
 recognized formally at all in Andrina, one of Ariel's Sisters. Attina has also
been included but was not there when I made my visit.

Marlin & Dory in the South Seas Room

Lilo & Stitch in the Polynesian Scene

Woody, Jesse, & Bullseye in North America

Finale Room. It differs a lot from the Walt Disney World version as there more
colors instead of the white, gold, and blue hues.

In California, the ride exits through a small shop called
It's A Small Toy Shop.

In the next post, I'll share some photos from the It's A Small World Attraction in Walt Disney World.