Enchanted Tales with Belle

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

Ever wonder what it is like Beyond the Castle at Disney?

Ever since I was a little girl I have dreamed of working for Disney.  Have you ever wondered what it is like Beyond the Castle?  Is the magic real?  Does it weave through the organization's culture like pixie dust or is it all just a manufactured smoke screen? 

A most magical Minnie Mouse painting party

We attended a "Minnie Paints the Dots" party that rocked the dots Minnie Style.

Stirring up conversation with Disney Dinnerware

Recently a few of our writers returned from amazing adventures in Disney World.  A common thing that everyone has struggled with upon return is missing the "Disney Magic".  Getting into the swing of the daily grind after a Disney adventure can be rough!

Avengers Assemble! For reading time.

Hey there, hi there, ho there, Wonderful World of Disney readers!

Conversations with Gaston at Disney World

Gaston is an internet sensation in Disney Parks.

Celebrate Your Little Valentines With Disney Books

Happy Valentines Day!

Story Time with the Princess Palace Pets, Daddo and Thumper

The past couple of weeks I've had some trouble figuring out how to engage one of my younger nephews when it comes to reading time.

Soul Restoration - Disney Style

If you're a Disney Parks fan you'll know what I am talking about.

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!

The Parades of the Magic Kingdom: When the Unexpected Makes a Lasting Memory

Disney changes aspects of an attraction, parade or show over time to keep experiences fresh for guests.

My Disney Thank You List :)

Welcome to those of you joining me from 400 Miles to Disneyland and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the final stop on our Magical Blogorail. 

This month the proposed topic was "What, big or small, are you thankful for at Disney?" I knew the answer immediately but I still can't decide whether it is big or small.  What I am most thankful for in my life is magic and love.  It goes without saying that I continue being thankful on vacation- maybe even somehow I feel more grateful for the ability to take trips and have fun with people I love.  How does anyone go to Disney and not feel this? How do you head out to the happiest place on Earth and not have a vacation filled with laughter and joy? 

People sometimes ask me why I keep going back to Disney and its those magical moments.  Like riding Prince Charming's carousel with my husband at 2:30 in the morning during extra magic hours this Spring and laughing and goofing off.  I looked over at my husband and thought "I will be 100 years old and remember *this* moment." The joy was palpable the laughter singing in the air.  I wasn't just celebrating my 30th birthday I was celebrating every happy moment in my life that lead up to that trip and me being the person I am.

When I am counting down to a trip and hit single digits a small bit of excitement begins to grow in the pit of my stomach.  As I pack and start gushing to people it builds and builds.  By the time we hit the airport my smile is plastered on my face and when we reach Orlando International airport the minute that the thick sweet air hits me I feel like I am home.  The excitement is now swollen inside of me to the point my heart feels like it is inflating with love and as we check in and head to a park my happiness and heartbeat pick up.  Then I step onto Main Street USA and here the ring of bells in the music or the futuristic sound of Epcot's entrance music and no word described my feeling more than THANKFUL.  I am thankful to be in Disney, thankful to have a wonderful husband who loves me and loves never growing up with me, and thankful for the adventure on the horizon.  

I guess that is a pretty big thing to be thankful for. 

Thank YOU for joining Magical Blogorail Peach this month. We will be back on December 3rd with an all new theme. If you are looking for more Disney magic, you can make your way over to The Magical Blogorail website to see all our members and their blogs.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1st Stop ~ Disney in Our Blood
2nd Stop ~ Can Do It Mom AKA Mouse Fan Diane
3rd Stop ~ 400 Miles to Disneyland
4th Stop ~ Picturing Disney

Enchanted Tales with Belle: Fun For ALL Ages!

Enchanted Tales with Belle was always something we had skipped in it's old location.  It was clearly geared towards children and although I love Belle it didn't seem like fun for just me and my husband.  However, once Maurice's cottage became the setting I knew I had to try it out!  I know I would love it from the moment that I saw all the small touches when you enter Belle's home! The books, the pictures, the little hidden treasure (like the nod to Mrs. Potts and Chip below).... it was so well done! And without giving many spoilers-- it does not disappoint!  You enter and get to check out the cottage before being transported via a magic mirror (of course) into Beast's Castle! There is a castmember to lead the way and help choose who will partake in the fun! 

I couldn't snap a great pic of Lumiere because of my spot in the audience (and my husband was cast as a knight so I was preoccupied) but from stat to finish it is fun for all so don't miss it on your next trip and keep your eyes open for all the little touches that make it so enchanting!! ;)

Magical Moment Monday: One Family's Magical Musical Vacation

When Andrea (the Disney mom in the video) posted me a link to this adorable video over on our Facebook page I knew I wanted to share with all of my readers.  What a fun way to fill in all the gaps while Disney vacationing! First thing I did was message her for her blessing to share it here-- well actually that was the second thing I did because the first thing I did after I finished watching was restart the video and show it to my husband! ;)  I love the song choice and the shots in this video.  Over and over I thought to myself "Wow what a great way to pass the time between fastpasses or when waiting on rides!" I could not get over how creative and just how FUN this is!

After talking a little more with the family I have a nice bit of background on how this video came to be:
The lovely Fischer Family visits Walt Disney World once or twice a year and the kids have been going to the parks since before they were born! The idea for the video came when Andrea was watching vacation videos on YouTube and after discussing with her Hubby they decided they would try it themselves.  As soon as they heard "Good Time" they knew it would be perfect for their video! Although her son was hesitant (and clearly her daughter was not! lol!) the whole family got on board with being silly in front of complete strangers. And as Andrea said herself "It actually enhanced the fun. We shot footage wherever we went and sang the song or mouthed the words."

And for the specifics: It was shot in late November/early December 2012 using a Canon Rebel T3i camera.

I don't know about you but I adore this video and it inspires me to get creative with my own videos in the parks! :)

Home of Tomorrow

I found this on my phone and wanted to share another Magical Moment of my own.  In 2011 my husband and I went to Disneyland for the first time.  I have shared loads of memories from our trip and my subsequent trip this year since then but one of the nice differences is that on some rides and attractions you can email yourself your images! On Buzz Lightyear (which I prefer over Magic Kingdom's Buzz since the guns are removeable) and when you answer the questions you would usually answer on Spaceship Earth in Epcot while in Innoventions (def not as cool to not have SE buuuut I kinda dig Innoventions being located in Tomorrowland) you can email yourself and your friend your final pic!  This is me and the hubs! LOL! Loves it!

Magical Moment Monday: Fun Times at Port Orleans Resort!

Shannon from Addicted to Mickey and her family really enjoyed the amenities at Port Orleans Resort!

 "My kids thought the slide at POFQ was the best we'd ever seen. Over and over again, the slid down the dragon's tongue."

"Clay's favorite hobby is fishing and he was so excited to be able to do it at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside."

I have always wanted to stay at Port Orleans- there seems to just be so much to do and see there! Looks like I will need to make a stop when I am staying near Downtown Disney next Spring! ;)
If you want to check out more of Shannon's pictures and articles you can also find her on The Disney Moms!