Photo credits ballerwives.com, blackloveandmarriage.com and blog.theknot.com
Once upon a time, there was a New York couple who did NOT let Hurricane Sandy ruin their dream wedding.
Latisha and Baron Lattimore’s house in Brooklyn was flooded with water up to their waist – just one week before their wedding. However – Latisha had dreamed of a Disney wedding since she was a little girl – and even a hurricane wouldn’t stand in the way of her plans.
Waist high in water in their home, but wedding dress protected and dry – they contacted the airlines. Sadly, all flights to Orlando were canceled.
In a genius and improvised “plan B” they chartered a bus to Orlando with all 80 of their wedding guests.
Despite arriving in Orlando at 3AM – you can see in the video that the two of them look happy and refreshed! Latisha’s dream wedding went perfectly it seems, and was complete with a fireworks display as the minister said “You may kiss the bride.”
“We are just so very thankful to be here and to be together,” Latisha Lattimore said. She gives all the glory to God.
The couple planned to honeymoon in Orlando, but they cut it short to go back to New York and help with cleanup efforts! I hope they get to come back soon and make up for lost time.
Understanding the Psychology of Post-Election Stress Syndrome
By Dwight Bain
A major election leads to major change-psychologically that is. No matter who wins an election, the unexpected emotional let down or explosive reaction after the ballots are counted can be overwhelming to many, especially the aged or over-involved who can be set up for crushing amounts of what I call Post-Election Stress Syndrome.
This election has likely been the most stressful of any during our lifetime because of numbing news fatigue and continual media over-exposure, yet the real problems are yet to come.
Personal anxiety, professional panic and poorly thought out decisions are on the horizon regardless of your political persuasion.
Why such a gloomy projection?
It’s based on how this election process has been so overwhelming much of the time with months of negative news, never ending data to process and confusing choices to make on complex issues while partisan experts are shouting every half-hour on news/talk stations that we are all doomed if their candidate doesn’t win. Not to mention the huge challenge on who is trust-worthy, since you often don’t know who will say something inappropriate on YouTube and crash their credibility, leaving you feeling very alone to make some major decisions without leaders who lacked the strength of character to stand on their convictions instead of popular opinion polls.
Mountain top experiences guarantee the next step is always the valley
Think of a major campaign like climbing a major mountain range. You prepare for years and climb for months to finally reach the top. Once there the view is great. You take some pictures, but you can’t stay on a mountain top, so no matter which way you head, it’s down in any direction. After the mountain top comes the valley, which is a normal part of life. The danger is that for many people the downward slide is so unexpected. Most actual mountain climbing accidents happen on the way down, and I project that there will be millions of people who are unprepared for the emotional upheaval they are about to experience after the election is over.
Everyone will feel some degree of emotional let down once the issues have been decided and the acceptance speeches are given. That’s normal, however for some the removal of posters, signs, balloons and banners will lead to a free fall of depressing emotions. If someone has been a ‘news junkie’ the last few months it will be especially stressful. Those feelings of distress will come out in one of two ways.
2 possible reactions to post-election stress
1) Anger-
Which can lead to violence and impulsive decisions. People who feel violated by the election process will often turn to dumping volcanic levels of anger at someone or something to find relief for the pressure inside. This can lead to devastating decisions, impulsive rage or using the wrong words in front of the wrong people and losing credibility or worse a job. This can happen in men or women, young or old, but is most commonly seen in more extroverted personalities and it tends to blow up and blow out fast.
2) Apathy –
This is a more dangerous reaction, since it can lead from distress to the early stages of depression. Stuffing emotions inside is like burying them alive and they just keep building up, yet instead of blowing up and out, they blow in.
This leads a person to feel emotionally numb, and often can cause an individual to commit a series of very quiet, yet very harmful self-destructive acts. Eating for comfort, drinking to numb the pain, hooking up with the wrong partner to try and forget about the election or just refusing to answer the phone, closing the mini-blinds and checking out on life like a hermit hiding in a dark cave.
The best choice after an election is completed isAcceptance.
It’s over and now it’s time to move on with whatever leaders and issues the majority of voters selected. You can’t change the outcome of an election, but you can freak yourself out with fears about the future apocalypse predicted by many. Don’t do that! Life will go on, and your world will continue. God is bigger than any politician and isn’t in a panic, so trust in heaven’s agenda and not that of Washington and you’ll immediately find a deeper level of peace.
What happens in your house is way more important than what happens in the White House since you can’t control what political leaders do, but you can control you. Let this journey off of the political ‘mountain’ be one of a growing sense of perspective as you remember that after the valley there will be another mountain to climb. There will be another day to vote on national issues and when the dust settles your life will usually be about as good as you choose to make it.
This approach takes the power to control your mood away from the politicians or the media, so you can build a better life without losing sleep or energy from the dangers of post-election stress syndrome.
Disney elves blend yuletide traditions and Christmas cheer to create a wintry wonderland ready for holiday revelers at Walt Disney World Resort as early as November 9. There’s an extra night of merry at the Magic Kingdom with 20 nights of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party; and at Epcot, Candlelight Processional.
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Highlights:
Magic Kingdom
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will have its longest-ever run with 20 magical nights from November 9-December 21. For a quarter century, Walt Disney World guests have been mesmerized by this must-see event, a grandly festive tradition immersing families in the holiday spirit.
Dates for 2012:
Nov. 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30
Dec. 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21
Beginning at 7 p.m. (after regular park hours), guests with special event tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party can enjoy all the holiday splendor with lively stage shows, spectacular fireworks, a unique holiday parade and favorite holiday traditions including complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, and snow flurries on Main Street, U.S.A. For more information, visit http://www.Disneyworld.com/Christmasparty. NOTE: this is a hard ticket special event after regular park hours; purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended.
Entertainment, Fireworks and More: Santa’s elves have transformed the Magic Kingdom into a winter wonderland with festive wreaths, bows, garland, sparkling lights, parades and towering Christmas trees. The fun includes the Holiday Wishes nighttime spectacular: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks, plus live entertainment with Disney characters all dressed up for the holidays.
Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle: Cinderella Castletransforms into a glimmering ice palace for the holidays — thanks to a special effects spectacle bathing the castle in 200,000 shimmering white lights. Magic Kingdom guests are treated nightly to the dramatic castle celebration and stage show.
Epcot
Candlelight Processional is a timeless holiday offering at Epcot that combines seasonal music with the poignant reading of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by a mass choir performing seasonal melodies, and a 50-piece live orchestra nightly November 23 – December 30, at 5, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. Crowd favorites Neil Patrick Harris and Gary Sinise return to America Gardens Theater stage on select nights. Guests can purchase a Candlelight Dining Package, which combines lunch or dinner at select Epcot restaurants with guaranteed seating for the Candlelight Processional and VIP viewing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. For more information and reservations: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/reservations/dining/candlelight-dinners/
Holidays Around the World: Storytellers from around the world share traditions and lore from their homeland throughout World Showcase. The merriment continues with meet and greets with Santa and Mrs. Claus, plus the nightly “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” laser, light, fireworks display capped with a seasonal finale.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights: This massive seasonal display features millions of dancing lights, plus animated displays and 3-D effects perfectly synchronized to electrifying holiday tunes amidst snowfall. The rich tradition takes place on the Streets of America, dazzling guests from Nov. 9, 2012 to Jan. 6, 2013.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Celebrate safari style as Disney’s Animal Kingdom is wilder than ever this winter season. Mickey and his pals rejoice in traditional holiday music with a world beat twist during the daily “Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade.”
Downtown Disney
Get all your Christmas shopping done at Downtown Disney during Festival of the Seasons. The shopping mecca is draped with yuletide cheer, plus live entertainment, holiday carolers, a lively street party, plus photo ops with Santa and Santa Goofy.
Walt Disney World Resorts
The resorts are dressed up for the holidays with festive décor, gingerbread houses and more.
Phineas and Ferb & YOU: A Brand New Reality
Back on September 1, Disney introduced”Phineas and Ferb & YOU: A Brand New Reality.” This is located in Downtown Disney. Adults and kids can participate in this FREE augmented reality offering. The experience is located next to Bongos Cuban Café. The way it works is you actually step onto a platform and virtually interact with Phineas, Ferb, Dr. Doofenshmirtz and Agent P (in their animated forms) on a screen above. Expect to get any one of 20 different interactions, from dancing “The Platypus Walk” to getting caught in Dr. Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s Freeze-inator. When the interaction is over you can digitally share a souvenir photo of your adventure with family and friends. This is also FREE!
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that, of course, special “Phineas & Ferb” merchandise will also be available to purchase.
“Phineas and Ferb & YOU: A Brand New Reality” will run through December 1, and is open from 2-9:30 p.m., daily. Here is a great video from Attractions Magazine to demonstrate how it all works!
Friday November 2nd 2012 was a great day for the safari ride over at Animal Kingdom. The weather was BEAUTIFUL, and the animals were loving it! Since they were feeling so frisky and active, some of them modeled for my photo shoot. A few pictures are a little blurry but others came out great!
Under the Big Top Gift Shop at Storybook Circus Area is my new favorite gift shop in the Magic Kingdom. The smell is amazing when you walk in! These wonderful treats might just have something to do with that!
I was super excited to see the photo and review posted over at the DisneyFoodBlog.com today!
Here it is – the ever famous “Grey Stuff”! Photo credit Faith Gagliardi
The gang over at DFB said the taste was subtle. They took turns at guessing the flavor but were finally told the grey stuff is actually cookies and cream flavored. The decorative topping had a Rice Krispie type of flavor – and they said it was delightful. I just had to share! Have a magical day!
Magic Kingdom Park is home to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, where Guests are encouraged to dress in their favorite costumes for this ticketed event. The festivities feature two lively performances of Mickey’s “Boo to You” Halloween Parade, which begins with a spooky and spirited ride by the Headless Horseman.
Magic Kingdom Park boasts 15 treat locations, two character dance parties, about 60 Disney characters, and a Happy HalloWishes fireworks spectacular with Disney villains trick-or-treating in the night sky. Magic Kingdom gives away more than 215 tons of candy to trick-or-treating guests and nearly 200 individually themed carved pumpkins adorn the balconies and windowsills along Main Street, U.S.A.
Disneyland Resort
New to Mickey’s Halloween Party in 2012, Town Square becomes Villains Square each party night at the Disneyland Resort, with loathsome characters such as Jafar, Ursula, and Captain Hook entering on a ghostly horse-drawn carriage to mingle!
On the Rivers of America, the Dapper Dans have been transformed into Cadaver Dans, singing spooky songs as they float along. These guys created a huge buzz on Twitter this year! They were very popular!
Also new this year is the Halloween Carnival at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree in Frontierland, featuring the Magic Cauldron Sideshow. Guests can help cast a magic spell, conjuring a Disney Villain from his or her realm before returning to worlds beyond. YIKES!
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
At Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, guests are celebrating Halloween in true island style, and they are really living my dreams out there! Disney characters wear Halloween costumes to meet and greet guests attending arts and crafts classes and at Halloween events at Aunty’s Beach House and Pau Hana. A Hallow’Teen event after dark on the beach at Ki’i One offers a pumpkin-sculpting contest. A Teen Glow Kinect Dance Challenge and Scary’oke contest at Painted Sky are also part of the spooky fun. Younger children are the stars on Ohana Disney Movie Nights featuring Disney Pixar’s “Monsters Inc.” and “The Haunted Mansion.”
Disneyland Paris
Celebrating Disneyland Paris’ 20th anniversary in joyfully wicked style, Disney’s Halloween Festival makes a mostly ghostly experience for guests.
Pumpkins, ghosts and other spooky spirits welcome guests on the Castle Stage at Sleeping Beauty Castle for “Mickey’s Halloween Treat in the Street!” Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dress up as vampires and Donald Duck is a “little devil” as they and their pals play a series of interactive games with Guests to share in the holiday fun. Disney Villains join the party in Fantasyland, where they mix and mingle with wary Guests at the Castle Courtyard. This video gets cool about 10-20 seconds in – so stay tuned!
Disney’s Halloween Party is must-see entertainment at Disneyland Paris, and Terrorific Night is scarier than ever at Walt Disney Studios Park. Disney Dreams! is a nightly show created to mark the 20th anniversary of Disneyland Paris. It features scary moments featuring Dr. Facilier (“The Princess and the Frog”), Ursula (“The Little Mermaid”), and Captain Hook (“Peter Pan”) ! Not to be outdone, Goofy has designed a special machine to make his favorite Halloween treat. This strange candy-making contraption can be found by following the puffs of smoke and sweet smells across Town Square.
Photo credit parkscout.de
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
WOW! This is like a techie’s dream! Hong Kong Disneyland celebrates Halloween a little differently! It’s a clash between the Vampire Coven and the Were Tribe in the “Choose the Dark Side Challenge” smartphone game app and augmented reality (AR) experience that attracts gamers and fun-seekers this Halloween season.
Guests participate through AR technology by joining vampires in a struggle for power with werewolves. The ultimate showdown takes place at “Main Street, U.S.A. ? Clash of Evil,” where the supreme ruler of the dark forces will be revealed.
Haunted Halloween Magic Mirrors can be found around the theme park. The magic in the mirrors is activated by certain T-Shirts! Check it out!
Jack Skellington and his crew from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” augment the spooky celebrations by leading the “Glow in the Park Parade.” And the haunting “Revenge of the Headless Horseman” spooks Guests in the heart of Adventureland, while nearby the Grim Reaper searches for victims in “Adventureland-Cursed Jungle.”
Tokyo Disneyland Resort
“A Halloween Daydream” is on display at Mediterranean Harbor at Tokyo DisneySea. Many favorite Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse and his bony, newfound skeleton friends, are welcomed to join the carnival-like celebration with Guests reveling in the friendly festivities.
“Chip ‘n Dale’s Skeleton Fiesta” highlights a lively parade-like atmosphere featuring a live band, vibrant costumes and dancing along in this Dia de los Muertos-inspired celebration in Lost River Delta at Tokyo DisneySea.
Bring your Tokyo currency! More than 400 Halloween-themed merchandise items are available at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. New merchandise items featuring the Disney characters that appear in “A Halloween Daydream” will be offered at both parks. The Refreshment Station offers a “black” version of the popular Gyoza Sausage Bun, and at Miguel’s El Dorado Cantina, Guests can enjoy skull-motif taco rice.
Disney Cruise Line
Check out the Halloween treats if you are a guest on Disney Cruise Line at this time of year:
· Haunted Parties: Beloved Disney characters in special Halloween costumes join guests for a fun-filled Halloween costume party complete with live music, dancing and lots of candy. For adults, the nighttime entertainment district on the Disney ships becomes the ghoulish setting for a costume contest and party sure to bring chills to everyone.
· Spooky Movies: To get Guests into the spirit of the season, Halloween-themed movies will be shown on Funnel Vision by the family pool and in Guest staterooms.
· Ghoulish Delights: Disney Cruise Line chefs have conjured some very special treats for Halloween, including chocolate cake with pumpkin filling, spider cakes and a special “Witch’s Brew.”
That about does it for Disney Halloweenies this year! I hope you’ve enjoyed Halloween globe trotting with me today!
I’ve been called many things but “refined” and “cultured” aren’t adjectives that have been used very often. That’s probably one reason why the Festival of the Masters has not really been on my radar until this year. One of my friends is really excited about this event because she is a person who really appreciates fine art. She is also an AMAZING artist herself! So, of course, I will be heading to check out the Festival this year and I am really excited to share this experience with her (and you!) . Perhaps some of her “culture” will rub off on me!
Besides – many activities, as well as parking at Downtown Disney are FREE! That’s a great price if you ask me!
From Disney:
“The 37th Festival of the Masters presented by Michaels is a vibrant, open-air fine arts festival in the Downtown Disney area, held November 9-11, 2012. Featuring award-winning artists, this world-renowned show is a highly anticipated annual event for Guests, artists, collectors and art lovers.
Discover fun for the entire family, including:
Dazzling displays of one-of-a-kind and limited-edition painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry and more
Hands-on activities for Guests of all ages and interests
Live musical performances
Unique shopping opportunities—from fine art to Disney collectibles
Whether you’re seeking a colorful day amid Disney magic or a spectacular piece for your personal collection, you’ll discover a variety of delightful experiences at Festival of the Masters presented by Michaels.
— Marketplace
• Family Interactive Activities:
o Disney Interactive –Showcasing Epic Mickey and the Power of 2
o Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop – Kids can make their own Sundae magnet.
o LEGO® – Join in the fun as you help a real LEGO Master Builder to construct an 8-ft tall Hulk™ model for the first time!
o Rainforest Cafe® – Experience the joy of watching tropical birds as they perform for you
• NEW! Emerging Masters – Get a glimpse of more than 30 up-and-coming artists as they display their unique talents.
• The Florida Chalk Artists Association – Street Painters from the Florida Chalk Artists Association will cover over 1,000 square feet of sidewalk! The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday at 3pm at the Waterside Stage
• Art of Disney – Our flagship store at the Marketplace full of art from the Disney Masters! Artist appearances will be scheduled throughout the weekend. In addition, this location will present a unique offering by artist Dave Avanzino, giving them the opportunity to have their name made into a custom art using letters found around the Disney Theme Parks
• Michaels® – Make It Take It – Duct Tape Craft – Who knew duct take could be this fun? Visit the Michaels exhibit near the Waterside Stage to create your very own luggage tag take home craft.
Pleasure Island
• Disney Artist Village – This location will be immersed with character art created by our own Disney Masters from Disney Design Group, Yellow Shoes, WDI, Acme Archives Limited and local Disney licensed artists. See original works of art, giclées, prints, one-of-a-kind Vinylmation and the opportunity to meet the artists behind the creativity
• Michaels® Master Mural – It’s your turn to take center stage in the creation of this Disney masterpiece! Join the Michaels team as together we bring to life a masterful work of art…piece by piece!
• Fuego – Come play dominoes! Three custom domino tables will be available for play
• Curl – See several artists create a masterpiece on a pair of TOMS shoes
• Irish Artwork at Raglan Road™ Irish Pub and Restaurant – Check out the designs of Graham Knuttle, a renowned Irish painter and sculptor.
West Side
• Michaels® – Make-it Take-it – Mickey Ear Wood Framing Experience – It’s time to get creative! Design and take home your very own Mickey Ear Wood Frame with a personalized artistic touch. Let your imagination take the wheel with this fun experience designed for families and children of all ages.
• D-Street – Home of Disney Vinylmation; a uniquely shaped three dimensional pallet with creative design from many of our talented Disney artists. Whether you collect or trade, make sure you stop by to see the newest collections
• Cirque du Soleil – Complimentary face painting by a La Nouba artist Friday and Saturday noon – 4pm and live performances by La Nouba performers 4:00pm to 4:30pm
• House of Blues® Folk Art Festival – See grassroots and funk art at its finest, presented by approximately 35 local and national folk artists.
• Disney Art Tent – View a variety of art styles featuring beloved Disney Characters, presented by featured artists.”
For even more info on the festival click here and here.
A major election leads to major change-psychologically that is. No matter who wins an election, the unexpected emotional let down or explosive reaction after the ballots are counted can be overwhelming to many, especially the aged or over-involved who can be set up for crushing amounts of what I call Post-Election Stress Syndrome.
It’s based on how this election process has been so overwhelming much of the time with months of negative news, never ending data to process and confusing choices to make on complex issues while partisan experts are shouting every half-hour on news/talk stations that we are all doomed if their candidate doesn’t win. Not to mention the huge challenge on who is trust-worthy, since you often don’t know who will say something inappropriate on YouTube and crash their credibility, leaving you feeling very alone to make some major decisions without leaders who lacked the strength of character to stand on their convictions instead of popular opinion polls.
Which can lead to violence and impulsive decisions. People who feel violated by the election process will often turn to dumping volcanic levels of anger at someone or something to find relief for the pressure inside. This can lead to devastating decisions, impulsive rage or using the wrong words in front of the wrong people and losing credibility or worse a job. This can happen in men or women, young or old, but is most commonly seen in more extroverted personalities and it tends to blow up and blow out fast.
Disneyways 