Just for Fun

All posts in the Just for Fun category

Sexy, Sparkling and into Crickets ~ A Bio of the Blue Fairy

Published March 14, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Step aside for just a minute Justin Timberlake. The Blue Fairy brought sexy back a long time ago. Sure, maybe she is missing the feistiness of Tinker Bell – and the pleasantly plump physique of Merryweather…

Blue Fairy, Merryweather, and Tink in the Disneyland Parade

Photo credit armadillo444 Flickr.com

but…it’s ok because she makes up for it in motherly demeanor, beauty, and her way of recognizing the good in people. She was the only one who could instill “character” into a wooden-headed boy. Even her spells were beautiful and elegant.

“Little puppet made of pine – wake! The gift of life is thine.” ~ The Blue Fairy

Seriously – who talks like that any more? Now here’s why she’s sexy…

In what was called a “story meeting”  on January 12th 1939, Walt Disney specified that The Blue Fairy was to “give the appearance of loveliness… (but not look like) a glamour girl.” Early model sheets and inspirational sketches reflected Walt’s concept, depicting her as an ethereal beauty with swirling, billowing clothes and loose, (trend-setting) untamed hair. After all – a fairy can’t literally fly in –  and be expected to have to perfectly coiffed hair.

However, at some point in the Blue Fairy’s creation, her design changed, and she became a  less ethereal figure, with more human proportions.

The way we know her today, with her glittery dress, and fabulously 40’s look – suggest the inspiration of Jean Harlow, so ultimately she did resemble the “glamour girl” Walt had initially wanted to avoid. Still, he seemed pleased with this version of The Blue Fairy, whose newly-found sexual allure worked on both Jiminy Cricket and the men working on the film. They reportedly whistled on first seeing a color test of the Blue Fairy.

And just like that – she was quite literally the first to bring sexy back. 

Jean Harlow had a way with the fellas too…Photo credit Chud.com

download (4)

She made Jiminy Cricket weak in the knees. Photo credit FanPop.com

A Blue Fairy Biography Refresher:

The Blue Fairy can be found in Disney’s 1940 film Pinocchio. She is a magical being who fulfills Gepetto’s wish, and transforms Pinocchio into a living creature  of sorts, and later into a real boy.  Don’t let her soothing voice and calm demeanor fool you, this fairy is no wallflower. During the movie she helps Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket with her magical heroics, both directly and from afar. One of only two female characters in the movie (the other being Cleo the beautiful goldfish), her heroics stand out even more – and the blue fairy is obviously one of the most powerful characters in the cast. She is the one who initially grants Pinocchio life, and who ultimately decides whether or not he should become a real boy.

In my search for some cool video of the Blue Fairy in action- I found this little gem. Check this out this sweet serenade from Ray the Cajun firefly (of Princess and the Frog fame), and the exploration of The Blue Fairy as possibly being his sweet Evangeline.

So, where is she now? 

  • The first place might surprise you when it’s revealed! Tomorrow Disneyways will be posting a Blue Fairy themed edition of World Secrets that you won’t want to miss!
  • The Blue Fairy has her own spell card known as “The Blue Fairy’s Wand Wish” in the interactive Disney theme park game – Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom.
  • In the ABC original series, Once Upon a Time, The Blue Fairy plays a supporting role only seen in Story Book Land and is portrayed by Keegan Connor Tracy.
  • In the animated series Disney’s House of Mouse, the Blue Fairy makes occasional appearances.

Where she is not…

This video was shot as a farewell to The Blue Fairy from the cast and crew of the 2008 winter run of Disney’s Electrical Parade. Kind of sad. But stay tuned to Disneyways tomorrow. We will have more on the sexy, sparkling Blue Fairy in our next edition of World Secrets.

 

Disney Function and Fabulosity – this bag has it all.

Published March 9, 2013 by Disneyways.com

My wonderful sister-in-law Karen recently gave me a Vera Bradley bag for my birthday. It is the cross-body style and it is by far the best bag I have ever used to carry what I need around the Disney parks. Hands free, machine washable,  and just the right size. What’s not to like?

Here is a photo of the one I have:

Check out the Little Hipster! It is 9.75 x 6.5 x 1.75 and it retails for $45. It has a zip around pocket in the front with card pockets, ID window and a bill pocket and then a zip main compartment and a slip pocket with a magnet on the back. Photo credit OhMyVera.com

Have you heard about the new Disney-inspired handbags and accessories by Vera Bradley?

They are coming in the fall of 2013. Cathy Dawson, merchandiser for accessories at Disney Parks says, “We are thrilled to introduce Vera Bradley to our accessories assortment. In recent years, we’ve seen several guests in our parks and resorts sporting fun, colorful bags by Vera Bradley. Even our Disney Cruise Line team recently added some items by Vera Bradley to the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. We thought it would be wonderful to add a splash of Disney to these popular and colorful accessory items.”

Vera Bradley names all of her patterns and these are no exception. The black pattern is called “Midnight with Mickey,” while the pink pattern is named “Just Mousing Around.” These patterns will be seen on duffel bags, totes, cosmetic bags and more.

When released this fall, we will be able to buy these items at select locations in Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. They will also be sold via the Disney Parks online store at a future date.

Recently I visited the  Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival  Festival Center, located between Mission: SPACE and Universe of Energy in Future World, to get these photos for you of the bags on display. Needless to say, I am in love with these new bags, and I hope you are too!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

 

Related articles

Cinderella: Her controversial makeover and movie secrets

Published February 24, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Have you heard? There is a war going on. As silly as it may sound to some people, others have taken it very seriously. The war I am referring to is the one between Disney fans who are on both sides of the fence – those who like the new updated look the Disney princesses have – and those who prefer the classic looks. Perhaps no princess has been discussed more than our sweet Cinderella, affectionately referred to as “Cindy” by many of her fans.

Our Disney version of Cinderella is 63 years young in 2013 – and she hasn’t slowed down a bit. One can certainly respect that she still has the biggest castle in all of Walt Disney World. The figures representing the sales of merchandise bearing her image are mind boggling. Her mode of transportation is beautiful and unmatched by almost any standard.

Why is she such an undeniable force in the Disney princess line-up, even to this day?  Personally, I feel that it has something to do with the movie that has endeared her to so many, for so long. It is a movie that remains one of my all-time personal favorites since childhood.

cinderellamovie

cinderella original

I thought I knew everything there was to know about Walt Disney’s classic Cinderella – until I came across these interesting facts about the movie.

Keep reading, and let me know if any of these are new to you as well!

1. A song called “Dancing on a Cloud” was cut from the movie. You can hear it here:

2. A dream sequence reminiscent of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice – Cinderella imagines multiple Cindys attacking the chore list—was storyboarded but ultimately didn’t make it. You can see stills of the storyboards and hear the song below, though it’s a new recording. The original was lost.

3. The voice of Cinderella herself, Ilene Woods, revealed in this interview that Walt Disney was probably the first person to use double tracked vocals, where the singer records herself singing both the melody and the harmonies. The vocals were then mixed together, creating a seamless effect.

4. The moment when the Fairy Godmother transforms Cinderella’s torn dress into a beautiful gown fit for a princess is said to be Walt Disney’s favorite piece of animation ever. It was drawn by Marc Davis, one of Disney’s Nine Old Men.

5. If some of the Disney women from the 50s and 60s look similarly graceful and lanky, there’s a reason for it: Helene Stanley, the live-action model for Cinderella, was also the live-action model for Princess Aurora and Anita in101 Dalmatians. Here she is doing her “Once Upon a Dream” thing for Sleeping Beauty.


6. Eleanor Audley, the voice of Lady Tremaine (Cinderella’s evil stepmother), was also the voice of Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty and Madame Leota in the Haunted Mansion at Disneyworld and Disneyland.

7. Similarly, Verna Felton, the Fairy Godmother, provided the voices for a bunch of other famous Disney roles. She was also Mrs. Jumbo in Dumbo, the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, Aunt Sarah in Lady and the Tramp, and both Flora and the Queen in Sleeping Beauty.

8. The song “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo” was popular in mainstream music thanks to a version by Perry Como and the Fontane sisters.

Join us for “Oz the Great and Powerful” and the first-ever Disneways unofficial meetup!

Published February 17, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Disney_OZ_The_Great_And_Powerful

Join us for the first ever Disneyways unofficial meet up!

Friday March 8th at AMC Downtown Disney Dine-In Theater let’s gather to watch Disney’s new move Oz the Great and Powerful and enjoy this fabulous facility! I have not personally visited the theater for a movie – so I thought this would be a wonderful chance to check it out and get the full experience. I would be so honored to have my Disneyways friends join me for my first visit – so I figured we’d call it a meet-up.  My family and I will be ordering tickets ahead of time to (hopefully) avoid the line and make sure we have seats in case of a sell-out. There may be better places to get them – but this website is the one we use if you would like to do the same.

Oz is rated PG – and it’s the first movie in a very long time that my husband, my sons and I all have an interest in seeing in the theater. Come join us for the fun, and bring your friends and family!

We will all head to Ghiradelli’s in Downtown Disney afterwards to socialize and enjoy some ice cream at the outdoor tables if weather is permitting.

We hope to see you there and we look forward to meeting you!

Related articles

There’s no place like home (Shopping Network) for Oz inspired trends

Published February 5, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Disney’s Oz The Great and Powerful opens in theaters nationwide on March 8th and is rated PG. Below you will find a two minute trailer for the upcoming film.

HSN (the Home Shopping Network) will present a one-of-a-kind shopping event featuring designer clothing, makeup, accessories, and even culinary items inspired by the great and powerful movie. The Oz beauty line will reflect the essence of the movie’s three, witches Theodora, Evanora and Glinda, drawing inspiration from their sense of style, personality and unique color palettes. Although I couldn’t find any photos – the home and culinary items are reported to mirror the discovery the viewer feels while traveling through the world of Oz. The HSN 48-hour TV event will take place on March 1st and 2nd, and prices will range from $28 to $1,799. If you are in a hurry, you can shop the collection online beginning February 14th.

I’m not one to spend $325 on feathered collars, but to each her own.

Rarities by Carol Brodie Evil Eye pendant with chain, $119.90 on HSN.com beginning March 1.

Besides the movie itself, I think I am intrigued most by the makeup. The Urban Decay line will include two $49 palettes. They come with 8 new exclusive eye shadow shades (two of which are duos, travel-size 24/7 glide-on pencil, and exclusive full-size super saturated high gloss lip color and a detailed instruction card.  Glenda’s colors are purples, blues and peaches reminiscent of the good witch  while bad witch Theodora’s palette has brown, charcoal and green shadows, with bright red lip gloss. Both versions incorporate our Build Your Own Palette format for total versatility. When you finish the original shades (or whenever you get the urge to experiment), just pop them out, and pop in some of your other Urban Decay shadows. Both sets are packaged in keepsake tins adorned with Oz artwork!

The Theodora Palette Eyeshadows: Broken (pale cream satin), Beware (warm brown matte), Bewitch (dark charcoal brown satin), West (deep metallic brown), Spell (2 shades in 1: black satin w/green and gold shimmer and gold metallic w/tonal glitter) and Jealous (2 shades in 1: pale green pearl and dark green pearl). Eye Pencil: black. Lip Color: Theodora (bright red cream).
Recreate Michelle Williams’ ethereal, spellbinding look from the film with The Glinda Palette or copy Mila Kunis’ captivating, edgy onscreen look with The Theodora Palette.
The Glinda Palette Eyeshadows: Tornado (vibrant deep purple shimmer), Aura (2 shades in 1: iridescent white w/blue shift and iridescent white w/red shift), Magic (pinkish purple w/golden shimmer), Illusion (pale peach satin), Oz (2 shades in 1: gold shimmer w/gold glitter and silver shimmer w/silver glitter) and South (warm pale gray shimmer w/silver micro-glitter). Eye Pencil: deep eggplant. Lip Color: Glinda (light sheer beige).

Here is more of the Oz inspired clothes and accessories, along with HSN pricing. All photos for this post came from InStyle.com

Are you excited to see the film when it comes out?

Do you think you will buy any of these Oz inspired pieces?

Related articles

After Dapper Drink Location Added & the PIN (Part 4 of our Dapper Day Series!)

Published January 15, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Part One – Dapper Day history 

Part Two – What to wear ideas and video from last year.

Part Three – Suggested events and meet-ups

Another location has been added for “After Dapper Drinks” in Walt Disney World. The tiki-themed Tambu Lounge in Disney’s Polynesian Resort (main building, Monorail level) AND at Mizner’s Lounge at Disney’s Grand Floridian. Mizner’s Lounge is a great place to enjoy live jazz standards by the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra. You will find the lounge upstairs behind the bandstand. The band is scheduled to play until 9:40pm. Just like with all Disney performances and shows, times are always subject to change.

—–
In other news – Disneyland made a pin for the event! I have a feeling this took the organizers by complete surprise. Disneyland should probably correct some words in the description. It’s “Dapper Day” not “Days,” and it’s the 3rd Spring event not the 2nd – but hey – it’s nice that they noticed!

PIN

Please click here for Disney’s information on how to order one for yourself.

Dapper Day organizers revealed that they will have their OWN buttons available for the public commemorating this special night. Distribution details on these are still to come. Personally, I think I would rather have one of those!

You can find more details on every thing Dapper Day at the official site DapperDay.com

Dapper Day events are independently organized social gatherings neither operated by nor associated with The Walt Disney Company.

Related articles

How to Make Your Own Character Autograph Books

Published January 9, 2013 by Disneyways.com
Photo credit Heidi and Mouskejournals.com

Photo credit Heidi and Mouskejournals.com

My son is all grown up now so I don’t think he would have a problem with me telling you his secret. He was TERRIFIED of any sort of character. Disney or otherwise. Just to make it even though- here is a deep dark secret of mine. Who’s got two thumbs and makes some of the ugliest crafts you’ve ever seen? This girl. I failed cutting in kindergarten and things haven’t really gotten any better since then.

I know there are many families out there who do not suffer the same misfortune – and this post is for you! Straight from Heidi – one of my new friends over at Mouskejournals.com, here are some great ideas for making your very own autograph books for you or a loved one’s favorite Disney characters to sign.

If you end up with an extra book- will you send it to me? Mine is probably going to come out looking more like one of those snowflakes we used to have to cut out of paper in kindergarten.

CLICK HERE FOR DO-IT-YOURSELF AUTOGRAPH KEEPSAKE IDEAS!

Epcot’s UK and Canada Paviion Phone Booths are Ringing in the Magic!

Published January 5, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Do you remember seeing these on your last visit to Epcot’s World Showcase? Perhaps you or your family members have climbed inside and posed for photos?

Even if you’ve never been to Epcot at all, you may have heard about the phone booths. So where exactly are they? You will find them in the United Kingdom pavilion located close to the restrooms. These restrooms are on the right as you come into the pavilion from the Canadian side. There is also a lesser-known Canadian phone booth.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Here’s how to find that one:

On the way up the stairs at the Canada pavilion, you can see the coat of arms of the “Canadian National Hotels.” Just a few more steps and you’ll see that elusive Canadian phone booth. It looks very similar to the ones in the UK.

Did you know they are working phone booths? They really are! Some sources say you can make outbound calls from them and some say you can not. One thing is for sure…you can make an inbound call to the phone booths when ever you’d like.

Are you missing Disney and need to add a little magic to your day? Give the phone booths a call! Sometimes you will hear a busy signal or a fax machine. Other times a Disney guest will pick up and be so shocked to hear your voice on the other end that they just hang up. However, there are lots of great stories about Epcot visitors who will talk to you about everything from the Florida weather, the restaurants, crazy drivers, and maybe even local places to find great frozen yogurt. If you reach ME – I promise to talk your ear off.

Locals and other guests taking a day trip to Epcot sometimes enjoy using their cell phones to play jokes on their friends. Tales abound about calling other members of their own party to surprise them with their best Goofy or Donald impression! Give it a try! You know you want to.

I just met you, and this is crazy, but here‘s the numbers – call them maybe?

(Sorry — I couldn’t resist! Here’s the video if you don’t get the joke.)

Have you called before? How did it go? Do you plan on calling?

Please share your story!

Kilimanjaro Safaris – Hippopotamuses for Christmas

Published December 25, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Every year at Christmas the radio stations here in Orlando play that old song, I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas!

Here are some actual pictures we took on Animal Kingdom’s  Kilimanjaro Safaris recently! I hope you enjoy them and have a magical day!

hippo side IMG_0007 IMG_0006 IMG_0010 DSC02885 DSC02884 DSC02883

Related articles

How to Enjoy the Scent of the Contemporary – from home! (Maybe)

Published December 21, 2012 by Disneyways.com

I thought I was losing my mind. I was in my kitchen doing the usual, just putting the dishes in the dishwasher, and then wiping all the counters down. All of a sudden I noticed a wonderful aroma. During the first week I couldn’t figure out what it was. I just kept thinking it was almost like someone was walking by me, wearing a wonderful perfume. The scent would just come and go that fast. Finally – right around  the  second week, it finally dawned on me what that wonderful scent reminded me of!

It was without a doubt – the same beautiful waft of fragrance I get every time I walk through the Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World! I don’t know if they pipe that smell into the resort, or what, but none of the others smell quite the same to me. I always thought maybe the Contemporary had the smell of happiness, or maybe it was just the anticipation of visiting the love of my life, the five-legged goat. Now I know it must be the scent of orange blossom and verbena. It is very distinctive – and quite wonderful.

I am definitely addicted to Disney, but even I knew this was totally weird and not normal. But where was it coming from? Was it just my imagination?

I think it was right around week three I was washing my hands and the kitchen sink and it came to me. DUH!! This fragrance was coming from the new hand soap that I had been using! I picked up the bottle and looked closely at the label.

“Avon naturals orange blossom & verbena juicy moisture moisturizing hand soap. Formulated with orange blossom and verbena extracts, this moisturizing hand soap gently cleanses and conditions. Leaves hands feeling soft and vlevety-smooth.”

Velvety smooth?!

I thought to myself that Avon was marketing this stuff all wrong. When I close my eyes and smell the bubbles,  I can almost hear the monorail gliding by over head. This bottle makes no mention of the Contemporary at all! Can you imagine?!

I asked my husband to smell the soap and tell me what it reminded him of. He had no idea what I was talking about – but he also doesn’t love Disney the way I do. I am wondering if any of you out there have ever owned this product? Is there anyone else who shares my opinion or is this just a crazy notion that I have?

I would love to order more and send you some to try. Unfortunately, as I publish this post, Avon says this exact product is no longer available,

I have recently met an Avon rep on facebook, who is very dedicated to her business. She has not given me any money, free product, or promised commissions to mention her. I simply wanted you to have a resource in case you wanted to try and find this item for yourself. She may be able to recommend  something similar, or have access to discontinued items. It’s worth a shot.

Here is a link to Kimie’s Avon site. If you enjoy facebook like I do, you can also contact her here. Good luck in your search for this wonderful product – and please tell Kimie that Disneyways sent you!

avon