A few Dapper Day Photos from February 24, 2013: An Elegant Affair

Published February 26, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida

Ever since the spring of 2011, DAPPER DAY organizers have created fashionable gatherings at the Disney Resorts in LA, Orlando, and Paris: a spring, all-day event, and a fall “evening affair.” Inspired by the original Disney park designer’s illustrations, which often featured extremely well dressed guests enjoying the park, DAPPER DAY celebrates the tradition of stepping out in style. It gives us a chance to visit the parks while looking our best. The night attracts park enthusiasts of all genders and age groups.

All elegant fashions from vintage-inspired to contemporary chic could be found on this warm Orlando evening in February.

I must say that as a bystander – mostly just photographing the fun and handing out Dapper Day pins – I could not help but feel every smile and look of joy deep down in my core. I could hardly control my own smile and giggles at watching so many of the dapperly dressed really show off for the camera, and ham it up! They were all so wonderful and accommodating. What an amazing, truly magical night.

We got hundreds of pictures. What we have posted here is just a sampling. We will be posting more on the blog as well as on facebook, and eventually our YouTube Channel.

Be sure to subscribe to all of these avenues so you won’t miss a post. If you see yourself in any of these pictures and you did NOT get a Dapper Day button to commemorate the evening, I have a very limited supply left over. Please contact me right away, the fastest being through facebook. I always accept friend requests. Have a magical day!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Related articles

Disney Beauty with Jay – Let Your Dark Side Out with Urban Decay’s Theodora Palette

Published February 25, 2013 by Jay

Welcome back, Oz and beauty fans! On my last guest post, I brought you a pretty yet strong look created using Urban Decay’s Glinda palette. However, Glinda isn’t the only witch in Oz: The Great and Powerful! Theodora is a young witch, beautiful and naive. In early Oz movies, the Witch of the West is a dark force; in Oz, Theodora wants peace in the land(according to trailers…hmmm…guess we’ll have to head to the movies to find out for sure!).

Oz-Theodora

Urban Decay describes her as “fiery, strong-willed, and spellbindingly beautiful.” The palette they created for her certainly fits the bill! This palette contains six dark, sultry eyeshadows, a black eyeliner, and a fiery red high-gloss lip pencil.

"Top

As a brunette with brown eyes, I find that warm, brown shades suit my coloration the best. Red is my favorite color, although I usually wear the shade in clothing rather than on my lips. All in all, the combination of colors in this product are what led me to snap this palette up, even before I bought the Glinda one. Urban Decay makes stellar beauty products and I knew that this would be a palette I’d reach for again and again. This palette is great for everyday looks, but I decided to create a more dramatic look to possibly wear to the Oz premiere on March 8th. Below I’ll take you through the look, step by step; see captions for directions.

Prime the entire lid; then apply Broken (bone white) to the brow bone and inner corner

Prime the entire lid; then apply Broken (bone white) to the brow bone and inner corner

Pat the gold half of Spell onto the inner half of the lid; do the same with Beware (light fawn brown) on the outer half

Pat the gold half of Spell onto the inner half of the lid; do the same with Beware (light caramel brown) on the outer half. Line inner half of lower lash line with the gold as well.

Apply Bewitch (warm chocolate brown) to the crease and bottom lash line, winging it out past the brow

Apply Bewitch (warm chocolate brown) to the crease and bottom lash line, winging it out past the brow

How your wing should look with your eyes open

How your wing should look with your eyes open

Apply West (deep reddish brown) to the outer v, blending where it meets other shades

Apply West (deep reddish brown) to the outer v, blending where it meets other shades

Line with Zero and apply mascara. I also put on some falsies for a little extra flair.

Line with Zero and apply mascara. I also put on some falsies for a little extra flair.

I finished my look by adding a shimmering highlighter to my cheekbones and applying the Theodora lip pencil (a warm-leaning cherry red) on my entire lip. Below are before and after shots – I used the before shot from the Glinda post because…well…I generally look the same without makeup, regardless of the clothing I have on. Click to enlarge:

Before

Before

After

After

After

After

So what look do you think is best for the premiere – a warm, strong “dark” look, or a delicate, spellbinding “good” look? Which witch is more your style overall – Theodora or Glinda? Let us know in the comments!

Collaboration

Thanks for the collaboration Krista! 🙂

For more everyday beauty, head on over to WayfaringBeauty.com!

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.

MyMagic+ being tested for Be Our Guest!

Published February 23, 2013 by Disneyways.com

IMG_1156
MyMagic+ continues to be tested in a variety of ways at Walt Disney World, there are indications that  FastPass+ will even help improve your Walt Disney World dining experiences! Sources are reporting that randomly selected guests at the Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary, and Grand Floridian will receive a FastPass+ card with a specified arrival time for lunch (counter service) at the Be Our Guest restaurant in the new Fantasyland. The window for this trial is very short, lasting only from February 25-28th. Reservations can not be made in advance for lunch, and the lines can get very long for this popular dining facility.

Upon arriving at Be Our Guest during the specified arrival window, the lucky guests who get picked for the trial will receive expedited service for lunch. As with all things Disney, dates and offerings are subject to change without notice. Theme park admission is required to dine at Be Our Guest.

The grey stuff, although delicious, is not available during lunch hours.

Related articles

Do’s and Don’ts for doing Disney with preschoolers ~ by Jennifer

Published February 23, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Going to any Disney park or resort should be a magical experience for the whole family, but especially your young ones. They will forever cherish those priceless memories, and your entire family will reminisce on the magical Disney vacation they first took together.

lion king

It is truly the happiest place on Earth, especially if you follow these tips!

Do stay on site

Staying on Disney property will make your trip much easier. You will have access to Disney’s reliable, comfortable, and safe transportation throughout your stay. From the moment you step off the plane to the day you head home, you will not need to worry about finding transportation to your hotel, the parks, or to any places on Disney property. This should keep your little ones more focused and should prevent them from feeling frustrated as the long days of commuting wear them down.

DSC01961

Do bring or rent a stroller

Click here to see my post on how to make your stroller stand out in the crowd!

Even if you never use a stroller for your toddler, you definitely will need one in Disney World. There is a lot of walking, and a lot of stuff you will be bringing with you. Little ones will want a place to sit and rest, get shade from the sun, and possibly even nap. In addition, the stroller is a great way to store all the stuff you will bring with you.

Do keep hydrated and pack snacks

Photo property of CheapskatePrincess.com

YES you can bring food into the parks. Check with guest services for current rules on this. Make sure you keep yourself, the other adults in your party and your kids hydrated and fed. Hydration is especially crucial as it can get very warm, and you will be doing a lot of walking. Granola bars and other simple snacks will keep them happy when waiting on lines for rides and attractions.

Do plan breaks during your day

If you are relentlessly on a roll, the whole family will be melting down by noon. A great idea is to get to the park when it opens, then head back to the hotel midday for naps, rest and maybe swim. Then head back to a park in the late afternoon.

DSC02023

The Big Blue Pool at the Art of Animation Resort

Do pack small gifts that you can carry with you and give out when needed

toy

You can also find fun toys on etsy.com like this one from SweetsByEj.

There is merchandise to be bought everywhere you look. Before your vacation, visit a Disney Outlet or other related retailer (I always find stuff at Dollar Stores and Walgreens) to stock up on t-shirts, figurines, stickers and stuffed animals. You will save a lot of money when your kids are begging for something, and you can take out a surprise item for them!

Do not try to do everything

donald

There is so much to do and see, and you will want to do everything. Resist the urge. Pick out the rides and attractions you feel your children will enjoy the most. Your children are little, so keep it to one park a day. Remember: you want a reason to come back! There are different phases where kids can enjoy Disney!

Do not force your child to go on a ride if he or she is resistant

If your child does not want to go on a ride, see an attraction or meet a popular Disney mascot, do not try to force him or her. Even if you have waited an incredibly long time, or if you just “know” your child will love the ride, attraction, or their favorite Disney hero, let them skip it.

Do not forget sunblock

minnie

Even on cloudy days, everyone in your party needs sunblock. Unless you are at an inside ride or attraction, do not forget that there is very little shade at the parks. Even on colder days, the California or Florida sun can be very strong. Protect the skin of your whole family, especially our little ones who are more susceptible to burns. If you are traveling in the winter months you will still need it

Do not travel at the most crowded times of the year

If at all possible, try to avoid the most popular times. These include all major holidays, long weekends, and most of the summer. Try to pick the off times such as late September to early November, early December, mid January to early February, and early to mid May. While you will find crowds at all times, these times will be more manageable. Those lines will weigh on the you, and not to mention fussy toddlers.

Do not forget a light sweater and blankets for the evenings

The days may get incredibly warm, but as the sun sets it can get cooler. Depending on the month as well, the later half of the day and evenings can get really chilly. Make sure you pack a sweatshirt for every member of your party. For the little ones, you might even want to make sure you have a blanket they can snuggle under in their stroller.

EmbroideryMark makes a pillow, backpack, and blanket all in one! You can even get it personalized.

If you follow these easy tips you are sure to have a fantastic vacation! I cant guarantee there won’t be a meltdown here and there, but it will be much more manageable.

Jennifer is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner with Destinations In Florida travel, offering FREE concierge planning services for all guests. Contact her today for a FREE quote.

 

 

Related articles

Disney Beauty with Jay – Bring Out Your Good Side with Urban Decay’s Glinda Palette!

Published February 21, 2013 by Jay

It’s almost time for the release of Disney’s Oz the Great and Powerful and I’m so unbelievably excited! I’ve been a Disney fan my whole life and have always leaned more towards the imaginative, fantastical tales. Needless to say, I’ve been antsy to see Disney’s spin on a prequel to the Wizard of Oz ever since I heard it was in production. Even better? Companies in the fashion and beauty worlds have been releasing Oz-themed products leading up to the premiere. Of course I had to get my hands on them and today I bring you Urban Decay’s Glinda palette, inspired by the good witch of Oz.

Oz-The-Great-and-Powerful-Michelle-Williams-as-Glinda

The inspiration

Every photo in this post is set to enlarge when  you click on it – to show detail. The Glinda palette features 6 pans of eyeshadow, a high-gloss lip pencil, and a travel-sized eyeliner. The color palette is feminine and delicate, with a little edge thrown in. Glinda is described by Urban Decay as “graceful, fearless, and bewitchingly beautiful,” and this palette embodies those traits perfectly.

No flash pan

Top row, left to right: Tornado, Aura, Magic
24/7 Glide-on Eyeliner in Rockstar (a deep purple)
Bottom row, left to right: Illusion, Oz, South

Open

Palette and pencil

I immediately snapped up this palette because I think the colors are gorgeous, plus Urban Decay is one of my favorite beauty companies. They make products with amazing pigmentation and lasting power, so I know I’ll get plenty of use out of this palette. I’ve been playing with the pieces of this palette ever since I brought it home with me, but today bring you one of my favorite looks. Below are photos of the eye look, step by step – directions are in each photo caption. At the very end I’ll show you my before and after shot for comparison.

Highlight your brow bone & inner corner using Aura. I chose the pink side of this dual-pan.

Highlight your brow bone & inner corner using Aura (the irridescent split pan). I chose the pink side of this dual-pan.

Apply Illusion, the peach shade, across the lid. This color is a close match to my lid shade, but I assure you it's there!

Apply Illusion, the peach shade, across the lid. This color is a close match to my lid shade, but I assure you it’s there!

Use Magic (the pink shade with gold shimmer) to the crease, extending it out past the eye in a wing.

Use Magic (the pink shade with gold shimmer) to the upper lid and crease, extending it out past the eye in a wing.

Have trouble getting a clean wing extension? Try using a folded tissue as a guide.

Have trouble getting a clean wing extension? Try using a folded tissue as a guide.

Apply South (the silvery taupe) to the inner half of your lid, just below the crease. Blend with Illusion and Magic where they meet.

Apply South (the silvery taupe) to the inner half of your lid, just below the crease. Blend with Illusion and Magic where they meet.

Blend Tornado (the warm purple) along the outer V of your eye, extending it along your lower last line. Blend where it meets Magic and Illusion.

Blend Tornado (the warm purple) along the outer V of your eye, extending it along your lower last line. Blend where it meets Magic and Illusion.

Line top and bottom lash lines with the Rockstar liner and apply mascara. I also applied falsies for a little extra oomph.

Line top and bottom lash lines with the Rockstar liner and apply mascara. I also used the metallic silver of the Oz shadow along my lower last line and applied falsies for a little extra oomph.

You’re all done! This look is a quick, easy way to play with the majority of the colors in the palette. It’s feminine and delicate, but still is a step outside the average shadow look. When eyes are open, it looks pretty – the wow factor comes in when your lower your eyes, giving a peek at the whole lid. I dabbed on a little blush, then used the Glinda lip pencil included with the palette to color in my whole lip. Ready to see a before and after? Click to enlarge:

Before

Before

After

After

Kisses for a sweet look!

Kisses for a sweet look!

What do you think? Do you identify with the good witch? Think you could pull off her feminine but fearless look?

Next up – bringing out your dark side with the Urban Decay Theodora palette!

About Me –

My name is Jay and I’m new to the blogging scene! I’m a teacher in my mid-20’s and also work at a beauty retailer, which means I frequently get the inside scoop on new trends and products.

I have a love for beauty in all its forms and my blog Wayfaring Beauty reflects that. I have a dual focus on my blog – beauty and travel. Posts focus primarily on beauty products, but may occasionally collide with themes of places or veer off-course to highlight other things that I find beautiful in this world (such as places I’ve traveled or cultures I’ve encountered). I’ve traveled to countries in North America, South America, Europe, and Africa; my goal is to someday be able to say that I’ve stepped foot on every continent. I’ve been to Disney several times and love all things Disney-related, so Disneyways is the perfect spot for me to guest blog  🙂

Head on over to WayfaringBeauty.com to check out more of my posts! I post daily and love to hear back from my readers  🙂  You can also follow me on Twitter at @WayfaringBeauty.

Animal Kingdom Dining: 2 counter service options that offer the most bang for your buck (or dining credits!) – Posted by Jennifer

Published February 20, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Flame Tree BBQ is located near the Discovery Island Bridge to Dinoland. Flame Tree has beautiful views of Expedition Everest over the Discovery River, this is especially nice when the sun is setting over the mountain. All seating is located outdoors but there are some pavilions to shade you from the Florida sun. The BBQ menu features ½ Rib Platter with baked beans & cole slaw, 1/2 Smoked Chicken Platter with baked beans & cole slaw, Rib and Chicken Combo with baked beans and cole slaw,Pulled Pork Sandwich w/slaw, and Smoked Turkey breast as well as a Barbecue Salad (crispy lettuce, garbanzo and pinto beans, cheddar cheese, corn, and crispy tortilla strips). For dessert you can choose from Key Lime Mousse or Chocolate Mousse. On my last visit I had the Rib/Chicken Combo, my goodness is this a HUGE meal!

Certainly enough for 2 adults to split, if you are on the dining plan you can use 1 quick service credit and save a credit for another meal. The BBQ was a wonderful sweet flavor and you can find the not so secret recipe in a few Disney cookbooks. Flame Tree’s children’s menu offers a baked chicken drumstick with two sides, a hot dog or a PBJ Sandwich. You can also order fries or onion rings and assorted beverages. This location is open for lunch and dinner and does accept the Disney Dining Plan for 1 Quick Service credit.

quick-service-dp-1024x767
Next stop is Anandapur for Yak & Yeti counter service, this is another outdoor location for dining. Open for lunch and dinner, the Yak and Yeti Counter Service restaurant serves LARGE portions of Asian cuisine in cute little take-out cartons. Offering meals such as Honey Chicken, Sweet & Sour Chicken, and Beef Lo Mein – vegetarians don’t really have a lot of options here. They also serve an Asian Chicken Sandwich and Mandarin Chicken Salad. Side items are Egg Rolls, Fried Rice or Fries. The children’s menu offers Cheeseburger or Chicken Tenders served with carrots and fresh fruit . Dessert options here are Chocolate Cake, Frozen Lemonade or Chocolate Mousse. The Frozen Lemonade is a great choice on a hot Florida Day. Yak & Yeti is located close to two of Animal Kingdom’s most popular attractions, Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids, because of this the Yak and Yeti counter service restaurant can get busy during peak dining times. This location is 1 Dining Plan quick service credit, however the portions are very large and can easily be split between 2 people.

download

Both restaurants can be very cost efficient if you are paying out of pocket for your meals while in Disney. I highly recommend either restaurant when dining in Animal Kingdom for the cost, quality and portions. And don’t forget to keep the camera out as both of these locations have amazing views of the park! So sit back, relax and enjoy the meal as well as all of the gorgeous scenery that Disneys Animal Kingdom has to offer.

Jennifer is the author of this post, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner with Destinations in Florida Travel. Contact her here for a FREE no obligation quote when planning your next Disney Vacation.

World Secrets – 5 things you may not know about DiVine

Published February 19, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Experiencing a “DiVine” intervention during your visit to Animal Kingdom!

While walking through Animal Kingdom near Bradley Falls – on the pathway between Africa and Asia – you may see a curious site. A small crowd of park guests looking up, pointing and others walking by who will do a double take once they realize what is going on. Have they all lost their minds? Perhaps. It is more likely however that they  are admiring one of the most fantastic characters inside Animal Kingdom. Her name is DiVine, and she has been entertaining at Animal Kingdom since 1998.  She’s a character who is hired by Disney to help convey the park’s theme of teaching us that nature is invaluable.  She’s painted green, walks on stilts, and is wrapped in leaves and ivy to camouflage herself into the rest of the park’s foliage. In fact, if you get near her before the crowd gathers – you may find that DiVine blends so completely with Animal Kingdom’s dense flora that you may never notice her until she moves. These are photographs I took of her from a beautiful February day in 2013.

Look closely, I promise there is a person in every single one of these photos.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Do you want to know more DiVine secrets?

1.Truth be told there is more than one person who portrays DiVine, and she actually does not work directly for Disney. She is contracted by Disney through a company called Living World Entertainment.  Not only does DiVine appear at Disney’s Animal Kingdom she can also be booked for parties or other special occasions and events outside the theme park. Imagine the laughs you could get watching your friends and family react to this amazing creature appearing in your own back yard!

2. Everyone who portrays DiVine must have a background in dance and fine arts, and is expected to meet certain height and weight requirements. How does she stay so fresh in the hot summer months? Well, she uses a special body spray so the leaves and ivy don’t fall off of her. It is amazing to think of the time and attention to detail DiVine must go through in order to entertain guests.

3. DiVine can typically be found near the pathway between Africa and Asia inside the Animal Kingdom.  But did you know she also has appeared on occasion near the front entrance to the park?  Normally you will want to look for her between 10:00AM and 2:00PM.  She is not always listed on the Times Guide, but on this particular day I really lucked out and she was there.

4. DiVine does not make eye contact. In fact she often keeps her eyes closed and the expression on her face looks much like she is enjoying pure nirvana. You will never hear her speak. Like most plants – she is a great listener I suppose. She obviously cannot sign autographs, but I found her to be very accommodating to my camera and almost it was almost as if she were posing just for the entire crowd. She continues her contortions and movements while entertaining the crowd.

5. DiVine is on stilts so her height can vary between 7 and 16 feet depending on what she is doing with her hands and legs. She was so gorgeous and graceful, I could not resist filming her as well, and you can see the results of that below.

DiVine is fabulous and really something special. Next time you are in Animal Kingdom, I hope you’ll take the time to see her if you can.

Related articles

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

Dude, Where’s Our Stroller? A tip for helping your stroller stand out in the crowd at Disney ~ written by Jennifer

Published February 17, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Obviously when you go to Disney you have to expect strollers, it comes with the territory. What most do not expect is that there is stroller parking in each “Land” or area you visit, to help prevent clutter near the attraction entrances. The stroller parking areas are monitored by cast members, who have one job – playing musical strollers. When one stroller leaves the pack, the cast members organize the rest back in to nice neat lines. I cannot tell you how many times we came out of an attraction and played a game I like to call;

“Dude, wheres our stroller?”

We finally wised up to the stroller game and bought a balloon to add the the stroller for the week.

See the difference? Photo from wdwstrollers.com

I tell you there is extra Magic in Disney balloons! In our experience, Disney balloons can last an entire week without deflating! So on your next visit, put a bright tag or a balloon on your stroller to help it stand out from the rest. Don’t waste time and energy playing “Dude, where’s our stroller?”

stroller

Jennifer is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner with Destinations in Florida. It costs nothing extra to use a travel planner and you get lots of great perks. Free autograph books, coloring sheets, hidden Mickey hunts and more!