What’s with the ubiquitous Disney snack – the turkey leg?
They are a really big deal! Just like a rock band – they even have T-Shirts! You can find the shirts right in the shops of Main Street at Disney World.
It’s one thing that probably won’t be in my wordrobe any time soon. I enjoyed this article in the Orlando Sentinel. It goes a little deeper into why a turkey appendage could possibly be a big deal at Disney, and what Andrew Zimmern from Bizarre Foods thinks about it all. It looks like the author and I share a lot of similar feelings on the matter.
Do not adjust your computer – these are real pictures – and yes – that is a turkey leg scented air-freshener. What do turkey legs have to do with Disney?
Forget that new car smell! If you are a fan of not only the sights but the SMELLS of Disney this is for you!! Disney has released these air fresheners to be purchased in Disney World and Disneyland. They have worked on them for a whole year and the last time I checked, they were still available for purchase in the parks. I’m not so sure the turkey leg smell is my thing. I imagine the dogs in the neighborhood might all want to break into my car. It’s OK though – there are other options. The ice cream freshener is scented to smell like (what else?) a Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar. These are candy apple and mickey waffle scented – respectively. My experience with these kinds of fresheners is that the scent is really strong for the first day or so and then the rest of the month…it just makes for a cool decoration to hang from my rear-view mirror. Could the Disney magic and pixie dust on these particular air fresheners prove me wrong this time? Perhaps I will buy a collection of them and at the end of the year when the smells are gone– there will be enough to decorate my Christmas tree! I bet my husband would love that – NOT. Just kidding, but you have to admit this is yet another creative idea from Disney and they ARE kinda cute!
Who doesn’t love Crush from the Finding Nemo movie? I came across this today and I’ve had a ball sending it to my friends and family. I thought I’d share it with my Disneyways readers so you can create your own personalized video message from Crush too!
Click this link to go to the page where you can create your message. You don’t have to be on (or logged in to) facebook for this to work. About mid-page you’ll see an envelope with a circle around it. Click on that. Fill in all the fields (except the optional nickname since that doesn’t seem to do anything or matter).
Then hit the bubble at the bottom that says “make”…
From here you can have your choice of ways to share. I like email (the bubble furthest to the right) because I prefer not to give too much access to my connections on facebook or twitter…and that’s what this app will want you to do. It will probably also force you to log in to your facebook or twitter account to continue – and I really didn’t have time for that.
The next option is “Whom would you like to send this eCard to?” You can type in your card recipiant’s name again. Next is where I changed things up a bit. In the “Friends Email” option I put MY OWN email address. I created about 5 cards for 5 different recipients and sent them all to my personal email address. Crush didn’t seem to mind a bit – so I don’t think there is a limit of times you can do this.
Then when you login to your email account – the card is there in your inbox. It is beautiful and full of graphics. Keep in mind you still need to send a copy to your chosen card recipient and you may want to listen to make sure Crush says their name and location correctly before forwarding. My personal choice was to take the link off of the bottom of the card, paste it into another email and send only THAT to my friends and family, with a personal note from myself attached. This avoids any issues of them having trouble seeing it in all of it’s beautiful computer graphic glory when they view the card.
Crush was not able to say my cousin’s name (Brianne) so I had to choose for him to say Breana. Then when I sent her the note I told her that Crush’s Australian accent made his Brianne sound like Breana. I thought she’d get a kick out of that…and that was an added perk of sending it to myself first. I was able to customize it even further for her with a note from me. You can use this secret too if your card recipients have names Crush can’t pronounce.
Disney gets the benefit of advertising links on the bottom of this card being sent to your friends and family. I figure it’s a small price to pay for the fact that they created such an adorable personalized card AND made it free for us to use as many times as we’d like. I hope you have as much fun with this as I did! If you give it a try will you please write and let me know how it worked for you? Party on Dudes! Crush and I hope you have a totally awesome day!
Twitter was buzzing yesterday with announcements that Big Thunder was testing! It seems like we’ve been waiting for construction to finish forever but testing means we are so close to the grand re-opening! Monday is the official first day we can take the wildest ride in the wilderness – and I for one – am so excited I can hardly stand it. Check out these amazing pictures and posts from bloggers who were actually there!
John Frost, one of my blogging heroes, actually got to RIDE Big Thunder yesterday! Check out his write –up if you are interested in his honest review! There’s going to be a wider queue with added show scenes AND….wait for it….air conditioning!!! Yippee!!
What do you think? Are you going to head out for the big day tomorrow? Please send me your pictures and stories from the big day! My email address is disneyways@gmail.com.
Disney has just released booking dates for the 2012 EPCOT International Food & Wine Events. Food and Wine will take place September 28, 2012–November 11, 2012. The date to call and book your events is August 10th at 7:00AM (eastern) for Annual and Seasonal Pass Holders, DVC Members, Tables in Wonderland Members and Golden Oak Residents. On August 14th at 7:00AM (eastern) all festival programming will open for booking for everyone. We will get additional information on all of the event celebrity guests and cooking demonstrations in the near future! You may want to subscribe to Disneyways by typing in your email address on the right hand side of this page – so you can be one of the first to know!
Here’s a video so we can reminisce about last year’s event!
I graduated high school in 1993. I am very proud to be a part of what I consider the “big hair” generation. Just like the girl in the Peanuts cartoons – I enthusiastically embraced my “naturally curly hair”. Just to prove it – here’s a picture of me at about that time.
You can stop laughing now. I still love my big hair, I just style it a little differently. Have you seen the trailers for the brand new Disney Pixar movie coming out on June 22nd? It’s called Brave, and I know it sounds weird, but bringing big hair back may be one of the things that excites me most about this movie. Merida is the main character, a skilled archer, inadvertent unleasher of chaos, a beastly curse undoer, even a Disney Princess for the feminists – and she does all of this while redefining what it meant to have beautiful BIG hair. I haven’t even seen the movie and I love her already.
Speaking of Disney Pixar movies…summer is upon us here in Florida, and I think it’s way too hot to be outside. That’s why I want to tell you about the Disney Pixar Summer Movie Weekend. In the midst of remembering our fallen heroes, along with all the planning and grilling this weekend, you just might want to find some time to relax and unwind! It’s pretty exciting that Disney is bringing back some Pixar classics. That’s right – this weekend you can catch Ratatouille, Toy Story 3, Up, and Wall-E at participating AMC Theaters. Prices vary but many tickets are just $6! Click here to get tickets and a list of participating AMC Theaters.
Maybe you’re more like me. To be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of seeing movies in theaters. Why risk having some kid kick my chair through the whole thing when 2 months later I could sit on my couch with my dog and enjoy the movie on my own time? Pixar movies, however, are an exception. One has to be in a real movie theater to fully appreciate the graphics, sound, and detail of these movies. My fantasy is to head to AMC Downtown Disney 24 Dine-in Theater to see Ratatouille for the Saturday showing. I haven’t had a chance to go to the new theater or (I’m ashamed to say it…) to see Ratatouille! Alas, with so much going on, I’m afraid it will just remain a fantasy.
I will try to plan a little better and get out to see Brave after June 22nd. Who knows? Maybe I will even put on my MC Hammer pants and do a little dance for everyone in line for tickets that day. (Please Hammer – don’t hurt ‘em!!) I will definitely use lots of mousse and a diffuser on my hair for the occasion – that’s a given. At least I will look hot when they haul me off to crazy town.
You know how sometimes in life you are lucky enough to meet some REALLY great and interesting people? Well, that’s what happened to me the day I met Christine MacPhail. Christine is not only a wonderful person, she has (in my opinion) one of the coolest jobs EVER. No office grind for this lady! Christine owns her own business and has made her living as a harpist for the past 25 years. One of her favorite places to play is Disney World. Specifically she has played the harp for Victoria and Albert‘s in the Grand Floridian Resort, and for dozens of Disney weddings all over the property (not to mention the state of Florida). I asked Christine what she loves most about Disney weddings. She was happy to answer, and even threw in some advice for Disney brides.
“I really love what I do,” said Christine. “It is an honor to be part of the special moments in people’s lives. At Disney the weddings always have that extra magical touch. It seems the excitement and anticipation that children have about visiting Disney World comes alive again in the bride and groom! The Wedding Pavillion is lovely, and I really like the small intimate weddings at locations such as the Boardwalk or the Yacht Club. I really enjoy seeing the little Disney touches, such as glass slipper place card holders or Mickey and Minnie cake toppers! Most of the couples request Disney music which is always fun for me. “When You Wish Upon a Star” is a perfect recessional song! My only advice would be that after all the preparations have been made, just relax and enjoy your special day!”
Here is a great shot of Christine at Disney’s Boardwalk (click to enlarge).
You can see the bride and groom through the strings.
Photo credit: Misty Miotto
How does one get into the business of harping? When Christine MacPhail was 6 years old she was in a museum with her family and saw a harp there. Her father ran his fingers along the strings and she was hooked! She started taking lessons and has not stopped since. When she was in college a few friends asked her to play her harp for their wedding ceremonies, and that grew into a business. Fast forward 25 years and Christine is still doing what she loves…and talk about talent?! She can play all sorts of music genres that you might never have imagined coming from a harp. She will amaze you with some of her facebook posts on what she calls “Music Monday” You can like her fanpage on facebook here so you don’t miss a note!
***To learn more about Disney Weddings click here***
***To Download your own Disney Wedding Brochure click here***
Each fall, Disney brings us encouragement and joy through the acts booked for Night of Joy. Dates have been announced and are already on sale (click here to see ticket pricing)! Remember this event is not included in your regular price of admission for Magic Kingdom or even annual passes. It costs extra – so be prepared to leave the park by 7PM if you don’t have Night of Joy tickets. This is a can’t miss event if you love your Christian music sandwiched between rides on the Teacups and Space Mountain!
I think Disney works pretty hard to make sure there is a balance of high energy music and softer stuff for people like me…here’s the lineup if you want to mark you calender.
Performing Friday, September 7, 2012: Casting Crowns Chris Tomlin NEEDTOBREATHE RED Francesca Battistelli (Author’s note: I LOVE her music.) Brandon Heath Royal Tailor Disciple
Performing Saturday, September 8, 2012: MercyMe Third Day Kutless Chris August Lecrae Yolanda Adams Thousand Foot Krutch Dara Maclean
So who’s been…and who’s going this year? Please leave me a note or find me on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/disneyways – I look forward to hearing from you!
UPDATE May 2014: Saratoga Springs is no longer offering this program.
This is my Mom. Isn’t she a cutie?
My Mom loves flowers. She has a green thumb that I did NOT inherit! I needed a great and original idea for my Mom this year – and I think I found just the right thing. Today I thought I’d share with you what I found out about the Floral Experience at Community Hall in Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and spa.
This is so cool!
The floral experience helps us learn how to take ordinary fresh flowers and design a Disney-themed keepsake arrangement to take home. Disney says that in the process Mom will impress family and friends by “learning magical design tricks of the trade” and have the “experience of a lifetime” becoming a Walt Disney World florist for a day! So not only will we be giving her a gift of flowers, we will also be able to share that time and experience together at Disney…no park admission required! By the way, you don’t have to have a Mom or be a Mom to enjoy this experience. It’s all year round and really for anyone who enjoys this sort of thing.
(Hint!) There is no age limit on this class and almost anyone can learn how to design a Disney-themed floral keepsake…so if Dad isn’t into arranging flowers … this might be the perfect thing for a wife and daughter to enjoy together as a Mother’s Day gift. The class is one hour in duration and held every Wednesday from 2:30-3:30PM and costs $50 a person. You can book this up to 180 days in advance and in fact, reservations are required for this activity. Disney needs the advanced notice to determine supplies, therefore walk-ups are not accepted. Activity, take-home arrangement and items used to create it are subject to change without notice. There is a 2 Day cancellation policy so be sure and review that with the booking agent. The number to call and register is 407-WDW-PLAY.
My plan is to book the experience (if she can get a day off work!) and present my Mom with a card on Mother’s Day with all the details included. This way so she will know s what to expect and when. The bonus is she will have a beautiful arrangement when all the flowers from Mother’s Day are long gone. We all want to be the favorite kid so maybe this will get me some brownie points!
Please let me know if you decide to do the floral experience (or if you’ve already done it) and maybe we can post our experiences on Disneyways in the future!
Get all the most frequently asked questions about the New Fantasyland Expansion happening at Walt Disney World answered in about 2 minutes with this video posted by the Orlando Sentinel. Let’s hear it for short and sweet! YAY!
Disneyways 