Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be holding the “Spring Break in the City Dance Party” for the remainder of the week. Positioned at Streets of America and 8th Avenue (where the Spectacle of Dancing Lights stage is typically positioned), a DJ will be performing starting at 12:30 p.m. and continuing into the evening hours, daily through Saturday, April 6. There will be music and activities for the whole family!
In other news, the last performance of the Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun Parade and Disney Channel Rocks! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be Saturday, April 6.
In fact, I have had so much fun that I wanted to share – and extend an invitation to others to guest blog here at Disneyways!
Anyone can apply but special consideration will be given to my current readers and subscribers.
This is because many of you all have been with me since the beginning, so you are familiar with our mission statement and the positive, upbeat feel of our site.
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?”
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!
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.
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!
I searched for a long time. I wanted to find just the right video to give you a feeling of what it was really like in the early days of previews for the Be Our Guest Restaurant in the New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom. The first time I saw that waterfall outside I almost cried. You read about something so historical in Disney history (like the opening of New Fantasyland), see pictures, read some more, look forward to it…and once you get there in real life…well…it was hard for me not to be overwhelmed. Even though I have probably been there 20 times since then, and even got to have dinner in the new restaurant, I am still like a little kid and totally impressed none the less! This video is special because it is from those early days when it was so new – it hadn’t been seen by much of the public. It may never be this quiet and empty again during opening hours, so this is a special memory for me. Thank you wdwmagic.com for sharing. Enjoy!
This video reminds me of those shows on TV that give you the “real” Hollywood story. I have seen Gaston in person, and I am too bashful to talk to him.
That’s why I was so thrilled to find this!
Here is Gaston, doing what he does best. The ladies love him!
Props to InsideTheMagic.net for the awesome video!
As you enter the Be Our Guest Restaurant inside Disney World’s New Fantasyland, you will see knights standing guard in the hallway to your right. Stop and listen for a moment.
You just might hear the knights whispering to each other! Great video from Zannaland.com and DisneyFoodBlog.com!
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.
Disneyways 