Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Wordless Wednesday: Sidekicks



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Thanks to Deb @ Focused on the Magic  for hosting 
the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop! 

If you hopped over, I invite you to check out my other posts, and please consider joining the blog or following on twitter.


Check out all the other Wordless Wednesday links by clicking below, 

and remember to share some comment love...


Focused on the Magic


Monday, January 27, 2014

Attention to detail: Easter Eggs in the Muppets Most Wanted Trailer

By now, you've likely seen the great trailer for the much-anticipated Muppets Most Wanted, due to ht theaters on March 21. I cannot wait to see this film!

Did you catch the scene where  Dominic Badguy (pronounced "BAH-gee", of course) is introducing himself to our Muppet friends? He shows them- and us- his business card. To get a taste of attention to detail in action, make sure to visit the website advertised on his card. Once you've done that, go ahead- give his phone number a call...


Sunday, January 26, 2014

The vintage ashtray...

I'm a sucker for vintage WDW merchandise. Anything with old logos, opening attractions, and iconic signage catches my eye right away. This 70s-era green ceramic ashtray I recently spotted on ebay fit the bill for a must-have part of my collection. It was in great shape, with no visible wear, scratches, or chips in the ceramic. The green hexagonal starburst design is surrounded by the WDW logo, and five iconic attractions: Haunted Mansion, the Contemporary Resort, Cinderella Castle, Jungle Cruise, and the Admiral Joe Fowler.













And on the back? It's been a while since I noticed this on anything in a gift shop:

Walt Disney Productions- made in the USA


I have no idea of the age of this piece, but I've seen a few of them on ebay recently- including a beautiful red/orange sunburst version, which might just be my next purchase. If any of you readers have an idea about when these ashtrays were sold in the park, I'd love to hear about it.


Do you have any vintage Walt Disney World pieces in your collection? What's your favorite source for rare finds? Tell us about it in the comments...

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Wordless Wednesday: Parades





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Thanks to Deb @ Focused on the Magic  for hosting 
the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop! 

If you hopped over, I invite you to check out my other posts, and please consider joining the blog or following on twitter.


Check out all the other Wordless Wednesday links by clicking below, 

and remember to share some comment love...


Focused on the Magic

Monday, January 20, 2014

Links I've Liked Lately...



I love catching up on my favorite blogs from the Disney fan community. Lately, it seems like I'm falling behind more often than not, so when I get a chance to kick back and relax and read up on what I've been missing, it feels like an indulgent treat. 

So little time, so much to read... and so much to share!



Here are a few things that caught my eye recently....









  • Estelle from This Happy Place Blog found a charming miniature set design from The Muppets Take Manhattan during a recent visit to Museum of the Moving Image. 






  • Melissa at Disney on Wheels shares some ideas for Disney Fun in January- things to do during these lower-crowd days this time of year. 



What caught your eye in the Disney blogosphere lately? Share with us in the comments...

Saturday, January 18, 2014

#DisneySide @ Home Celebration!


I got some magical mail....




I'm excited to participate in a #DisneySide @ Home Celebration, being planned at homes around the country! Back in December, Disney Parks and MomSelect put out a call for people interested in hosting, and sent a link to an application page. I was one of the many selected to participate. Watch this space- as well as social media channels like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest- for plans, updates, and party details!

Right now I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my #DisneySide party planning kit. I've gotten a glimpse at a few posts from people who have already received their package, and from what I've seen, the contents look great! I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, check out great celebration ideas at disneysidecelebrations.com, and see photos and videos of fans showing their #DisneySide at disneyside.com!

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Wordless Wednesday: The Letter S



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Thanks to Deb @ Focused on the Magic  for hosting 
the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop! 

If you hopped over, I invite you to check out my other posts, and please consider joining the blog or following on twitter.


Check out all the other Wordless Wednesday links by clicking below, 

and remember to share some comment love...


Focused on the Magic

Monday, January 13, 2014

runDisney Expedition Everest Challenge

I did it- I took the plunge. I registered for my second runDisney race. Expedition Everest Challenge, here I come!

photo shared via runDisney.com

The first weekend in May, I'll taking on the Everest Challenge, in Disney's Animal Kingdom. This event has a few interesting features that I can't wait to experience. It's a night time 5K combined with an obstacle course, followed by a scavenger hunt through the park. After completing the 5K and obstacle course portion of the event, runners must then race to various locations around the park, deciphering clues that will eventually lead them to the after-party. Scavenger hunt, deciphering clues, partying in the park late at night? This event has my name written all over it!

One more thing... see that medal up there? It opens up to reveal a real compass. This will be MINE! 

I'll be racing once again with my sister. Neither of us has ever done a race at night before. How about you? Have you raced at night? Have you done the Everest Challenge? Tell us about it in the comments...

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Wordless Wednesday: Our Disney Side



Sometimes our #DisneySide is a quiet view through a drafty window, with favorite mouse ears looking out on a snowy neighborhood... longing for warmer days, sunshine, and a visit to the parks. 
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Thanks to Deb @ Focused on the Magic  for hosting 
the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop! 

If you hopped over, I invite you to check out my other posts, and please consider joining the blog or following on twitter.


Check out all the other Wordless Wednesday links by clicking below, 

and remember to share some comment love...


Focused on the Magic

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Epcot's Bead Outpost



Have you made a visit to the Bead Outpost yet? Tucked back along the African Outpost walkway between China and Germany lies the Bead Outpost- a colorful kiosk offering unique jewelry made from sustainable, handcrafted beads. 




What makes these beads so interesting? They're made out of recycled Disney maps! According to the sign on the wall of the kiosk:

  • Disney guide maps and other outdated Disney paper products are collected here at Walt Disney World.
  •  Hand selected, colorful papers are then recycled by being shipped to Africa where they are hand rolled into unique beads.
  •  Each bead represents the care and craftsmanship of its artist.
  •  The extremely durable, water resistant paper beads are then returned to Walt Disney World where guests can choose their own beads and string their own works of art.





I love the idea that park maps- which would otherwise be waste- are turned into something beautiful. (On an environmental level, though, I'm not sure how green this project is. How many recycled maps does it take to offset the impact of shipping the materials to and from Africa? But I digress...) 

The signage seems to indicate the availability of individual beads for sale, and being able to string your own. I have not seen this. On each of my visits, there were plenty of already-assembled jewelry pieces, but no individual beads for sale. The prices on the jewelry are very reasonable- certainly one of the more affordable jewelry souvenirs available in the parks. Prices range from $7 to $20, depending on the style and size of the piece. 








A Hidden Mickey, spotted on the kiosk counter...



Jewelry pieces come in brights, pastels, and neutral color schemes. I go back and forth on which I prefer, but I think I might like the neutrals best. 


Have you visited the Bead Outpost? What do you think about this map recycling project? Have you purchased any jewelry? Tell us about it in the comments...




Friday, January 3, 2014

Favorites on Friday: Soup

From time to time on Fridays, we feature various favorites from Disney Parks- favorite foods, favorite attractions, favorite spots, and more. This time, we're talking soup...


Snow and frigid temperatures here make me think of one thing: soup!

Today's Favorite on Friday is my favorite soup- the Smoky Portobello Soup from Artist Point, at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.

It's not just my favorite soup- it's also quite possibly the most delicious thing I've ever had on Disney property.

It's that good, folks.


Smoky Portobello Soup, Artist Point

The soup is a creamy portobello puree, with flavors incredibly intense and richly layered. It's topped with chive oil and crispy roasted shitake mushrooms, which somehow end up with a taste and consistency that can be describes as... baconesque. The presentation was lovely- an oversized platter-rimmed bowl, framing a serving of soup in such a way that you just know you're about to taste something exquisite. Alas, the serving size is smaller than I would have liked. It leaves you wanting more- but I'm not sure if it's really a small serving, or if it just feels this way because it's so delicious. I could have eaten three bowls in rapid succession. I want some right now.

With all the incredible food options at the parks and resorts, is it crazy to think that a soup is my absolute favorite? Taste the Smoky Portobello Soup at Artist Point, and let me know...


Have you tried this soup? What's your favorite dish? Tell us in the comments...

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Wordless Wednesday: January Calendar Shot




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Thanks to Deb @ Focused on the Magic  for hosting 
the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop! 

If you hopped over, I invite you to check out my other posts, and please consider joining the blog or following on twitter.


Check out all the other Wordless Wednesday links by clicking below, 

and remember to share some comment love...


Focused on the Magic