Monday, December 31, 2012

New Year's Eve at Plus the Magic...

It's New Year's Eve! Have you ever had the pleasure of ringing in the new year with the mouse? How does Disney plus the magic for New Year's Eve? I have yet to spend any holidays in the parks- if you have, please share a special holiday memory with us, or tell us about a way you've seen or heard that Disney plusses the magic for holidays.

As 2012 draws to a close, thank you for helping me get this little magical endeavor off the ground- it's been great hearing your feedback, and it's been lots of fun having a creative outlet for these magical musings.

Monday, December 24, 2012

A special ornament...

I almost didn't buy the ornament that first year; there was something about shopping for Christmas decorations while it was 95 degrees outside that didn't feel quite right to me. I fell in love with this gorgeous piece of glass, though, so I promptly bought it, stashed it in the attic once we were home, and forgot about it.

Fast forward seven months- I'm getting ready to decorate our tree, and I spot the small white box with a Mickey sticker holding it closed. I smile when I pick up the box, and as I open it, I'm instantly transported back to my favorite place.

Hanging that ornament on our tree prompted my family to reminisce about our favorite trip, and made us long for a return visit. We've returned several times since then- and I make sure to buy a new ornament every time. It's one of the ways we plus the magic at home.


My first one... and it remains my favorite.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Favorites on Friday....

Fridays will feature various favorites from Disney Parks- favorite foods, favorite attractions, favorite spots, and more. This time, it's Favorite Foods...

Ah, food. A most important part of any visit to the parks and resorts. Countless things are written every day about the magic of food at WDW. (Be sure to check out www.disneyfoodblog.com for the most amazing array of food-related info you could ever want). For many people, a major part of the magic is planning advanced dining reservations, sampling their favorite treats, or trying out new dishes around the parks and resorts.

First up: my favorite salad. I dream about this salad. It's the Roasted Beets and Goat Cheese Salad with sherry dressing, found at Sunshine Seasons in The Land pavilion at Epcot. This is my perfect salad- often attempted at home, but never quite making it to the level of perfection found at Sunshine Seasons. The tender greens, the perfectly-roasted beets, the creamy herbed cheese, the candied pecans, the sesame-sprinkled flatbread ribbon....



Have you tried this salad? What's your favorite salad in WDW?

Monday, December 3, 2012

Hidden Mickeys

Searching for Hidden Mickeys is one of my favorite WDW pastimes. A Hidden Mickey is a representation of Mickey Mouse that has been subtly inserted into the design of a ride, attraction, or other location in a Disney park or resort. Imagineers and cast members have found ways to plus the magic by hiding Mickey in all sorts of unexpected places throughout Disney properties. A Hidden Mickey can take many forms, but the “Classic Mickey” is three circles, representing the silhouette of Mickey’s head and ears. The circles should be of proper proportion (head larger than ears), and they should have proper placement. For in-depth information on Hidden Mickeys, I recommend Steve Barrett’s books and website, www.hiddenmickeyguy.com.  Here on Plus the Magic, we’ll occasionally post a picture of a Hidden Mickey we’ve discovered. You’re invited to guess the location in the comments, or tell us about your favorite Hidden Mickeys…

Have you spotted this one while strolling through World Showcase?

Monday, November 26, 2012

Buttons

Buttons (not to be confused with pins...we'll talk about pins later) are a simple little way to plus the magic while you're at WDW. Buttons recognizing special events are available, free of charge, from the front desk of your resort or from Guest Services in the parks. There are buttons recognizing birthdays, anniversaries, first visits, and more. Wearing a button will most certainly garner you lots of smiles and well-wishes from guests and CMs thoughout your stay. These buttons have now become ubiquitous, and it's hard to take a bus ride or stand in a queue without seeing one on at least one side of you. Many people feel that they've lost their specialness because of this. Are there people saying,"What will I get if I wear a button"? Sure. Some people may be using them in the hopes that they'll get some pixie dust- perhaps a free dessert, an upgrade, or something else. Don't let that stop you from partaking in the real spirit of these buttons, the real plus of the warm feeling when a stranger gives you a smile and a heartfelt wish for your special day. If you're celebrating, wear a button- you'll be certain to experience some fun and heart-felt greetings and well-wishes (and on increasingly rarer occassions, perhaps some tiny sprinkling of pixie dust- but don't count on it, or expect it!)...

Sunday, November 25, 2012

The elusive towel animal.....

"Towel Animal" is a term I was not familiar with before I started learning about the Disneysphere. I have a vague recollection of seeing one on a long- ago (non-Disney) cruise, but I really had no idea how important they can be to some people. Some housekeeping personnel (or mousekeepers, as they have lovingly been nick-named) will leave towels and washcloth playfully folded into animal or other shapes when they clean your room. It's not guaranteed, and not all mousekeepers seem to have the know-how, the desire, or the time to engage in this textile artform. Many guests, however, take the presence- or lack thereof- of towel animals as a very important part of the resort experience. I never really understood what the big deal was, until I spent several WDW vacations....without getting a towel animal. We'd walk by other peole's rooms at Moderate resorts, and see towel animals propped up in the windows. I would read about other people's towel animals on blogs and forums. Some people had been to WDW several times, and had never not gotten towel animals! Finally, my time had come. I was probably a little happier than necessary when I returned to my room during our last visit at Beach Club, and found a towel animal! And another the next day! And still more throughout the week! Mousekeeper Michelle had come through for us, and boy did it add a little spark each day...


a rabbit...


an elephant, wearing the sunglasses we had left on the dresser...



a snail....



...kissing swans...


not quite sure what this one is...any ideas?

How do you plus the experience of waiting for your table?

Waiting for your table at a restaurant...it's fact of life anywhere, and one that all WDW visitors will experience at one time or another. How do you plus the experience of waiting for a table, especially when there are five hungry children in tow? Just leave a few hula hoops in the waiting area...



Just outside Trail's End at Fort Wilderness...

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Testing...testing...1...2...3...

Testing the waters...


During my first visit to Disneyland, I discovered these "Pardon our Pixie Dust" signs throughout the park- the massive undertaking of the creation of Carsland was in full swing. I can't wait to get back out west to see the finished product...