Showing posts with label C: Play Here. Show all posts
Showing posts with label C: Play Here. Show all posts

Saturday, August 23, 2014

DisneyBounding: What Is It And How Can I Do It?

Whether you've never been to the parks, or you're annual pass holders, you may not be aware of a trend within the inner circle of Disney fanatics. It's called DisneyBounding. It's very simple - take the "essence" of your favorite character and using pieces of your own wardrobe (to that of a friend) you simply recreate that essence.

Example: Snow White, as you would find her in the Magic Kingdom



Her basic attire essence is a yellow skirt, yellow bow shoes, a blue top, and red cape. 

The DisneyBounding version?

Yellow bottoms, blue top, red accent piece, yellow shoes, and accessorizing (only if you choose to!) with an adorable apple necklace and blue bracelet. All easy pieces that you may already have in your closet!  Got it?

Okay, this time, no hints... Who do you know that wears a white and blue dress, LOVES to read, and has a big blue bow in her hair?

Time's up! It's Belle! Now how easy would this be - a simple white shirt, blue skirt, book necklace, black shoes, and big blue blow? Super, super easy.

My favorite thing about DisneyBounding? It's not just for kids! Anyone, any age, and size, any anything can DisneyBound! So go ahead, think of your favorite character, and imagine what you have in your own closet that you can throw together and start your own DisneyBounding adventure!  Pocahontas? Ariel? Elsa? Marie? Whatever you choose, you will be amazing!

See ya real soon!


ºoº ~ Karen


Thursday, August 7, 2014

Magic Band Testing Dates for MyMagic+

For my clients who are traveling this fall, here are some dates to help you know if your resort will be included in My Magic Band testing:


October 7 to October 31 2013

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

What's New Wednesday: 2015 is released in 2 weeks, Frozen Summer, and Caribbean Beach's New Queen Beds!

We interrupt this summer break to tell you What's New Wednesday! (Don't worry, I'll keep it short and sweet so you can get back to the pool!)

First and foremost, I have a TON of you that are asking for 2015 dates for your reservation! I am so happy to announce that they will release on the 30th! Between now and then, let's connect and begin planning your trip so that ON the 30th, I'll already have your reservation put on a no-obligation 7-day hold.

Monday, June 2, 2014

Theme Park Thursday: EPCOT

It's Theme Park Thursday, where we spotlight something about one of our favorite parks. I recently had a mom ask me "I've got a 10 year old boy. Is he going to find EPCOT boring?" Well absolutely not! Here are some things that you may not know about this park:

She Says: 

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

What's New Wednesday: Doc McStuffins, Hopping Added to FastPass+, a Brand New Dedication for the Seven Dwarfs, and Hollywood Studios' Birthday!

What's new this Wednesday?

First, Doc McStuffins, that lovable little girl who fixes boo boos and ouchies from all her favorite animals in her playhouse clinic will be making meeting and greeting her favorite little fans in Disney California Adventure Park, beginning May 5th! Her appearances are expected to last through the end of July, but we're hoping it's much longer!

Second, Disney has heard your requests to accommodate park hopping in the FastPass selections.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Offsite Guests Testing FastPass+ for Animal Kingdom, and a New Lineup at Hollywood and Vine

If you follow my Wish Upon A Star page, you know that on Wednesdays we do a little thing called "What's New Wednesday". I polled a couple of clients this week and we decided together that I would also start posting WNWs here, so they'd be easy to find if they got lost in FB space!

Here's what's new this week:

Starting TODAY at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the FastPass+ system will spread its wings even

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Public Outdoor Ice Skating at Disneyland's Downtown Disney

Looking for something fun to do at Disneyland? Try out Olaf's Frozen Ice Rink in Downtown Disney! How cute is this? Check it out here:  

ºOº ~ Karen 

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Eat to the Beat, at Disney's EPCOT


Every year, coinciding with the Food and WIne Festival at EPCOT, Disney invites some wonderful musical acts from the 70's, 80's and 90's to perform for you for FREE with your park ticket admission!  You simply come in, enjoy the park, and enjoy your show, with our without snacks in hand!  
Daily show times for the Eat to the Beat Concert Series take place at 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM.  
New acts this year include the Go-Go’s, Edwin McCain, The Manhattan Transfer, Wilson Phillips, Spin Doctors and

WIlderness Explorers at Animal Kingdom


Does your inner boy scout love to explore? Did you LOVE the movie "Up"? Well now YOU can be a WIlderness Explorer, just like Russell! Discover the nature all around Animal Kingdom, as your "Troop Leaders" (aka Cast Members) assist you in taking on challenges and activities around the park.  
Like Russell, you can earn badges for tracking animals, learning animal communication methods, or learning about African culture, exploring dinosaur fossils, or even recycling!
Becoming a Wilderness Explorer is a Walk in the Park
Earn all of your "badges" as you head through the park this fall. (And moms who like to keep moments, let me just say you have a FABULOUS scrapbooking opportunity.) ;-)

Night of Joy 2013


Disney's contemporary Christian music event is back for another year, September 6th and 7th! Night of Joy (which has really evolved to be TWO nights of Joy - how awesome is that?!?) is celebrating it's 30th year!!! Held inside the Magic Kingdom, performances from your favorite contemporary Christian artists will take place at several stages onsite between 7 pm and 12:30 am, after the early closure of the park to non-ticketed guests. Yes, you CAN ride some of your favorite rides between jam sessions! 
Check out this lineup: 

Friday, September 6

  • Skillet
  • MercyMe
  • Michael W. Smith
  • Stephen Curtis Chapman
  • Audio Adrenaline
  • Mandisa 
  • for King & Country
  • Moriah Peters
  • We As Human
  • City Harbor

Saturday, September 7

  • Newsboys
  • Toby Mac
  • Francesca Battistelli
  • Building 429
  • Group 1 Crew
  • Matthew West
  • PLUMB
  • Jamie Grace
I cannot believe this lineup! And if that's not enough, Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith will perform together live, on the same stage! Woooo hooo!  

So here are the details about this event:

Night of Joy tickets are a special ticket. They get you into the park starting at 4 pm. You do not need to use your regular ticket to get in IF you are coming after 4 pm, but you MUST have a night of Joy ticket.
Prices are: $55.00 (plus tax) per person (all ages) for one night, with group tickets starting at $51 (plus tax) per person (all ages). Tickets for both nights are $99.00, plus tax for one person, and $94.00, plus tax per person for groups.
If this is ALL YOU, get your tickets early - they sell out in advance!


ºOº Karen

7.30

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Monstrous Summer 2013 - Part 2 of 3 - Who to see, what to know, andwhere to go this summer at Disney...

Be sure and check out Mike and Sully's Monsters University Stage Show at Hollywood Studios. This Homecoming Party features the monsters of rock, Scare Supply, and are joined by our favorites, Mike Wazowski and James P. "Sulley" Sullivan!

You can catch this crew all summer long, along with "campus" cheerleaders who will teach you the Monsters University fight song!

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Star Wars Weekends 2013 - Part 1 of 3 - Who to see, what to know, andwhere to go this summer at Disney...

Part 1: Who to See...
You know it, you love it - Star Wars Weekends is back at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Who to see: Actors and voice actors from Star Wars amd Star Wars: The Clone Wars are back for this annual event. Each weekend, the following stars will appear as well as your hosts, James Arnold Taylor and Ashley Eckstein.  Here's a list of scheduled celebrities for this year's event:

Weekend I (May 17–19)
Ray Park (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett – Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)
Dee Bradley Baker (voice of Captain Rex – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend II (May 24-26) - Also Memorial Day Weekend, AND 24-hr day weekend
Ray Park (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok – Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)
Jim Cummings (voice of Hondo Ohnaka – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend III (May 31 – June 2)
Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok – Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)
Tim Rose (Admiral Ackbar – Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)
Sam Witwer (voice of Darth Maul – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend IV(June 7-9)
Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian – Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)
Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca – Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
Tom Kane (voice of Yoda – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Things to do: 
1) Take your photo with a “life-size” rancor. For you Star Wars newbies, a rancor is a giant beast, and Jabba the Hutt’s prized pet in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi. 
2) See “Obi-Wan & Beyond” (each event day), a special show which stars James Arnold Taylor. 
3) See a martial arts demonstration by the actor who portrayed Darth Maul in the special show “Visit to the Maul” (Weekends I and II) featuring Ray Park.
4)  “An Ewok’s Tale – my short story” (Weekends II and III) stars Warwick Davis. Guests get a unique look into the fascinating world of this Star Wars legend.
5) Catch Chip and Dale dressed as Ewoks, and even grab a photo with them.
6) Permanently cast yourself in stormtrooper gear. 

Yes, D-Tech Me is back, an experience where you can literally have your own likeness made into a 3-D figurine. A few simple 3-D full-face scans later, and voila! You have a permanent Stormtrooper in your mailbox a few weeks later. For hard-core fans, this one-of-a-kind souvenir is more valuable than a Picasso print!


Make sure you arrive early, as the shows do fill up quickly, and lines will form early for celebrity autographs. (And send me a picture of your D-Tech Me figurine! I might just feature it on my Facebook page!)

Saturday, February 23, 2013

To-Do List, Mission: Mouse Style

When it comes to making lists, I'll be the first to tell you, I'm the bomb! (I didn't say accomplishing the things on the list, just making the list.) Normally, I don't have a to-do list when I go to Disney World.  Our family picks one or two things we've never done before, and at least two new restaurants we've never eaten at, and as long as we get those things done along with our regular ride plan, we're one happy family!

My next business trip (yes, that sounds funny) to Disney World is in just two weeks! This time, no hubs and kiddos, it's just me, combined with our agency owner, Debi.  The negative side – if there can be one – It's just two days!! What's a girl to do with only two days at the parks? Why, check out all of the things that are on your list of things to do, of course!

Here's what I've got so far:
1) Debi won't be there until the late morning, which means I'm on my own for the first part of the day. I have always wanted to go on the Behind the Seeds Tour - the one they tell you about as your boat floats around the inside of the Living With the Land ride. I admit it, this is not the most thrilling ride at EPCOT, but I love it! Plants growing upside down out of sprinkler hoses? Giant pumpkins suspended from the sky? Absolutely fascinating! So why haven't I done the tour yet when I have hundreds of pictures of various plants from every boat ride we've taken? One, my family only humors me when we ride this ride - I think they'd all rather be on Test Track, but hey, they things you do for love, right? And two, folks usually assume "Private Tour at Disney = $$$. Seriously folks, this tour is just $16. SIXTEEN DOLLARS! For $16 you bet your sweet patooty, this girl is going on that tour, and I will love every minute of it!

2) Characters in Flight.  My hubby doesn't do well with heights. Need I say more? I, on the other hand, cannot wait to hop in this giant balloon and take panoramic pictures from all around the skyline!

3) Stop by Caribbean Beach Resort for the sole purpose of buying a Chocolate Chunky Monkey cupcake from the food court. Chocolate cupcake, filled with bananas and a luscious cream, topped with a peanut butter frosting drizzled with chocolate... Yes I am making a special trip just to get a cupcake. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it.

4) Spend an evening at Chip and Dale's Campfire Sing Along. They hold this sing along nightly at Fort Wilderness behind the Meadow Trading Post. Basically, they bring the campfire, you bring the marshmallows, hot dogs, and sticks and your best sing-along voice. (You can buy a stick if you forgot to whittle one before you came, or if you just can't find one on the ground.) It's followed up by a movie – Disney,  of course – about 45 minutes later. There's no particular reason this is on my list of things to do again, especially since the kids aren't with me, other than that it's a nice, warm and fuzzy thing to do, and yes, I do enjoy the quiet side of Disney in addition to the exciting, fun things. And of course, I want to make sure nothing has changed.  

5) Be Our Guest for lunch! I am very fortunate. I've been to Be Our Guest Restaurant not one but THREE times! The first was for an Agent Training week in November. The second was in December for our family trip, and the third was on a return business trip.  All of these have been by chance - the first was during Sneak Preview week before New Fantasyland opened officially. We went with several agents - oh what a fun night that was!
The second was on the night of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. You could only make a reservation if you were staying for the party, which we were. And the third was the result of waiting, and waiting, and waiting. (Have I mentioned the French Onion Soup? No? It's terrible. Don't get it. That leaves more for me.  Hee hee hee.) Seriously, the soup is amazing. BOG is now one of my favorite restaurants on Disney property, which says a lot! That said, as fortunate as I am to have eaten so many times, especially since it's currently more desirable than a meal at Cinderella's Castle (don't believe me? Try making a reservation for both and see which one pops up first!), all of my meals have been dinner. I've never eaten for lunch, which is a Quick-Service meal, no reservation required! Get outta town!  Definitely have to compare for my clients. So yes, this is on my list of things to do. Have soup for lunch. Followed by a Monkey cupcake. Divine.

6) The Keys to the Kingdom Tour at Magic Kingdom Park. A gift from Debi. I like to think I know a ton about the parks, Walt, and Disney. But I would never assume I know everything, and I love getting to see and hear insider info from the parks. 

7) Check out the refurb to the queue on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to see if it's complete yet!

8) Take pictures of the Mine ride and see how it's coming along.

9) Check out Hollywood Studios for the latest reimagineering of Disney Jr, Live on Stage! to see the newest additions of Doc McStuffins and Sofia the First.

Whew. That's all I have so far. (And of course, ride some rides, grab a Dole Whip, and a few other things!) But every day I think of something new to add to this list, and I have to remind myself it's just two days!  Which begs the question: If you had just two days, and could do/see anything you wanted, what would you pick?


ºOº Karen
2/23