WDW Daily News

As you all know I recently completed my very first half-marathon this past weekend at Walt Disney World! I not only was able to achieve my number one goal of completion but I ran for a cause! I raised money on my own for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation in order to fight childhood cancer.

What to do:
You can sign up through their website for races and they will take care of your entry fee if you raise a certain amount of money OR you can sign up yourself through www.rundisney.com and set your own goals! I did the second option because it was my first time fundraising and I was unsure of how and what to do! Every dollar counts and it was nice to know that I was helping make a difference no matter how big or small.

How:
I set up a profile through the ALSF (Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation) webpage where people couple click a link and donate. I know others who went out and made a “lemonade stand” in order to donate that money to their efforts. My next race I will truly be more involved. As a part-time worker, full-time student and volunteering my schedule becomes packed but there is always time to make a difference!

Why:
My whole life I was a runner on a track and field team but never independently participated in races. RunDisney was a truly amazing experience. You must pick up your packet and race bib prior to your race at the Expo. If you’re staying on Disney property, they supply transportation to the Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports facility. There are tents and retailers where runners and their families can explore and spend time. Make sure you take time out of your busy vacation schedule to explore the expo it is worth it! You can also purchase official RunDisney merchandise and marathon weekend merchandise as well. I of course had to add some “Half Marathon” merchandise to my closet! There is a lot to see and do.

With the sign up fee includes a Champion brand t-shirt of your event; post race food and beverages and the amazing finisher medal (shown below)! The starting fireworks kick off each corral, meaning each group of runners, and photographers are located throughout the race to capture every memory. I brought my phone to “selfie” around the course which was a great idea but got a little frustrating! Running around the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT all before 9 a.m. is something not many people can say they have done. It is truly an unforgettable experience. The minute I crossed the finish line I was ready to register for next years Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. What’s next for me? More half marathons and who knows? Maybe even a full marathon! Tweet me @lauraweyand with any specific questions on my experience or how to get involved I’d be more than happy to share!

I am always looking for ways to share the magic of a Walt Disney World visit or relive favorite vacation moments. I recently tried a craft idea I found on the internet and thought I would share the idea with you. It starts with a glass or plastic fillable ornament. These fillable vessels can be found at your favorite craft store or on line. They come in various sizes and shapes. I used round ones.

For the first idea I wanted to create a special memento for a Cast Member friend of mine. I used a map of the Disney area where we met, cutting areas of the map into strips so that you could still read portions that were of interest, like Luna Park Pool. I cut strips in different widths and lengths. That is what makes this craft so perfect….no rules, it is very individual and each one will be unique.

I then took each strip of paper and twirled it around a pencil to create a curly piece of art! I placed these curly art strips in the fillable ornament. Using as many as I thought made the vessel look distinctive. Once I liked the look, I replaced the top and added a ribbon that coordinated with the paper inside. And voilà I had a gift for my friend. Wouldn’t one made from each park map make a unique set of ornaments? You could even use the attractions you enjoyed most on your tip!

Another idea I saw utilized shells and sand. So my family and I gathered shells and sand on a recent trip together and started crafting. For this idea we added a little glitter to our sand for a little shimmer and put it in the fillable ornament first and then added the shells. The amount of sand and shells is personal preference, again making this the perfect craft for making something quite individual and unique. We did use a drop of glue from my handy glue gun when replacing the top and adorned each with a ribbon.

I am not claiming this as an original idea. I did find it on-line but added my own unique flair just like you can. And while the fillable ornaments are usually found at Christmas time, I did find them for sale on line and some craft stores might carry them year round. I prefer the plastic ones for obvious reasons. I also believe they can be made and used as decor all year long. I have the one containing sand and shells sitting on a table reminding me of time spent walking the beach with my family.

There have been many notable parades throughout Walt Disney World’s history. Currently, the only park with parades is the Magic Kingdom. However, each park has been host to a variety of parades over the years. First, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has had some of the most unique parades over its 25 year history. There was an Aladdin Caravan parade when the Aladdin movie debuted as well as other movie debut parades such as Mulan, Hercules, and Toy Story. My favorite parade at DHS was the Stars in Motorcars parade. In this parade, various Disney characters sat in custom made cars that reflected their respective movies or television shows. The characters were the focus, and the scale of this parade was the right scale for the streets of DHS. This park was never built to showcase a parade, so none of the offerings tend to fit too well into the infrastructure of this park. Namely, Block Party Bash and Countdown to Fun were difficult parades to enjoy because they stopped several times in order for the dancers to interact with guests. This sounds really fun in theory, but it led to a great deal of congestion in the entire park, and there were very few spots where you could actually see the entertaining parts of the parade.

Although DHS does not have a permanent parade right now, it does have several special events throughout the year that allow for parades or processionals. For example, Star Wars Weekends involve a parade every day with all of the Star Wars stars as well as many Star Wars characters. During the Frozen Summer Fun Event, Anna and Elsa as well as Kristoff entertained guests with a brief royal welcome procession. It will be interesting to see if DHS gets another permanent parade once all of the updating to the park is complete.

Epcot and Animal Kingdom have each had very few parades. Again, neither of these parks are really set up to host a parade. One of my favorite parades took place at Epcot, and it was called the Tapestry of Dreams/Nations parade. This was a very ethereal parade that utilized larger than life puppets as well as beautiful music. Animal Kingdom had the daily Jammin Jungle Parade as well as the Christmas version of this parade. Neither of these parks have very efficient routed for parades, so it makes sense that they do not always have a parade. Also, Animal Kingdom is undergoing serious changes right now, so who knows what the future holds.

Magic Kingdom has had innumerable parades over the years, but the current daytime parade is gorgeous. The Festival of Fantasy is everything a Disney parade should be. It is lively with fantastic, colorful costumes, and it has a very catchy song. I have seen it many times, and I still haven’t gotten sick of it. As for night parades, I really miss Spectromagic. This parade had a wonderful soundtrack as well as beautiful floats. It is such a shame that it will never travel down Main Street again.

Walt Disney World would not be complete without some sort of parade. Even in its infancy, Disneyland was home to parades, and it will be exciting to see what the Walt Disney Company does in the upcoming year to celebrate Disneyland’s 60th anniversary. Until next time, have a magical day, and keep moving forward.

If you want to get me riled up about something, all you have to do is mention Maelstrom. For those of you who don’t know, Maelstrom was an attraction about Norway’s heritage and legends at the Norway pavilion in Epcot at WDW. In October 2014, Disney closed the boat ride with plans to create a Frozen attraction, and recent news has confirmed that there will be an Anna and Elsa meet and greet at the pavilion as well. Of course, I understand where Disney is coming from: Frozen has been an immensely popular film, and both children and adults all over the world pretty much know the song “Let It Go” by heart. However, I just don’t believe that the Norway pavilion was the right place to put a Frozen themed area.

Epcot’s World Showcase is supposed to be a representation of the eleven countries currently there, and the last time I checked, Anna, Elsa, and Olaf were neither a part of Norway’s history nor even based on real people. Sure, Maelstrom was a bit of a quirky ride, but at least viewers got to learn about Norway’s past and mythology. Imagineers could have easily updated the attraction if that was the problem, but the decision to close Maelstrom was obviously more about marketing than old animatronics.

To add salt to the injury, the Stave church that used to house ancient Norwegian artifacts and historical figures has now been turned into a homage to Frozen and how Norway served as inspiration for the film. I don’t believe that the Norway pavilion shows any sign of “the spirit of Norway” any more, and I would be embarrassed to visit the pavilion with my friends from Norway. There is a time and place for everything, and while Disney may have gotten the timing right with their Frozen takeover, a pavilion that is supposed to represent a real country just isn’t the place for a fictional tale with talking snowmen.

Some might argue that Mulan meet-and-greets in China, or that Belle and Aurora can be seen in France, but Disney didn’t replace the ancient Chinese artifacts in the Temple of Heaven with recreated costumes from the film or put Disney princess merchandise in the shops. Sure, the characters are there, but the pavilions still represent each country and their heritage. Instead of Norway being a part of the World Showcase’s museum-like learning experience, it has become another part of Disney sacrificed for Frozen.

I’m not saying that Frozen doesn’t have some great messages, or even that it isn’t a good movie, or even that Maelstrom was the world’s greatest ride, but I think that with this decision Disney has chosen the more lucrative path over than the “right” path. Even though this might be a good decision for the company as a whole, it doesn’t sit well with my standards, and with many other people’s as well. The hashtag #savemaelstrom has been posted over 1000 times on Twitter and Instagram, and hundreds of people have joined in the protest by sharing pictures of themselves knocking on the forever-closed doors of the late Maelstrom. Even though it may be too late to save the attraction, I know that it will take me a long time to get over the Frozen takeover.

How many times have you heard this question: “You’re going to Disney World again? You just went last year”. If you’re a Disney World vacation addict like me, I’m sure you’ve heard it at least once or twice. The answers are endless but let’s begin with…..

The Parks. Of course, The Parks. Each one is so different with the theming, rides, food, shows, shopping, etc. for kids of all ages. There’s no way to see and do everything in one trip, or ten. There’s always something new or just something you missed on the previous visits. I’m also a photographer, and even the architecture in each park always gives me something new to photograph, as I might see something from a different point of view than before. People always ask me to choose a favorite park. Oh my goodness, I just can’t. I can choose a favorite ride, however. I even had a special car tag made in its honor. Test Track. I’d make the drive just for that ride.

The Food. Oh dear. I’m planning my 15th trip, and still haven’t eaten at all the restaurants yet. Where else can you find such a variety of foods in one area?! For those with food sensitivities (not me), the chefs at Disney World restaurants are always happy to help out, so no excuse there. Picky eaters? Still something there. Of course, having the Dining Plan is a great way to go, too. No worries about looking at menu prices, so feel free to splurge on something special. What’s my favorite restaurant? Well, I do have several favorites, but I really look forward to breakfast at Boma.

The Resorts. Each resort is so different that it’s exciting just to go to Disney World to stay at one of their fun resorts. Each one is so unique, and offers it’s own fun, food and entertainment. There are even forums dedicated to resort-hopping. Have you tried that in your free time? (Free time, you say. What’s free time at Disney World)? It’s especially neat at Christmas when all the resorts are wonderfully decorated. Or take a sleigh ride through Fort Wilderness. Those campers go all out with their decorations. What’s my favorite resort? Well, how about a favorite in each category. Value: I love Pop Century. It’s so fun. Moderate: Port Orleans Riverside-Alligator Bayou, hands down. Just gives the feeling of quietness even when lots of folks are around. Deluxe: Boardwalk Resort. What a great location if your favorite parks are EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Well, I could go on and on but space and time are limited. So, why do you keep going back? I’m sure you can go on and on, too. Until next time……get those vacation countdown calendars going.

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

I’m sure with the new year starting a lot of people having been hearing a lot of “new year, new me” goals, and resolutions being made; which I personally think is pretty awesome. Last year was a HUGE year of firsts for me in many ways, but it also marked a good few Disney Firsts for me! I’ve been visiting Walt Disney World since I was a little kid and while I’ve had my fair share of epic experiences 2014 marked: my first Not So Scary Halloween Party, My first Very Merry Christmas Party, my first Disney Cruise and a host of other amazing Disney events and experiences! It was amazing to finally get to have these experiences in my home Disney park! I have never experienced Halloween at Disney and getting to see all the decorations was awesome and lets not forget Hallo-wishes, and stuffing my face with as much candy as possible. And Christmas at Walt Disney World is the most magical experience ever. I shed more than one tear seeing Cinderella’s Castle lit in its Dream lights and while I wasn’t overly fond of Anna and Elsa taking over the show…the castle itself was still breathtaking! And my Disney Cruise…I won’t bore you with more details about it (my previous article was all about it check it out 😉 ) but it was absolutely amazing, I mean literally the most amazing trip I’ve ever taken with Disney!

“Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future”

So with so many Disney firsts behind me in 2014, you might think I’ll be taking 2015 easy….WRONG! This year brings even more Disney firsts for me and more challenging at that! This year I’ll be experiencing my first RunDisney event! I’ll be running the Princess Half Marathon this coming February! Not only is it my first attempt at a marathon of any kind but it will be my first time running with Disney. I’m super nervous, but I’m so excited for the experience and most importantly that shiny finishers medal. I’ve heard amazing things about runDisney so I’m very excited to be able to see for myself just how awesome it is! In addition to Princess, I’ll also be going for my coast to coast medal and I’ll be running Tinkerbell Half marathon, which means…I’LL BE MAKING MY FIRST TRIP TO DISNEYLAND!!! This is a very big deal, not only because this is the park that started it all, but I will be getting to visit during the 60th anniversary celebrations! I can’t think of a better way to mark my first visit to Disneyland and I am incredibly excited about the amazing experiences I know I am going to have!

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”

This year is going to be a year of seeing some big dreams come true for me. I’m super excited about all my adventures and I hope you guys are going on some pretty epic dream chasing adventures too!

On a recent visit to Walt Disney World, I was reminded of another favorite thing of mine. I am always telling you about the details, those little things that make Disney magical. But this time I was reminded that the Parks sit in Florida and sometimes fellow Guests are of the wild variety. I have seen many different wild animals while visiting WDW. Walt Disney once said, “I have learned from the animal world and what everyone will learn who studies it, is a renewed sense of kinship with the Earth and all its inhabitants”. The Walt Disney World complex encompasses over 40 square miles; an area about the same size as San Francisco. Conservation and preservation are important aspects of the Walt Disney World project.

Approximately 25% of the land is set aside permanently for wilderness preserve. A conservation area was established in 1970 to ensure the land would not be developed.
The most recent animal I encountered was a bird of prey, probably a hawk. It flew down and landed on the bushes in the Luna Park Pool area of the Boardwalk Hotel. It was the second time on two different trips that I saw this bird. Both times the hawk spent about 10 minutes going in and out of the bushes, preening itself and scoping out the area before it flew off. The first time it came by was on a rainy afternoon; the second the sun was out. The bartenders told us it visits a couple times a week. Later we saw it perched on the swan icon of the Swan Hotel.

Florida is home to many diverse Birds of Prey in various colors, sizes, and shapes. I cannot say exactly what species the bird was but we guessed some type of hawk. Florida Birds of Prey could be anything from a Kite to a Bald Eagle. The bird we saw appeared to be somewhere in between more the size of a hawk. It was quite interesting to watch and try to figure out what it was.

These encounters add to the magic that is Walt Disney Word. While visiting, you can see animatronic animals and observe animals in their habitat at Animal Kingdom. You might even see animals native to Florida since these animals are allowed to visit the Parks and surrounding areas just like Guests! Observing and sharing the magic with these animals can enhance your visit so keep your eyes open!

Did you know that there is more to Liberty Square than just the Haunted Mansion? Think really hard. . . Can you name another attraction? Well, if you are left speechless, then continue reading so that you can learn of another often overlooked attraction in the Magic Kingdom. Of course, the hallmark attraction of Liberty Square is the Hall of the Presidents. This experience is educational in that it is filled with many different historical figures, and it tells the story of the presidency when it began with George Washington. The Hall of the Presidents was an opening day attraction on October 1, 1971 when the Magic Kingdom first opened its doors. When the park first opened and for several more years, tickets were required to enter attractions. A through E tickets existed, and E tickets were reserved for the most exciting and thrilling attractions. The Hall of the Presidents was actually an E ticket attraction. There was even an extended queue for this attraction where the food market sits currently under the awning in the center of Liberty Square directly across from the Liberty Belle Steamboat. The use of audio animatronics in this attraction is truly breathtaking considering all of the technical magic that must occur for each of these figures to speak, stand up, sit down, and behave in a real-life way during the show.

Speaking of audio animatronics, this show originated with Walt Disney’s desire to have a Liberty Street in Disneyland. As you know, this did not become a reality, but Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln was created. This attraction was a marvel when it was fashioned for the World’s Fair in 1964-1965 in New York. Finally, after this figure made its debut, the technology was starting to catch up with the creativity at WED (Walt Disney Imagineering). When Disney World opened in 1971, the Hall of the Presidents would be a testament to all of the knowledge and technical know-how that was gained from Disney’s showing at the World’s Fair.

The show has changed over the years as new presidents have been elected; however, the message that celebrates freedom and the importance of our Constitution is never lost through these alterations in narrators or in films that introduce the real show. Let’s take a tour of the building that houses this attraction and then take a look at the attraction itself. When you first approach the building, look for little details in the windows. You will see some lanterns and a doll in one of the windows. All of these little details have significant meanings. For example, see if you can figure out what the lanterns mean in American history. Hint: Think Paul Revere. Anyway, as you enter the building, be sure to take notice of the detailed and beautiful works of art that line the corridors of the halls in the building. After you take some time to explore, don’t forget to check out the Great Seal that is present in the center of the atrium. This seal was constructed with special permission because it is one of three that exist in the world. If you look at the Eagle, you will see that it will always be clutching an olive branch, which is a sign of peace in the country. However, the Great Seal in Washington actually has a removable piece of carpet that can represent the country being at war as well. I doubt the Disney Eagle will ever change to represent war.

Once it is time for you to enter in to the theater, you need to move toward the left of the building toward the curtains which will raise once the castmember has given you a little history lesson about America and about the Hall of the Presidents itself. When you enter the theater, you will notice its huge scope and size. Any seat will afford you a wonderful view of the stage. Personally, though, I always like to sit in the front row. I don’t want to ruin too much of the magic for you, but the show begins with a film about America that is narrated by Morgan Freeman. During this film, you will learn many interesting facts about some of the early leaders of America. When it is time for Abraham Lincoln to speak, the curtain rises on the most stunning audio animatronics figure that you will see until you see the Barack Obama figure and the George Washington figure. All of these figures are so life-like that it is hard to believe that they are not real people. All of the AA’s in this attraction are very well done. Each figure has his own introduction during the presidential roll call, and each president will nod or fidget in some way during the show. These little details add to the suspension of reality that occurs once you enter the show building.

Now, in order to fully enjoy this experience, you need to take a trip to Liberty Square and spend time in this attraction. Do not be tempted to take a nap as you sit soaking up the air conditioning that is such a respite from the unforgiving Florida sun. I know that it is tempting, but spend some time taking in the history as you experience a show dedicated to all nations, but mostly America. Oops, I think I stepped off on the wrong ride there! Anyway, try to make time for this attraction; you will not be disappointed, and maybe you will learn something along the way! Until next time, have a magical day, and keep moving forward!

When Disney announced the Haunted Mansion collection for Beautifully Disney I was so excited. I love all things Haunted Mansion and have recently grown an interest in makeup. That being said I want to begin my review with I am not a makeup expert or beauty guru by any means, but I thought I’d share my experience and opinions on my purchase.

I never thought I would purchase anything from the Beautifully Disney line because it’s quite a bit more than I am generally willing to spend on makeup, but as I mentioned before, I was excited by all of the Haunted Mansion options. I really struggled choosing between the nail polish strips, nail polish set, and the mini lipstick set. I finally settled on the lipstick set for several reasons. The first, I would get the most use out of it. The nail strips were a onetime thing and the polish would probably dry out before I even used half of it. The second reason was this lipstick set includes the perfect shade of purple I had been searching for. (I’ll get more into the details of the colors in a minute.)

First, let’s talk about the basics of this product. This mini lipstick set contains four tubes each containing .04 oz of lipstick and the box gives it 12 months until expiration. This set cost $24.95 plus tax in October. I just searched Disney’s site and it seems this collection is no longer available, but I don’t know if that also means there isn’t any left at the Marketplace Co-Op at Downtown Disney or Memento Mori in the Magic Kingdom. (Side note, the mini lipstick set in the Tangled Web collection appears to have very similar colors and is currently on sale for $17.99.)

Now, onward to the review portion of this article! Overall, I love this product. The packaging is wickedly awesome. The box contains imagery from the Haunted Mansion like Madame Leota, the wallpaper print, and the singing busts. The actual tubes of lipstick are purple with green skulls. I’ve kept my tubes in the original box because I just love it so much. It also helps keep me from losing any of my tubes because they really are quite small.

From packaging to the actual product…As previously mentioned there are four different tubes. These colors are deep and perfect tones that scream Haunted Mansion. The names of the colors are morbidly perfect as well. The first shade is called “Ball & Chain”. It’s a bright and bold red that seems to have an orange tone to it. This is the color I have worn the least. I don’t dislike it; it’s just not my favorite out of the group. The next color is “Look Alive”. This is a deep burgundy/brown shade. This is my second most worn color. I love it because it isn’t a shade I see often and I think it’s a very pretty contrast against my pale skin. The next color is “Bride and Doom”. It’s a lovely light mauve color. I don’t have much more to say on this one other than it is probably the most neutral/normal color in the set. Finally, the reason I bought this set…”Ghost Host”. This shade is an amazing lavender and, as odd as purple lipstick may sound, I think it is actually very pretty and not as eccentric as your may imagine. Each shade is wonderful and applies opaque. I know the pictures seem to show the colors have a shimmer, but they dry matte. That is a plus for me, but I know some may prefer the glossy look.

While there are so many things I love about this product, it is far from perfect. I’m really not that impressed with the longevity (or lack thereof) of this lipstick. It seems the color lasts up to 3 hours on average. Again, I’m not a makeup expert, but I was expecting a little better performance from Disney’s makeup line. Another issue I have seems to only happen with the “Look Alive” shade. This color seems to take forever to dry. This has led to me getting lipstick on my chin, and it does not easily come off. (Hello embarrassment!) Again, maybe this is my lack of makeup experience. Is there a trick I’m missing out on for better lipstick application? If so, please share! Anyway… back to the review. I know these two negatives are pretty big things, but I do not regret this purchase. I think the uniqueness of these shades and the wonderful Haunted Mansion theme outweighs the bad. However, I probably will not be purchasing anymore Beautifully Disney lipstick in the future… unless a Nightmare Before Christmas collection comes out. Then, all bets are off.

Have you purchased any Beautifully Disney products? What’s your favorite item or do you have buyer’s remorse? Share your experiences with me on Twitter @hoodie_life.

As Disney fans, we have to put up with quite a lot of condescending and rude statements. Many people are under the assumption that Disney is just for kids, which we all know is completely false, and feel the need to share their thoughts with the rest of the world. If you aren’t a huge Disnerd and come across someone who is, be courteous enough to not put down the things that they love. There should be no shame in admitting things that you enjoy, and everyone should focus more on making others feel comfortable enough to share the things they like. Here are just a select few of many statements I’ve heard other people say upon learning of my love for Disney.

• “Aren’t you a little old for Disney?” This is probably the most common idea among the non-Disney fans. No, I’m not too old for Disney, and you aren’t either! Although most of the Disney movies are targeted at a younger audience, that doesn’t mean that adults can’t enjoy them or the messages each film concentrates on communicating. Disney parks are definitely not just for kids, either — just ask any adult who has been!

• “You’re going to Disney again?” Usually followed by “Weren’t you just there?” and “Don’t you ever get sick of it?”, this statement grates on my nerves like none other. I could go to the Disney parks every single day and never get sick of it! To me, this is like asking, “Are you still breathing oxygen?” Numerous trips are necessary to my survival in this cruel, non-Disney world.

• “Is Disneyland the one in Florida?” Or simply just mixing up the two parks. Although I know that not everyone has been lucky enough to visit a Disney park, I think it should be common knowledge that Disneyland is in California and Walt Disney World is in Florida. For goodness sakes, people, keep the parks straight! Whenever I try to correct someone on this fact, I always end up sounding stuck-up, so I usually just grin and bear it.

• “I don’t like rides, so I wouldn’t like Disney.” Lots of people seem to be under the assumption that the only thing to do at Disney is ride rides, which is just about as far from the truth as you can get. There are so many amazing shows, character experiences, restaurants, and events happening all year round at all of the parks, as well as attractions to accommodate everyone’s tastes. To be honest, I think that theme parks like Six Flags and Cedar Point are more focused around rides than Disney is.

• “It’s too crowded/hot there.” Yes, Disney parks can get crowded, especially at peak times of the year. Yes, the people, combined with Florida heat and random thunderstorms, can make some times of the day more trying than others, but it’s simply worth it. The magical memories made at Disney make up for the hoards of tour groups and family reunions, the humidity, the not getting enough sleep. Soon, the “bad” memories of crowds and sunburns fade, but the recollection of all of the wonderful experiences will last a lifetime.