A Best Friends Book Club Pick - Thirty Days in the Kingdom

It's been a few years now that Karen and I have been a part of this most amazing Disney fan community. A fan base both online and off, its hard to explain to non-Disney folks what its all about and why we care so much about the Disney brand. Which is why I love the new book (and our latest give-away), Thirty Days in the Kingdom. 

It's not in Oprah's book club... yet

Thirty Days in the Kingdom is author Matt Ferrell's attempt at capturing what that Disney Magic is all about-- in, you guessed it, 30 days. For the entire month of September in 2008, Matt visited Disneyland every day and became a part of the throngs of people trying to define and capture pixie dust.

Some days his quest went well; like the time the author was asked to join the Disneyland band as the "Leading Lady" (spoiler: he is not a lady, but still killed it). And some days not so much; we have all had a crap, surly Jungle Cruise guide (where is a young John Lasseter when you need him?).

Want more of this great read? Jump on the Rafflecopter below and enter for a chance to get your very own signed copy of Thirty Days in the Kingdom. Or, if its months until your next Disney trip and you need a Disney fix on your Kindle NOW, you can always buy on Amazon (Kindle, $6.15). You'll be happy you did.

~Davina

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I WON!!!! Wait...What's My Prize?

If you know me then you know I am obsessed with entering contests. Mostly Disney contests, but if it's a Bahamas cruise, Hawaiian trip or basically anything with a palm tree, I'm entering it.


Yesterday this letter came from Disney and don't you know I won a major award!




I love to see that castle on the top.Oh my palms are sweaty



The contest was a Cars Land Adventure Sweepstakes. I've never been to Disney Land so my hopes were even higher. Could it be? Am I finally going to Disneyland??? Upon closer inspection please note the fine print.



COLORING BOOK= $3

 Yes that's right, I won a Cars Land coloring book valued at $3.00. Disneyland dream trip shattered...husband thoroughly amused by my girlish like giggling that faded to an " Awwww man."



My sad major award.

I do believe a certain 4 year old boy will be inheriting my prize...and he's sure to love it far more than me.

~ Karen

Lazy River Dreaming - Win Tickets to Disney's Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach

I love a good contest. Especially when it's easy to enter. 


Magical Mouse Plans is giving away 2 one day tickets to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. All you have to do is send them a fun photo of you and your family enjoying your time at the beach, pool, bathtub (settle down exabitionists), or sprinkler in your back yard.


My entry was easy. I once went surfing at Typhoon Lagoon and ended up praying to the gods of small man-made waves to pull me back on the board. It's not easy to surf with your bum. Somehow, I manage to do it (see below).

Oh waves, why have you forsaken me?

If you would like to compete with my surfing fail, you best be quick about your entry. The contest ends at 5pm eastern tonight (5/11/12). Send your photo (in gif or jpg format) to christine@magicalmouseplans.com


You can read more about the contest (and Disney) here at the Magical Mouse Plans Website.


~Davina

The Return Of The Contest Queen

  It's about time for an updated list of all the Disney related sweepstakes that I obsessively enter. To date I have only won two, but it's two more than most people, so to quote Biz Markie from one of my favorite Beastie Boy songs, "It's like lotto, you gotta be in it to win it".



~ Macy's Mother's Day Choose Your Cruise Sweepstakes

http://www1.macys.com/campaign/social?campaign_id=313&channel_id=1

Win one of 21 Prizes of a Disney Cruise Line vacation for 4 people, winner's choice of: 4-night Bahamian cruise, 8-night Bahamian cruise, 5-night Canada/New England cruise, 2-night New York Weekend Getaway cruise, 7-night Alaskan cruise, 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise, 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, 7-night Western Caribbean cruise or 5-night Western Caribbean cruise. See Rule #9 for prize details.

Enter online or via text message, standard charges may apply; see Rule #4. See official rules for details about entry requirements. One entry per person, regardless of method of entry. Expires 5/14/12.


~GoGo in Bloom Sweepstakes

https://www.facebook.com/i.like.gogosqueez/app_143103275748075

Win a Grand Prize of a 3-night trip for 4 people to Walt Disney World, including deluxe Resort hotel accommodations, four 4-day Magic Your Way passes, a $200 Disney gift card and a 1 year supply of GoGo squeeZ. Win one of 4 Second Prizes of an Epcot International Flower & Garden merchandise package and a case of GoGo squeeZ.

Void in Puerto Rico. Enter via Facebook. See official rules for details about entry requirements. One entry per person. Expires 5/9/12.


~Phineas & Ferb Summer to Remember Sweepstakes

http://disney.go.com/partners/summertoremember/

Win one of 26 Grand Prizes of a 4-night trip for 4 people to Walt Disney World on 8/23/12-8/27/12 for the End of Summer Party with Phineas & Ferb, including hotel accommodations, four 5-day Magic Your Way tickets with Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More option, a $750 Disney gift card and admission to the event. Win one of 104 First Prizes of a $50 Target gift card.

Open to ages 8 and up. Enter online or via text message; see Rule #3A. Standard charges may apply. See official rules for details about entry requirements. One entry per person per day, regardless of method of entry. Expires 5/27/12.


~Fun on Deck Sweepstakes

http://www.funondeckcruise.com/

Win a Prize of a 7-night Disney Cruise Line vacation for 4 people to winner's choice of Eastern Caribbean or Western Caribbean, including a stateroom, all onboard meals (except Remy and Palo) & gratuities, and all government taxes & fees.

Enter online or via mail; see Rule #4. See official rules for details about entry requirements. One entry per person per method per day. Expires 6/2/12.


~Be the First to Visit Orlando Sweepstakes

http://www.visitorlando.com/promo/win-a-trip/

Win a Grand Prize of a 4-night trip for 4 people to Orlando, including airfare, hotel accommodations with one dinner, 5-day rental car and eight single day/single park admission tickets to winner’s choice of the following attractions: Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando or SeaWorld Orlando.

Void in Quebec. See official rules for details about entry requirements. One entry per person per day. Expires 6/30/12.
 
~ Disney Getaway Package
http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/gpcontest.aspx


Win a Grand Prize of a 2-night trip for 4 people to Walt Disney World, including hotel accommodations, 1-day Park Hopper tickets and a 1 year supply of Brawny paper towels or Quilted Northern bath tissue.

Void in Alaska and Hawaii. Enter online or pick up an entry form at the Georgia Aquarium. See official rules for details about entry requirements. One entry per person per day. Expires 6/23/12.


~ Share Magical Memories Contest

http://disney.go.com/memories/

Win one of FIVE Grand Prizes of a 4-night trip for 4 people to Walt Disney World, including airfare, hotel accommodations, 5-day Park Hopper tickets, a $1,000 gift card and a choice of "enhancements."

Submit "an essay in English of not more than 500 words describing the individual who helped create a favorite memory through impactful and meaningful interaction." See official rules for details about entry requirements. One entry per address. Expires 5/13/12. Thanks to Bridget and Kristina V for info



Remember to opt out of promotional emails from the contest sponsor if you don't want  your inbox to be bombarded . Let us know if your a lucky winner. I'm hoping for win number three myself!

~ Karen

Holiday Give Away - Ho Ho Ho

Holiday madness is here. Now that your Visa has been getting a work-out why not win something for free?

Trace Designs has been kind enough to share some of her cool trinkets. The drop onxy earrings pictured can be yours if you do one of the following:

1. Follow our blog and leave a comment on how much you love the earrings. We want the love.
2. Follow our twitter feed at @bestfriendguide (if you already follow us on twitter-- simply follow the blog)

Of course we will love you forever if you re-tweet or share this post on your book of faces. It may not win you the earings, but certainly will make you our new fav peeps.

Our contest ends 12/17 so get following. On Friday at the end of the day we will announce the winner and contact you for your snail mail address.

New Contests from the sweepstakes Queen

I have'nt updated all the newest Disney/Florida related contests in a while so here are some new ones. These are all Florida related in some way, but with the gross Winter approaching I'm sure you'd all appreciate some time in the sun.

My trip that I won is actually coming up in two weeks so there will be much to discuss about that afterwards. What kind of Queen would I be without an actual win?



Hanes Magical Golf Getaway

Win one of six Grand Prizes of a Walt Disney World vacation for 4 people, including airfare, 4 nights accommodations, ground transportation, Park Hopper tickets, Mickey Mouse Ear hats, a $500 gift card and a round of golf for 3 people


http://www.hanestravelincomfort.com/


Fashion Bug Ultimate Accesory Sweepstakes

Win one of 102 Prizes of a 3-night trip for 4 people to Walt Disney World, including hotel accommodations and four 2-day Magic Your Way tickets with Park Hopper option OR a 2010 VW New Beetle OR one of 100 $70 Fashion Bug gift cards.Win one of 102 Prizes of a 3-night trip for 4 people to Walt Disney World, including hotel accommodations and four 2-day Magic Your Way tickets with Park Hopper option OR a 2010 VW New Beetle OR one of 100 $70 Fashion Bug gift cards.

*I apologize if you win only the Fashion Bug gift card

http://fashionbug.lanebryant.com/content.jsp?pageName=UltimateAccessorySweepstakes



Read With Kids Challenge


Win a Grand Prize of a 3-night trip for 4 people to Walt Disney World, including hotel accommodations and four 4-day Magic Your Way tickets with Park Hopper option. Win a First Runner Up prize of a $2,500 US Airways gift card. Win a Second Runner Up prize of a $1,000 US Airways gift card


http://www.readwithkidschallenge.com/



Good luck!


~ Karen

Hemingway and Talbots go to Paris.

News on the fashion front is that Talbots is running a contest for the less verbose. In 6 words (or less if you are so inclined) submit a story about your fav pair of jeans. If you win, you and three friends will head off to Paris with some Talbots outfits in your carry-on.

Hemingway inspired the clothing store's contest (which I am sure is what he meant to do when he wrote Old Man and the Sea). Apparently he felt that any story could be told in six words. Not sure if he thought denim would ever be the topic, but hey I am sure even Ernest could appreciate a good boot cut.

So put on your thinking caps and start composing. Just keep it simple and short and you'll be fine.

If you win, you must take me. (damn, that's 7 words)
Take me if you win sucker.  (much better)

Enter the contest here oui oui (I can't stop)

~Davina

Score one for the sweepstakes queen!

It only took 3 years 22 days, 16 hours and 12 minutes but I finally won a contest....or should I say my husband did. Yes after the endless hours of entering and googling HIS name was the one drawn but no matter..I'm going!
The contest was actually the one I have mentioned previously on the Orlando visitors website. Included in the prize is airfare, hotel accomodations , transportation while we are there and park passes. As I told my husband so many times as he mocked me and my contest craziness, someone's got to win and one day it's going to be me. Does this mean my luck streak is over and I should stop entering the others I still feverishly enter every day? Have I peaked after all this time and should I hang up my contest shoes? Absolutely not..there are still so many left to enter It would require weeks in a rehab facility for me to stop. Especially now since I have finally go the taste of what winning feels like. I'm like a junkie craving more. This could be bad.....


Karen