What Fare Hike? A Disneyland $7 Diet

Disneyland announced today that they are raising their ticket prices from $80 to $87. The interweb grumbled with displeasure.

But then I started thinking, why not just cut back $7.00 from your park expenses? A Disneyland $7.00 diet, if you will. Here are a list of five common park items that you may consider removing from your purchases to offset the price hike:

1. Turkey Leg - Just typing this makes me a little queasy. But you can save around $9 if you just lay off the leg

gristle and tiny bones. gross.

2. Autograph Book - I love them and all, but at $6.95 Donald can sign the back of the Disney Map just as easily

"Excuse me Donald, but where are your legs?"

3. Disney Ears - wait, no forget it. Everyone needs ears. Add $13.95 to your budget

"I know I am the second child, but you can't deny me ears!"

4. A new pin for your lanyard - It depends on the pin, but you could save around $9.00 here.

pins. they add up yo.

5. Photo Pass - One 5x7 print $14.95. If you bring your own camera or get a Disney Visa you can get one free!

This photo cost me more than my meal

Disneyland tip: FREE photo for Disney Visa Cardholders! Go to the the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area of Disney California Adventure, by Monsters, Inc, for the first hour and a half that the park is open. Show your Disney Visa and your family will be escorted to a private area where you will meet some Disney characters. Then stop by the Kodak store on your way out and get your free 5 x 7 photo!




Happy saving!


~Davina

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

Deep Thoughts....With Stitch

While we plan our next girls trip to Disney we thought we'd ask for a few suggestions on some new , fun things to do. Typically we go to our girls trip guru , Stitch, for suggestions

Stitch, what you think we should drink tonight?

He typically takes some time to reflect and gather his thoughts, not wanting to disappoint with a bad idea



Stitch ponders..

After  gathering his thoughts, he advises....and all is well



You alright Stitch...you are alllllright

He is repaid with a relaxing night and we all partake and make merry, under Stitch's watchful eye



Damn girl I know what's up

Obviously Stitch suggested some fabulous Lapu Lapu's at The Polynesian this night and of course we'll be revisiting there for more on our next trip. Anyone else have some other ideas for us? Stitch won't judge you if he disagrees.


~ Karen



Seeing Spots on The Red Eye

Sometimes you just have to do it. Buy that last minute item in the airport before getting stuck on a plane for 9,000 hours.

I'm about to board the red eye from Portland to Boston. So I bought a neck pillow and I'm pretty sure I picked it because it reminds me of Minnie Mouse.

You be the judge.

Talk to you in a gazillion hours.

~Davina

An Overload Of Disney Cuteness

I'm purely posting this because I think these  pictures are of some of the cutest things I have ever seen and I don't know where to find them! Pinterest led me to them, but the road ended there. How cute are they?!




I realize I would never wear them, but my daughter would. Mickey would look like a chunky rat on my gams.






These are for my girl D. I have never worn Toms , but I know for a fact that she does. Combined with pink sparkles and the castle and I'm pretty sure she'll LOVE them






I do enjoy a good wedge



Convincing my husband to wear these will be almost as hard as fitting the tights on my legs.

 

Disney Hipsters. Pass Me My Warby Parkers and Hounds Tooth Scarf

This post is in honor of my trip to the west coast hipster capital - Portland, OR.

Hipsters may have been born and bred in Williamsburg (FYI - I totally lived in Brooklyn before it was cool) but they have infiltrated the Disney characters as well. I loves me some good snark and this makes me want to hit up warbyparker.com and try on some glasses with my webcam (on my Mac of course).

Check out the rest of the line-up on Tumblr. What's Tumblr you ask? You've probably never heard of it.

~Davina

Pimp My Droid - New Disney / Star Wars Weekend Swag

For Star Wars fans and Disney nerds fans alike, the new Build-a-Droid workshop in Hollywood Studios allows kids (including my husband) to assemble their very own personalized Droid, complete with Mickey ears.

The Droid Factory has 71 different pieces to create the 3 ¾-inch figures! To get started, guests chose a dome, a body and legs offered in a variety of colors and styles. There are optional third legs and novelty hats (Mickey ears) that can also be added.

Pimpin'

If you can't make the Disney Weekends this year, don't worry. This is a permanent fixture in the Tatooine Traders shop at the exit of Star Tours. You can’t miss it as it faces the attraction exit. In keeping with the storyline of the shop, it is modeled after young Anakin Skywalker’s workbench.

In fact, depending on how tricked out you want your droid, you may want to wait as four additional hats arrive later this summer (including a Goofy hat, a pirate hat, a fedora and a Yoda cap).

~Davina

Disney Couture Jewelry Icon Collection. Go from Ball To Brawl.

Always on the lookout for fashionable Disney items, we came across these baubles from Disney Couture. The line is called Icon and the pieces are already hard to find . Ebay seems to be the best bet, though you're sure to be paying more that way.

The Dream bracelet is super cute, and I'm always a sucker for Tinkerbell. The 3D castle ring though looks good if you're planning on a bar fight and need to take a girl down, while looking magical

"Dream" woven bracelet in pink

"Believe" necklace with Tink charm

Set of 3 bangles with Tinkerbell charms

Stackable 3D Cinderella scene rings

Tinkerbell necklace

3D Castle ring

Cinderella scene bangle

~ Karen

Oh...There You Are Perry!

                                                     

Kim Possible is getting the boot from Epcot and my favorite Platypus is taking her place, with some help from Phineas and Ferb
                                                            
                                                   
From The Disney Parks Blog:

All the would-be secret agents out there will find a great new interactive experience at Epcot this year.

Coming this summer, Disney Phineas & Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure is based on the wily secret-agent alter-ego of Perry the Platypus – faithful pet to the title characters from Disney’s animated series “Phineas & Ferb.” Although just a simple pet to Phineas and Ferb, Perry turns into Agent P in each episode to help stop the misguided plans of his nemesis, Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

Epcot guests will transform into secret agents to help Agent P thwart some of Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s most daring plots. Agents will use a “high-tech secret agent device” to receive clues for each case. Solving the clues will take agents to different places throughout seven World Showcase countries at Epcot – Mexico Pavilion, France Pavilion, Germany Pavilion, Norway Pavilion, Japan Pavilion, China Pavilion and the United Kingdom Pavilion. Agents will scour each country for clues, evil “Inators,” and – with a little bit of luck – help Agent P defeat Dr. Doofenshmirtz

I say AMEN! I never really was into Kim Possible and as you can see from one of my previous posts that I absolutely love watch P and F with my kids and sometimes, even by myself  (said in a whisper)


~ Karen

Disney Swag for the Star Wars Fangirl

The start of Disney's Star Wars weekends is just around the corner (May 18 - June 10). Hopefully you have already made your appointment to be frozen like Han (see details here) and have packed your lightsaber in your carry on (they let those through security, right?).


Next up, time to plan the swag purchases. There is going to be plenty of merchandise to chose from but did you know some of the items were created by an actual Star Wars Jedi? Well, ok, not an ACTUAL Jedi but rather the voice of a Jedi and that's close enough for me.


Actress Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka Tano on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, has her own line of Star Wars fangirl merchandise. The new Spring/Summer line is set to debut this weekend at Star Wars weekend and online at www.heruniverse.com on May 21st.


Sneak Peak Below...


Photo credit: - Kelsey Edwards Photography

When I don't have time to do my hair

Man crusher

Stop staring at my droids

May the force be with you.

~Davina

Disney Etsy Finds - It's Wednesday, Lets Get Crafty Ya'll

I like to blog about Disney merchandise partnerships (See: LeSportsac, Louboutin, and more). Corporate partnerships are great, but who doesn't love something Disney related both fabulous and handmade? Its time for Wednesday's Disney Etsy round-up.

Check it....

For the home: At $38.00 these retro 1971 Disney map drink coasters are sure to be a conversation piece for the coffee table. Personally, I think I would always claim Adventureland for my cocktail.

Too cute to cover with a drink

For the bride to be: I got married at Disney. Video proof is here. I did not, however, think of this for my wedding invites and I am kicking myself. Save the date fast passes are step one for the Dream Disney wedding. Cinderella coach not included. 

Do they enforce the return by time on these?

For the office: Before Twitter and Facebook people actually wrote things down. Sometimes I like to get all old school crazy and bust out a notebook (the gasps I get in meetings when I reveal a pen and paper-- wait until they see my encycolpedia and typewriter). If you must use paper, keep it hipster with a Moleskine notebook, complete with Disney princess artwork.

"Boo hoo, where's my shoe?"

Do you have a Disney craft to share? Let us know so we can showcase it here in our weekly round-up. 

~Davina

Shrink Ray Wanted. Main Street Electrical Parade- In Mini Form!

This is absolutely mind blowing. This man painstakingly recreated the Main Street Electrical Parade in mini form into a coffee table and it is AWESOME. Someone invent a shrink ray so I can miniaturize myself and live there. 





Check out his entire site below to see the making of. The details in this are not to be missed

http://www.bygeorgeithinkyouvegotit.com/miniparade.html



~ Karen

A Review Of The Avengers- As Seen Through The Eyes Of An Almost 11 Year Old Boy

                                            

Let me start by saying that I have not seen The Avengers yet, but plan on it. My son Jack went and so nicely wrote up his review for me. It does contain spoilers as 11 year old boys don't seem to care who they piss off or what information they give away. Be warned, then read on...
  

---

                                                 A Review Of The Avengers - By Jack

The Avengers was a very amazing movie and has lots of funny parts throughout it. But I have to say there was one thing that disappointed me. That Loki hypnotized Hawkeye into thinking that he worked for him and that Hawkeye wasn't unhypnotized until the halfway through mark just about bummed me out. Other than that it was the best movie I have ever seen!

I know some people have said that they didn't see the Hulk do his signature smash , but if you look very closely you could see him do it when Iron Man brought that first flying destructive worm thing to the team . The way the Hulk stopped it kind of looked like a smash without clapping his hands. He did also smash lots of stuff throughout the movie.

I have to say that The Avenger who did the most damage to the enemies and was the funniest was The Hulk of course. Then again, Iron Man did close the portal. I have seen all the Marvel movies with my dad, but this is my favorite. Iron Man was great too. Well, all I have to say is awesome movie and a big recommendation to Marvel fans.


~ Jack

---

* from this we can see that
1. my son is now in love with the Hulk
2. Hawkeye gets the shaft
3. The Hulk smashes some business up

After a record breaking weekend Disney is now planning an Avengers 2 and planning on some of the characters appearing in the parks. New idea for them which should go over well with 11 year old nerds everywhere

Just What I Always Wanted....A Frozen Mini Me. Thanks Jabba!!

With Star Wars weekend right around the corner at Disney they seemed to have realllly stepped it up this year with a new experience called...The Cabin Freeze Me experience. Before you say "what the what", let me explain.
 
Star Wars fans know that Han Solo ended up a wall decoration at Jabbas place after being frozen in carbonite. Jabba was clearly a sicko and liked to gaze upon frozen Han every day, while yanking slave girls around in chains. Anyway...for the fee of $99.95 ( yikes ) you will go to the Carbon-Freezing Chamber (near The American Idol Experience theater) and have your face scanned by several cameras. The images will then be used to create a three-dimensional digital version of your face. In about four weeks, a completed smaller-than-life-size figurine of yourself frozen in carbonite (measuring approximately 7 3/4" x 3" x 1") will be shipped directly to your home.

The experience will be open only on Star Wars Weekends event days, and reservations are required. You can make a reservation  at 407-WDW-TECH (407-939-8324). You must provide a valid accepted credit card number at the time of booking, and a $25 cancellation fee will be charged to no-shows and those who cancel within 48 hours of their reservation.

This is NOT on my list of things to do anytime soon. Do I really need a small frozen me to put on my wall and look at? I think not, but I'm positive there are lots of fan boys out there who will go-dressed as Han Solo- and maybe even ask their girls to say "I love you"  (ala Leia) so they can oh so cooly respond "I know". Then vanish to get their faces scanned.

Why you gotta be like that Jabba?

     
~ Karen                              

Listen Up Disney World

When I work I like a little background music to keep me motivated. In Karen's post At Last I Have Found You she discusses how she has been searching the inter-web far and wide for Disney resort muzak and found her fix on YouTube.

Her post got me thinking, while 8 minutes of YouTube is better than nothing, someone out there must stream this stuff, right? I mean, you can watch live video streams from resort balconies on eyesonears.net -- so why not an audio stream?

And then I found Magical Mouse Radio. I mean, there are ads and the occasional station identifiction interlude, but it's basically my dream radio station. All Disney Resort inspired tunes-- including some surprises. Did you know they play Jimmy Buffet at Old Key West? Which, now that I think about it, duh.

Trust me, it's worth a listen. I'm pretty sure I never knew the Jungle Cruise has a little jazz medley going on in the wait line, or that Animal Kingdom has an ambient jam worthy of a spa visit. So take a listen and next time your in Disney keep your ears open. What you hear may surprise you.

~Davina



Magical Mouse Radio features the best Walt Disney World music & resort audio around! Come listen to extinct attractions, current parades, resort TV loops and more! We have audio from all corners of Walt Disney World!

More Dreamy Disney Wedding Dresses = Torture For The Married Lady

   In my mind I see my dreamy vow renewal at Disney- perfect for a freak like me and my two Disney freak children. It's an excuse for a trip AND I get to be the center of attention, which I somehow seem to like more than I should. The wrinkle in my vow renewal is my husband . It basically will never happen as he loathes being the center of attention and Mickey is a friend he likes to visit occasionally, not yearly, monthly, weekly ( dream on ) like myself.

  So, I look at all the Disney inspired wedding dresses and I dream of my renewal that will never happen. I've had my one Disney wedding to attend and I fear it will never happen again. So please feel free to invite me after looking at all these beautiful dresses from the new 2013 collection. Each one inspired by a princess, suitable for all different body types and personalities.



Ariel-because even underwater she looked fine. Make her hair red please



Jasmine Kardashian



Rapunzel- If it lands you Zachary Levi more power to you



Aurora AKA Sleeping Beauty- Flora won...it's pink



Cinderella...yes that's right CINDERELLA. This picture doesn't represent that to me at all. Not sure when a woodworker
in a bad vest slipped her shoe on. I like Davinas picture much better from the Louboutin post




Snow White inspired. Girl went and ate the poison apple

The entire collection of new and old Disney dresses can be found here. We'll be sure to RSVP yes to anyone who invites us to their Disney wedding


~ Karen

http://www.alfredangelo.com/disney/#disneytop

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

With Eyes Like That You Don't Need A Costume

  I absolutely LOVE Makeup . I am not nor never will be one of those women who just wakes up and can run out to get a loaf of bread fresh faced .  Even if I was , I feel like I'd still feel compelled to apply some gloss, mascara my lashes and groom the brows. Everything about makeup makes me happy and I pride myself in having some skillz with the brushes. If I could, I'd work at MAC and walk around all day with fuchsia eyes and fake lashes.

  I'm sure you can also guess that I LOVE Disney and don't you know that I found some absolutely amazing Disney inspired makeup! It's pretty amazing to look out and waaaayy outside of my skill level and comfort zone.  Makeup artist Katie Alves transformed scenes from some classic Disney films into unbelievable eye makeup







The Little Mermaid- My Favorite!!




Tangled- Gettin some smoulder







The Lion King








Aladdin






The Nightmare Before Christmas- LOVE!








Alice In Wonderland







Snow White



Go to her website and check out the rest of her amazing makeup. She also has killer eyebrows that I envy.

http://katiealves.deviantart.com/



~ Karen

Modern Family Hits DisneyLand - And Now I Want a Pickle

Alright, so the Modern Family goes to DisneyLand was cute. Not great IMO, but cute. However, they did pay homage to some great Disney traditions both big and small.

• Poncho on Splash Mountain - check
• Giant Turkey Leg - check
• Reference to fat people on scooters - check
• Blisters on your feet - double check
• Popcorn - check (but I don't think she was really eating any of it)
• Giant pickle - Wait... what?

Yes, there was a giant pickle being consumed which made me grab the IPad and google "giant pickles at Disney". How had I never noticed these being sold around the parks before? Turns out that they are pretty well known at DisneyLand, but less prominent at WDW.

My snack idea of heaven

In any event, I then had to change my search term to "giant pickles at Disney World" (it's not rocket-science friends). The results were slightly more ambiguous but I did find a message board that provided some insight.

Specifically:

We've had pickles at the Hall of Preseidents in MK, across from the Beauty/Beast Theatre in DHS, and at the Fruit Stand near the entrance to Rafiki Planet in AK... we have not found pickles in Epcot, but that doesn't mean they're not there! LOL!

To all Walt Disney World travelers and pickle lovers, you are welcome.

~Davina

Road Trip - Lets Head to Orlando and Get Us Some Bangles

Another Disney partnership and this time with a local New England twist! 

Bangle Awesomeness

Cranston, RI based Alex and Ani, Inc announced that Disney Theme Park Merchandise would begin selling four new flat bangles (Mickey, Minnie, Disneyland and Disney World Castles) beginning May 9th. The bangles run for $35.95, are made from recycled materials, and pretty much kick-ass with their positive mojo.


Sadly, since I am not getting on a plane for Orlando anytime soon,  I have accepted that I won't be getting a Disney bangle for Mothers Day.  Trust me, I trolled the Alex and Ani website for the last 20 minutes hoping to find one. 


In the meantime, I will throw out the not-so-subtle hint that bangles with the boys initials would be a GREAT gift for Sunday. Along with sleeping in and waffles in bed.


I'm just sayin'


~Davina

More About Alex and Ani

Alex and Ani, Inc. offers eco-friendly, positive energy-infused products that adorn the body, enlighten the mind, and empower the spirit, designed by Carolyn Rafaelian and made in America. Carolyn's design aesthetic underscores the idea that what is pure and natural is most beautiful. Alex and Ani's products are entirely designed, sourced, and assembled in America because of Carolyn's strong belief in the quality and value of the "Made in America" product. Reusing and recycling materials in the creation of her products is an integral part of Carolyn's mission as an eco-conscious designer. Please visit www.alexandani.com for more information.