Upcoming Events...

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is fast approaching!

The dates for this year are as follows:

November 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21, 30, 2014

December 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12 14, 16, 18, 19, 2014

Event Time:  7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Parade:  8:15 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Fireworks:  9:30 p.m.

Ongoing Events...

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween is currently going on down at the World!

I’m told this is the best Walt Disney World event.  I can't wait to experience this someday!

The dates for this year are as follows:

September 1, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 2014

October 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, 31, 2014

Hours: 7:00 pm – 12:00 a.m. 

Parade:  8:15 pm and 10:30 pm 

Fireworks:  9:30 pm

I Love Those Disney Podcasts!

One way I keep the Disney magic going between trips is by listening to podcasts.  

You may be asking yourself what is a podcast?  Think of it as a radio show on the internet that can address any number of topics - the ones I enjoy are all about Disney.  Of course!  

I just download them onto my cell phone using the Podcast Republic app, plug in my earphones, and off I go into the world of Disney.

About a year and a half ago, I found my first podcast - Resort Loop - and I instantly became a huge fan and part of "Looper Nation".  Resort Loop Tim and Resort Loop Bob are incredibly likable and down to earth, with a terrific banter and a great sense of humor.  

They engage their audience by soliciting their thoughts on various topics, encouraging you to participate, and later sharing your answers with the Looper Nation on their podcast.  And their "Super Loopers" get in on the act as well. From their "Boots on the Ground", Sean Woosley, in Walt Disney World, to their "Sandals on the Ground", Dave Tupper, at the Aulani Resort in Hawaii, to the adorable "Bing Bong" Ben and Ava, and other Looper show opener contributors (that's right - you can call and leave them a message which they might then use as their show opener), they keep the shows fresh and entertaining.  I enjoy their views and opinions, their trip reports, getting to know their families and other guests, and their "regular guy" approach to all things Disney.  From Resort Loop Tim's wrong answer buzzer to Resort Loop Bob's cheapness, and their love of Joffrey's coffee, they keep me laughing along. They put out a twice-weekly show on Tuesdays and Fridays, and those days just aren't the same for me if I don't get a chance to listen in.  The Resort Loop podcast can be found at www.resortloop.com, on iTunes, Facebook, Twitter, and as they say, the Stitcher.  

Once I started listening to the Resort Loop, I had to go back and listen to all of the previous episodes I had missed.  And then I listened again, after which I decided it was time to add to my podcast treasure chest.  After all, as Resort Loop Bob says, "There's plenty of room in the pool".

And that's when I found the 3 Moms And The Mouse podcast, which, as they will tell you, is "everything Disney from a mom's point of view", or, in this case, those of moms Lisa, Mindy, and Dina.  These three travel agent moms, brought together by their love of Disney,  are delightful and fun as they bring their audience their seemingly unending knowledge of all things Disney.  

From Lisa's trip packing habits and park sherpa status, to Mindy's moment of silence for the chicken no longer served at O'hana's in the Polynesian Resort, to the 22 minutes of Dina's life she can never get back as a result of the Great Movie Ride in Hollywood Studios, these moms will keep you informed on all of the latest Disney news and give you great tips and information for your next trip.  These ladies are so warm, funny, and engaging, that I feel like I’m one of the girls when I’m listening.  In fact, Dina has now become my official Disney travel agent, and she is just as warm in person as she is on the podcast.  The moms put out a weekly show on Thursdays, and I just can’t miss an episode.  They can be found at www.3momsandthemouse.com, on iTunes, and Facebook. 

Once I had caught up with all of their podcast episodes, I again decided to add to my podcast treasure chest and found the Mousechat podcast. 

Mousechat is fearlessly led by the Griswolds – Steve and Lisa – and their cohort of travel agents, Lauren, Chris, and Sharpie, and the now much missed Bob.  From Steve’s infamous finger roll, to Lisa’s diplomacy, Lauren’s hunt for alcohol at the World, Chris’ hilarious sarcastic humor and love of shoes, to Sharpie’s puns and jokes, this podcast makes me laugh out loud.  Unfortunately, Bob is no longer with them – nothing beats his theory that he was abducted by aliens in his younger years.  This podcast is very funny and informative.  Mousechat puts out a weekly show on Mondays and can be found at www.mousechat.net, on iTunes, and Facebook.

I recently discovered another favorite podcast, 2 Men And The Mouse.  Kevin and Peter are two guys who truly love all things Disney.  From Kevin’s Doofenshmirtz (of Phineas and Ferb) impressions and love of the Muppets to Peter surprising his kids during the podcast with the news that they’re going to Walt Disney World, this podcast is fun, informative, and educational – I now know why there’s a brown line running down the middle of the street in Liberty Square.  You’ll have to listen to the podcast to find out why!  Kevin and Peter put out a weekly podcast on Tuesdays and can be found at www.2menandthemouse.com, on iTunes, and Facebook.

These are just my top four podcasts, but there are many more out there. 

I’ve gotten a great deal of wonderful information from these podcasts and encourage all Disney fans to take a listen, especially if they’re planning a trip to the World.  

Until next time, I hope you remember to keep the Mouse in your house.

Monica

Un-Frozen

I love Disney, but this has got to be said:  Where is all of the Frozen merchandise???

Come on, Disney!!!

Apparently, Disney has hoarded all of the most sought after merchandise ever in Wandering Oaken's Trading Post down in Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World!

Try walking into the local Disney store and looking for anything Frozen.  You're pretty much out of luck.  They have very, and I mean very, little to alleviate your hunt for what you want.

My favorite Frozen character - in fact, my all-time favorite Disney princess, no QUEEN - is Elsa. But I can't walk into my local Disney store and find an Elsa t-shirt or any other Elsa products for that matter.  In fact, what little merchandise is available is dedicated to Anna, Olaf, Sven, and even Kristoff.  What is going on???

Am I confused, or wasn't there a Queen in that movie as well???  You know, the one with the amazing, out of this world mega hit song?  You know, that song that has hundreds and hundreds of little girls going nuts, singing the lyrics over and over again, creating a frenzy on You Tube?  Oh yeah, that's it..."Let It Go"!.... Should I?  No way!!!  Elsa deserves better than that.

The Queen that has created such excitement, the one who's song stops hundreds of fans in their tracks as soon as they hear those first few notes, doesn't even get a little bit of merchandise in the local Disney stores????  On behalf of her fans, I demand equal time!!!

At this point, I've found more Frozen merchandise at local retailers that have no connection to Disney.... obviously, they can spot a money maker... But, still I must complain for, once again, I can find no Elsa merchandise.  Everything is either Anna & Elsa together, Anna alone, Olaf, and sometimes even Olaf and Sven together.  

Again... hasn't Elsa earned being on a t-shirt by herself?  She is the Queen after all - the only Disney Queen with a huge hit song, at least to my knowledge.

I just want an Elsa t-shirt!  Come on, Disney!!!  And no, I don't just want to try and find one on the website!  I want Elsa to have equal display time in an actual store!  I'm pretty sure she's earned it.

Or...could the reality be that Disney is so business savvy as to know that, if they stockpile the Frozen merchandise down at Hollywood Studios, it will lure the fans down there, resulting in a spending frenzy?  No...never!...Right???  People actually going down to Orlando, staying in Disney resorts, buying park tickets, all the time knowing that that's the only place they can pretty much find relief for their need for the coveted Frozen must haves?  Not to mention Elsa products???  

Well...I guess I have no choice...If I want my Elsa fix, I'm going to have to plan my next trip. Soon. Because I really, really want my Elsa t-shirt...

So, here is my plea to Disney - Please, please, please get a decent amount of Frozen merchandise in our local Disney stores!

And don't worry, Queen Elsa - I've got your back, girl!   And, no, I won't just Let It Go!...

Until next time, I hope you remember to keep the Mouse in your house.

Monica

Poncho or No Poncho?...

Chances are, if you're visiting Walt Disney World in Orlando, it's probably going to rain at some point during your vacation.

I hate to be the one to break it to you...

It's rained at some point on each of our trips down to the World.  But that's never stopped us!  Well...actually, that's not 100% true.  Two years ago, Hurricane Isaac struck in the middle of our trip.  We were none too happy to see him, I can assure you. But, we faced him head on - and won!  He only managed to keep us down for one morning when he swept through with torrential downpours.  Oh, well... we needed the extra sleep anyway.  By the time we finally got up and ready to go, the rain had passed, and we went on to have one of our best evenings at the parks so far.  So there!!!

And just as sure as you'll probably see rain on your trip, you'll Inevitably face the age-old question: Poncho or no poncho?

For me, personally, the answer is always "Poncho"!  But, not so for many other people. My husband, for example, hates wearing a poncho, although he'll eventually give in just to keep the peace.

So, why am I so strenuously in favor of the controversial poncho?  Well, if you've already traveled to Orlando, you know that, especially during the summer months, it's extremely hot and humid. But, everything indoors - the shops, restaurants, buses - is incredibly cold, the air conditioning set to freezing, it seems.  Although it feels good when you're first coming in out of the blazing heat, it's not so good when you've just undergone a downpour.  So on come the ponchos, at least for me and my daughter.

So, let's talk ponchos - where to get them, what kind to wear, what they cost.

The ponchos can be found at any shop in the parks and resorts, and cost around $9.00 for adult ponchos and slightly less for children's ponchos.  If you don't see them, just go over to the cashier and ask for one.

I will admit that, on our first trip, I got the bright idea, while standing in line at a Harmon's, to pick up a few of the cheaper ponchos, with the hope of saving some money.  NOT A GOOD IDEA!

It was extremely hot and humid on that trip, and, as soon as the rain started, I proudly brought out my thrifty ponchos.  I can tell you that, as soon as we put them on, they literally stuck to us like a second skin.  It was suffocating!  I literally ripped mine off and ran to purchase three official Disney ponchos.  Ahhh!...so much better!

The official Disney ponchos are open on the sides with three snaps on each side, which you can close if you wish, and you can put your arms through the openings.  I like them because they allow for some ventilation to go through so they're not as stifling in the heat.  I've also opened them up and thrown them over my daughter's stroller to keep her dry.

I've also seen people in the parks wearing disposable raincoats.  Ummm.... NO! - It's too hot for those!!!!  That's just my humble opinion, but, then again, you're reading this blog for my opinion, right?  

For me, it's always yes to the poncho - the Disney poncho!  How about you?

I hope you've found this helpful.

Until next time, remember to keep the Mouse in your house.

Monica