Disney Magic rescues 5 Cuban rafters |

Disney Magic rescues 5 Cuban rafters |

A Review of Celebrations Magazine

So, a few months ago, I was listening to The Resort Loop Podcast, www.resortloop.com (Episode 148), and their special guest was Tim Foster, the founder of Celebrations Magazine.  It was a fun interview, and I really enjoyed it.

A few weeks later,I was able to get an issue of the magazine and read it for myself.  I was truly impressed.  

The magazine is simply beautiful (unfortunately, my pictures don't do it credit).  It is a beautifully put together testament to the magic of Disney.  Even the quality of the paper is superior.  

The pictures are gorgeous - rich in color and depth.  

The articles are extremely well written - full of information and insight - by knowledgeable writers who uncover all things Disney.

I highly recommend anyone who is a Disney fan to check out this magazine and consider a subscription.  If you want to find out more about Celebrations Magazine, you can read more about it on their website, www.celebrationspress.com.

This is a wonderful way to keep the Disney magic in your everyday life between Disney trips.  I think you'll really enjoy it.

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

~ Monica 

"My What A Guy, That Gaston!"

You all know I’m all about the Disney Magic, and recently I’ve taken note that there’s certainly a lot of it going on over at Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom… and it’s name is Gaston!  Yes, that burly, perfect male specimen who got rejected by Belle (movie: Beauty and the Beast) is stealing the show over in the Beast’s domain.  

It looks like Disney fans are lining up for the opportunity to meet this hard to hate villain near Gaston’s Tavern in Fantasyland, and are lapping up all of the arrogance and vanity that Belle turned down in favor of the Beast.  

Tall, dreamy, and muscular, Gaston serves up constant laughs and quick wit while never straying from his mission of showing off his enviable pectorals and letting everyone know that Belle will be his…eventually.  After all, every last inch of him’s covered in hair – and who can possibly resist that??

Take a peek at this video where little Isabella fearlessly confronts Gaston telling him that the Beast, her favorite character, is going to beat him!  Gaston never skips a beat, telling her to go stare at his statue until she comes to her senses.  It is hilarious!

And here's a lesson... don't ever challenge Gaston because he ALWAYS wins!

And don't worry guys, Gaston has some words of wisdom for all the men out there who want to be perfect just like him...

I haven’t yet had the opportunity to catch up with Gaston, but I'm keeping my eye out for him – all in the name of research, of course!  The things I won’t do for this blog…

Gaston certainly knows how to entertain and keep everyone focused on him.  He’s quickly climbed to the top of my list of must meet characters.  Something to look forward to for our next trip.  How about you?

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

~ Monica 

Our Trip Review - Day 1

Main Street, USA

Back in November, we traveled down to the World to enjoy some of the Christmas festivities.  This trip was special, not only because it would be our first time ever at the World during the holiday season, but also because my 11-year-old niece, my 8-year-old nephew, and my sister were traveling with us.  My sister has been to the World a couple of times, many years ago, but this was my niece and nephew's first trip ever - and, hopefully, not their last!  

We arrived in Orlando at around 12:00 p.m.  By the time we arrived at our resort, Coronado Springs, checked in, took care of some odds and ends, had lunch, and checked out our rooms, it was almost 4pm, which meant we were running late for entry into Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.  Although the Party officially begins at 7pm, ticket holders for the event are allowed early entry at 4pm.  The party runs until midnight.  

The Haunted Mansion

The Magic Kingdom was very crowded, and we decided to try to do a couple of rides if possible.  First stop - my favorite ride, The Haunted Mansion.  Fastpasses (FPs) are not given out during the Party, but we were able to get into The Haunted Mansion on a 20-minute standby line, which I got to enjoy for the first time since they put in the new queue.  I really liked it and found it very interesting. As I had hoped, my niece and nephew loved this ride, and we got to ride it again a few days later.  

Cinderella's Castle 

Around 6:00 p.m., we made our way over to Cinderella's Castle for the Frozen Holiday Wish show when Queen Elsa (from the movie Frozen) transforms the Castle to look like it's covered in icicles.  It was a really fun show featuring the Frozen characters, and the transformation is breathtaking. Absolutely beautiful (see my post dated November 30, 2014 for full details).

We had a quick bite over at Peco's Bill Tall Tale Cafe and then found a spot in Frontier Land to watch Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.  It was awesome!  Mother Nature really wanted us to be in the moment, so she made sure that the night became progressively colder. It worked...  

Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime Parade 

Anna and Elsa

Olaf made an appearance

The Seven Dwarfs

Cinderella and Her Prince

The Marching Soldiers

Once the parade was over, we walked over towards Main Street to catch Holiday Wishes, a light show on the Castle which was truly amazing.  The Castle was transformed from candy canes to the 25th anniversary cake to everything in between and then melded into the fireworks show.  I've watched the Wishes fireworks quite a few times, but this show was Wishes on steroids and absolutely amazing!  And then, as the show ended and the fireworks began to die out, it began snowing on Main Street.  Yup, you read it correctly.  It was snowing.  It was incredible!

It's Snowing On Main Street

After the fireworks show, a lot of people started to leave the park.  We decided to head the other way and see if we could jump on any of the rides or catch some shows.  We walked onto It's A Small World and into Mickey's Philharmagic without a wait.  We passed by Princess Fairytale Hall to see if we could see meet Anna and Elsa... Not so much!  Every time we stopped by, it was such a long wait that it just wasn't in the cards for that night.  

We didn't close the party down at midnight, but we managed to do some shopping - mostly because it kept getting colder and colder.  Hoodies were definite necessities that night, and I ended up buying a blanket to wrap around me!  I couldn't believe I was in Florida with that weather!  

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party was a great experience and a lot of fun.  My favorite part of the night was the snow on Main Street.  In fact, I wrote a blog entitled It's Snowing on Main Street USA? over at www.themouseforless.com, if you want to take a quick peek.  

I'm hoping to go back for the Christmas Party at some point down the road - hopefully on a much warmer night!...

I hope all of you get the opportunity to experience the Christmas festivities down at the World someday.  It's truly not to be missed.

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

~ Monica

Elsa Ices Cinderella's Castle

So we just returned from a trip down to the World, our first ever during the holiday season.  The Christmas decorations were up, and Main Street in particular looked magical.  

On our first night there, we attended Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, and it was wonderful, although I will say - it was COLD!!!

Although the party officially began at 7:00 p.m., we were allowed in beginning at 4:00 p.m.  We took some time to take pictures in front of Cinderella's castle, then meandered through a little bit of the park, taking in the decorations and getting into the spirit.  

At 6:15 p.m., we made our way over to the Castle, as we knew that Queen Elsa would be freezing it.  We stood over to the left side by the bridge leading to Adventure Land to take it all in.  

It did NOT disappoint in the least! 

Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff make their way to the front of the castle, taking in the decorations, when Anna realizes they have been joined by, as Queen Elsa calls us, the "townsfolk of this lovely land".  Elsa proceeds to welcome everyone and introduces her sister, Princess Anna, who, in turn, introduces us to "her" Kristoff and to Olaf, who is nowhere to be seen.  











But, Olaf, being the star that he is, didn't make us wait too long for him - he quickly appears on the Castle balcony much to everyone's delight.  








It's amazing how that little snowman can make everyone smile...

Elsa invites Olaf to join them, and he quickly (and amusingly) makes his way to the front of the Castle.  They soon start discussing the winter season, when Kristoff points out that there's no snow or ice here, and they lament that it doesn't feel much like winter...

After some prompting from Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf, not to mention the crowd, and chants of "ice and snow", Elsa finally gives in and begins to ice the Castle with everyone's help. 

Elsa spins her magic, and the castle begins to light up, taking on a frozen appearance.  It is nothing short of spectacular, as the musical sequence from "Let It Go" begins to swell and everyone's breath begins to catch as snowflakes flurry across the Castle.  

And then comes the huge sigh from the crowd when the Castle becomes completely frozen, its icicles glistening, and the fireworks exploding overhead.  

It is truly spectacular and breathtaking.  

If you've never been to Disney World during the Christmas season, I strongly encourage you to make plans to do so.  

The Castle transformation alone is worth it!

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

Monica

There's a Mouse In Our House! Mickey Visits Our Home For The Christmas Season...

12/24/14 -

Merry Christmas from The Mouse In Our House!

12/23/14 -

I feel you buddy! I need some too!

12/20/14 -


Caught trying to get into the cookie jar.

12/18/14 -

He's helping us count down...

12/17/14 -

So it looks like Mickey was banished to the barn these past several days after

being caught with Barbie...

12/11/14 -

Mickey!!!!....how could you???? You rat! What about Minnie???

12/11/14 -

So Mickey didn't want to move yesterday either....

12/09/14 -

Move over Anna, looks like Mickey's found the next Disney Princess!

12/09/14 -

On Monday, Mickey refused to leave Minnie...

12/07/14 -

Mickey found his girl...

12/06/14 -

I think he's trying to tell me the stockings are a little empty...

12/05/14 -

Looks like he's still hanging around this morning. He must like that spot.

12/04/14 -

Oh great! Now he thinks he's Tarzan... Hang in there Mickey. You may have too 

stay put another day. That's life!

12/03/14 - 

Hmmm... He's either hamming it up or he's wrangled our Christmas ham...

12/02/14 - 

I think he wants some breakfast!

12/01/14 - 

I think he's trying to tell us something... May be time to decorate the tree?..

11/30/14 - 

All that wine yesterday has Mickey swinging from the chandelier! LOL...

11/29/14 - 

Uh-oh Mickey! Already in need of wine??? I know it's been a rough couple of shopping days...

11/28/14 - 

There's a Mouse In Our House! He must have stowed away in our luggage. 

Now that Thanksgiving's over, he's counting down to Christmas... 

Let's see what mischief he gets himself into...

I guess until Christmas is over, we've got a special houseguest. 

I hope he offers to do the dishes occasionally... Just sayin'...

Frozen characters debut in Once Upon A Christmastime Parade at Magic Kin...