Inexpensive {Disney Souvenir}

When we were in Disneyland this past November we took advantage of a fun experience offered on Main Street....Cut Paper Silhouettes!  There is a little shop on Main Street where a talented cast member works their magic to cut out a paper silhouette of the person of your choosing.  These are offered at Magic Kingdom in Florida also.   

The gentlemen we had worked so fast, it was amazing!  He cuts out two at a time, so you get mirrored images, 2 for the price of one!  This is such a wonderful deal.  The price is just 9.99 for each face in the picture.  Then you have the option of buying frames if you'd like.  We just opted to frame them ourselves at home.

There is not usually a long line and this is such a fun inexpensive souvenir to have from Disney.  I would definitely recommend checking it out the next time you are visiting Disney World or Land!

I just love having this sweet silhouette on display in our home to remind us of the memories we had while in Disneyland!

A Pirate's Adventure

In August we spent a few days at the beach and decided to do one day at Disney World.  We split our time between Magic Kingdom and Epcot.  All of our fast passes were for later in the day at Epcot, so we spent the morning exploring Magic Kingdom and dodging rain drops!  

We rode several rides but once the rain picked up most of the outdoor rides were shut down, which made the other ride lines longer!  This was a great time for A Pirate's Adventure, an interactive experience where you can help Captain Jack Sparrow find the treasures hidden around Adventureland.  We have done this a few times before and Little Bit is a big fan of completing these missions!

You'll start your journey at  A Pirate's Adventure building just beyond the Pirates of the Caribbean ride on the outskirts of Adventureland.  You will use your magic band or park ticket to start your adventure, also known as your "talisman".  Pick up your map and head to the first clue.  

The game takes you to different areas around Adventureland that you may of not noticed before.  It is a great way to spend some time letting your kiddos, or even just yourself, explore and see the land come to life.  Each quest takes about 15 minutes if you don't have to wait on any other treasure hunters!  But you can spend as much or little time on this experience as you choose.  It is a great way to spend those extra few minutes you have between fast passes or dining reservations.

Once you complete a map, go back to the outpost and pick up your treasure finder card.  At this point you can be done hunting or start another mission.  If you are brave enough to finish all 5 maps you will get 5 treasure finder cards plus a bonus card for completing the set!

Once you complete at least 3 of the 5 missions you will receive Pirates of the Caribbean Fast Passes for each member in your party!  This was an added bonus we didn't know about ahead of time!  Pirates of the Caribbean ride is a must do in our book and the line can get quite lengthy.  So this was a win, win!

art collage....kid room

We were at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago and Little Bit saw a fun tassel banner.  She wanted it for her room but I told her we could make one.  We picked up a pack of silver tissue paper and had all the other supplies on hand.  Using this tutorial we created our own tassel banner. 

Then the question of where to put it...and we decided to make a little wall collage over her bed.  So we moved the poster and got to work. 

I had printed off the Cinderella image and thought this was the perfect place to incorporate it into the room.  We found the white G and "to the moon & back" hanging piece at Hobby Lobby.  The circle cork board is from Michaels.  I had the metal clips and embroidery hoop with fabric.

We arranged everything on the floor first to get placement, then started hanging.  Yesterday was a rainy afternoon...so perfect time to tackle the project!

The cork circle and metal clips allow Little Bit to keep bits of memorabilia in her space.  We used fun decorative brads as push pins. 

We both LOVE how it turned out.  She is growing up way too fast but I love that we can make small changes in her room along the way to reflect that!

{We made the quick pillow cover using this tutorial.}

STRETCH!

I have recently started doing some yoga stretches to help relieve my sciatic nerve pain.  Little Bit has been interested in doing some moves along with me.  She is way more flexible than me, LOL!  I came across these animal poses that Disney put out to go along with the release of the new Tinker Bell and the Neverbeast DVD.

The idea is to get into the pose, have the child make the animal sound and continue through each pose.  Then have them make up a new animal pose!  I think my preschoolers would enjoy these as well....must store idea in the brain for next school year.  ;)

If you are finding yoga stretches beneficial for you, check out Five Below for $5 yoga mats!  I bought one for me to use and now Little Bit wants one of her own.  ;)

Christmas at Disney

I know I haven't posted for awhile but I'm still here.  Life just happens and blogging gets pushed aside.  I wanted to share some pics from our recent trip to Florida.  

This is the first time we have visited Disney during the Christmas season.  We LOVED it!  If you are thinking of planning a trip I highly recommend this time of year.  One stop we made were the streets of New York in Hollywood Studios for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights....amazing!!!

This was also the first time we attended a special party night put on at the Magic Kingdom.  We attended Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.  There are special characters and Christmas costumes just for this event.  Free hot chocolate and cookies!  The Jungle Cruise is transformed to the Jingle Cruise.  A special Christmas parade.

Seeing the seven dwarfs was top on our list!  The line gets extremely long for them so we jumped in early and were visiting with them in no time!  So worth the wait....they are too cute!

Elsa & Anna were also top on the list of must sees.  We had met Anna when we were in Disneyland in May.  BUT Elsa is Little Bit's favorite so we waited in yet another line.  The joy on her face when meeting them was worth it though! 

One of my favorites was watching the lighting of the castle.  Isn't this just breathtaking?! 

I'm already dreaming of the next Disney adventure! ;)

Meeting {Anna}!

Little Bit is a tad Frozen crazy....she LOVES the movie, soundtrack, toys, books and any Frozen related item in between!  So one thing on her list for Disneyland was to see Anna & Elsa, the Frozen princesses.  The lines are over 3 hours long people!!!  There is no fastpass for this in California. :(

But wonderful hubby had a plan to get to Disney gates super early and see how close we could get to the front of line.  Little Bit and I followed behind a bit later and met up with him in line.  His efforts paid off and we were 7th in line at park open to see the much anticipated princesses! 

Unfortunately Elsa was not meeting.  I guess she was off freezing something that morning...lol!  She is Little Bits favorite and she was a bit bummed but LOVED seeing Anna.  Anna is my favorite!

Little Bit was wearing her favorite Elsa shirt and carrying her new doll!  One side is Anna, then flip her over and you find...

 

Elsa!  One tip...when you see something Frozen related...buy it!  We saw this first thing and thought we would wait a bit.  She was set that this was the souvenir she wanted for the trip.  So the hubs went and bought it around lunch.  Lucky thing cause by that evening they were sold out!

Cars Land!

I mentioned last week that our trip to California was wonderful.  Especially our visit to Disney!  Over the next few weeks I thought I'd share some of the highlights. 

We splurged this time and got the PhotoPass+ and it did not disappoint.  Not only do you get pics that photographers around the park take of you, you also get ride photos and character dining photos!  So once we got home, I ordered the photo cd and now I can print photos from anywhere I'd like. 

Cars Land in California Adventure was amazing!   We met a wonderfully nice photographer while exploring there.  She took us around on a 20 minute photo shoot.  Here are a few of the pics she snapped....so many great family shots! 

Cars Land was a favorite of ours and these pics will help preserve our memories.  The best ride...Radiator Springs Racers.  We rode it 5 times and it was so awesome knowing that we were getting the ride photos!  I think this one turned out best...

Have you been to California Adventure?  What is your favorite part?

{Frozen} Easter basket...

We are still loving Frozen at our house...singing, reading, watching and playing dolls!  Little Bit loves Elsa and when I saw these Anna and Elsa themed baskets that My Sister's Suitcase put together I knew what I was doing for Little Bit this year!  

If you still need some basket ideas these are super fun and easy to put together.  I decided to use most of the Elsa ideas with a few others added in.

It looks like I'm the queen....blue sequin crown is only $1 at Joann Fabrics!
Conceal don't feel...dress up gloves at Party City for about $3.  I really wanted white or light blue but this was the closest I could find.
Frozen fractals...rock candy, .99 from from Party City.
Some people are worth melting for...I put together a "melted Olaf"!  {3 white gum balls, pretzel sticks, chocolate chips and orange jelly bean nose.}
Carrots for Sven...bubbles shaped like carrots at the dollar store.
Big summer blowout...chocolate coins to "spend" at Oakens Trading Post!  Little Bit loves quoting the lines the shop owner says....it is too funny!

I also included a Frozen word search {Target dollar spot}, blue sparkle pen and notebook {Michaels} and six blue plastic eggs with little goodies inside.  

So once you decide what to put in your basket, just print out the labels from My Sister's Suitcase and attach them to your items.  I also made one tag of my own {big summer blowout}.  

Happy Easter!!! 

Disney {cast} member

Did you know that we just went to Disney with their newest "cast" member!  LOL...we got that joke several times while we were there.  To back up a little for those of you who aren't friends with me on Facebook, Little Bit broke her arm the day after preschool was over.  Which was less than 2 weeks before our trip to Disney!  Poor little thing lost her balance and fell while playing at a friends house.

She was such a trooper and has managaed with the cast very well.  The only major downfall is it can't get wet.  Several of our friends asked if we got a water cast.  Our doctor told us they don't reccomend them for smaller children and especially don't do them when the cast goes over the elbow.  So I just carry a plastic bag with me everywhere to be able to cover her arm in a moments notice.

Luckily the start to our summer hasn't been consistently warm, so we really have't had an opportunity to swim.  There were only a few times we had to cover her up on a ride at Disney.  But several times she had to wear her poncho due to rain.

She does not let the cast slow her down one bit!  She can do just about everything and the doctor said it is good for her to use her fingers and move the shoulder around as much as possible.  However she is learning to do alot more left handed...which I think is nothing but beneficial to her!

One of her most favorite things was geting characters to sign her cast.  Her most favorite new to us character that we met was the Queen of Hearts.  She was such a fun character to interact with!  The other great surprise was having Buzz Lightyear sign her cast.  Buzz usually just uses a stamp in autograph books.  But the photographer told us to ask him if he would sign and he willingly did!  Don't know if we will keep the cast once it's off, but we will definitely have LOTS of photos!

Overall we had an amazing trip!  We are already looking forward to our next trip back there in September!  ;)

I'm at Disney World...Now What?!

Here are just a few more tips to help you get the most out of your Disney vacation!

If you are new to Walt Disney World...do your research!   Some websites to definitely check out are touringplans.com and easywdw.com. You can see what park is the best choice to go to on what day.  Plus you can put in what rides, characters, etc. that you might want to do and it will give you a plan for your day.  Sometimes we don't always agree with the order they put things in but if you are new it is definitely a good place to start! 

When we get to each park we have a specific area/ride that we speedily head to first.  Here are our top choices for each park, keep in mind that we are traveling with an adventurous yet girlie 5 year old ;)...

Magic Kingdom | New Fantasyland...Enchanted Tales with Belle {Well Enchanted Tales with Belle was ok but not worth the wait we had...the second day at Magic Kingdom we went straight for Under the Sea and it was a much better choice!}

Hollywood Studios | Pixar Place...Toy Story Midway Mania

EPCOT | Future World...Soarin'

Animal Kingdom | Africa...Kilimanjaro Safaris

 

Get to the parks early!!!  Arrive in plenty of time to get from the parking lot, get your tickets, get bags checked, take picks outside or whatever you need to do.  Getting there a little before the opening time allows you to walk right in and get on just about any ride you want to with minimal waiting!  It's usually a little congested right by the entrance but people filter out and then you are ready to ride...or seek out characters....whatever suits your fancy!  ;)

Make sure you use fastpasses!!!  If there is a ride you know has long lines and you definitely want to ride it...either ride it first thing OR get a fastpass.  You can only have one fastpass out at a time and it gives you a specific time frame to come back to the ride and walk right on with minimal waiting.  Not all rides have this option but most of the more popular ones do.

 

Make sure you are enjoying yourself!  I really don't think you can be in a Disney park and not enjoy yourself, but don't run yourself so ragged that you aren't having fun.  Also, don't come in so unprepared to where you aren't getting anything done.  You have to find that happy medium...especially if you are going with kids.  Put yourself in their shoes and think about what would make them grin from ear to ear!

Check out my other posts with more Disney travel tips...
Planning for Disney
Things to Pack
Traveling with kids

traveling to DISNEY...

Continuing with my all things Disney posts, I thought I would share a few fun things we do while traveling to Disney.  We have flown the last couple times and will be flying to Disney on this upcoming trip, while this gets us there in WAY less time than driving there is still quite a bit of travel time.  So I like to have some fun things to keep Little Bit entertained. 

I created this Mickey matching game a couple years ago.  I used paint chips from Home Depot.  If you don't have a Home Depot close {or if these aren't available anymore} you could always make them by hand.  You could find a Mickey head punch or just print a template off the computer.  This memory game was a fun new game and great way to pass time at the airport or even on the plane. 

I really like to introduce NEW items while traveling because it is exciting and helps keep Little Bit entertained longer.  I also like to make them Disney themed.  This time I found a few things in the Target dollar section...Alice in Wonderland coloring book, journal and some markers.  I also found a Cars themed Etch a sketch for like 35 cents on clearance and have been saving it for something like this!  The Dollar Tree is also another great place to find goodies.  I usually give a few things on the way there and save a couple for the way home. 

Other fun things we like to bring are pipe cleaners.  Little Bit loves to twist them into various animals, objects, etc.  These are also cheap and can provide great entertainment for your little ones...and you too!  ;) 

A couple favorite books and magazines usually find their way in the travel bag too.  Make sure the books are ones you don't mind reading over and over!  

We also make sure to load a few movies and games that she loves on her phone.  She has the hubs old phone that isn't activated but is great for loading with her own stuff...and she loves it!  I pack ear buds just for her and she wears them like a pro. 

Of course some time will be spent eating, looking out the window and just chilling!  How do you like to keep your kids entertained while traveling?

Check out my other posts...
Planning your trip
Things to pack

Things to pack for Disney

Since we are gearing up for Disney in a few weeks I decided to share some tidbits I've learned over the past couple trips.  I shared about planning your trip last week.  Today I'm sharing some things that I pack to help save money and be prepared while in the parks.  So here you go...

glow sticks | These are a must if you plan to be in any of the parks at night.  They sell fancy light up gadgets but you will pay a pretty penny for them.  So I usually pick up a pack of like 10-15 glow sticks for a buck at Target or the Dollar Tree and we are set.

travel spray bottle | Disney has these fan/spray bottles that are way pricey.  We saw them the first year and learned super quick to bring our own.  I started off with just a cheap dollar spray bottle filled with cold water.  Then last summer I found a water bottle/spray combo.  You could drink the water and/or spray the water.  These are great on the HOT days and good entertainment for the kiddos.


ponchos | There is a good chance you will get rained on for a bit while you are at Disney.  I found 2 packs of adult sized ponchos at the Dollar Tree and keep those in my park bag.  If you don't use them great, but it's better to have them and not get soaked!  Plus you could use them to throw over your stroller to keep it dry if you are on a ride or taking cover somewhere!

stroller | Even if your child is older and think they can walk...take a stroller.  Little Bit is 5 1/2 and we are still taking a stroller for her.  You do ALOT of walking at Disney and they will get tired.  There are times when I wish I had a stroller for me to ride in!  ;)

autograph book & pen/sharpie | This is a must for us because one of Little Bits favorite things is to get character's names in her book.  From our first trip when she was not quite 3, she has been loving getting autographs.  This is something that I make for her each time. If you forget one or aren't sure your child will want to do it, there are places to buy them in the park.


pins for trading | Last year was our first time pin trading and we all had fun with it!  We just bought some off ebay and let Little Bit choose which ones she wanted to keep and trade.  There are also various places throughout the parks that you can purchase pins.  The come individually or in sets.  In 2011 we were in Magic Kingdom on their 40th anniversary, so I picked up a fun pin that day to remember the occasion! 

To trade pins all you have to do is approach a cast member who is wearing pins and ask them to trade.  This is a fun scavenger hunt for your kids to find that perfect, new favorite pin! 

We just used a lanyard we had already and stuck our pins to trade on it.  Make sure you put the backs on good, because the pins can fall off fairly easy. 


ziplock bags | These are great to have when you go on water rides.  Keep your phone, camera, glasses, wallet, etc. in the ziplock so they will stay dry.  Also great to keep your autograph book in to keep it safe.  Plus many other uses...wet clothes if you or your child needs to change, snacks, pins for trading.

first aid kit of sorts | sunscreen, chapstick, bandaids, tylenol, hand sanitizer/wipes, gum/mints

small bag cooler | I have one that just folds flat and I can smush in my suitcase, not taking up much room.  We usually shop at Wal-mart or somewhere when we get to Orlando and buy some snacks, water bottles, etc that we will need for our stay.  We try to eat breakfast in our hotel to save some money...usually just cereal or donuts.  Then we pack snacks like cheese sticks, crackers, fruit, and snack bars to have in the park.  Plus we freeze water bottles and then take them with us.  We also pack flavoring for the waters.  This helps lessen the dirty taste of the Disney water...if we have to drink it.  Water bottles are a must for us!

pre-bought souvenirs | Months before our trips I am on the lookout for Disney things that I can get fairly cheap to keep Gracie entertained on the plane, in the hotel room or while waiting in line at the parks. We have also shopped at local shops off Disney grounds and found some great deals that way too.  In September when we went it was over her birthday, so I packed 5 small gifts {since she was turning 5}.  She opened 1 each day until her birthday.  Then she got to pick something from the park on her birthday.  This trip she has been saving money in a special castle bank to buy her own souvenir.  She knows exactly what she wants too...a Vanellope doll, from the new movie Wreck it Ralph!

Here is an example of one of the gifts we had for Little Bit last trip.  They are some fairy dolls that I found at Goodwill!


camera | A no brainer but just had to throw that in there!  I take most pics on my smart phone but it is nice to have our good camera for some shots as well.

Any must haves on your Disney packing lists?