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Save on Disney Souvenirs

April 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Disney has so many unique and fun souvenirs. We always like to get a something to remember our trip but we don’t want to spend a ton either. When we visited Disney back in 2010 for the first time, we knew several months in advance that we were going. At Christmas time, when grandma asked what the kids wanted, I told her that Disney gift cards would be great. This is a great way to budget for each child so it’s “fair” during the trip. Each child had $25 on their gift card and knew this was the amount they had to spend at the parks on souvenir items.

If you want to really save, you can head to one of the Disney Character Outlets to save a significant amount of money on your souvenirs and gifts. This past spring break we visited Orlando but didn’t visit Disney. We made a stop at the Disney Character Outlets and found some great deals. One of the best steals I found was this leather Cinderella bag which was 80% off the retail price. Sofia also wanted some things that had 2011 on them like a scrapbook – just $1.99!

What are your trip for saving on Disney Souvenirs?

Disclosure: I paid to attend the Disney Social Media Conference. In return, I received highly discounted park tickets, hotel, and a gift bag. There was no monetary compensation or posts required in exchange for this package.

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Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival #DisneySMmoms

April 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment

One of my favorite parts of Disney is the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. This runs from March through May every year. It is so beautiful and makes for so many great photo opportunities.

You will find topiaries of your favorite characters!

The kids had a blast in the Fairy Garden, where they were able to do a little scavenger hunt for sticker prizes!

You can see more pictures from the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival here:

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Disclosure: I paid to attend the Disney Social Media Conference. In return, I received highly discounted park tickets, hotel, and a gift bag. There was no monetary compensation or posts required in exchange for this package.

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Disney Foods for Vegetarians

April 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment

As a vegetarian, I was a bit worried about what I would eat at Disney World. However, my fears were unfounded. Every place we went there were plenty of choices for me and wide variety of things to eat.

This was a Eggplant sandwich and delicious sweet potato fries:

Tofu and mushrooms on a tortilla

Delicious breakfast at Cinderella’s Castle:

There are many options. You can see most of the menus online. If you are making reservations, you will want to let them know your dietary needs ahead of time. Disney does a great job of trying to cater to all dietary needs.

Disclosure: I paid to attend the Disney Social Media Conference. In return, I received highly discounted park tickets, hotel, and a gift bag. There was no monetary compensation or posts required in exchange for this package.

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Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2011 Welcome Party

April 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment

After we landed safely in Orlando, we hopped the Disney Magical Express for our ride to the resort. We checked in at the Grand Floridian Hotel without a hitch and headed off to our first evening at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. As you can see, the humidity in Florida does quite a number on my hair!

Unfortunately, we missed the Disney Wedding Celebration and discussion. Lucky for Sofia, my blogging friend, Andrea, gave her Minnie Mouse Wedding ears to her. Not the best picture of my cute little girl as she was eating when I took this picture.

 The kids had fun playing the games!

Yummmm……cotton candy!

 

Sofia is terrified of costumed characters so it was just me and Eli who took pictures with the characters.

The food looked so pretty.

 

Disclosure: I paid to attend the Disney Social Media Conference. In return, I received highly discounted park tickets, hotel, and a gift bag. There was no monetary compensation or posts required in exchange for this package.

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My Stay in Disney’s Cinderella Castle

April 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment

The first official day of the Disney Social Media Moms conference something magical happened. One of my best blogging friends, Andrea, won a night’s stay in Disney’s Princess Castle.

Right before her number was called in the random raffle drawing, she leaned over to me a whispered, “Forgot the other prizes, the Princess Castle is what I want.”  I noticed Crystal was holding her breathe before the final number was called and Andrea was rather quiet too. Then all of the sudden, Andrea is saying “Shut Up.” She reads back the numbers and it is her number! You can see Andrea hopping up to claim her prize.

After winning, she learns she can have up to 6 guests stay with her in the castle. When she asked if I wanted to stay, of course, I said YES!!!! First, I had to ask my aunts if it was okay if I stayed the night as they would have to watch the two little ones. They were emphatic that I go as it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

I didn’t even know the Princess Castle existed.  You can’t buy your way into the castle even though rich folks and dignitaries have tried. You have to have a special invitation to stay in the most exclusive spot in perhaps the world?

We were whisked away right after the conference sessions at 4 p.m., which made for a completely whirlwind day. I had no idea when I started my day I would end up in the Princess Castle. Considering this was my first time to stay on Disney property and I said at two of the nicest places The Grand Floridian and Cinderella’s Castle, I think I am now spoiled!

Our first guide Sean, explained that we would have our own personal guide around the park and we would be able to shop, eat, ride rides, or just chill in the suite for the evening. Steve, our guide for the evening, was basically our human “Fast Pass.” He was able to get us into even ride we possibly wanted without any wait, which is quite a way to spoil a girl! 🙂

We were also given lawn seats to the Castle/Fireworks show as well as front row seats to the evening parade. These are just a few of the perks of staying in the Castle.

The Cinderella Suite is absolutely fabulous. Upon taking a private elevator up to the suite, you enter into the hallway, where there is detailed artwork, Cinderella’s crystal slipper, and more!

We were welcomed by chocolate, strawberries, and drinks!

The next morning we were brought back to reality after having a magical breakfast with the princesses, which is something anyone can do by making reservations for Cinderella’s Royal Table.

You can see more pictures below:

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Disclosure: I paid to attend the Disney Social Media Conference. In return, I received highly discounted park tickets, hotel, and a gift bag. There was no monetary compensation or posts required in exchange for this package.

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Magical Laundry at Disney World

March 25, 2011 by 1 Comment

After several days and a nap time accident by one of the kids, it was time to do laundry. After spending a day around the pool and at Disney Downtown, I decided I would do laundry after the kids were settled in for the night.

Around 11 p.m. I trek two buildings over in the Caribbean Beach Hotel to the laundry room. Of course, I had only dollars and was counting on the change machine.

The light on the change machine said it was out of order and I was so disappointed. Thinking I was going to have to trek it back to the main building, I called the front desk from the phone in the laundry room.

To my HUGE surprise, the attendant said they would send someone to the laundry room with change. I was in complete shock.

Surely enough, just a short time later, a man came with quarters and quickly exchanged it for my dollars.  Even the laundry is magical at Disney…if only, the laundry fairy would come to my house!

He was, however, surprised someone was doing laundry that late! HA! I’m a mom, we’ve been busy all day, when else do people do it?

Apparently at some other time of the day because the laundry room was silent except for me the entire hour I was there.

Disclosure: I paid to attend the Disney Social Media Conference. In return, I received highly discounted park tickets, hotel, and a gift bag. There was no monetary compensation or posts required in exchange for this package.

Photo Credit: Asfarley
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The Flight to Orlando

March 24, 2011 by 1 Comment

After the big announcement on the day of the trip, we headed to the airport. Eli tells me he is afraid to fly and doesn’t want to go. I assure him it is very safe to fly and he flew once when he was around two years old. He knew we were planning on flying to Arizona in a few weeks but this was the first I’ve heard of his fears. He goes on and on about crashing, I’m sure loud enough for other passengers to hear.

Hey, I won’t lie, I get a little nervous flying too. My rational brain tells me statistically it is much safer to fly but there is something about being thousand of feet in the air with no control that makes me say my prayers before take off! It seems like the more I fly, the less nervous I get so that is a good sign.

As we were boarding, I mentioned that the little guy was a little scared to fly. What happened next was really cool and one of the many reasons I love to fly Southwest Airlines. The flight attendant asked if they wanted to see the Pilots and allowed them to visit with them for a minute where they were given wings. This seemed to ease Eli’s nervousness about getting in the air a little!

Sofia on the other hand only cared about the snacks. Asking me numerous times when the snacks would be there. I think she was disappointed we didn’t get cookies.

The kids did fabulous on the plane! Even sitting next to each other and NOT fighting. Unfortunately, things wouldn’t stay this good the entire trip. The good news is on the flight home, Eli announced he had “overcome his fear of flying.”

Stay tuned for more post as it was an adventure filled week – one that took me someplace I never thought I’d go nor can you pay to go, magical meltdowns, vegetarian meals, and of course, the actual conference.

Disclosure: I paid to attend the Disney Social Media Conference. In return, I received highly discounted park tickets, hotel, and a gift bag. There was no monetary compensation or posts required in exchange for this package.

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The Disney Surprise

March 21, 2011 by 2 Comments

For the past few months, I’ve been hiding something from my kids. What’s that? WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY! With everything that has been going on, it was a welcome distraction for me.

I got into the Disney Social Media Moms Blog Conference for 2011 and decided to take my two youngest kids. They did not know until I picked them up to go to the airport.

I didn’t get the same reaction as some of the parents get in their Disney World surprise videos. In fact, my son flat out refused to believe me until I finally called my husband and he confirmed!

Stay tuned for more post as it was an adventure filled week – one that took me someplace I never thought I’d go nor can you pay to go, magical meltdowns, vegetarian meals, plane flights, magical laundry, and of course, the actual conference.

Disclosure: I paid to attend the Disney Social Media Conference. In return, I received highly discounted park tickets, hotel, and a gift bag. There was no monetary compensation or posts required in exchange for this package.

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