My First Mickey Bar

My first Mickey bar!

My parents first took me to Walt Disney World in 1990, when I was two and a half years old. In doing so, they passed their love of all things Disney to me and gave me the first of what I hope to be a lifetime of Walt Disney World Memories. Having been only two my first Disney memories are a bit fuzzy, but a few very distinct ones come to mind, including my very first Mickey bar. It was purchased at Dinosaur Gertie’s at what was then MGM and enjoyed from my stroller, and as soon as I bit into one of the crisp, chocolate-y ears, I was hooked. Is there anything like the joy of the first bite of the ear of a Mickey-shaped food? The smile on my face in this photo suggests not. I remember the ice cream melting down my hands when I didn’t get to it fast enough-who knows how many wipes it took to clean it all off!  Still, the classic combination of cool vanilla ice cream and chocolate shell on a warm day in a Disney Park is about as good as it gets, as I learned on the trip when this photo was taken. The Mickey bar and I have both changed in the last 24 years, of course. I’ve gotten married, moved out of my parents’ home, and can now (usually) eat an ice cream bar without getting it all over my face. The iconic Mickey bar has replaced the chocolate ice cream face and is now totally covered in delicate, delicious chocolate. The excitement of that first bite, however, has remained as I’ve gotten older and the Mickey bar has evolved. For me, that is representative of Disney World as a whole-the parks change, those who visit grow, but the excitement and magic of a visit to Walt Disney World never goes away. In the nearly quarter of a century since this photo was taken my family has grown, but I know that every time I go back, the first bite of a Mickey bar will be just as special as it was for me when I was two. 

My husband's first Mickey bar!

Tweet

Meeting the Mouse Himself

As a child, my nursery was Mickey Mouse themed. My first birthday cake had Mickey on it. I had Mickey outfits, Mickey sunglasses, and a Mickey hat. I was raised with a love of the Mouse. In 1990, when I was two years old, my parents took me to Walt Disney World for the first time and took me to what was then his house in Toontown to meet Mickey in person. So exciting, right? Well, as the submitted picture shows, I froze, like so many young kids, in front of my favorite character, clinging to my mother for my very first picture with Mickey Mouse. The good news is that I froze from awe (and the sheer fact of being two years old) rather than fear, and I’ve continued to love Mickey and even take a successful photograph with him. In the years since this photograph, my family has grown, with the additions of my younger brother and my new husband. In February 2016, it will grow again when we have our first child. I’ve collected more Mickey items.  When I moved out of my parents’ home, and the room I’d grown up in, I took with me the light switch plate that had hung on the wall for over twenty years. It features baby Mickey and baby Minnie in their pajamas, playing with balloons.  I plan to place it in the WDW themed nursery I'm creating, the beginning, I hope, of their own love of Mickey Mouse and all things Disney. 

Tweet

Halloween was four months ago.

But I'm posting about it now! I will never not be a Disney character for Halloween; this is a given. This year I wore not one, but two costumes: a work appropriate Minnie Mouse and a less work appropriate Snow White.

Did I have my annual review at work that day? Yes, yes I did. Did I wear my Minnie ears? Absolutely.

The world's most cutest museum dog was a 50's lady, complete with poodle skirt.

And Tesla and Truman were reluctant but fabulous Meowsketeers, as usual.

 I had some Disney Halloween decor, of course (some of it prompted by yet another Disney trip contest that I did not win. One day I will be victorious.)

I marvel at my artistry.

Ben managed to get me out of the house to a party thrown by his friends. I crashed by 11 and went home.

I tried, I really did, to do Snow White hair.

Because he's that cute.

Because we are an adorably Dis-nerdy family, my mother and I wore the same costume.

Don't you just love it?

Tweet

Haunted Mansion

Oh, the Haunted Mansion.

(this one's in DisneyLAND) Via Pinterest.

I think it started with a Disney Sing-A-Long video. I seem to remember a couple of kids envisioning staying in the park after closing, and a cast of Disney villains and ghosts singing "Grim, Grinning Ghosts" on the lawn of the Haunted Mansion in the dark. I was five and it was terrifying. I've had a very complicated relationship with the Haunted Mansion ever since.

The Sing-A-Long that started it all. Via Pinterest.

My parents both love it. Growing up, it was not a situation where one parent wanted to ride and one could stay with me out in the safety of Liberty Square. Oh no. When I was too young to be left alone, I remember riding squished between my parents with my eyes firmly shut and my ears covered. I didn't even want to know what was going on in there. Eventually I evolved to being willing to watch the ballroom scene. It seemed relatively safe as it was down below the Doom Buggy. I felt out of ghost reach. Now (as a grown woman) I can ride the whole thing with my eyes open. Go me!

You see, I don't do well with things popping up at me out of nowhere. I don't ride Dinosaur for that reason. I've yet to see the alien on the Great Movie Ride because I know better than to look up. Drew Carey's Sounds Dangerous was equal parts fascinating and terrifying. I still flinch at certain parts of Stitch's Great Escape. I like good surprises, like Disney trips. I don't like scary surprises. 

So, things I think you need to know before joining the 999 Happy Haunts for a tour of their abode:

1. This is "Disneyfied" but it can still be frightening for certain individuals (namely children and those with overactive imaginations like myself). There is darkness, there are things that pop up unexpectedly, and there is a soft spoken menacing ghost speaking into your ear.

2. Do take the time to appreciate the humor that Disney injected into the ride's morbid topic, however. Read the tombstones that line the queue, and keep your eye out for sight gags like portraits in the stretching room.

Via DoomBuggies

Tweet

The Longest Disney Day

On December 31, 2008 I unexpectedly spent 18 hours in the Magic Kingdom, and it was pretty. freaking. awesome.

We had spent New Year's Eve 1999 in Disney, and at that point in time you could enter the parks, leave, and come back in even if the park was at capacity, as long as you had been in before the limit of guests was reached, so when we were there again for New Year's Eve 2008 we thought great, we'll get to the Magic Kingdom early, head back to our base at the fort Wilderness Campground for dinner and a nap, and re-enter the park in time for a few more rides and the fireworks. Brilliant.

We got to the boat dock at Fort Wilderness around 7 a.m. to ensure we made it in, as we knew this was sure to be a peak day.

Lots of us had a similar idea.

Except, when we went to leave sometime in the early afternoon, we noticed that the park was already at capacity and they weren't letting anyone through the turnstiles, so we asked a cast member to verify that we could get back in later. The answer was an emphatic no. Or at least, that there was no guarantee as there had been previously. I believe we were told, and I more or less quote, that "If Brad Pitt and Angeline Jolie walked up to the gate right now I couldn't let them in, that's how full we are."

We weren't dressed for a chilly evening, as we had assumed that we could grab our light jackets when we went back for dinner. We also hadn't planned on buying another meal in the parks that day. It was put to a vote. I of course voted to stay, figuring that we had come all this way and to miss the New Year's Eve celebration would be, well, lame. My brother wanted a nap (he was 16 and sort of over the family vacation). My parents offered to split up, but I was convinced that the one who left would regret it, so I talked everyone into staying. 

It was around 2 p.m. With 7 hours of fun behind us, we had 10 hours to go till the fireworks.

So we rode some more rides. 

 And watched the parade (we're not usually parade people). 

By late afternoon we were flagging. We headed for the TTA, which is always a great place to take a break. My father claimed a bench around the corner of Space Mountain, near the gift shop entrance, and laid down for a nap. As my mother, brother and I rode circuits on the TTA, we looked down on him as we passed...sound asleep amid thousands of people. 

As darkness fell, I started to get cold. While the rest of my family rode the Haunted Mansion, I happily abstained (see my previous post) and slipped into the Emporium and purchased a hoodie, which is still one of my favorite Disney souvenirs.

Around 10 p.m. people were already staking out their spots for the fireworks show. Having ridden most things twice, we grabbed a snack and hunkered down on the bride from Tomorrowland to the castle hub. And waited. I may have fallen asleep there. I know my brother did. We both laid right down on the ground. Several days going full speed at Disney had left us all ready for bed by 10-but by goodness we were going to see those fireworks. 

Disney piped party music through the park at around 11 which helped perk things up (at least for those of us who weren't already hyped up on soda and cotton candy). It seemed to work-witness below my brother and I doing the Cha-Cha Slide.

Excuse the horrible quality of this photo but it was LATE.

And then, as they do, the fireworks came. Tinkerbell came flying down from the castle tower, and we counted down to 2009 with thousands of Disney's favorite guests, and then we sleepily slogged our way back to our camper with the crowds.

Worth it.

And it was awesome. The sheer joy of being in the Most Magical Place on Earth from sunup to sundown. The absurdity of my father sleeping on a park bench, and of doing the Cha-Cha Slide on a bridge in the Magic Kingdom with my brother at 11 p.m. The camaraderie of all the guests waiting excitedly in their spots for the fireworks to start and the new year to begin. You expect certain things at Disney, most of them good. But it's those unexpected things that are truly the very best.

Even if they require several cups of coffee the next morning.

Tweet

What to Wear to Disney

[edit: I wrote this post when I was heading to Disney in 2014. Sadly, it is January 2015 and I'm not headed to WDW]

I'm leaving for Disney in three days! 

And I'm having trouble packing. This time around I'm only going to be there for two full days, book-ended by two half days. The problem is that it is much easier for me to pack for six days than basically two. I'm a chronic over packer. Also, I haven't been to Disney in full-on summer weather in over five years-but I remember what it's like. Boy, do I remember.  Hot, humid, and very much like my own lovely Washington, D.C. in that it is quite simply not fit for daily living. So I'm thinking that this trip I'm going to let go of any notions of fashion and embrace the probability of being a big sweaty-but-happy mess.

I've read a log of blog advice on what to wear to Disney, most of it conflicting. The real secret to choosing clothes for WDW, in my humble opinion, is to wear whatever enables you to feel you can really enjoy yourself. Maybe that means your most comfortable work-out gear. Maybe it means a dress and flip-flops. You know what you personally feel best in. Nothing ruins a day for me like constantly worrying about what I'm wearing. 

Every time I pack for WDW I find myself getting caught up in what will look good in photos, what will be most comfortable, etc., etc., and it all boils down to this: what can I put on and feel reasonably confident in, and then totally forget that I am wearing so that I can have a blast? Because after all that thought, I NEVER remember what I wore (which is good) only that I had a great time. I often don't even mind if I don't look the greatest in my photos, because I usually have a huge, beaming smile on my face and I don't care what you look like, happy looks good on anybody.

See? I got caught in a rainstorm on my way to lunch, but I was so friggin' excited to eat at Be Our Guest that I didn't even care.

This one? Sweaty. No make-up. But hey, Figment! So who cares?

That being said, I do have a few suggestions for what to pack beyond the usual "breathable cotton" and "comfortable shoes":

1. Pack extra shirts. And underwear. I usually head back to my room for an afternoon swim or nap. Once I change out of a shirt that has gotten sweaty, I personally can't bring myself to put it back on, so I'll often wear the same shorts and shoes with a clean t-shirt for a return to the parks in the evening. Yes, this means packing essentially two outfits for some days, but it is worth it when you realize that I wouldn't be able to focus on having fun while wondering if my shirt smelled like sweat all night. Don't even get me started on sweat-soaked underwear (it happens).

2. Wear the shoes you want. You'll be walking a lot. You'll be standing even more. Wear whatever means comfort in that situation for you. When I was finally old enough to choose my own footwear (my parents were always big on the athletic shoes in any walking situation), I wore flip flops, and contrary to everything I had ever been told, they didn't break and my feet felt fabulous at the end of the day. I will say, however, that they were decent flip flops, not $2 bargains meant for the pool.

3. Pack for extreme sun and extreme rain. Sunglasses are a must if you like to see. So are ponchos if you like to be dry and don't want to be making a mad dash to pay for one in the Emporium or MouseGear.

I'm sure there are plenty more tips to be had. I will amend as necessary, and you can feel free to leave yours in the comments! Now to get back to trying not to over think the current contents of my suitcase.

Tweet

WDW Withdrawal

It usually starts with something small, like an e-mail in my inbox that Disney is running a promotion. 30% off a six-day vacation? Let’s calculate how much that would be. Oh…well never mind then.

But then the seeds are planted. I start thinking about it more and more. I haven’t been in over a year, I’ll think. Surely there’s a celebration to be had. I start talking about it obsessively, and it always leads to one conclusion: I need a Disney World vacation.

That doesn’t mean I always get one, though. Far from it. If I went every time I wanted to I’d be very, very broke.  That means I need to find a way to get my Disney fix and stave off the vacation cravings as long as possible. In that pursuit, I am dedicating this little piece of the internet to my love of WDW (obsession? Perhaps.) I’ve decided that those days when I just can’t stop thinking about being in Disney will henceforth be known as my “Zip a Dee Doo Dah Days” and I will channel my desire to be there into posts about my favorite memories, tips and thoughts on the parks. I don't have insider information. I'm not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company or any subsidiary. I just have my observations and hopefully some wit.

Via

Here’s hoping it helps ease the withdrawal!

Tweet

It's Friday...I got a cape, so I'm officially a superhero.

Actually it's not that kind of cape. However, I still think it may give me superpowers. That remains to be seen. I am now waiting impatiently for the weather to be cool enough for me to wear it.

Via Modcloth


This morning in the office we're listening/singing along Disney songs via Pandora (the singing might just be me. I do particularly enthusiastic renditions of "Part of Your World" and "Belle"). Guaranteed to brighten your spirits if you're not sure you can make it through the eight hours of work remaining between you and the weekend.

Via

Hopefully the weather remains relatively pleasant so that B and I can take a little hike tomorrow. There's a trail that goes from near our apartment down to a quaint town with a coffee shop we like to pop in to every now and again, but we haven't been able to do much outside in months due to the overwhelming heat and humidity. I look forward to regaining our somewhat more active weekends. Happy Friday!

Tweet

It's Friday...I'm watching the Muppets on YouTube.

As I have nothing of note going on today, please enjoy this gag reel the folks at Disney put together to welcome the Muppets to WDW-via MuppetVision 3D-in 1990.

Side note-I can't believe how much TV technology has improved in only 22 years. This video looks so, well, old. Which makes me feel old. Yikes.

Tweet

24 in 24

Sooo some of the bloggers that I've been following in this new blog adventure are doing a link up hosted by Erin of Living in Yellow in which you take your age (for me that would be 24.  In a few months I turn the big 2-5. Which seems like some sort of milestone except that I'm not sure what I have to show for it so...) and list something you want to do within the year for every year of your age.

Her entry? Twenty Six in Twenty Six

1. Go back to Disney World with my parents.

Aren't they adorable?

2. Get engaged to my B! (and married? We'll see. Don't worry, B knows this already).

3. Move up in my career (a girl can dream, right?)

4. Move to a new apartment. Preferably in a nicer neighborhood. By nicer I mean without trains and neighbors whom evidence suggests may be utilizing some sort of illegal substance.

5. Participate in a "fun" race such as Warrior Dash or Color Run. Disney also has races! (Hint hint family. I actually think it would be really fun to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon. Or the 5K, as that seems a bit ambitious.)

Via. How cool would it be to run with B in princess and prince costumes? I don't really think he'd go for it though.

Via. I'm really more of a Snow White girl anyway.

6. Turn my master's thesis into an article for publication. This seems like a lot of work and I thought I left that behind in grad school so we'll see.

7. Bake and eat a delicious pastry type dessert from scratch, with real ingredients (no non-fat this or that), and not feel guilty about it.

8. Stop eating candy from the ever plentiful candy jar at work. (Co-workers! You're ruining my figure. But I do love the Peanut Butter Snickers. So thanks, at the same time).

9. Take a tropical vacation with B. (We're looking at Mexico...ok we're dreaming about it. But still.)

Via. I'm actually more excited about the prospect of going to Chitzen Itza than I am by laying on the beach. Because I don't tan and I'm a history nerd.

10. Get an iPhone. I still have a non-smart phone, and it works and it's ok...but wow they're cool.

11. Stop spending so much on clothes and mix and match what I have. And like it. Especially stop buying more striped shirts.

12. Get a new camera. A nice one. Where I can play with the settings and actually maybe like the pictures I take.

Like the Nikon D3100. Oooh, shiny.

13. Be completely content with my body. Whether that comes from acceptance of what it is at any given point or from ramping up my workouts and cutting out splurge-y foods. Or a combination of both.

14. Trade in my automatic Jeep Compass for something with a stick shift. I used to own a pick-up trick with a manual transmission and I really miss the feeling of driving it.

15. Get more involved at church.

16. Take a day trip with just me and my little brother (who is not so little, at 18 and almost 6 feet tall.)

Us at (where else) Disney World, getting ready to shoot some stuff on Toy Story Mania. This was about five years ago, so he's even more grown-up looking now. Ack! Where did the time go?

17. Take my grandmother to lunch. She is awesome and I don't spend quality time with her nearly enough.

18. Master some new recipes so that we don't have to have chicken and steamed veggies for every weeknight dinner.

19. Get a new mattress. Seriously, the one we are sleeping on belonged to my great-grandmother. No joke.

19.5 Wow this is a lot of things to come up with. I'm glad I'm not older. This seems quite ambitious for my usual energy level.

20. Skate at least once every few weeks.

Ah, the good old days.

21. Learn how to balance my time between work, family, friends, B and-what?-time for myself.

22. Start really saving for a house.

23. Actually make one of the DIY projects I keep pinning here.

Such as this. Looks deceptively simple, so I'm sure to screw it up.

24. Find at least reason to be happy, grateful and content in each day.

So there you have it. Likelihood that I will accomplish all those things? Slim to none. However, it's good to have goals and aspirations, amirite? Thanks to Erin @ Living in Yellow for the link-up and idea!

Tweet

I need a little Disney.

Who wants to go with me?

Guess the pictures will have to do for now.

 

Update: excerpt from an online chat with B.

 

B: "Thinking about Disney again?"

Me: "How did you know?"

B: "Because I know you."

Me: "I had literally just posted something about Disney on the blog when you said that."

B: "Can't say I'm surprised ;)"

Me: "Le sigh." [I've been pining to return for a while. This sigh expresses that feeling.]

B: "You will see Disney again."

Tweet

Grati-Tuesday.

1. Dannon Pure Vanilla yogurt.

2. Baby snuggles and babbles.

3. Mascara.

4. My Nook.

5. Plentiful clean, running water.

WDW Represent! That is a child's tee shirt but I loved it so I just got the biggest size and stuck a tank top underneath.



Tweet

Cures for Feeling Sorry for Yourself

Yesterday I was feeling really down. Stuck on the ladder of life, if you will. Went to sleep, had weird dreams and woke up feeling even more down. It is also the kind of hot today where sweat rolls down your back from just standing outside, and that's never happiness-inducing. But now I'm feeling better, and I will share with you my secrets for lifting one's mood.

1. Dress like Minnie Mouse, or at the very least wear something that makes you happy.



When I saw this Minnie-style skirt on ModCloth I had to have it.

2. Remember that you can't do everything, but you can do something. Walking out of my apartment this morning, I noticed that both sides of the road were covered with newspaper pages. A football field's worth of road looked like the newspaper man had gotten very, very upset, torn up his newspapers and thrown them out the window. And I was all, this is awful, who is going to have to clean this up? And then I realized that, while I couldn't clean up the whole stretch of road, I could pick up some of the papers that lined my route to the train. It made me feel good to have at least done something, even though it didn't come close to solving the problem, rather than perpetuating it by ignoring it.

3. Get yourself some good coffee. Sugar and caffeine are great mood boosters. They also make me a little manic, which my coworkers enjoy.


On the suggestion of Julie at Peanut Butter Fingers, I tried a misto. Liked that it was cheaper than my usual fancy drink of choice, but I should've added a flavored shot. Next time.


4. See a poster about sending aid to refugees and remember that you have been incredibly blessed compared to much of the world. Realize you are being selfish by feeling sorry for yourself and feel grateful for all that you do have.




Not the poster I saw, but it makes the point. Via

  And then you can go on about your day with the appropriate attitude. Any other mood-boosting suggestions?

Addendum: God is really trying to tell me something today. Came across this and it gave me that warm and fuzzy feeling that people are, in general, good at heart, and that we are all in this life together. The best things we can do are help each other out every now and then and put a smile on someone's face.

Tweet