A Cocker Spaniel and A Schnauzer Mix/ Mutt lead the pack with the first canine story of true love in – Lady and the Tramp. Looking to eat spaghetti they did? Try it at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant on Main Street (they eat by the back entrance). Now whenever I see a cocker spaniel I think about true love.
How many polka dot/ spots does it take to make a Dalmatian a Dalmation? No two dalmatians have the same number or pattern of spots (like snowflakes). (The Dalmation is the only spotted breed around). There are 6,469,952 spots in the film We can tell you that there are 101 Dalmations now in the Dearly family. Also, If you look closely during the Twilight Bark scene, you’ll spot a few canines from Lady and the Tramp: Jock, Peg, Bull, Lady, and the Tramp (in silhouette). Now whenever I see a Dalmatian I look over my shoulder for Cruella De Vil.
Need a dog that can hold his own and weasel himself out of any situation? Take a look at Dodger in Oliver and Company. A street smart canine who is capable of getting as much sausage off the streets as anyone needs and can also protect his friends and family, whenever I see a Jack Russell Terrier, I now think “loyalty”.
Looking to go out for the evening? Can’t find a sitter? I can’t deny that I have wished that my dog was as trustworthy and capable as Nana the Dog in Peter Pan. Whenever I see a Newfoundland/ St. Bernard, I picture it bringing us our slippers and tea.
A dachshund, just like his owner Andy’s dog Buster, Slinky Dog from Toy Story is trustworthy and loving, a cuddly dog that appreciates true friendship. He has taken on a new popularity with the new roller coaster ride at Hollywood Studios. If you can get on the ride, it surely can’t be missed!
An hour or so of your free time and a few connections, or a ticket (with timed entry), can get you into the BEST PARTY EVER.
pick your hair (headband or wig) and then get the party started!
The VIP package will turn your kids into trolls before they enter the party. Kids can choose between Poppy, Guy Diamond, generic Rainbow and Branch. Once you choose your headpiece, you get whisked away by glitter professionals
Face paint is optional
How do you want your glitter today?
Adults, while you wait – if you choose, you can get a troll nose and some paper party hat type troll hair right next to the kids salon.
Magically, you won’t see kids anymore but some trolls!
Next follow the magic rainbow to the magic forest, on your way you will pass some trolls
You’ll then get picked up by a magical bus
Which takes you to an interactive woodland
AND AFTER THE PARTY IS THE AFTER PARTY
You’ll then have the opportunity to make a scrapbook of the tokens that you have collected along the way, along with a cool Photo Booth.
You’ll, of course, walk through a gift shop and snack bar and then be on your way. Snacks look amazingly trolliffic.
Looking to check out the action? Head to 218 West 57th Street and visit this link to buy tickets. I would suggest taking your kids on this Troll Journey at least once!
Do the cheerful smiles of Disney Activity Hosts creep you out? Don’t let them- they are genuine, and you may want to hug them at the end of your visit. While the Activity Hosts are not babysitters (you must supervise your kids unless you are at the activity center with babysitting for a small fee), they will surely keep your child entertained and give you some breathing room
Toasted Marshmallows: Who doesn’t love a campfire? Almost every Disney Resort Hotel holds a family campfire with marshmallows to toast (no smores). And get this: As long as you wear shoes and follow the rules, you are entitled to unlimited marshmallows!
Community Hall: Guests of the resort are welcome to do arts and crafts (small fee), play games (ping pong/board games/ video games) and watch movies. We have made and painted pottery, made slime, created a craft bag, and done all sorts of fun things! And the activity reps walk your kids through every step of the way. You can participate or sit back and read a magazine!
Poolside activities: Starting at 1pm, the activity reps usually play games with the kids at the pool. It can be a godsend. Often the games have fun prizes. They aren’t lifeguards, though so be sure to keep your eyes on them.
mermaid bank made at community hall
Rainy day activities: When it rains, it sometimes pours! And the pool is closed. For those days, the activity reps will usually move the poolside activities into community hall or the Resort lobby.
MOVIES: Every evening of the week the Resort usually plays a family friendly Disney movie. The movies are shown on a large blow-up screen in a large area and range from Disney animated classics to Disney Channel Original Movies. They will even show Disney’s newest releases as soon as they’re available to the public. Some of the resorts will also provide an indoor option if it is raining or the movie can’t be shown outdoors for some reason. This activity is a great way to enjoy an old favorite or catch a new movie you’ve been dying to see. Bring snacks!
DON”T GO to the Bippity Boppity Boutique expecting to be dressed up as a pirate and a mermaid. You won’t find any pirates or mermaids there. The Pirates and Mermaids Experience is located in Adventureland, in the Pirates of the Caribbean area.
DON”T go into the pirates and mermaids salon if you are not willing to undergo a transformation. They will use makeup on your face and style your hair.
DON”T head to Pirates and Mermaids, or even Adventureland at all, if you are not willing to figure out how to read a map. You may need to use a compass to find your real Pirate Name.
DON”T let your guard down and lose sight of the treasure lurking in corners. You may even be allowed to take it home if you find it. Listen closely as Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Masters teach you the art of navigating the high seas while telling you tall tales of sunken ships and buried treasure. These savvy scallywags will have you talkin’ the talk and walkin’ the walk.
DON’T WORRY – if you choose to be a mermaid you will still leave with your legs – and your voice.
You definitely need to make a reservation, starting 180 days from your trip you can. There are different packages to choose from, from basic to more extravagant. Wondering more about Pirates and Mermaids, feel free to ask us in the comments – or else click here
DON”T Pretend that you are a droid. They are usually looking for Droids. If you pretend that you are a droid they may take you into custody. Do you know where the droids are? Don’t be a snitch, either.
DON’T Forget your identity card at home. Going to Hollywood Studios? You don’t want to forget your identity card because the storm trooper will definitely ask for it. They DO arrest people without identity cards
Don’t go near Hollywood blvd if you want to avoid Captain Phasma, Darth Vader, and the Stormtroopers. They march every hour on the hour and demand total obedience
Don’t forget to walk through the Star Wars Launch Bay features a walk-through exhibit taking a look at memorabilia, costumes and artifacts directly from the set of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Don’t miss Launch Bay Cargo; they’ve got some pretty incredible artwork and collectibles for sale. Worried about getting past the Storm Troopers there? If you run into any of the characters in there they like to trade shiny objects like paperclips and aluminum foil for favors.
Above all, DON’T relax around storm troopers. They will stop you. They will demand that you answer questions. Feel free to ask them some as well, if you are brave.
With Hollywood Studios soon opening up the new Star Worlds World on August 29, 2019, I am sure there will be even more places to encounter Storm Troopers. So be on guard and be on the lookout!
Fascinated by the artistic process? Love Disney themes? Here is a glimpse of a sample of art displayed at the 2019 festival of the arts at Epcot. Keep in mind that on top of the artwork displayed, many booths highlight the artist and may even have the actual artist present.
Here are some great pictures of some of the art displayed, including some handmade bronze statutes:
handcrafted statue
Music is art! Which is why there is also a Disney on Broadway Concert Series, featuring show stopping songs from Disney musicals.
Performance Artists are also tactfully set up all over Epcot. It’s surely not to be missed and we hope to bring you more inside views of this artfully planned Epcot festival.
Looking to add a little Disney flair to your Valentine’s Day this year? Here are our top five ideas on how to do it:
ADD A LITTLE ROMANCE TO YOUR DINNER, DISNEY STYLE: my absolute favorite way to do it is by sharing a plate of spaghetti with my loved one. If you’ve never tried it, as silly as it may sound, please do. Happen to be at Tony’s Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom? The restaurant is designed after the real place where this magic happened. So try it there. Trust me.
DISNEY MOVIE VALENTINE FAMILY NIGHT – Staying in with your family this Valentine’s Day? Make it a family night. Make your own popcorn, add some red sprinkles and pink M&Ms for some flair. Try making cookie cutter valentine’s snacks (you can use cookie cutters on just about any kind of food). Finish the evening with some Jello Fun. Need family ideas? Try these: Beauty and the Beast, Ratatouille, Lady and the Tramp, Frozen, Cinderella.
Find ways to #BEKIND. Put Disney Quotes around your house with the “BEKIND” Theme. Need some ideas? Try these:
A friend is one of the nicest things that you can have and one of the best things you can be (Winnie the Pooh)
Remember, you’re the one that can fill the world with sunshine (Snow White)
Live like there is no midnight (Cinderella)
Be who you are on the inside (Moana)
Prove yourself to be Brave, Truthful, and Unselfish (Pinnochio)
Last but not least, if you want to make the ultimate gesture for Valentine’s Day, find the man or woman of your dream, and take Cinderella’s Coach for the Disney Wedding of your dreams.
Someone climbed out of the roller coaster. Don’t get out of a rollercoaster while the roller coaster is in motion. Stay in your seats. For example Space Mountain recently reopened after being shut down: a 20 year old man with cognitive disabilities climbed out of the moving rollercoaster and was on the tracks, forcing the ride to halt to a close. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. Somehow he was able to maneuver around the ride’s safety restraints. So lower those bars and hold on tight!
Rollercoasters have safety restraints for a reason.
Elsa’s head may have fallen off, again (Frozen Ride). Do you want your toddler to see Elsa’s head off. Neither does Disney. Apparently the Frozen Ride opened in 2016, before it was completed, and the sensors are often tripped or the animatronics do not stay on. In these situations, all the lights will come on and you will be led out of the ride by a cast member.
The spinning teacup ride almost never shuts down.
The boats ahead of you might be stuck. In Pirates of the Caribbean, for example, sometimes the boats can get so stacked up that the boat you are in CAN’T navigate the pirate waterways. Don’t worry, a pirate wearing galoshes may show up and use a long pole to navigate your boat out of the waterways. You should still be safe!
If you bring someone below the size requirement be sure to protect them.
Slow moving rides on tracks mean that you have to get off quickly!
buzz light year space ranger spin usually is OK, sometimes has electrical issues..
Not too terrified to ride the Tower of Terror? Well, let’s hope it’s up and running for you! Before you discover life beyond the fifth dimension, let’s hope your elevator is lined up on the track’s properly. If it is even a 1/64th inch off (for your safety), the ride stops automatically. Take a look at these folks who filmed their ride being shut down.
Worst part of having a ride close mid-wait or mid-ride is the anticipation that comes to a slamming halt. Best part is that you will most likely be offered a fast pass by the cast members at exit. If not for the ride you were waiting for, it may be one that can be used for almost any ride in the park. If they do not offer a fast pass, be sure to ask for one.
Did you know there is now an Enchanted Forest within the Wilderness Lodge?
I’m whistling while I write.
Long ago, I wrote on this site that Snow White deserved more. Snow White has been at the parade, she has dined with other princesses at Akershus, and she also has a special spot on Main Street.
And now, Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy and the Evil Queen all have their own dining experience at the Wilderness Lodge.
Although reservations are very hard to get, I got them. I can’t wait to report on the new dining experience at Artist Point, in the Wilderness Lodge!
With this menu, all you can do is hi ho all the way to dinner.
This meal costs $55 for adults and $33 for children ages 3-9 (tax and gratuity not included). For those on the Disney Dining Plan, one table service credit will be redeemed per Guest.
Once you get into the Enchanted Forest, you’ll find that the meal is very different (or so I have heard). So different, that each guest gets their own enchanted apple.
According to Disney sources, the storybook-themed dining experience begins with shared appetizers including Hunter’s Pie with chicken, black truffle, and stone fruit preserve, Winter Squash Bisque with caramel loli and granola served in an adorable black cauldron, Wicked Shrimp Cocktail with soy, miso, avocado, thai chili, and greens, and From the Garden, an array of fruits, vegetables, cheese, and create-your-own honey butter.
Then, you’ll be able to choose from an entrée from a prix fixe menu. Feast on the Royal Prime Rib Roast, Brother’s Grimm Roasted Chicken, Magic Mirror Slow Braised Veal Shank, Seafood Stew and Bashful’s Butter Poached Snapper. Or enjoy the vegetarian option – A Stroll Through Nature – featuring butternut squash, arugula and gnocchi.
Children can choose from Royal Prime Rib Roast, Grilled Chicken, Princess Pasta and Vegetarian Steam Bun.
For dessert enjoy “Poison” Apple; Fairy Tale Gooseberry Pie; a sponge cake with chocolate gems and buttercream icing called Miner’s Treasures; and The Hunter’s Gift to the Queen, which features cracked maple popcorn with a ganache heart.
The meal is roughly $35 for kids, $55 for adults, or 1 credit on the dining plan.
Stay tuned for pictures! And feedback! And remember, you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine!
Exceptional properties on the South Shore. Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker at The Corcoran Group
