2 Line Review: Tangaroa Terrace

If you are lucky enough to go to Disneyland, you are lucky enough. Buuuut while you are there I highly recommend staying at or checking out the Disneyland Hotel.  We loved this counterservice stop (conveniently adjacent to a great pool bar)!

2 Line Review: Blue Bayou

Wow is the only thing I can say about this place.  The food is amazing and the ambiance is incredible- you can watch people float by on Pirates of the Caribbean while you eat! (Plus I think the DLR Pirates is superior to the WDW anyhow. ;)

Epcot in Bloom: 2012 Flower & Garden Festival Ebook Review and Coupon!

As you could probably guess I just love the Disney Photography Blog! I love taking pictures and I love Disney World so where else would I find myself looking for tips on how to use my new camera or ideas and suggestions for my pictures?  When given the opportunity to check out and review the 2012 Flower and Garden Festival Ebook I jumped on the chance to check it out!

There is so much in this one book that it is perfect for ANY Disney fan. I downloaded it an put it on my Nook Color and it looked great.  I could expand and contract the images and the pages just popped with color! It is in a convenient PDF file so you can view it on your computer, e-reader, or even your smartphone.

This is a really great Flower & Garden Festival resource!
You will get a comprehensive look at this years topiaries throughout Future World and World Showcase-- Perfect for people who want a way to reminisce about their trip!
You will get a handful of fun facts-- Perfect for Disney addicts looking for some new trivia!
You will get photo tips and some incredible angles and shots to try on your next trip (I especially like the monorail at sunset and the torii in Japan)-- Perfect for anyone visiting the parks at any time of year!
You will get information and images regarding when to visit Flower & Garden Festival and what not to miss-- Perfect for anyone considering a trip to next year's event!

Just about ready to head over and download the book? Use the code SPRING during checkout and save $1 off the book price!

Storybookland Canal Boats

I was so psyched for this ride.  I seriously waited and waited and for the minimal effort that it probably took put this together I was wildly impressed!

I don't want to give away too much but if its a hot day apply sunscreen before you board.  lol.  

Can you guess which fairytale home I featured here??? :)

How a Little Orange Bird Reminded me that Everything Happens for a Reason

I first was introduced to Orange Bird when a friend from college who ended up working at the same school as me mentioned she remembered seeing a song about him when she was a kid. We googled for his picture but I didn't recognize him. He had long since left Magic Kingdom at the time of my first trip in 2006.

I forgot about him until the news about his return came on Disney Parks blog a few months ago and was absolutely smitten! I watched the tediously long youtube video of the song a few times, scoured for the new stories and merchandise and just loved him!  I was so psyched for Adventureland, which is already a favorite area of mine. I love the throwback tiki architecture and Sunshine Tree Terrace is under-rated by most (in my humble opinion). In my mind Orange Bird was a must see on our next trip.

When I booked a Memorial Day long weekend at Grand Floridian it felt too good to be true. I would be staying in the luxurious flagship hotel at Walt Disney World - pinch me - what a dream! As with so many things in life it turned out that it was too good to be true. Several days before leaving my husband told me that he didn't really want to go away- the semester had worn him down and he was too exhausted to make any good of an early morning travel day, but more than that he didn't really want to go because we were constrained to only a few days because of work schedules.

A little depressed (but also keeping in mind how blessed I have been to take multiple trips down to the world in the last few years) I reluctantly contacted our travel agent and canceled our trip plans. No Grand Floridian. No new memories and pictures. No Orange Bird.

My weekend has been wonderful, just what you would expect from a Memorial Day with a fun night of NHL playoffs with friends, barbecues with friends and with family, just overall relaxing and laughing with the people I love (and I still have another day off to go).  I can't help but think from time to time where we "would" have been had we gone away, though.  As my husband and I have started to discuss the prospects of a super long trip next summer and where we will go this summer to spend all the vacation money we are getting back from our original reservation, I found myself feeling like this wasn't so bad after all. Then, there was a sign that showed me everything was okay, that everything truly does happen for a reason.

My mom and dad were out at a local flea market today and my mom called me to tell me there was a vendor there selling Disney pins. She knew I had collected a few and was wondering if there was a particular one I was looking for.  I immediately thought of Orange Bird, and when I mentioned him to her she said "there is one right here I am looking right at it".  Her and my dad bought me the pin and when I got it from them I couldn't help but see the magic that had found its way into my Memorial Day weekend even without going to Disney.

Hadn't I planned to stop at the shop in Adventureland to pick up a pin and maybe some other Orange Bird merchandise? So what if I wasn't in Magic Kingdom sipping from an Orange Bird souvenir cup from Sunshine Tree Terrace as I had planned to be today?

Somehow just as I had planned I ended up with an Orange Bird pin today. I will be back and it really is okay to postpone plans or hold out for a better trip sometimes... because magic is everywhere as long as you don't forget to open your eyes and look for it or even make it yourself. Thanks little Orange bird (and Mom & Dad) for the reminder.
;)

Picture Hop: Kungaloosh

Today's featured photo comes from Debra who runs one of my favorite Facebook fan pages, Kungaloosh! Debra enjoys seeking out the interactive, immersive and innovative at Disney theme parks! You can find some of Debra's fabulous writing on Chip & Company and Examiner. To follow more of Debra's adventures become a fan of Kungaloosh, her Facebook page, and while you are at it  follow her on Twitter. 

Of her photo Debra says:

One reason why I love the Disney parks is the attention to detail in every corner. Not only does it mean there are new things to discover every trip, but it make each picture different. This photo may not capture all of Sleeping Beauty castle, but I like that one of Aurora’s forest friends is still watching over her.

I could not agree with Debra more! I love this shot and I just love love love out of the ordinary areas captured on film! 

Sleeping Beauty Castle

Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle is such a different kind of icon when you are used to Cinderella's Castle, it is not as large or menacing and there is so much nostalgia in it even if it's your first time there!

50 Days of Disneyland

Knowing that my upcoming trip to Disney World would be following soon thereafter with the Review/Final Exam crunch at work and then the school year would be followed by a 4 day conference in California (yes, with a stop in Disneyland) and that basically before I know it I will have blinked and gone from Memorial Day to Independence Day I decided to run a 50 day series paying homage to the land that started it all-- DISNEYLAND! I often feel like Disneyland Resort is under-represented in blogs and I hope WDW fanatics will stick by for the ride! There are so many similarities you are sure to be able to comment or learn a thing or two about things you love in the World! I hope you all enjoy seeing the pictures and reading along as much as I have enjoyed putting this together!

Cape May Cafe

I love the Character Breakfast at Cape May Cafe! One of my favorite character meals AND one of my favorite breakfast buffets on property! These is themed like a morning breakfast at the beach with your favorite characters stopping by in their beach gear! We've been twice and over these visits met Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Gooft! Make an ADR if you are staying anywhere in the Epcot Resort area!  Its a great meal with character!

UPrinting Custom Business Card Magnet Giveaway

With so many blogging friends and followers here is a short giveaway just for you (and to celebrate the big huge fabulous wonderful milestone of Picturing Disney reaching over 2,000 facebook fans)!

UPrinting offers a wide range of products and print services for home and business and I love to send business cards, postcards, and magnets to my readers and prize winners! They have some awesome optiong for custom magnet printing over on the site! Enter the contest and check out UPrinting for all your custom printing needs!

Enter for a chance to win a set of 25 Business Card Magnets in the Rafflecopter below.  Also, you should assume that I will receive free print products in exchange for the post (which I am totally psyched about). Any and all reviews posted are based solely on my own experience and may be atypical. Please practice due diligence in making any related purchase decisions. Interested to hold a giveaway like this? Please sign up here.

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*Prize Information:

25 custom business card magnets for one (1) winner

2” x 3.5”

13pt Magnet Gloss

Front Only Printing

6 Business Days Turnaround

*Free shipping

Limited to US residents 18 years old and above only

 

Jacques & Gus

Spotting Gus & Jacques in the rafters before heading up for dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table is a MUST if you are eating here! 

2 Line Review: Teppan Edo

I have been to the sit down restaurant in Japan when it was Teppanyaki and again as Teppan Edo- both times were fabulous.  This is great hibachi and the sushi makes a great appetizer! 

Free Minnie Mouse Hat Crochet Pattern

I love to share my crafty creations!

What have you overlooked in the parks?

I came across the Splash Fountain in my PICTURES without even realizing I had seen it in the parks. Has that ever happened to you?

Disney Breakfast

What Disney breakfast do you wish you were having? Ill have one order of Tonga Toast, please?!

Who knew a towel could make you smile so much?

Who loves towel animals and towel mickeys??? ;)

2 Line Review: Whispering Canyon Cafe

Wilderness Lodge is a great place to have a look around and the food here doesn't disappoint- up there with the tastiest bbq joints I have ever been too!

Terra Cotta Army

Okay, so I had to post these lovely guys again because they make my World History loving heart flutter AND 6 of the actual terra cotta soldiers will be on display in New York City this summer at the Discovery Times Square Exposition Center! Yay!

2 Line Review: ABC Commissary

I love this place.  I wanted to give it a counterservice shoutout but only have a self shot of myself (and Diane Sawyer) and one of the salad I am obsessed with here! No matter how many times they change the name the Asian Salad is a great choice! Yum!

Want to win a Disney Dooney? or maybe a Disney Gift Card?

As you guys already know, I love my fans!

Last week I teamed up with some of my blogger friends to give you the chance to enter to win a $125 Disney gift card and Avengers Prize Pack!(Depending on when you read this you may have a few hours to rush over to that post and enter by the way!)

Whats next? Well I am teaming up with some of my other Disney friends to bring you another awesome contest where one lucky winner will win the Disney Dooney & Burke purse pictured above and the runner-up will win a $100 Disney gift card! I don't know about you but I like those odds- two awesome prizes but only a limited time to enter! 

Check out the details in the Rafflecopter below for my co-sponsor information and your chance at multiple entries!

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Monorail License

I finally asked to sit up front on a monorail ride in 2007 and even though their was a sprinkling of rain it was so much fun! The captain even gave us little souvenir licenses-- I know its for safety reasons but I wish this was still allowed!

Laughter in a Red Shirt

Silly, willy, nilly, ole bear!

Sky's the Limit

Have you ever ridden Astro Oribter? I keep meaning to ride this one at night because I felt like I was soaring in the sky when we rode in the daylight. :)

2 Line Review: Sunshine Seasons

I have had breakfast and lunch here and loved them both.  They have a big selection and enough space that you can usually find a place to enjoy your meal while taking in the sites of The Land.

Mickey Loves NYC

Lucky for me I have the greatest job in the world and as not just a Social Studies teacher but as our schools SADD advisor I am able to share some unique opportunities with my students. This Tuesday I was down on a field trip in Rockefeller Plaza and we ended up being able to take the kids into Times Square for some touring and shopping. 

Of course I myself stayed in a central location until we all met up for a quick stop at The Times Square Disney Store where I got to see the Unlocking the Imagination ceremony.  From what I have gathered this happened in all Disney Stores and the helper gets a commemorative key (I was so jealous of the cute little girl there in NYC)!

And as it turned out a stowaway hitched a ride back from the city with me! ;)

Puppy Love

Have you spotted Lady & Tramp's footprints outside Tony's on Main Street? This is one of my favorite little hidden treasures because it's right there in plain sight!

Enter to win a $125 Disney Gift Card & more!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here is a larger version of the rules which can be found in the Rafflecopter Widget above:

1.  Please follow the rules closely and take your time with the rafflecopter
2. If it says "tweet about the giveaway" more than once each tweet is a different phrase and needs to be tweeted separately.
3. PLEASE post the link to your tweets in the rafflecopter so that they will qualify.
4. Only the specific phrase generated by the rafflecopter widget counts as a tweet. You can not substitute your own version of the tweet or RT another person. 
   • Mandatory: Happy Birthday @DragynAlly!! Thank you League of Awesome Bloggers!!! #AvengersMonth #Giveaway
   • Extra points: 1) A $125 Disney gift card AND #Avengers prize pack?! The League of Awesome Bloggers rocks!!! #AvengersMonth #Giveaway 2) Happy Birthday @DragynAlly!!!! 
5. All of the 14 mandatory entries must be completed for your entry to be counted. All other entries after the first 14 are completely optional and will only increase your chances.
6. Any contestant that has not completed the 14 mandatory entries will forfeit all of their entries.
7. Giveaway ends at midnight May 15. Winner will be announced via the Rafflecopter widget and blog post at www.dragynally.com

2 Line Review: Joy of Tea

I love trying the different green tea slushies here.  Give them a try- you won't regret it (and if you do don't blame me)!

Elephants Never Forget

I can not wait to ride the new Dumbo! Oh Em Gee. Seriously, I love the lighting underneath and the idea of more and new coming to my favorite land in my favorite park just makes my heart happy!

Singing in the Rain

Who isn't a fan of the Great Movie Ride??? 

<3 <3 <3

Get your lightsabers ready!

Are you ready for Star Wars Weekends to hit Disney World?

2 Line Review: Pinocchio's Village Haus

Even though my hubby hates this place (as much as you could actually "hate" anything in Disney) I would say I thoroughly enjoy both my meals here (think Italian fast food) and being able to overlook It's A Small World while I eat here.

May 2011: One Year Ago Today- Part 5

Even though we didn't leave until Tuesday May 4th, this is the official last entry for this trip report.
Our last day included breakfast in the hotel lobby, packing up, and an 11am flight.

But before I get ahead of myself, our last day full day (exactly one year ago today) we got up and headed to the awards ceremony, then we had closing ceremony in the early afternoon and the rest of the day to ourselves.  With another school we split a shuttle and headed over to Downtown Disney.

May 2011: One Year Ago Today- Part 4

May 2nd last year I was in the midst of my one and only solo trip down to Orlando. Today I woke up and happily watched "Must Do Disney" on the hotel TV! :)

This was the biggest conference day for us, I had a full session to proctor and my student had her big competition plus meetings for being a state officer.  I found myself on this day (and the next day) with time to wander and since I always wanted to be in sprinting distance of the student I was chaperoning I just walked across the street to Pointe Orlando which was a really cool shopping and dining area.

We grabbed dinner that night at Johnny Rockets which is a really fun chain but I was totally smitten with the signage in the back (as any proper Disney nerd would be).