Custom Hand-stamped Hollywood Tower Hotel Keychain Giveaway!

Are you as smitten as I am with this keychain? Well, lucky you- Sarah from The Copper Fox sent me one to give away to all of you fabulous followers! She was so amazing to work with since I asked for something completely custom! I thought this was the perfect way to say farewell to summer since so many of you have shared your amazing Disney summer vacay stories with me and so many of you are looking forward to upcoming and return trips!

Thank you, as always, for following along- I wouldn't be here without your Disney magic annnnd thanks again to the Copper Fox for sponsoring this review and giveaway (and also just for being awesome!)

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Did you spot Ariel?

Sometimes I think finding hidden Disney touches in rides is even more fun than hidden mickey hunting! ;) This one is my fave... Miss Ariel sitting right in the rocks of Peter Pan's Flight!

Etsy Shop Review: The Copper Fox

As many of you know I am a huge fan of DIY and crafty things and therefore just love Etsy.  Particularly I have found new awesome things I love that I never knew people crafted... lol. Case in point: hand stamped jewelery, keychains, etc.  I was looking last year for a Snape themed bracelet to go with my Hermione costume (how can you have a Harry Potter themed Halloween costume and not pay homage to Severus??) when I first discovered hand-stamped jewelery.  The shop I had ordered from through Etsy closed and so by searching around I came across The Copper Fox.

There is so much to love about this shop! Mainly everything a shopper on Etsy is looking for- original ideas, easy going and easy to contact shopowner, beautiful handmade items that are high quality, and fast shipping of items that are even nicer in person! To top it off, getting a package from The Copper Fox was like I sent myself a gift! Adorably packaged, my keychain came wrapped in tissue paper in a cute gift bag, with a little note, and probably the most adorable business cards I have EVER seen!!!

I love my keychain and literally the day I put it on my keys someone at the grocery store commented on it! I love when it takes a little effort to make a Disney connect and "I survived my stay at the Hollywood Tower Hotel" is just one of these type of things! I was so psyched when the woman behind me said "Tower of Terror is my kids favorite ride in Disney!" as she looked at my keys!

Now that I have given you a great, personal one stop shop for yourself (and maybe Christmas shopping- yeah I am one of those people who start shopping before Halloween! lol!) I have another bit of awesome news from Picturing Disney and The Copper Fox! Sarah, sent me a second keychain to give away!!! Stay tuned on Friday for more details to enter to win your own hand-stamped keychain! I can't wait to share this- one of my favorite Disney-themed products ever!!!

The Copper Fox sent me this item for review.

;)

Coast to Coast

While some rides and attractions are very similar, such as Star Tours, the queue and the area of the park can really give a ride a different feeling.  In Disney World you will find Star Tours in Hollywood Studios but in Disneyland you will find it in Tomorrowland-- both fitting and both the same show (well the same except that I have ridden it about 6 times and not gotten the same exact flight yet)!

2 Line Review: California Grill

I know I have raved about the California Grill at the Contemporary Resort before but it really is just divine: the views, the food, the waitstaff... signature dining does not even suffice.  This place is perfect.

All Star Sports Resort

Today's Picture Hop picture comes from a fellow writer over on Mouze Kateerz, Hiromi! All Star Movies is the only one of this trio of value resorts that I have stayed it so I was happy to see her submission! Have you ever stayed at an All Star Resort?

Hiromi shared this great pic of All Star Sports and a cute little anecdote from her stay:

All Star Sports was good fun, great value and surprisingly awesome service! Although my mother-in-law joked recently that some Cast Members went out of their way for me because they probably "Liked" me (I thought it was cute that she said that!). Overall our family was very happy with our stay here. You can read my review of All Star Sports on Tips from the Disney Diva!

Last Chance to Win! Disney Dooney & Bourke Wristlet!

LESS THAN 28 HOURS LEFT TO ENTER!!!
The Disney Dooney & Bourke Wristlet Giveaway ends at 12:01am on Tuesday, August 28th.

I just wanted to give you every opportunity to enter this great, fabulous, awesome contest!!!
If you missed my posts last week, this is a contest I am working with some of my favorite Disney bloggers on so you will have the opportunity for multiple entries for liking some really great pages, as well as following on various social networking websites! Its super easy to enter and with multiple entry possibilities its a great opportunity!

If you entered already- check the Rafflecopter again to make sure you have gotten all possible entries! There are some extra entries which are not mandatory that only take a few minutes to enter even if you need to set up a new account on other social networking sites!

I love this wristlet so much I wish I could enter!! It's an awesome small, quick bag whether you are home or at the parks.  The Dooney wristlets are small but you can fit your cell phone, park tickets, some money/credit cards, and a lip gloss or other smaller objects.  It is perfect for a breezy night on the Boardwalk or for heading back out to Extra Magic Hours or for some drinks.  And this pattern is one of the nicest I have seen released!

Good luck (and please share the contest with friends to spread some Disney love)!!! <3

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What's on tap for you this Fall?

Food and Wine Festival is just around the corner and man is it a great time to visit Epcot and Disney World! I am already full scheme ahead for a trip next year just thinking about not being there this year! lol!

Main Street Love

I never get tired of looking at different views of Main Street USA. 

Jose Carioca

I am a huge 3 Caballeros fan so therefore love all things Gran Fiesta Tour!

Which ride characters do you love most?

Dragonslayer

Which is your favorite Downtown Disney lego sculpture?

Grizzly River Run

Grizzly River Run is a Kali River Rapids-esque raft ride in California Adventure Park... and I must say something about the theming wows me every time! :)

2 Line Review: Rose and Crown

I am a huge fan of World Showcase, particularly the UK is near the top of my list and Rose & Crown is a perfect stop for anyone! Whether you are just looking to grab a beer or have a full meal (I love to eat outside here) Rose & Crown does not disappoint!

To the moon

 

Where in Disney World can you spot this lovely mural? :)

"Other" Characters

After the fab five there are lots of great characters to meet and greet in Disney.  Which character from your childhood were you stoked to meet? I was thrilled to meet Baloo because I loved (and still love) Talespin from the Disney Afternoon!

Bahamian Dreams

I didn't truly appreciate the Caribbean Beach Resort until after our stay here because I hadn't been to the Caribbean yet! You know Disney has done it right when you set foot at a Bahamian resort with the beautiful sands and crystal blue waters ahead of you, steal drum music in the air, bright buildings lining the beaches and you think "Wow, CBR really got these islands!" ;)

Buttons!

Did you nab a "First Visit" button your first trip? Or a "Happy Birthday" or other celebration button! I didn't even know these existed our first Disney World trip but me and hubby proudly donned ours the first time we were in Disneyland! :) You can ask for them at the front desk of your hotel and if the castmembers don't have them they will direct you to somewhere in the parks to grab one!

2 Line Review: Sci Fi Dine In

I know I have featured Sci Fi on Picturing Disney before but wasn't sure if I did a 2 Line Review.  I just love love love this place.  Its my fave restaurant in Hollywood Studios and I love the themeing! Wish I were having a milkshake there right now!

Disney Dooney & Burke Wristlet Giveaway!!!

The Disney Dooney & Burke wristlet giveaway is live as of this morning (12:01am on Monday, August 13th) and will run through 12:01am on Tuesday, August 28th.

If you missed my post last week, this is a contest I am working with some of my favorite Disney bloggers on so you will have the opportunity for multiple entries for liking some really great pages, as well as following on various social networking websites! Its super easy to enter and with multiple entry possibilities its a great opportunity!

This wristlet is awesome for a small, quick bag whether you are home or at the parks.  The Dooney wristlets are small but you can fit your cell phone, park tickets, some money/credit cards, and a lip gloss or other smaller objects.  It is perfect for a breezy night on the Boardwalk or for heading back out to Extra Magic Hours or for some drinks.  And this pattern is one of the nicest I have seen released!

Good luck and please share the contest with friends to spread some Disney love! :D

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Future World

I love this time of day in Epcot, the sun is starting to sink down and people are heading to restaurants for dinner... I just want to take in the sights, sounds, and smells of Epcot during this time of day.  <Sigh> Wish I were here.

Disney All Stars

All Star Movies is the only value resort I have ever stayed at but what I think I love the most about value is the larger than life icons lurking around every corner!

Carsland Souvenir Giveaway!!!

While everyone is waiting on the Disney Dooney Giveaway I teased you with I wanted to surprise you and promote another awesome contest!!!!!!

The awesome bloggers over on Everything Walt Disney World and Mouse Chat (as well as some of my other Disney blogging friends) and my friends over at Pixie Vacations have put together this great Carsland Giveaway! Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below (if the link doesn't show up and you are on your mobile device you may need to wait until you are on a computer)!

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Which way would you choose?

What is your first stop in Animal Kingdom?  I head right for Africa or Asia depending whether I am feeling like a relaxing safari ride or a thrilling coaster! ;)

Your Chance to Win a Disney Dooney & Burke Wristlet starts Monday!

Just wanted to give all you fabulous followers and readers another heads up with some more details about the upcoming contest!

The Disney Dooney & Burke wristlet giveaway will go live at 12:01am on Monday, August 13th and run through 12:01am on Tuesday, August 28th.

This is a contest I am working with some of my favorite Disney bloggers on so you will have the opportunity for multiple entries for liking some really great pages, as well as following on various social networking websites! Its super easy to enter and with multiple entry possibilities its a great opportunity!

Stay tuned for more info or bookmark this page until Monday when the Rafflecopter widget below will go live!

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Terra Cotta Soldiers from Epcot to Manhattan

 I recently had the opportunity to see one of China's rarest treasures up close and personal.  The Discovery Times Square Exposition center in Manhattan features some of Shi Huangdi's Terra Cotta warriors at a once in a lifetime exhibit! These may seem farmiliar to even those of you who do not have a passionate love of history as I do because in the China Pavilion in Epcot there is replica Terra Cotta army.  (In my photo above you can see me at Epcot in the top and a few pics from NYC on the bottom).  Discovery TSX rarely allows photography at all so the last thing I expected was to be able to snap pictures.  This was a once in a lifetime experience that even my English Teacher husband was in awe of! If you live in the northeast don't pass it up!

And obvi I couldn't visit Manhattan without a stop to the Times Square Disney Store! I grabbed the newest release in the Around the World vinyl series that was making its way to flagship stores (Burbank, San Fran, Chicago, NYC) and my little feathered friend, Panchito!

Dreams come true at the Disneyland Hotel

Staying at the Disneyland Hotel took my breath away in so many ways.  It is this piece of nostalgia and Disney Parks history that felt like I was in a familiar place that was also brand new. :)

2 Line Review: Pecos Bill

I only need to say two words to define what I love the most about the burgers at Pecos Bill: Fixin's Bar! Yummmm!  I have had beef and veggie burgers here and loved them both as well as the other options like chicken and pulled pork (which is consistent with other locations throughout the park).  This is a fan and family favorite!

Book Review: Strategies for Paying for Disney

Are you looking for some clear, concise information for saving money and paying for your trips on ANY budget? Not sure where to cut corners or which decisions to save money could hurt your trip? Are the normal guide books not quite comprehensive enough to give you the advice you want? Then this is what you have been waiting for!

Natalie Henley's Strategies for Paying for Disney is a comprehensive guide filled with a breakdown of what you are paying for, what all the Disney jargon means from tickets to hotels, and even what questions to ask yourself to choose your hotel and package.  Not to mention this awesome book is filled with TONS of tips for saving money!!!

I knew I loved the book the first time I skimmed through it because Henley gives the same tip that is one of my VERY favorite to give friends and family.  Often people see the price of staying on property and think me and my husband are crazy for paying for a hotel on property (let alone a deluxe), they go against my advice and end up staying off property and then wish they had because they enter the Disney bubble and never want to leave.  (Oh and they didn't take into account the cost of parking, rental cars, and the extra park time that comes with staying on property.)  It is the thorough tips and questions to ask yourself that make this book stand apart.

If you are a first timer heading to a Disney park this book is a must read! And if you want more tips and tricks visit Natalie's website: Meet the Magic!

View from the Boardwalk

I love Boardwalk, and part of that comes from how much I love Epcot and Spaceship Earth and how you can see it peaking through the trees behind Beach Club across the way. :)

Food, Wine, Fun

Anyone heading to this year's Epcot Food and Wine Festival? I sure wish I was! Yum!

Clock strikes midnight...

What is your favorite park to visit during night extra magic hours? Magic Kingdom is my absolutely favorite! My favorite day of every trip seems to end with a late night at MK!

Fantasyland Goodbyes

Is there anything you are going to miss about Fantasyland that closed or is changing with the expansion? I for one and STOKED about it all in all and feel like we didn't really give up much for the awesomeness to come-- although one of my first MK pics was at Pooh's Playful Spot!

World of Color

This was one of my favorite night shows! So original and I love Paradise Pier! If you haven't been to Disneyland head over to YouTube and try to find an HD video of it and you will see what I mean!