Want to win 2 awesome Disney art prints?! & a $100 gift card??

Right now we have two totally awesome contests running for you! If you are here because of one of the contests, be sure to enter the other! And while you are at it- spread the Disney love to your friends and fam through the easy Social Networking links at the bottom of this post!

To enter to win the Robin Hood and Jungle Book art prints complete the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

To enter to win the $100 gift card head over the My Dreams of Disney and complete the rafflecopter there (I will get the code and post an easy widget for you guys in the next couple days)!

Thanks for following along and hope to see everyone stick around long after the prizes have been awarded- I've got lots of Disney love to share! xo

Spectromagic!

What do you think? Happy about the return of Spectro or will totally miss the Main Street Electrical Parade??? Although I loved the nostalgia of the Electric Light Parade, Spectro was the first park parade I ever saw so I am psyched to see it again-- I realized today I haven't seen it since 2008!

More Morocco

I love getting lost in new worlds in Disney World. Where else can you globe-trot to 11 countries in just one day, one hour if you are quick about it?!

Castle of Castles

Don't you love the in-store displays?? (:

Disney Shopper's Heaven

What is your must stop shop in Downtown Disney?? 

Robin Hood & Jungle Book Harshness Print Giveaway!!!!

As promised here is an incredible giveaway from one of the most talented graphic artists I have enountered on Etsy.  His shop is chock full of amazing prints that bestill my geeky heart-- if you love Tolkein, Marvel, Harry Potter, Game of Thones, Star Wars, and of course Disney, this is the shop for you!! Once you enter the contest head on over and pick up a couple of his other prints! The quality and customer service is top notch! 

One winner will win:

 (1) 11x17 "Robin Hood" and (1) 11x17 "The Jungle Book"

Claim your entries in the widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Carthay Circle

I know you've all seen pictures from this angle at this fountain but it really is just such a pick me up for me.  I love love love it! :)

Etsy Shop Review: Disney Prints & More by Harshness

I am always looking for new ways to decorate and for unique art so Etsy is a frequent stop for me.  As some of my followers who have been here from the start (thank you so much!) and some of the more recent fans (thank you too!) know I am all about showcasing the incredible finds that I come across!  I can't remember being more excited to share a shop with you than I am right now! Harshness appeals to my Disney lover side with unique and incredible art like this great Robin Hood print:

 

He also offers a fresh take on favorite cult classic movies and Marvel.  Not to mention Harry Potter,

 

Lord of the Rings, 

 

and Star Wars

 

And don't even get me started on Game of Thrones.  I am still analyzing all my wall space trying to find a place for the fabulous direwolf House Stark print that is on my wishlist right now! 

In any case, back to Disney, there are currently prints from 10 different Disney movies available in 11x17 available at the Harshness shop and they are all exquisite and unique featuring bright beautiful colors in a graphic that captures the essence of the film being featured.  You will not regret your purchase from this shop.  I ordered Robin Hood and the Little Mermaid and they are even more beautiful than the pictures.  

On top of an incredible product the shop owner has really awesome customer service! When my package arrived one of the ends of the tube was missing and the entire tube had been squished.  I was so disappointed because both of my prints were ruined. :(  When I notified the owner he sent out replacement right away to replace the creased prints! Yay! Annnd in true form of the awesomeness of the Harshness shop experience he sent me prints to GIVEAWAY TO YOU!!! Double yay!!

Keep your eye out on Thursday for a great giveaway featuring a 2-pack of Disney prints: Robin Hood and The Jungle Book! Bookmark this page or keep your eye out for the official giveaway start post on Thursday morning!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Home of Tomorrow

I found this on my phone and wanted to share another Magical Moment of my own.  In 2011 my husband and I went to Disneyland for the first time.  I have shared loads of memories from our trip and my subsequent trip this year since then but one of the nice differences is that on some rides and attractions you can email yourself your images! On Buzz Lightyear (which I prefer over Magic Kingdom's Buzz since the guns are removeable) and when you answer the questions you would usually answer on Spaceship Earth in Epcot while in Innoventions (def not as cool to not have SE buuuut I kinda dig Innoventions being located in Tomorrowland) you can email yourself and your friend your final pic!  This is me and the hubs! LOL! Loves it!

Jamboree??

Yay or nay for Country Bears when you visit Magic Kingdom?

Don't be crabby!

Another adorable lego sculpture Downtown!

Test Track

I love the queue for Test Track! What is your must-ride in Future World?

Future World

I wish this were my view right now... heading off on an adventure in Epcot :)

Last Chance to Win!! :D

Don't forget!! Only a few hours to go to enter to win an item from Wish Upon A Star's Etsy Shop!!!

Since the shop is filled with Digital Downloads that will be sent to you through email, the gracious shop owner will let the winner choose their prize!! Simply enter below using the rafflecopter form (and if you have entered already double check to make sure you have gotten as many entries as you can)!

Good Luck!!! Winner will be announced in the morning!!! 

Have a magical night!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Turtle Time!

I loved the Pixar Parade at DCA! Honestly, though if I hadn't stumbled upon it with the Crush and Squirt float I may not have even stopped! I love those sea turtles! 

How do you combat the Disney Blues?

I have had a real case of the Disney blues and until I found my husband joining me I did not let myself succumb to the realization that I am not even close enough to thoroughly plan most aspects of my trip yet.  I am very grateful and was very lucky to get to go to Disneyland this year considering when my husband and I went last year we figured we wouldn't be back for a long while.  But, in 2011 I was able to visit Disney World 3 times and it showed me that there is a part of me that is missing when I don't get my "fix".

Disney World really brings out the best in me.  I don't know if its is the carefree magical trips we always have or the message of adventure and happily ever after that is rampant in all things Disney.  I know for a lot of people out there Disney World is just this American right of passage, this thing that they should do as parents or this thing that they want to do because they are kids... but for some of us it is different.  I think the best part of having a Disney Photoblog is getting to meet so many people who "get it".  Who don't think I am crazy and who would never ever think to ask why I keep going back.  For that I want to thank you.  I don't know how I would bare the next 8 and a half months without a trip to Disney without you!

In any case, I have a couple more contests with some fabulous Etsy shops up my sleeve for the next few weeks as well as some new Park Style and Planning posts.  Oh and I am working on some scrapbooking ideas pages for everyone wondering what to do with all those fabulous pictures you took in the parks!  They are totally written in my head, I just need to get the time to commit to them when I am not so tired.

What do you do to combat the post-trip (or long wait in between trips) blues? I would love some suggestions! Comment below or on the Facebook post for your chance to be featured in an article here on Picturing Disney!

2 Line Review: Hawaii Booth at Epcot Food & Wine Festival

Seven Tiki Mai Tai... worth going back alone! I think I am going to look up the exact ingredients to this one and try it at home! :)

Wish Upon A Star Etsy Shop Review & Giveaway!

I love Etsy.  I think at this point, if you've been reading my photoblog you have figured that much out.  I adore the effort and love put into Etsy artists work and it gives me that personal touch to talk to shop owners.  If I really love a product I have purchased or see something that is right up my alley I like to contact the shop and see if the owner wants to team up so I can share my new "find" with all of you fabulous Disney fans! My latest purchase from Wish Upon a Star is no exception.  I don't always like to ask for something for nothing so usually unless I am specifically looking for something handmade (like the keychain from The Copper Fox a few weeks ago) I wait to get my product before contact.  This week, however, I have found such incredible stuff I couldn't wait!

First of all, the listing was for an adorable bright pink stand mixer with Minnie ears and a bow and when I messaged the shop owner about getting the print changed to match my own cherry red Kitchenaid mixer she was immediately helpful and willing to work it out! Then, I couldn't decide if the pink bow would look quite right but I have some light blue in my kitchen and told her and she sent me both versions! I used Office Depot's print services and ordered a copy of each so I could decide which I liked better- the digital print cost ($10) plus the printing ($1.63) means that I got a high quality piece of art for my home for under $13! Love it! The print came out poster-quality, I don't even have it framed yet, just put it in a nook of my counter that I don't do a lot of messing up for now.

After talking with the shop owner she amazingly and graciously offered to give away ANY of her digital downloads for free- so this is a contest where YOU choose your prize!!! I have teamed up with Everything Walt Disney World who shared their awesome Carsland Giveaway with us this summer and the rafflecopter below offers multiple easy ways to enter! Get started now by heading over the Wish Upon a Star and then telling me which item you would pick if you win!!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mondays Bite! Epcot Food & Wine Festival Mexican Shrimp Tacos!

Epcot Food & Wine Festival Mexico Booth Shrimp Tacos

These were probably one of my favorites at last years Food & Wine fest! They are super easy to make (you can find this and other recipes from Food & Wine fest on the Disney World site although I bought the festival cookbook when I was there and used that).  The only thing I changed is the chipotle mayo which I couldn't get quite right so I substituted it for a spicy mayo I love (if you would like to keep your tacos true to the original recipe you mix 2/3 cups mayo with a pureed 7.5 oz can of chipotle peppers in adobe sauce). 

Spicy Mayonnaise Ingredients:

6 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 tablespoons Sriracha

2 teaspoons white vinegar

Coarse salt, to taste

Shrimp Tempura Ingredients:

Vegetable oil for frying

1 egg white

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon parsley, dried

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup water

1 pound large shrimp, peeled, deveined, with tails removed (approximately 30-35 shrimp)

Shrimp Tacos Ingredients:

10 (6-inch) flour tortillas

3 cups shredded red cabbage (I used a mix of cabbage, lettuce, carrots that I love from Mann's)

3/4 cup favorite salsa verde

For Spicy Mayonnaise:
1. Mix mayonnaise, vinegar, and Sriracha.  Add salt to taste. Cover and refrigerate.

For Shrimp Tempura:
1. Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 375ÚF in a deep fryer.
2. Beat egg white in a small bowl until frothy and light. Do not overbeat. Set aside.
3. Mix together flour, cornstarch, salt, parsley, paprika, baking powder, garlic powder, and baking soda in a large bowl. Add water and egg white; mix until smooth.
4. Add shrimp and toss until fully covered with batter.
5. Drop 6 to 8 at a time in hot oil. Do not overcrowd. Fry 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove fried shrimp and drain on paper towels.

To serve:
1. Spread 1 heaping tablespoon of mayonnaise on flour tortilla and place 3 shrimp down middle. Top with small handful of cabbage and drizzle with salsa verde.

Where in World Showcase?

The Mexico Pavilion is probably my favorite pavilion in Epcot-- what about you?

Swan & Dolphin Take 2

 

Even though the Swan and Dolphin offer discounts to teachers I can't help but feel like they are off property hotels located on property.  Have you ever stayed at either? What did you think? Id love some details.  And why the heck is there a fish on top of the dolphin??

Flamingos!!

:)

Fireside drinks at the Disneyland Hotel

Every nook and cranny at the Disneyland Hotel seemed to be recently updated and just plain beautiful.  Disney does hotel resorts right when every place you stay feels like a vacation within a vacation.

2 Line Review: Mexico Booth at Epcot Food & Wine Festival

This was like a party in my mouth.  Best. Shrimp. Tacos. Ever.

Art of Animation Resort

Everyone is buzzing about the opening of the newest Walt Disney World Resort hotel- Art of Animation! One of my great friends (who also happens to be a great travel agent) was recently down in Disney and got to stay at the new resort! Lucky for us she sent some pics of the resort! What do you think?!

If you are ready to head back to the happiest place on Earth, shoot Amanda an email and take advantage of everything the fall season has to offer with up to 30% off at select Walt Disney World resorts on select nights! Don't hesitate- you must book by Sept 29, 2012! :]
Email Amanda: amandal@mickeytoday.com

Oh Food & Wine Festival how I love thee!

Wish we were all eating and drinking around the world together right about now! What would your first stop be? I think I would go for the Dessert booth! LOL!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic is a fun night show housed in its own theater with bleacher style seating that includes lots of Disney characters and music as well as fireworks and some cool water effects.

For some reason I haven't seen Fantasmic in years.  We skipped it in 2010 and 11... although we did watch it from Big Thunder Mountain as we rode about 5 or 6 times in a row in Disneyland last year. I miss watching Mickey conquer his nightmares!

Beautiful Buena Vista Street

This West Coast Wednesday brings us back to my favorite area in California Adventure- and its only been a couple months but man do I miss it already! From every angle this area is gorgeous!

2 Line Review: Japan Booth at Epcot Food & Wine Festival

 If a picture is worth a thousand words do you even need 2 lines of review when you see the sushi on my plate? Absolutely delicious! Yum!

Magical Moment Monday: Fun Times at Port Orleans Resort!

Shannon from Addicted to Mickey and her family really enjoyed the amenities at Port Orleans Resort!

 "My kids thought the slide at POFQ was the best we'd ever seen. Over and over again, the slid down the dragon's tongue."

"Clay's favorite hobby is fishing and he was so excited to be able to do it at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside."

I have always wanted to stay at Port Orleans- there seems to just be so much to do and see there! Looks like I will need to make a stop when I am staying near Downtown Disney next Spring! ;)
If you want to check out more of Shannon's pictures and articles you can also find her on The Disney Moms!

Cinderella Pumpkins

Its officially September so I can get myself all excited about Fall and Halloween without seeming too crazy! I wish my local orchard grew Cinderella Pumpkins, don't you?