Did you spot Flynn & Rapunzel's balcony in Fantasyland?

By now you have probably all heard about the new awesome bathroom and charging area in the Fantasyland expansion themed for one of my new faves- Tangled! The Rapunzel bathrooms are nothing short of amazing but did you catch these cute little pieces of awesome imagineering?

Nods to some of the most fun characters in the film make there way into the area from Rapunzel's painting style to the fun bar group! 

But maybe my very favorite is Flynn Rider's satchel and Rapunzel's frying pan hanging oustide one of the balconies! :) 

Swiss Family Treehouse View

It had been so long since the hubster and I headed up the treehouse we checked it out only to find this sweet view of Adventureland, Tomorrowland, and of course Cinderella's Castle!

Mickey Mouse Vinylmation Giveaway!

Are you a follower of Picturing Disney on Twitter and Instagram?? If so, here's your chance to win an adorable vinyl (and if not come follow and repost for your chance to win)!

Here's how to enter:

1.  Head on over to my IG account (www.instagram.com/PicturingDisney) and follow me. Then, repost the pic above with the tag #picturingdisneygiveaway 

2.  For a second entry head on over to my Twitter account  (www.twitter.com/PicturingDisney) and follow me. Then, retweet the pic with same tag!

Contest is open to US residents only and ends on May 31st at midnight! I will use the total number of posts and then choose a winner through random.org.

Happy posting and have a magical day! :)

Happy Memorial Day!

Here's a shot I particularly love of the fountains outside the American Adventure and a couple relaxing (and holding hands though you can't see it in the pic) out front! :)

Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps

I didn't even know this awesome fife and drum show existed until we stumbled upon them! This was really fun to watch and very patriotic! Have you seen the show? Sadly I haven't even seen the American Adventure show but plan to check it out on my next trip! 

Let the scent take you back: Disney World Inspired Candles!

When I was cleaning out my kitchen cabinets a few months ago I came across the light blue mugs from the ceramic M. Mouse Collection dinnerware I bought when my husband and I first moved in together.  Being a mug collector we never even unpacked the mugs which came from the dinnerware we had purchased.  I had been itching to try upcycling all my favorite candle scents ever since I had read about it online.  Basically, you use votives, tarts, tea lights and other candles from packs that you have accrued along with leftover portions of candles you no longer burned and can create your own new and fantastic scents by added scented oils and unscented waxes! I was super excited to put a Disney twist on it! I have all shapes and sizes and even created my own labels! And I got so into and my candled got so popular I picked up all sorts of jars and created all sorts of scents!!

Since I love to share how I create my homemade magic here is a step-by-step on the creation of my candle line! The only scents currently available are Mickey Waffles, Philharmagic Cherry Pie, and a redesigned Polynesian Resort as well as Florida Project... but I expanded to making some really awesome Harry Potter inspired scents and candle holders: Luna Lovegood, Hermione <3 Ron, and Snape illuminated candle holder! 

(But I had created the following scents along the way to give you an idea: Yacht & Beach Club, Polynesian, Boardwalk, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Caribbean Beach Resort, Boardwalk Bakery, Mickey Waffles, Epcot Churros, World Showcase Margarita, Philharmagic Cherry Pie, Epcot Flower & Garden Festival, and Orange Bird Citrus Swirl.)

First you must either use a double boiler (or two old pots like I did) boiling water in one and adding to the empty pot the wax you want to melt for your new scent.  By my second wave I decided to buy foil pans that I could use as double boilers instead (I bought bread tins) and utilized the same concept.

Next, you make sure your wax has completely melted and your mug is completely clean.  Place a new wick (you can purchase them at craft stored) carefully in the bottom of the mug and pour in wax.  (I did not glue my wax in so that customers who burn their candles down can repurpose the mug back to drinking when they are done and have dishwashed them!)

 Then you need to let your candles set.  I had mine sit overnight before I even cleaned them up and packed them up to make sure all the wax had hardened!

Once your candle is completely hardened you can burn as you wish.  I recommend letting sit for 24 hours to ensure candle is ready!

Grinning Bobcat Designs Review & Giveaway!

As most of you know I love seeing people's imaginations at work, especially those inspired by Disney like myself! In my recent RedBubble browsing I came across Grinning Bobcat Designs and approached the owner about a contest.  I was just in love with her Disney typography and now that I have my shirt in front of me I could not be happier (she also has a shop on Spreadshirt)! (I must say, I do want to go back and buy another dozen designs though as they are all so fabulous!)

I received my Sycamore v-neck tee on Friday and could not wait to wear it! It is unique and without the outright Disney character reference I know it will be true Disney fans who catch the reference, and I think I love that most about the shirt! She has tons of awesome designs and I could not be happier with the quality, fit, and detailed design as well as the kind and generous designer's customer service-- I mean, here I was messaging to basically say "I love your designs, wanna give one away for free?" I think there is another piece of appreciation that sometimes gets lost when we remember that these awesome original designers are willing to give away items just because they rock! :)

Take a few minutes to head on over to the site, browse around, maybe purchase an awesome shirt for yourself or your fam... then hit up the rafflecopter below to earn entries for a great giveaway!
Winner will get to choose any design (save for the Redbubble Exclusives) in the standard tshirt and any color for their prize! How awesome is that?? Not only an amazing designer but YOU choose your own prize design if you win!

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  Create Your Own T-Shirt

See you in 2014 Flower and Garden Festival

As always its been a great Festival but all good things must come to an end, as will this years Flower and Garden Festival! What was your favorite new addition?

Prince Charmings dancing with their ladies :)

Some topiaries return every year and I am so glad that these are two of them! I love how they are on opposite sides of the walkway and the way the colors pop against the water. <3

Retro Epcot Prize Pack Giveaway!!!

As promised, the awesome scbb11Sketch's Epcot pack of 11 postcards AND the Walt Disney World 40th anniversary vinylmation giveaway begins today! 

I am so excited because, as you could tell from my original post I just LOVE these designs! Annnd you already know how much I love vinylmation! This little guy actually was from my personal collection and when I ended up with doubles I decided to save him for a fun giveaway and he fits in perfect with these great designs!

 Which is your favorite?? Use the rafflecopter below to enter for your chance to win then comment and let me know which design you love best! I can't decide- I love them all!

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Pineapple Promenade

And who could pass by without giving this guy a try! 

Dole Whip + Spiced Rum = Yum!

scbb11Sketch: Recreating Amazing Retro Epcot Art!

As you may have noticed, I am all about fan appreciation.  I love seeing fan art and when designs and crafts are made with love they carry a special magic with them no matter what you order.  I shop on Etsy more than I do Amazon, and hit locally owned shops over big stores like Walmart on a regular basis.  There is something more personal and personable about this type of experience and the same goes for internet artists! In a late night session of RedBubble browsing my husband and I stumbled on Stephen's retro Epcot artwork.

Now we love Epcot and love the 1980s (me and Epcot are the same age right now!) but the merchandise seemed few and far between when we were in the parks.  I felt like I wanted to see some real EPCOT Center shirts for men and women, posters, phone cases, etc but was a little disappointed. Stephen's designs are everything anyone who still spells Epcot in all caps is looking for! ;)

You can find his (scbb11Sketch) merchandise at the following online shops:
Posters: http://www.scbb11sketch.imagekind.com
Tshirts, iPhone cases, and stickers: http://www.redbubble.com/people/scbb11sketch
Postcards: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignPavilion
Click away and you will see they are amazing!

And, he is so fabulous that he has sent me a set of 11 postcards to give away!!! To really boost the retro factor of our giveaway I will be adding this lovely little Walt Disney World 40th anniversary vinylmation to the mix!!

Animation Academy Alumni!

What do you think of my Animation Academy skills?

This is one of my favorite things to do at Hollywood Studios! And on our last trip I guessed the trivia correctly and won the artist's drawing! And he personalized it!

Would you have won?

Before he was named Pluto what was Mickey's dog's original name??

Main Street Confectionary

I had the pleasure of enjoying Main Street USA in an almost empty park during Spring Break late one night.  It was after 2am and still the bakers were hard at work in the Confectionary.  

So of course, I grabbed a snack, and watched for a while as they prepared some yummy apples. :)

Pooh Storyteller of the Year Contest!

Have you heard about this amazing contest from Disney? I love the idea of a contest that is both fun to enter and a dream come true to win and Disney’s search for Winnie the Pooh “Storyteller of the Year” is just that! It is a fun way for parents to showcase the importance of storytelling and for families to enter a contest for something fun they probably do together anyway! As you know already I love to read and Pooh is a favorite character. 

Have I got you interested? Well, to enter all families have to do is create a simple, one-minute video as they read a select Winnie the Pooh story to their child and show their favorite Pooh items. 

The winning family will be chosen by Disney Consumer Products and will be flown out to Los Angeles to attend the "Wonder and Wander with Winnie the Pooh" experience held at "PLUSH: the posh little urbanites show" on June 9, 2013! And as if that is not enough... the winner will also win Pooh merchandise and be featured in Disney’s Winnie the Pooh: Wonder and Wander App!

Below you will find the complete press release from Disney with the rules and prizes:

DISNEY LAUNCHES SEARCH FOR WINNIE THE POOH STORYTELLER OF THE YEAR

Enter For A Chance To Win Family Trip to Los Angeles, Pooh Merchandise, And Be Featured in

Disney’s Winnie the Pooh: Wonder and Wander App

Glendale, Calif., April 22, 2013—To celebrate parents and guardians who foster their child’s creativity and teach valuable life lessons through storytelling, Disney Consumer Products (DCP) has launched a nationwide search for the “Winnie the Pooh “Storyteller of the Year.”  The “Storyteller of the Year” user generated contest taps into parents’ love of Winnie the Pooh and invites them to share the loveable bear’s story in a creative way through video and the use of fun props including Pooh plush toys, puppets, blankets or any other Pooh item. To enter, all parents and families need to do is create a simple, one-minute video that’s sweet like “hunny,” full of wonder, or funny, as they read a select Winnie the Pooh story to their child and show their favorite Pooh items. From April 22 through May 15, 2013, videos can be submitted online at DisneyStore.com/PoohStoryteller or from any mobile device. Complete rules and a list of prizes can be found here.

“We invite parents to join Disney in celebrating the art of storytelling and Winnie the Pooh, one of our most beloved characters of all time,” said Stephen Teglas, vice president of classic franchises for Disney Consumer Products. “Pooh teaches us about friendship, adventure, and to appreciate the simple things in life. Through the ‘Storyteller of the Year’ contest we hope to capture some of these sweet family moments and encourage parents to use their best storytelling abilities to spark their child’s imagination and create long-lasting memories.”

Parents and guardians can choose from three Pooh stories “A Blustery Day”, “Happy Mother’s Day” and “A Bouncy Babysitter” to create their own video. Once their video is complete, they simply upload it at DisneyStore.com/PoohStoryteller to enter the contest.  DCP will select the winning video that best showcases creativity, integrates Pooh items, and captures the essence of Winnie the Pooh. The grand prize winner will receive a trip to Los Angeles, Calif. for a family of four and an assortment of Winnie the Pooh products including toys, books, and other gifts. As an added bonus, the winning video will be added to an upcoming version of Disney’s Winnie the Pooh: Wonder and Wander App, and everyone who downloads the free app will see the “master storyteller” in action. 

Additionally, while in Los Angeles, the winning family will join DCP at the “Wonder and Wander with Winnie the Pooh” experience held at “PLUSH: the posh little urbanites show” on June 9, 2013, where the winner will be officially crowned “Storyteller of the Year,” and will read a Winnie the Pooh story to kids and families and celebrities in attendance.

Fans can also vote at DisneyStore.com/PoohStoryteller to select a “fan favorite” video.  The “fan favorite” will receive a great assortment of Winnie the Pooh products.

For Winnie the Pooh product ideas to integrate into videos, please visit DisneyBaby.com/WinniethePooh. To see a sample video, and for more information on the Winnie the Pooh “Storyteller of Year” contest, please visit DisneyStore.com/PoohStoryteller.

Epcot Close Up: Tea Garden Tour

One of my favorite parts of the Flower and Garden Festival is the tea garden! I always stop in the Twinings store because I love tea and my husband and I love Shakespeare, who's home in Stratford-on-Avon the tea shop is modeled after. :) 

Here's a photo tour of the great little garden:

Oz at Epcot

I adored the new Oz movie and even though it was geared more towards kids we just had to stroll through to check out the festival happenings.  I especially loved the iconic balloon set up and the glass poppies! :)

LeSportSac It's a Small World Medium Weekender Giveaway! :D

You know I love LeSportSac and obvi all things Disney so as you could expect I just ADORE the new summer pattern! I wish I could afford to pick up a new crossbody for myself but I am even more excited to share this giveaway with you! Thanks to some other fabulous blogger friends we have all chipped in to bring you this awesome giveaway for a Medium Weekender in the new summer Small World pattern! And if you can't tell from the charm closeup above this season's featured charm is Mary Blair herself! :) How adorable, right?

I love the size and style of the Medium Weekender and can especially picture it being the perfect personal item when traveling to the Happiest Place on Earth by plane! (I know you can picture it too!)

Our giveaway begins on Sunday and will run through midnight Saturday night (May 5th-11th)! Bookmark this page and come back when the rafflecopter opens or keep your eye here on Picturing Disney for an updated post when the contest is live! 

Enjoy & remember a smile means friendship to everyone! 

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