The 30th Anniversary Walt Disney World Parade

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Walt Disney Parade.  The hosts this year are Neil Patrick Harris and Lara Spencer.  The Warm Up Host was Mark Daniel, the host of the American Idol Experience in Hollywood Studios.  The Warm Up Host is a very valuable part of the day, as he gets the crowd excited and motivated before taping and during the holding patterns.  

I arrived at The Magic Kingdom around 7:30am and we were immediately placed in spots where they needed people to fill the background for the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade.  We were in an amazing spot!  They actually taped the SPECTACULAR Finale first!  The end of the finale song was the part that happened in front us us and it has a huge finish!  Neil Patrick Harris was dancing with "The Newsies" that you may have seen at Disneyland or on Broadway along with many Disney characters from past to present to help him end the show in a huge way!  We got to see the Choreographers for this great event, Lou & Mark, directing their cast from stars, Disney Cast & even US All Stars for Cheer & Dance Championships who were a part of the Christmas Day Parade performances.   It was quite a warm day, so we were constantly reminded to stay hydrated and asked how we were doing by the Cast Members.  They even came down the street with refreshment carts that sold bottled drinks for cash only at their normal $2.50 each for anyone who needed hydration.  Then it was time for the actual parade!  By this time, it was approximately 2pm.  I will say that I had an absolutely fantastic time today!  Thank you to all the Cast and Crew who performed so brilliantly and made such a spectacular show that I am looking forward to watching on ABC Christmas day! 

 If you do plan to attend the Christmas Day Parade Taping, please know and understand that with any pre-recorded television production that will be edited to perfection, there will be several takes and "one more times" and you must remember your patience as a spectator.  People were working very hard to put on the show, but I basically stood in one place for approximately 9 hours.  That means you need to prepare for hydration and snacks or someone who can buy something and bring it back to you with limited ability to get down Main Street USA.  

  You will also need to be prepared to stand for long period of time in a very tight area with people pushing and sometimes people around whose attitudes are a little less than magical.  Not everyone seems to understand that a Television production involves many pieces of Cast and Crew performing to perfection.  If one piece is off, it's a re-do...until we get the shot needed.  Cast Members are very good to the spectators, but a television recording is honestly about the final product and not about the spectators waiting to see the parade.  The day is done in pieces and they have a very good system about what must happen next.  If you can do this and ENJOY being a part of such a FUN PRODUCTION, than you may love this as much as I did.  But if this is not your idea of fun, than maybe a different plan should be in order for taping day.  One more note:  you can take

pictures during some rehearsals, but they do tell you to put away phones and cameras when they are recording because understandably, the audience looks better enjoying the show without cameras and phones in their face on National Television.  If you enjoy watching HOW the production takes place and possibly some fun interaction with the Cast of the parade, than pack your patience and remember what you are there for.

I am thoroughly happy that I was a part of this event and would love to go again...but I also understand that not everyone enjoys the downsides of this type of event.  

After the parade, the champion Carolina Crown Drum Corps came through to perform.  

They were fantastic and provided a perfect musical close to our day.  I look forward to seeing how all the pieces fit together on ABC Christmas Day!  Look for me!  I was told that from the place we were standing, we were "guaranteed" to be on television Christmas Day.  We'll see!  Regardless, I'm thrilled to have seen it in person.  And if you're reading this BEFORE Christmas Day, be on the lookout for a special ending from the Walt Disney World side.  Hint, Hint:  May the Force be with you!

Thankful to live my Disney Dream

During this time of Thanksgiving, we all think about the many things in our lives that we are thankful for.  One of the many things that I am thankful for every day is the opportunity to live in the place of my dreams.  It was something that I talked about and wished for "someday"  but honestly didn't realize that the stars would align and I would get an Email one day from a friend that helped move

my life into the place where I truly feel like I belong.  This year, I had my 3-year "Florida-versary" and the thankfulness that I have to live in this magical place is just as strong as ever!  Disney movies sing of moving to a far-off place to feel like you belong and working hard to make your dreams come true.  I have been blessed with the opportunity to share Disney's magic of every holiday throughout the year, Limited Time Magic events, pictures, experiences for those who live around the world.  I have been blessed to meet amazing friends from around the world because of our common love of Walt Disney World. It never ceases to amaze me that EVERY DAY is SOMEONE's FIRST day at Walt Disney World and that so many people count hundreds of days for their next visit.  I truly hope that my experiences make you feel closer all the time and keep you excited until next time.  

And you can even experience MY new experiences!  Because with Disney, there is ALWAYS something new to enjoy!  2013 was the 15 year anniversary of the Animal Kingdom and 20th anniversary of EPCOT's Flower and Garden Festival.

 This year, I experienced my first Hot Air Balloon ride at Walt Disney World, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and my first Disney Cruise.   Plus, I had my first volunteer experience with a Run Disney event during the Happy Haunted 5K in October.  As I look through the year in photos, there are so many experiences that I am thankful to have enjoyed including: enjoying New Fantasyland, Limited Time Magic events, the addition of Rapunzel's tower, Star Wars Weekends, Merida's coronation into the family of Disney Princesses (along with star appearances), and now the beautiful holiday decorations around Walt Disney World...only to name a few of the highlights.  

 

 I say all this to remind you as Walt Disney once said "If you can dream it, you can do it."  It may not be easy.  Even his life was not easy at times.  But work hard, develop a plan, make baby steps toward your goal.  Every step forward is something to celebrate...no matter where you are on your journey.

I am thankful for the experiences that I have had and look forward to sharing the future with you, my friends.  At the end of the year, I hope to look back at all the top moments.  Please know how thankful I am for my experiences, my friendships and the future.  Thanks for reading and sharing smiles along the way in this excellent journey of life.

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Book Signings at Walt Disney World

I recently had a wonderful experience, but realize that if you go in without realizing the Disney Rules, you may walk away with a less than magical experience.

Knowledge is power in most worlds...but in Fantasyland and the 43 square miles of Walt Disney World, knowledge can equal MAGICAL MOMENTS.

I was fortunate enough to attend a Book Signing with Marty Sklar for his new book "Dream It!  Do It!"
Marty Sklar retired from a legendary half-century in the Disney Company and he had a part in opening all eleven current Disney Parks throughout the world.  I look forward to reading his behind-the-scenes stories...but one thing that I was very impressed with on this morning was the system that Disney has for moving things along in a wonderful way,

First, with Disney, ARRIVE EARLY!

I arrived almost 2 hours early to stand in line for a book signing.  Although I know this Disney Legend is a big deal in MY mind, I didn't believe that on a weekday, many people would arrive that early for something that did not involve a character, ride or attraction.  I was WRONG!
When I got there, I immediately got in line where the rope and Cast Member was standing to help guests.  We were in the line to BUY his book.  You see, when there is a Book Signing at Walt Disney World, you have to show a receipt that you purchased the book on Disney property or buy it at the event.  You cannot bring in a book purchased from another source and get it signed on Disney Property.
I do not mind this.  I feel like we are coming to "Disney's house" and need to abide by their rules.  I work for a property management company:  we try to be as fair as possible, but people have to abide by our rules in "our house."  Another rule is that he can sign 2 items per person.  You can have more than one person in your party, but each person can have a maximum of 2 items.  This is just a rule to keep the line moving - and I have seen that with Disney, some people will bring 10 or more to sell online.  This rule makes the event much more special for more people.

So, the first line is to walk in and go straight to the register to purchase the book.
At the register, they gave me a green wristband with my receipt.  I didn't need to show my receipt again because I already had a green wristband.
If you had purchased the book elsewhere on Disney property, you could have bypassed the first line and showed your receipt to go directly to the second line.

One thing you can't do is send someone to that second line to hold your spot because they DO check for wristbands - and if you say someone is coming, that doesn't work.  I witnessed a man trying to hold a spot but since HE did not have a wristband the Cast Member told him that he should not wait in "this line."  When he explained that he was holding a space for his wife who was in the other line, the Cast Member nicely pointed out about all the people who have legitimately been waiting in the line that she would be trying to pass...but that the wrist band color has changed to purple and she shouldn't be in the "green" area of line that he was in...so he moved back and was not happy.  But honestly, they were being very fair to ALL and I appreciate that.

By this time it was approximately 9:30am and I was in an 11am book signing line (thankfully in a nice shady spot with nice people around me).  I heard that the people who arrived at 9:30am were already getting purple wristbands, which did not guarantee them an opportunity to meet Marty Sklar.  But I also heard (and saw) that Mr. Sklar is a very wonderful, gracious man who took more time than was scheduled to sign books, speak to guests and really make you feel special.
During our long wait, Cast Members came down the line to ask us how we spell the name we want autographed in the book to and if we want any particular message.  Cast Members wrote down the

details clearly on a post it note and put the book cover in the spot to hold the page and save time having to flip around the book and give the details later.  That allowed a few special moments with Marty Sklar that I will treasure.
Also, Disney Ambassadors were going down the line chatting with people and Cast Members even made sure that everyone was ok and did not need water in the hot sun.  It was actually a very pleasant wait!

When I got to the signing area, one Cast Member offered to take my personal backpack, so that it would be safe at the Exit and not in my pictures - I LOVE THAT!  I always try to take that off for pics, but always carry around water and supplies...Another Cast Member took my camera to take pictures of Mr. Sklar interacting with me and signing my book.  They said that he was not doing individual posed pictures with everyone because they were trying to get as many people to meet him as possible.  But they had my camera and took several pictures of our moments together.  I appreciated not having to THINK about taking pictures, but enjoying the moment!

Then, as soon as I stepped away both Cast Members handed me my camera and backpack...at the same moment another Cast Member was handing over a bag to the "Bag Cast Member" & saying "GREEN SHIRT" and pointing...what a GREAT SYSTEM!  Disney, you've done it again.

Disney Book Signings are wonderful!  But please be prepared to purchase the book at the signing or show a receipt of purchase within the Walt Disney World Resort to ensure a MAGICAL experience!

Disney Quest - Rainy Day Ideas at Walt Disney World

Are you looking for ways to make rainy days at Walt Disney World magical?

One place that's a huge hit on a rainy day is Disney Quest.

Disney's INDOOR Interactive Theme Park includes five floors of virtual fun and puts you in the middle of some of your favorite Disney adventures.  This place is a gamer's dream come true!

There are four zones:  Explore, Score, Replay and Create.

Disney Quest holds 1900 people and was filled to capacity on the day before my visit because it was a very rainy day.  On normal days, you should not have a crowd issue at all.  Some of the highlighted attractions include bumper cars with asteroid-firing cannons - you can choose to be a driver or gunner and spin your opponent out of control in Buzz Lightyear's AstroBlaster.  You can be a part of a human pinball game in Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam.

Would you like to volunteer to rescue stranded people and battle attaching aliens in "An Extra TERRORestrial Alein Encounter...or maybe ride Virtual Space Mountain.  You can even get on a motorcycle-type ride at Aladdin's Magic Carpet ride and put headgear on to virtually put yourself right into the screen of Aladdin's world.  Become a Pirate as you sail the Caribbean, battle pirate ships, rough water and the ghost of Jolly Roger to get treasure...and there's always that chance that you'll end up in Davy Jones' locker.  You can also ride a Virtual Jungle Cruise...the possibilities in Disney Quest seem endless!

Plus, if you're a "child of the eighty's" than you will be very happy with the BLAST FROM THE PAST games that you can find here and play again.

 You can also try your hand at learning how to do animation here.  Several times a day they hold a 30 minute Animation Academy.  In the classes, they teach you to draw Disney characters.  On the day that I was there, you could learn how to make Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy & Pluto.  After you're done, you can purchase your artwork in the Gallery.

There are a few food options and I even saw outlets near seating for phone charging opportunities.  The food was mainly burgers, hot dogs, wraps and fast food choices.
Hope you enjoy your day if you visit and always make the most of every day at Walt Disney World...rain or no rain!