Day 871: A Few of my Favorite Things V6

It's been a while since I shared some of my favorite Disney things, but when I had a post idea in mind, I figured I would make the most out of it and add it to the collection, especially since it fit in perfectly. So here we are, exploring A Few of My Favorite Things That I Don't Yet Own!

Custom Minnie Ears: 

Vintage Minnie Ears from ShopHouseOfMouse

Spaceship Earth Minnie Ears from EarsComeTrue

I mentioned the other day that I'm definitely in love with the custom Minnie Ears you can now find all over Etsy, and I certainly have a few favorites so far as I debate which ones I might actually want to get. Currently these two are at the top of the list, but I'm also toying with the idea of making my own DIY Minnie Ears before my trip in a couple of weeks! 

Hand-Painted Toms:

Custom Hand-Painted Shoes By The Enchanted Brush

Time is ticking away until I finally decide to order a pair of hand-painted Toms from this wonderful Etsy shop. I discovered The Enchanted Brush through another Instagram Account (or five), and instantly fell in love. What you see above is only one example of the beautiful work from this shop, and while the shop is currently closed, I definitely look forward each day to seeing what new creations are in progress. Follow The Enchanted Brush on Instagram to see all of the amazing work and get updates on when you can get shoes of your own!

OUAT Captain Hook Necklace: 

Necklace from FanVictory

As a huge fan of Hook on Once Upon A Time, this is something that's been rolling around in my head since Christina Perri wore her own reproduction of the necklace in The Words Music Video. Then again, there's any number of great Once Upon A Time pieces out there, but since a friend of mine already has an Emma Swan necklace and Hook is more on my radar, I think this would be a perfect addition to my collection! 

Disneyland Decades Mug: 

Mug from Disney Parks

I think I've had this one on the blog before, but it's definitely worthy enough to share again. I love my Disney mugs, and it's going to be mighty difficult to narrow it down to which ones I want...especially since there are some Starbucks You Are Here Mugs with my name on them.

Of course, I'm sure I could go on for ages with different products I really want at the moment, but I'm a Disney fan, and if there's a struggle we all understand as Disnerds, it's the continuing struggle between our Disney Obsession and Paycheck. So much to get, so little to get it with, so for now I think I'll have to put off buying a few of these.

Then again...I do have a birthday coming up...

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on May 24 due to computer issues).

Day 423: A Few of My Favorite Things V5

When I was going through my various days I still have to make up as far as blog posts go, I realized that I haven't really done much in my series posts lately, other than YouTube of course. There's just so many videos out there that it's hard to skip past them. But I haven't had a Disney Collection Post or Favorite Things post since like December, and now, as I write this, it's almost April! Gosh time goes by quickly!

So yesterday, Megan and I determined that today's Favorite Things post will focus on my favorite Disney Characters, and she suggested I split it further into various sections. I like the idea, because I can go a little more in depth, and include more than like two in each category. There are so many wonderful movies out there that it's hard to just pick one or two, am I right?

First, today, we'll have a post focusing on Heroes and Heroines of the different films. So in other words, our main characters. Then, the next Favorite Things post will include Favorite Villains and Badguys before rounding it out with a post on sidekicks and other random characters that I love. Seems like a good idea, right? I think so.

So, here are some of my favorite heroes and heroines from Disney films!

Hero #5: Prince Phillip

Ok...so maybe that Phillip is from Festival of Fantasy...but it still counts, right? Either way, Phillip is awesome. He's funny, knows how to randomly dance in the woods, can sing, fight dragons and overall, is pretty awesome. He actually ranks in strongly as my second favorite Disney Prince, so he's got to be on this list, right? 

Heroine #5: Anna

I'm not gonna lie, when I first heard about Frozen I was skeptical...but then again, wasn't I the same way with Princess and the Frog, and Tangled, and Wreck It Ralph? Yeah, I suppose so. Frozen, however, has won over my heart, at least a bit. Tangled still ranks above it for sure, as do Lady and the Tramp and Beauty and the Beast, but I'd say it's worked it's way up to the number four spot in my favorite Disney films (ranking in with Number 2 of recent years if you include the split). And my favorite character is easily Anna, although I'm pretty sure it's because when we sing the songs here at college, we all decided that I sound most like her. It's kind of funny because my friend Emily will sing Elsa's part, and I'll be over here singing Anna's, and it sounds pretty good. Plus she's just adorable. 

Hero #4: Bambi

Seriously, how can you not love this little guy? I honestly think that Bambi is one of the best Disney films, if only because of the villain. I'll talk more about it on the Villains post that goes along with this one, but it's brilliant to showcase how we, as humans, are just as much the villain as any other being out there. It's such a powerful message. And then there's Bambi himself, who is just plain awesome. He's got so much to learn about the world, no matter how old he gets, and then the whole fire thing, and his friends and then he lives on as the Great Prince of the Forest. I mean, is that cool or what? 

Heroine #4: Ellie 

I'm not sure if this totally counts because she's not really the main character of the movie, but you do feel her spirit throughout the entire thing. And if there's one movie that never ever fails to make me cry, it's Up. Those first 8 minutes are absolutely beautiful, and seriously I doubt anything will ever come up to par with them. The love story of Carl and Ellie is just...I have no words for it. And Ellie herself, in both physical form and spirit, gives us one of the greatest messages about love there has ever been in a Disney film. 

Hero #3: Woody & Buzz

I tried to pick just one, I really did, but ultimately I love these two pretty equally. Toy Story, without one or the other, would just be an awful story. Plus, they're best friends now, partners in crime, and I feel like you can't always rank one above the other. Woody and Buzz each have their own unique story to tell, and a role in the overall tale of the toys, both are leaders and funny and have flaws, but they even each other out, so that's awesome. And you know, a little bit of them reminds me of me and my best friends, because while we're very different, we work well together. So they both make it onto the list in the #3 spot. 

Heroine #3: Belle & Lady

I was running out of spots, and since these two movies are tied on the end of favorite classic Disney film, I felt that Belle and Lady were really about the same on my scale anyways. Lady and the Tramp was one of my favorites as a kid, especially since I have always loved dogs. Beauty and the Beast I've loved on and off, but Belle has always been my favorite there. I think it's because she loves reading and books, and so do I. Plus now one of my all time favorite Disney songs is "Belle" from the beginning of the movie, just because I think it's brilliant. 

Hero #2: Quasimodo

I don't care if it's not close to the original story! Quasimodo is one of my favorites and that's that! He's awesome. Plus the song "Out There" actually DOES rank in as my favorite Disney song of all time. I think his story is yet another powerful one, and he's just so lovable that he just can't NOT be on this list. I love Hunchback, as it's for sure up there on my list of favorite Disney films (not at the total top, but it's a favorite for sure), and Quasimodo is just my favorite! 

Heroine #2: Mary Poppins

I feel like you just kind of have to love Mary Poppins. I mean, she's practically perfect in every way, and it's Julie Andrews and the movie is so brilliant and gosh. I just love Mary Poppins. Plus, she's certainly worked her way up on my list since I saw Saving Mr. Banks, probably because it's just more forefront in my mind. Either way, she most certainly ranks in as #2. 

Heroine #1: Rapunzel

We're going to list my #1 Heroine first because that way we can save my #1 hero for last, since he also happens to be my absolute favorite Disney character of all time. But I'm sure you saw this coming. Rapunzel is seriously my favorite. I don't really know why, although I sense it has something to do with the fact that I LOVE Tangled...much thanks to a certain person you'll see in a minute. Either way, Rapunzel is adorable, and I could literally sit and have conversations with her about apples and hair and horses all day. Oh, and maybe Frying pans too. It would be a wonderful life to live. 

Hero #1 & All Time Favorite Disney Character: Flynn Rider

Does this surprise you? Cause it shouldn't. As for this picture, it honestly took me a long time to decide on one...but for some reason this one of him and a candlestick just really stood out to me. It was like "THIS IS THE ONE YOU WANT TO USE FOR YOUR BLOG!" So I did. Where do I even start with Flynn though? He's just obviously my favorite. Like no questions asked. Did I freak out when I got to meet him last week? You bet I did. I was shaking and everything. AND THEN I GOT TO GIVE HIM A HUG. 

Dream. Come. True. 

Honorable Mentions: 

Heroes: Simba, Robin Hood, Pongo, Prince Eric, Tramp, Pinocchio & Stitch

Heroines: Tinkerbell, Tiana, Lilo, Sally (Cars) & Nala

Who's your favorite Disney character? 

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on March 28 due to midterms and travel).

Day 422: Flowers and Gardens

For some reason, this morning I found myself on the Walt Disney World website. Weird, I know, right? Either way, what popped up first? Of course, The Flower and Garden Festival! Since I'll be visiting for the first time in just a few weeks, I figured I'd take a look at what's all there so I kind of know what to expect. Truthfully though I have no clue, and have really had no wish to go to Flower and Garden before, but the closer we get to it the more excited I find myself getting. Maybe it's just because I'm going to Disney in general or what, but hey...I'll take it!

So, since I'm going through the website I figured why don't we do a list! Haven't done one of those before, and this will kind of be a My Favorite Things post, in two parts. First, here, we'll have the top 5 things I am most excited about when it comes to the Flower and Garden Festival, and when I get back after seeing it for the first time, I'll give you a list of my 5 favorite things I got to see, eat or experience! Seems like a good plan, right?!?

5. Just Being There

Now, like I said, I've never really wanted to go to the Flower and Garden Festival. I'm much more of a Food and Wine Festival kind of person. Like...so much food and I love it. But I'm never there at either time of year to go to either of the special events, so I just live my life happily with Christmas Decorations. But that doesn't mean I'm not excited about getting to experience the Flower and Garden Festival! Everyone else in my family, meaning my parents and my brother have all been there, and I haven't. It's probably because I haven't really ever been there in the spring, but that's beside the point.

4. Special Merch

It's not really a secret that I LOVE my Disney merchandise. I mean, in my dorm room alone I have tons of Disney Shirts, my vinlymation, Disney cups and Plates and Bowls and...wait...I should do a My Disney Collection post on my dorm room! Brilliance aside, I am very excited about the fact that for the first time in forever (lol) I will actually get a Flower and Garden Festival pin because I WENT TO THE FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL! There are occasions that I have like a Food and Wine Festival pin just because I was able to grab one right after the festival ended, but it will be awesome to actually go to the event and get a pin from it. Way more fun. I mean, really, who doesn't love Disney Merch?

3. The Topiaries

As I was saying, my parents have been to the Flower and Garden Festival before, which means I've seen countless pictures of the special topiaries they have there. And little do you guys know that they start growing those things WAY in advance (Actually that was probably pretty obvious), and I got to see basically all of them a few years ago in the horticulture department when I was on my Backstage Magic Tour. But that's the closet I've come to actually seeing the Topiaries.

In particular, there are a few I'm really excited about and can't wait to see. It will be really awesome to see the one in front of Spaceship Earth in real life, that's for sure. I've seen similar stuff at Christmas, but never the Flower and Garden Festival one (obviously). I also read that Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy will be around for the first time this year, and Lightning McQueen and Mater will be returning! But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited about a certain Pirate with a waxed mustache and a perm (Are they bad?)

2. The Wonders of Life Pavilion

Being a life-long Disney fan and "resident" of Walt Disney World, I've seen my fair share of new and old buildings. I remember watching Horizons be replaced with Mission SPACE (I miss Horizons), and yes, I do remember the days of the old The Living Seas. Which means I also remember another pavilion that's gone completely: The Wonders of Life. Ahh the days of Cranium Command and Body Wars (never actually went on that one though...Haha), I remember them, and since it's closing I have been excited about the prospect of getting back in the building. It is not uncommon to find me standing outside just staring at the building because I'm so jealous other people get to go in it (the same runs true for the Millennium Celebration building). My mom and my brother, for instance, have both been in the building during the F&G festival, but I haven't.

Yes, I know it's absolutely nothing like it once was, or what it is in my "A Day at Epcot Center" video, but that doesn't mean I'm not excited about going in the building and having a mini freak out session about the fact that I'm standing there. It's just special.

1. FOOD

Did you really expect anything less from me? Like seriously.

Starting last year I believe, the F&G Festival added a bit more flavor to the event by including "Outdoor Kitchens," which have tons of different food options that are normally not around. The problem is, with so much awesome food around, how in the world am I going to choose what to eat!?! I mean, we're talking "Frushi" in Japan, which is basically fruit sushi, Gnocchi in France, Beijing-Style Candied Strawberries in China, Basically Italy in General, Freshly Baked Potato and Cheddar Cheese Biscuit with smoked salmon tartare in the UK and then there's, of course, Spice Road Table to check out now too. TOO MUCH FOOD FOR ONE LIZZIE.

And yet I will totally eat all of it.

Tune back in a few weeks from now for the second part of this post, which is also the next volume of "A Few of my Favorite Things!"

Have a magical day!

Day 306: A Few of my Favorite Things V4

It hasn't been the normal amount of time since my last Favorite Things Post, as usually I try to keep about 50+ days in between each series post, but it just felt like the right time. I mean, November is the month that's filled with food, and there's an entirely different Favorite Things Post planned for December, but more on that later.

Today's post, as promised, is on something more delicious than the last post, not that we don't all love Disney movies. No, obviously this post is all about my favorite Disney food, and boy is there a lot of them. I don't think I could pick one favorite, so we'll do this in a series of sections I think, not that I know what that series will be yet. I'll make it up as I go along.

Favorite Disney Classics

For those that know Disney well know that there are, generally, four "classic" Disney foods, although we can extend it to include various others. What does this include exactly? Well, you've got the Mickey's Premium Bar (Ice Cream!), the Turkey Leg, the Dole Whip, the Churro, and then some include things such as the classic Disney Popcorn and the Mickey Mouse Shaped Pretzel. There's another one stuck in here too but I'll be talking about that further later so I'll save it for then.

Honestly I think, out of all of these, my favorite has to be the Turkey Leg and the Churro. Yeah...I can't even decide which of those I like more. I mean, I love the Mickey Premium Bar and Dole Whip (I need to get one of these...haven't had one in years), but I'm lactose intolerant, so that just doesn't exactly work out very well. And I haven't had much in the popcorn or Mickey Shaped Pretzel department lately either (as both technically include dairy....life is rough). BUT, The silver lining here is that means more Turkey Legs and Churros for me!!

And no, I couldn't resist putting those pictures.

Mickey Waffles

Remember how I said that I'd talk more about one of those Mickey Shaped things later? Well, it's later. I love Mickey Waffles, mostly because my family has a Mickey Mouse shaped waffle iron so we have these all the time (actually I'm totally going to ask if we can have some when I'm home one of these times). The funny part is that my friends love them too. It's like a staple. When you go to Lizzie's house you will, eventually at some point have Mickey Waffles. If you haven't you haven't lived.

So when I get the chance to have the REAL THING down in Florida, I do that too. On my last trip I even got specially made ones that had NO DAIRY! It was WONDERFUL! Yay for Disney and making my trip feel special. =)

Favorite Restaurants

Ok, so since really you can't talk about specific food without going into favorite restaurants overall, this seems like the most sensible thing to do. So it'll work much like the post of favorite attractions did, although you'll see the addition of Disneyland at the end here because, well, it seems silly not to include it!

Magic Kingdom Winner: Be Our Guest

Did you really have any doubt that my favorite Magic Kingdom restaurant would be Be Our Guest? I mean, it's where I had my birthday dinner, and that's saying something. I adore this restaurant and wish I seriously could eat there all the time (but one has to mix it up). I'm really hoping that I can get in with a few of my friends on the Band Trip. Like seriously that would be awesome. My favorite dishes at this restaurant? Well, I always get the Salmon with Leak Fondue and Potatoes. Delicious. And then I am a huge fan of the sugar and gluten free Lemon Raspberry Cream Puff. It was actually my inspiration for the cream puff that I was awarded a merit award for at the county fair back in July. But then there's the grey stuff, and I'm really excited that you can get it all the time now (although I'll always feel special for getting it for my birthday when that was a special thing).

Magic Kingdom Runner Up: Cosmic Rays

Ok, so I guess it's not really fair to have sit down restaurants and counter service all in the same competition, but Cosmic Rays is just one of those restaurants that my family has jokes with and that makes it awesome. Plus the food is delicious there, and I always think about Kingdom Keepers when I walk by or even think about it. You know, when they meet in there in the first book. Yeah, just one of those things that stuck with me for some reason. Makes me happy. =)

Epcot Winner: 

Oh god, I have to choose? NOOOOOOOO. Ok, here we go. After some looking at the list of Epcot restaurants I've determined that two really stand out as my favorites in Epcot, so I'll share those as the winners:

Les Halles: For those that haven't been reading my blog since the beginning, this is a newer place...well, sort of. It's just redone. In the area that used to be the giant shop at the end of Impressions de France, they remodeled it into a full on cafe, and the area next door that used to be the bakery now serves ice cream and sorbet. Yeah, I loved it so much that I ate there twice on my last trip. If I have 99 problems (not that they're really problems) they're all the delicious bread. Can I just take it all home with me?

Tokyo Dining: Those who know me know that I do indeed love sushi, and I bet you can guess the first place I ate sushi. No, it wasn't Tokyo Dining, but it was at Disney, in the Counter Service Grill in the Japan Pavilion. So not long after my mom and I ate at Tokyo Dining and the rest is history. My brother and I love it there. Honestly I'm kind of sad that I won't be there on my next trip...but hey, that just means we'll have to go back and I'll have to take my brother out for sushi here sometime super soon. The best sushi, by the way? Volcano Roll.

Epcot Runner Up: 

Too many to mention. You know what I mean. If I listed them the entire park would be on here.

Hollywood Studios Winner: Brown Derby

The Brown Derby is spectacular. I love it. Like the last time I ate there I walked in and felt like I was dressed wrong. I needed to be wearing a dress from the time period, and I really wanted to be wearing a dress from the time period. Plus the food there is amazing (don't even get me started on the rolls...what is it with Disney and amazing bread?)

Hollywood Studios Runner Up: Sci-Fi Dine In Theater

I CANNOT wait to bring my friends here in June if everything works out. I think it's one of the most brilliant restaurants ever, theme wise. I mean, maybe it doesn't have the best food on property (we all know where that is...V&A), but it's still spectacular. I have a ton of memories from this restaurant as a kid when my family would eat there. So yeah, you can bet that I'm excited to take my friends there, because I'm sure they'll be just as amazed with the theme that I still am, even after all these years.

Animal Kingdom Winner: Yak & Yeti

Of course it's Yak & Yeti! I love that place TO DEATH. Ok, maybe not to death, but the Cherry Limeade is sooooooo good, and all the food is delicious (do I even NEED to say Wok Fried Green Beans?) Certainly and easily my favorite in Animal Kingdom. I have no more words.

Animal Kingdom Runner Up: 

Honestly I don't think I have a winner for this one. There isn't really one that sticks out as the favorite behind Yak & Yeti, although I do really enjoy Tusker House (the Salmon there = perfection). So I guess that would probably be the runner up. But I mean, in general Animal Kingdom is kind of weird because of the whole no lids and paper straw thing. It's good they do it, but still kind of something you just really need to get used to.

Disney World Resort Winners: 

Yeah, I can't just pick one, so here's a list: Boma, Olivia's Cafe, Citricos, Kona Cafe, and a whole bunch of other ones that I'm just too lazy to list. All this food talk is really making me hungry though.

Disneyland Favorites: 

I have two favorites that really stick out to me as being, well, my favorites from my trip to Disneyland. To be honest I haven't eaten at all the restaurants there, but there were two that really always occur to me when I think about food at Disneyland. Just kidding, there's actually three.

First we have Blue Bayou, which I had for dinner. I LOVED LOVED LOVED how this restaurant was set IN Pirates of the Caribbean. Like I can't get over how much I love that (I mean, I guess it's the same as in the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot, but it probably has to do with the fact that I adore Pirates in California WAY more than I love the one in Florida). Plus the entire atmosphere was perfect and the food was great. And you're SUPER CLOSE to Club 33. Can't get much closer without walking in it...which hopefully someday will happen.

Next we'll do the counter service, which is Bengal Barbecue. We ate a quick lunch from there one of the days but for some reason I just really remember liking it. Actually my mouth is seriously watering thinking about it and I should probably stop talking about it. I will for sure be eating here on my next trip to Disneyland...which will hopefully be in 2015 (gosh that sounds far away)!

And finally, that one that everyone seems to talk about at some point, Steakhouse 55. I had my "birthday meal" there when we went to California (because my brother's birthday was on the trip and I didn't think it was fair that he'd get to celebrate it at a Disney Park and I wouldn't...granted, two years later I actually did but still). The Yukon Potato Stack is one of those things I would die for. Like it's probably one of my favorite dishes on the planet. Once in a great while we'll make it at home and while it's still good, it's just not the same as the stuff that's for real. Plus, at this restaurant I really just feel like Walt is there (although maybe that was because there was a picture of him and Shirley Temple on the wall right above me, but still, it was nice).

Disneyland Runner Up: Cafe Orleans

This one was pretty easy honestly. This was for sure one of my favorites on the trip too, although those other three are just a hare above it on the list, so this gets the runner up award. I don't really even remember what I ate, but whatever it was, it was delicious, and this is another that will be on my list for the next time we go there!

I think that's about it as far as food goes, although here's a short list of other honorable mentions that need to be brought up: Minnie's Strawberry Bar (Edy's Strawberry Bar), Chocolate Croissant, LeFou's Brew, just about everything in Epcot (again...it needed to be said), The Boardwalk Bakery, the Espresso stations throughout the parks that give me my coffee, the Crepes from the France Pavilion, Funnel Cakes from The American Adventure, Biergarten for entertainment (favorite as a kid!), Katsura Grill (first place I had sushi), and, in general, EVERYWHERE ELSE THAT SELLS FOOD AT WALT DISNEY WORLD.

Now I'm super hungry...

 

Second day of Frumpstagram, and it's all about Magical Mornings! I can't think of many mornings more magical than one standing on the Top of the World. Even now, months afterwards, I still can't express how SPECTACULAR it was to stay on the 16th floor and get to see that everyday. I don't think I'll ever have enough words to describe how much I loved that.






Here's today's Disney History: 1832: Kepple Disney (Walt's paternal grandfather) is born to Arundel Elias Disney and Maria Swan in Ireland.

Have a magical day!

Day 224: A Few of My Favorite Things V2

Originally I was going to wait a while before doing another volume of my Favorite Things post, but considering the topic, it just felt right. You see, exactly two years ago I was vacationing at Disneyland for the very first time, and I can't wait to go back, even if it will probably be another two years before I get to return (I'm hoping my family will go back for the next D23 Expo in 2015). So much was going on, and as you already heard I went to the D23 Expo in 2011. But that doesn't mean I didn't have time to explore the parks!

Since I'm not really sure what categories I'm all going to have in the My Favorite Things Series, I'll just go with the basics. You know, Attraction in each of the two parks, Nighttime Activity, Mode of Transportation and, of course, Restaurant. Plus I'll showcase one thing that's my absolute favorite part about Disneyland, as well as my favorite version when comparing something to Walt Disney World! So let's get to it then!

Favorite Attractions: 

Disneyland Winner: 

Now, as much as I love the stunt show at WDW, having an entire ride just of Indiana Jones was AMAZING. I only got on it like twice because I didn't really realize how much I loved it until after I was gone. Like, I was always a fan of Indy as a kid but didn't rewatch it until AFTER I went to Disneyland. Still, I remember going on it the first time and just screaming "INDY!" like half of it because, I mean, why wouldn't you? It's one of the only times where it's totally appropriate to yell that! And I chose the poster for it because in the Poster Art of the Disney Parks Book I remember reading that the artist of this poster was working on it and realized that he just couldn't do it without Harrison Ford's likeness. So what does he do? Just casually calls Harrison Ford and asks him if he can use his likeness. Just CASUALLY CALLS HIM. How does one do that?!?

Disneyland Honorable Mention: Pirates of the Caribbean 

Disney California Adventure Winner: 

You know, as much as I feel that Aladdin is one of the most overrated Disney movies ever (sorry, I'm just not a fan), I REALLY loved this Musical version, and I can't wait to see it on Broadway sometime in the future. I actually saw it twice while at Disneyland, but I think I liked it more the first time. Genie was my favorite, of course, although The Carpet was pretty darn great too. And how Aladdin comes in on that Elephant!?! Amazing!

California Adventure Honorable Mention: Soarin' 

Favorite Nighttime Activity:

I think this is probably my absolute favorite thing I found at Disneyland. Like, I haven't loved something so much since Spaceship Earth and Illuminations. We were staying at Paradise Pier, and as you know if you read my other post, we were able to stay in a room with a Park View because of a Room Mix Up. So I got to watch World of Color every night, twice a night, even after our tickets were expired and we were just spending our time at D23. I'm pretty sure I cried watching it a bunch of times too. The entire show is just absolute Disney magic, and is for sure on my list of the most spectacular Disney attractions or shows ever created. 

Favorite Mode of Transportation: 

I feel like this must be kind of obvious because there's like...two modes of Transportation in all of Disneyland other than walking (God did my feet hurt after that week). But still, the monorail is still worth mentioning! It's not quite the same as the WDW Monorail, but you know what, I don't care! You can still sit in the front of this monorail, which is a luxury that we had to forgo at Disney World, so being able to do that is just really awesome! Plus, unlike Disney World with it's 12 monorail trains, there's only three at Disneyland. We only saw two of them though, the blue one above being one of them! Plus, I'll give it some credit for actually going in and out of the park! 

Favorite Restaurant: 

This one was such an easy choice...I think. Honestly we ate at so many places that I don't really remember them all so clearly. It was two years ago, after all! But I do remember that one of my absolute favorites was the Blue Bayou in New Orleans Square. It doesn't get much cooler than eating IN an attraction (and I'll talk more about that in a minute), but that's not all! It's literally right next door to Club 33, the exclusive dining area for Walt Disney and his guests, and how only Club 33 members (which always pay a really pretty penny to be a member...after sitting on a waiting list for a really long time). Not many get to eat in Club 33, even though it's the dream of all of us, but Blue Bayou certainly has amazing food, and hey, it's like the same kitchen, right? 

It's Better at Disneyland: 

Speaking of Pirates of the Caribbean and Blue Bayou, it also holds the record for my favorite comparison attraction to Walt Disney World. Honestly, the WDW version of this just doesn't have a chance against this one. Like, you're always disappointed when you go on the WDW version after you've been on this one a few times. You start in the restaurant, and then there's an extra drop and a whole number of extra scenes before you get to the stuff you already see at Disney World. Plus, there's no ghost. That's ALWAYS a plus. 

Overall Favorite Thing:

Now, I feel it's worth mentioning that one of my overall reasons I love Disneyland, and one of the places it beats Disney World, is in the small town atmosphere. Like, the characters can walk around without handlers, and everyone is just a lot more friendly. Disney World is made up of theme parks, although they are one of a kind in every way, but Disneyland is just more quaint. You can really take your time strolling and seeing the magic that Walt saw in it when he was alive. It's Walt's dream, and while Disney World was too, this was the one he saw to completion. This is where he walked and lived, and where I think he still lives today. It's almost like you can feel his watching eye over the entire thing, and I think he'd be pretty proud of it all. 

So that concludes the second Volume of My Favorite Things. Since we had two posts pretty close together there might not be another one for a while, but we'll see! There's so much that will be going on in the next month that I have no clue when anything is going to be! 

Here's today's Disney History: 1958: Disney's stunning True-Life Adventure White Wilderness- directed and written by James Algar - is released. The 72-minute film, narrated by Disney producer-writer Winston Hibler, tells the story of the animal inhabitants of Canada's subarctic and Alaska's arctic wilds. 

Have a magical day!