Day 1229: Just Be Nice

If there's one thing I've noticed as a part of the Once Upon A Time fandom, it's that people can be just downright rude. Aside from my personal experiences lately, I can't help but see the constant bullying, arguing, and honest to God wars that occur via social media. It's really terrible. Which leads me to my point today, and I'll try to keep it brief. 

Just. Be. Nice. 

We're all very different people, from all over the world, with different backgrounds. We have different favorite characters, different favorite episodes, lines, ships, and story arcs, but that doesn't mean we should be arguing about it. One of the most important lessons I've ever learned was the idea of agreeing to disagree, and I think that's what the OUAT fandom really needs these days. 

I think that's what we all need these days, to agree to disagree, and understand that just because we don't share every single opinion doesn't mean we should be rude. No one is worthless because of their opinion, and while I have my own ships and favorites, I'm not about to say that anyone else is wrong because they prefer someone else. That would be ridiculous. 

So don't do that. Be nice. That's not that hard to accomplish.

Have a magical day!

Day 1161: Welcome Back

It's been a long time in coming, but we finally have an official poster for Once Upon A Time that features none other than our favorite pirate captain! I can't tell you how long I've been waiting for that to happen, and while the flaming apple is a bit weird, I do suppose it fits with the underworld theme that's prominent in the second half of Season 5.

All in all, the story here is that Hook sacrificed himself for Emma and for Storybrooke, but in reality Gold just sort of screwed him over and now Emma, along with half the town apparently, is on a mission to get him back. It's funny because usually when a character dies on a show, they tend to stay dead. That's not always the case on Once, especially with all the flashbacks, but it seems that even after 300 years, Hook will still be making his way back to the world of the living, or at least that's the hope.

The first episode introduced us to the entire new arc for this second half, including a new realm: The Underworld. The red was an interesting choice, although the fact that it's literally just another Storybrooke is sort of weird. It is nice to see characters we haven't seen in a while, and to be introduced to some new ones as well. It seems many of the former inhabitants of Storybrooke have made quite the little home down there.

Oh, and I should probably say something about it being the 100th episode of the show, which is a huge milestone for something like this! While I wasn't entirely impressed with this particular episode (the writing of Regina's birthday to fit the occasion seemed a bit forced to me), I think we should definitely still be celebrating. After all, Once Upon a Time was a show that no one expected to last the first season. In fact, most expected it to be canceled early on. And yet, something worked, and now it's one of the biggest shows on TV with a huge fanbase, myself included. The fact that there's been way more than 100 Sunday nights since I watched that first episode back in 2011 is a little terrifying, but it's still a cause for some cake!

Cardboard Colin and I celebrated simply by watching with our friends, like we're so used to doing, and live tweeting the episode! You can follow our cardboard friend on Twitter if you haven't already!

Let me know what you thought of the Mid-Season Premiere of Once Upon A Time!

Have a magical day!

Day 1092: 101 Smiles, The Sequel

I was started to get worried that there wouldn't be a 101 Smiles 2016, but Jennifer Morrison has never let us down before, and she certainly hasn't now either! I was absolutely thrilled to find out that she was running a second year of the challenge, which I did last year as well and really enjoyed. In fact, I wrote a whole blog post about it HERE!

Last year, I really made an effort to allow those smiles to run my life. It made me a more positive person overall, and I was in a really good place. After all, just look at all the things I had to smile about last year:

This year, however, was a little bit harder. For some reason, life overall was rough this fall, and while it was sometimes a bit harder to smile, that doesn't mean I didn't smile, and I'm so thankful for all the wonderful people in my life who got a smile on my face even on the most difficult of days. And you know what, I've got another 101 Smiles to show for it: 

If you want to see all of the pictures close up, you can head over to my Instagram, as they're all posted there! I want to give a quick shoutout to Jennifer Morrison for running this crazy escapade again this year, and I can't wait for a third round in 2016!

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on December 31).

Day 1013: Regina Hall

Visiting new places always means new opportunities to find Disney, and this time it was on a trip to visit Frank at college! Since we'd never been to her school before, it was all completely new to us, but that didn't stop me from finding a new Disney references along the way!

First and foremost, finding a Regina Hall was pretty awesome, especially when it was at Marian University. What a place to be a Oncer!

For the Disney fan who tends to spend a lot of time playing Ping Pong at Old Key West, getting to play Ping Pong at Frank's college was pretty great. We learned she's not very good at Ping Pong. We'll have to practice before January I guess. 

And to round out our day we headed to this awesome lighthouse that just so happened to remind us of Tom Sawyer Island. I didn't take a picture of the inside, but it just felt like walking through the windmill on the Island or something! And bonus, it was definitely beautiful!

All in all, Marian was a pretty Disney filled place, and these are just the things with picture evidence that I have. Overall there were plenty of moments where I got some Disney Deja Vu, like walking into the chapel and it smelling like the Alien secion of the Great Movie Ride (don't even ask how those connect...just think about the smell) or Frank's collection of Olafs in her dorm room! 

Have a magical day!

Day 1012: My Cardboard Roommate

If by now you don't know that I have a cardboard pirate for a roommate, you need to catch up.

Meet Cardboard Colin, my pirate friend who has now moved in with my roommate and I at college. Yes, we refer to him as our other roommate, and he's a he not an it. It's just easier if you acknowledge him as a person...much less scary.

But living with a cardboard pirate isn't always easy...

He's actually a rather good roommate though...even if he doesn't seem like one in the video. It's a weird relationship, but in the end we love him...sort of. 

Have a magical day!

Day 1007: For Adriane

It pains me that I'm even writing this, but days like today are never easy. For those outside of the Once Upon A Time fandom, you probably have no idea who I'm talking about, but when I debated what today's post should be on, it could only be Adriane.

Many CaptainSwan shippers woke this morning to find that one of our own tragically passed away from meningitis early this morning, and while I didn't know her personally, I did know her as a voice of absolute positivity in the fandom. Adri, as we all knew her, was, as Colin O'Donoghue said, a true Oncer, and I couldn't agree more. Her Tumblr, which you can find HERE, was filled with some of the best Once posts, and I still remember following her because of her absolute love of Emma Swan.

It's in tragic times like these that I'm amazed at the absolute support a fandom can create. Most of the time, it's an internet community, and even in one of my classes we've been having debates about the realities of communication destroying relationships. But if I've learned anything in my time with the Once Upon A Time Fandom, and if Adri's experiences stood for anything, it's that the relationships created are very real.

The CaptainSwan fandom, in particular, has been a source of absolute love today, and in a world that's filled with so much negativity, it was refreshing to see. I'm crushed that it took something like this for it to happen, but it's always a beautiful sight when people unite together to spread love and celebrate life in a time of tragedy. From the newest shipmates to our captains Colin and Jen, this fandom united in an amazing way, and while I'm always proud to be a Oncer, I've never been more proud than today.

So this blog post goes out to Adri, and please, if you are able, watch Once Upon A Time tonight in her memory and tweet using the tag #WatchForAdri. And to the CaptainSwan fandom, never change. Let's keep getting through thick and thin: together.

Rest in Peace Adri, we'll all miss you.

Have a magical day!

Day 1001: Dark Swan

Just a note that if you've yet to watch the first episode of Once Upon A Time Season 5, there will likely be spoilers ahead!

In an odd turn of events, the 1000th day of Everyday Disney actually landed on another important day in my life: the Season 5 premiere of my favorite TV Show, Once Upon A Time. To be honest, I was kind of distracted during the episode itself, but that's what happens when you live tweet on two twitter accounts, are fangirling, and trying to actually watch the episode and make connections. Luckily, I've somehow managed to determine a few favorite moments from the premiere:

While I may have missed this spectacular shot while watching live (I happened to be sending the below tweet, which ended up being favorited by Liam (Arthur) himself, so I guess it isn't a total loss, I rewatched the scene this afternoon in the only 5 minute break I've really had all day, and I have to say that it makes WAY more sense now why my friends all went "Woahhhhh" last night. I'm honestly curious to see how this all connects, but in my opinion, it's one of the most clever integrations of another story line ever on this show. I was a bit cautious as to Camelot coming on and how they would fit with everything that's happened, but the dagger being part of Excalibur absolutely restored my faith in this new Arc.

Aside from the fact that this was clearly a CaptainSwan moment, this speech from Hook was beautifully written, and took me right back to the Season 3 premiere where Emma gave a similar speech to the people now there for her as they attempted to save Henry. Even better? This time it was a former villain turned hero giving the speech to a hero turning into a villain. As backwards as that sounds, this moment for Emma was so important. For the first time in her life, here is this person really willing to stand up for her and fight for her no matter how terrible she fears she will become. Killian isn't afraid of her, and he's not going to give up on her, and that's exactly what Emma Swan needs. 

So maybe the above moment is included simply because I missed it in the episode and needed to make up for that fact by having it forever repeating on my blog. Bonus for you though! Enjoy your wink from Hook! 

Sneezy dressed up as Emma was definitely a highlight of the episode for me. I love Gabe (Sneezy), and he's a wonderful person, so to see him get a hilarious moment in the spotlight was great. The fact that he was turned to stone by the new Dark One, on the other hand, was not. I may have screamed out "NOOOO" longer than was probably acceptable.

As the first official footage any of us saw of Season 5, I remember sitting in the D23 Expo OUAT Panel room with my hand over my mouth as we watched this scene. Even last night, as I watched it again, I had the same reaction. I've never been quiet about the fact that I'm a huge fan of Colin O'Donoghue, but if you don't recognize how spectauclar his acting is in this scene, then I think you need to get your eyes checked. He so perfectly portrays the underlying hurt beneath the hard exterior we've come to expect from Hook. And yet, bits of it slip out: his lashing out at Robin, his stunned silence before he ventures to the dagger, and not even the pure want for Emma to return, but the need for her to return. It's a theme we continue to see throughout the episode, and I'm so thankful for the writing for his character so far this season. We all knew Hook would be central to Emma's Dark Storyline, but his pursuit to find his Swan is brilliant on paper, and even more spectacular when O'Donoghue brings it to life. Well done, Sir! 

Of course, I think a huge moment for all of us was the conclusion of the episode, where the Dark Swan finally appeared. There's definitely a lot left to be revealed this season, and I'm excited to see it all unwravel before our eyes. What did they do to Emma that caused her to curse them all back to Storybrooke? Where's Arthur? What happened in the last six weeks? What happens next? WE ALL NEED TO KNOW THE ANSWERS! On a side note, let's take a moment to appreicate two things: the OUAT Costume Department and Jennifer Morrison's acting. So much of the acting in this episode was so well done, and while I know I just ended with the Colin O'Donoghue praise, I think we need to think about just how different this is from the Emma we've seen in the last four seasons. In a matter of seconds, Morrison managed to send a shiver up my spine, and I had already prepared myself. Truth be told, I'm so ready to see where Dark Swan goes next, and I, as always, eagerly await the next episode.

Other honorable mentions: 

- The Wookiee Gag Mention. Just yes Hook. 

- CHIEF! As an English Major who actually really enjoyed reading Cuckoo's Nest in High School, the references to the novel whenever they enter the basement of the hospital astonish me. Cheif's presense will forever be my favorite reference in all of Once Upon A Time! 

- Zelena's storyline is sure to get interesting as we move forward, that's for sure. I definitely found compassion for her in this episode I haven't felt in some time, and I have to applaud Bex for her acting as well! 

- Pretty much everything Merida related! The poor brothers! Hopefully we'll find them! 

- King Arthur. Just King Arthur. I knew weeks before the premiere that he would be on my favorite character list, and while he only spoke a few words, I'm definitely loving Liam in the role! 

And finally, as usual, I DisneyBounded for the episode! Not surprisingly, my premiere outfit was inspired by Dark Swan, and I'm excited to share some of the other DisneyBounds I have coming up later this season! 

If you watched the premiere, share your comments below! This Oncer would love to hear them! 

Have a magical day!

Day 998: At the Top

Since it's the Friday before Once Upon A Time returns and I needed a video topic that wouldn't take me an eternity to film (I had an extremely busy week), I thought it would be fun to do a quick video on some of my favorite episodes of my favorite TV show. It actually ended up being really fun, and even Cardboard Colin got in on the action:

Initially, my list had 10 episodes (if you include both that make up the Season 3 finale), but I narrowed it down to the few you can see in the video. I wanted to keep it short and sweet, definitely something difficult for a Once Upon A Time fangirl to do. I have so many favorite episodes that it was hard to pick 10, much less narrow it down to even less! So here, as an exclusive here on Everyday Disney, are a few of the episodes that didn't make the cut: 

1x04: The Price of Gold

1x07: The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

3x17: The Jolly Roger

4x02: White Out

4x04: The Apprentice

I do believe there were even more than that, but off the top of my head (which is getting pretty fuzzy as I finish catching up the blog before a big occasion on Sunday!), those are the ones that I could remember debating for the list! 

If you watch OUAT, let me know what your favorite episodes are in the comments below! And...in case I didn't remind you enough in the video, Once Upon A Time returns this Sunday, September 27 at 8/7c on ABC. There's also a special on the hour before the premiere that will catch you up on everything Once if you're a bit behind! 

Have a magical day!

Day 891: Mr. Gold and His Pawnshop

Like I alway say, one of my favorite things about Walt Disney World is how there's always something new to see...and this time the new thing was beyond my hopes and dreams. This trip I didn't just go to Walt Disney World...I went to STORYBROOKE!

That's right! The newest storefront on the Streets of America is none other than Mr. Gold's Pawnshop, and the windows are filled to the brim with props from my favorite television show! Disneyland has had some costumes for a while, and believe it or not, these are actually the very first OUAT Props I've seen in person, so thrilled can't even begin to express how happy I was. And when I say filled to the brim, I mean really filled. I stopped by the shop three times in my short five day trip and every time I found something new! In fact, I was just reading an article this morning with some of the props and found ANOTHER that I didn't even notice during my own trip! 

The most obvious props are these two right here: the Storybook and Rumpelstiltskin's Dagger. Now, if I had a dime for every time I heard someone say "IT'S GOT THE WRONG NAME!" I could pay to fly myself out to Brazil this weekend to meet Colin O'Donoghue myself. Then again...they're right! It is wrong, as the dagger now reads "Emma Swan." However, it was great spending time over there and finding my fellow Oncers as they stopped by too. I don't think you realize how many people actually watch this show until you spend 5 minutes in front of some props and about 15 people stop by to fangirl. 

Of course, there are other famous items scattered through, and I'm sharing these nice pictures first before I get into my snapstory, which was taken at the entirely wrong time of day thanks to glares. I'm hoping it will still be there on my next trip so I can stop by again and get pictures of as many as possible though! Above you can see some of the potions, which I do believe we can see in Regina's Vault (3x09: Save Henry) and the famous Rumbelle teacups and the golden dragon egg from the Season 1 finale. 

Here we have another of the most prominent props, Pandora's Box. I'm in love with this picture my dad took of it, so it has it's own mention. If you don't remember this little box, you can find it in Season 3! 

Just as in Storybrooke, the storefront sign also hangs out over the sidewalk! 

Some of Regina's items can be found in the case. The book (which I believe is actually Cora's to begin with) is up a bit higher, and the necklace is on display with several other pieces of jewlery. 

Ursula's crown can also be found in the second window...at least I'm fairly certain it's Ursula's crown. You better bet I'll be keeping an eye out for all of these props during my yearly rewatch of the entire series, which leads up to the Season 5 premiere on September 27! 

There were also various props in the case that weren't necessarily something crucial to the show, but definitely somewhere hidden within the pages of the Storybook. Here are some wands, which I'm sure you'll be able to find sitting in Gold's shop on the show. Other items like this included instruments and paintings!

Of course, I had a few favorite items, especially as a CaptainSwan fan, a Hooker and an Ugly Duckling, like the real swan necklace that Emma wears throughout the series! You can also see one of the famous apple keys!

The window decals definitely match those on the show...and I don't think I've ever loved a window so much in my entire life. As you can see below, I created a snapstory to quickly share some of the props with friends back home! I had a couple of people tell me they watched my story at least two or three times, gazing at the items I had found in the shop!

Again, you can see the Swan Necklace, but if you look closer in that first picture there are actually two OTHER props! To the right of the Swan necklace is Zelena's pendant and way in the back you can just make out the Heros and Villains book from the Season 4 finale! On the right we have Snow White's ring as well, one of the props I found on my last visit to the pawnshop!

On the left here we have a clock made by Pinocchio and his father in Season 4 (at least I'm pretty sure it is. I remember it, and it makes the most sense considering the colors), but on the right we have my second favorite prop in the case...THE JOLLY ROGER! For those of you who are still up to date on the show, you might recognize that little ship in a bottle from Season 4, specifically episode 4x15: Pour Unfortunate Soul, where Killian Jones finally sees the return of his ship. 

Here's something for all my Rumbelle fans out there: The Chipped Cup! He's hiding behind the wands, but those with a keen eye and a bit of Disney/Once knowledge will spot it right away. And on the right you might remember the sword (which is sort of hard to see) from the Season 1 finale, as Emma uses it to defeat Maleficent!

Here, on the right you can catch a glimpse at Maleficent's Staff, and last but certainly not least, we have my favorite prop in the storefront. There's a little window on the side too with a few props, including the stand in Sorcerer's hat from Season 4. Why do I love this hat so much you ask? Well...let's just say someone very important may have held onto that for a while........*ahem*

As you can see, Gold's Pawnshop is FILLED with various props, and let me tell you...this isn't even all of it! Things I can name off the top of my head that I didn't catch a picture of include: Steins from the 7 Dwarfs, a couple of Dwarf Picaxes, the Wrait Medallion, some compasses (I'm still undtertermined as to if one of them is the CS Compass) and one of Regina's Heart Boxes. I like to pretend it belonged to Graham's heart, but maybe that's just me. And that's just what I noticed in about a half hour of looking in the case. Oh! And the Nolan Windmill from Season 1! That was there too! 

Oh don't worry Storybrooke...I'll be back for you as soon as possible. 

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on June 23 due to travel).

Day 791: Lifesize

I guess the posts about OUAT are continuing, at least for a day, because THERE IS A GIANT CAPTAIN HOOK IN MY DORM ROOM.

Many moons ago, I apparently convinced one of my friends from High School to start watching OUAT, and since she found Hook in Season 2, I've not only found a fellow Oncer, but also a fellow Hooker. Obviously, since then we frequently freak out about the one and only Colin O'Donoghue, so last week when he was visiting the Once offices and Adam Horowitz posted this picture, we took it as a sign. 

Soon after, she ordered a lifesize cardboard Captain Hook, and when I got an email today saying there was a package and it turned out to be a giant thing, I had a sneaking suspicion that my own Lifesize Killian was only moments away. I opened the box and sure enough, there was my own Captain Hook. My problem right now? Trying to figure out where to put him. Regardless, I'm pretty much in love with this thing and I have the bestest friends ever and this made my day and I HAVE A COLIN IN MY ROOM. 

So yeah...I'm happy, and I definitely think that this surprise counts as a pretty big part of the Disney in my Monday.  

Have a magical day!