Day 1362: Which Three?

The latest craze to sweep across social media led me to more than a few nights on intense pondering. Describe yourself in three fictional characters? Only three? How are I expected to sum up a lifetime of identification with television, film, and literature characters by picking only three? Plus, platforms like Twitter and Facebook don't really give me the space to go on and on about why these characters are obviously me. 

Luckily I have a blog and readers here to ramble on to, right? 

Emma Swan of Once Upon A Time

This probably doesn't come as a surprise to anyone, although I must say that over the years it's probably more of me becoming Emma Swan than Emma Swan ever embodying who I was. Regardless, today Emma Swan and I share a number of characteristics beyond our wardrobe of leather jackets. We're absolutely both confident, but are haunted by inner demons, and that's something that has really proven true this year. We tend to want to run in tense situations, but often stay because we know it's the right thing to do. Also, Emma tends to claim she's not sentimental when in every reality we know she totally is, and while I probably don't want to admit it, my room probably speaks the same for me. 

Leslie Knope of Parks & Recreation

Of the three characters on this list, Leslie Knope is probably the character that embodies me the most. My friends comment that I'm no where near as obnoxious as Leslie is on a daily basis, and they're right. I'm usually not that obnoxious...on the outside. Truth be told, I regularly have ridiculous ideas and schemes and words that, unlike Leslie, just don't come out. But that doesn't mean I don't think them. And it also doesn't mean that Leslie's upbeat, high-spirited, dedicated personality doesn't mirror my own. 

Rapunzel from Tangled

This character trio certainly wouldn't be complete without a Disney character thrown in there too, and while there are tons to choose from, I just kept coming back to Rapunzel. Tangled spoke to me in a way no Disney film ever has before, and Rapunzel had a lot to do with that. The way she so eagerly follows her dream, is a bit naive while pursing it, and is just a bit over-dramatic about everything is pretty much an embodiment of me. Plus, the fact that her hobbies so directly line up with mine probably isn't a coincidence either - baking, cooking, reading, painting, playing guitar, and the list goes on! 

So there you have it, the three fictional characters that best describe me, as according to me. There were more than a few runners up, including Tiana for her hard work and love of cooking, Kathy Selden from Singin' in the Rain because on stage we're pretty much the same, Hamilton from Hamilton because we both write like we're running out of time, and also a bit of Monica from Friends because as much as we'd both like to deny it, we have OCD tendencies. 

Now, if I could just find Captain Hook or Flynn Rider or, better yet, Ben Wyatt...

Have a magical day!

Day 1315: Little Golden Book

As a Disney fan, my collection of random Disney items is starting to fill my shelves faster than I can make space for new additions, and ultimately I'm just going to run out of shelves period. While this doesn't really slow down my collecting, I have a mental list of items that I declare as "If I See It" pieces, meaning that yes, I'd love to own it, but I don't need to buy it. So instead, if I happen to see a copy of it, I'll pick it up and add it to the collection, but if I don't, that's alright too. 

The Little Golden Book on Everything I learned from a Disney Little Golden Book (confusing, I know) was one of those items. My mom had a copy gifted to her a while back, and lately everyone in the Disney community seemed to be picking up a copy, and since I loved Mom's copy, that meant that it was about time to get my own Little Golden Book. 

If you aren't familiar with the Little Golden Books, they're a popular series of children's books that many of us read as kids. I had a few myself, now long gone I'm sure since, well, I haven't been a kid for quite some time, but this particular book takes everything to a new level. This book simultaneously offers fresh inspiration for children and a new generation, and gives all us adults a serious case of "the feels" as we cope with our lost childhood learned through reading. 

In particular, I love this book because it features not only some of our favorite classic lessons from Little Golden Books of the past, but also current films with new artwork, including Frozen, Monsters Inc. and Tangled. It brings a new meaning to some of the themes of films old and new, and honestly, it's just a wonderful book to have around when you're having a bad day. It's the perfect length for a quick motivation session or cry about the past, and there aren't many things that can accomplish both of those these days. 

If you haven't found your own copy of Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Disney Little Golden Book, what are you waiting for? Unless, of course, they're on your "if I see it" list. If that is the case, I found my copy at the Grand Floridian. ;) 

Have a magical day!

Day 1176: Ready, Set, Relay

I'd never been to a Relay For Life event before, so I didn't really know what to expect, but as a part of Omicron Delta Kappa, a leadership honor society at SNC, we had a great time raising money and walking for cancer research!

The main Disney reference of the day for me though? The fact that it was basically like training for Disney, or rather, maybe Disney trained me for this? I walked somewhere around 8 miles during the event, which is about what I walk in an average day at Disney...only this was four hours, not an entire day. Aside from walking, we had a chance to do some jazzercise, watch professors (And our college president) get soaking wet, and eat some delicious food, all before we participated in the release of the balloons, which reminded me a bit of the lanterns from Tangled.

And that's about it, mostly because I'm too tired to really remember everything else that went on. However, if you'd like to donate to Relay for Life, you can do so HERE!

Have a magical day!

Day 1166: When Times Are Tough

Life certainly likes to throw curve balls. Really, after how the fall semester went I figured that there was no way anything else could go wrong...and then we were all thrown for another loop that had my friends and I panicking. It affected a lot of us, and all in all, today was one of the most draining days since last December. Thankfully I have great friends now, most of which are going through the same thing I am, questioning what's even going on and attempting to adjust to drastic changes in the matter of days. I'm not going into the situation at hand, but that's not why we're here anyway. 

After an excessively long day that included multiple recitals and dinner out with friends, the night came to a surprisingly late and much-needed end. One of my good friends and I decided that the only way to deal with the situation was to not think about it and watch Tangled instead. Needless to say, it worked, and we actually ended up also watching part of Into the Woods and the first episode of Game of Thrones, but it just goes to show that there's not a bad day that a little Disney can't fix. 

I realize that this is an extremely short blog post, but honestly there isn't much else to say other than to thank the universe for great movies and great friends that are always there for you when you'd be otherwise floundering. 

Maybe we should have watched The Little Mermaid...

Have a magical day!

Day 1143: All the Tsum Tsums

It's been about a year now since I got my very first Tsum Tsums, which I bought as a reward for nailing an on campus job that I never expected to get. The fact that I got my very first paycheck seemed like a good enough reason to make an addition to my Disney Collection, and Tsum Tsums seemed like the way to go. Because they're so inexpensive, they make a great gift and their size makes them an adorable way to decorate, but it also means that they're really addicting...especially when every new Tsum Tsum release seems better than the last! 

It all started again when I became rather Twitterpated...with these Bambi Tsum Tsums of course. You just can't deny the adorableness that is this little collection (although really...we need a Flower). 

Just when you thought that maybe you don't need all the Tsum Tsums, this collection came around. Disney has definitely been spilling over into the parks for inspiration for new characters, and I'm pretty positive that this batch has us all yelling out "We wants the redhead!" 

The theme here seems to be "if you collect one, you collect them all," and with the wide array of Zootopia Tsum Tsums out there, I think we might be spending more than anticipated. To be fair though, if you didn't want to buy all of the characters in the Zootopia collection, you could always just stick with Nick, Judy, and...yep, Flash. Or you could buy them all. 

From what I can understand, stacking up Tsum Tsums in giant towers is a part of the fun...which means that the Tangled Collection is definitely a perfect fit. So if you're asking "When will my Tsum Tsum Collection begin?" I think we've found the answer. 

We all need more Star Wars. Enough said. 

It's not well known, but Tsum Tsums do more than just look adorable sitting wherever you've placed them in your room...they also help protect you while you sleep! When it comes to protecting, the Avengers and other various characters from the Marvel Universe seem like the perfect Tsum Tsums for the job! 

Now we have a problem though...which ones to we buy? 

Have a magical day! 

Day 884: Tangled Up Agin

More Rapunzel? More Flynn Rider? MORE TANGLED?

You can imagine my excitement when I checked my social media yesterday to find this picture plastered all over everything:

(Disney Channel)

I love Tangled, as I often cite it as my favorite Disney movie...if I have to pick just one. Actually, saying "I Love" Tangled doesn't even begin to explain how much I adore this movie. I basically threw a party when they put in the Tangled themed restrooms at Walt Disney World. I swear I take more photos of those bathrooms than I do of half of the rest of WDW. It's a real problem.

But for those that don't yet know, Disney is going to expand on the story of Rapunzel and Flynn in a new TV series staring Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi in their original roles. The press release reads: "Her irrepressible spirit and natural curiosity about the world drives her to the realization that there is so much more she needs to learn before she can truly accept her royal destiny. She boldly puts her frown and impending marriage on hold to seek out epic adventures, much to the dismay of the King who, after missing out on Rapunzel's youth, must accept that his daughter is now an independent young woman."

Let's see, a show that stars some of my favorite Disney characters with their original voices, as well as one of my favorite ships, PLUS music from Alan Menken and Glenn Slater? Sounds like a dream come true to me! You can bet I'll be watching when it premieres in 2017!

What are your thoughts on the new Tangled TV show?

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on June 4 due to Computer Issues).

Day 865: A Tumblr Adventure

To be completely honest, I'm exhausted as I write this, and the fact that I have another nine blog posts to write after this one in order to be completely caught up on Everyday Disney (a necessity at the moment...it's driving me crazy) feels a little bit daunting, especially when I have topics for every day except for one.

So I figured I'd try something out...sort of. I do spend a lot of time on Tumblr, or at least I normally do when I'm at college. It's hard to spend significant amounts of time on it here at home due to our internet speed, but I make it work. Regardless, I've typed in Disney Parks in the Tumblr search bar and have let it load while starting off this blog post. Within the next five minutes I'm going to scroll through some of the results and share a few of the things that I happen across and find interesting!

Wish me luck!

Via Tinkeperi

First off, can we talk about how adorable these Flounder cups are? Actually can we talk about the superiority of all Disney Japan merch? I mean just what are we doing here in American when we could be spending our money on these fantastic things?

Via LikeADisneyPrincess

Via LikeADisneyPrincess

Over the past few months I've fallen in love with the custom Minnie Ears that are out there, some of which I know you'll see in an upcoming blog post. These two happen to be some of the ones I found while searching through the Tumblr feed, and let's be real, that Villains one is spot on!

Via Disneys-SouthernBelle

This one kind of made me laugh. it's a "Prince Eric Disney Moodboard," and as it was loading I, obviously, started at the top and was like "Oh look a Dog!" and immdiately thought of Eric even before the rest had loaded. And then we got to the bottom right hand corner and I was like...Liam? That's right, that's Liam Jones from Once Upon A Time, better known as Captain Hook's Brother. I'd know that coat anywhere!

Via Tinkeperi

I may have gotten a little distracted by the Tsum Tsums...

Via Disney-FaceCharacters

These two are too adorable for their own good and I'm 100% ready to go to the Disney Parks (especially Disneyland) and see the Tangled stuff. We don't get enough Flynn at Walt Disney World!

Via Chef-Mickeys

I came across this one and just had to look at it for a minute. I'm not a Disneyland regular, but I'm fairly regular at Disney World and I've just never thought of taking this picture, or rather, one like it!

Via DisneyParks

This is actually part of a set of five Character Inspired Hats come to life over on the official Disney Parks Tumblr! I'm actually in love with the simple little graphics they put together over there, and that includes this adorable Mickey Hat!

I actually ended up going for closer to 7 minutes, just to make sure I had enough for a blog post (the four or five minutes I had it loading originally apparently wasn't enough), but remember that you can always follow me on Tumblr by clicking the links on the sidebar, whether it be my personal tumblr (epcotexpert) or the Everyday Disney Tumblr (everydaydisneyblog)!

Have a magical day!

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

Day 843: In the Background

In yet another search for a blog post for a day that was far to busy to be blogging, I found something on Pinterest that got me thinking: iPhone backgrounds. I've shared my background before, although it's changed since then. At the moment, my background is the picture of Peter Pan and I that ended up on BuzzFeed, and while I haven o intention of changing it, at least not at the moment, I figured that it might be a great time to share some of my favorite Disney inspired backgrounds!

I love throwing Disney backgrounds on my phone, on my computer, and on my social media pages. Pretty much everything I have is something Disney, usually from the parks. As far as I've found, it's one of the greatest ways to add a little extra Disney magic to your life without going overboard, especially since 99% of the time, you're the only one looking at your phone!

These first three come from Disney officially, although unfortunately I can't find a direct link! However, they ARE part of the #DisneySide campaign and seriously, who wouldn't want that Haunted Mansion one? Brilliant! 

These next two are part of a collection of 15 Iconic Disney Characters designed by Chris Taylor! I particularly am in love with the Incredibles, but I can never pass up anything Monsters Inc. related! Find the rest of the iconic phone wallpapers HERE! 

And finally, this is a Rapunzel inspired spring design featured as one of the Spring-Themed wallpapers on the Disney Style blog! All of the backgrounds in that set are adorable, but as a Tangled fan, this is absolutely my favorite, and definitely at the top of my list if I ever change my background to something non-Disney Parks related! 

Of course, you can only have one background, unless you have an iPhone, then I suppose you have the separate lock screen. I don't change mine often, whether because I'm just too busy to notice that it hasn't been changed in months or because I just really love what I have now, I don't know, Regardless, which of these backgrounds do you love, or is there another Disney one out there that you think should be added to the list!?!

Have a magical day!

Day 714: Gifting and Giving

Trying to figure out what to get someone for Christmas or their birthday is hard enough. I spend quite a bit of time on trying to figure out what to get people, and often times those discussions in my mind start long before the actual day comes around. I'm talking like months ahead. With Ashley's combined "First Disney Trip" gift, I was planning long before we even knew we were going to Florida, and almost a year ahead of when she was actually given the present. And when it comes to my roommate, who's also named Ashley, I'm already working on a special Christmas present for her next year. Yep, I'm ahead of schedule.

So I definitely understand what it's like to have issues finding the prefect present, but apparently I'm even more difficult when it comes to this topic. The issue? Disney, and OUAT, and pretty much everything else I love.

I'm an avid collector, as I'm sure you've already figured out. I have collections in everything from Disney Parks Prints to mugs to pins to books to autographs (And tweets, if you're counting those too), and that's just scratching the surface, so gifts aren't exactly easy to find for me.

Now granted, I have a lot of interests, so that should probably make it a bit easier. But when you consider the fact that I tend to avidly add to my own collection, it probably makes it kind of difficult for other people to know what I have and what I don't have, meaning that instead of being a really easy person to get gifts for, I'm that person everyone is afraid to get gifts for.

That is, except for one person. Megan seems to have gotten a good system down. She's able to snoop around in my room enough to know what I have and what I don't have, and since she's already very obviously taken my "Everything You Probably Didn't Need to Know About Disney" course and aced it, she's able to decipher what it is that would be a super valuable addition to my collection.

Last year she gave me the Mickey Mouse Wreath that she made, which obviously was not something I previously had. For my birthday she got me a new Beauty and the Beast t-shirt, and for Christmas she gave me the 2015 Once Upon A Time calendar and "The Art of Tangled," obviously both great additions to my life.

So I suggest to my friends and family: don't be afraid to get me something Disney. Even if I already have it, the chances of me loving it enough to keep it are pretty darn high. I have a blog about Disney, after all. A WHOLE BLOG.

Plus, if you really want to get me a great present, I know Colin O'Donoghue is out there somewhere. After all, he definitely wasn't under my Christmas tree.

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on December 29 due to Finals, Holidays & Computer Issues).

Day 633: The Great Pocahontas Debate

My roommates and I have really strange discussions.

Not that a debate about Kocoum and John Smith is really that strange because for real this is probably a conversation a lot of people have. I doubt it got to the level we did though, because what started as a simple debate turned into an entire dinner conversation with more than just my roommates.

Two of my roommates like Kocoum, although one of them commented that it's possible it's just because he never wears a shirt. Meanwhile, my other roommate and I are on team John Smith, and to be honest I don't really even know why. I guess I just always liked him better.

From there our conversation about Disney headed into sequel territory, specifically about Pocahontas 2 and the new debate: which John. Because you know, once upon a time we had a discussion about Love Triangles and how that all worked out. Again we were split on the decision. And then we discussed Hunchback 2 and Little Mermaid 2 and Lion King 2 and basically all the other sequels. In the end we basically decided that shorts are ok. So things like "Tangled Ever After" or the new Frozen short are ok, but entire movies just sort of ruin things.

And I agree, as much as I LOVE Tangled, I wouldn't want to see an entire Tangled 2. Just little bits of Flynn Rider every so often are great. This isn't Star Wars, after all. Sequels with completely new storylines are great, like when they made Planes or even Cars 2. And of course there's always Toy Story and the sequels, where each film has it's very own obvious storyline that has little to do with the first one. THAT'S what makes a sequel great, not just "continuing the story." You need something new and different, a factor most sequels forget about.

So here's the question: are you team Kocoum or John Smith, because my roommates and I really want to know?

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on September 27).

Day 603: Ursula Mugs

I have a friend here at college who loves Ursula, or rather, The Little Mermaid. Like, REALLY loves The Little Mermaid. Probably more than I love Tangled...and that's saying something because do you know how much I love Flynn Rider?

Anyways, a while back they started selling these Ursula mugs:

And it just screamed my friend's name. So I had to get it for his birthday present, despite the fact that his birthday was months ago and literally I just gave it to him today. But he loved it, and I mean seriously loved it. Watching him open it was priceless because the box and the tissue paper all ended up on the ground and stuff was thrown everywhere and he was jumping around. Seriously awesome. 

Because sometimes, there are just Disney products that remind me of my friends, and then they generally end up getting them as gifts because I can't imagine NOT giving them to them because it would just seem wrong. 

Have a magical day! 

Day 590: Chuck

Apparently, amongst the numerous TV shows I'm already addicted to (literally, I need to do something more productive with my life than freak out about OUAT), my new roommates decided that I seriously need to watch the TV show Chuck. "It's only 5 seasons" they said, "It's the best show ever" they said, "You'll love it they said!"

Well, all of those statements were pretty darn true.

So here I am, addicted to yet another TV show. Maybe that's why I need a life. I watch too much TV.

But that's all besides the point because we're here to talk about Chuck, and how this is literally one of the best shows I've watched in years. It's kind of comforting knowing that I can binge watch the entire series basically without having to wait eternities for new episodes (I should have thought OUAT through more), but at the same time, it's a little scary knowing that we'll finish the five seasons and then all cry because it's over.

I don't know which is more painful.

For those of you who have yet to experience Chuck, here's a run down. Basically, this guy named Chuck (played by the one and only Zachary Levi...more on that in a minute), has some super secret government spy information stuck in his head, and he has to become a spy because of it, despite the fact that he fixes computers for a living as a part of the Nerd Herd. If high speed car chases and top secret missions isn't enough to get you to watch, there's also a ton of references to other fandoms, especially Star Wars, which I enjoy tons.

And if THAT isn't enough, let's return to the fact that it stars ZACHARY LEVI. You know, the guy who voiced FLYNN RIDER? Yeah, him. He's been on my favorite actor list for a while, and seriously, it's tough to get and stay on that list recently. Once dominates it. And to get me addicted to a show after like one episode? That's an entirely different feat.

So if you need me now, I'll just be over here wondering how long I have until I can watch the next episode, since I'm watching it with my roommates. We have to bond somehow you know! ;)

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on August 18).

Day 515: Can't Pick Just One

Day 22 of the Disney Photo Challenge: A picture from your favorite Disney movie. 

Blast from the Past: 

If you have seen my other 100 Day Photo Challenge, you will know that I don't just have ONE favorite movie. I actually have so many I have to split it into categories. But as far as Disney movies go, that's only just over half. 

Star Wars isn't technically Disney, so that's out of the question right now, and the Non-Disney categories don't count. But we still have everything else. 

So here's the ist: 

Favorite Classic Disney Movie: Beauty & The Beast, Lady & The Tramp

Favorite Modern Disney Movie: The Lion King

Favorite Non-Animated Disney Movie Series: Pirates of the Caribbean

Favorite Pixar Movie: Cars

Favorite Pixar Series: Toy Story

And although there isn't a picture here, my favorite Princess move is Tangled. I just stole the picture from the other challenge cause I'm lazy and didn't feel like finding all the pictures again. 

I have more...but those are just the basics. And the funniest part about B&TB and L&TT is that L&TT is the 15th animated Disney Movie and 15 is my lucky number. B&TB is the 30th animated Disney movie, a multiple of 15. And they have very similar titles and storylines. I guess I just like the idea of the "Princess" Getting together with the Scoundrel. Or something like that. 

Back to the Future: 

Yeah...this one is still impossible to answer.

I actually gave a very detailed account of my Favorite Disney movies a long while ago, which you can find HERE, so I'll do something a little different.

As you may know (if you're not reading my blog completely in order), I've recently been working on rewatching all the Disney films, and a few of them really stuck out to me so far.

Bambi I think was the first that I really just stopped and watched instead of doing work at the same time because I just suddenly had this extreme appreciation for it. I don't know why. I think it has something to do with the fact that the enemy and the villain in the film is us, the humans, and that's just a really heart tugging sort of thing.

Then there was Lady and the Tramp, which as you know, has always been one of my favorites.

But the last one that surprised me was Cinderella I think. I'm not really sure WHY I enjoyed it more than I have previous, but I did. Definitely a great film, especially with the connections to Walt Disney.

I'm slowly working my way through all of them though, and eventually I'll reach the more modern stuff, all while blogging about it as I go! That is...if I can ever finish catching up on posts.

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on August 21).

Day 499: Top of the Line

Day 17 of the Disney Photo Challenge: A picture of your favorite Disney Character. 

Blast from the Past: 

I feel like I've answered this question before! 

The truth is...I have no favorite Disney character...because I love too many to pick an actual single favorite. So instead, I'll share one of my favorite pieces of art...Mickey Mouse made up of the other characters! It's such a great idea! 

Here are, though, a few of my favorites: Simba (The Lion King), Rapunzel (Tangled), The Tramp (Lady & the Tramp), Belle (Beauty & The Beast), Sebastian (Little Mermaid), Merida (Brave), Woody & Buzz (Toy Story), Dory (Finding Nemo), Donlad Duck, Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Goofy, Brer Rabbit, Fox & Bear (Song of the South/Splash Mountain), The Hitchhiking Ghosts (Haunted Mansion), Rover (Carousel of Progress/Pirates of the Caribbean), Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean), Pongo (101 Dalmatians), Mike (Monster's Inc.). 

There are tons more...but those are just a few of my favorites. If I really have to pick though, there's honestly no one quite like Mickey Mouse. 

Back to the Future: 

Funny how two years ago I couldn't pick just one and now I can. I mean, it's not that I don't have an extreme love of all the Disney characters, it's just I have one particular favorite now.

And if you don't know who it is, then that's just sad.

Ok, so maybe you can see the picture sitting right there and it's honestly not that much of a surprise, but yeah...I love Flynn Rider. Maybe it's because he's basically Han Solo, who is basically Killian Jones, and therefore all of my favorite characters are literally the same person, but hey, that's ok!

Flynn Rider Forever.

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on August 20).