Day 31: End of the Month

Wow! I can't believe it's the end of January already! It feels like the year just started!

I have to say that while I sometimes have had to make up posts...I'm very happy to report that I made it through the first month...and I now come to look forward to writing for my blog each and every day. Sometimes time won't permit me to write...but I always go back and write that day, and I continue to notice all of the little ways Disney creeps into my everyday life.

Today I'm watching Casablanca...and I'll talk more about that tomorrow probably, after I have finished watching the entire thing...as right now I'm in the middle of it.

Remember also that tomorrow I will start a new series...this time of "This Day in Disney History." I'm not positive how I'm going to do it all yet...probably just start with regular words in each post, but I fully plan on making pictures for everything if I have time some day. Maybe Sunday if I don't have a lot to do...but like I said we'll see.

This really had no topic...I'm just excited about having completed an entire month on this blog!!!!

Have a magical day!

Day 30: Disney Geek

I'm going to talk more about this in Saturday's post, but today I was practicing my speech for my FBLA competition. FBLA, for those that don't know, stand for Future Business Leaders of America...and I will be competing this Saturday at the Regional competition in Public Speaking II. As I said, I'll talk more about this on Saturday, but at the moment I figured I'd talk about something I mention in my speech.

I talk in my speech about my want to be an Imagineer, and in order to explain what that is and why I want to pursue that career, I needed to explain my background with Disney. So, I refer to myself as the term of "Disney Geek." I don't know how many people have heard of Disney Geek, but it's a thing put on by the official Disney fanclub, D23. My dad became a member a few years ago when we found the D23 convention would be going on when we traveled to Disneyland...and I learned about Disney Geek not long before that. It's a podcast and honestly just a whole bunch of stuff...including videos and just a lot of awesome. I don't have a lot of time to watch it all the time, but I do suggest you at least check it out if you love Disney...and D23 is awesome too! I really hope to attend the D23 Expo this upcoming August as well.

Click here to be taken to the Disney Geek website.

Have a magical day!

Day 29: Gone with the Wind

Well that was the strangest four hour movie about land I've ever seen in my life.

Yes...I'm talking about Gone with the Wind. I watching it this evening...all four hours...for the very first time. I decided a number of months ago that I wanted to watch some of these old movies...especially Casablanca. I guess it was because of the Great Movie Ride more than anything that made me want to watch them. Or maybe it's because since watching Star Wars and Indy I've had this extreme want to watch more movies I've never seen before. Who knows...but it's still probably the GMR.

I made a lot of comparisons to Star Wars during the movie actually...pretty much all to Han and Leia. It seems that the relationship between Rhett and Scarlett is pretty similar to that of Han and Leia...it's just I love Han and Leia much more...maybe because they end up together and everything is fine and dandy...but at the same time, I think the relationship between Rhett and Scarlett was...interesting. Not bad...just interesting. I mean, honestly, if I were Rhett I wouldn't give a damn either after everything she pulled! But the constant fighting and inability to admit the love their share really does remind me of another couple...who also argues constantly and also can't admit they love one another. There's also the posters...that wasn't intentional at all...

Hmmm, notice any...similarities? 

Anyways, overall, "Gone with the Wind" was indeed a good movie. Maybe a little long...but it was still good. I do think I enjoyed the first half much more and was just a little disapointed with the second half...but it was probably all of the lack of explosions. There was just more death and sadness in the second part...but I think a portion of the reason it isn't as strong is because of the inability for people to connect with the characters. I highly doubt most people have been in three marriages when they really love another man who happens to marry his cousin only to figure out that they really love their last husband...who just divorced them. Yeah...it's a complicated movie. 

Next on my movie list...Casablanca, followed by Song of the South. If we do happen to have a day off of school tomorrow (I'm trying not to jinx it), I'll probably watch that one tomorrow in between my work...but we'll see. If you do have time to watch all four hours of "Gone with the Wind" though, I do suggest it. =)

Have a Magical Day!

Day 28: Drop Everything

I found this pin on my Pinterest Board, which I often search when I don't have any particular ideas for the blog that day, and I came across this one. 

It's quite true, how I would honestly drop everything and go to Disney. Before my last trip I actually had a challenge with my brother to see who could pack faster. I was able to pack within just over a half hour, but it was several days before our trip, so it was kind of complicated, packing everything. Now, I'm sure I could pack even faster, but I don't really have the need to. Maybe someday I'll have the need to pack that quickly. I think it would be fun. 

But if I could drop everything and go to Disney, I certainly would. If one of my friends walked up and said, "Want to go to Disney World?" I'd say "YES!" And just go. I can get a tooth brush while there, and I could buy a couple of extra shirts and be ready to go. Who needs anything else? The truth is, you don't really need much to go to Disney. Just some money and ask long as you're staying at a Disney resort, you'd be ready to go. Of course, I'd need my medications, such as my Asprin and my motion sickness medicine, but other than that and some contact solution I'd be ready to go. 

So maybe that's what I need to do? I could be always ready to go if I kept those things in my "Magic Satchel," which is a story for another day, but is basically the bag I carry with my everywhere. Then again, the chances of one of my friends randomly showing up at my house and saying, "Let's go!" is pretty slim. Maybe I'll do that to them sometime, but no one will ever do that to me. =(

So if, at some point in the future, my future boyfriend is reading this, take note. Randomly show up and take my on a trip to Disney World. It's a good idea. 

Have a magical day!

Day 27: Daily Disney

I've been debating for a while if I want to include something on this blog, so starting February, I'll try it.

Everyday on my facebook page I post "Today in Disney History" and I happen to be recording my daily history for February. I have it all in one document so I can easily just copy and paste from GoogleDocs onto my Facebook, but I have to say, there are some really interesting pieces of Disney history each and every day.

So, as I said, starting February 1st, I'll be including a "This Day in Disney History" here on Blogger. I'm not sure how I'm going to do it yet, but it should be pretty interesting!

And since this is a shorter post, here's a great picture I found on Pinterest!

Have a magical day!

Day 26: Hard Times

Today has been...interesting.

I suppose that's really just the best way to put it, and I certainly will not be going into anything was was extremely upsetting to me, but I have been pretty upset all evening.

Anyway, I figured I'd talk briefly about the news in the Star Wars Universe...as I think we have all heard that J.J. Abrams is directing the next installment into the Saga. I don't really have an opinion on this as I have only a few standards for the new films...

1. Harrison Ford must be there, as should the other original actors.
2. Han Solo cannot die. He just...I respect Harrison Ford's potential want to kill him off, but I don't think it will work. If they can come up with a way for it to work, ok, but I just can't see the galaxy's favorite smuggler being killed off.
3. John Williams must provide the music.

I don't know much about J.J. Abrams either, but based on the people I look to when it comes to Star Wars, he is a good choice. I suppose this means I really should watch that Star Trek movie that came out a few years ago to see what he's all about, but if Corey Vidal thinks that Abrams is a good choice, then so do I.

In all honesty, if you haven't see ApprenticeA, go check out the youtube channel, and then watch the daily vlogs at ApprenticeEh. It's amazing...I can't even begin to describe how they've changed my life. But when the news broke that Disney bought Star Wars and 20 minutes later Corey was making a video...I didn't care about Disney buying Star Wars...I was freaking out because if Corey thought Disney was a bad idea, I might just cry, for obvious reasons. Luckily Corey thought the whole thing was a great idea...and just recently he made a visit to Disneyland and rode Star Tours 7 times. That daily vlog was 20 minutes (it's down below) and is my favorite one of every vlog they have ever made.

If I actually have any readers out there, what do you think about the choice for the director of Star Wars? I'd love to hear some thoughts since, like I said, I really don't know much about the guy.

Have a magical day, and may the force be with you!

Day 25: Little Things

Today was our first day of the new semester...meaning that it was pretty laid back and overall unstressful...for once.

I did have two "magical moments" today though, both focusing around my Physics class. Because it is Friday and it really would be senseless to start something completely new on a Friday, our teacher decided that we would watch a movie on the efforts to put man in space and then on the moon.

This movie started great...well, the whole thing was great, but still. Of course, it started with a brief intro that ended with the title of the movie and a quote...direct recording from the moon landing. "Tranquility Base here, the Eagle has landed."

That quote got my attention, and without really thinking I said the quote along with the movie. It's one I know by heart, just as I know one from both JFK and Martin Luther King Jr. Why? The American Adventure.

During Golden Dream, on the soundtrack there are three quotes. The first, as I said, from JFK. "And so my fellow Americans. Ask not, what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world, ask not, what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man." The second from Martin Luther King Jr. "I have a dream this afternoon, that the brotherhood of man will become a reality in this day, with this faith. " And finally from the moon landing, "3 feet down, 2 and a half, picking up some dust.  For forward, for forward, just into the right a little, contact light, ok, engine stop. We copy you down eagle. Tranquility base here, the Eagle has landed."

All three quotes are engraved into my brain, and I guess maybe this attraction is why I find such an interest in history. I feel that those three quotes share three of the most important moments in our nations history. They come from a time filled with worry and war and inequality, but the last one proves that we as Americans can do anything if we work together for the better of man.

The second moment I had during that video was later, when they were counting down to the blastoff for one of the first flights into space. Between the music and the setting and the counting, it suddenly reminded me of Space Mountain. I'm sure we're not the only ones to do this, but my brother and I ALWAYS count down to "blastoff" as we go up the initial climb on Space Mountain. Every single time. I guess the music and the countdown in the video reminded me of that, and it made me pretty happy.

So those were my magical moments of the day, and I wonder, did you have any?

Have a magical day!

Day 24: Scholarships

Over the past several weeks I have been working on scholarships...which of course have to be due the same week as finals. Just what I wanted when I'm already stressed out, but none the less I think they brought some calm to my hectic life.

In all of these scholarship essays we have to provide what we hope to do with our future and what brought us to want that in life. Of course, I recently have finally made my own decision...I want to be an Imagineer...more than anything. Of course, it's a difficult position to obtain, and I often feel like maybe I'm not good enough, but at the same time I won't stop until I get to my dream.

So I thought I'd share my college application essay, as I rather like it...which I'd hope is true since I wrote it in the intention I'd be getting hopefully accepted to the college I applied to...which I did. =)

"It is early in the morning, somewhere between four and five, and the sun has yet to rise. The only light in the house comes from the hallway and the only noise from my family, gathered in the entryway making final preparations. I am excited, more excited than I have ever been, although I know my parents will tell me to stop jumping off the walls. My father pulls out the old video camera, one I have seen many times before, as it is as old as I am. Soon the familiar red light appears on the front of the camera as he begins to film, and the routine question follows, “Where are we going?”

And then my response, as old as the camera and as familiar as the little red light, “We’re going to Disney World!” the most magical place on Earth.

Throughout my life, this scene has been repeated before each family vacation, as we gather around the front door and my father pulls out the camera. No matter how much I age, my response is always the same, said with the same enthusiasm and excitement as when I was three. Disney is, in every way, my home, a safe haven from the real world filled with stress and worries. It gives me something to look forward to and something to use as an example. Disney hasn’t changed me, but it has made me who I am, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

While most see my demand for a project to be perfect to be bizarre, my closest friends know that it is not because I am paranoid, but because I have set my standards based on the examples that Disney has given me. Just as the attraction “The American Adventure” features historical figures Mark Twain and Benjamin Franklin, both as audio animatronics featuring real human hair, I took the extra effort to create a silent film for our history class with aspects of a real silent film, such as the background music and black and white appearance. If I had done anything less, I would have regretted my decision, for I did not accomplish it to the best of my ability. Another example can be found in my National History Day project, “Les Paul: A Marvel of a Man.” As a group, we decided to do an exhibit, since it would easily apply to each of our talents, consisting of researching, writing and art, or in this case, designing the exhibit. But it doesn't always work the way we plan, and our history project was no different. One member of my group felt that we should construct the exhibit using simple materials such as cardboard and paper, while I argued that since we were planning on entering this exhibit in competition, and previous competition winners were made out of materials such as wood and paint, we should do the same, even though it would require extra work. Eventually we created the exhibit out of the components I suggested, and included additional features such as an interactive timeline and decorative guitar panels. Our display advanced to state competition, something that would not have happened without my persistency to create an exhibit you would easily find in a museum, or in my mind, a Disney park.

I have lived my entire life surrounded by the magic of Disney, and it has made me the person I am today. The Disney theme parks have given me the examples of perfection I need to balance my own expectations in life, and complete tasks such as a history project to the best of my ability. I know that this mentality will follow me throughout my life, help me to improve situations, overcome obstacles and break barriers in the society around me."

Have a magical day!

Day 23: Meaningful Words

Today was our first day of finals for the semester, and the day I presented that Psych project I was talking about last week. As I said on that last post, we had to choose one song to present to the class...why we chose it, for what event, and the psychology concept that went along with it.

Originally I was going to present with "Life is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts...but another person in my class chose that song and in a last minute, spur of the moment, decision...I changed my presentation song to "Promise." If you know your Disney music well...you'll know that "Promise" is the song that plays each and every night after "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth" at Epcot, and that it's a very well written and beautiful song.

Basically here's what I said:

"The song I chose was "Promise," Originally sung by Kellie Coffey for the Epcot Millennium Celebration. I related this song and event to the concept of "memories" because I have so many different and unique memories from my trips to Florida throughout the years. But of them all, most of my first real memories come from the Millennium Celebration.

I know that my dream of becoming an Imagineer is probably farfetched to some. It is even to me sometimes, and I know that it will take very hard work to get there...and along the way I will be viewed by some as childish. But it's something I want to do with my life. I want to become a part of the magic and make memories for other people the same way cast members have made memories for me throughout my entire life. But I think the most rewarding part of it all is that while most people will fall into a job that they dislike or become unsatisfied with, I will be doing something I love for the rest of my life. And the truth is, Disney has taught us all. While Disney movies may have Princesses or talking animals, they are also uplifting, give us chills, fill us with hope, and bring us to tears. They teach us responsibility, show us true strength, keep us youthful and make us think. Disney movies leave us laughing and prove there's true love, remind us to dream and give us imagination to be proud of. And if you don't believe me...I suggest you go watch the Disney-Pixar movie "Up."

Every day of my life I will face people looking at me differently because of my love of Disney, there's no question about that in my mind. People will judge, and while I sometimes wish they would stop and listen to my entire story before labeling me "childish," the chances of that happening are very slim. But because this is what I want to do, I will always break free and travel over the roughest of roads. I am a survivor and a dreamer. I am the person I want to be."

After that we listened to the song, but I guess the real reason I'm blogging about this right now is a comment my teacher made after the class. We ran over, and my best friend still had to present, so even though I had musical in a few minutes I waited for her to present...and as I was walking over to throw away a sheet of paper in the recycling bin, my teacher said "I don't think it's childish."

I think you really have to know my teacher to understand how much this really means...but basically he's one of those teachers that likes to make jokes and stuff. We make jokes all the time about my love of Disney (in fact about three came up during our 1 1/2 hour class today), and it doesn't bother me one bit. In fact, the reason I decided on this topic for my presentation is because we have a judgmental class that tends to make comments about how all of my presentations somehow relate back to Disney. But either way, this was just one of those moments where he was completely serious. The last five minutes I'm in his classroom and he makes a comment like that.

Sure, it was only five words, but for some reason that I can't exactly make out, it meant a lot to me. I've been thinking about it all day actually. I guess maybe it's because it's good to know that while my dreams may seem farfetched, and to some, childish, there are still people that believe in me. There's also the fact that I completely showed everyone up by representing the entire theme of the project and the class as a whole within a two minute speech, but I am constantly working to bring the best and more to my projects...so I don't see anything different there. Maybe it was the approval, about how while the rest of the class (other than my best friend) slacked off on this final, I didn't and I took it to heart. Or maybe it was the personal connection I made...about how this song really meant a lot to me and I had a good reason for why...when other people chose random songs that just had lyrics to go along with it.

I honestly have no idea why those last five minutes of psychology class meant so much to me...but they did. And someday, when I do get to be an Imagineer, I can guarantee you I will send an email to that teacher and tell him that I accomplished my dream...and thank him for believing in me even when others don't.

Have a magical day!

Day 22: Little Sleep

Last night I experienced something I generally only like to do at Disney...I stayed up pretty much all night.

Granted, this was to finish work, but it does remind me of some of my favorite times at Disney. It doesn't happen very often, and it will happen even less now because Extra Magic Hours is down to 2 hours at night, but once in a very great while Magic Kingdom is open until 3 in the morning. Luckily I had the chance to experience this my last trip in November.

Now, if you've never been to Magic Kingdom at 3 in the morning...it's interesting. Well, not interesting as much as amazing I suppose. There are crowds until about 1....and then it seems everyone leaves. There's no line for anything...NOTHING. I honestly swear we were the only ones in the "Storybook Circus" area that night other than cast members. My family rode Dumbo...alone. We got free samples of the AMAZING candy apples they sell (of which I couldn't eat much because I have a fruit allergy...but it was still really really good). I'm pretty sure my brother and I went on Space Mountain about 5 or 6 times...one of which times we were able to ride all by ourselves...that was great (also...going on as a pair is great...you almost always get the back two seats). And to finish it off...I probably got the high score on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin about 3 times at least.

Aside from the no line part...there's really just no one around, so it's a great time for pictures too.Throughout this blog post are pictures from my late night stay at the magic Kingdom...and while I say that it was open until 3, I really mean we stayed until 4, just because that's how it works. No one's there, they aren't kicking you out yet...picture time! I'm especially proud of the panorama...which has not ONE person in it. Not everyday you can take a picture like that!

But at the same time, around 1 in the morning you are fighting exhaustion...so you ride It's a Small World, take a small nap and go on your way! By the time we left the park...well, it was so late we were on the last boat across the lagoon and on the last tram out to the parking lot (honestly it would have been the perfect time to ask if I could honk the horn...something I really really want to do). By the time we got out to the parking lot we were the only car left...literally. Actually, there were a bunch of people out there painting lines for the lot...they had to paint around our car. When we got there they proceeded to ask us why we were still there and what time the park closed (they, sadly, had incorrect information and had to work around a bunch of cars). On the way back to Old Key West we saw a total of four cars...on a how many lane road!

Oh yes...Disney at the latest hours of the night is fun. Staying up all night to finish projects on the other hand...is not.

Have a magical day!

Day 21: Wait Time Game

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day everyone!

Now, as many of us know, this past weekend is just about the one and only weekend in January (other than the new years weekend) that is busy much at all...and my family tends to avoid it by traveling (if we are traveling in January) the week after.

But a busy weekend does make for a fun and exciting new game my mom came up with this past week. She just taught it (not that there's much to teach) to me yesterday and I have to say, it was a pretty fun little game.

Basically what we do is she will pull up the Disney app on her iPad and read off the attractions, one by one. As we go through, my dad and I (and sometimes my brother) will have to guess what the wait time is for each attraction. Probably about 80% of the time we're way off, but sometimes we get close, and when one of us guesses it right on the dot, mom will just point to us. It's not anything with points, it's just fun to guess what the wait time is I suppose.

I don't know, maybe I'm the only one in the world who finds this exciting...but it's certainly a way that the Disney Parks have worked their way into my everyday life. Goodness, sometimes I just look up the wait times for fun. I may be hundreds of miles away, but I apparently still want to know that the wait time for Space Mountain is 35 minutes (and yes, right now, as I write this, that is the exact wait time...much less from what it was over the weekend).

So what little games or things work their way into your everyday life to bring the parks a little bit closer? I know for me personally, aside from the wait times, I have the MyDisneyExperience app...because who doesn't want to look at Park Maps? And of course, my Disney countdown...and I won't even go into the numerous games I have.

Have a magical day!

Day 20: Imagineering the Magic

On this lovely morning, as I work on my English Paper, I've decided to put on a video...specifically a Disney one.

So I asked my friend which of the movies I had I should watch, and she decided I should watch this one:

So now I'm watching it, and honestly it's an excellent DVD...and I'm only a few minutes into it! It really makes it apparent how this really was Walt's last dream...although I think we all know he would have kept dreaming long after Walt Disney World. I honestly can't understand why people would be so angry or negative about something like Walt Disney World. Maybe he bought land under a code name, but they would have made prices so impossible if they had known. And today, I don't think people understand the magic and the determination and the effort that went into creating the Magic Kingdom. 

And if you've never heard the story of how Walt's brother Roy worked to open the Magic Kingdom, you really need to. It's an amazing story of how Roy came out of retirement after Walt's death to make sure that his dream came true. It's just amazing...the bond between those two brothers. 

Now, if you can watch this video as a Disney fan and not want to become an Imagineer...let me know. It really makes me more determined that ever to follow my dream to that program, no matter what it takes to get there. =)

Have a magical day! 

Day 19: Mental Breakdowns

Sometimes I really wish I could do one of a few things, specifically when I have a mental breakdown like the one I just had.

I wish I could go to Neverland, where time stops and there aren't so many worries. No responsibilities, just fun and good friends and no weight on your shoulders. Actually, I'd just be fine with the time stopping part, because it seems that the thing I need most right now is time stopping. If I could just have more time then everything might work out ok.

If I couldn't go to Neverland, I wish that my life could be like in Star Wars, where when the Imperials attack the base, Han gets Leia and takes her away, even if only just to escape (and that escape probably turned into a month long vacation stuck on the Falcon). I wish that Han Solo would just fly in here and help me escape from, most of all my thoughts. Even if it wasn't Han Solo...just someone to come in and take me away and give me a break. Someone who won't put more on my plate when I'm no longer hungry.

But, sadly, neither of these things will ever happen. Granted, someday I might find someone willing to take me away, but that doesn't mean we could. In the meantime, I suppose I shall settle (not settle really, more like calm down) to the things that always calm me down...such as EPCOT music. Because I associate Disney World, EPCOT specifically, with being calm and happy, the music itself acts to calm me down...it's just more psychology that I somehow know what it means. I try to listen to it when I'm working, and especially when I'm stressed because it offers, if only for a few minutes, some peace and silence into my life filled with hectic things.

Of course, no matter how much I wish it would, the noise inside my head won't stop...not until this is all over...which who knows when that will be.

Sorry for the depressing post today guys...I'm just in a terrible mood and wish that everyone would leave me alone to finish the things I need to be doing...and stop telling me to stop being "cranky" because it's not like I want to be that either! All I honestly can hope for in the next week is that I get some sleep...although I doubt I will. Still, we can hope.

And even if my day is bad, you go out and have a very magical day.

Day 18: A Learning Experience

How many times has anyone ever heard this? 

For those of us that are still in school, such as myself, I often find people around me, myself included, complaining about something we must do over break. Now, over this last Christmas break I had not one, but TWO English papers to write, one due at the end of break and the other due at the end of the semester. It worked out alright, but stuck in between all of my video editing, writing and the actual writing of the paper, I complained a lot. 

But you see, when I was younger and I would go on trips to Disney, I'd always come back and give a description of my trip to my current class. So imagine now, a little girl talking to her 4th grade class about her most recent trip to Walt Disney World, yes, that would be me. I'd hand out the pencils I brought back, or sometimes it was some sort of Candy (I remember once I brought back some Salt Water Taffy), and then I'd go into reading my daily journal I wrote or talking about the parks, showing maps and telling stories. At some point in each of these discussions I'd end up mentioning how much I learned from something or other, and, like always, a hand from a fellow classmate would pop up and ask, "You LEARNED on Vacation?" And then it would go into the conversation about why I would want to learn on Vacation, as it is, after all, a vacation. 

The picture above is one I pinned on Pinterest quite a while ago, and recently a friend of mine repinned it, causing it to show up on my feed once again. The captain, "Insert EPCOT CENTER lecture here."

Now, for those of us who HAVE been to EPCOT center, and I'm sure that although they haven't been there themselves, my friends can attest to the fact as well, EPCOT is basically a park filled with knowledge, both of the past, present and future. It explores the rich traditions and cultures of 11 very different countries all around world showcase, taking us from the legends of Norway to the upbeat society in Canada, with of course our favorite Comedian, Martin Short. And in future world we explore the newest technologies of today in Innoventions, where secretly we are learning techniques that we can use in our own homes and lives to become greener, healthier and more productive. In other parts of future world, such as my favorite, Spaceship Earth, we explore the rich past of communication, and then have the chance to dream up the future. The entire attraction is filled with history, and I often quote it during school, only to explain to my best friend what I'm talking about in the first place. 

You see, now that I'm older, I find that there are more times in school when I know something BECAUSE of Disney than I don't know something. When it comes to the history of communication, I will just randomly burst out in the middle of the lesson and say "The Library of Alexandria in Egypt was burned, but there were copies of the books in the middle East, being watched over by Arab and Jewish Scholars." Or how in English class, every time we talk about black and white vs. color TV, my teacher will stop and say my name in the middle of the lesson, to which is my cue to yell out, "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color!" 

It's a ridiculous thing, but because of everything I've learned at Disney, I have moments like that everyday, where the knowledge I gained there is applied to real life and suddenly everything connects together. It makes more sense to me. I just realized I really didn't talk a lot about how "hidden" these lessons are, but that's an idea for another blog post. For now, I think we can all agree that Disney has something special with their parks. They have the unique ability to educate their guests even when they don't know it's happening because they're having fun at the exact same time. 

So even if you don't WANT to learn on a Disney vacation, you're going to anyway, and you'll learn things that will only enrich your life forever. Who knows, maybe you'll learn something that will lead you on to a path you'll follow for the rest of your life. I know it happened for me!

Day 17: Disney Challenges

I wasn't going to blog about this for a while, but since I was on AllEars again briefly and I saw something interesting, I figured I would blog about it tonight.

A few years ago, just to make things interesting, I began doing these challenges while on my Disney trips. I guess it started when I went to Disneyland and I realized that there were still so many things at Disney World I had never experienced or done. So I started trying to do them...as many as possible.

My first challenge was to eat around the world, which means that I had to eat something from every country around World Showcase at Epcot. We accomplished it, just barely, but it was certainly filled with a lot of delicious food. Then, for my last trip, I made a bucket list, which had a ton of things to do on it. I checked most things off the bucket list easily, with only a few exceptions. One of the items on that list was to vlog my trip, which worked well considering my dad got a new video camera recently that enabled me to, for the first time, capture digital video of our trip. We had an old camera, but it still used tapes and was an extreme pain to transfer to digital. Anyways, I accomplished that too, and if you go to my Youtube channel you can see all 10 videos from my trip. The first video is linked below.

So then, not long after I got back actually, I began thinking about what I'd want to do for my next trip...and I already have a couple of ideas. First, I found a list of "must take pictures" for a family on their Disney trip, and while my family generally takes a lot of pictures in the first place, I thought that this might be a pretty fun challenge to do. It has 50 pictures on the list, and I plan to Instagram every single one.

My second idea goes back to what I was just reading on AllEars. It seems that Disney has been putting out Animal Guides at the Animal Kingdom so people can find and name the animals they see in the park. It sounded like a great idea for a challenge to me, so I added it to the list of possibilities for my trip. For more information on the Animal Kingdom Animal Guides, there's a link to AllEars down below as well.

Which challenge I'll end up choosing I have no idea, but I do know that whatever it is it shall be fun. And the great part is that since most challenges are fairly simple, I could even do more than one. Of course, I'll vlog my trip again because I found it to be a lot of fun, and I'm hoping to make other videos soon so I can improve my video making skill.

As Always, have a magical day!

AllEar's Article on Animal Kingdom Animal Guides

Day 16: Soundtrack of my LIfe

Yesterday we received a psychology project...which is our final project of the semester (and then I'm finished with the class!)...and my friends and I weren't exactly excited about it.

Well, it's not that I wasn't ok with the project...I'm fine with the project itself, just not the presenting part...but I'll have to explain that another day (probably one of the next few days).

Anyway, we had to create a "Soundtrack" of our life and select 8 different songs (although my soundtrack has 10) relating to important events in our lifetime. We could put the songs in any order and choose any songs we wished, but we had to put some thought into it...and we then had to write a letter to the "listener" to describe why we chose each song. We also had to relate each event to something in psychology...which wasn't exactly easy, but I accomplished it.

Actually, I did the majority of the project all last night (and it's not due till next week), and I made the CD cover today...which you'll see down below. I selected all Disney songs, of course, and here's a brief overview of the soundtrack...which I will probably make as a playlist on Youtube sometime soon...and the events that correspond with each song.

1. When You Wish Upon a Star (First Disney Trip)
2. Raiders March - Indiana Jones (The birth of my younger brother)
3. When Can I See You Again? (Fond memories of family not seen for many years)
4. Everybody Wants to be a Cat (Learning an instrument/Jazz Band)
5. Life's a Happy Song (Meeting my Best Friend)
6. Promise (Memories of Disney trips with family)
7. If I Didn't Have You (High School & making new friends)
8. Golden Dream (Elected Band President)
9. When Will My Life Begin? (College Planning/Future Decisions)
10. Life is a Highway (Is Disney Childish?)

The last song I'll talk about further sometime, as it's the one I'm presenting to the class, but it's a long enough point to write an entire post on instead of making this one much longer!

So today I set to making the cover, which was originally going to be really easy, but ended up taking about 3-4 hours of my day and, well, it's worth it. It's inspired by the Disney/Pixar Greatest CD that was put out a couple of years ago. I loved the cover so much and it worked really well for what I was doing. The title just seemed appropriate...both because the CD's theme and my life really is Disney, and it's the name of this blog. Might as well stay constant.

Have a magical day!

Day 15: A Toy Train

This comes as today's blog post because last night, as I was working on my physics project (a bridge design), my dad and I came across the last woodworking project I did for school...a toy car. Now, when I did this back in 8th grade, the project was to create either a design based car or a CO2 car (obviously I did the design option). A few people wanted to work with me on this project, but being the nice person I am...I said no. Not because I didn't want to work with them...but because it would end up being an easy A for them...which I guess means I didn't want to work with them, but still.

While deciding on a design for this car, I went through many different options, but finally settled on a Disney-inspired car...but not just any Disney-inspired car! It would be a design car based on the theme of Toy Story...Toy Story Midway Mania (the attraction in the parks) to be specific. So I set out with some research on what you see in the cue line at Disney's Hollywood Studios...

And after looking through these I decided to include a variety of different toys, including Tinkertoys, a card, building blocks, letter blocks and of course, Scrabble letters. It ended up looking like the picture below. Of course, it won first place in the design contest and amazed pretty much everyone who saw it. It's made up of about 44 different pieces, not including the wheels, and I don't even remember how long it took to make it...but it was certainly a long time. It also showcases 4 Hidden Mickey's, just to keep in the Disney Parks spirit. I'm very proud of the little car, and while there are a couple of things to fix on it at the moment, it shall someday sit in my Disney collection...just in the portion that I've made personally, along with my paintings (In 8th grade I did all of my art projects themed to Disney). 

Have a magical day!

Day 14: The Monorails

Here's a random topic for you:

This morning I have had Disney on my brain...go figure. I'm thinking this is because of one of two possible reasons. Either (a). I really DID have a dream about Indiana Jones last night and that's just stuck in my head (I honestly can't remember what it was about other than Indy and Marion were there) or (b). It's because I listened to the track from Spaceship Earth on my drive to school today.

As much as I love Indiana Jones, and it is quite possible that is the reason I am having Disney thoughts this morning, I have a pretty good feeling it's the second option. Either way, aside from thinking about Indy all morning, I also had a moment where I started comparing colors to that of the Disney World Monorail system.

For those who know about the monorails, you obviously know that there are 12 colors currently (although one is dressed as the Avengerail at the moment), and if you know them well enough you can probably name every single one off the top of your head. That's what I did this morning...starting with peach because that's the color my friend's excel worksheet came up as for a chart. So I simply named them all: Red (Avengerail), Blue, Lime, Green, Coral, Peach, Yellow, Gold, Silver, Black, Orange, and of course, Teal. Yes...it was quite easy to name all of those.

But I think that these thoughts express just how much I do think about Disney...and how it affects my every day life, in a good way of course! The little reminders of Disney all around me just happen to brighten my day, which in this case is down-ridden with homework after being sick for three days last week. Luckily I can now access blogger at school, so during my study hall I can easily write a blog post in the last few minutes of the hour!

I do think that is enough of my rambling for one day though...have a magical day!

Day 13: Never Sick of Disney

Ummm...it's day 13. Why was the last day I posted day 8?

The answer is that I've been sick. Sure I could have tried to post while I was sick, but I felt terrible and that was NOT going to happen. I spent about three days laying in bed or on our living room couch, mostly sleeping, eating not much or watching the Muppet Show (and Muppet movies!). I stayed home from school Wednesday-Friday and went to the doctor on Friday to find out I have bronchitis. Now I'm taking medicine, and I'm happy to say that I'm feeling a lot better!

But now I'm REALLY behind in everything. But that's ok, because Disney always provides a great break when I get sick of writing about Shakespeare and taking Psychology notes. Here's my game plan: (Yes, I did it in steps!)

Step 1. Finish this blog post and head to bed (cause that's a good idea).
Step 2. Throughout the next week, post at least one blog post a day, but two if possible, to make up for the days before this (and hopefully eventually it will look like I was posting the whole time!)
Step 3. Get things back to normal.

I've got a lot of ideas for stuff around here, and I can't wait to have time to start doing things (I would LOVE to start a vlog on my youtube channel!) But first things first...I need to get caught up in school because now is not the time to be behind...and I have so much work to do before my auditions for music scholarships in college that it's a bit ridiculous.

Although as I said, I never get sick of Disney...so I'm still ready to continue this blog...and I'm very excited to do so. =)

Have a magical day!

Day 12: Back in the Day: EPCOT Buses

While watching one of those Disney videos I mentioned yesterday, there was a part where it was like "Woah...back in the day!"

Anyone remember the buses that used to circle World Showcase at EPCOT? I don't really remember them much because I'm a bit too young...but I do remember a little. Can't say I ever went on one...but it was certainly my era when the Junkanoo Bus Show circled...as I clearly remember that. Now, of course, there aren't any buses around World Showcase...just the Friendship Fleet supplies the transportation. But here's a quick look at the past...

The World Showcase Promenade made a 1.3 mile loop around World Showcase, and would stop at locations all around the "World." Granted, they didn't move very fast, so walking was almost quicker than sitting on the bus...but it did offer an option for you to get off your feet!

After they discontinued the buses for guests, Disney made it into the Junkanoo Bus Show, which carried a selection of Disney characters around World Showcase. That was around when I was younger...but I honestly can't remember ever stopping to watch the show. Now I really wish I had.

I'm not going to go into this much more, as I'm certainly not an expect on the subject (yet). But I do encourage you to look into the buses further. It was such an interesting example of how Epcot has changed, and how I think we as a public have changed. It's because of the theory that Epcot will always keep changing, updating to the newest technology and to be ahead of the curve...which it is! If you'd like to know more about the buses though, Yesterland has a great article on them.

Have a magical day!

Day 11: Disney Vacation Videos

I'm not sure about you, but all throughout my childhood, my family has seemed to gather a whole bunch of Disney vacation planning videos...both on DVD and VHS. While I'll probably talk more in depth about each video I have later in time, I just wanted to talk about them in general.

For instance, there's nothing like watching the old videos from the 80s, back before it was more than the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and looking at how much the parks have changed. And yet, I somehow remember so much of what used to be there. I have the "A Day at Magic Kingdom" and "A Day at Epcot Center" VHS's, and it's really amazing to see how much that video is still used today. I am watching my second Disney video of the day, and video from those original videos is still seen in the footage today. I think that it shows just how constant some things are...and how amazing it is how the same attractions continue to enlighten and inspire people today the same way they did when those attractions first opened.

And then there's the Millennium Celebration Video I have from EPCOT. I'm not really sure what caused my parents to buy it (as I wouldn't remember...I was five at the time), but I'm sure glad they did. The Millennium Celebration (and I'll talk more about this another time), was basically what I really remember from my childhood. It's the first things from Walt Disney World that I remember...and that's pretty amazing if you ask me. The music and the celebration of that Millennium inspired me to follow my dream...and I'm pretty sure that I'll continue to listen to the music from Illuminations long after it stops it's presentations at EPCOT (Although I hope that never happens).

There's the Walt Disney story DVDs, which, while all similar, each have their own character and each show a different side of the man behind the dream. And the Imagineering videos...generally showcasing something different within the Disney Parks. And, of course, the lovely Disney Vacation Planning videos...which are great for seeing how the resort has changed little by little...and to remember things that have gone within the past years that we otherwise might forget (although I don't think I could ever forget any of it).

I'm sure I have plenty more when it comes to Disney videos...but those are the ones on the top of my head. I cherish them...each and every single one...and often talk about how in the future I'm going to need to buy five or six VHS players so I'll always be able to watch them, even when my VHS player breaks. I'll just have back-ups! That or I feel Disney should re-release all of these videos on one big DVD...like a historical Disney thing. I don't know, and it might not ever happen...but I think it'd be cool.

What Disney Parks/Vacation Videos do you have? And which is your favorite?

Have a magical day!

Day 10: Real Life Toy Story

I know this has been going around on the internet a lot lately, and while I haven't had the time to watch the whole thing all the way through, what I've seen of this is amazing.

For those that don't know, these people made Toy Story, shot for shot, completely live action. That's amazing...and I heard that even Pixar approves. One of these days I'll get around to watching the whole thing, but if you do have time at the moment I highly suggest checking it out, because it's pretty awesome!

Have a magical day!

Day 9: The French Bakery

I'm not so sure about you, but if there's one thing I'm excited about for my upcomming trip to Walt Disney World in July, it's the reopened Bakery in France.

Back in November when I lasted visited WDW, the current location was under construction, and I can't wait to see the revised version. If you've ever been to the bakery in France (up until now) you know that it's always busy...line out the door busy...unless you go at an off time, which isn't very often. The food there is amazing though, especially if you like sweet treats...and while I'm not a huge fan of sugar all the time, I can't wait to head to the bakery for some delicious food.

This new bakery, which is replacing the former Boulangerie Patisserie, is bigger (thank goodness!) and offers even more food! There's, of course, pastries and other sweets, but also soups, sandwiches, salads and authentic French dishes (I can't wait to try the Croque Monsieur). According to AllEars.Net, the bakery opens at 9 a.m. every morning, apart from the official 11 a.m. World Showcase opening time (before 11 sounds like a great time to go if you ask me!) Of course, the Disney Dining Plan is also accepted for many items at the bakery.

If you're curious about this addition, there's some great photos on wdwmagic.com, link below.

Now, we only have to wait for the former bakery to be remodeled into an ice cream shop.

Have a magical day!

WDWMagic
AllEars

Day 8: Disney Vacation Surprises

I'm pretty sure that of all my pins on Pinterest about Disney, this is one of the most true.

I honestly can't wait for the day when I'll have my own kids and I can surprise them with their own trip to Walt Disney World. Of course, my family is going to have to be one that just loves Disney, because I wouldn't be able to survive forever without going to Disney World.

I've seen some pretty creative ways of people surprising their kids, and every once and a while when I had a bad day I'll go on Youtube and search for exactly that. Some people put it in pizza boxes, like the family on the Disney commercial, others surprise their kids when they come home from school. Sometimes it's a Christmas present surprise, and sometimes they go on scavenger hunts. It will be in the car ride, at home, at a friend's house or at the airport.

I actually have a friend who's family surprised her and her three siblings with a trip to Walt Disney World several years ago, and I believe they did it with a word scramble. All of this just goes to show that you can do this kind of surprise in any which way you please.

For me, I have no idea how I'll surprise my kids, and I guess that's for the future to know what I'll do, but currently I personally really like the idea of a scavenger hunt, as long as the kids are old enough. I just feel like it'd be something really cool to do. It makes a game of it. That or I'd arrange to have Mickey Mouse call our house, which I believe is a possibility out there, but don't quote me on that!

In other words, I can't wait to do this, and I know there are many others that feel the same way as I do. All I know is that someday there are going to be a lot of really happy children out there, and while I haven't explained it in detail, I'd love to see every child good to Disney World or a Disney park somewhere in the world, so they can have the same experience with the magic that I have.

Have a magical day!

Day 7: Limited Time Magic

If you haven't heard, the theme this year in the Disney parks is "Limited Time Magic." What does this mean? It means that throughout the entire year Disney is putting together special experiences for their guests...but here's the catch...each one only lasts for about a week. So you never know what you will be experiencing, other than it will be something that you wouldn't normally experience.

I'm not going to Disney until July, and at first I wasn't going at all (hopefully I'll get a trip to Disneyland in there too...but we'll see about that), and so I somewhat prepared myself all those weeks ago when this was announced. Yeah...apparently the preparing part didn't work so well, as I now am stuck in this awful situation...much like the rest of you. I am very envious of those at Disney just about all the time.

I follow several Disney blogs, including the Disney Parks blog...but I tell you, whenever the week's limited time magic comes out, I am never able to not be jealous. For instance, some of the things going on include rare character sightings...I believe Robin Hood and friends were out somewhere...special food at California Adventure for the Lunar New Year, and a special Winter Celebration over in the Canada Pavilion  How am I supposed to ignore all of that amazingness!?!

But, it does leave me wondering. What exactly will my trip bring? What will be the "limited magic" when I go? Will I have to stop and greet the rare characters, or will I get some sort of special food. Of course, I'm going right after the Fourth of July...the end of that week I believe...so something to do with that? Who knows...but I have to say, I'm very excited to see what Disney has in store for me!

Have a magical day!

(This blog post was written on January 23 due to sickness...but I caught up! That's why it might not make a lot of sense...unless I can predict the future!)

Day 6: Disney Fears

Today's blog post comes with a connection to my homework. I'm taking a class in psychology at the moment, and currently we're studying learning. While I've been taking notes for the last few hours I've noticed and realized two things.

First, our psychology book has a strange love of using snakes as the example for phobias. It's said it at least 6 or 7 times...an Indy reference if I've ever seen one. Then again, there sadly isn't a picture of Harrison Ford like the following one anywhere in the book...even though I feel like it would be the best example ever.

Second, I have been thinking about my own personal fears. I have a few, and while thankfully I'm not afraid of snakes like Indy is, I am deathly afraid of tornadoes, or severe weather and thunderstorms in particular...as well as loud noises. This of course means that I absolutely can't stand "Stormstruck" at EPCOT (I went on it once...big mistake). I also feel that Twister (and thankfully it's not a Disney movie!) is the most terrifying movie of all time. I'd much rather watch Indy up there.

But I have this one other fear...of Tower of Terror. Yes, this is how this all relates to Disney, other than the Indy thing. When I was little and got to the age to ride Tower of Terror I just refused...of course at the time I was also afraid of  the Haunted Mansion, but what kid isn't for a little while? Then I got my brother afraid of it, but my mom tricked him into going on TOT and that was the end of that. While my brother doesn't particularly enjoy TOT, and generally stays off it with me while the parents go on, my family has still been trying to get me on for years...I still refuse.

Now, I have said that the only way I'm ever going on TOT is one of two scenarios...one is if my band goes and my friends all go on it with me then I would. Two is if someday I have a boyfriend or husband that, for some strange reason, loves TOT and forces me on it (yes...he will then be forced to ride Spaceship Earth many times over). But the question is why won't I ride it?

I guess I have a bad experience and have been "conditioned" (using psych terms!) to dislike the weightless feeling...one largely associated with TOT. It's a feeling present on Splash Mountain and I always hated the drop because I was a pretty small kid (and I'm still not that big) and there wasn't a strap or safety bar until recently. I always felt like I was going to fall out. So I associated the feeling of weightlessness with the idea of falling out, or in any case, something bad happening.

And that's why I'm afraid of TOT. Someday I'm sure I'll be dragged on it...but hopefully that day isn't anytime soon...at least until I ride Splash enough for me to like the weightless feeling a bit more...or in other words, recondition myself to not associate it with danger.

Have a magical day!

Day 5: Disney Pinner

While thinking about how I was going to start today's blog entry, I was originally planning on an overview of my Disney collection. But since it is already quite dark out, it wouldn't be that great of a time for taking pictures...plus my bedroom is a complete mess at the moment. Ok, maybe not a complete mess, but close enough. Then I was going to write about the stereotype of Disney being childish...but my thoughts just weren't in a row with that one and it wasn't going much of anywhere.

So now I'm stuck with nothing to write...which is terrible because there is so much Disney in my life...and I should be able to do a blog post a day easily. But once and a while we have a long day where everything else just kind of takes over the Disney portion of life too, which is a sad sad day...but when those days come, I just go to Pinterest!

Now for those that don't know...I have a pinterest...and you can find a link to my personal pinterest at the side of the page (there's a Mickey mouse link for it!) I have 17 boards...and just passed 3,000 pins, but over a third of that is all Disney. Yes...ALL Disney. Just find my "Everyday Disney" board.

I have a lot of real randomness over on that Disney board...but of course, it all focuses on Disney. It comes and goes depending on what I'm searching for too...sometimes I'll be looking for EPCOT Specific things, and other times I'm just going through the Disney board of another pinner. But in the end it all works out...so go check it out, and I'll be doing some posts here on Disney pins I've done and my real thoughts on them...I'm sure. =)