Day 911: Halfway Through

It's the end of another month, which means more Everyday Disney Challenge Photos! This month was originally inspired completely by resorts, but I cut it down a bit to make it easier for everyone! There's definitely still hints of the resorts throughout the month though, and I do have to note that there was an editing error, so we made Day 25 a free day as well! 

As always, everyone is welcome to join in this next month as I continue forward in my year of Disney pictures. Special thanks to all of my Instagram follwers who continuously support this project with favorites and comments! I definitely keeps me going and means the world to me! 

Have a magical day!

Day 910: Another Time Around

Some people probably think it's ridiculous that I watch all of Once Upon A Time every summer, but at this point it's basically a tradition. A tradition that just so happens to lead me right up to the premiere of the next season, making time go much, much faster. So I figured that, in honor of my rewatch, I would share my top five favorite episodes of Once Upon A Time. Trust me, this was a hard choice...a really, really hard choice, because I have so many favorites, but there are definitely a few episodes that stand out to me as favorites overall in comparison to favorite scenes.

In  order of apperance in the series, here are my top five:

1x01: Pilot

You honestly can't beat the Pilot of Once Upon A Time. I remember 2011, sitting in front of my televison as I started the series and reading those ever popular words, "Once Upon A Time." For a pilot, this show certainly did it right, and I think there were many of us ready to stick with this show from day one. From the Enchanted Forest with all its wonders, true love's kiss as shared by Snow and Charming in the opening scene, to Emma Swan with her red leather jacket and little yellow bug, I know I was stuck from day one, and watching the pilot is always one of my favorite things to do.

1x04: The Price of Gold

Oddly enough, one of my all time favorite episodes actually occurred very early on. At this point in the series we knew so little about Rumpelstiltskina and the deals he struck, so this was really one of the first moments we had a chance to see his true self, not to mention we got to watch OUAT's version of Cinderella, whom I adore and always love to see back on the show! I think what I really love about this episode was just the way it twisted and turned the original fairytale. I came back to it time and time again while working on my thesis for my Fairy Tale paper and it's definitely just stuck with me.

3x05: Good Form

Now we skip ahead to Season 3, not to say that there weren't spectacular episodes stuck in there, but Good Form was just one of those episodes that you never forget...at least not if you're a CaptainSwan shipper. Good Form held the moment our ship became canon, but for me, as a huge fan of Hook, it was really the first time we got to see some of his pre-pirate backstory. I adore Captain Hook and I adore Killian Jones, so getting to catch a glimpse into that past was a treasure, pun intended.

3z21&3x22: Snow Drifts & There's No Place Like Home

So technically this might be six episodes by the time we get done, but you can't say half of a season finale and call it good. OUAT has done the two hour season finale "movie" for two seasons now, and I've loved every second of each of them. However, the Season 3 finale will always hold a special place in my heart. Maybe it was the fact that it was a CaptainSwan movie and Hook was definitely in 75% of the episodes, or maybe because it was just simply brilliant, who knows. Actually, it's probably because we got two Hooks at once. Can't say you punched yourself in the face every day...or ever hopefully.

Also, can someone make me that dress?

4x16: Poor Unfortunate Soul 

This was one of those episodes where I had no idea going into it just how much I'd end up loving it, but this episode is by far my favorite of Season 4. Again, Hook is all over the place, but there was something extra magical about Ursula's story and how it wove in with the others. Plus we had one of the most meaningful CaptainSwan moments in the series...so that definitely helps. But I'm not joking, the CaptainSwan was just bonus. I loved it long before that "Happy Ending" scene.

Now, for those who may not be caught up, I won't give any spoilers away further, but I know for a fact that this next season is going to be an absolutely crazy one. With everything they've explored so far, I couldn't be more excited to see where things go next. Of course, maybe my ship has seen better days, but she'll weather the storm, and by the end, I certainly know everyone will live Happily Ever After.

Well..I hope so. With Adam and Eddy you can never really predict these things.

Have a magical day!

Day 909: Bay Beach

I always have beleived that you can never appreciate Disney quite as much as when you go to another amusement park and suddenly feel like something is missing. I've been to my fair share of parks that aren't Disney, believe it or not, and while some have been enjoyable (like Valleyfair only a couple of weeks ago), others have been, to say it lightly, not fun. Disney does an incredible job with their parks, whether you realize it or not, and while the closest amusement park to me is a far cry from the enterprise Disney has created in central Florida, it still made me think about what I could be missing out on.

Bay Beach is a super tiny little amsuement park right here in Green Bay, and it's one that my family used to frequent back in the day. Of course, we don't head over there often now, and if I do, it's probably because I'm off hunting for a glance at a Swan at the wildlife sanctuary. It has your classic carnival sort of rides, a merry-go round, a ferris wheel, bumper cars, that sort of thing, and then there are some more thrilling attractions...if you can call them thrilling. The Zippin' Pippin' is the latest of the additions to the park, although I've been told new attractions will be appearing throughout this summer as well, and for those of you who may not have heard of this little coaster, it's an interesting one.

My roommates and I headed to Bay Beach to celebrate a birthday, and that meant that Megan and I got to experience the Zippin' Pippin' for the first time. We'd been told by numerous people that it was sort of harsh, whiplash sort of coaster, but I suppose that's to be expected with its wooden form. The coaster actually is more interesting than it sounds though, because of all things, it was Elvis' favorite roller coaster. Would I call it my favorite? No, not by a long shot, but it wasn't bad either. Think of a mix of Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain and Everest and that's about what this thing in, only much shorter and is mostly just up and down and up and down.

What sorts of things did I really miss from Disney though? The variety for one. As I've said time and time again, it's very easy for my entire family to head to Walt Disney World and all go on an attraction that suits us, even with my motion sickness problems. You don't have that same variety at other amusement parks, where, if you want to do something, you'd better believe it'll be a roller coaster. Granted, not all attractions are roller coasters, but with motion sickness you've got to remember that anything that spins is off limits too. Otherwise, I definitely missed the food options and air conditioning, not to mention ample seating and covered queue lines. Definitely things you don't even realize Disney is providing until you have to live without them.

After our time at Bay Beach itself, we headed over to the Mini Golf course across the street. I actually ended up winning by like a point (it came down to the last hole), but there's something to be said for Disney's mini golf courses too. Playing on one that wasn't themed sure makes you miss the weird stuff you putt past at Disney, even if that snowman DOES make it harder for you to get the ball in the hole.

Have a magical day!

Day 908: Chocolate

As you may have noticed if you checked out my "When Did It Start For You?" video, you may have noticed some of the older pictures I included from my childhood. I actaully had several of them scanned a while back, but when I decided to do this video, I knew I needed to find some specifically from the Millennium Celebration. So I hit the books, and by books I mean photo albums.

I did manage to find plenty of pictures from my childhood. For example...

Mickey and Minnie and a throwback to my early days of chillin' on the balcony of a room at Old Key West. DVC for life. 

ANYWAY, while I searched through these various photo albums, I also came across one VERY important picture: my chocolate Spaceship Earth. 

Now, if you don't believe that my love of Spaceship Earth goes back as long as I can remember, here's a story for you. This little picture was taken somewhere around 2000, the year I would have turned 5. By that point, I already loved Spaceship Earth so much that when this was served to us at a restaurant, I knew I needed to take it home. Mom definitely knows the story better than I do...after I, I was like 4 or 5, but somehow they got the little guy home. My little chocolate Spaceship Earth sat on our kitchen counter for weeks probably until it started to turn a not so chocolatey-brown color and my parents finally had to convince me to let it go. I still miss it sometimes. Actually, I'll probably print out a copy of this picture and frame it for my Spaceship Earth collection. It's a valuable addition to my growing shelf of Spaceship Earth. 

Do you remember getting one of these little chocolate Spaceship Earth's back in the day? Let me know if you too remember these in the comments below!

Have a magical day!

Day 907: #WDIS4U

A few months ago (has it really been that long already?) I shared the story behind when my love of Disney started, but in typical Disney fashion, I had to make a video to go along with it, and there's a bit extra to the story this time too!

Of course, you can hear the whole story about how my love of Disney really took off with the Millennium Celebration at Epcot in the video below, but I want to know how it started for all of you? I've been a Disney fan as long as I can remember. I've grown up with the company and the parks and I couldn't be more thankful for that. But that's the point of this entire campagin. The reality that each of us have our own individual stories to tell, but with Disney we can come together as one.

See what I did there? Illuminations references for the win.

So watch my story and then let me know how it all started for you in the comments below!

If you're not already following my YouTube channel, be sure to do so and check in every Tuesday for new Trip Vlogs and every Friday for a new Friday Funday video! 

Have a magical day!

Day 906: Best Day of My Life

It's been a year and I still don't think I believe that I marched down Main Street U.S.A.

June 25 will always be an important day for me, probably right up there with other important days of the year like my birthday or Christmas, because on June 25, 2014, I fulfilled my dream of marching in the Magic Kingdom, and even now, a year later, it still hits home. I can honestly say that not a day has gone by that I haven't thought about that parade. I think about it all the time. Whenever I'm feeling a bit let down about how much work it takes to upkeep a daily blog or weekly YouTube videos. I thought of it every second of the way through editing the band trip video for our trip to Walt Disney World. I think of it when I'm happy and when I'm sad and when the powers that work against me almost succeed, but June 25 is an important day, and I still can't thank the powers that be enough for making this possible.

I went back and read my blog post that corresponds with that day a year ago, which you can read HERE, and it's in that post that I talk about how, by some strange twist of fate, it was my dream that came true. I'm not sure if I've ever really talked about this in depth, but this seems like a great time for it.

Wishes.

I faintly remember the show previous to Wishes, and as a kid in awe of Illuminations, I really didn't think much of it. But when we learned we were going to audition for Disney Performing Arts, I would stand almost nightly by my window and listen to Wishes. Or if I was driving home from school late one night, maybe after a football or basketball game, I would turn on the soundtrack and sing along, wishing with all my heart that maybe, just maybe, it would be my dream that comes true.

People in our world are negative. I've said it time and time again. So many don't believe in wishes. We're raised to believe that the only thing that gets us anywhere is hard work. And I'm not saying that's not true. I worked incredibly hard in my years with the High School Band, and I continue to work hard on a daily basis. But hard work means nothing without a dream behind it to help push us forward.

There's a moment near the end of Wishes, right after the Blue Fairy appears, where she says "Remember, we must always believe in our wishes. For they are the magic in the world. Now, let's all put our hearts together and make a wish come true." When I stood in the Magic Kingdom that night, only hours after the parade, others were merely concerned about the fireworks. I know there were some simply happy from the thrill rides and experiences with their friends. Even my fellow drum major, as I went around asking everyone their favorite part of the day, commented that her favorite part was leading the band in the parade.

But I never actually answered my own question, and for those of you in the SHS Band, go check out the video. Of everyone in the band, I never give an answer, because to be honest I don't think I could do it without tears appearing again, much like they are now. But I'll tell you now. My favorite part of the day was the moment when everyone DID put their hearts together and made a wish come true.

For those of you out there wishing tonight, keep wishing. My heart's in it for you now.

Have a magical day!

Day 905: Under the Stars

Summer is the perfect time to do things you normally wouldn't do, and sleeping under the stars the other night certainly was a spontaneous but memorable sort of thing. Apparently, my brother decided that our house, which is surrounded by a good portion of land that includes plenty of field, needed a fire pit. Why, I'm not really sure, but I have a good feeling it had a lot to do with the fact that all of his friends had fire pits in their yards. So he made one, and now my house apparently has a fire pit.

And all fire pits apparently need test runs.

Frank and I joined Jonny outside to see if we could find the Northern Lights, which never actually appeared and was sort of a let down, but by the time midnight rolled around, moving everything inside sounded a lot harder than just bringing some sleeping bags outside and spending the night under the stars. What a way to kick off summer, right?

Now, sleeping under the stars certainly brought me a few Disney thoughts, especially when it comes to the six or so shooting stars I saw, promptly making wishes on each of them. But there was one Disney moment that I thought of specifically...

Then again, how can you not lay under a sky full of stars and not think of The Lion King? Gosh...now I just want to watch the entire movie! I'd better continue pushing forward with my movie rewatch if I want to get there before the summer ends! 

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on June 25 due to travel).

Day 904: Different Sides of Me

I had a thought this past week while randomly staring at my own Tumblr on my iPad. To be honest, I don't remember what I was there to look at, but I noticed my profile picture and it kind of set a snowball rolling in my mind. Then yesterday (when I'm writing this) I put together a free photobook from Shutterfly that includes memories from my first two years of college and on the cover, instead of doing random pictures, I did my profile pictures from between 2013 until now, which got me thinking about profile pictures and what they might mean. After all, some of my profile pictures are definitely inspired by Disney, such as my Facebook picture, which only changes with my Disney vacations. But others, such as the one on Tumblr that started this idea, showcase my love of Once Upon A Time and so on and so forth. After all, profile pictures are really just a little glimpse of us, and it's definitely a part of showcasing my Disney Side, so I figured we'd take a look at some of my profile pictures, past and present!

Before we get into my current pictures, we'll start with this one, which happens to be the profile picture that inspired my tradition on Facebook. The savvy Disney World fan will recognize this as the Singing in the Rain umbrella on the Backlot of Hollywood Studios, and it made the perfect companion to my Cover Photo of my hand on Harrison Ford's handprint. 

I've also met my fair share of awesome people, many of which have made apperances in my profile pictures across social media. There was the time I met Max outside of Epcot in March of 2014, still one of my favorite Disney memories. Or the amazing cast member who loved our Disney Trip shirts I met during the band trip in June of 2014. That profile picture also holds a special place in my heart as I see it almost everyday, despite the fact that my Twitter picture has changed several times since then. It happens to be the profile picture I used when Colin O'Donoghue tweeted me happy birthday last July, so it's forever importilized in my screenshot of that moment! And of course, up until very recently, Alton Brown was in both my Instagram and Twitter profile pictures!

One of my favorite profile pictures stayed on my Facebook from June of 2014 until January of 2015. My experience with Disney Performing Arts was an amazing one, and I wouldn't trade anything in the world for it. As I'll talk about in a blog post soon, my experience marching down Main Street U.S.A. is still with me every single day, and this was definitely one of the hardest profile pictures to let go of.

My most recent profile picture on Facebook was this one, which I finally decided on after a long and hard debate. It was taken on the last day of my trip to Walt Disney World in January and I'm reminded of it every time I see my Monsters University hat! 

Which brings us to the present. This profile picture has a home on my official Google+ and YouTube account, which also doubles as the official account here on Everyday Disney. I debated changing it, as it was taken back in March of 2014, but I decided against it as it continues to remind me of the inspiration Walt Disney has provided and will continue to provide in years to come. 

Second oldest is this guy, AKA the profile picture on Tumblr that started this whole mess. As often as I take nice posed pictures, candids are actually my favorite, and Katie snapped this one during my weekly DisneyBound pictures for Once Upon A Time. My Modern Hook DisneyBound is one of my favorites, and just the other day Frank and I decided that if I ever meet Colin O'Donoghue, this has to be what I'm wearing...assuming I meet him at a time I still fit into those Hook pants. 

And finally we have the trio of newest photos from my trip this June to Walt Disney World. The top is found on my personal Facebook page, fitting right in with a picture of the OUAT Book and Dagger found on the Streets of America in Mr. Gold's pawnshop. The bottom left is on my Instagram, showcasing my love of Disney and Starbucks for all of my new followers to see. And finally, on the bottom right we have a great photo of Morris Mulch and I. You can probably expect all three of these to stick around...at least until Disneyland in August. 

Like I said, profile pictures are sort of strange, but I think they're one of the most unique and creative way to showcase different sides of you, including your very own Disney Side. Of course, even your Disney Side can have different sides, such as my love of Star Wars, Once Upon A Time or even Starbucks and DisneyBounding. It's all about what you love, and the internet gives us a great place to share it. 

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on June 25 due to travel).