More Disney in the Etsy Store

I am super excited to now be offering a few more Disney items in my etsy store!  In addition to the Disney World Signature Picture books, I now have the following…
 
Disney Dream Cruise Signature Picture Books
These are very similar to my Disney World books (see more here - 2011 and 2012) but with custom pages for the Disney Dream Cruise.  The books have a personalized and laminated cover with your child’s first name and the year, as well as an intro page with your surname.  The book is sized at 5”x7” and holds five pictures in each of its sections: Sail Away Celebration, Nassau, Castaway Cay, Pirate Night, Around the Ship and Magical Memories.  The back of the book has pages for fifteen character autographs and photographs!

  
 



Disney Bag Tags
These make great luggage tags and stroller tags for in the park.  After trying mine out a couple of years, I’m no longer producing with ribbon, but with strong plastic loops and heavier weight lamination.  Add your contact info to the backs in the Disney font!




A Magical Message from Mickey Mouse Note Cards
Each morning of our Disney vacation we leave a little treat and a note from Mickey for the littles.  It is truly a highlight of the trip for them to see what Mickey has to say each morning!





Disneyland Memory Signature Books
I haven't photographed these yet, but they are similar to the Disney World books with sections for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure!



Writing this post makes me wish we were there now… have a magical Monday!
xoxo

VISIT MY ETSY STORE!

See all things DiSnEy here!

Remembering Disney {2012 Edition} + Etsy

The littles were beyond excited when a box full of pictures from our December Disney trip arrived on our front stoop over Christmas break.  We spent almost a whole morning snuggled on the sofa pouring through them, choosing just the right ones for each section of our memory books and then pasting them in.  It’s hard to believe that was well over a month ago – we’re already itching to go back!!



There is a section in the book for each park and for all of the special events we attended.




We included the Messages from Mickey that they received in their stockings each morning and other special things like the confetti they collected at the Fantasyland Grand Opening.


And of course, there is the coveted signatures collection from all of their favorite characters.  I hope they never outgrow that :-)

 
This year I also included lined pages for the PCP to jot down his favorite memory from each park and event.  Since we were missing a week of school for the trip his teacher asked that he write about his trip each day and this was a great way to capture his thoughts.  In the baby’s book I just transcribed what he said were his favorite memories.

Like last year’s books, these have already been poured through many, many times!!

 
I sure hope next time is sooner rather than later :-)



After a few inquiries, I have added a completed and a DIY printable version of these books to my etsy shop.

xoxo

VISIT MY ETSY STORE!

See all things DiSnEy here!

See how I made them here

See Disney  Memory Books {2011 Edition} here

See Remembering Disney {2011 Edition} here

Dixie Delights Disney World

I’ve done a gazillion Disney posts over the last year and a half and thought I’d round them all up in one place for y’all. 

Click here for everything Disney!

Bag Tags

Memory / Signature Books (2011 and 2012 )
NOW AVAILABLE IN MY ETSY STORE

Messages from Mickey (2011 and 2012)

Disney Eats (2011)

The Road to Disney Busy Buckets (2011 and 2012)

Mickey’s Matching Game

Dressing for Disney (2011 and 2012)

 

Park by Park – How we did it!

 

• Magic Kingdom
• in the park (here , here, here and here)
• favorite eats - Cinderella’s Royal Table, Be Our Guest, Peco's Bills, Tortuga Cafe, Sleepy Hollow
• Christmas must do - Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
• New Fantasyland (here and here)
• Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom - great for older kids when you have multiple days in park

• Epcot
• in the park (here and here)
• favorite eats - Le Chefs de France, Biergarten
• Christmas must do - Candlelight Processional

• Animal Kingdom
• in the park (here and here) 
• favorite eats - Rainforest Cafe, Flame Tree BBQ

• Hollywood Studios
• in the park (here and here)
• favorite eats - Fantasmic / Hollywood and Vine Package
• Christmas must do - Osborne Family Spectacle in Lights

• Other fun places at Disney World
• The Polynesian Resort Spirit of Aloha Show
• Downtown Disney
• T-Rex Cafe
• Rainforest Cafe
• Lego Store
• Chef Mickey’s
• Whispering Canyon Ranch

Tips & Tricks – Things we learned

First, a disclaimer… this is in no way a comprehensive list as I have only been to Disney with littles twice.  I realize that there are loads of Disney sites and blogs devoted to offering helpful information.  These are just a few things I wanted to share from our experience. 

Planning

• There were tons of dining experiences and shows that we didn’t want to miss so we planned both of our trips almost a year in advance.
• Make your dining reservations 180 days in advance the minute the system opens.  Have a plan as to what park you want to go to on which day so that you know where to book your meals/shows.
• The park time opening calendar will be posted sometime before that 180 day mark.  Check the Disney website so that you will know which parks have Extra Magic Hours on which days.  This will help with those dining reservations.
• You can create the most fantastically elaborate, personalized and customized maps detailing your own must see/ride/do attractions.  Simply go to this site, choose your parks and your favorite attractions and in a couple of weeks your very own set of keepsake maps will arrive at your doorstep in all the splendor and wonder that only Disney can create.  And it’s FREE!
• If you have a down day, consider going to Downtown Disney.  It’s “free” and there are great places to eat (T-Rex Cafe and Rainforest Cafe were our favorites).  There is also a Lego store and a movie theater!
• We stayed at the Polynesian last year and loved the easy monorail access.  We stayed at the Hilton at Downtown Disney this year for "free" on hotel points.  This resort gets all the extras like Extra Magic Hours, had great, reliable transportation (more so than the Disney buses we had at Polynesian), and has a character breakfast.  Downtown Disney is literally across the street and we were VERY happy with our stay here.
• I packed inexpensive dollar store treats for my littles for each morning.  “Mickey” left them a little note and a treat as a surprise when they woke up and it kept us from spending a DIME on souvenirs until the last day when we let them each pick something out.  See more here.
• We splurged ($2.49) and had Mickey call our littles before our trip.  It was cute and they are still talking about it! Look here for the details.
• Kids under the age of three are FREE!  We made sure to squeeze in our first visit just a couple of months before the baby's third birthday and had a grand time!!

In the Park

• We took one small backpack into the park each day.  We tied a colorful bag tag on the top strap that had our cell phone contact information on the back.  See more here.
• Go to the dollar store and buy cheap throw away ponchos for everyone in your party for every day of your visit.  They come in packs of 2 for $1.  We carried four in our backpack each day when we went out and we used them every.single.day. (We were there in September.)  Best of all?  We threw them away after the rain, rather than fighting to roll up wet plastic and fit it back into our pack.
• You can take a small 6-pack cooler into the park with sealed, non-alcoholic beverages and snacks.  We didn’t take a cooler since we were on the dining plan, but we did bring water bottles for the littles.  We found that most restaurants offered cups of ice cold tap water for free and we used that to fill their bottles at least a hundred times.
• We kept our camera in a large gallon sized zip top bag inside of the pack.  We went on lots of water rides and it rained daily.  This gave me peace of mind that it wouldn’t get damaged.
• We kept our signature/memory books and two large sharpie markers in the front pouch of our bag for easy access.  You never know when someone famous might walk by :-)  See more here.
• We also carted around a pack of hand wipes…these were used non stop!
• At ages 3 and 6, we took our own stroller and tied a second colorful tag onto the handle so that we could see it from a distance.  You can rent strollers in the park but I thought they were expensive and you have to leave them at the gate when you leave.  So, if you are park hopping you have to rent another stroller in the next park.  At ages 4 and 7 we didn't take as stroller and it was SO much easier without one all together!
• I downloaded the Disney Mobile Magic app to my iphone for free.  Just search Disney Mobile Magic in the app store to find it.  It let’s you see park hours, scheduled events like parades, wait times, character greeting locations and fast pass return times.  I also used the WDW Waits app (the free version with a silhouette of the castle) for quick wait times.
• Learn how to use Extra Magic Hours and Fast Passes to make the most of your visit.  We did both and found them very worthwhile.
• We also did the Rider Switch program numerous times.  For example, on rides where Whit was too little, I would tell the attendant we wanted to ride switch.  He’d hand me a pass and then I’d wait in line with John and ride the ride.  As soon as we were done, Honey and John would go right back to the attendant with his pass and they’d get to go in the fast pass lane.  So, John got to ride a lot of things twice!
• Go to the parades!  Get a snack and stake out your place at least half hour before time.  My littles adored them and Honey and I loved having a chance to sit on a curb and do nothing.
• We did use the Photo Pass card in all of the parks but didn’t end up purchasing any.  We found that the staff was more than willing to take a picture for us on our camera after taking it on theirs.

Character Greetings

• Magic Kingdom – the classic Mickey and a selection of princesses (Cinderella, Rapunzel and Aurora when we went) are located in the Town Square as soon as you enter the park, all the way to the right.  You can also get your embroidered ears right there too!  We visited him daily and had virtually no wait as we went during parades and when it was raining.  Storybook Circus now has Minnie, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto, and Ariel is in the new Fantasyland.
• Epcot – find ALL the original characters in an air conditioned waiting area
• Animal Kingdom - Camp Minnie Micky has a variety of characters in safari gear.
• Hollywood Studios - Look in the art of animation for character greetings (we saw sorcerer Mickey, Wreck It Ralph and Incredibles) and at Pixar Place for Woody and Buzz (a terribly long line both years).  The Cars are available for pics but are not animated and don't sign books.  Phineas and Ferb are right next to them and do a cute little show with the kids waiting in line.
• Chef Mickey’s – again, all the original characters are here but you will need reservations
• Cinderella’s Royal Table – find all the princesses here - you will need reservations
• There are other characters in various locations throughout all the parks.

Disney Dining

• For our first trip, we bought a package that included our resort, park access and dining.  We found that the dining plan was a little excessive and we could barely eat everything!  I’d still do it again, but I’d be very smart about using the dining credits for very expensive places like Cinderella’s Royal Table and not on more affordable sit down dining.  We didn't have the dining plan this last trip and it was pretty painful to have to pull out the cash every time we ate or snacked.  I think after doing both that I'd do the dining plan again for sure!
• If you end up with a bunch of snack credits left at the end of your trip, head into the Main Street Confectionary and get a bag of goodies to go!
• We had a few breakfast reservations and then we brought our own breakfast for the other days.  I packed juice boxes and things like pop tarts and cereal bars for the kids.  They would eat them while we were making our way to the park.  See more here.
• Speaking of reservations, we found lunch reservations to be VERY hard to get to.  We always seemed to be on the wrong side of the park racing to make it.  We much preferred to start or end our day with a reservation.  Consider how long it will take you to get to your dining place as it’s usually longer than you think!
• We did breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table at 8:30 AM on a day when the park didn’t open until 9.  It was SO nice to go in the park early and be one of the only people there.  We got tons of pictures in front of the castle without a million people in the background.  See more here.
• If you can't get a dinner reservation for Be Our Guest, get there between 10:30 and 10:45 for lunch.  They open at 11 and it is SO worth it!

So that’s pretty much the unabridged version of every.single.thing I know about the most magical place on earth.  We’re already planning our next Disney experience…more on that to come :-)
xoxo

Find me at: Between Naps on the Porch, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern Style, DIY by Design, Shabby Creek Cottage, Tatertots and Jello, A Stroll Through Life, French Country Cottage, No Minimalist Here, The36th Avenue, Bacon Time, It's Overflowing, At the Picket Fence,Shine on Fridays, DIY Show Off, House of Hepworth, Homemaker on a Dime, Stuff and Nonsense, 52 Mantels, I Heart Nap Time, The FrugalGirls,Six Sisters Stuff, One Project Closer,Jennifer Rizzo

My one year blogging celebration and a special award!

Good morning to all my enchanting readers...as I announced yesterday it dawned on me that yesterday was a major milestone..my one year blogging anniversary!! To celebrate, and this is so celebration worthy...a few giveaways are in order! I want to first thank you, my many loyal readers and followers and my fellow bloggers for coming abroad, staying with me even as I was trying to figure this whole blog business out and being a constant source of encouragement, support and inspiration! I look forward to whats ahead and hoping for many more years!

 I am offering a few giveaways of some of my favorite things to celebrate. One major prize and I DO mean major and a bunch of fun little things! To enter all you need to do is leave a comment, and if you want a second chance, you can like me on Facebook.You heard right, Facebook!  Can you believe it.....I finally figured it out and set up a Facebook page for The Enchanted Home (still figuring that out) but in due time! Click here to visit me on Facebook.  I will announce the winner(s) on Wednesday morning.  The giveaways are a few of my favorite things that I use often and enjoy....
MAJOR PRIZE....courtesy of  Safavieh Home! This is an amazing prize, so good luck! (If you want to be eligible for the rug, you must also leave a comment on Safaviehs Facebook) Click here to do so.

This gorgeous hand tufted 100% wool rug in beautiful washed colors is inspired by an old Persian antique design, the elegant and timeless Tabriz. This is 6x9 and waiting for its new home to some lucky winner!!

Prize 1....My favorite Candle from Seda France, scented with peonies, its amazing!!

Prize 2.....Another Seda France favorite, the container alone is so gorgeous and the scent, Asian Pear is decadently fabulous!

Prize 3....These adorable his and her or "king" and "queen" coat/towel hooks, feel like a royal!

Prize 4....This adorable French inspired Apron, have one and love it, its pretty enough to leave on!

Prize 5..... I love Trish McEvoy cosmetics and love this little bag! This wonderful little kit is a great travel bag. It includes little compartments and separate removable zippered cosmetic bag filled with some cosmetics and skin care. 

Good luck everyone!

Now onto this wonderful award bestowed upon me.....The blog on fire award!

I was so happy and honored to receive this wonderful blog award from not one but TWO   friends, Debra from Acquired Objects and Teresa of the lovely Splendid Sass. A little about these two fabulous blogs....Acquired Objects, a beautiful blog showcasing Debra's fabulous taste, elegant Vermont abode, mouth watering antique textiles and her penchant for all things beautiful and then there is \ Splendid Sass, which features the most beautiful heavenly interiors, uber talented designers and their work, and she always sprinkles her blog with a devine recipe! Of course their infectious, warm personalities shine through loud and clear! Thank you Teresa and Debra. I am so lucky to count you both as friends. Part of accepting this award is telling five things about myself and then passing along to five other bloggers.....so here we go!
1. I am SEVERELY claustrophobic, even looking at an elevator makes me shake, I kid you not. Happened 20 something years ago when I was 8 months pregnant living in NYC, and went to visit someone and rode the elevator from hell. Alone, no phone, with a totally possessed elevator which resulted in a permanent condition of severe claustrophobia! The good news I always take the stairs no exceptions wherever we are.....including having walked up to the Rainbow Room at the top of Rockefeller center!!

2. I am such a kid at heart, I love seeing the world through kids eyes.....still have to admit I get excited over visiting Disney, walking through magical Epcot and the Magic Kingdom, unlike most who get exhausted, being there in that magical venue just revs me up and gives me a new dose of youthful energy!!  I think at this point in the game, my kids are way over Disney so I guess I will likely have to wait for grandkids....argh!

3. I cry over Johnsons baby commercials, Disney, Hallmark and even over some of the diaper commercials. Think its a combination of looking back, quite fondly on a time that will never be again (when my kids were really young) and just thinking back to that precious innocent time when the mere mention of Disney world or a new toy would mean wide eager eyes, a smile a mile wide and the biggest bear hug one could hope for! Now I get grunts from my Chinese rapping son who makes an occasional appearance from his "crib" upstairs. (actually hes a beyond polite boy but the Chinese speaking rapper still applies...lol)

4. That I really think I will want to move out to the country one day and fulfill a lifelong dream to plant a mega garden, herbs, vegetable, fruit, floral you name it! Grow my own olives and bottle my own olive oil, a few fig trees, a tomato garden to rival all tomato gardens. You get the picture! And have a few horses, cows and chickens. Maybe even open a small restaurant on the property, always dreamt of building a small quaint but charmingly elegant restaurant that only seats 12 or 14 right in the middle of the crop fields! Wouldnt' that be neat? Will you come and be my guest? I promise I will also have one heck of a gorgeous guest room waiting!

5. I know I am mildly OCD, and have many obsesssions!  You now know my penchant for even numbers, to the point where when I get gas I must like to stop on an even number! One other such obsession is my obsession with apres ski wear.  I LOVE Gorsuch. Do you know of them? I seriously NEVER throw one of their catalogs away...they have the most beautiful things! One look a their amazing offerings online or their catalog, and you will "get it". And those "other things", well when I discovered a BLT sandwich I ate them every day for a month, current obsessions are with coffee, Hermes anything (those two have been long time) , cozy pj's, anything equestrian(not a new obsession always loved it), velvet chairs,sofas and ottomans, the colors gray and camel together, white marble anywhere, copper pots, urns of all sizes preferably a little aged, moving into my house, anything old and French, the palest blue/gray color palette in a room, chunky gold charm bracelets, and taking an amazing vacation sometime soon!

There...that's a bunch of random facts about me, don't you think! Now for the second part...passing it along. I have SO many blogging friends who are SO deserving of this award, but this time around I am handing it out to someone who A. I have never awarded before and B. someone who is a little newer (at least to me) and C. someone whose blog I really love and anticipate visiting!  So (in no particular order) congratulations to........(Please click on each one to visit, they are all wonderful treats and I promise if you don't know of them already you will be happy you do now)!

PROVIDENCE LTD.SAVOR HOMETG INTERIORSPEEKING THROUGH THE SUNFLOWERSPINE CONES AND ACORNS

And thank you Debra and Teresa for the gift of your fabulous blogs and of your friendship! I cannot  wait to really meet one day and know Teddy and Dylan will be fast friends!
Before I go, ever see a commercial that you just want to share because it is so darn cute, well here is one that I think is one of the best I have seen in a long time. Have you seen it? That baby is SO cute, I can't stand it! And what a personality!!

Cheers to everyone for following along, I just know the best is yet to come!Enjoy your day and happy 2012!

To recap, by leaving a comment here you are eligible for all giveaways (and a second entry will be given to those who like The Enchanted Home on Facebook)  BUT to be eligible for the rug you must also visit Safavieh's facebook page and leave a comment, make sure you mention you are from The Enchanted Home! Good luck!

Best of 2012

As we sit on the brink of a brand new year, I thought it appropriate to take a walk down memory lane.  Here’s a roundup of reader favorites from 2012…

Monogrammed Canvas & Holiday Monogrammed Canvas

Teacher Appreciation Round Up

Guest Room {Before & After}

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

Have a BALL this summer! {Free Printable}

Snowman Soup

Deck the Halls 2012

Big Boy Room

Southern Porch

Chili & Beer Tasting Party

 

And a few from 2011 are still in my all time top viewed posts… 

The Road to Disney

Messages from Mickey {2011 Edition}

Finally Finished Banquette

He's Baaaaack!

Last but not least, I’d like to take a minute to thank my top referrers – all of which are fabulous blogs written by amazing and inspirational ladies. 

Savvy Southern Style

House of Turquoise

Kelly’s Korner

My Sweet Savannah

Mom Endeavors

When I started on this blogging adventure I didn't have an inkling as to all the wonderful people I'd have the great fortune to "meet".  Many thanks to each and every one of you that take time out of your day to spend a few minutes in mine.  With that, I think I’m going to sign off from the virtual world for a few days to soak up time with Honey and the boys.  

I’ll see y’all in 2013!!

xoxo

See the best of 2011 here!

Flattered for the features at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia and Six Sisters Stuff!