Fun Find: Gingerbread Wonderland

Hi friends!  It's time for another fun find!  Last year, I came across a website for Disney's Gingerbread Wonderland.  The display, created out of gingerbread, modeling chocolate and icing, was on display over at Epcot during the holiday season of 2013.  I was excited to discover that the website with the photos is still active!

Photo Source: Disney's Gingerbread Wonderland

The masterpiece consisted of gingerbread models showcasing all of Disney's different travel experiences: Walt Disney World Resort featured Cinderella Castle, Disneyland Resort featured Sleeping Beauty Castle, the Disney Cruise Line featured the Magic, Aulani Resort & Spa in Hawaii was included and finally Adventures by Disney featured the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Photo Source: Disney's Gingerbread Wonderland

On the website, you can get a closer look at the models.  You can do a 180 view of each design as well as look at detailed photos.  You are also able to watch videos about the making of Gingerbread Wonderland.  I love watching the design come to life! It reminds be of making models in my interior design classes during college.  The time lapse video shows you how they put the design together with the gingerbread "houses" and the scenery.  It's incredible to see the end result!  It took 15 pastry chefs six months of work to complete the display!  The coolest part is that everything is edible!

Photo Source: Disney's Gingerbread Wonderland

Another great feature is where you can make your own gingerbread castle picture frame!  (There's a link of the bottom right side of the page.)  Or you can click here to download the directions to build your own gingerbread castle frame!  Yum!  °o°

Fun Find: Disney Snowman Holiday Card

Do you want to build a snowman?

Photo Source: Disney Greeting Card Creator

Well, now you can!  Here's another fun find that I discovered while scrolling down my Facebook newsfeed.  Disney has created an online greeting card creator where you can "build" your own snowman and animated Frozen inspired greeting card to share with your family and friends!  Click here to build a snowman!

Photo Source: Disney Greeting Card Creator

You are greeted with an envelope and a "greeting card".  Once you click the snowflake, the animated card shows you graphics of Cinderella Castle from Walt Disney World, a ship representing the Disney Cruise Line, Sleeping Beauty Castle from Disneyland, Aulani in Hawaii and Norway from Adventures by Disney.  

Photo Source: Disney Greeting Card Creator

There is lively music playing while you watch your animated card.  It reminds me of the music from Frozen.  I also love the rosemaling patterns that are consistent with the designs in the movie!  I absolutely love those little details!!!

Photo Source: Disney Greeting Card Creator

Elsa and Olaf then appear.  Elsa blows the snowflake and uses her magic to help you build your very own snowman!  You can make all sorts of different snowmen.  I love all of the accessories!  You can pick from pirate hats, scarves, fairy wings, Santa hats, antlers, a Mickey ear hat, and more!

Photo Source: Disney Greeting Card Creator

Once you "build" your snowman, you can share it with your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, or via email!  Make sure to tag it with ‪#mydisneysnowman!  I don't know about you, but I want to build a snowman!  Come on let's go and play!  °o°

A Whole New World

Yesterday I told you all that I had a big dream that was in the process of coming true.  

Today..... it did (officially)!!!  Yay!!!   °o°

I am happy to announce that I am now a travel planner for Key to the World Travel!!! 

I've always wanted to be able to help others plan their trips to Disney.  I've helped my own family for a while now, so it seems like a natural progression.  I'm really excited about specializing in booking Disney Vacations because Disney holds a very special place in my heart.  I've already had many of my own Disney dreams come true.  Everyone should have a chance to go to Disney and I'd love to help other families make their vacation dreams come true!

Image Source: The Disney Travel Professionals Facebook page

Now, not only can I help people plan trips to Disney, but I can also help them plan trips all over the world.  And to other theme parks like Universal or Sea World.  And even to other cruise lines.  Wow!

The crazy part of all of this is the unexpected timing of it all.  

I had to leave my job when Eliot and I moved to Maine.  Since then, I'd planned to take a few months off to help us get all of our stuff moved, and to take a well deserved break after working 3+ years in retail.  It was really nice to take a break to move, unpack, get organized, and to re-connect with family and friends.

I've been looking for a job.  But I haven't been applying to anything and everything.  I've found the ones that have fit my skill set, and ones I thought I would enjoy doing.  I didn't want to jump into anything that I might later regret.  Eliot absolutely loves his job, and I've been trying to find something that I would love to do as well.  

Image Source: Pinterest

What I've known all along, is that I really want to run my own business.  As the months have progressed, I have become increasingly aware of my desire to be my own boss, to make my own living and to push myself to achieve my dreams.  Ideally, I'll be a jack of all trades, dabbling in a little bit of everything.  I love wedding planning, interior design, crafting, baking... well, you get the idea.  The big question was, can I turn what I love into a successful business?

Well, the jury is still out on that one.  But, I've made a lot of progress with my little crafting empire.  I'm in the process of launching a few things on Etsy, so stay tuned for that.  I've come to the conclusion that it is possible to make a career out of something you love doing. And I finally realized that I could, in fact, work doing something that involves Disney!

Image Source: Disney

A few months ago, I started looking into becoming a travel agent.  I've always loved to travel.  And I absolutely love Disney.  So, why not put the two together?  (Why it took me so long to come to this conclusion, I have no idea.  I guess the good news is that I got there eventually!)  

I researched a bunch of travel companies, found the Disney Travel Agent website, and started to follow other agents via Facebook.  I've tried to pick up some ideas from watching what others have done.  A few weeks ago, I finally applied to one companies on their website.  After three weeks, I still hadn't heard back from them, so I decided to apply to 2 other companies this past Wednesday night.

Within 2 hours of applying, I had gotten responses from both of them.  (What?!?!?)  After a few emails and phone interviews, both offered me a position as an agent yesterday!  I didn't expect it all to happen so fast!  Especially after waiting over 3 weeks for a response from the other company.

Image Source: Pinterest- No original source found.

After speaking with Key to the World, I knew it was the right fit for me.  I'm super excited to be a part of the team and I can't wait to get started!  (So much so, that I've already made my new business Facebook Page!  Feel free to come by, visit and "like" it!!!)

And, if you're planning a trip to Disney in the future, I can now officially say that I'd be happy to help you plan your vacation!  Further proof that all it takes is a little faith, trust and pixie dust.

Keep dreaming Disney friends!  You never know when your dream will come true!  °o°