Post Disneyland Trip

Hey friends!  I'm sorry that I've been so quiet since I got back from Disneyland.  I've been really busy playing catch up with work, my emails, cleaning the house, laundry, etc.  You know the drill!  I was only away a few days but there's still so much to do!

This trip, there hasn't been any post Disney trip depression because I know our next trip to Disneyland is only days away!!!  (26 days to be exact!)  Instead, I'm kicking it in to overdrive to get a ton of things done for that trip!  I've also enjoyed a little bit of Disney magic that I brought home with me!

The other day, I indulged in the Minnie Mouse marshmallow pop I bought.  I had every intention of eating it as a mid-day snack on my last day at Disneyland, but I put that on pause to enjoy my Tigger tail.  The other day, I curled up on the couch in my Minnie pjs and enjoyed every single bite of my tasty treat.

Speaking of tasty treats, I've also enjoyed my Diamond Celebration Mickey and Minnie candy apples that I've brought home.  I just ate Mickey two nights ago and Minnie last night.  (They last about a week to ten days.)  I usually cut around the stick to be safe, but the apples were still delicious as always!  26 days until I can get another one... 

I've been busy at work the past two weeks.  I wasn't too far behind from missing one day, but I've stayed a bit extra this week to behind the scenes things done.  I've kept the Disney spirit alive.  Today, I was working with our IT guy (we weren't seeing patients) so I wore my Mickey iced latte shirt from Once Upon A Mickey Tee.  I've been wearing my Mickey key necklace (from WDW) all week.  Yesterday, my Paint the Night Mickey Lollipop Necklace from Enchanted Candy Carousel came and I had to wear it immediately!  I absolutely love it.  It's so fun and colorful!

I've also been busy at home getting a few more things put away.  This past weekend, I tackled my office.  Eliot surprised me by putting together my drawing desk while I was in California.  I've had it for about three years and we've never had enough space for it to bother putting it together.  I'm so excited to have a place to draw and paint!

I also unpacked the Wonderground postcards I bought at Disneyland.  I'm planning to make a huge collage wall above my drawing desk.  These are going to look great on it!

Ever since I got home, I've been really inspired to create things.  Thankfully, I've had a lot of ear inquiries for Happily Ever Hatter!  I'm so excited to start working on a few new designs!  I'm also hoping to get a few done for our trip to Disneyland!

I'm sure I'll definitely keep myself busy over the next few weeks.  Actually... I've gotta run now.  The San Jose Sharks hockey game seven is on and I'm going to go join Eliot in cheering them on!  Speaking of the Sharks, I registered our new car the other day and he was so happy to get his SJShrks license plate!  I had to bring the donkeys along with me so I could send Eliot this photo!

Hopefully I'll be back by the blog again soon!  In the meantime... Go Sharks!!!  °o°

Fun Find: The Little Mermaid Live in Concert

Today, I've got another fun find in store for you.  I'd originally heard the news through Facebook right before my trip to Disneyland.  I was so busy preparing for my trip that I never got a chance to mention it!  Fans of The Little Mermaid will be excited to hear that there's going to be a live concert at the Hollywood Bowl in June!

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The Little Mermaid movie will be shown on the Bowl's screen while a 71 piece live orchestra and an all-star cast performs the songs from the movie live!  The event will also include a fireworks show, a costume contest and more.

The cast includes Sara Bareilles as Ariel, Rebel Wilson as Ursula, Darren Criss as Prince Eric, John Stamos as Chef Louis, Tituss Burgess as Sebastian, Norm Lewis as King Triton and Joshua Colley as Flounder.

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Disney songwriting legend Alan Menken will also be part of the spectacular.  He is set to play a medley of his best known Disney songs from Tangled, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Newsies and Enchanted.

The concert has been so popular that they've added extra shows.  The original shows were scheduled for June 3rd and June 4th and a final show has been added on June 6th.  The last show will be extra special because Jodi Benson, the original voice of the little mermaid, will be singing in the role of Ariel.  Also at the final performance will be special guest stars Susan Egan, who played Meg in Hercules and was the first Belle on Broadway and Brad Kane, who was the singing voice of Aladdin.

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Finally, the best part of all, one month from today Eliot and I will be attending the June 6th show featuring Jodi Benson!!!  After not paying too much attention to the initial announcements, I realized that we'll actually be in California for Elissa's graduation during the same weekend as the concerts!  I was able to get us tickets the day they went on sale, which was coincidentally the day before I left on my trip to Disneyland!  

I'm so excited to see this concert live!  I'm sure it'll be an incredible evening!  Talk about Disney magic, faith, trust and pixie dust!!!  °o°

Results- Disneyland April 2016 Bucket List

There are moments when you count your lucky stars and this past week has certainly been one of them for me.  I'm still reeling from my wonderful Disneyland trip.  While it was short, I had a fantastic time.  We packed a lot of fun into three and a half days.

Not only did we have fun, but I also accomplished most of my trip bucket list!  I'm pretty proud of that since it was a shorter trip.  It proves that a lot can be done in only a few days!  Here's a look at how I did:

Melissa's Disneyland April 2016 Trip Bucket List:

°o°  1.) Attend the Pearls in the Park event
This was the main purpose for our quick weekend getaway.  We had a great time at the event.  It was fun to meet some other Disney fans and to see a few of our Key to the World Travel friends!  I also enjoyed getting dressed up in my Disney best.  The Rose Court Garden venue was beautiful.  It was definitely worth the trip out!

°o°  2.) Eat a Tigger Tail

Tigger tails are my favorite Disneyland treat.  You can only get them at Pooh Corner in Critter Country.  The candy store is located right next to the Winnie the Pooh ride.  I always try to grab one each trip since I can't get them anywhere else.  Yum!  This time I bought one and enjoyed eating it while waiting for one of my shows to start!

°o°  3.) Watch Paint the Night Parade

This is one of my favorites at the Disneyland Resort.  In fact, it's probably my favorite night time parade at this point.  The lights and technology are incredible, and you can't help getting the music stuck in your head.  The first time I saw it this trip, I couldn't see very well, but the second time I got front row seats on a corner!  It was a great view of the front and sides of the floats!

°o°  4.) Go to Carthay Circle Restaurant

This trip was all about trying new things and dining was at the top of that list.  Carthay Circle Restaurant was amazing.  We had a World of Color dining package which gave us special saved viewing of the show later that night.  The food was delicious, fancy and rich, but it was so good.  I'm still dreaming about that lemon dessert.

°o°  5.) Attend Spring Dapper Day 

This was another main goal of my trip.  My girlfriends left early Sunday morning, but I stayed for a solo day especially for Dapper Day.  I cannot say enough good things about this.  I'll write up a separate post (or a few) about it, but it was worth the crazy short trip across country just to experience this!

°o°  6.) Watch Mickey and the Magical Map

I love this show and there's nothing like it at Walt Disney World.  Eliot had told me it was amazing and I fell in love with it last fall.  On my solo day, I enjoyed the show while munching on my Tigger tail.  It was another one of those surreal moments where you feel like you're dreaming but you're not.  Magic worth every second.

°o°  7.) Go to Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar

I've heard great things about Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar.  I did order a drink and it was great, but it wasn't everything I expected.  The full experience was inside and the bar was so crowded we sat outside.  Worth the drinks, not really worth the hype- at least not this trip, but I'd definitely try it again!

°o°  8.) Bring Home a few Candy Apples

This is one of my new goals for every Disney trip.  It's a great way to bring a little magic home!  This time I brought home Mickey and Minnie Diamond Celebration candy apples.  But a word to the wise, I've gotten stopped and pulled aside at airport security both times I've brought candy apples home.  (They show up as liquids on the x-ray scanner since they're so full of water!)  The nice lady at security told me she didn't blame me one bit for bringing a few home with me though!  Yum!

°o°  9.) Go the Steakhouse 55 Restaurant

This was a dining must do.  After a day of traveling, this was just what I needed.  The food was amazing, and I might even be able to convince Eliot to go!  I had the wedge salad and steak.  The three of us split the chocolate cake.  It was delicious!

°o° 10.) Watch Disneyland Forever Fireworks

So close, yet so far away.  On my solo night, I was ready to watch the fireworks after the parade, but due to winds at higher altitudes, Disneyland had to cancel their fireworks. It was a little depressing, but at least I'll be there again in June!

°o° 11.) Get a picture with Diamond Celebration Mickey and Minnie

Now that I'm back from my trip, I can disclose the real reason I wanted another picture with 60th anniversary Mickey and Minnie!  My Dapper Day Disneybound outfit was of Diamond Celebration Minnie Mouse!  Mickey loved my outfit and jumped up and down when he saw me.  Minnie Mouse looked flattered that I dressed up as her.  The photos are adorable and I'm so thankful for this opportunity.  (Insert happy tears of joy!!!)

°o° 12.) Explore the Disneyland Hotel

I definitely got to explore the Disneyland Hotel during my stay!  I loved my room and the subtle hidden Mickeys.  The hotel was really nice and I fell in love with the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad model in the Frontier Tower.  I also went to Steakhouse 55, Trader Sam's and the Disneyland Hotel pool while staying at the resort!

°o° 13.) Scope out Disney art work at Wonderground Gallery

This place was packed both times I went in.  But I did a quick loop to scope out some artwork.  I also grabbed 5 or 6 postcards for the art collage I plan to make in my office!

°o° 14.) Go to the Blue Bayou Restaurant

I've wanted to eat here ever since I first went on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland.  The restaurant is at the beginning of the ride and I've always admired it from afar.  We got there right as it opened and were lucky enough to get a table right on the water.  The food was amazing and the atmosphere was incredible.

°o° 15.) Check out the Dapper Day Expo

This was also packed when I went Sunday afternoon.  I wasn't shopping for anything but I really just wanted to see what it was all about.  There were so many booths with the cutest retro clothing.  There was an antique car.  And the music definitely set the mood.  I'd love to explore it again someday!

°o° 16.) Watch World of Color

The three of us girls had awesome seats thanks to our Carthay Circle World of Color dining package.  This was probably the best view I've had of the show so far.  (I've seen it three times now.)  We were towards the back, but standing on a raised level towards the middle.  I took less pictures this time and just tried to enjoy the show.

°o° 17.) Check out the CA Food and Wine Festival

We were so busy this trip that we barely even acknowledged the Food and Wine Festival.  The surprising part was that the booths weren't crowded at all like the ones at Epcot.  I wish we had more time!  However, I heard that the event was a success, so hopefully it will be back again sometime in the future!

°o° 18.) Go on Radiator Springs Racers

This has been a goal of mine for two trips now.  I finally went on the ride this trip.  Oh my gosh, it was incredible.  The girls and I were really impressed with it.  It's a lot like Test Track, but everything is Cars themed.  I get really nervous going on things the first time, but this ride was totally worth it.  Now I can't wait to go on it again!

°o° 19.) Scope out merchandise for our June trip

This trip I didn't buy much.  It's hard when you know you'll have a 20% off annual pass holder discount in about 35 days when you're back!  I did however purchase a few things that I wasn't sure they'd have again.  (I'll tell you more about those below!)

°o° 20.) Get my picture taken with Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde

This was a goal, but not a necessity.  We were doing so much other stuff that I didn't even get a chance to think about my new Zootopia friends.  Eliot and I definitely want to do the meet and greet when we go in June though!

Overall, I'm really impressed with my bucket list results!  17 out of 20 isn't bad at all, especially since I only had three days to accomplish these!

I also did a few things I had hoped to, but didn't put on my official bucket list:

°o° Disneyland Hotel Headboard

That was the main reason I was so excited about staying in the Disneyland Resort.  I'd heard about the light up headboards and I was really excited to see them!  It was so cool.  The fireworks light up over the castle while "When You Wish Upon A Star" plays.

°o° Swim in the Disneyland Hotel Pool

Although it's spring, it's still freezing here in Maine.  I'd bought a new bathing suit and I was going to use it if it was the last thing I did!  On my solo day, I took a break mid-day to take a quick swim in the pool.  The pool area was awesome and I'd love to explore it more someday!  Monorail slides, I'm coming for you!!!

I also crossed off a few things on my general Disneyland bucket list.  These are things I've always wanted to experience and I was able to this trip!

°o° Try a Mint Julep
I've always wanted to try a mint julep!  While I didn't think I'd get to this trip, they were offered at the Blue Bayou so I made sure to get one!  It was like mint soda, but not too sweet.  I'd definitely get one again!

°o° See One of the Disneyland Cats
I've always wanted to see one of the feral cats at Disneyland!  This trip, I actually saw three!  The first was a black one in the bushes near the Disneyland Hotel pool.  The next was a white and gray cat at Trader Sam's.  He kept walking back and forth the edge of the bar and even let a few people pet him.  The last cat was an orange one I spotted inside the track of Grizzly River Run where they'd drained the water.

I also experienced a few other things during my trip that I wasn't expecting:

°o° Animation Master Class
We decided take an animation class and little did we know we were doing one of the advanced "master classes".  We drew Captain Hook from Peter Pan and he was definitely more difficult than the characters I've drawn in the past.  But it was still fun!

°o° Meet Kylo Ren
Tara and I went to explore Star Wars Launch Bay and happened across the Chase credit card meet and greet.  We decided to check it out and we ended up meeting Kylo Ren.  It was hilariously intimidating.  Right from the beginning of the meet and greet, he said Tara "sympathized with the light side" and he didn't like her.  When he gave me the stare down, I said I was team Kylo Ren and he seemed ok with that.  (He's completely ignoring poor Tara in the photo so I cropped her out at her request.)

°o° Get a BB-8 Souvenir Cup
I've seen these all over Instagram.  I love BB-8!  I'd seen people with them all over Disneyland, but I had no idea where to buy them.  After a little bit of internet sleuthing, I discovered that they were sold at Pizza Port in Tomorrowland.  So, my solo night, I had pizza for dinner with my date BB-8!

°o° 60th Shoe Ornament
I'd seen these when Disneyland first released the 60th anniversary merchandise and I didn't see one my entire trip there in September.  I spotted them at a few locations this time and I was sure to bring one home with me.  I didn't care about the 20% off discount.  I wanted to make sure I got one while they had it!  And it's probably a good thing- the cast member at the register said they keep selling out of them!

°o° Mickey's March Along
I didn't know there was a march along.  Apparently, it goes from Sleeping Beauty Castle down to the train station.  The marching band and all of the characters march down Main Street in their Diamond Celebration gear.  Then, the marching band and the Dapper Dans performed on the train station steps which brings me to...

°o° Dapper Dans Singing "Live the Magic" on Dapper Day
Seeing the Dapper Dans perform on Dapper Day, with the marching band playing while the characters dance around in their Diamond Celebration outfits while I was dressed like Minnie Mouse in her 60th outfit had to be a highlight of my trip.  It was another one of those surreal moments where I had to pinch myself to make sure it was real.  Not only that, but they were singing "Live the Magic", the anthem to Disneyland's Diamond Celebration.  (It's the song played during the Disneyland Forever fireworks.)  I won't lie, I definitely teared up in this moment.  Thankfully, I was aware enough to make sure to record part of it so I'll always be able to go back to that moment!

All in all, it was one amazing trip!  I really can't wait to be back in June.  We've got just over one month to go!  I'm hoping to experience some of these things again with Eliot and his family.  I'm definitely checking out Mickey's March Along again!  Of course, I'll be prepared with another trip bucket list!  I've got plenty of things to add!!!  °o°

Three Year Blogiversary

Happy Three Year Blogiversary to My Disney Life Blog!!!

Today marks three years since I started my little blog.  When I first entered the world of blogging, it was something to do after our Disney Wedding.  I wasn't working at the time, and I had to find something to fill my time.  Blogging gave me something to do, and before I knew it, I fell in love with it!

Photo Source (Text edited by me)

I never thought it would grow into this!  My Disney Life blog has had over 200,000 views to date!  My calendars and painted flower pots are still my most popular posts.  That's really exciting since I love DIY projects and I have plenty of other ideas I'd love to share!

Which brings me to my favorite part of writing my blog... my readers.  I'm so thankful for each and every one of you.  It still amazes me that people enjoy reading about Eliot's and my adventures through life.  Thank you all for following along!  I'm so thankful for all of the friends and connections I've made through living a life full of Disney magic!

Finally, just like my blogiversary celebration last year, I'm planning to do a giveaway in a few days!  Since I just got back from my Disneyland trip, I haven't been able to plan ahead, but I assure you it will be live as soon as possible!

Thank you for the fun over the past few years.  Here's to many more years of fun!!!  °o°

Home Again

"Honey, I'm home!!!"  I'm happy to be back home after another fun Disneyland trip.  I flew into Portland last night around dinner time.  After a full day of traveling, and running on only 2.5 hours of sleep, I basically crashed once I arrived at our house.  (After watching Sunday's episode of Once Upon A Time of course.)

I'm still getting back into the groove.  My body clock is all sorts of messed up, but my trip was totally worth it!  It was a whirlwind three and a half days.  We did so much during our three park days that it felt like I was gone for an entire week!

I'll give you more details about my trip soon, but for now, it's time to get some rest!  °o°

May 2016 Calendar

Happy May friends!  This post is brought to you live from Disneyland!  (I've gone ahead and scheduled it, so hopefully it posts ok!)  I'm playing in the parks, but I wanted to make sure you were still able to get my free Mickey and Minnie Mouse calendars!

This year, I've also made a blank version (without the holidays) to make them more versatile.  My calendars have been used for many things over the past few years including: Disney trip countdowns, teachers' Disney themed classrooms, training calendars for runDisney events and to surprise kids with a Disney vacation!

Here's the link to download the May 2016 PDF version of the printable.

Here's the link to download the Blank May 2016 PDF version of the printable.

Feel free to link this post up to Pinterest or Facebook so your friends and family can have a fun Mickey and Minnie calendar too!  Let's spread the Disney Magic!!!  °o°

Note: I've made calendars through 2016.  I don't post the PDF links on my blog until the beginning of each month.  If you're looking for a particular month and would like me to email it to you ahead of my post going live, you can send my blog an email at mydisneylifeblog[at]gmail.com.  I'll send you the PDFs directly as soon as I can!  :-)