Merry Christmas!

Twas The Night Before Christmas

Listen to the story re-told by the cast and and characters of Walt Disney World

The Voices Of Liberty Sing Christmas Songs

New 2016 Disney Parks Merchandise

There are so many awesome things coming to Disney Parks in 2016! Sadly I'm not going to Disney next year, so thank goodness for the app! Hopefully I'll be able to pick up some of the items I want that way. My must-haves from the video are: the Big Al and Figment figurines, the Kingdom Couture clothing, and the It's A Small World Dooney and Bourke. I think I might need one of those Haunted Mansion Tsum Tsums too...

Star Wars Build A Bear Outfits

I think everyone knows how much I love Star Wars, but some of you may not know that I also love Build A Bear. I first went in to a store when I was 10 and I thought it was incredible that you could stuff your bear that you chose, and then dress it! I've been hooked ever since. I even worked there in college and still have all my bears.

When I saw the Star Wars line I had to have them all! (Okay, I say all, I'm still not sold on Kylo Ren yet). So here's my collection so far: Han Solo, Boba Fett, Rey, Poe Dameron and Princess Leia. I also have a Jedi and Yoda outfit that were sold a while back. Next on my list is the recently released Captain Phasma outfit!

New Disney Sweater

Today's weather was perfect for me to wear this Mickey and Minnie Peruvian sweater that I bought at the Emporium in the Magic Kingdom on my last trip. I love it! It's available to purchase on the Shop Disney Parks App.

New Star Wars Alex and Ani Bangles

Some new Star Wars Alex and Ani bangles have been released on the Shop Disney Parks app and the Disney Store Online. Each bangle retails for $39.95. I want them all but I just can't decide in which color! 

Joffrey's Disney Coffee

I was thinking about things that would make some neat Christmas gifts and my mom mentioned coffee beans for the coffee lovers in our family. I thought that was a great idea! My dad is a huge coffee addict (he'd drink it like water if he could) so I thought a bag of coffee beans would be perfect for his Christmas gift this year. I immediately thought about Joffrey's line of Disney coffee. I've never ordered from them before, but I've heard great things.

My dad was with us on our Disney trip this year, and ate breakfast with us at Tusker House, and had dinner with us at the Hollywood Brown Derby. I chose the Joffrey's Tusker House blend and Hollywood Brown Derby blend for his Christmas gift. I decided to throw in the Artist Point blend for me since it got me free shipping, and that was where we had our 2nd anniversary meal this year. I'll have to let y'all know how good it is!

10% Off Disney Dooney & Bourke

From now until Sunday, November 22, take 10% off our Dooney & Bourke purchase with the code DOONEYTEN. Plus, get free shipping when you spend over $75 with the code SHIPMAGIC. Offer expires at 11:59pm PST on Sunday, November 22, 2015). 

Good Morning From Disney's Hollywood Studios

This is how I'll be starting my morning a week from tomorrow! (B"H)

New Hollywood Tower Hotel Merchandise!

It only took me a couple weeks to spend the Disney Gift Card that my husband got me for my birthday! I intended to use it at Walt Disney World, and I had my eye on all of these items in the Shop Disney Parks App, but as soon as the Disney Store Online ran a 25% off Disney Parks Authentic Merchandise offer, I had to bite. I wouldn't get 25% off at Walt Disney World! So I ordered these Tower of Terror items that I wanted. And hey, now I have more room in my suitcase for other souvenirs!

I got a Hollywood Tower Hotel logo t-shirt, a wristlet, a purse that looks like a suitcase, and a throw pillow. I love all of them! I think I'll bring the t-shirt to Walt Disney World and possibly the wristlet too. I need to get packing!

Free Shipping with Disney Parks Authentic

Receive free shipping on your entire order when you make a purchase of any Disney Parks Authentic item from today through Sunday at the DisneyStore.com. Use the code PARKFREE at checkout. Offer expires at 11:59pm PDT on Sunday, October 18, 2015

D-Style

I haven't really gotten in to Tsum Tsum or any other Japanese style merchandise, I don't know why I just don't really get it. Sure Tsum, Tsum are cute, but where do you stack them all? However, when I got an email about the new D-Style line at the Disney Store Online, I had to check it out. Those socks look so cute! And I've found plenty of things that I just have to have!

Here are some of my top picks:

Mike and Sulley Socks

Stitch Socks

Cheshire Cat Socks

Cheshire Cat Mug and Spoon

Minnie Mouse Leather Crossbody Bag

Minnie Mouse Icon Beaded Sweater

How cute would that purse look with that sweater?! Needless to say I do not have the funds to be buying all of this stuff up now, but Disney definitely has me hooked already on D-Style! Some of the items are on my Christmas list this year.

New Disney Vans Collection

On October 9, the new Disney Vans collection will be released, featuring 101 Dalmatians, The Jungle Book, and Alice in Wonderland. I am super excited for the Alice in Wonderland slip-ons!

The collection will have a mix of lace up, high top, and slip-on shoes for women, men, and kids. There will also be accessories in the series such as backpacks, socks, hats and t-shirts.

The new Disney Collection will be available online and in-store at Vans, Journeys, and Tilly's. The previous Disney Collection released in June was also carried at Zumiez, Nordstrom and Zappos.

I wouldn't wait too long to pick up your favorite pair, as when these are gone, they're gone. I will definitely be picking up the Alice in Wonderland Vans!

Good Morning from the Tree of Life

So beautiful that I had to share! Exactly 3 weeks from today, this is how I will be starting my morning! I just can't wait!

Happy Hallo-Wishes

I am so super excited to see the Happy Hallo-Wishes firework show at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party this year! I've never seen them but I've heard they are the best in Walt Disney World. Less than 4 weeks to go!

25% Off Disney Parks Merchandise

From now until Sunday, take 25% off Disney Parks Authentic Merchandise when you use the code: PARK25 at DisneyStore.com. This offer can only be used on Disney Parks items at the Disney Store online. Use the code SHIPMAGIC to receive free shipping if you spend $75 or more before tax. (Offer ends at 11:59pm PDT on Sunday, October 4, 2015).

Shop Disney Parks App Review

The Shop Disney Parks App is a new app that you can download for free in iTunes. It's amazing! The app allows you to find Disney theme park merchandise and see where you can purchase it at Walt Disney World. You can also purchase items using the app and have them sent to your home - even if you're not at the World. If you are at Walt Disney World, you can do this by scanning the product's bar code.

I decided to use the app to search for Duffy merchandise, as this year I will be taking him to Walt Disney World with me. I found a super cute Sorcerer Mickey outfit, which I had seen before, and decided that I absolutely had to have it. I thought it would save time (and spending money while I'm there!) to order it and have it sent to my home. Now Duffy is all set for his trip to Hollywood Studios!

I didn't have to pay sales tax (yippee!) so while it did cost $4.95 to ship, since I didn't pay tax that only cost $3.50 more than it would have cost if I had bought it at Disney instead. I was interested to know how they calculated the tax, whether it was by the number of items you bought (weight of the package), or by the amount you spent, so I played around with adding items to my basket after I was done with my order. It seems to be based on the amount you spend, with the next tier costing $7.95, the next tier costing $12.95, and so on.

You need an account to purchase from the app, it seems that this is linked to your My Disney Experience credentials as I used the same username (my email) and password and it worked. If you don't have one, it will let you create on in the app. It was SUPER easy to use! Just add it to your bag, log in, and check out.

I received an email confirmation which said it would take 7-10 business days. You have the option for pay for quicker shipping if you prefer. I received another email 2 days later to say that my package had shipped and it also provided a tracking number. My package arrived 4 business days later, 5 total days from the ship date.

The exterior box was nothing special, but the packaging inside was so cool! The Duffy outfit was wrapped in Walt Disney World tissue paper and sealed with a Walt Disney World sticker featuring Mickey, the same wrapping they use when you purchase something at Disney. There was also a note from the merchandise team. (Click the picture to make it bigger). It felt just like I'd bought it at Disney!

I really love the Duffy outfit, it's super cute and until I opened it I had no idea that the Sorcerer Hat lights up!!! I was pretty excited about that, it was a nice surprise. Duffy is very excited to wear it next month!

I would highly recommend using the Shop Disney Parks App! It's super easy, you find all kinds of items and it's great for preparing for your trip, buying things at the World when you don't have room left in your suitcase, and for picking up those souvenirs you didn't get to buy on your vacation once you get home.

Receiving my item didn't take as long as I thought it would either. It took 6 calendar days from the date I made my order, to the date I received my item, which is less than the 7-10 business days they state. I've had some seriously slow Disney Store orders so I was prepared for this order to take a lot longer than it did.

To end, I have a couple tips for you if you're using this app:

1) Not everything at Walt Disney World is available on the app. Maybe because the app is new, or maybe it's too difficult to make everything available, but I do know that sometimes this is due to low stock. When you view low stock items on the app it will say "low stock, in-store purchase only". It's great that you can still see pictures, locations and the price, but it will not let you buy it.

2) Sometimes the search function is very specific and sometimes it's very vague. If you type in "Tower of Terror" for example, it will not show you any "Hollywood Tower Hotel" merchandise. It doesn't make that connection. You will have to type those exact words. However, if you type in "Peter Pan" you will get items like "Panchito" too because it includes some of what you typed, so you may want to narrow down your search.

3) New items are added every week and you can see what's new by clicking on "New Arrivals" when you open the app.

4) Some of these items are already available at the DisneyStore.com so if they have promo codes you might be better off ordering from there instead.

By no means am I an expert, but I wanted to share my insight and experience with this new app!

Happy National Coffee Day!

Today is apparently National Coffee Day and I am a BIG coffee drinker! Some may even go as far as to label me a "coffee snob" although I prefer "aficionado". Not a day goes by when I don't drink coffee. I won't be drinking anything particularly special today, gotta save my calories for my upcoming Disney trip, but I did want to share something that made National Coffee Day even better! Upcoming Disney mugs!

I love Disney's Alice in Wonderland probably as much as I love coffee, and the Mad Tea Party at the Magic Kingdom is just as unmissable to me as Space Mountain. Therefore these mugs are PERFECT! Who doesn't want to drink their coffee out of one of the attraction's tea cups?! If you were wondering, the saucers are attached. Retail price and release date are currently unknown, but these mugs will debut at Walt Disney World in 2016. I will be using the Shop Disney Parks app to pick up the yellow one for sure. (Maybe I should get all 4 so I can have a tea party?)

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

We now have our tickets for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party! I am super excited because this will be my first time attending. Since I still intend to ride attractions during the party, and because Florida weather can still be pretty hot in October, I didn't want an elaborate costume that might be too hot, or too difficult to manage on rides. I also didn't want to have to take a lot of extra stuff just for one night. (I need that extra room for souvenirs!)

(Click to make it bigger)

I get the feeling we won't be the most original costumes there, but I'm happy with what we've chosen because it's easy to pack, easy to change in to, and easy to wear throughout the night. As you can see from the picture we will be going as Han Solo and Chewbacca! Also in the picture are my Star Wars Vans that I'll be wearing (Rebels on the right foot, the Empire on the left foot), Rebel Alliance earrings that I'll wear, and Nightmare Before Christmas Magic Bandits that I'll have on my Magic Band. (The Oogie Boogie Bandit glows in the dark!)

You will also see in the picture, that Duffy is joining in the fun too! He will also be in attendance and has a Vampire costume that he will wear. I know it's not in keeping with the Star Wars theme (and he does have both a Jedi and Yoda outfit) but I thought it was so cute that I got it. It's just so classic Halloween! And anyway, what would Yoda be doing with Han and Chewie?

40% Off at DisneyStore.com

You can take a further 40% off selected items on the Disney Store Online when you use the code CELEBRATE at checkout. Don't forget to use the code SHIPMAGIC for free shipping if you spend $75 or more. Offer ends at 11:59pm PDT on Sunday, September 27, 2015

Sunset at Hollywood Studios

This is such a beautiful sight!

Take an Extra 40% Off at the DisneyStore.com

Use the code BONUS40 to receive an extra 40% off select merchandise at the Disney Store Online. (Offer expires at 11:59pm PDT on Sunday, September 13, 2015).

It's Fall at the Magic Kingdom

Dreaming of Disney Breakfast

Oh how I wish this was my breakfast this morning! Just 47 days until I will be eating Mickey Waffles for breakfast!

Hot Topic Haul

Recently I visited Hot Topic's website to find a 30% off flash sale. I always have a ton of "wants" at Hot Topic, so I decided to get a few of those things with the 30% off deal (and free shipping to store of course). I got some Star Wars cookie cutters, Stitch sticky notes, a Tatooine poster tee, and Endor tee. I love them! I also got a Star Wars t-shirt for my husband. I think I'll take one of the Star Wars tees to Disney with me. I also got Hot Cash to spend later this month!

Disney Countdown

20% Off Your DisneyStore.com Purchase

From now until Sunday, take 20% off your order when you spend $100 or more at the Disney Store Online, plus you'll receive free shipping when your order is $75 or more. Just use the code: SWELL. (Offer expires at 11:59pm PDT on August 30, 2015).

Happy National Roller Coaster Day!

Free Shipping at DisneyStore.com

This weekend, receive free shipping on your entire order when you purchase a Disney Parks Authentic item at the Disney Store Online. Just use the code: PARKFREE. Offer expires at 11:59pm PDT on Sunday, August 9, 2015

Days of Disney Past - EPCOT

I wanted to share this picture from the Disney Parks Blog of EPCOT under construction. I find it really inspiring. Happy Friday Eve!

Happy Monday!

Wouldn't it be nice to start the morning like this at Blizzard Beach?

Illuminations

Just wanted to share this beautiful picture of Illuminations from the Disney Parks Blog. I wish this was how I was spending my Friday night!

Wish I Was Here...

I would rather be playing miniature golf at Disney's Vero Beach Resort today

Avengers Assemble!

Since I'm about to start school (again, yes I am one of those people!) I decided to get some writing supplies this weekend. I am much more motivated to study when I'm using an Avengers notebook and a Captain America journal! I got these at Walmart, the notebook was $2 and the journal was $5.

Happy Friday!

I wish I was spending time with Ellen learning about energy

25% Off at DisneyStore.com

From now until Sunday, receive 25% off your entire purchase and free shipping when you spend $75 or more at the Disney Store Online! Just use the code DISNEYPAL at checkout. Offer expires 11:59pm PDT, July 19, 2015.

Disney Vacation Countdown

Recently I had this Disney vacation countdown board made for me on Etsy. I decided 100 days would be a great day to start the countdown! There are pages of Disney countdowns to choose from on Etsy, but I really like the chalkboard part of this one. It enables me to start the countdown from however many days I want. I booked this next trip with 244 days to go. Now I'm at 100! Keep moving forward!

Happy Monday

Happy 4th!

Free Shipping For July 4th at DisneyStore.com

Receive free shipping on your entire order or any amount when you use the code FREESHIP at the Disney Store Online. Remember to use the code at checkout. The offer expires at 11:59pm PDT on Saturday, July 4, 2015.

Zuri's Sweets Now Open at Animal Kingdom

A new store, Zuri's Sweets, is now open in Harambe Market at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

I am pretty excited to try some of the delicious new treats available!

I LOVE Rice Krispie Trests! Especially when they're Mickey shaped!

Yum! Chocolate crocodiles!

African Spice Popcorn sounds delicious!

Those hot cocoa flavors look so good!

There are over 80 new items featured at Zuri's Sweets, from chocolate and popcorn, to spice rubs and barbecue sauce. I can't wait to sample some!