The Scene: Justice. Not a courtroom, but THE measure of fashion if you love neon colors, sequins, and are a 9-13 year old girl.  It is also a place that makes a mother of tween girls grip her purse, chug an Advil, and gulp heavily, as the bright lights, blaring “boy band” music, and prices are enough to make even the savviest Disney fan think that the Emporium during a torrential rain storm is fun, spacious, and economical.  Bright posters in the windows advertise a 20% “flash sale”, which combined with the 40% off coupon I have brings the cost of an outfit down to about that of a car payment for a Ford Taurus.

The Occasion: My daughters’ tenth birthday.  (How a decade has passed is a conversation for those willing to see me shake my head incredulously and shed a tear….)  In any case, my beautiful little carbon copies wanted to go shopping for one another this weekend, in preparation for Friday’s big occasion.   It was an unusually quiet weekend, and I relished taking each daughter out on a little excursion, just the two of us.  Little did I know BOTH would drag me to the exact same store.  (It is at this point, given that this IS a Disney blog, and not an advertisement for Justice Stores, that I should mention that the Justice in question is located next to an amazing, huge, remodeled….. Disney Store.  This shall become a relevant detail.)

Day 1: The younger of the twins directs me to the mall.  Her still-little hand slides into mine as we enter its doors and she skips to Justice.  I eye the Disney Store longingly, but into Justice I dutifully follow.  She flits about and insists on trying multiple outfits (“we ARE the same size after all, Mom.”)  I enjoy the time and manage not to break into a sweat at the outfit and multiple accessories she selects for her womb-mate.  “I have a coupon,” I remind myself.

When, finally, we make it through the snake-like line to the cashier, I sigh heavily and allow the outfit and varying ecoutrements to fall out of my arms into a heap on the counter.  As I do so, my highly-prized Disney Dooney and Bourke purse falls with a thud among the clothes.  “Oh, nice purse,” says the teen working the register.  “I like Disney, too.  I even have a Disney wallet.”

Having learned nothing from all previous, similar encounters, I engage, while simultaneously looking for the ever-vital, yet mysteriously-missing, 40% off coupon.  “Oh, me, too, I say.”  (Ladies, just an aside, have you ever noticed that no matter where you are, the very item you need most from your purse, ALWAYS, is at the very bottom???)  I pull out the Mickey Mouse wallet… followed by the car keys with the THREE Disney keychains… and then the 3 Walt Disney World Resort pens.  My checkbook with Mickey Mouse on the outside (naturally, with  Mickey Mouse checks inside) follows and then, of course, crumpled at the bottom… the coupon.  (I had just put it in the purse when I left, so how it migrated to the bottom in 30 minutes is beyond me… but I digress…)  The teen surveys the damage as I say, “Here’s my coupon.”

“Whoa……..       You REALLY like Disney.”  She snaps her gum and scans the coupon, as I try shoving everything back into the purse (it all came out, so it should all go back, right???)

My daughter returns from surveying One Direction pillows and cupcake-scented nail polish (would you believe it?) in time to hear this comment.  “Oh, she doesn’t just like Disney.  She is obsessed. Have you seen her shoes?”

This child who I carried in utero for 35 weeks and 6 days (yes, I counted) and who I have nurtured for 10 years threw me under the bus.  Yes, on my feet were my prized (though highly misunderstood and often maligned) Ronald-McDonald Red, Minnie Mouse runDisney sneakers.  The teen leans over the counter, and not knowing how else to respond, I pick up a foot to model my prized footwear.  The gum cracks, and she looks at the shoes… then as she stands up, she notices the Disney shirt… “Wow… and you have a Mickey necklace and earrings, too?”

Feeling a bit like a specimen in a pitri dish, I hand her (you guessed it) my Disney Visa card, hoping to end the conversation.  She looks at the bright pink image of Mickey and Minnie and slides it through the register with an eye roll.  “You should really get a job next door,” she says, handing me my receipt and bag.

“I wish,” I think with a pang and take my bag.  Running late, we leave the mall WITHOUT a stop in the Disney Store, a transgression I have never committed before.  I drive home listening to my daughter chirp happily, but feeling uncharacteristically frustrated, for reasons I could not quite pinpoint.

Day 2: Like a scene out of Bill Murray’s “Groundhog Day,” I repeat the trip, with the older of my two daughters, holding my hand and skipping into the mall.  The only difference today is the torrential rain, which forced me to leave my beloved runDisney shoes at home (can’t get those gems wet or dirty!)

My daughter, ironically, makes a bee-line for the EXACT SAME outfit her sister picked out, so I gently suggest alternatives, lest I make 2 Taurus payments for identical outfits for identical twins who REFUSE to wear identical clothes.  When we make our way through the line once again, I laugh to myself and groan inwardly as I see the same cashier as the day before.  I smile, and she surveys me–Disney shirt, Mickey earrings, a Chamilia bracelet with all Disney charms….  “Oh, you’re the Disney lady!!” She motions to the employee walking by, “This is that lady I told you about!  You know, the one with all Disney?” She turns her attention to back me,  “Oh hey!!  Are you wearing those really red shoes?”

Oh no…..  She was talking about me?  Am I really I THAT unusual???   “No no… no shoes today.  Didn’t want to get them wet.”

She chuckles, “oh of course….”  I hand her my coupon (which I tucked safely in my pocket this time) and she says to her friend, “You should really ask her your question.”  Intrigued and a little surprised, I look up, and this young woman says, “So, is it really worth it to stay on Disney property?  I am planning a trip for my mom, and I can’t decide.”  I beamed, and my inner self-consciousness melted away.   My daughter and I began a 20 minute conversation with her, and she was gracious enough to direct some questions directly to my daughter, a little Disney expert in her own right.  Yesterday, I had walked out of this tween nirvana feeling grumpy, and a little like I was somehow not “normal” because of my Disney fan-dom.  But today, I had been called ”that Disney lady,” and for whatever reason, it made my day!  I was able to share my love (of course it is worth it to stay on property!) with a new fan, and feel validated for my head-to-toe love of Disney.  I guess some days are just easier than others to be a Disney fan; like anything else, I suppose, some people get it, some don’t, and most just need to learn more to appreciate why we love what we do.

With the bounce back in my step, my eldest and I sauntered into the Disney Store next store.  We reveled in the Monsters University merchandise and picked out new t-shirts for mommy and her daughters (to be worn at the WDW Radio New Jersey meet–4 WEEKS!)  We settled into the little theater, watched movie clips, and colored our own versions of Vinylmations.   It was 15 minutes worth of my happy place, shared with one of my favorite people in the world….  and it was worth more to me than any Justice coupon EVER could.

Happy 10th Birthday, my sweet Disney-loving girls!  I love you more than you can know.

The post Confessions of a Disney Addict: The Case of Shopping for (and with) Twins appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Ladies and gentlemen!  Do you like Canadian music?  Do you like rock and roll?  Do you like Celtic rock?  Do you like fun?  Then get ready for all of this and more eh, with the music of Canada, from the Northwest Territory to Quebec and from Nova Scotia to the Yukon.  Please welcome, Off Kilter!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/68669962@N05/8723228333/

Caption:  Everyone’s favorite lads—Off Kilter!  (Randy Holbrook, Mark McDowell, Jamie Holton, Mark Weldon, and Scott Zymowski)

Caption:  Master lead guitarist Randy Holbrook.

Caption:  Bass player and singer Mark Weldon.

Caption: A little Whiskey in the Jar with Mark McDowell and Mark Weldon.

Caption:  Randy Holbrook and Rockin’ Billy Varnes play Freebird.

Have you enjoyed Off Kilter before?  Share your memories in the comments below.

Looking for Magic is Kathy @ Two Roads Photo[K1]  and Sean @ Shamrock Photo[K2] .  Kathy is a librarian, walker of many miles, and Paper Bag Princess, who dreams of having coffee with Belle at the castle and co-administering a fantasy book discussion group.  Sean is a fire fighter, pilot, and closet superhero, who would like to join the pack with Tigger to use his bouncy and fun powers to make people smile.

Kathy can be contacted at imtxag85@aol.com

Sean can be contacted at spoc65@aol.com

The post Looking for Magic Photo Blog: Everything’s ‘Off Kilter’ appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

by Blake Taylor

It had never happened before. And if we’re being honest, most of us thought it would never happen again.

Disney made history on February 29, 2012—Leap Day—when Disneyland in California and the Magic Kingdom in Florida both stayed open 24 hours straight. And this Friday, May 24, they’re doing it again, but now adding Disney California Adventure to the mix. The event will serve as the official kickoff to Monstrous Summer, a season filled with exciting activities to highlight all the wonderful newness that recently opened on both coasts, as well as to celebrate the release of Pixar’s Monsters University in theaters.

I will be in the Magic Kingdom on May 24, and I’ll go ahead and admit that Disney’s marketing worked its charm on me and my friends. We had no plans whatsoever for a WDW trip this summer until the 24-hour day was announced. The decision started as simple as, “Wow, have you read this? Disney will be open 24 hours on May 24. Dang, that’d be so cool to be there.” And then the light bulb sort of just clicked: Well, why can’t we be there? School will be over, our summer jobs will not have started yet, we’ll get 2 days’ worth of time in the park for the price of 1 ticket, and we can afford a getaway if we make it quick and stay offsite, so… why not? Let’s go!

And thus began a frantic, busy, and at times downright frenzied three weeks of furiously planning this spontaneous trip. (But, let’s be honest, the Disney nerd inside me has loved every moment of it.)

There are multiple blog topics that have ripened out of this experience, all representing firsts for me: traveling with friends instead of family, staying offsite, booking the trip last-minute… the list goes on and continually proves to me that this trip is going to be entirely different from anything I have experienced before. I feel like I have no comparison to prepare myself for what is about to go down this coming weekend (namely, my eyelids). However, the subject we’re going to explore today is this: the incredible endurance and stamina required to pull of an all-nighter in the Magic Kingdom. Here are some issues I’ve prepared myself for, and can perhaps help get you in the right mindset if you’re taking on the challenge of pulling an all-nighter this Friday, too!

I will be tired. One of those across-the-board tips you’ll find in any Disney planning resource is the reminder to take breaks. Recharging with an afternoon nap at the hotel allows your body some much-needed rest and simultaneously gets you away from the parks during the hours when the crowds are largest and the sun is strongest. However, staying offsite makes it a bit cumbersome to leave mid-day and come back. But… I know we will need a break in some capacity. I think of the restlessness I get after spending only 7 hours straight in the parks in the heat, much less the all-out fatigue that comes when I try to take on 12 hours.

Because of that, I won’t kid myself into thinking I can go 24 hours without any form of rest. We plan on leaving the park mid-afternoon and heading to a nearby resort lobby to close our eyes for a while. If there is any indication that the park could close to capacity (though I seriously hope that doesn’t happen!), we’ll seek out a rocking chair on Tom Sawyer Island. (As a side note, I was thrilled to see Caitlin’s WDW Radio post last week about attractions to relax at while in the parks, and ditto when I saw that this month’s Celebrations magazine highlights calm areas throughout WDW. Check ‘em out if you plan to brave Disney 24!)

Slow and steady wins the race. I’ll be taking it slow during Disney 24 because I simply have to. Running around trying to conquer everything in lightning speed is a surefire guarantee for my inner toddler to arise and a meltdown to ensue (if only internally). I’ve got 24 hours. That is plenty of time to see everything I want to see. Touring slowly allows my body to take it easy, and it offers ample opportunities to soak in the Imagineers’ many details.

Hydration is essential. That’s kind of important. Huzzah for free cups of ice water at any dining location!

The morning hours will be fantastic. Yes, it is Memorial Day weekend. Yes, the park would be crowded regardless even without Disney 24. And yes, Disney 24 will attract an abundance of additional guests (like me) who would not be there if not for the special event. However, even during peak seasons, the first few hours of any park’s operation are always still crowdless. Even though it seems like a lot of people are waiting to enter the park before it opens, you have to remember all those people disperse throughout the entire park. A near-empty Magic Kingdom at dawn is something I am very much looking forward to experiencing!

The crowds will come. The morning will be blissful, but that doesn’t mean the crowds will stay away forever. I’m fully prepared for a packed house once locals start to get off work. Last year’s Disney 24 reached insane crowd levels during the evening hours, eventually trickling back down to a manageable size around 2 a.m. No matter what the crowd situation is, though, being prepared for lots of people ahead of time helps ease into the right touring mode, in my opinion. It’s better than being completely shocked.

Take advantage of the night’s special events. Many people know the crowds will be thick, but are excited as ever just because they get to be part of this magical party. Disney has quite a few festivities planned that are exclusive to Disney 24 and will not be happening again. A Monsters University pre-parade will precede the regular afternoon parade, characters will greet guests in their pajamas in the evening, special screenings of Monsters, Inc. will take place in Tomorrowland, a dance party will jam through the night in front of Cinderella Castle, and there will even be a 1 a.m. performance of the Main Street Electrical Parade. I mean, how cool is that! I probably won’t get around to seeing every single one of these fun activities, but I plan on making time for at least a few of them to celebrate the special day.

I will be tired. I already said it, but it’s what I’m most concerned about. If there is any sign of me or anyone in my group falling flat on our face, we will leave. It’s not worth straining our bodies to simply say, “I did it!” once the clock chimes 6 on Saturday morning if we’re risking our safety in the process. I am perfectly fine leaving early if that means everyone stays safe.

I picture myself this time next week: reporting back to you on how everything went exactly according to plan, how we made the absolute most of our time in an expert manner, and how we were among those who opened and closed the Magic Kingdom on its special 24-hour occasion. But if everything went according to plan, then it wouldn’t be a Disney trip, now would it?! I know there’s no chance of everything aligning quite as I think it will, though I look forward to reporting the insanity that is sure to ensue regardless!

What is your plan of attack for taking on 24 hours in the Magic Kingdom?

Blake is a college student focusing on Creative Writing and Media Studies. He enjoys making his family of six watch the parade on Main Street and then sprint to Frontierland in time to see it again. You can follow Blake’s random Disney ramblings on Twitter at @blakeonline, or at BlakeOnline.com.

The post Preparing For the Gauntlet of 24 Hours in the Magic Kingdom appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

This year, Monsters University promises to bring a smile and laugh to the start of the summer season.  I’ve been watching the previews, looking at the promotional materials in the movie theater, and admiring the merchandise in the Disney Store…. and now, Disney Publishing has given my children and me a way to truly experience the merriment, even before the movie is released!

In Monsters University Storybook Deluxe, Sulley, Mike, and the gang grow before our eyes and engage in hilarity and mischief in their college days. The story of Monsters University is read (with the text also shown) to those viewing it, with vivid and interactive graphics.  With the simple tap of a finger, characters on the page move and interact, making the experience engaging, and not simply the passive act of listening to a story being read.

More than your basic ebook, this is truly a DELUXE experience, as those who purchase the app have access to more than simply the Monsters University story; they are able to experience and play other entertaining activities and games.

The first activity the app introduces is the highly entertaining process of making your own picture into a Monsters University College ID.  This was one of our favorite parts of the app, as we all enjoyed taking our pictures and then using the many options for eyes, horns, and other monster-like parts to “monster-fy” our pictures.  We also were able to select our majors at Monsters University, choose a fraternity or sorority, and then sign our final card.  My children have made many an ID.  For myself, I am not sure any of mine are terribly “attractive,” but my monster ID is here for your enjoyment.

After creating your ID and reading the story, you then encounter the frustratingly addictive part of the app: the games.  In these games, you have the ability to practice your monster skills, by rotating your iPhone or iPad in an effort to avoid the “toxic” human objects that you encounter.  If you successfully make it through the bedroom scene, you are faced with a door which opens and gives you the opportunity to give your best monster roar.  Sadly, my first successful trek through the game came while I was sitting in the lobby of my son’s karate dojo.  Not sure what his sensei thought of my “ROAR” in the middle of their katas, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do!  (Yes, several of the other moms looked at me strangely and moved a few inches away….. )  There are five variations of the game (Toxicity Challenge, Avoid the Parent, Don’t Scare the Teen, Hide and Sneak, and Simulated Scare), and each has a choice of an easy or hard difficulty level.  I have yet to work up the nerve to try the “hard” options, as I am still struggling with the easy options (I’m still a freshman at MU, after all!)

This app is available for iPad and iPhone for $6.99.  Be aware you do need a camera on your device, so if you have an early generation iPad (like me) with no camera, you will have to download the app to your phone.  We’ve had no trouble with the smaller screen, but I imagine everything would be even more vivid and life-like with the larger iPad screen.

This app deserves 4 monster-sized stars for its level of engagement and entertainment.  Anyone planning to see the movie would love this as an addition to their Disney app collection.  For those with younger children, I would strongly urge you to allow the little ones to read and play along.  I’ve found that especially when mine were littler, they were less likely to interrupt the movie with questions if they were already familiar with the story in advance.  If you don’t want to know the story in advance of the movie, you don’t have to read it to make your ID and play the games.  You can go back to the story after seeing the movie and relive the highlights after opening weekend!

And with that, I have to go finish my final term paper, for Roaring 101.

Thanks to Disney Publishing for providing WDW Radio with a review copy of this app.

The post Get Set for Monsters University with This Not-So-Scary App! appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Last month, we started offering our creative services to the very busy team at WDI, giving our thoughts on how to recognize May celebrations, from specific holidays, like Mother’s Day to Memorial Day, to more long-term celebrations, like graduation season and National Hamburger Month (it’s true!)   We had so many great suggestions for May, we thought we would continue the process!

The month of June is approaching, and with it, a number of occasions on the calendar that could be sprinkled with a little “pixie dust.”  Imagine you were working at WDI and were charged with creating ONE limited time magic promotion for the month of June to honor one of the occasions listed below.  Which would you pick?  How would YOU celebrate that occasion in the parks?  Describe YOUR perfect limited time magic experience for June in the comments below. 

OPTION 1: FATHER’S DAY

OPTION 2: DONALD DUCK DAY (June 9, the anniversary of his debut in “The Wise Hen” in 1934 )

OPTION 3: FIRST DAY OF SUMMER (June 21, The “Longest Day of the Year”)

OPTION 4: NATIONAL DAIRY MONTH

The post Wanna-be Imagineers: Let’s Design Some Limited Time Magic for June! appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

As someone who grew up with the “Fab Five,” I sometimes miss seeing them amidst a sea of Phineas and Ferb, Marvel Comics, Merida and Rapunzel.  Mind you, I adore all the aforementioned Disney characters, but the purist and traditionalist in me has longed for a while to incorporate some of WALT’s Disney into my children’s lives.  Mickey Mouse Clubhouse worked for a while, but once they outgrew that (sniff sniff), I was once again left wanting.

This is why I was bordering on giddy when I read that Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck would be the featured characters in a book series by Disney Publishing, and my daughters (who have inherited my Disney gene) were equally delighted to hear about the books.  A special Minnie & Daisy B.F.F. Magazine also has been published, which includes a comic-style summary of one of the first books.

Both my nearly-ten-year-old daughters loved the first two books in the series: The Pesky Pet and Much Ado About Juliet. Bright chapters books (a big selling point as children become more confident readers),  the works feature fun, colorful images of Minnie and Daisy with the overarching concept: “Before they met Mickey and Donald, Minnie and Daisy were best friends.”   A Disney Publishing press release stated that these works “are the perfect read for tween girls who embrace school, sports, fashion, and growing up.”

In the books, both Minnie and Daisy are dressed in a very “hip” style, talk on cell phones, and have bedrooms decorated with “boy band” posters; these are very modernized versions of Walt’s classic characters.  Although the reading level of each was geared to readers a bit younger than my daughters, we all enjoyed them. I think we especially liked the concept of “getting to know” Minnie and Daisy at a time in their lives before they were connected to their famous partners; it had the allure of a prequel, and led us to a number of fun conversations.

Equally entertaining was the Minnie & Daisy B.F.F. Magazine, a sleek, colorful work that both daughters eagerly read cover- to-cover. In addition to a comic-style version of Much Ado About Juliet, the magazine included two other full comic stories, puzzles, self-quizzes, craft ideas, and removable posters.  The only thing we were sad to see was that this was apparently a single edition magazine, which took the place of one issue of Disney Fairies Magazine for the month of May.

In the end, while my daughters read all the works quite quickly, they were very very excited to read about classic Disney characters.  The oldest of my twins observed, “I hope these sell a lot so Disney makes books for older kids like me, too.”  Her younger carbon copy’s feedback included this thought, “I liked seeing Minnie and Daisy without Mickey and Donald.  Girls are important all by themselves.”

As a mom, I was certainly delighted that they had fun reading and that we had animated conversations about classic Disney characters.  I, too, share their hope that this is just the beginning of a renaissance for the classic characters, in the realm of publishing.  My only other hope would be that we can also see Minnie and Daisy engaged in more kinds of activities that we want young girls to aspire to:  how about they are competing at a local math competition? I can see Minnie and Daisy in science class, working on a science fair project.  Or how about they are coordinating a charity event for people in need?  I have no issue with stories that feature them worried about fashion and boys, but I would love to see Disney promote some other equally fun messages for our young daughters.

I strongly encourage Disney fans with young children to add these books to their family libraries.  The magazine, on news stands until May 21, sells for $4.99.  The first two books are $6.99 each, and can be found wherever books and ebooks are sold.  Two new books in the series are expected in July.

Special thanks to Disney Publishing for providing WDW Radio with review copies of Minnie & Daisy magazine, as well as Minnie & Daisy: The Pesky Pet and Minnie & Daisy:Much Ado About Juliet.

The post Minnie and Daisy are BACK! appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

About the project, Andrew Sugerman, executive vice president, Disney Publishing Worldwide, said, “As the use of tablet devices continues to grow, it is a natural next step for us, as the world’s largest children’s publisher, to find different ways of extending Disney’s stories to multiple digital formats. Disney Junior allows families to immerse themselves in the stories and characters they love wherever and whenever they choose.”

I am so excited by this news, even though my children claim to have have outgrown (sniff sniff) Disney Junior.  And while I am sure this e-magazine will be a high quality product (as all Disney Publishing is), my excitement stems more from the anticipation of OTHER Disney e-magazines!

And so, this week’s Wanna Be Imagineering challenge is this:  If you were Imagineering for Disney Publishing, what other concepts would you pitch for Disney-themed e-magazines?  Disney cooking?  Disney crafts?  Star Wars?  Theme Parks?  Give us your best ideas in the comments below…

Because I truly am so happy about this news, I will select one person who comments to receive a WDW Radio Mystery ticket!  Make sure you post a comment by May 16 to be eligible!

For those families interested in subscribing to Disney Junior digital magazine, they can do so on Apple’s Newsstand for $9.99 USD a year; single issues are available for $1.99 USD each. As part of a special limited-time promotion, a special 16-page sample issue is available for download now at no cost. New issues will be available on the fourth Wednesday of every month.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

The post Wanna be Imagineers: Let’s Publish Some Disney Magic! appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Blake Taylor: “Disney requires guests to be at least 16 years old to take the Keys to the Kingdom tour in the Magic Kingdom, and my mom and I looked forward to taking it together for years. We went 4 days after my 16th birthday, and it surpassed all our expectations. What a great day! We had some time to ourselves after the tour was finished, so we watched the parade, taking sharp note of all the things in place that we had learned about (like the windows on Main Street rising for the parade speakers!). After the parade, my mom suggested something that has since become a family tradition: why enjoy the parade once on Main Street when you can sprint through Adventureland to make it to Frontierland in time to see it again?”

Richard Bernato: “Neither my mother nor my father were particularly Walt Disney types.  But I do remember that Sunday night was always Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color, even though we did not have a color TV then!  One thing about Disney and my mother, was their devotion to imagination and literature.  It was my mother who fostered my love for learning and for books.  She gave me tons of books, but the first ‘real’ book I remember that she gave me was Tom Sawyer.  It was not lost on me that Disneyland had a whole island devoted to him!

Again, since I am the senior citizen of this group I can also (although only vaguely) remember being brought to any first-run Disney animation spectacular.  I guess sometimes they weren’t always the first-run,but to us, seeing Snow White, Pinocchio, Bambi, and Dumbo certainly were pretty impressive.  Cinderella, Peter Pan, and Snow White were certainly first-run when I saw them.   And there was Davy Crockett, which I have alluded to in several previous blogs.”

Caitlin Corsello: “I have so many great memories in Walt Disney World with my mom, ranging from when I was a child to recent trips where just the two of us would take plenty of time to explore the parks and soak in those great Disney details. My favorite memory, I suppose, isn’t technically a memory as I was only two years old at the time and have no real recollection of it. We had arrived in Disney excited to start our vacation…only to discover that I had come down with the chicken pox. I was sequestered to the room and my mom was pretty much stuck at the resort with me for the entire vacation. My mom got me through the disappointment of not being able to go out and meet Mickey or ride Peter Pan’s Flight by introducing me to ‘Mickey’s doctor’ and supplying me with a small rubber figurine of a Disney character every day. Those small figurines (anyone else remember them??) ended up being the beginning of a long time collection, always reminding me of my mom and the time she took care of me in WDW.”

Makena Wolcott: “I have many cherished memories with my mother, but my favorite is a very simple one.  In March of 2011, I wanted to complete the ‘Mountain Range.’  What is this you ask?  Well there are three very famous Mountains located in the Magic Kingdom:  Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain.  If you look at a picture of Magic Kingdom from above, you will notice that the mountains form a line.  To successfully complete the mountain range, you have to ride all three of these rides in a row.  My mother was the only one willing to do this challenge with me.  We started out on Space Mountain, and it was my first time on this ride.  The line was only ten minutes long, so we hopped on almost immediately.  Then we went to Big Thunder Mountain next, because everybody in my family loves that ride.  That had about a 20 minute wait, but we sucked it up and hopped in line.  Once that was over, my mom and I were down to one more ride:  Splash Mountain.  This was my first time on this one also.   As I got off, with a big smile on my face and soaked to the bone, I realized that my mother and I conquered the ‘Mountain Range.’  This is a moment with my mom that I won’t forget anytime soon.”

Don Myers: “I have so many special WDW memories with my Mom. But my favorite took place during our 2009 trip. We went to WDW several times in the 80s and 90s when I was younger, and on those trips I was quite little so I still rode Dumbo and the Astro Orbiter with Mom or Dad. When we went back in 2009 I was 27, obviously more than old enough to ride alone. But as they say, when you walk through those gates you check your age at the door. And when we ventured into Tomorrowland and boarded the Astro Orbiter, me and Mom rode together just as we did when I was a kid. It may have been a little cramped, but I’ll never forget the smiles and laughter we shared on that day. I love you Mom!”

Kendall Foreman: “The gorgeous climate and reduced crowds at Walt Disney World in mid-Spring help make it our family’s favorite vacation time.  Though it was not intentional, one year our schedule resulted in our trip overlapping my mother’s birthday.  You know I have to ask, does it get better than that?  For Mom, celebrating her birthday was not the priority at all; our fun was her primary goal.  Just so you know, it truly is not in my mom’s nature to put her needs or wants ahead of her family.  Many times, I have watched her give of herself without expectation of return.  Her birthday is no exception.  I think most women would say that they would enjoy an intimate dinner with their spouse or a quiet meal with family or friends on their birthday.  I know that has become true for me.  That may have been true for Mom, too.  If it was, she didn’t let on to us that trip.  Instead of choosing to enjoy any of Disney’s numerous fine dining options, she chose the Winnie-the-Pooh Character Breakfast at the Disney Vacation Club (now Old Key West Resort).  Far less than romantic or quiet, a character breakfast is boisterous to say the least.  Looking back on it, I am convinced that she chose the breakfast because she could not conceive of my sister or me missing out on meeting our much loved Pooh Bear.  As often happens, Mom made her day about us and our happiness, and I know she would say that she would not have had it any other way.  It was wonderful, hilarious and quite memorable!  At our prompting, she happily posed with Winnie-the-Pooh, which is one of those joy-filled, silly moments I will not forget. ”

Angie Carriero: “I think about this every time I’m about to board the log at Splash Mountain: it was me, my mother, and my cousin.  My mother was a little nervous about riding, but playing it up to be funny.My cousin and I were telling her that she can sit in the middle of us (even though we knew it only sat 2 to a seat) and then we would say, just to each other,  ‘Isn’t the middle where you fall out?’  She knew we were joking and played along with a terrified, ‘WHAAAAT!?’”

Christy Viszoki: “My favorite Disney memories of my mom are actually situated at home.   I love reminiscing with her about Disney vacations gone by.  A huge fan of vintage Walt Disney World, mom loves to re-tell stories of the time when there was only ONE Mickey Mouse to be found in all EPCOT Center, and how we found it… of staying at Disney’s Golf Resort and taking the ‘green flag’ bus to get there….of Figment and Dreamfinder (only the original Imagination Pavilion is acceptable to mom)… of the DVC logo that had three mountains (far better than the 2 mountain logo) and of Kitchen Kabarat, which always makes her break into song.  She has such fun memories, and we live through our Disney longings by retelling the same tales.  It never gets old, and now even my children tell them, as if they were there!”

Alyssa Wiseman: “Although I am the only one in my family who loves Disney, my mom likes that Brandon and I have a special place that we both enjoy.  I think she (pretends) to listen to all of my Disney enthusiasm and be excited.  However, when I was younger I did travel to Walt Disney World with my family and enjoy the parks with them.

While there are many memories I have of that time in the parks with my family, I do have one specific memory that involves my mom in the park.  I come from a family of 6 and am the oldest of 4 girls, so there are not very many memories that do not involve another sister (which is normal and was never an issue as we are all very close).  For some reason, my dad and other 3 sisters ended up going back to the hotel one evening and my mom asked if I would like to stay for the fireworks.  I specifically remember that we were at EPCOT that day and were very excited to watch the fireworks over the water.  This would have been in the 90s and should have still been a variation of Illuminations, but the actual show is something I don’t remember.  What I do remember about the actual show is that it was windy that evening and we were standing in the direction that the wind was traveling.  At some point during the show, we began feeling little pellets hitting us and discovered that these were the remains of the actual fireworks! We thought it was strange that we were getting “rained” on, but funny that they would have an issue like that.  Honestly, I don’t remember much about the show or what else we did that evening, but I do remember that time that my mom and I had together that evening without the remaining 4 family members.

I love you mom and am very lucky to have you in my life.  At some point I will get you back to Disney and we will watch the fireworks like we did before (maybe just without the falling debris!).”

Do you have a favorite moment you shared with your mom at Walt Disney World?  Share your memory here and wish mom a magical Mother’s Day!

The post Happy Mother’s Day from the WDW Radio Blog Team appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Ironically, while I lack much of an interest in (or knowledge of ) shoe fashion, I work in a world where shoes are the barometer of coolness…. well, at least among the 12-14 year old set.  If you have read my previous posts, you know I am a teacher, and my students are… well, fascinated with shoes.  Sneakers to be exact.  Now, the sneakers they wear are big, bright, and BOLD.  The more vibrant the colors, the better.  These are HUGE pieces of footwear (the kids’ feet seemingly disappear into the depths of the shoe), with undone laces, which of course makes the old fuddy duddy in me wonder, “How do kids these days keep those shoes on their feet?”  These are NOT the Keds I wore “back in the day.”

I try to be hip (as hip as a middle-aged history teacher can be), so I ask my students about their footwear. Through conversation, I have learned there is an entire sneaker subculture–the students sell and trade their shoes, attend sneaker meets, buy shoe cleaners, and occasionally even walk differently to keep from creasing their shoes.  I have witnessed the utter distress that takes place when someone accidentally (remember all those backpacks) steps on someone else’s sneakers, leaving a mark… one would think the world was ending.

However, much as I have tried to learn, it is readily apparent that I will never fully grasp the sneaker fascination.  Case in point:  a very diligent young man asked me one day to print out an essay he wrote.  After inserting his flash drive into my laptop, I see the file: “All About Tink.”  Wow, I think.  Didn’t realize a middle school boy would enjoy Tinkerbell. 

“It’s cool that you wrote about Tinkerbell,” I comment, as I hit print.  Confusion crosses his face.  “All About Tink??” I say gently.  A sweet, polite young man, he tries, but fails, to stifle a snort and fight back an eye roll.

“Ummm…. Sorry, Mrs. V.  That would be Tinker Hatfield.  You know, the guy who designed Air Jordan III-XV and the twentieth anniversary Air Jordan XX?”  I blush, shrink to 2 inches tall, and send him off to lunch, where I am sure I was the subject of more than a couple incredulous comments about how “out of touch” I am.

At this point in my tale, it should be clear, fashion footwear is NOT my forte.  But, when I read during Disney’s marathon weekend last January that Disney had partnered with New Balance to develop Mickey and Minnie running sneakers, I had an unusual reaction.  First, I experienced a slight light-headedness… As I looked at the picture of the shoes, my vision blurred and then became laser-focused… there was a longing…  I HAD TO HAVE THOSE SHOES.  Is this how my students feel when seeing one of those tow-truck-sized, Crayola-crayon-color, pair of sneakers?  I get it!  Now, I must get THEM!

Through the amazing kindness of friends, I was able to obtain a pair of the precious jewels of footwear, even though I was not running (nor ever intend to run) the marathon.  I gulped at the receipt (THEY COST HOW MUCH???  FOR SHOES???), but I reimbursed my benefactor and pondered their beauty:  the red soles bespeckled with white dots, just like Minnie’s dress;  the yellow “N”, a perfect reflection of the color of her own stylish footwear;  the runDisney emblazoned on the tongue (who needs the “run” part, anyway?  Just make it say Disney, and I am happy)…. and most importantly, the tiny image of a smiling Minnie on the heal.  I’m in love.  And I want to show them off!!  And who better to show these amazing shoes to than THE experts of shoe fashion—my students!

I make a plan.  I am going to show my students that I CAN be hip and fashionable.  I prepare an outfit for dress-down Friday, making sure the clothes will complement, but not distract from- my sparkling testament to Disney loyalty and modern fashion.  I was disappointed to see it was raining, so I actually packed the shoes with my school papers and wore other ones to work (couldn’t get those beauties dirty, you know….) My husband watched me do this, his mouth agape, asking what had gotten into me.  I said to leave me alone… I was in love……….. with my shoes.

After getting to school, I slipped them on…   And I waited.  When the morning bell rang, and the waves of students fell into the halls, I stood outside my door and beamed… and waited.  “Good morning!  Good morning!”  Tired eyes and quietly muttered “mornings” greeted me as one by one they ALL walked past and IGNORED MY SHOES!  Undeterred, I walked into the room and wished them a happy Friday.  As we waited for morning announcements, I mentioned I wore something special today.  Quizzical eyes looked back at me.  My shoes!  Like Cinderella wearing the glass sleeper, I gleefully held up my foot.  And thirty sets of eyes looked at the shoes… then at me… then at each other… and the buzz began.  “Those are sooooo red.”  “Well, those things woke ME up.”  “Negative. Not fresh.”  (Still working on the translation of that one, but I don’t think it’s good.)

It was not the reaction I was hoping for.  “But I thought you guys would like them!  They are colorful!  And loud!  And look!  Minnie Mouse is on the back.”  That did it.  Now they were laughing.

I was saved by the bell (or morning announcements, in this case) and the interruption stopped the chatter and allowed me to regroup. “I pledge allegiance (they hate the shoes!) to the flag (I can’t believe it!) of the United States of America (but they are just like THEIRS!) and to the Republic, for which it stands (guess I need to get over it) one nation, under God, indivisible (sniff) with liberty, and justice, for all.”

So class went on, though admittedly, I had lost a bit of the spring that had been in my step.  At the end of class, the student who researched the OTHER Tink came up and said, “ya know, Mrs. V.  They aren’t all that bad.  A little small, but they’ve got good color.”  I thanked him and greeted a new group of students, who also, sniff sniff, did not notice my burgeoning attempt to be cool and hip in the world of footwear.

So, in the end, the shoes did nothing for my coolness factor, but they do make ME smile.  I have persevered and worn them a number of times since that day, and I often get a sympathetic compliment from one of the kids.  Their efforts make me smile, and remind me what sweet young adults they are…. even if they don’t understand the magnificent coolness of my shoes.

So, as this chapter of my Disney obsession closes, I wonder what the future holds in store for New Balance and Disney–and I wonder if will I be gripped by the need to buy future shoes?  Perhaps Tinker Hatfield can join forces to design a Tinkerbell New Balance shoe.  Now THAT would be fresh.

The post Confessions of a Disney Addict…. The Case of My Unappreciated Shoes appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

In their announcement, Disney said, “The Princess 10K gives runners of various levels more opportunities to run through Disney theme parks and receive a specially-designed finisher medal. And runners looking for an even bigger challenge can sign up for the 10K on Saturday and the Half Marathon on Sunday (19.3 miles total) to earn the inaugural Disney Glass Slipper Challenge Medal to go along with medals from each individual race.”

While I am not the most enthusiastic runner in the world, I have run five Disney races (and have ONLY run Disney races)–totally because of the overall experience and emphasis on theming.  The Expedition Everest Challenge, which takes place this weekend, is a favorite of mine, as it is so well themed and well, unique–it’s not ALL about the running (which makes me VERY happy).

So this got me to thinking…  what OTHER kinds of races could Disney host?  Could they be differently-themed running races?  Could they feature other kinds of athletic feats? Could they be in other parts of the parks?

So, Wanna be Imagineers, put on your thinking caps.  If you were charged with creating a new kind of race for Disney, what would it be?  Which athletic skill(s) would it feature?  When would it be?  How would it be themed?  Post your great ideas in the comments below.

And remember–creativity is best when exercised often!  Check back with us every Friday for more wanna-be Imagineering exercises.   Have a magical weekend, my friends.

The post Wanna be Imagineers: Put on Your Running Shoes! appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.