As I discussed last post on The World That Never Was, Epcot was to host several countries that never were built.  In continuing our celebration of Christmas in July, we are looking back at another pavilion we have covered and what you may have seen there during the Holidays at Walt Disney World.

A few months back, I covered one of the biggest pavilions the World Showcase at Epcot would have ever had, and Christmas there would have probably been a giant festivity as well.

Due to British colonialism as well as the spread of Christian beliefs throughout Africa, Christmas is a holiday celebrated throughout the continent and in many different ways.  Because of the different customs, there may have been lots to do within the pavilion, but more than likely, Disney may have selected its favorite of the customs to celebrate.

Christmas has always been a time to give and gifts have been a tradition all over the world since the earliest of celebrations. Africa is no different, but due to the vast economic differences, for some, gift-giving focuses on the necessities of life; church clothes for Christmas morning, soaps, school books, or other practical items may be gifts in some African homes.

Food is a major part of the holiday, which makes me jump for joy.  In Africa, depending on the area, traditional Christmas dinners differ. In most of Eastern Africa, goats are the main course which could be a unique and quality meal for anyone around the world, maybe even the World Showcase. South Africa takes the hot summer approach, bringing out the grill and barbecuing along with a mix of plum puddings and mince pie. Along with the dinner in South Africa, party-goers wear paper hats, a tradition passed on from the British colonial days. Within Liberia, rice, beef, and biscuits are on tap and bring another unique meal to the African Christmas celebration we could have had at Epcot. In Zimbabwe, along with the goat meat, you would have had bread, jam, and tea would in a traditional meal, an example of the British rule of the past mixing with the cultures of the African peoples.

Because of the warm temperatures throughout most of Africa, Christmas dinner would typically be set up outside and invitations to neighbors and family members would be common practice, much like a block party. Games are also played in the afternoon amongst friends and a typical fireworks show would end the night.  One can definitely imagine a Biergarten-inspired seating arrangement at such a meal, with travel parties joining one another to share in the celebration.  No doubt Disney cast members would be on hand to lead the guests in games in between courses.

Unlike most of the Americas and Europe, Africa goes without snow during this time of year, however decorative fake snow is hung around local shops and lights are hung from local palm and mango trees as well as homes and shop fronts. Bells hanging from trees, especially in Liberia, are a common site as well as candles hanging down too.  No doubt, if an Africa pavilion had been built, there would be a very distinct decorative style, to reflect some of these very diverse celebratory styles.  Perhaps souvenir bells would be sold in one of the gift shops, for guests to hang on their trees upon returning home.

What do you think about the possible celebrations in the African pavilion? Would this be a destination for your holiday celebrations? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

The post The World that Never Was: Christmas in Africa appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

When non-locals go to a Disney park, they like to take a lot of pictures. Most parents go down to this magical place with a mission in their head: Create and obtain the perfect Christmas card picture. Now everybody (and I mean EVERYBODY) who has been to Walt Disney World has taken the classic “Whole family in front of Cinderella Castle” picture, which usually ends up being SOMEWHERE on the Christmas card. People who receive Christmas cards with this common– yet spectacular –photograph from friends and family may get bored with the same picture, especially if you visit Walt Disney World every year. Here are some unique Christmas card photo ideas that will give friends and family who always receive a card from a frequent Disney-goer a break from that castle.

Snow People at Downtown Disney
On the walkway between the resort bus stops and the entrance to the Ye Olde Christmas Shop, you will stumble upon a unique group of sculptures. They are statues of snow people, I believe. Yes, I said snow people. It looks like it snowed recently in Florida (the odds!) and some kids came along and made snowmen and women. We have posed with them every visit to Downtown Disney. Obviously, this captures the feeling of the Christmas season any time of the year, which makes it a great place for a Christmas card picture.

Cinderella Fountain
A lot of people miss this fountain. I didn’t even know it was there until my last trip in August! It’s behind the castle and, if you are facing Cinderella’s home, it is to the right. I love the little secret to it-it looks like a normal fountain honoring Cinderella before her fairy godmother came along. The backdrop of the fountain includes swirls of yellow on a shade of coral. Now, if you bow and look at the fountain, you can see that the swirls suddenly make sense and a crown appears on her head. But when a child looks up to the fountain, the crown is already on her head. Why? Because a child never has to bow down to a princess! This cute story is one of my favorite secrets in Magic Kingdom, but it is not only the tale that draws me to it, but also the pure beauty of the sculpture in Cinderella’s likeness. Not a lot of people are around this fountain, which makes it a great place for a picture, along with the loveliness and legend.

Ride Photos
If you have been on a thrill ride at WDW, you know about the camera that is placed at the peak of the attraction-the highest drop on the Tower of Terror, the launch on the Rock N Roller Coaster, when you see the Yeti on Expedition Everest, and more. These pictures are worth a peek when you exit the attraction. Everybody either laughs at the picture or is embarrassed by it. Either way, it shows your true colors, which makes it PERFECT for a Christmas card! Your family and friends would get a kick out of it. You can even strike a special pose to make the picture better (more on that another time).

Brick in MK or Leave a Legacy
On your way to the opening gates at Magic Kingdom, you walk over bricks. If you look down at these bricks, each one has a name date and picture on it. At one time, these bricks were available for purchase and people bought them, whether just as a memory, to propose or just to say you are a part of Disney. Epcot had a similar system called Leave-a-Legacy to commemorate the Millennium celebration. If you were lucky enough to snatch up one of these two offers and took a picture of your family pointing to your brick or picture, it would be the perfect Christmas card! My brother and I had a Leave-a-Legacy in Epcot, and have taken Christmas card pictures before. Sadly, they are slowly getting rid of the Leave a Legacy panels and, on our last trip, ours was surrounded by construction walls. Besides last year, we have always taken a picture with ours and it has been our Christmas card picture once.

Secret trails in Animal Kingdom
Okay, so this is a “go with me here” moment. I am aware that the picture I will be describing in a second is the Tree of Life, but this idea is a different view of it. Throughout Discovery Island, there are trails to wander that lead to nowhere or just in a circle. One of these trails happens to go very close to the Tree of Life-VERY close. Instead of the picture being your family in front of the tree, it would be your family leaning on the base of the tree. You can see the detail in some of the 325 animals that make their home on the tree, and it is probably the closest you can get to the tree without go to see “It’s Tough to Be a Bug.”

Speeder Bike
If you have ever seen the 6th Star Wars movie (which I hope most of you have), you would recognize the Speeder Bike across from Tatooine Traders. In the famous scene, Stormtroopers are chasing the rebel alliance in a forest.  This chase is not the conventional foot chase, but instead, they are pursuing them on floating futuristic motorcycle-type things that blend into their surroundings. It’s now your turn to try one. Some people are hesitant to sit on it, but you can. You look like you are in the middle of the fight, so put on your best “bring–it-on” face and wait for the camera to flash!

Epcot Topiaries
If you have ever been lucky enough to visit WDW during Epcot’s Flower Festival, you know what I mean when I say these topiaries are detailed, delicate and delightful to the eye. There are a variety of characters and icons that are scattered about the park, and they definitely live up to what people say about them. The beauty captivates your attention and holds it for a long time: which makes it the perfect subject for a Christmas card photo.  Explore the gardens, find a beautiful topiary surrounded by magnificent flowers and say “cheese”.

Even though some of you may think it is a little early to be thinking about Christmas, this is good information for pictures in general. Some of these pictures my family and I have taken before, not to use as a Christmas card but just because they are fun. Next time you go to the “World”, keep these ideas in mind and remember to bring out the camera when the time comes, whether you use the picture to send to your friends and family or not.

This week’s “Where in the World” picture is in an attraction. Can you guess which one?

See ya REAL soon!
~Makena

How do YOU incorporate Disney into your holiday cards?  Tell us about it in the comments below.

The post No Castle on This Year’s Christmas Card! appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Luckily, we have WDW Radio podcasts and blog posts to keep us informed of the up-to-date holiday happenings, and of course we have our Disney Christmas decorations from our WDW visits to decorate our homes. But what if you need a little bit more Disney magic at the most wonderful time of the year?

In the UK, we are lucky enough to still have Disney Stores in most major towns and cities. Now these stores might not stock the abundance of merchandise sold in say, Mouse Gear or The Emporium, but it’s still an opportunity to get a Disney fix whilst away from the World.

Last year I had heard from Disney friends that The Disney Store on London’s Oxford Street had been filled with holiday cheer so seeing as I was missing my usual Christmas visit to Walt Disney World, I decided to take a day trip to London to see the magic for myself.

When I arrived I was so glad that I had made the two hour trip to our capital. The staff had really made an effort, and it felt like I was walking into a completely different store. The window displays featured characters, presents and lots of snow! The main feature of the store is the castle and for Christmas this had been covered in twinkling lights and baubles. All the characters around the store had been dressed up in their festive outfits and even the princess area downstairs in the store had been given a very ‘princessy’ pink and silver Christmas tree, nice touch!!

We all know that cast members can really make the magic for us whilst visiting Walt Disney World, and it can be a real pleasure to experience the same enthusiasm from Disney Store cast members. Well, there were certainly plenty of Christmas smiles from cast members that day! Plus the festive music playing in the store made me feel like I was back in the parks.

It was great fun to act like tourists for the day and take lots photos of the decorations in store, soaking up the atmosphere and pretending we were Christmas shopping in WDW. We even picked up some new decorations for our tree.

So the next time you’re missing Walt Disney World during the holiday season take a look around; a little bit of Disney magic may be closer than you think!

Emma Godbold lives in the East of England and has been visiting Walt Disney World since she was a teenager. In between trips, Emma can be found reading about Disney history or researching and planning her next Disney vacation. She also writes her own blog at www.daydreamingdisney.com.

The post Disney Holiday Magic OUTSIDE Walt Disney World appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

PODCAST:

• Show #284 : Week of July 22 - Christmas in July – It’s a Wonderful Shop, Stories of Walt and Christmas, Trivia Contest and more!

VIDEO:

• WDW Radio Live – July 25, 2012 – Disney Visa, Lion King, Storybook Circus, and More!

ON THE BLOG:

Christmas in July Posts:

• What would an EPCOT Holiday Parade look like?  Help us “Imagineer” one!

• How do you shop for the holidays in Disney?

• Check out these FUN and out-of-the-way holiday spots that are definitely worth checking out!

Other Fun Posts:

• What is it like to be Beci Mahnken?  Kids & Teens writer Annika checks it out!

• D23 Expo 2013 Ticket News!

• What is it like to run 12 marathons in 12 months?  Check out Joseph Kolinsky’s story!

• WDW Radio Cruise 2.0 News: Flag Contest!!

• What is the Disney Family Museum like?  Read Anthony’s post for a virtual tour!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• July 31: Deadline to Vote for the WDW Radio Caption Contest

• August 3: Deadline to submit a logo for the Random Acts of Disney Magic Challenge

• August 4: Pacific Northwest Mouse Meet- LIVE Box Event!!

• August 15: Deadline to register for WDW Radio Cruise Fish Extender Exchange

•  September 30: 1st Annual WDW Radio E-Ticket Weekend!

• November 4: WDW Radio Cruise 2.0 begins!,  Flag contest submissions DUE

SNEAK PEEKS INTO NEXT WEEK:

• Final week of celebrating Christmas in July on the blog, with posts on how to spread Disney holiday magic back home!

• Take a peek at Disney and the Olympic Spirit with a Collector’s Corner and Wanna Be Imagineer post

WHERE IN THE WORLD FOR THE WEEK:

Were you watching carefully?  How did Lou caption this picture he posted this week?  Post your answer in the COMMENTS below!

POLL OF THE WEEK: Inspired by discussions in this week’s newscast:

As Lou discussed in this week’s newscast (see video link above), construction continues at Storybook Circus.  He, Glenn, and Scott brainstormed what kinds of snack foods they would love to see sold at Storybook Circus.   Share your thoughts about the kind of snacks you would like to see sold in the poll below!

The post WDW Radio Week in Review for 7/22 & POLL on Storybook Circus SNACKS! appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

So, let’s be wanna-be Imagineers.  If YOU could help create an EPCOT holiday parade, what would it look like?  Where would it process?  Who would be in it?  Would you have Santa’s on stilts (shout out to the Sage of Time)?  Would there be massive puppets of the Christmas elves?  Would it feature holidays from around the world?  Share YOUR ideas in the comments below!

Merry Christmas in July!

The post Wanna-be Imagineers: Let’s Create an EPCOT Holiday Parade! appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Hi Everyone! As tradition goes, an Advent calendar is a special calendar which is used to count or celebrate the days of Advent in anticipation of Christmas. So, to “wrap up” the Practically Perfect DISNEY Crafting posts for “Christmas in July”, I thought it would be fun to share an Advent-style countdown calendar in anticipation of the WDW Radio Cruise this November.

I used the following (but definitely feel free to do a variation that fits your own theme):

• 10 White Envelopes
• Glue Lines or similar adhesive
• Dimensional foam dots
• 1 page Disney Cruise Line themed scrapbook paper with titles. Or you can create your own titles.
• Large scraps of scrapbooking paper and card stock in coordinating colors
• A print out of the numbers 1 – 10 and “Days Until” on different card stocks. I made mine in Waltograph font (we will cover how to obtain different Disney fonts in a later post). You can also use number stickers.
• Different sized craft punches for layering (I have a 1 1/4″ square and a slightly larger scalloped square). You can also cut what I use these for, free hand.
• Large Mickey Silhouette Head Template (Download the one on this page, and in your printing feature, uncheck “fit picture” and use the 3×5 print setting to make a template).
• Simplicity’s Disney Mickey Mouse Silhouette Ribbon, 1″ wide, 3 yd. long
• 1 Disney branded treat (think Disney PEZ; licensed cookies or candy from Walmart, Target or local supermarket…) OR
• Small Disney branded toy, notebook, lip balm, or Silly Bandz

Instructions:

Create a sign using your Disney Cruise Line themed paper. I cut around the wording and borders, reconstructed it into my sign and made it stand out using dimensional foam dots. I also added “Days Until”, so it reads “Days Until Our Disney Cruise”.

Punch or cut out all the numbers and a slightly larger sized layering piece for each. You can also use number stickers for this. Using dimensional foam dots, layer the numbers and pieces together atop the envelopes however you like. I made mine vertical, so I can affix them to the ribbon at a slight angle (much the way you would display holiday cards). This will be your calendar. Now, snip enough ribbon to string the envelopes together in 2 groups of 5.

Next, use your Mickey Silhouette Head template and cut out 10 Mickey Silhouettes out of coordinating card stock scraps. Write a countdown idea for the day on the Mickey. Stuff one each of these into your envelopes. You can even enclose a Disney themed treat or small gift. (I chose some Princess Bandz I got at last year’s D23 Expo).

Here are some ideas to write on your Mickeys:

• Dedicate a special, Disney themed tote for all your embarkation “Bare Necessities”. Don’t forget a travel bottle or mug (for the drinks area).
• Make your cruise activities and packing lists…”check them twice”.
• Create a decorative magnet for your stateroom door.
• Listen to your favorite Disney songs.
• Take a picture of your family getting ready for the trip.
• Make a gift for your Fish Extender group friends.
• Visit WDWRadio.com for ideas on what you can do aboard the ship.
• Need to make a pre-cruise order? Use this promo code at DisneyStore.com for Free Shipping on $75 or more: SHIPTODAY
• Bake some Pillsbury Disney Shape sugar cookies.
• Watch your favorite nautical themed Disney movie.
• Enjoy this Mickey-themed treat. (Enclose a packaged Disney item in the envelope).
• Instead of making Mickey Pancakes this time, make everyone a Disney Parks themed dinner (we love the whole grain, Cars themed Perdue Nuggets).

Next, take the sign and the strung envelopes and hang wherever you like. I like to put my countdown calendars near my table, where we congregate at different times of the day. It’s a great way to get everyone talking about the upcoming Cruise. Where will you hang your Countdown Calendar?

With Warmest Regards and a Merry “Christmas in July” to all! Happy Crafting!

Craft Time: 2 hours start to finish

Fran’s Notes:

~You can create a countdown like this for an upcoming Disney Parks trip or any vacation. You can also do this for other holidays, birthdays, anniversaries or even the first day of school. Just change the ideas you write on your Mickeys to celebrate your event.

~You can make however many numbered days you like. I chose 10, because it is the traditional “countdown” number.

 Tell us how YOU countdown to a Disney trip in the comments below!

Like so many of us, Fran Cassano’s life is sprinkled with Mickeys. From collecting Park brochures as a child, to creating ideas for her own Disney Fairy Tale Wedding, paper crafts have kept the magic of Disney a part of her everyday life. Fran invites us capture our own memories through Storyboarding your Life: Practically Perfect DISNEY Crafting… Break out the tools that have been gathering dust. And let’s figure out how, together!

The post Practically Perfect DISNEY Crafting: Advent-style Disney Cruise Countdown Calendar appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Walt Disney World can be a fabulous place for shopping throughout the year but a visit at Christmas time can find your suitcase bulging at the seams…and if you fly home like us international visitors then you’ll be praying that you haven’t exceeded the weight limit for your luggage!

Guests looking for Christmas decorations outside of the holiday season can head to Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Magic Kingdom, It’s a Wonderful Shop in Disney’s Hollywood Studios (love that reference!), Die Weihnachts Ecke in Epcot and Disney’s Days of Christmas at Downtown Disney. There’s enough holiday cheer in those shops to have you feeling festive on even the hottest days in July!!

But if you are lucky enough to head to Walt Disney World during the Christmas festivities you will find seasonal goods filling the shelves in almost every merchandise location.

So what can you buy while you’re there for the holidays? Almost anything you can imagine; decorations, candy, clothing, kitchenware, and not forgetting the ever popular Santa hats with Mickey ears! My favourite items to buy are ones that have the year of your visit. Then each Christmas when you hang the item on your tree, wear the t-shirt or count the days down to Christmas you’ll remember the visit you had when the item was purchased.

My favourite WDW places to shop at Christmas? I love the resort gift shops; you can often find little Christmassy things in here that can’t be found in the parks. I love the Wilderness Lodge Mercantile in Wilderness Lodge at Christmas; I think the log cabin effect makes it feel even more seasonal when it is full of festive goodies!

Another place not to miss is the Gingerbread House bake shop at Grand Floridian. You’ve heard of the huge gingerbread house that appears in the lobby of the Grand Floridian each holiday season? Well inside you’ll find a shop selling all kinds of edible Christmas treats.

My favourite shops within the parks which seem to be full of gifts at Christmas time are The Emporium in Magic Kingdom and Mouse Gear at Epcot. I’ve found larger items in Mouse Gear on previous visits that I haven’t seen anywhere else on property. But as I said before, Christmas merchandise is everywhere!

In my previous post I talked about attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Well, Disney sells event-specific merchandise at the parties which you will not be able to get at any other time. Word of warning…some items sell out so if you see something you like BUY IT!! Oh, and be careful of the crowds heading into The Emporium on a party night to buy those exclusive t-shirts and pins!!!

There is a collection of Christmas gifts which cannot be purchased in the actual parks or resorts but can be delivered to you during your WDW stay. The Disney Floral and Gifts department have some amazing festive gifts in their Christmas and Holiday Magic range. Unfortunately I can’t fit the Christmas tree into my suitcase but I’m dreaming that one day my resort room will have a very special visit from Mickey and Minnie. Here’s how this year’s ‘in room celebration’ is described on the Disney Floral website:

“Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse heard you were coming, so they placed a special Christmas sash, (featuring a fabric wreath on one side and a holiday tree on the other) over the door to your Walt Disney World® Resort room. Then, they slipped inside to create a Disney Christmas to remember!

Once inside, you’ll see the glow from luminaries placed around the room. On a table nearby you’ll find the “Toon Town Times,” a holiday Disney newspaper personalized with your family name, filled with stories and ideas for fun activities. But, on the bed, a plush Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, dressed in holiday hats, wait for you, each holding a special Christmas package filled with memories and dreams. Mickey’s present is a “Memory Making Box” full of surprises and activities to create special memories in the room and the parks. Minnie’s “Disney Kiss Goodnight” has everything needed to wind down your day with a magical moment to cherish.

All these gifts from Mickey and Minnie are yours to enjoy, both in the parks and in your room – and after you’ve filled your hearts with memories and dreams, these gifts are yours to take home!

Inside Mickey’s “Memory Making Box”:

• An autograph book and pen for your Christmas “meet and greets”.
• A Christmas red blanket to sit on when you watch the parade.
• Two holiday light-up lanyards to wear when the park starts to twinkle.
• Two Mickey Vision Glasses that turn every burst of firework into a Mickey head.
• For inside the room, Mickey left you felt ornaments to hang on your door sash tree, to create another memory!
• Two exclusive Mickey Mouse sleepy time pillowcases.
• A Disney storybook for a cozy snuggle at bed time.
• A “wish upon a star” activity, which includes a “pixie-dusted” Swarovski crystal star to create special memories.
• Plus, one more little box filled with cookie decorating goodies for everyone to enjoy!”

Inside Minnie’s “Disney Kiss Goodnight”:

• Two exclusive Mickey Mouse sleepy time pillowcases.
• A Disney storybook for a cozy snuggle at bed time.
• A “wish upon a star” activity, which includes a “pixie-dusted” Swarovski crystal star to create special memories.
• Plus, one more little box filled with cookie decorating goodies for everyone to enjoy!”

Doesn’t it sound magical?! We all have to have a Christmas wish, right?

I’ll end this post with a confession to you all. The first year I got to visit Walt Disney World during the holiday season I went at the beginning of December. I had planned on completing my Christmas shopping during my two week vacation; treating my family and friends to unique gifts from the World. Know what happened? I spent so much time buying things that caught my eye that I had to go out on Christmas Eve when I arrived back in the UK to finish buying gifts for others! I didn’t make that mistake again; all gift shopping is completed in November before I fly out so that the WDW shopping is all mine!!

Happy shopping everyone xxx

Emma Godbold lives in the East of England and has been visiting Walt Disney World since she was a teenager. In between trips, Emma can be found reading about Disney history or researching and planning her next Disney vacation. She also writes her own blog at www.daydreamingdisney.com.

The post Shop Til You Drop for the Holidays–Disney Style! appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

We all love the Disney Store. It is the connection we need to purchase Disney merchandise… Whether you use the Disney Store’s website or you go to your local mall and stop by the Disney Store (R.I.P my local Disney Store), they have a huge variety of products that show the holiday spirit. When you see this merchandise, you have to decide between buying the ornament or the sweatshirt, the tree topper or the stockings. Most people don’t think about what else they want to see. Here are a few ideas of products I believe Disney should sell around the holidays.

Christmas Fragrance
I am a big fan of the Disney Fragrance collections. The 5 scents released are Imagination, Magic, Pixie Dust, Wonder, and A Princess Wish. Imagination and Wonder were aimed to be candles and room spray rather than perfume.  Magic, Pixie Dust and Princess Wish are better as perfumes. Now, everybody remembers that scent that fills the air when the gingerbread house passes by during the Christmas Parade. Disney should turn this memorable scent into a fragrance! Maybe call it “Clarabelle’s Kitchen” or simply “Holiday.” Pixie Dust right now is my favorite but it would be the gingerbread scent if Disney did sell it.

Mickey’s Bubble Wrap
Who doesn’t love bubble wrap? Everybody has popped bubble wrap before, whether by jumping on it, pinching it, or sitting on it! The enjoyment of popping bubble wrap is indescribable.  But what could make it better? Filling the bubbles with CONFETTI!!! Mickey confetti, to be exact. Just imagine it, you are opening up a gift from one of your relatives and you see bubble wrap surrounding the fragile present. No, not just any bubble wrap, but Disney’s special Christmas bubble wrap called “Mickey’s Bubble Wrap”.  You go to pop a bubble, and notice that instead of being able to see right through the plastic, you see a mix of different colors. You proceed to pop the bubble, and the colors spill out in the form of Mickey confetti! I wouldn’t mind getting just bubble wrap instead of a gift (well, some gifts).

Christmas Disney Dollars
For a limited time, Disney should sell Christmas Disney Dollars. Disney Dollars are now unavailable for purchase at the Disney Store (having been replaced by plastic cards), but I think from November – January they should bring our favorite form of currency back with a holiday theme. They could have a code on them that you can enter online like a gift card so you can use it online too. (Let’s face it. If you have Disney Dollars you are probably not going to want to use them because you have to turn them in.) The characters could be dressed in their outfits celebrating the season and on the back of each bill could be a picture of Cinderella Castle with the twinkling icicle lights and fireworks. I would love that!

Over-sized Christmas wreath
If you have ever seen the Contemporary during the holiday season, you can’t miss the big wreath hanging on the side of the resort. Instead of this decoration being shaped like a simple circle, it is three, which of course make the silhouette of the mouse himself. The Disney Store already sells a regular sized Mickey wreath which I would like to think is inspired by this one, but what if they sold a bigger one? Not as big as the Contemporary’s of course, but a decent size for a tall window. Maybe the “head” of the Mickey Wreath would have a six feet diameter. That might seem big, but some houses have REALLY big windows. It would be great if you could also request a size that they can custom make for you so it fits perfectly in your window.

The next time you go hunting for some Disney Christmas decorations, let your imagination run wild with ideas about different decor.

So, tell me, readers: What Disney Holiday decorations do you wish Disney would develop and sell? Leave a comment below!

See ya REAL soon!
~Makena W.

Quote of The Week: “Haunt me no longer!” Ebenezer Scrooge, Disney’s A Christmas Carol.

The post Disney Holiday Items You WISH You Could Bring Home! appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

by Blake Taylor

While it’s a little sad to see kids grow out of their “Toy Story” and princesses obsessions as they mature their way to adulthood, one of the many benefits of traveling to Walt Disney World with older kids is being able to experience so much more that you hadn’t been able to see before.  Taking in more thrill rides, sending the kids off by themselves for a couple of hours without worry, staying out later at night…the list goes on.

Another prime example of this is taking in some of the “less-exciting” attractions throughout Disney property that might be deemed dull or boring to preschoolers.  However, with older kids and teens who can tolerate and even find interest in slowing down and learning new things, these experiences can be very rewarding.  Here are my top 5 favorite out-of-the-way places to visit in Walt Disney World during the holiday season of November and December.  They might be a bit of a journey to travel to if you’re not staying at these specific resorts, but they are very much worth seeking out, and are perfect if you’re looking for something to do away from the parks.

5. Yacht Club Train Village

I admit this is the only item on this list I haven’t seen in person, but I wish I had.  From what I’ve seen, this miniature Christmas village complete with a working model train is amazing.  Think the mini German village in Epcot, but all dressed to the nines in its winter finest.  The Yacht Club is within walking distance from Epcot’s “back door,” its International Gateway entrance.

4. Peppermint Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich

While this item is technically inside the Magic Kingdom, it still qualifies for this list as being certifiably out of the way from the crowds.  Sleepy Hollow is a counter-service dining window located in a quiet corner of Liberty Square.  The place is notorious for its delicious chocolate-chip cookie ice cream sandwiches, which have scoops of ice cream between two warm, giant cookies.  It’s a little messy, but it’s awesome.  During the Christmas season, the regular vanilla ice cream can be replaced by request with peppermint-flavored ice cream.  Yumorama.

3. Wilderness Lodge Ambiance

The atmosphere of the Wilderness Lodge is serene itself any time of the year, but at Christmas, there’s an extra layer of magic to the air.  The colossal tree and surrounding garland that adorns the lobby makes the perfect backdrop for a calm rest in a rocking chair or couch, away from the hustle and bustle of the parks.  While you’re here, be sure to make a trip to the Villas building to check out the Carolwood Pacific Railroad room—a small, cozy tribute to Walt Disney’s love of trains.  It’s filled with fun pieces of Disney history, and again makes and ideal spot for a quick (or long) rest.  The Wilderness Lodge is a peaceful ferry ride away from the Magic Kingdom.

2. Grand Floridian’s Gingerbread House

This is a life-size house made entirely of real gingerbread.  It’s quite something!  It stands in the lobby of the Grand Floridian Resort, right on the Magic Kingdom monorail line.  While Guests aren’t allowed inside the house, they can take pictures outside of it and admire its exterior detail all they like.  Cast Members sell all sorts of gingerbread items via one of the house’s windows.

1. Fort Wilderness

Fort Wilderness is one of my favorite Walt Disney World resorts because of its sheer versatility, and at no time is this more apparent than during the Christmas season.  Guests who are using Fort Wilderness as a campsite for their campers and RVs are allowed to set up their own decorations and lights—and they really pull out all the stops.  Wow!  Boy, are they worth making a special trip to see.  Lights, toys, inflatables, a Cinderella Castle made of gingerbread…you name it, someone probably has it.  It’s really quite something.  Being one of my favorite Disney experiences, the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue makes a wonderful compliment to a trip to see the campers’ lights.  The show even has some special Christmas elements throughout the program just for the holidays.  It makes for a great ending to a magical night.

What is YOUR favorite, out-of-the way holiday detail to check out when you are in Walt Disney World during the holidays?  Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Blake recently graduated from high school and has been surrounded by Disney literally since birth, having had a Mickey mobile in his crib.  Blake enjoys helping peers plan WDW vacations and writing for his Disney blog, BlakeOnline.com.

The post E.P.C.O.T. – Top 5 Out-of-the-Way Disney Holiday Spots appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Hi Everyone! WDW Radio’s “Christmas in July” is bringing us a lot of goodies. And speaking of treats, who doesn’t love a good gingerbread cookie? A few years ago, Disney posted one of the best recipes for gingerbread I have ever tasted. When I bake these, people always ask for the recipe. For this project, I am sharing the recipe with you, by way of a scrapbook-type page. I often do these kinds of “practical” crafts~crafts that can also be used for a specific purpose. Hopefully this will start a nice tradition of scrapping favorite recipes into your own family cookbook album or as an item to give friends. So, let’s get started, together!

I used the following (but definitely feel free to do a variation that fits your own theme):

• Glue Lines, tape runner (or similar permanent adhesive)
• 1 piece 8 1/2 x 11 Disney or other patterned scrapbook paper (or a piece of 12×12 scrapbook paper cut into 8 1/2 x 11)
• 1 plain Recipe Card (or you can use a stamp like I did, or a template like this)
• 1 Cookie Recipe. I’m using a Gingerbread Cookie Recipe from Disney’s Grand Floridian, link here (courtesy of Disney Parks).
• 1 Cookie Sheet embellishment template (I used one courtesy of Scrapbooks Etc., but you can also make your own)
• 1 piece 8 1/2 x 11 white cardstock
• 1 small gift card envelope to enclose full, detailed recipe (if desired)
• Scrap pieces of card stock in your choices of colors for Cookie Sheet and layering. I selected variations of Mickey Reds, artichoke green, browns and silvers.
• Disney Dimensional Mickey Alphabet Stickers by EK Success (#53-50001) or alphabet stickers of your choice
• Holiday photos of your choice (I have photos of a wreath, an ornament and cookies)
• Paper scissors and craft tweezers
• Decorative edging scissors. I’m using my Mickey edgers.

Instructions:

Let’s start by cutting out your cookie sheet template with the heart cookies and the rolling pin. This time, I am just cutting my papers around the template without outlining because they are so small. Next, I cut out little free-form icings out of white paper for the heart cookies. Affix the pieces all together and put aside.

Next, write a part of the recipe on your cards (here, I actually squeezed the whole thing in). If you have some excess space, use decorative edging scissor for a little bit of texture. I used my Mickey edgers to make a “spiral bound notebook” look. Layer this on top of some card stock. I cut mine with a 1/4 inch edge for the recipe card.

Take the full recipe if desired, and fold it into the gift card envelope and affix to the back side of the page with adhesive.

Then, affix the recipe cards, the cookie sheet and rolling pin to the 8 1/2 x 11 page anywhere you like, leaving room for other embellishments.

Select which holiday photo you would like to use. I ended up using a photo of the finished gingerbread cookies from a previous holiday I made them for. But you can use a wreath or an ornament photo, whatever you like to make it your own.

I wanted to play around with my images, so I cut the individual cookies out of the photo to make a large layering piece embellishment. Deconstructing and then reconstructing a photo is a great way to reframe how you see and display your images. There is no wrong way to do it. Let your imagination guide you. For me, the different sized circles of the cookies are perfect for this. I then rearranged my cookies and affixed them over an artichoke green colored card stock. I cut the paper around the cookies free form just to give them a hint of pop from the page. Add this under the recipe cards on whichever side. (Can you find the Hidden Mickey and/or Hidden Minnie I made from my cookies?)

Finally, take the alphabet stickers and create a title. I went with “let’s make gingerbread COOKIES”. What will you choose?

Now, preheat your oven and make some delicious Disney Gingerbread Cookies for your own “Christmas in July” !

Happy Crafting and Happy Baking!

Craft Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes for prep and assembly of Recipe Card page

Fran’s Notes:

~When working with small pieces of card stock and bits of adhesive, I like to use tweezers for more precision. EK Success “Bee” line and Martha Stewart Crafts make excellent tweezers.

~I like writing recipes in my own hand if I’m passing them along. It’s also fun if you let the kids write the recipes, too.

~ If you would like, you can use non-permanent adhesive, so your recipient can remove the recipe card (s) while baking or to put them in their own recipe box.

~This might be a nice idea to incorporate into a holiday cookie swap. Break out all your supplies along with the sugar, flour and eggs. Family (and friend) collaborations like this can become a cherished item to pass down or share with others.

Like so many of us, Fran Cassano’s life is sprinkled with Mickeys. From collecting Park brochures as a child, to creating ideas for her own Disney Fairy Tale Wedding, paper crafts have kept the magic of Disney a part of her everyday life. Fran invites us capture our own memories through Storyboarding your Life: Practically Perfect DISNEY Crafting… Break out the tools that have been gathering dust. And let’s figure out how, together!

The post Storyboarding Your Life: Practically Perfect DISNEY Crafting-Disney Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Page appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.