This question–what event could I actually compete in–is one I have considered since I was a child, watching Dorothy Hamill win gold.  The options have constricted on me a bit.  It was a bitter pill to realize that at the age of 7 I was probably too “old” to realistically try figure skating competitively.   The badminton court I established on my front lawn never did much for me.  Running cross country in high school was a painful chore.  At this point in my life, I feel my only Olympic options left are archery (I have trouble threading a needle, so I am not sure that’s a good choice) and curling (again, there is a certain aiming skill I just don’t have…)

So…. I have decided, after many years of being an unfulfilled Olympian, to think outside the box.  Why not make our OWN Olympics? A DISNEY Olympics.  It will be an international event that allows us all to feel that champion inside.  And make no mistake–there will NOT be any “traditional” Olympic events involved.  With apologies to “Coach” Happy and the WDW Radio Running Team–you have your runDisney events.  This Disney  Olympics is for those of us who have unique Disney theme park “talents” and DO NOT want to run (or jump, or hurdle, or complete a two-and-a-half inverse pike while eating a Power Bar.)

I have seen guests who could undoubtedly medal in Strategic Parade Seating, Effective Toy Story Mania FastPass Procurement, and Clever Use of Dining Plan Snack credits.   I’m pretty sure we know a certain lovable podcaster who would medal in multiple culinary events within the Disney parks.  As for me, I am holding our hope that I can win gold in Finding a Seat at Casey’s While Balancing Three Kids’ Meals.  I’ve been working on that one for years and think I have a good strategy in place!

So join me, my wanna-be Olympians and my wanna-be Imagineers:  what unique Disney talents do YOU have that should be made into a Disney Olympic event?  Share your thoughts in the comments below…and enjoy these last few nights of the amazing London 2012 Games.

The post Wanna Be Imagineers: Let’s Create a DISNEY Olympics appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Hi Everyone! Did you know that there is a huge connection to Disney and the Olympics? John Hench crafted gorgeous sculptures and the landmark torch for the 1960 Winter Games in Squaw Valley~a Disney production from opening to closing ceremonies. Animator Bob Moore created the adorable Sam the Olympic Eagle for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Sam graced quite a bit of my favorite items from that year.

With this year’s Summer Olympics in full swing and all the talk about upcoming Walt Disney World runDisney events, I wanted to create something special for all of you under my Storyboarding Your Life subheading. Here is my Olympic-themed tribute to the WDW Radio Running Team as a Digital Layout.

I created this layout using PowerPoint. I love PowerPoint for digital projects because it offers so many similar effects without the complexity (or cost) of Adobe’s Photoshop. I also like that the slides are the same size as 8 1/2 x 11~which has fast become my layout size of choice for printing and storing purposes. But, most of all, if you know how to insert a photo or image into Word, you are on your way to becoming an expert digital scrapbooker.

To get you started on your own digital scrapbook page, here are a few tips when using PowerPoint:

• Start with a New Slide, click Layout, then select Blank.
• To Insert photos, clip art or other images: click the Insert tab, then click Picture (just like you would in Word).
• I like to insert most (or all) of my images onto the slide.
• You can even crop your images within PowerPoint by using the Format tab and clicking Crop. In the first demo image with Lou, I began cropping the photo.
• Here is how you change the size of the images. When your images are “highlighted” on the slide, drag and pull the circles and boxes on the sides and the green ball at the top (which reminds me of the antenna of the Green Aliens from Toy Story). In the next demo image with Lou, I use red arrows to show you what to look for and what it looks like after you’ve tilted the green ball.
• To add a colorful background, you can click the Design tab and select your favorite color palette(s).
• I like the “get lost” in trying out the different tabs and options. You can always click Undo, but it’s best to just have fun with it.

Pretty soon, you’ll be going for Gold!

Happy (Digital) Crafting!

(Squaw Valley and Sam the Olympic Eagle images courtesy of D23; WDW Radio Running Team photos courtesy of WDW Radio Running  Team Facebook page)

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 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: WDW Radio Running Team Digital Layout appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

In the midst of my excitement over watching the London Games, I have been wondering how one could combine their love of the Olympics with a vacation to the most magical place on earth.  Here are some ideas…

1. Fulfill the Olympic Motto: Citius Altius, Fortius (Swifter, Higher, Stronger)

• Swifter: Take a ride on the Rock’n Roller Coaster, and experience the swift 0-60MPH take off in your limousine and imagine you are racing down the track in record time, just like Lolo Jones.
• Higher: Jump in line for the Tower of Terror and experience the free fall a pole vaulter faces after breaking an Olympic record.
• Stronger: Show your inner strength by pulling off a dawn-midnight, 4-parks-in-one-day experience.  No naps. No swimming… NO FAST PASSES… GO GO GO!!  Channel your inner Ryan Lochte and see how Disney strong you are!

2. Carb Up: Michael Phelps–and many other Olympic swimmers–often explain that their daily diet involves upwards of 6000 calories in order to support their arduous training regimen.  So, embrace your inner athlete, and take yourself to Il Mulino and have a massive bowl of pasta (or two or three).  Or stop at one of those all-you-can-eat buffets, like Trail’s End or Ohana and see how many carbs you can inhale.

3. Watch Your Diet!  Not all Olympic athletes have that immense diet.  If you want to channel your inner 83-pound gymnast, try the lighter side at  Sunshine Seasons and select some lo-calorie options from the collection of restaurants.

4. Be Golden.  Take a quiet stroll through the Art of Animation lobby and examine the Academy Awards that the Disney has earned.   After contemplating Walt’s achievements, walk purposefully into one of the gift shops and take your picture with one of the Mickey Mouse “Academy Award” statues.  Imagine the national anthem being played as you smile with pride!

5. Enjoy the Beauty of the Flame: As the Disney Parks blog suggested, there are many opportunities to experience the beauty of flames.  From the American Adventure to the IllumiNations spectacular, you can imagine that you are in London, contemplating the beauty of the Olympic cauldron and its symbolic message of peace.

6. Embrace the International Spirit  Just as important as the spirit of competition in the Olympics, is the mission of international cooperation and respect.  Grab your PowerAde and head to “”it’s a small world” and sing along with the children.  You can envision yourself at the Olympic closing ceremony, walking among the athletes of the world, smiling with pride and hopefulness for a brighter tomorrow.

7. Pin Trading!  Well before there was pin trading and pin collecting in Disney, the tradition of exchanging Olympic pins was a well-established tradition among Olympic athletes in the Olympic Village.  As a way of getting to know other athletes,pin trading developed in the Olympic village.  So get out there and meet your other “would-be” athletes t a pin-trading station.  Maybe you can even find a Disney Olympic pin (watch for next week’s Collector’s Corner blog!)

8. Take in a Parade Nothing beats the spectacle and beauty of an Olympic opening ceremony.  The parade of nations is the centerpiece of the pageantry.  So, settle yourself on Main Street USA and enjoy an afternoon or evening parade.

9. Show your national pride If you want to show your love for your home nation, take a stroll around the World Showcase and stop in your favorite nation’s pavilion.   Grab some logo gear and wear it around the promenade as you mingle with the cast members from other nations.  Alternatively, if you are a Team USA fan, check out MuppetVision 3D and cheer as Sam the Eagle makes his salute to all nations… “but mostly America.”

10. Be inspired–and keep moving forward!  If nothing else, both the Olympics and Disney are works of inspiration… and both inspire others to believe in the beauty in life and the importance of cooperation.  Go to the American Adventure… or Soarin’…. Watch Illuminations… or Wishes.  And take in a deep breath, look around you and smile for all the riches we have.    While you are smiling and feeling positive, make a plan to “keep moving forward.”  Why not register yourself and a friend for a runDisney event?  Stop at Guest Services and put in a good word for a cast member who went the extra mile.  Or how about buying a Mickey pop for the frazzled mom sitting on the sidewalk waiting for the parade?   There are so many ways you can spread that inspiration and represent both the Olympic ideal and the Disney magic.  And in that way, you would be an Olympian–of the Disney spirit.

What ideas do you have for making a Disney vacation an “Olympic” experience?  Share your thoughts below!

The post Ten Ways Have an “Olympic” Disney Vacation appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

I’ll open up the inbox and answer more of your listener emails this week on topics such as Walt Disney and the Olympics, “date night” in Walt Disney World without the kids, hidden tributes in the parks, the Utilidors, Port Orleans, unused passes, in-room dining and much more!

Walt Disney World is all about making dreams come true, and special moments that remain timeless. And during our visits, parents, grandparents, husbands and wives, and nervous young men about to propose look for ways to makes vacation experiences, or even individual moments or occasions even more magical. And you may not know this, but there is a team of people behind-the-scenes at Walt Disney World whose job it is to do just that – help create those special memories with some very unique gifts and experiences.

I’ll have some announcements at the end of the show before playing more of your voicemails, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show.

You can email the show or call the voicemail TOLL FREE at 888-703-2171.

Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

INFORMATION AND LINKS FROM THIS WEEK’S SHOW

Disney Florist

Disney Event Group

Pacific Nortwest MouseMeet

The post Show # 162 – March 21, 2010 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.