Showing posts with label disney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disney. Show all posts

Friday, 10 June 2016

Recent Trip!!

So I got back from my most recent Disney trip just over a month ago and have finally managed to post videos from the trip :)

Click here to view my video from Walt Disney World


And Click here to watch my video from our Disney Cruise! :D



Sunday, 20 March 2016

Get Ready With Me: Disneyland 60th


Click here to watch my latest video, get ready with me for a day at Disneyland celebrating the 60th Anniversary.

Sunday, 13 March 2016

Disney Cruise Line Tips


Click here to view my newest video where I talk through some tips for first time cruisers :)

Saturday, 27 February 2016

Disneyland 60th Haul


Click here to view my newest video showing all my souvenirs from my trip to Disneyland during the 60th anniversary celebrations.

Tuesday, 29 December 2015

My Top 10 Disney Songs

Recently on TV there have been a lot of top 10 Disney song things on and to be honest I haven't really agreed with any of them so I thought I would put together my own top 10 :)




Honorable mention, Dig a Little Deeper - The Princess & the Frog



This song didn't make my top 10, however I love the message of this song and the fact that this film brought Disney back into another era of good animated films after around a decade of questionable choices.

10) Frozen - Let it go



So this song had to make it up here, it's the biggest Disney song with children around the globe after being around for 2 years it's not lost it's impact.
The soundtrack to this film is amazing and though over hyped I can't help but sing along whenever the songs come on, especially in the Disney Parks, when this song comes on the whole audience joins in and I think that's a great thing.
I love Idina and her voice is just perfect for this and definitely makes all the difference, that note at the end is such a hard note to belt, I have nothing but admiration for her :)


9) Out There - Hunchback of Notre Dame



This film used to scare me to death when I was younger and to be honest that's not surprising when you consider the subject matter, however I think the soundtrack for this Disney film is one of the best, not particularly uplifting, however the music throughout the soundtrack is broadway ready with great chorus numbers as well as solos and I would love to see this on stage.
I love a number of the songs from this film, god help the outcasts is such a lovely song, however this is the song that makes my hair stand on end.


8) I Won't Say (I'm in Love) - Hercules



This is another film with what I would call an unappreciated soundtrack, there isn't a song in the movie I can think of that I don't love, and this is by far my favourite.
The film itself is really clever and funny and Meg is one of my favourite female characters in a Disney film.
I remember being younger and pretending to be meg dancing around singing this song while hopping over imaginary rocks and singing with imaginary muses. It's just one of those songs that I've always appreciated on some level, whether for the tune or for the lyrics or for the character singing it.


7) Part of Your World - Little Mermaid & I See the Light - Tangled


Okay so I just figured out I still have 8 songs left on my list so joint 7th place it is for these 2 as I couldn't just cut one out!!!


Part of your world is just one of those songs you can't help but sing along to, it just makes you feel like a mermaid who brushes her hair with a fork and what could be better than that I ask you?!


I love Tangled, it's my joint favourite Disney animated film, I love the story, I love the characters, I love that it was the first proper Disney musical in what felt like forever (I'm sorry but princess and the frog was just a film with songs it's not the same), I love that Alan Menken came back and wrote the music for it and I love the lantern scene more than any other scene in any other Disney film.
This song is just perfect for that moment, and this duet between the two main love interests is also perfect.



6) Circle of Life - The Lion King



Is anyone's Disney top 10 complete without a song from Lion King, this song is the most iconic movie opening song that I can think of, it just completely sets the scene and feel for the whole movie.
Elton John did an amazing job with the music for these songs and the Lyrics by Tim Rice are perfect.
To be honest I do prefer the musical version of this song to the film version as I just think it's a lot more powerful but both are great pieces of music.


5) When You Wish Upon a Star - Pinocchio



No song feels more like Disney than this song, from the opening of every film when I was younger those few bars would come on and you knew it was time to watch a great film.
Now that I am older this song has even more meaning to me, it reminds me of my time working in Walt Disney World as this song is the basis for Wishes which is my favourite nighttime spectacular at any Disney park I've visited.


4) Friend Like Me - Aladdin



For me this movie was made by Robin Williams, without his Genie I truly don't think this movie would have been as brilliant as it is. I love the characterization in this song and think it brings the soundtrack to life.
I think the soundtrack of the whole film is really good and I can't wait to see the musical version when it opens in the west end in 2016 :)



3) Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious - Mary Poppins



Mary Poppins is one of those films that is loved by so many and for good reason the songs are amazing and the story speaks to all ages. There are so many songs to choose from but this is my favourite from them all, it's so fun to sing along to and to say :)



2) Colors of the Wind - Pocahontas



Pocahontas is my favourite Disney film of all time, I've loved it since I first saw it in the cinema when I was 2 years old! (over 20 years ago)
I love this song, I love the meaning behind it and the lyrics and the tune and the animation. It's just beautiful :)



1) I'll Make a Man Out of You - Mulan



I just love this song, it's so fun to sing along to, it's fun to do all the voices, it's just fun and that is why it tops my list :)



What are your favourite Disney songs? Do you agree with my top 10?

Monday, 3 August 2015

Disneyland Trip!!

So with less than a month to go until my trip to Disneyland, I thought I would share with you my Disneyland to do list :)


  • Watch Soundsational


I love Soundsational, I still love it more than Festival of Fantasy, although that could be because I haven't seen it since seeing FOF... so I'm excited to live up to my memories of it.


  • Watch World of Color



Again I love World of Color, and I'm really excited to see what they have done with the show for the Diamond Celebration :)


  • Watch Paint the Night


I'm so excited to see this new parade, it looks so colourful and fun :D


  • Watch Disneyland Forever


Fireworks are my favourite thing about the Disney parks, and a combination between them and projections sounds great, I'm also excited to see it from different points around the park to see how the experience varies.


  • Ride the Matterhorn
Last time I went to Disneyland they were refurbishing Matterhorn so I never got to ride it, so it is a definite must do this time.


  • Watch Aladdin


I love this mini musical, it's so well put together and as I still haven't got around to seeing the actual broadway production (fingers crossed it will make it's way to the West End soon) so this is a pretty good substitute.


  • Ride Big Thunder Mountain
Again this is another ride that was down for refurbishment on my last visit, I want to see how it differs from the versions at WDW and DLP.


  • Go on Soarin'


With the new HD show and the area around being re-themed I'm excited to see all the changes.


  • Ride Radiator Springs Racers


I love this ride, the theming of it is amazing and even though it's slower than it's Epcot counterpart, I think it's much better.


  • Visit Trader Sams
Last time I visited Disneyland I was only 20, so I wasn't old enough to go and experience the cocktails but this time I am and I'm excited to try them :)


  • Character breakfast at Storytellers Cafe
I love a good character breakfast, and from what I can tell this place will offer some rare characters to meet.


  • Walk in Walt's Footsteps
This is by far the thing I'm most excited for, visiting the apartment where Walt stayed during the construction of Disneyland will probably bring a few tears to my eye.

Oh and of course we will be doing a 24 hour challenge when we're out there with a mix of old challenges with new challenges for Disneyland :)

Is there anything else you think I need to do when I visit? Any hints or tips for navigating the parks?

Friday, 12 June 2015

My Favourite Places to Eat in... Epcot



Now if there's one thing Epcot is not short of it's places to eat, but where's the best place to grab a bite when you've got the whole world to choose from, here are my favourite places to eat.

Breakfast
Now I have to be honest, I've only eaten breakfast at Epcot once but it was a very nice experience. It was at Akershus in Norway, as with Magic kingdom there are reservations available before the park opens, so this is a great way to see a very quiet Epcot. The buffet itself is very different to the other buffet breakfasts available at WDW, there is a lot more of a European continental feel, which being Norway makes sense. It's also a great experience for young and old princess' alike, you get to meet 5 princess' in total, which is well worth the time saved queuing to meet them, plus you get a free photo included in your meal price with Belle :)













Lunch
Now I don't really do lunch at Epcot either, I'd rather have some snacks from around the world, but there are a few quick service places I would recommend for a quick bite.

UK Pavillion
The chip shop in the UK pavillion is a great shout for quick service, especially if you're craving some proper chips not fries, the seating area outside looks over the lagoon and it a lovely place to sit and relax for a while.



USA
The quick service in America is another great place to eat for quick service with sandwiches and general lunchtime food.

Japan
Katsura grill in the Japanese pavillion is a nice stop off around the world, I love teriyaki chicken, and it's good for something a little bit different.


Snacks
The best part of a day in Epcot is definitely the snacks my top place to head is Germany to Karamell Kuche I have loved Werthers sweets as long as I can remember and this is caramel heaven :)


Some of my favourite picks are the brownie, cookie and the chocolate pretzel sticks :)

Another great place to stop off is the France Pavillion and L'Artisan des Glaces, the ice cream is amazing :)

If you're happy venturing outside the park then you should take a quick trip to the beach club and visit beaches and cream, home of the kitchen sink. Now I'm not sure we can technically class this as a snack, but ice cream isn't really a meal so... snack it is.



8 of us couldn't finish it, so... good luck :']

Dinner
My favourite place for dinner in Epcot is Coral Reef, the food is really nice but the location is what makes it my fave. Located next to the seas, one wall of the restaurant is a giant fish tank, so while you're eating you can watch sharks and giant turtles swimming around. One of the best food items is the coconut-mango chiffon cake, it is delicious and light too which is great after a big meal :)




Another good place to eat, although a little pricey, is Le Cellier in the Canadian Pavillion. Le Cellier is a steakhouse and serves up many different cuts served in different ways, when I went we ordered the largest steak, which I remember being about $64, although I have just looked on the menu on the website and can no longer see it :( It was huge, I ended up leaving a fillet steak size piece because I couldn't finish it. Another great thing about this restaurant is the bread :'], you get pretzel bread and it is delicious!




So there we have it, my favourite places to eat in Epcot, I've not eaten too many meals at this park, but the few that I have had were all great and I can't wait to explore more of the dining options on my next visit to Walt Disney World.
Where are your favourite places to eat in and around Epcot??

Sunday, 3 May 2015

The Disney Tag

Click here to watch the video.



1. A scene in any Disney movie you wish you could experience.

2. An unforgettable experience/moment you've had at the parks.

3. What none Disney song/s bring back memories of Disney and/or the Parks?

4. When was the first time you went to a Disney Park?

5. If you could choose any of the characters to be your best friend who would you choose?

6. Who are your favourite Disney Princess'?

7. Name a scene/moment in any Disney movie that never fails to make you cry.

8. What is the first Disney movie that you remember seeing?

9. What is your favourite Disney movie?

Friday, 17 April 2015

Why I love Disney...



One of the questions I get asked so much in my life is "Why do you love Disney, isn't it just for kids?". The majority of people who ask me this have never been to a Disney park, so I want to explain why I love Disney.

The Parks






The Disney parks are what I love the most about Disney, don't get me wrong I love the films and the music and the characters, but Disney parks bring all that together, along with so much more. 
I first visited a Disney park in the summer of 2013 when I participated in the International College Program, I didn't really know what to expect when I went, I've loved Disney films my whole life and I was really excited to see what it would be like, but I had no idea I would fall in love with the place as much as I did.
Living and working at Walt Disney World was everything I hoped and so much more, I made friends who I hope will last a lifetime, and experienced so many new things. Walt Disney World honestly feels like a second home to me now, and going back there just makes me remember all the good times I've had, and excited for all the memories I can make.
Being in a Disney park is like being in a bubble, everything is clean and everyone (more is less) is friendly and happy. Cast members will go out of their way to make your day special, from a smile and a wave, to the odd magical moment, greeting your children as princess' or space rangers and helping out in anyway that they can. 
You can become you inner child and no one will judge you, wearing Minnie ears while meeting your favourite princess is just as acceptable at the age of 3, as it is at the age of 53.




The shows and parades are spectacles that make you smile, the rides aren't for the thrill seekers of the world, but they are so well themed and the stories behind them mixed with the nostalgia make them just as good as the fastest roller-coasters in my book.
The resorts offer service that I've never experienced at any other hotel I've stayed in.  
It really is not just a place for kids, there's plenty for adults to do, from fine dining, spa's, golf courses, drinking around the world. 
I've spent over 3 months worth of time at Walt Disney World over the last 2 years and there is still so much that I still haven't done, parks that I still haven't visited (Typhoon Lagoon). My short trips to Disneyland and Disneyland Paris even though they are much small resorts, there is still plenty I haven't done and there are still resorts I haven't visited in destinations I've always wanted to see.

The Films
The first film I ever saw in a cinema was Pocahontas, I loved watching Sleeping Beauty and Snow White as a child. As I got older I watched more and more films, some classics I never even properly watched until I was in my teens. Pirates of the Carribean are films me and my family loved to go to the cinema to watch together, people forget that Disney don't just make animated films, Mary Poppins, The Princess Diaries, Alice in Wonderland and lets not forget that the Walt Disney company now own Marvel and LucasFilm and some people also don't seem to realise that Disney has owned Pixar since 2006 and has been involved with the studio since before Toy Story was released. 


Everything else
Disney own the Disney channel and Disney junior but they also own ESPN and the abc channels in america and have produced many well loved shows such as Lost, Grey's Anatomy, Scrubs, Ugly Betty, Once upon a time...
All of which I love and there are so many more.
Disney musicals are some of the best loved musicals going, the main one being the Lion King which is still hugely successful on Broadway and the West end and has been going for over 15 years.
I went on my first Disney Cruise in 2014, and it was my first ever cruise, and I loved it, the Disney bubble at sea and getting to visit new countries. Castaway Cay is the Disney bubble on an island it was great, and I can't wait to plan my next Disney Cruise.


So when people ask my why I love Disney, really what's not to love? There is so much going on in that company, that at some point everyone in their life has probably loved Disney in one way or another. Is it just for kids? No way, the whole point of the Disney parks when Walt first opened Disneyland was somewhere that families could enjoy together, something that wasn't just for kids or adults, but for all ages. I personally think that the parks do that and so does everything else that they do. 
The people I have met through Disney and the memories I have made being in Disney parks, watching Disney films with friends and family, laughing and crying at TV shows are all the reasons I love Disney.
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