Walt Disney World - New Fantasyland ~ A Dream Come True in The Magic Kingdom

I have been to Walt Disney World many times. Each time my family visits there is something new and special to experience. That said, our last visit was by far the most magical of all of them! My two daughters and I had the opportunity to attend the Grand Opening of New Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom and I have to say, I now know what it's like to live inside a fairytale! 

There are two new castles..yes, TWO!! The first one is Beast's Castle and it is breathtaking! The details of the Castle and Be Our Guest Restaurant are beyond description. As you walk down the bridge toward the entry of the restaurant you are immediately transported into the world of Belle and the Beast and their beautiful love story. Cast members in Royal attire welcome you into the Castle and the movie comes to life as you pass by the gargoyles, suits of armor, and beautiful stained glass art work. 

Be Our Guest Restaurant is magnificent! There are three themed dining rooms: The West Wing ..darkly lit and complete with the Rose and portrait of the Beast as a prince, The Rose Gallery with large twirling figures of Belle and Beast as the centerpiece of the room, and the Ballroom. The Ballroom is the main dining area of the restaurant and is an exact replica of the ballroom where Belle and Beast danced and fell in love. Large twinkling chandeliers hang from the ornately decorated domed ceiling and the windows ..oh, the windows..I admit I cried when I saw them! I could've stared at the snow falling outside those windows for hours..it is one of those magical Disney touches that leaves you feeling like you are part of the fairytale..and speaking of being part of a fairytale..You really do get to be part of one in Enchanted Tales with Belle! You enter Maurice's workshop and an enchanted mirror takes you through a doorway to Beast's expansive library where Belle and Lumiere invite guests to be part of retelling the "tale as old as time. ( I don't want to post too many pictures of this experience..this magic is such a wonderful surprise for both children and parents) 

Not far from Beast's castle is Belle's Village. There you can shop at Bonjour Village Gifts, grab a bite to eat and have a sip of "LeFou's Brew" at Gaston's Tavern, or take a break and rest near the bronze statue fountain of Gaston and his trusty sidekick LeFou! Bonjour! Village gifts offers uniquely themed merchandise. I purchased one of the beautiful Beauty & the Beast wine glass but have my sights set on a full set of dishes the next time I visit! 

The second castle is Prince Eric's from the Little Mermaid. As you enter the castle you see that the detail here is just as amazing as in Beast's. Seashells are embedded into the walls and into the ground along your path to board your giant clam shell and journey under the sea with Ariel and her friends! The colorful underwater scenes are straight out of the movie and we found ourselves singing along to all of the classic songs from the soundtrack that are playing throughout the ride! You can meet Ariel and have your picture taken in Ariel's Grotto in this new area as well.

You don't want to miss the Storybook Circus section in New Fantasyland! Inspired by Disney's classic character Dumbo, Storybook Circus has big colorful circus tents and a new interactive queue area. Your kids can play and entertain themselves while waiting to ride one of 2 Dumbo the Flying Elephant aerial adventures! ( It's also the perfect spot for a tired Mommy to sit and relax a bit)  Also in this area you'll find The Barnstormer, a fun roller coaster that's great for all ages, Casey Jr. Splash 'n' Soak Station  , here you can cool off with Casey's "steam" and enjoy monkeys, elephants, and camels spraying water, and Pete's Silly Sideshow where you can meet and take photos with Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy!! 

As if all of that wasn't fabulous enough, Disney Parks will be adding more to New Fantasyland with Princess Fairytale Hall in 2013 and the Seven Dwarves Mine Train in 2014!! New Fantasyland far exceeded my expectations and I am already looking forward to my next trip there! ( In February in case you were wondering! :) I can't wait to go back, there is always a magical experience to be had, new details to be discovered, and special memories to be made! 

For more information about New Fantasyland visit http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/new-fantasyland/ and to book your Disney World vacation visit http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

*Disclosure ~ big thanks to Disney Social Media for inviting me to attend this special media event. Travel, resort stay, special events, and branded merchandise were included in my visit. I was not asked at anytime to post about New Fantasyland. All opinions are my own**

New Disney Live Action Shorts ~ Smackerels featuring Winnie the Pooh

From the character artists and producers at Disney Consumer Products comes a new series of shorts created to celebrate "feel-good" moments with Disney's classic character, Winnie the Pooh. Both nostalgic and popular, Pooh and his friends are timeless Disney icons that continue to drive the development of high quality products, books and mobile apps aimed to inspire imaginations through innovative and engaging experiences.

The bite-sized Smackerel videos deliver thoughtful, uplifting messages for fans of all ages. Named after Pooh's word to describe a snack or small amount of honey these adorable Winnie the Pooh Smackerels feature our favorite silly plush bear using live action puppetry with his trusted friends to deliver happy, simple thoughts, sure to brighten your day. Take a look: http://bit.ly/SmackerelVideos ! Four of the six videos launch this week featuring themes such as, "It's so much friendlier with two" and "Accidents – you never have them till you're having them."

In addition to the Smackerel animated shorts, Pooh and friends make an appearance in an assortment of new products this fall. Kids will jump for joy with Bounce Bounce Tigger from Just Play (MSRP $39.99), the dancing, shimmying and rocking version of the loveable character from Winnie the Pooh who plays his signature theme song to the tune of a classic hip hop hit song. Families can also enjoy The Tigger Movie Bounce-A-Rrrific Special Edition Blu-ray™/DVD Combo available now!. For expecting parents, Disney Baby's new "Peeking Pooh" nursery collection features cute and cuddly products to celebrate those magical moments with baby. And to round out the Winnie the Pooh offering, a free app series will launch this October, allowing parents and toddlers to connect with Pooh in the Hundred Acre Wood through an interactive experience of bright colors, sounds, and action.

You can find more videos at www.YouTube.com/DisneyLiving.

To celebrate the release of these Winnie the Pooh Smackerels, Macaroni Kid is giving away a collection of items from the nostalgic and popular Winnie the Pooh collection! The giveaway includes the following:

·       -Bounce Bounce Tigger plush toy
·       -The Tigger Movie Bounce-A-Rrrific Special Edition Blu-ray DVD, newly released at retail
·       -Winnie the Pooh Storybook Colleciton
·       -Pooh and Friends Cotton Swabs
·       -Winnie the Pooh: What’s a bear to do? Puzzle Book App (download codes will be provided)

To ENTER - Comment below with your favorite Winnie the Pooh character and why they're your fave! One lucky reader will be drawn at random and announced in next week's newsletter! Must be a subscriber to be eligible! Good Luck and Have a "Hunny" of a day!! :)

Back to School with Crest and Oral B

Back to School time is a perfect time to revamp and reestablish schedules and routines with your kids. Crest and Oral-B are helping to encourage healthy oral care habits in children and Tweens with their new Oral -B for Me line. I had a chance to attend the Crest and Oral-B Back to School launch event in NYC this past week and  listened to celebrity Mom Jennie Garth and Dentist/Orthodontist Dr. Jennifer Salzer speak about the benefits of healthy oral habits and the new products that Crest and Oral-B are introducing to make it a cinch for Moms and kids to keep up with proper oral care. Brushing shouldn't be a chore and with Crest and Oral -B for Me products proper oral care is easier and fun for kids. Oral-B's Rechargeable toothbrush has a 2 minute timer that lets kids know exactly how long they should be brushing. The Rechargeable toothbrush is a must for any child with orthodontics..getting into those hard to reach areas where food may get stuck. There's also the Crest Pro Health For Me "Swish the Gunk Out" Anti-cavity fluoride rinse too to help get all the well,.....gunk out !! Crest's new Pro-Health For Me toothpaste is flavored with a mild mint specifically with tweens in mind. Not as strong as adult toothpaste and not a sweet as the toothpaste available to the younger set. Speaking of toothpaste for the younger set..Crest Pro-Health Stages has a new Jake and the Neverland Pirates berry flavored toothpaste just for your little ones! Be sure to check out the Oral-B stages toothbrushes ( with fun new characters) too..broken down by stages of dental development you're sure to find the right toothbrush for any age.  Crest and Oral-B feel that if you give kids their own products they are more likely to take pride and responsibility in their oral care. And, don't forget , when your kids see you taking care of yourself and your oral hygiene they will do the same.

Disney Pictures The Odd Life Of Timothy Green - Review

I had the opportunity to see an advanced screening of  Disney Pictures The Odd Life of Timothy Green  last week. Oh my gosh, I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved this movie!! Set in the old fashioned fictional town of Stanleyville, PA it's the story of couple Jim and Cindy Green ( played by Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Garner) who are unable to have children of their own. They write down all of the characteristics they would have loved their child to have, put it in a box, bury it in the ground, and with sadness decide to move forward. That night after a big storm, 10 year old Timothy appears magically..with leaves on his legs and tells them that they are his Mom & Dad. Incredulous, they realize that Timothy is the child of their dreams and they are suddenly thrust into world of parenthood. 

Worried that people may not understand that he is different, they decide it's best to hide his leaves under a pair of socks ( which, he wears all of the time..even swimming). Timothy can't hide his wonderful uniqueness though and it attracts the attention of everyone he comes into contact with. There are  important inspiring lessons taught in this movie and as a parent to four children they really resonated with me. I want to teach my children to embrace their differences and to be accepting of others and The Odd Life of Timothy Green showcases the beauty in doing so. I laughed and cried as I watched Timothy and the Greens create their family. Jennifer Garner & Joel Edgerton perfectly capture all of the insecurities, mistakes, and emotions we as parents experience with our own children. CJ Adams is funny and charming as Timothy and will have you falling in love with him from the minute you meet him on screen. The Odd Life of Timothy Green is a MUST see. Much like Timothy when he stretches his arms out to take in the sunlight, you will leave this movie with a heart warming, spirit lifting realization of what is truly the most important thing in life...Love and embracing your own light. The Odd Life of Timothy Green opens on August 15th. To hear more about the movie find them on Facebook and Follow on Twitter  and go to the official page at http://disney.go.com/the-odd-life-of-timothy-green/cast.html. 

Marvel Super Hero Takeover - Let the adventures begin!

Marvel's Avengers are assembling in the #1 online world for kids Club Penguin beginning June 14 (through July 3).   The "Marvel Super Hero Takeover" will be the biggest event in the history of the #1 virtual world for kids.  It's the first time Club Penguin will bring an outside franchise into the world.

A meteor has hit the island of Club Penguin, powering up the dangerous Destructobot. Players can choose to suit up as one of 14 Marvel Super Heroes or Super-Villains, including Avengers characters such as Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, and Thor, as well as the mischievous Super-Villain Loki.

“Everyone wants to feel special and believe that they can do something that no one else can do. That optimism is what drives both Club Penguin and the Marvel story lines and characters,” said Lane Merrifield, co-founder of Club Penguin and executive vice president of Disney Interactive Worlds. “Club Penguin and Marvel characters are the perfect match, and I'm sure our players will love it!”

“Bringing our worlds together marks a major milestone for both Marvel and Club Penguin,” said Rob Steffens, Executive Vice President of Marvel Entertainment. “Reactions from the fans are already tremendous, and we’re thrilled that we’re able to bring Marvel and Club Penguin together for such an epic event.”

Kids can dress up as Marvel Super Heroes (Thor, Hulk, Iron Man, etc!) or Super-Villains, join teams to defend or defeat the evil Destructobot, explore the superhero headquarters, etc. A fun Father’s Day activity for kids and Dads this weekend to dress up as their favorite Marvel super heroes and fight crime together in Club Penguin or just a fun way for kids to transform into their favorite super hero after seeing The Avengers movie earlier this summer! 

As part of The Marvel Super Hero Takeover event, players can:

·         Choose to dress up as Marvel Super Heroes, Super-Villains or civilians

·         Explore the island, which has been transformed to include new destinations such as a bank, jail, and a superhero headquarters

·         Join teams to decide whether to defend or defeat the evil Destructobot

·         Meet Aunt Arctic, the news reporter and editor-in-chief for the Penguin Times, the Club Penguin Island newspaper.  She’ll be keeping a close eye on the battle of Super Heroes and Super-Villains around the island

Super Heroes and Super Villains wanted. Visit http://www.clubpenguin.com/marvel and let the adventures begin.

About Club Penguin
Club Penguin (www.clubpenguin.com) is the #1 virtual world for children. Club Penguin works to maintain a fun and safe online entertainment experience by using filtering technology and live moderators. The award-winning virtual world of Club Penguin contains no third-party advertising and is free to use and enjoy, however a subscription membership provides access to additional features that enhance the play experience. Club Penguin, headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, is enjoyed by children around the world, and can be played in English, German, Portuguese, French and Spanish.
 
About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years.  Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing.  For more information, visithttp://www.marvel.com. 

 

Meet Pocket Frenz

POCKET FRENZ IS THE BRAINCHILD OF LOCAL HUSBAND/WIFE DESIGN TEAM MARNI & JASON HEFTER.  MARNI HAS OVER A DECADE OF EXPERIENCE IN FASHION DESIGN IN NEW YORK, MILAN AND LOS ANGELES — SHE  GIVES POCKET FRENZ ITS UNIQUE DESIGN SENSE.  JASON HAS BEEN A FREELANCE SCREEN AND TELEVISION WRITER FOR 13 YEARS, WORKING FOR THE LIKES OF DISNEY, WARNER BROS. AND NICKELODEON — HE IS IN CHARGE OF CREATING POCKET FRENZ ORIGINAL CHARACTERS (YOU CAN SEE CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS AT: http://www.pocketfrenz.com/yourfrenz.html )

INSPIRED BY THEIR CHILDREN'S STRUGGLES WITH SOCIAL AND SEPARATION ANXIETY, POCKET FRENZ IS DESIGNED TO MAKE SURE KIDS FEEL THE COMFORTS OF HOME WHEREVER THEY GO.

MANY CHILDREN'S LINES DESIGN FOR THE PARENTS (AS THEY ARE THE ONES WITH THE PURCHASING POWER).  FOR BETTER OR WORSE, POCKET FRENZ WILL ALWAYS DESIGN FOR THE CHILDREN.  THEY WANT TO CREATE WHAT KIDS WANT TO WEAR. OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR FRIENDS MAKE UP OUR BRUTALLY HONEST AND EXTREMELY PICKY DESIGN FOCUS GROUP.

POCKET FRENZ ARE MADE ENTIRELY IN THE USA (DESIGNED IN EAST QUOGUE, PRINTED IN SHIRLEY, PRODUCED IN BROOKLYN)

PROVIDING COMFORT THROUGH TACTILITY IS ONE OF THEIR MAIN FOCUSES. AS SUCH THEY USE ONLY THE HIGHEST QUALITY KNITS AND THE MOST CHILD FRIENDLY FABRICS. 

THEY BELIEVE NO CHILD SHOULD EVER FEEL ALONE OR BE WITHOUT A FRIEND… WITH POCKET FRENZ, KIDS HAVE A FRIEND IN EVERY POCKET. YOUR CHILD'S TOYS WILL NEVER BE LOST AS THEIR FRENZ ARE BUILT RIGHT INTO THE CLOTHES!

POCKET FRENZ HOODIES ARE PERFECT FOR NIGHT-TIME BEACH PARTIES, RAINY DAYS AND BACK TO SCHOOL

BE ON THE LOOK OUT TOO FOR MORE POCKET FRENZ FUN! THEY ARE CURRENTLY EXPANDING TO A 60 PIECE SPORTSWEAR COLLECTION OF MULTI-TACTILE T-SHIRTS, SHORTS, MUSCLE-T'S AND SKIRTS FOR THE ENK CHILDREN'S SHOW IN AUGUST AT THE JAVITS' CENTER. 

POCKET FRENZ: TURNING SHY KIDZ INTO ROCKSTARS SINCE 2012!

18 Summers...Make those Memories While You Can

18 Summers...do you realize that is all we really have to enjoy time with our children..free from school, homework, hectic schedules..it really doesn't sound like a lot of time now does it? This past April when I attended the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration I had the opportunity to listen to Amy Foster from Disney Parks Consumer Insights as she spoke about forging lifetime family bonds through vacationing experiences. Disney helps you to do just that..creating an escape and a place where families can have shared fun. Having vacationed at Walt Disney World many times I found myself agreeing with everything she was saying.."you can be a kid with your kids", "kids can experience things at Disney that they don't have in their everyday life", "you can disconnect and transport to another place and time"..but the thing that resonated the most with me was when she spoke of  "18 Summers". As I listened to her speak about how we really only have 18 summers with our children I became teary as it hit me...I am approaching my 17th summer with my oldest son! Next year he will be a senior in High School and soon after off to college..I blinked and here we are, preparing ourselves to send him on his way out into the world. How did that sneak up on me so fast?

I cannot even begin to count the wonderful memories we have collected over the years with our many visits to Walt Disney World. One of the many reasons we continue to return to Walt Disney World is because each and every time we visit it IS something new to us. Whether it's a new Resort to stay in, a tour, parades, parties, a new restaurant, or character experience..each time is special and unique. There is a comfort for me in going to Disney World. I know that the cast members on staff will go out of their way to be accommodating, I know that the Parks offer something for each one of our varied age range family,  I know that there are sure to be moments of true magic.  Disney is in the "family experience" business and our family has certainly cherished every minute spent there. When I walk down Main Street in Magic Kingdom I am genuinely moved...I get to be a little girl again and experience magic and make believe with my children. I am a Princess and a Pirate with them and I feel the same excitement as they do when they are finally tall enough to get on "that ride" for the first time or meet Cinderella and Stitch. The memories we have made ( and will continue to make) are so very precious and as I enter these last few summers with my oldest son I am so thankful that we have created so many wonderful ones. ( sharing a few below)  So, what are you waiting for..with so many different vacation options and deals, now is the time to plan a Disney vacation and make your own special memories ..those 18 summers go by way too quickly!

Disclosure: I paid a conference fee to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at a deeply discounted rate. As a part of this conference, we were provided with complimentary items, special discounts and other benefits such as food and entertainment so that we could experience the magic of Walt Disney World.  I was not asked to write about my experience. All thoughts in this post are my own. *Unless otherwise noted all photos were taken by me, Susan Pazera*