Everyone wants to be a pirate!

I like fast rides like Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I like fun rides like the Mad Tea Party and the Jungle Cruise. But hands down my favorite ride at any Disney park is Pirates of the Caribbean. I have wanted to write about this attraction for a long time but I could never figure out why I love this ride. Well, December 15th was Pirate’s 40th anniversary so I thought this would be the perfect time to wax poetic about why I never miss this attraction no matter how long the line is.

The truth is I don’t know why I love this ride. It is not the only ride that uses audio-animatronic characters. It is not the only ride that uses a boat. It is not the only dark ride. The best I can say is that it is the only ride that has pirates, not historically accurate, mean killers, but fun swashbuckling scallywags. I have always liked pirates (who doesn’t?) and often dressed up as a pirate for Halloween. As an adult, acting like a pirate is discouraged, but deep inside I wish I could be as free and fun-loving as a pirate (without the slaying and stealing, of course.)

I don’t know if that is the real reason I love Pirates of the Caribbean and I have decided I’m not going to worry about why it is my favorite. I’m just going to ride it every chance I get. Happiness squared.

Goofy Video: Walt Disney was very involved in the creation of Pirates of the Caribbean and that may be why it is so popular. If you want to hear Walt Disney talk about his ideas for this attraction check out this five minute YouTube video. After watching it I liked the attraction even more. It is amazing how much work goes into making these rides.

Before I get to my answers I have a question for you. Do you like the movie The Nightmare Before Christmas? If your answer is no, if you thought it was the worst movie ever made, than skip the Haunted Mansion until January. Because this overlay is a complete remake. Disney changed out everything. From the intro, to the elevator ride, to the hallway, to the scenes viewed from the doom buggies, everything is different.

I am blah about the movie. It’s okay but I would not pick it to watch by myself. It happens to be one of my husband’s favorite movies so I have seen it many times. Therefore, while I wasn’t thrilled before I went on the attraction, I wasn’t repulsed.

Okay, enough stalling. Is it good? I would say yes. They did a wonderful job of bringing the story and the characters to life. It is very different but I actually enjoyed the changes more than I enjoy the movie. I would recommend everyone see it once, unless you absolutely despise the movie, so you can form your own opinion.

I only had one problem with the overlay and if you visit the park this December you won’t have this problem. I rode the attraction in September and even though Jack and his friends live in Halloweentown there is nothing about the overlay that made me think of Halloween. There are pumpkins but they are decorated for Christmas. It felt a little odd being immersed in Christmas in September. I’m sure that the discomfort I felt would disappear if I saw it again in December.

So take a chance. If you are visiting Disneyland go see the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay at the Haunted Mansion. It may become your favorite seasonal event or you may look forward to the 999 happy haunts taking back their home in January. Either way you’re sure to have a spooky time. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: If you want to have unique Christmas photos for your cards then stand in line and have your picture taken with the characters from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Jack, Sally, and others can be found outside the Haunted Mansion all season long. Jack is even in his Santa costume. Scary and merry!

Image from www.spoonful.com

It’s cold and snowy in much of the country and when kids can’t go outside they are easily bored. Combat that boredom with an afternoon spent making ornaments. These 10 Disney ornaments from spoonful.com are for all ages and experience levels and perfect for a group of kids. I really like the snow globe ornaments. You can put any scene in them that you want. I have some miniature princess figurines that would be fun to include.

These ornaments are more than just decorations for your tree. You can embellish a package with them or hang them from the banister. They could also decorate a small tree in a child’s room. The Mickey String Ornament would even make a nice gift for someone who loves Disney as much as you do. The ideas are boundless so start printing and get creating. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: If you are looking for a gift anyone would love, one that doesn’t have to be dusted and goes with every tree, consider getting them a Disney ornament. There are so many to choose from and you can make it special by giving them their favorite character. I would be excited to get a Sleeping Beauty or Winnie the Pooh ornament. Which character would your family like to receive?

Image from Disney Parks Blog

I love to fly but I know most people don’t and I don’t blame them. Between crowded airplanes, delayed flights, mediocre in-flight food, and TSA, flying can be a real drag. But cheer up! Mickey Mouse is bringing the magic back to flying.

WestJet (an airline I had not heard of) has added a magical airplane to their fleet. It is called the “Magic Plane” and features Sorcerer Mickey on the tail. If I saw that as I was waiting to board I would be grinning like a fool. If I knew I was flying on the Magic Plane I would be uncontrollably giddy. The magic is not just on the outside, the inside of the plane is also decorated. It looks so cool!

I am not brand loyal when I fly. I pick an airline based on price and time of departure. But if I could guarantee that I was going to be on that plane I would definitely fly WestJet. I would love it if the food was good, too, but I’m not sure even Sorcerer Mickey is that powerful. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: If you are flying to Orlando and staying on property at Walt Disney World be sure you use the Magical Express. You will be whisked away to your resort and you won’t have to deal with your luggage. That’s what I call magic.

The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique. – Walt Disney

Walt Disney said lots of meaningful things but I think this is one we can all take to heart. Walt Disney was certainly unique. I hope we can all spread some happiness in celebration of his 112th birthday. Happiness squared.

Goofy Quote: Here’s another great quote. This one is worth taping on your bathroom mirror.

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. – Walt Disney

 

Jeff Galloway helps me get across the finish line!

Okay, so as you know, I have big plans when it comes to runDisney races. I plan to do the Princess 10K and half marathon at Walt Disney World and the Tinker Bell 10K and half marathon at Disneyland in the same year so I get a ton of medals (really cool medals, too.) These two races have always been in February and January but I didn’t mind. I thought it would be an adventure to run so many races so close together. However, I was planning on doing them in 2015 so I had time to raise money for the trips and train for the races. I should have known better. Disney is always changing and now runDisney has made a major change, too.

The Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend has moved to Mother’s Day weekend in 2015. WHAT!!! Okay, okay. I am calm. I mean, it is not the end of the world. It will be easier having one race in February and the other in May. It’s just that I was really looking forward to running a race at Disneyland in January. I ran the Disneyland Half Marathon on Labor Day weekend and it was hot! But I can also understand. The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is in January so perhaps they wanted to spread things out. Logical.

While I understand I am also slightly disappointed. I was ready for the challenge and now the challenge has been made easier. I should have known. I always say that change is normal with Disney. If you want to do or see something you had better plan to do it soon. I guess I should have planned my races in 2014. But you know what? I’ll find another running challenge and just enjoy my plethora of Disney races. (Great Wall of China, anyone?) Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: I encourage everyone to run a Disney race at least once. They are so much fun and they are flat so anyone can do it. They also have a lot of 5K and 10K races so you get all the fun of a Disney race without killing yourself. If you need some guidance click on runDisney and check out the training plans by Jeff Galloway. I am using his 5K plan to train for a virtual 5K I’m doing January 25. Maybe I’ll have my husband hold up Disney stuffed animals along the way so it will feel like a Disney run.

Image from www.spoonful.com

I love advent calendars. I love the idea of counting down each day until Christmas, and if there is a treat along with it than that is even better. I also love to do crafty things so when I found these advent calendar ideas on spoonful.com I was excited.

My advent calendar is a wooden tree that I made in high school. I found it again in college and turned it into an advent calendar by screwing twenty-three hooks into it and making a miniature ornament for each day. Day 24 is for the angel on top. It is fun to decorate the tree each day and a tradition that I enjoy. The paper tree advent calendar reminds me of my own tree.

My favorite one of these advent calendars is the forest of trees. It would be really fun to make the trees with the whole family. I would put a Hershey kiss under each tree and then everyone in the family could take turns removing a tree. When I was a kid we had a simple advent calendar with doors. My brother and I took turns opening the doors, but we both wanted to do the even days so we could open door number 24. I smile when I think of that.

Do you have an advent calendar tradition? If you don’t perhaps you could start your tradition by getting together with your family and making an advent calendar. Then you’ll have great memories every December as you count down the days, and something more to smile about. Happiness squared.

Goofy Craft: Need some Disney in your decorating? This advent calendar is full of your favorite Disney characters. I know I would have a blast opening these doors every day until Christmas.

Image from www.spoonful.com

Christmas cards are fraught with problems. If you don’t send any then you feel guilty when you receive some from friends and family. If you type up a nice family letter you hear that it is considered bragging. The photo cards are nice, but they take planning and it is already after Thanksgiving. You could just send an email card, but they are hard for people to enjoy the whole season. What is the answer?

My answer is to do whatever you want. It is the thought that counts. But if you want to send cards that everyone is sure to love consider having your kids make cards. This is easier than it sounds. While the kids are home for Thanksgiving break pull out the paper, the crayons, the scissors, and the glue. And if you need some ideas check out these cards from spoonful.com.

Any card made by a child is special and they cannot do it wrong. If you want to make lots of cards that are the same, like the gingerbread man card, you can set it up assembly-line style. I really like these cards because they are made with sandpaper and I think that is so inventive. They also have cinnamon and nutmeg rubbed on the sandpaper so they smell good and the card becomes an ornament. If you didn’t want to add the scroll you could just write on the back of the gingerbread man. Any of these cards can be adapted to your needs. That is part of the fun of making handmade cards. They are perfect in every way.

In one afternoon you can have all your cards ready to go. As a reward for being so organized you can make a fun card holder for your own house. I like the one made with an upside down tomato stake. Talk about creative! You’ll need it because when everyone receives your awesome card they will feel guilty and send a card back to you. Happiness squared.

Goofy Craft: If you are super organized get the perfect Christmas card photo while you are visiting the Disney parks during the year. Pack Santa hats in your backpack and find the perfect backdrop. Everyone dons a hat and you have your picture. With a little planning you can end your Christmas card stress!

Image from www.spoonful.com

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I hope everyone has wonderful plans. I always liked Thanksgiving when I was a child because lots of relatives came to our house and we got to have food that I loved, but only ate once or twice a year. My brother and I were the only kids at the table and we got to sit with the adults. However, if you have a lot of children coming to your house for Thanksgiving it might be more fun for them to have their own area so they don’t have to listen to the boring adults talk all night.

Why not make their table even more special by making it first a craft table and then a dinner table? They’ll love coming to your house when they get to make Thanksgiving decorations for the dinner table and color fun place mats. So click here for great Thanksgiving kids crafts from spoonful.com. You’ll be surrounded by grateful kids and their parents. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: Have you ever thought about visiting the Disney Parks for Thanksgiving? Lots of the restaurants in the parks and resorts have special menus and seating times to celebrate the day. You can have all the fun of Disney and Thanksgiving and not have to slave away in the kitchen. Just make sure you tip your wait staff well to show your gratitude. They are working so you can have a great Disney trip.

The current restaurant in the Morocco Pavilion, Restaurant Marrakesh, is a wonderful restaurant filled with great flavors, but it is table service and when you are in the restaurant you can’t see any of the pavilion. The new restaurant, Spice Road Table, will have lots of outdoor seating, perfect for enjoying the flavors of Morocco while you watch IllumiNations. I love that they are providing more seating for this wonderful show. I often skip it because I can’t find a good place to wait for and watch the display. I look forward to enjoying great food and a great evening extravaganza. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: A cool souvenir to buy in the Morocco Pavilion is a necklace that has your name written on the shell in Arabic. However, if you don’t want the necklace you can ask one of the Cast Members in the pavilion, who are all from Morocco, to write your name in Arabic in your autograph book. It is beautiful to see and a great free keepsake. Maybe while you are waiting you could ask them what their favorite Moroccan food is. Then you could try it at the Spice Road Table when it opens.