Hi guys!

I have a surprise for you! I am celebrating our new countdown to Disney, so I am sharing my SVG file with you! Simply upload it to your Cricut or Silhouette Cameo account! If you need the monogram letters, you can purchase them on Etsy! It’s very easy! 

Download here

Happy crafting!

-Holly

Once 4th of July hits, summer is over for retail business! If you are like me, you are a planner who loves a great sale! My favorite places for Disney clothes for kids is Gap Kids and Hanna Andersson. This is a great time to stock up on some clothes for your next trip! I know I did! Here are some pieces that would look great for those character meet and greets and those nice swim breaks! I added a few jackets, just in case you planned on going in the early Spring! Florida sometimes gets those cold fonts around that time of year!

Gap Kids:

Hanna Andersson:

 

Hi Friends!

Whether you’ve heard the news or not, D23 revealed some major jaw dropping news at their D23 Expo! I am referring to the news that came from the Parks and Recreation Panel! Can you just imagine being the lucky one who got to witness this news first hand? Amazing. This will be your fact sheet. It was a lot to digest at first. I literally had to reread the news a few times! Let’s dig in shall we?

Hollywood Studios

Star wars Land now has an offical name, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. It is scheduled to be open in Summer 2019.

A model was revealed and the details are outstanding. See for yourself!

Toy Story Land to Open in Summer 2018.

Slinky Dog Dash – themed family coaster.

Alien Swirling Saucers – an attraction similar to Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree in Disney California Adventure, themed around the Claw and Little Green Aliens.

The Great Movie Ride has been the last attraction from Disney-MGM Studios’ (the former name of Disney’s Hollywood Studios) opening day to remain in operation. However, the attraction will close on August 13, 2017 to make way for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, leaving the park with no original attractions. Disney’s contract with TCM had expired and they lost rights to the movie scenes shown inside.

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will feature a new story and a new singable theme song as well as a new experience  “2 1/2 D.” New technologies that turn the flat world of a colorful cartoon short into a “dimensional display of amazingness.”

Epcot

Mission Space simulator training missions will both be getting refreshed. The more intense Orange mission will be updated with new more visually stunning graphics. The Green adventure will be something entirely new, and more family friendly, that focuses on an orbital adventure around planet Earth. The goal is to welcome even younger cadets to join the adventure for the first time. This was not my favorite ride. I’m very happy they are making changes! Mission Space is scheduled to open late summer of 2017.

Space Restaurant (Official name has not been announced) will be built adjoining the future world Mission Space attraction. It will be operated by the Patina restaurant group which also operates Tutto Italia and Via Napoli in EPCOT and Morimoto Asia and soon The Edison and related venues in Disney Springs. Guests will be dining in a floating space station as the Earth tumbles by underneath. I would expect some state of the art digital technology to make the illusion. The opening date is TBD.

Guardians of the Galaxy is replacing Ellen’s Energy Adventure. The building will be gutted and reimagined. Ellen’s Energy Adventure will close August 13th, 2017 and the new ride will open before 2021.

China Pavilion will feature an updated film with new technology, a brand new seamless Circle-Vision show for the China pavilion. The opening of the film is TBD.

Ratatouille attraction will be coming to the France Pavilion, similar to the attraction in Disneyland Paris featuring trackless ride technology. Opening in 2021.

 

Epcot Front Entrance – Leave a Legacy will be ripped down for a new entrance. Below is a rendering of how it will look.

Magic Kingdom

New Theatre (official name TBD) will be based on the iconic Willis Wood theater in 1920s Kansas City, where Walt lived after he left Marceline. Plans call for the new theater to be built in what is currently backstage areas between Main Street U.S.A. and Tomorrowland.

To read on it’s history, click HERE.

Willis Wood Theatre

Tron (Biggest news in my opinion) The new Tron attraction will sit in an entirely new area right next to the Space Mountain attraction. TRON Lightcycle Power Run attraction at Shanghai Disneyland is a coaster-style attraction where riders board a train of two-wheeled Lightcycles. The interesting part of this concept art is the train tracks. Will the train go through the Tron structure? Expect it’s opening in 2021.

 

Other News

Star Wars Hotel is coming! I think this news broke the internet! D23 didn’t give a ton of details, but this we do know. All of the cast members will be in costume and in character. Each guest will get a storyline and the hotel will take place on a space ship. Meaning, the windows will only show space. Are you freaking out? Crazy stuff!

Side note: They are saying land was cleared near Hollywood Studios – possibly an entrance to the Star wars Galazy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios! 

Disney Skyliner transportation system will connect Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century and Caribbean Beach resorts and other locations with Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot. And many of the gondolas with Disney Skyliner will feature favorite Disney characters. Opening date TBD.

Minnie vehicles (Think Uber) will take you everywhere you want to go at the Walt Disney World Resort, and you’ll ride in Minnie’s classic style. It officially launches July 26th and will initially be available at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts and the Caribbean Beach Resort. Additional locations will announced in the near future.

Disney’s Riviera Resort – DVC’s 15th Resort resort will be located near Epcot and guests will be able to see the nighttime spectaculars at both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and at Epcot. The new skyway transportation system will connect the new resort to other areas on Walt Disney World property. Disney’s Riviera Resort will open in the fall of 2019.

……and finally, this was NOT annouced as expected,  Journey of Imagination will possibly get a refurbishment as well. There is talk of Inside Out taking over the space. With my research, I don’t think Figment will be going anywhere, but possibly being the “mascot” for Epcot. Time will tell!

So many exciting things to look forward to! I hope this post gave you a good summary of what’s to come!

 

 

 

 

Hi Friends!

Whether you have a trip planned or just came back from one (or you are dreaming of a trip!) this playlist was made for you! I hope you enjoy my selection of songs!

And.. you’re welcome 😉

To play click HERE or click on the banner above!

I can’t get enough of Emily Ley’s Happy Stripe design! Emily Ley designed a fabulous line of planners, baby books, stickers, etc. I find her planners to be clean and user friendly 🙂 To see examples or to purchase, visit her web site here. She also wrote a book called Grace, Not Perfection.  It’s an inspirational book that encourages women to simplify and prioritize. It gives women tangible ways to simplify their lives to give space to what matters most. You can purchase her book from Target or Amazon.

So back to the Happy Stripe! If you are like me, you’re turned on by happy bright colors. She selected 7 bright, cheery pantone colors that work beautifully on her cover! I am obsessed with the palate of colors. I ended up with the planner, phone case and pen. I searched her blog for desktop wallpapers, but I didn’t see any. I saw super cute backgrounds for your phone though! I REALLY wanted it on my computer. I ended up designing one on Photoshop today! Although I designed this background on my computer-I will have these available free for download to enjoy. I will call these “Emily Ley Inspired” I hope you enjoy them! Who doesn’t want to have a little sunshine when they turn on their computer! (And is a match freak like me!)

Example:

To download, click on links below.

Happy Stripe

Happy Stripe with Monogram

Oh-and in case you now have the Get Happy song in your head, here is the video below!

Enjoy!

 

One of the best things I got from WDW was this fuel rod!!!! A huge lifesaver! $30 one time fee. Exchange for new ones as many times you want! No extra cost! Check out these locations!!

📌Magic Kingdom:
Tomorrowland Light and Power Co.
Big Top Souvenirs
Pecos Bill’s
Curtain Call Collectibles.

📌Epcot:
Disney Traders

📌Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Celebrity 5 & 10

📌Disney’s Animal Kingdom:
Island Mercantile

📌Disney Springs:
Marketplace Disney Photo Imaging
ESPN Wide World of Sports
ESPN Clubhouse Shop

 

Are you getting close to your family vacation to Walt Disney World? Why not celebrate with a countdown! I created a FREE download to make it easier on you! Just print and laminate! Your kids will love their countdown notes in their lunch each day! Why not bring some extra magic along the way?

Enjoy! Have a magical day!

To download, Click Here: Countdown Lunch Notes

 

I can’t help to wonder what Walt would have done if he were still alive. His life was always very inspiring to me. However, I personally love the early years of his life-the journey that started from the beginning of his passion in animation. So in honor of his birthday, let’s take a stroll through the early years, my favorite part of his life.

Walt took his first step by starting a small company called Laugh-O-Grams in 1921. The Laugh-O-Gram Studio was a film studio located on the second floor of the McConahay Building at 1127 East 31st in Kansas City, Missouri.

Below are the photos from the past and present. 
The outside of the building was restored in 2009 by a non-profit group called “Thank You Walt Disney.” They are currently working to raise money to put a museum inside. To see their vision for the museum, click HERE. 

He began producing short animated films for local businesses. By the time Walt had started to create The Alice Comedies, which was about a real girl and her adventures in an animated world, Walt ran out of money and sadly Laugh-O-Grams went bankrupt in 1923. Instead of giving up, Walt packed his suitcase and with his unfinished print of The Alice Comedies in hand, and headed for Hollywood to start a new business. 

Walt arrived in California to meet with his brother Roy who was already living there. Roy gave Walt a lot of support and encouragement from the beginning. With combined efforts of money, they set up shop in their Uncle’s garage.

Below: The garage, originally owned by Robert Disney (uncle of Roy and Walt Disney) in North Hollywood, was used by Walt as a studio when he came to California in 1923. It was saved from demolition in 1984 by The Friends of Walt Disney, who housed, insured, and generously donated the historical building to the Stanley Ranch Museum

Soon, they received an order from New York for the first Alice in Cartoonland(The Alice Comedies) featurette, and the brothers expanded their production operation to the rear of a Hollywood real estate office. Eventually, Walt and Roy Disney establish the Disney Brothers Studios at an office on Kingswell Avenue in Los Angeles, with Ub Iwerks later joining the staff as an animator. Walt’s role was more creative while Roy handles the business side.

Here is an Alice Comedies show

The Disney Brothers studio before and after

However, to accommodate a growing staff, Disney Brothers Studios moves to new, larger quarters on Hyperion Avenue in Los Angeles. Walt informs Roy that the company will be renamed to “Walt Disney Studios.”

Before and after of  Walt Disney Studios, 2719 Hyperion Ave (where the film Snow White and the Seven Dwafs was created)

A few years later, Disney discovered that the distributors of his animations had stolen the rights to Oswald, along with all of Disney’s animators, except for Iwerks.

Walt along with his few loyal artists, would finish their contract with Mintz and complete the last of the Oswald cartoons while secretly working on a new character.  After dozens of brainstorming sessions, they come up with a new character: a mouse named Mortimer. Eventually, they change the name to Mickey. And you know what happened next.. Mickey became a sensation! 

I love glancing through old photos of this time period. Just a few more of my favorites.

Happy Birthday Walt!