#DisneySide Archives - On the Go in MCO

Adding A Little Pixie Dust At Home: S’mores Dip

One of our favorite fall activities is to head to The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort for dinner and Chip ‘n’ Dales Campfire Sing-A-Long.

During Chip ‘n’ Dales Campfire Sing-A-Long you can meet the mischievous duo, make s’mores, and watch a movie.

Can’t make it out toThe Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort during your visit? Check out this super easy an fun S’mores Dip Recipe!

Adding A Little Pixie Dust At Home: S’mores Dip

Ingredients:

-12 oz Chocolate Chips

– Large Marshmallows

– Graham Crackers

Supplies:

-8×8 Baking Dish

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 450 Degrees.

2. Spread the Chocolate Chips evenly along the bottom of your 8×8 Baking Dish.

3. Place a layer of Marshmallows on top of the Chocolate Chips.

4. Bake for 6-8 Minutes at 450 Degrees (Depending on how toasted you like your Marshmallows).

5. Dip your Graham Crackers and Enjoy!!!

** For More Fun **

– Use Reece’s Cups instead of Chocolate Chips.

– Use Chocolate Chip Cookies instead of Graham Crackers.

– Top with Sprinkles before serving, because Sprinkles make everything better!

Walt Disney World Dipped Marshmallows At Home

It’s back to school time, and Zoe loves when I pack her a lunch and I love to find little ways to add an extra bit of Pixie Dust to her day.

My favorite way to do that is by recreating some of her favorite treats at Walt Disney World, and her favorite just happens to be the easiest to recreate at home…Dipped Marshmallows!

Adding A Little Pixie Dust At Home: Making Walt Disney World Dipped Marshmallows

How to Make Walt Disney World Dipped Marshmallows at Home

Some schools have specific rules about skewers in lunches sent to school, so I chose to make individual dipped marshmallows instead of the kabob style dipped marshmallows you find at Walt Disney World.

What you will need:

Chocolate or White Almond Bark
Marshmallows (I chose the Giant)
Sprinkles
Microwaveable Bowl
Cutting Board
Sharp Knife
Silicone Spatula
Cookie Sheet
Small Bowl (I used a cereal bowl)
Parchment or Wax Paper
Cupcake Liners
Airtight container for storage, but you could also use large zip-top bags

Let’s get started!

Cut up your Chocolate or White Almond Bark into uniform sized pieces to help ensure even melting, and place the pieces inside your microwaveable bowl.
Microwave the Almond Bark for a total of 2 minutes stopping it every 30 seconds to smooth out the mixture. Also, this helps prevent the Almond Bark from burning.
While your mixture is in the microwave set up your dipping area. I like to first lay down a piece of Paper Towels or Wax Paper in my work area, and then I also put a sheet on my cookie sheet to help make clean up a breeze. In my work area I lay out my marshmallows, put my sprinkles in a small bowl (I used a cereal bowl), and took the cupcake liners out of their packaging.
Once the chocolate is melted and has a smooth and shiny consistency, it is time to get a’ dipping!
Dip your marshmallows about halfway in the chocolate, and spin it around to get the excess Almond Bark off of the bottom. Wait a few seconds, and then dip the marshmallow one more time making sure to wipe off as much excess Almond Bark as you can from the bottom of the marshmallow.
To apply the sprinkles to the chocolate, simply roll the marshmallow around in the bowl or place the marshmallow in the center of the bowl and scoop the sprinkles over the chocolate.
Once you have covered the chocolate in sprinkles, place the dipped marshmallow in a cupcake liner, and place it on the cookie sheet.
When your cookie sheet is full of dipped marshmallows, place the sheet in the refrigerator making sure it is flat for an hour or until the chocolate has set.
For storage, place the marshmallows in an airtight container or zip-top bag. Since the chocolate has set and is has its own liner, you can stack them in your storage container or bag. Stored in a cool place, your dipped marshmallows will last for quite awhile.
Enjoy!

Some fun ways to elevate the Pixie Dust in these Walt Disney World inspired treats would be…

Use seasonal sprinkles and cupcake liners
Coordinate the sprinkles and cupcake liners for a character inspired treat

Use colored Candy Melts instead of Almond Bark for an extra pop of color
Dip marshmallows in two colors instead of using sprinkles

Will you be trying to make these Walt Disney World treats to help add a little magic to your little one’s day?

14 Times Disney Movies Were There For You After A Long Week

Has it been a week for you? Yeah…me, too!

After a long week I love to unwind by watching a Disney Movie, and I thought I would share some of my favorite quotes.

14 Times Disney Movies Were There For You After A Long Week

1. All I need is a chance to do something great. –Chicken Little

2. Sometimes the impossible can become possible if you’re awesome. –Rhino (Bolt)

3. May you have the courage to do what you are afraid to do. –Cinderella
4. Put your faith in what you most believe in. –Tarzan

5. It’s up to you how far you go. If you don’t try, you’ll never know. –Merlin (Sword in the Stone)

6. If you focus on what you have left behind, you will never be able to see what lies ahead. –Gusteau (Ratatouille)

7. Even miracles take a little time. – Fairy Godmother (Cinderella)
8. You control your destiny — you don’t need magic to do it. And there are no magical shortcuts to solving your problems. – Merida (Brave)
9. Today is a good day to try. – Quasimodo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
10. Giving up is for Rookies. – Philoctetes (Hercules)
11. You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. – Winnie the Pooh
12. The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem. – Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean)
13. Don’t just fly, soar. – Dumbo (Dumbo)

14. No worries for the rest of your days. It’s our problem-free philosophy. Hakuna Matata. – Timon & Pumbaa (The Lion King)

TrenD Report: April 14, 2015

Why hello there TrenD! It has been a loooooooong time since my last TrenD report, and it is time to bring back ‘Shopping Tuesday’ to On the Go in MCO!

While parking during the construction of Disney Springs has improved greatly with the parking garage additions, the hike over to TrenD can be quite daunting. However I was glad that I ventured over for some window shopping, because I found some great new pieces.

Today I will be sharing my top ten picks from my latest visit to TrenD!

This Tinker Bell shirt is gorgeous in person! The colors are spot on trend and it is a great weight for springtime in Orlando.

This 3/4 sleeve Mickey and Minnie go to the beach t-shirt is super adorable. In the store the shirt is paired with some floral leggings, however I think it would be super cute with a pair of denim shorts for a cool spring night.

How cute is the embroidered detail of Minnie kissing Mickey’s nose? The 3/4 length shirt is lightweight, but not too thin that you would want to wear something underneath it. I also really like how the bottom of the shirt is scooped.

This vinyl satchel with a large Minnie Mouse bow is on the larger side, but it is a good bag for the parks this time of year because there is a lot of room for you to carry umbrellas and ponchos for rainy days.

This Ariel shirt is perfection, because it really captures her spirit! With sheer shoulders, this white shirt could easily be dressed up for a nicer dinner in the parks or at a resort.

I really love the bandana look that this Mickey Mouse t-shirt has. The shirt itself is on the thicker side, but the deep V neckline is really nice.

This sheer Mickey Mouse tied crop top is absolutely adorable. I wanted to include how it looked on the mannequin, because it looks much shorter and sheer on the hanger.

This Beauty and the Beast top at first looks familiar, but they really did a great job with the detailing on this top. It is a slightly silky material that handles the pleating and structural details nicely, and the neckline is a good shape.

This Snow White tank top is 80’s-tastic! I really enjoy how the graphic plays off of the lace detail on the bottom of the shirt.

While I have never considered wearing a hooded zip up vest, this Ariel one might change my mind. I think it would be great over a LBD or a 3/4 sleeve shirt on a chilly night. I also like her reflection in the water.

How to Decorate #DisneySide Easter Eggs

It is almost time for the Easter Bunny to visit, and I thought I would share an easy way to show your #DisneySide when you are decorating your Easter Eggs!

#DisneySide Easter Eggs Supplies

I used Plastic Eggs, however you can opt to use hard-boiled eggs. You can apply tattoos to dry, hard-boiled white eggs and then dye the eggs afterward (this approach works well with tattoos that are mostly one color, like black.) You can also dye your eggs first, and then add the tattoos when the eggs are thoroughly dry (this is a good approach when using more colorful tattoos).
Temporary Tattoos
Paper towels, a sponge, or a washcloth to use with the water
Small bowl of water
Dry paper towels or kitchen towel

httpv://youtu.be/_eeTfdS1VPk?list=UUxhza5Nkv4ukqKmIFLE9dgA

#DisneySide Easter Eggs How To

Gather all of your supplies, and get everything set-up you will want to keep the process going. To make the process of applying the temporary tattoos easier, I cut each one out of the sheet.
Place the temporary tattoo on the egg with the tattoo facing down with the backing paper facing toward you. ** Don’t forget to take the plastic off of the tattoo once you have the placement where you would like it! **
Once the tattoo is placed, dab the tattoo gently with a wet paper towel, sponge, or washcloth. I like to start on one side of the tattoo and work my way to the other side until the entire tattoo design is saturated and sticks to the egg.
Once you are ready, gently lift one side of the tattoo to make sure it has adhered to the egg without any of it sticking to the paper backing. If you find that parts of your tattoo aren’t attached yet don’t worry, just continue to tap the backing paper with your wet paper towel, sponge, or washcloth.
When the tattoo is completely on the egg and detached from the backing paper, gently go over the tattoo on the egg with a wet paper towel, sponge, or washcloth to make sure there are no small tears or air bubbles.
Gently dry off your tattooed egg with a dry paper towel or washcloth.

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A Different Way To Show Your #DisneySide

When I started to plan my #DisneySide Party I wanted to add an element of giving back to the Orlando Community that has close ties to the Disney Community, and I decided that Give Kids the World Village was the perfect choice!

Give Kids the World Village is Village is a 70-acre resort complete with over 144 Villa accommodations, entertainment attractions, whimsical venues, and fun specifically designed for children with special needs.

The Give Kids the World Mission Statement:

Give Kids The World is a non-profit organization that exists only to fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses and their families from around the world to experience a memorable, joyful, cost-free visit to the Central Florida attractions, and to enjoy the magic of Give Kids The World Village for as long as there is a need.

Over 134,000 children have had their dream come true at Give Kids The World. No child in need has ever been turned away – and no child ever will. Give Kids The World is a place where families find joy, laughter, serenity, and a lifetime of memories. Through the tireless support of our volunteers, employees and generous partners, we dedicate each and every day to these special families.

To keep ‘costs down and smiles up’ Give Kids the World Village looks for donations of items from Wish List to make the most of their resources, and I have asked my guests to bring a donation from this list to my #DisneySide Party.

The Wish List includes items needed for their daily gift-giving program, supplies for our Family Entertainment Program, and items to help keep the Village sparkling.

So how can you help and show your support and #DisneySide from home?

Below you will find the Give Kids the World Village Wish List in case you are so inclined to make a donation!

To make a donation of any of the following items, or to help in any other way, please call 1-800-995-KIDS. In addition to the potential gifts listed below, Give Kids the World Village can gladly accept gift cards to stores in which we could purchase these items.

Gift Giving Program (All gifts must be new and in original packaging):

Batteries – AAA
Disposable cameras
Autograph Books
Photo Albums
Gifts for children of all ages (with batteries)
- Board Games
- Hand Held Games
- Travel Games
- Teenage Gifts
- MP3 Players
- Wii games (rated E)

Venue Support

Pool-Accessible (PVC & Stainless) Wheelchairs

Village Entertainment & Family Programs

Video Services
Princess Dresses
Small prizes/toys (non-candy)
Birthday gifts for children of all ages
1/4″ x 12″ wooden dowels
Pipe Cleaners
Bubbles
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
DVD-R (MINI – 30 minutes and/or 60 minutes)
Movies (G or PG rated on DVD and Blu Ray Disc)
Red and white crepe paper streamers
Rain Ponchos
Wheelchairs (adult and child size)
Disposable Cutlery
Pillow Cases for Wish Pillows (pattern will be provided)
Gift Cards for material – Joann Fabrics, Visa, MC

Villa Support

Pressure Washers – Gas Powered
Treated Lumber – 4×4 x8 Posts
Truck-mounted steam cleaner and van
Cleaning Supplies
- Brooms
- Scrub Brushes
- Vinyl Powdered Gloves – S, M, L, XL
- 60 Gallon Trash Liners
Painting Supplies
- Disposable 1”, 2” and 3” brushes
- Pink Wizzy Roller Covers
- Canvas Drop Cloths
- Ladders (any size)
- 6’ & 8’ fiberglass ladders
Landscaping Supplies
- Rakes – Leaf or Hard Rake
- Shovels – Round long handled
- 50 ft heavy duty hoses
- Hand Cutters and pruners
- Backpack Sprayers
- 2 Cycle Oil Mix
- Pine Bark Nuggets
- Wasp Spray
- Ant bait

Administrative Support to help keep administrative costs down

CD-R and DVD-R Discs (High Speed)
CD Envelopes with plastic window
AA and AAA alkaline batteries
Mailing Supplies
- Bubble Wrap
- Peanuts
- #0 and #00 Padded Envelopes
- 2” Packaging Tape
Office Supplies
- Scissors
- Paper Clips
- 2 x 2 Post It Notes

#DisneySide Mickey Pretzel Treats

I really enjoy finding recipes for treats that are super easy and super fun, and this #DisneySide Mickey Pretzel Treats recipe is a twist on an old favorite!

These Mickey Pretzel Treats are a great mix of sweet and salty, and are a crowd pleaser

The most expensive part of these treats are the Hershey’s Kisses and M&M’s, however I like to shop the after holiday sales to scoop them up at half off!

#DisneySide Mickey Pretzel Treats Recipe (Yield 60)

Ingredients:

1 – Bag of Pretzels (I used Snyders of Hanover Pretzel Snaps, but you can use whatever shape of pretzel you would like)

2 – 11 oz Bags of Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolate

2 – 1.77 oz Tubes M&M’s Minis

1 – 12.6 oz Bag of M&M’s Milk Chocolate

Tools:

1 – Baking Sheet

2 – Small Bowls

1 – Medium Bowl

1 – Storage Container

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300° F

2.Place each size of M&M’s into their own small bowl

3. Unwrap all of the Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolate (This is extremely time consuming and no fun…you’ve been warned)

4. On the Baking Sheet, line up all of your pretzels and place a Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolate on top of each pretzel

5. Put the Baking Sheet into the oven for 3 minutes

6. When you pull the pretzels and kisses out, the chocolate should be shiny & smooth and you can depress the tip of the Kiss easily with your finger. If the chocolate has cracks in it or looks dry, you are going to want to start over at Step 4.

7. Place a regular sized M&M’s on each pretzel by depressing it into the Hershey’s Kiss. If you find that it doesn’t easily go into the Kiss, put the Baking Sheet back into the oven until you can depress the tip of the Kiss easily with your finger.

8. Place two M&M’s Minis on top of each of the regular M&M’s to make Mickey’s ears. I found that when I kept the regular sized M&M’s in rows by color that it was easier to place the matching color of M&M’s Minis.

9. Once your Mickey Pretzel Treats and the Baking Sheet have reached room temperature, place the sheet into the refrigerator for the chocolate to set for 30 minutes.

10. Once the Mickey Pretzel Treats have cooled completely, place them into your storage container. Mickey Pretzel Treats can be placed in the refrigerator for up to a week.

I hope that you enjoy this #DisneySide Mickey Pretzel Treat as much as we do! Below you will find a download of the recipe that you can print out.

#DisneySide @Home Celebration: Getting Started

DISCLOSURE: I was provided with promotional items to host a #DisneySide Party from Disney. All opinions are my own.

I am really excited to be hosting another #DisneySide @Home Celebration, and all this week I thought I would share some of the fun I have been having planning and preparing for my party!

The first thing I want to do is answer a few of the questions I have been asked about hosting a Celebration.

Now I am going to share a lot of things that I like to do and insights into the ins & outs about blogging in this post. I promise that the next few will be more ‘fun’, but I thought it would be interesting (and hopefully helpful) to those who wonder how all these things come together and work.

So let’s get this started!

What is a #DisneySide @Home Celebration?

Everyone has a Disney Side- that fun-loving adventurous spirit that comes out to play when you’re feeling the Disney magic! Whether you show your Disney Side through fashion, food, or your favorite characters, or frequent visits to Disney Parks, it’s time to let it shine. Gather your fellow Disney fans, grab your Mickey ears and prepare to sprinkle some pixie dust on those who cross your path as you let your Disney Side take over!

How do you get selected to host a #DisneySide @Home Celebration?

I registered at MomSelect, BSM Media, and indicated my interest in hosting parties among other options.

When new campaigns, such as #DisneySide @Home Celebration Hosting, are launched you are sent surveys to fill out.

BSM Media is a great resource if you are looking to work with outstanding companies, and I cannot recommend registering with them highly enough! They are wonderful!

What happens next?

If you are chosen to host a Celebration, you will receive a confirmation email which has even more details about hosting and details about what is contained in your party kit.

To keep up with the deliveries I LOVE the UPS App, and if you do a lot of online shopping it also really comes in handy!

What is included in the #DisneySide @Home Celebration Party Kit?

Inside the kit you will find products, activities, and great ideas for hosting your Celebration.

httpv://youtu.be/4b1cOZEgIo8

Will it be everything you need? Probably not, and there is no guideline for how much you have to go above and beyond for your party. Last year I went bananas and rented a bounce house and cotton candy machine, but this year I am focusing more on how to spend more time with my guests.

I also have chosen to reach out to various companies I enjoy working with to either feature their products at my party and to giveaway during the party. If you choose to do this, you will want to be upfront about the party being sponsored and the other products you have received.

What are the steps to REALLY hosting a #DisneySide @Home Celebration?

The #DisneySide Celebrations website breaks it down with great resources!

Get inpired by downloading your Disney Side party kit here:
Set your party date and invite your friends and family to join you in showing off their Disney Side.
Add some Disney flair to your party decor, refreshments and goodie bags and design your perfect party by exploring Disney Side activities and recipes. Make the party unique by incorporating some of your family’s most beloved Disney traditions. Disney Parks might be the happiest place on Earth, but your living room might be a close second when you’re done; don’t forget to whistle while you work!
Enjoy your party! Make sure you trade in your hostess hat for your favorite pair of Mickey ears and join your guests in showing off your Disney Side.
Share, share, share! Share your Disney Side photos and videos on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest, using the hashtag #DisneySide.

You might even see someone familiar…It really was an honor being asked to create a video for the Celebrations site last year!

httpv://youtu.be/I4dEqai9r4g

I hope that you’ve enjoyed reading about the ins and outs of how you get to host a #DisneySide @Home Celebration, and if you didn’t I promise that the next fun will have more Shelley fun as I talk about one of the new snacks I am making for the party!

Tips For Last Minute Disney Inspired Valentine’s Day Shopping

Shopping for the perfect Disney Inspired Valentine’s Day gift far from Walt Disney World can be difficult and sometimes cause even the coolest cucumber to get a little antsy as the big day draws closer.

However, with so many big box retailers carrying more Disney Merchandise the daunting task of finding the perfect gift for your favorite Disney Fan has become easier.

So what I thought I would do is take you along to one of my go-to stores, Walgreens, to share some of my favorite last minute tips for putting together a great Valentine’s Day gift!

Before we go any further, this post is not sponsored by Walgreens or anything along those lines. I just genuinely like shopping there!

Tips For Last Minute Disney Inspired Valentine’s Day Shopping

1. While you want your Valentine’s Day gift to be super adorable for this holiday, make sure that it matches the style of the recipient.

I like to decorate a shelf in our den with holiday Disney items, and while I love a good romance I am not so big on ‘mushy’ gifts.

For someone who is like me, these fun Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse decorative items would be a great option! (I hope you heard that Dave!!!)

2. We all have favorite characters, but when you are tight on time keep it to the classic characters!

If your significant other loves an obscure character, you may drive yourself bananas trying to find something specific for them if you’re like me and have waited to the last moment.

I especially love these mugs, water bottles, and cups that show Mickey and Minnie as a perfectly matched pair!

3. Don’t be afraid of buying plush for Valentine’s Day!

You make think that plush is for the little ones, but it definitely is not.

Walgreens has a pretty sizable selection of plush for a broad spectrum of taste.

While you can never go wrong with a Mickey Mouse or Minnie Mouse plush, this heart shaped pillow with the both of them is absolutely adorable!

4. Let them eat chocolate on Valentine’s Day!

While this is number four on my list, it is number one in my heart!

5. Little ones need some Valentine’s Day love, too!

Zoe always comes home with a metric ton of candy from her school pals on Valentine’s Day, so I like to find fun small toys and activities for her goodies.

What I also like to do is instead of buying one Valentine’s Day card, I like to get her Valentine’s Day cards like the ones she gets in school. She always gets a kick out of opening all the little cards!

6. Don’t forget the card and wrapping!

Walgreens carries a variety of Hallmark cards and products, and this year the cards are even more adorable than ever.

This year, I found some great Valentine’s Day gift bags and matching tissue paper that will make you look like a Pro!

Don’t skimp on the wrapping!!! When the delivery method of the gift matches the spirit of what’s inside you have just taken yourself to the next level of gift giving!

I hope that these tips for last minute Disney inspired shopping were helpful, and if you happen to see this Walgreens…call me! 😉

Packing Like A runDisney Princess!

Truth be told, I had my first official foray into the world of RunDisney at the 2014 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon. Needless to say I am no expert, but I AM hooked!

Since the completion of that run that lasted over 3 hours in the nonstop, driving rain, I’ve since signed up for more magical miles. I started out 2015 with the Walt Disney World 10K, and am heading back for the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend. I can hardly believe that I will be tackling yet another half marathon! Perhaps it’s not so surprising.

Pack like a runDisney Princess Mickey and Minnie — Photo: Disney

Just recently, I read a blurb from the great Jeff Galloway who said that the half or full marathon has become a mission of many individuals in the 40+ age range. Like it or not, I fall in that category! I won’t bore you with the details of my fitness history; that’s for certain. However, I will say that I always maintained that I would never be a runner…too boring! Ha! Still, I was long intrigued by RunDisney. Why wouldn’t I be? The prospect of combining a lifelong love (Disney!) with a healthy activity was very appealing. Thanks to the persuasive powers of some very special friends, I ran (and completed!) my first runDisney race.

A humble beginner, I hope I can help some of you with a newbie packing list for the upcoming Princess Half Marathon Weekend.

How I plan to pack like a runDisney Princess!

The first thing on my list is SHOES. Whatever you do, please run in shoes you have already put some miles on. I pack my stability running shoes for the races and my Minnie RunDisney shoes for the parks. If you want to pack sandals for after your run, I recommend some with support. FitFlops or Skechers are a great example of these.

1. Shoes
2. moisture wicking athletic socks
3. comfy (and cool) top and bottoms such as capris or shorts
4. tutu or SparkleSkirt (It IS Princess Weekend after all)!
5. clothes you are willing to throw away as you run. (It can be cold at the start and you can just peel those babies right off as you run). Some runners prefer to use a large garbage bag for early morning warmth.
6. sports bra
7. Gym Boss timer to track your intervals
8. A running belt or fanny pack. There are plenty of water stops along the course, so I find that a running belt with water bottles is not necessary for RunDisney races.
9. phone or camera for pictures with the characters
10. smartphone holder
11. small energy bar for sustenance as you go
12. sunscreen
13. baseball hat or headband to comfortably keep your hair back
14. hair ties
15. sunglasses
16. race paperwork and confirmations

I am sure I will learn much more along the way. In the meantime, I hope my packing list helps other beginners with some essentials for the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend.

I hope to see you on the course! See ya real soon!

Disney Crafting: It’s A Small Tree After All

Every year as part of my New Years Resolutions I sneak in a crafting goal, and usually I end up Disney Crafting.

Disney Crafting

Dizz-nee ˈkraftiNG/

noun

the activity or hobby of making decorative articles by hand that are influenced by a Disney obsession

My 2014 crafting resolution was to create a wreath I would be proud of, and I actually created two great wreaths I was super proud to hang on my door! I learned to make a balloon wreath complete with Hidden Mickeys for my #DisneySide @ Home party and a Deco-mesh wreath for my front door.

This year I wanted to step it up a notch, because as a classic over achiever what else would I do?

When I was younger, my Best Friend Denise had a Christmas Tree that was filled with felt ornaments that were made by her Mother. I loved these ornaments, and as a High School graduation present she gave me a turtle ornament that she had made for me to remember my adopted family while I was away at college.

That felt turtle is one of my most prized possessions, and every year when I look at our Christmas Tree I wish that I actually had taken the time to create my own ornaments.

Well, this year my Disney Crafting resolution is to create an entire tree inspired by It’s a Small World and the art of Mary Blair.

My goals are EXTREMELY lofty for this project…

* Tree Topper based on the clock face on the It’s a Small World Facade

* 50 unique felt ornaments based on the children and animals in the It’s a Small World Attraction (I want to hide a Hidden Mickey in each one)

* Painted Ornaments inspired by Mary Blair’s smallest details

* Felt Chain for the tree as garland

* Pom Poms strung together as another garland for the tree

* Tree Skirt to match the It’s a Small World Theme

Here are some of my doodles for the project.

I am going to give updates and tutorials all this year on my progress, and I would love for you to join me on my Disney Crafting Journey as well as share some of your own Disney Crafts!

If you would like to share your Disney Crafts, drop me a line shelley@onthegoinmco.com!!!

Walt Disney World Christmas Merchandise

Christmas has arrived at Walt Disney World, and what better way to bring a piece of the #DisneyHolidays home with you than some of the new Walt Disney World Christmas Merchandise!

John from BigFatPanda.com had the chance to chat with Steven Miller about the new merchandise you will find in the parks and some tips for shopping in the parks.

httpv://youtu.be/9Bows-iuQhU?list=UUxhza5Nkv4ukqKmIFLE9dgA

If you can’t make your way to Walt Disney World this Holiday Season, you can find these and more goodies online!

Don’t forget to check out the Magical Friday Deals that are available now while you are there!

I can’t thank John enough for filming this #DisneyHolidays video for us! Make sure you give his BigFatPanda.com YouTube channel a follow!

Celebrating #DisneyHolidays: Build Your Own Gingerbread House

One of my family’s favorite ways to celebrate the Holidays at Walt Disney World is by taking a little time away from the parks to explore the resorts and their beautiful decorations.

We especially enjoy touring the five deluxe resorts that create unique holiday displays and sugar shacks that are made of edible ingredients. It is amazing to see the craftsmanship that goes into these creations!

Frozen Gingerbread Holiday Display Walt Disney World Contemporary Resort — Walt Disney World Resort guests can enjoy an all-new Gingerbread Holiday Ice Castle inspired by Disney’s “Frozen” this year on the 4th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. TheÊ17-foot-tall culinary concoction is adorned with favorite characters from the film including Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven, 1,500 gingerbread shingles, snowflakes and chocolate-covered trees. “Frozen”-themed merchandise, desserts and gingerbread treats also are available for purchase at the ice castle kiosk. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

A great way to bring a piece of the #DisneyHolidays to your home is by building a Gingerbread House of your own!

Gingerbread House Christmas at Walt Disney World BoardWalk Inn — Photo: Kelly Hicks

Just inside of the lobby of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is the location of a new gingerbread display inspired by the Jersey Shore. This new “Gingerbread Stand” is reminiscent of New Jersey Boardwalk concession stands with wreaths made of ice cream cones, plus Disney whimsy with Mickey and Minnie shaped gingerbread heads surrounding the marshmallow dotted marquee.

Christmas at Walt Disney World BoardWalk Inn Gingerbread House — Photo: Kelly Hicks

At the Gingerbread Stand, you can purchase a kit to create your own house like a Disney Chef for $14.95, and John from BigFatPanda.com had a chance to create an adorable Gingerbread house with Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Pastry Chef Matt Avery.

httpv://youtu.be/ByFwiqGtW_E

I can’t thank John enough for filming this #DisneyHolidays video for us! Make sure you give his BigFatPanda.com YouTube channel a follow!

Bringing the Magic Of Disney To Your Home For Halloween

If you are anything like me, you are continually looking for ways to bring the magic of Disney to your home for any holiday! Halloween is certainly no exception.

As you may have already seen, decorating Disney themed pumpkins is a huge way that we bring Disney to our home. In addition to that fun ritual, we enjoy hunting for Disney treasures along the way. Places like Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Menards, and Target often have fun and unique items.

Each year, we always add something new to our collection! From our large inflatable Mickey jack-o-lantern to our tiny Utz Halloween cheesy snacks, we are always finding something to add. Although all of aspects of Disney are well represented, Mickey Mouse is the most popular in our home.

When the days get cooler, our children love to make hot chocolate after school. How do they add a Disney touch to a cool weather treat? With Mickey marshmallow shapes (created by them) in a Disneyland Haunted Mansion souvenir mug, of course! From jack-o-lanterns to yard signs, you never know where Mickey will pop up.

Every year it seems that Walgreens has a unique and fun selection. If you are a Nightmare Before Christmas fan, they have quite the collection this year. I mean, who doesn’t want a giant Jack Skellington hanging on their door?!

Costumes offer another way to bring Disney to your family at Halloween. The Disney Store has a well rounded selection, and even Target, Wal-Mart, and party stores carry Disney costumes.

httpv://youtu.be/eJxxB9LVHaw

Speaking of Target, take a look at the puzzles in the toy section. We have a fabulous 3-D Villains puzzle that the kids like to put together and display each year.

Also, check out your local grocery stores. Around each major holiday, you will often find Disney themed cookies that just need to be popped in the oven. Easy peasy!

We would love to hear how YOU bring Disney to your home at Halloween. Please comment below and let us know!

Halloween Fun: #DisneySide Painting Pumpkins

I just love Halloween. With the change of seasons comes talk of pumpkins. Everywhere you turn you’ll find pumpkin candles, soaps, chewing gum, lattes, and so much more!

In our home, we get very excited about decorating pumpkins. Carving pumpkins is a favorite pastime. The only downside to carved pumpkins is their staying power. They just don’t last very long. A few years ago, we began painting pumpkins early in the season. Using an average pumpkin as our blank canvas, we can create some pretty spooktacular pumpkins that last and last and last.

Being a Disney family, we have always created Disney themed pumpkins. It is just one way we bring Disney to our home during the Halloween season! I can’t wait for you to see what we have created this year!

First up? Our FROZEN friend, Olaf!

Next, I bring you the Evil Emperor Zurg!

Last but not least, and my personal favorite, here is Mike Wazowski!

The nice thing about painting pumpkins is that you can make them as simple or as elaborate as you like. Younger kids may like to create all on their own, or maybe they’d like a little help from mom or dad. Why not let them have fun and decide?

We like to use pencil to outline our creations. Pencils are great because you can easily erase and make adjustments as you go along. Once you are happy with the design, it’s time to start painting. I have found that acrylic craft paints work best. Depending on the effect you are going for, there are matte, glossy and metallic options available. Some colors may require 2-3 coats so you will want to allow plenty of drying time in between the applications.

Have fun creating your own Halloween pumpkins!

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