On the Go in MCO - Page 186 of 224 - A lifestyle and informational blog about all that central Florida has to offer! Enjoy our unique perspectives and news about the Orlando area attractions and resorts.

Disney T-shirt Collection

T-shirt from runDisney I’d love image copyright Disney

People often ask what Disney items I collect. I don’t really do pins, other than for the races I’ve done or special occasions like Epcot’s 30th. Vinylmations aren’t really my thing because I know there are ones I like, but I can’t deal with the blind boxes and not knowing what I’m going to get. My weakness, when it comes to Disney, and other things, is my affinity for t-shirts. I’ve collected them since I moved to Florida in the late 1990s and thought I had a few added to the collection over the years. It wasn’t until I went to take pictures for this post that I realized that the number of Disney t-shirts I now own is pushing fifty.

Most of my Disney t-shirts have stories behind them as to when and where I purchased them. Others, I have no recollection of how I acquired them, but I am fairly certain that I purchased them all, if not all but one or two. At an average price of probably $20-25 each after discounts, I am a little embarrassed at the amount of money I’ve probably spent (well over $1,000.), but I do love them and the memories they bring. So I thought I’d take this time to share my t-shirt collection and what a few of them mean to me.

I wish I had a picture, or could find the shirt, but the first Disney t-shirt I actually remember getting (or having my mom possibly buy it for me) was in middle school on my first trip to Epcot in 1993. I loved the France pavilion so much and was a scholar of French at the time, so it was a perfect fit (or so I thought at the time) when I found a shirt that featured helpful phrases and words in French with their translation into English. The brilliant thing about this shirt was that the words were printed upside down, so I as the shirt wearer could read it a little easier. Dorky, I know, but I loved it and really wish I could lay my hands on it. I’ve spent over an hour looking and I’m temporarily calling off the search.

When I was in middle school and high school, my favorite Disney character was Winnie the Pooh. I had a stuffed Winnie the Pooh that even sang when you pushed a button on the hunny pot he was holding. I’m sure I still have him around here, but not sure where. These three shirts have survived a good two decades almost now.

The older I got, the more I realized that Mickey Mouse was actually my favorite character. I would say he probably makes up the character on the highest percentage of my shirts.

Over the years I have acquired a love for Disney t-shirts from the parks, whether to celebrate anniversaries or just favorite attractions.

Disney MGM Studios Where Animation Comes to Life front

Disney MGM Studios Where Animation Comes to Life back

Star Tours Judge Me By My Size, Do You front

Star Tours Judge Me By My Size, Do You back

Disney Tradition Built by Characterss front

Disney Tradition Built by Characterss back

Red Car Trolley at Disney California Adventure

My favorite sports team trains at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports, so they even have Disney Atlanta Braves shirts.

ESPN WWOS Atlanta Braves Spring Training

Miscellaneous shirts

Don't Worry Be Happy — Don’t Worry Be Happy

Dopey I'm Smarter Than U Look — Dopey I’m Smarter Than U Look

Darth Vader Who's Your Daddy — Darth Vader Who’s Your Daddy

Even my favorite actor, Sean Connery, was featured on a t-shirt I got at MGM about fifteen years ago.

Then there are the holiday shirts. The one that was the hardest to get and to wear after earning it was the 24 hours Leap Day in 2012.

I only have one Disney resort t-shirt and that is for my favorite resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort.

Disney's Polynesian Resort front — Disney’s Polynesian Resort front

Disney's Polynesian Resort back — Disney’s Polynesian Resort back

The shirts I am most proud of, and have paid the most for individually, are those from my RunDisney races.

Mickey's Halloween 5K 2010 — Mickey’s Halloween 5K 2010

Buzz and Woody's Best Friends 5K 2011 — Buzz and Woody’s Best Friends 5K 2011

Beauty and the Beast Royal Family 5K 2011

My latest addition to my collection came last weekend in The Adventures of the Gummi Bears t-shirt.

In doing this, I noticed that I don’t have any Animal Kingdom shirts. I saw one the other day that I really liked, so this may be the next one to join the others.

Disney's Animal Kingdom t-shirt — Disney’s Animal Kingdom t-shirt

Do you collect anything? Do you have more Disney t-shirts than me? Do you have a favorite?

SPCA of Central Florida: Paws in the Park 2013 Mardi Paws

Join thousands of other animal lovers in your community to support the SPCA of Central Florida on Saturday, February 9, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon at Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando for the biggest and best FUN-raising pet walk in Central Florida!

This fun family event will have something for everyone. Kids can visit the new Disney Kids Zone plus amazing entertainment zone for the whole family. Enjoy the leisurely walk which raises money to find permanent homes for thousands of homeless animals and support the SPCA of Central Florida’s programs.

Enjoy pet related vendors, entertainment, raffles and more!

All donations received from “Mardi Paws” will go back to support the SPCA of Central Florida in their community programming, low cost medical facilities and finding loving permanent homes for thousands of animals!

Make sure that you take a moment to Register Online.

SPCA of Central Florida Mardi Paws Details:

When: Saturday, February 9, 2013
Where: Lake Eola, Downtown Orlando (corner of Robinson Street and Eola Drive)
Registration: 9:00 a.m.
Entertainment and Disney Kids Zone: 9:00 – Noon
Vendor Area: 9:00 – Noon
Walk Start: 10:30 a.m.

Self-parking can be found throughout Downtown Orlando. Parking infromation can be found at www.CityofOrlando.net and follow the ParkSmart link. The SPCA of Central Florida is not responsible for towed vehicles.

Things To Remember:

All pets must be at least 6 months old and have proof of vaccinations.
Dogs only please. No female dogs in heat.
Pets must wear a suitable collar.
Keep your dogs on a 6ft leash or shorter and under control at all times.
Water for dogs will be supplied.
Please be considerate and pick-up after your dog.
For the enjoyment and safety of all participants, we reserve the right to require any aggressive animal to leave the park.
Please obey all rules of beautiful Lake Eola. No swimming in the lake and no chasing the ducks or swans.

Wordless Wednesday – First Sunrise

Wordless Wednesday – February 6, 2013

Tuskegee Airmen To Visit Fantasy Of Flight ‘Legends & Legacies’ Series

Nation’s First African-American Aviation Heroes, The Tuskegee Airmen, Return to Fantasy of Flight to Kick Off Fifth Annual “Legends & Legacies” Series, Moderated by Aviator/Educator Barrington Irving,

February 7-9, 2013

“They Dared to Fly” Student Essay Contest Salutes World War II Veterans During Black History Month for Their Leadership, Excellence, Advocacy and Determination

For the fifth year, Fantasy of Flight, home to the World’s Greatest Aircraft Collection™, will once again welcome the nation’s first African-American Aviation heroes, the Tuskegee Airmen, when it kicks off its 2013 Legends & Legacies Symposium Series Thursday, Feb. 7 through Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013. The attraction will celebrate Black History Month not only by hosting a three-day limited engagement event called “They Dared to Fly” featuring several surviving Tuskegee Airmen, but also by sponsoring its third annual student essay contest in which students are encouraged to write about the values of leadership, excellence, advocacy and determination (LEAD) embodied by the Tuskegee pilots.

“They Dared to Fly” is scheduled to feature several open-forum/question-and-answer sessions as well as meet/greet autograph signings with five of the original Tuskegee Airmen. Of the original group of nearly 1,000 trained pilots and 15,000 ground personnel that made up the Tuskegee Airmen, roughly 40 pilots and 200 ground crew are alive today. In 2007, President George W. Bush awarded the surviving Airmen the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest civilian award.

For the first time, the event will be moderated by pilot and educator Barrington Irving. Raised in Miami’s inner city, surrounded by crime, poverty, and failing schools, he beat the odds to become the youngest person and only African American ever to fly solo around the world. He built a plane himself, made his historic flight, graduated magna cum laude from an aeronautical science program, and founded a dynamic educational nonprofit Experience Aviation, to boost the numbers of youth in aviation and other science and math related careers — all before the age of 28.

The impact of the Tuskegee Airmen on his career was profound, Irving said. “The Tuskegee Airmen’s legacy is one that we should we should never forget. Early on in my career, I had the opportunity to work with Lieutenant Colonel Leo Gray and a local Airmen’s chapter in Miami. These men were a great inspiration to me. They had fought two wars — one for their country and another for equality and respect when they got back home. They are my heroes.”

Fantasy of Flight’s permanent multi-media Tuskegee Airmen exhibit and vintage aircraft collection, including the P-51C Mustang “Red Tail,” provides the perfect backdrop for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the brave men who fought America’s enemies abroad while enduring racism at home. Scheduled to appear at one or more of the symposiums are: George E. Hardy, Leo. R. Gray, Daniel Keel and Charles E.McGee. Symposium events are included in the attraction’s general admission price and are free for annual pass holders.

In tribute to the Tuskegee, students in grades 6-12 are invited to participate in the “They Dared to Fly” essay contest. Using the principles of LEAD (leadership, excellence, advocacy and determination), students should describe how the Tuskegee Airmen achieved success or describe how they can use these values to achieve a personal goal of their own.

Required essay length for students in grades 6-8 is 350 words; 500 words for students in grades 9-12. Entries will be judged on overall content, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, legibility and penmanship (as applicable). First place winners in each of two categories (grades 6-8 and 9-12) will take home $500; two second place winners each will receive $300. The deadline for the essay contest is 5 p.m., Feb. 22, 2013. Winners will be announced March 8, 2013. Additional rules apply. For more information, visit www.fantasyofflight.com.

Students and student groups can attend the symposium Feb. 7-9 and use the information they learn to write their essays. Special rates are available for student groups. For more information, contact Stephanie Connor, sconnor@fantasyofflight.com. Fantasy of Flight also has a recommended reading list of age-appropriate books available on its website at www.fantasyofflight.com/livinghistory.

“We are proud welcome back the Tuskegee Airmen and their families to Fantasy of Flight for our Fifth Annual Legends & Legacies Symposium Series,” said Kim Long, General Manager. “These gentlemen are incredible role models for all of us, particularly young people, and it is so fulfilling to witness through the essay contest the inspiration and positive message they pass on to students.”

The following Tuskegee Airmen are scheduled to appear at one or more of the symposiums:

George E. Hardy (Sarasota, Fla.) – George E. Hardy entered military service in July 1943, and graduated as a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen in September 1944. He was shipped overseas in February 1945 and flew twenty-one (21) combat missions over Germany. He continued his military career with service in Korea and Vietnam and retired in November 1971 with the rank of Lt. Colonel. His decorations include: the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with eleven (11) Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Commendation Medal with one (1) Oak Leaf Cluster.

Leo. R. Gray (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) – After completing the College Training Detachment Program at Tuskegee Institute, Gray entered aviation cadet training to become a pilot. He graduated from the Tuskegee Army Air Field Flying School as a 2nd Lieutenant and was stationed in Italy as a fighter pilot with the 100th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group. He flew 15 combat missions over Europe before separating from active duty in 1946. During his 41 years of military service, Lt. Col. Gray was awarded the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, a Presidential Unit Citation, and the Mediterranean Theatre of Operation ribbon with three Battle Stars.

Daniel Keel (Orlando, Fla.) Keel was a junior studying aeronautical engineering at Northeastern University when he was drafted in 1943. Although he earned his wings as a pilot and navigator in the Tuskegee program, the war ended before Keel’s 477th Bombardment Group (Medium) saw action. He left the military in 1946 and secured a commercial pilot’s license, although a black man would not be allowed to pilot a major commercial airline for nearly 20 years. Instead, he started an electrical contracting firm and is now retired.

Charles E. McGee (Maryland) – McGee was studying engineering at the University of Illinois when he enlisted in the U.S. Army, became a part of the Tuskegee Airmen and earned his pilot’s wings in June 1943. McGee flew 137 combat missions before returning to the United States in Dec. 1944 as a Captain. He served as a pilot in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War, completing more than 270 more missions. In a 30-year active service career, he achieved the highest three-war fighter mission total, 409 fighter combat missions, of any Air Force aviator. McGee retired on Jan. 1973 as a Colonel and ended his military career with 6,308 flying hours. He was recognized for his combat and military service with a number of awards including: Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, and numerous other awards. In 2011, he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio. He also served as a consultant to the 2012 George Lucas film, “Red Tails.”

The compelling and historically significant Fifth Annual Legends & Legacies Symposium Series brings to life the experiences of some of America’s most courageous aviators through permanent and semi-permanent exhibits, real aircraft, and most importantly, their own personal stories and interactions with guests. All new programs this year take an in-depth look at World War I and the Cold War as well as saluting veterans of every era.

The six topics scheduled for 2013 include: “They Dared to Fly: Featuring the Tuskegee Airmen” in honor of National Black History Month, Feb. 7-9; “Beyond the Battlefield,” March 8-9; “The First World War,” April 6; “D-Day: Normandy & Beyond,” May 3-4; “Espionage: The Cold War,” Oct. 4-5 and “Veteran’s Day Salute: A Celebration of Service,” Nov. 9-10.

Symposium events are included in the price of Fantasy of Flight general admission and are free for annual pass holders. General admission is $29.95 for adults, $27.95 for seniors ages 55 and over and $15.95 for children, ages 6-12, plus 7 percent sales tax. Children five and under are free with full paying adult. Group rates are available for groups of 15 or more; for more information, call 863-984-3500, ext. 220. For general information, visit www.fantasyofflight.com.

About Fantasy of Flight

Fantasy of Flight is Central Florida’s premier aviation-themed attraction showcasing vintage aircraft from the world’s largest private collection; themed immersion experiences; interactive exhibits; a tram tour of aircraft maintenance areas; Restoration and Backlot tours; Fun with Flight center for families and the country’s only Aerial Demonstration of the Day

(Weather permitting) featuring a vintage plane. General admission also includes The Tuskegee Airmen – They Dared to Fly

exhibit; the multimedia tribute to the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) – A Passionate Pursuit, a walking audio tour and many special events throughout the year.

New at Fantasy of Flight this year is Wing WalkAir, a thrilling outdoor attraction featuring a 600-foot zip line suspended four stories above water and a three-level ropes course complete with 33 midair challenges to be performed while tethered

to an overhead line at heights of up to 45 feet. Ideal for families, couples, student/youth groups or corporate groups seeking teambuilding opportunities, Wing WalkAir is the first attraction of its kind in Polk County, located midway between Tampa and Orlando. Admission is $25 for the Wing WalkAir Ropes Course & Zip Line or $15 for the zip line and $12 for the ropes course when purchased separately. Group rates are available. Fantasy of Flight admission is not required for entry to Wing WalkAir.

Hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. General admission is $29.95 for adults, $27.95 for seniors ages 55 and over and $15.95 for children, ages 6-12, plus 7 percent sales tax. Annual passes are available for $69.95 for adults, $39.95 for children ages

6–12, plus 7 percent sales tax, and are good for one year from the date of purchase. Biplane rides through Waldo Wright’s

Flying Service and hot air balloon rides are available for an extra charge. For more information about Fantasy of Flight, call 863-984-3500 or visit www.fantasyofflight.com.

D23 Fanniversary Celebration Returns In 2013: Tickets Available February 5th

I am so excited that D23: The Official Fan Club has announced that they are bringing the Fanniversary Celebration to several cities to help celebrate Disney milestones and landmark anniversaries in 2013! I had the chance to attend the D23 Fanniversary in Orlando last year, and it was a great opportunity to spend some time with my fellow Disney Geeks!!!

Each special 90 minute show will be hosted by a Disney archivist and D23 Team member, and will highlight the rich behind-the-scenes stories of these magical moments through rarely or never-before-seen film footage, concept art, photography, and exclusive interviews with many of your favorite Disney Legends and luminaries.

D23 will lead guests on a journey through dozens of unforgettable Disney moments that have delighted generations of Disney fans, including beloved movies like Peter Pan, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and the first Pirates of the Caribbean film; classic characters like Mickey Mouse and Chip ‘n’ Dale; favorite attractions and entertainment spectaculars at Disney parks such as Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Horizons, and Mickey’s Toontown; the openings of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland, the launch of The Disney Channel; the first voyage of Disney Cruise Line; and the momentous founding of The Walt Disney Company in, of course, 1923.
Following each presentation, guests will have the opportunity to briefly mix and mingle with presenters and fellow Disney fans. Plus, we will have a special treasure from the Walt Disney Archives available on display!

D23′s Disney Fanniversary Celebration events will be held in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Newark, Orlando, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C so we can “Unlock the Magic” of Disney and D23 from coast to coast!

Los Angeles
Date: Friday, March 1
Location: The Studio Theatre, The Walt Disney Studios (500 S. Buena Vista Street, Burbank, California)
Time: 5 and 8 p.m. (Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the show.)
San Diego
Date: Saturday, March 2
Location: San Diego MOPA-Joan and Irwin Jacobs Theater (1649 El Prado, San Diego, California)
Time: 2 p.m. (Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the show.)
Phoenix
Date: Sunday, March 3
Location: Phoenix Center for the Arts (1202 North 3rd Street, Phoenix, Arizona)
Time: 2:30 p.m. (Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the show.)
Orlando
Date: Friday, March 8
Location: Atlantic Dance Hall, Walt Disney’s BoardWalk Resort, Walt Disney World
Time: 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. (Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the show.)
Chicago
Date: Sunday, March 10
Location: Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago (220 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
Time: 2 and 5 p.m. (Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the show.)
Washington, D.C.
Date: Thursday, March 21
Location: U.S. Navy Memorial (701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.)
Time: 7 p.m. (Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the show.)
Newark
Date: Saturday, March 23
Location: Newark Museum, Billy Johnson Auditorium (49 Washington Street, Newark, New Jersey)
Time: 2:30 p.m. (Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the show.)
Boston
Date: Sunday, March 24
Location: Boston Theatre 1 at the Revere Hotel (200 Stuart St., Boston, Massachusetts)
Time: 2 and 5 p.m. Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the show.)
Seattle
Date: Friday, April 5
Location: Seattle Public Library in the Microsoft Auditorium on level 1 (1000 Fourth Ave, Seattle, WA; Access to the building for the event will be through the 4th Avenue entrance.)
Time: 7 p.m. (Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the show.)
San Francisco
Date: Sunday, April 7
Location: Walt Disney Family Museum, (104 Montgomery Street, The Presidio of San Francisco, California)
Time: 2 and 5 p.m. (Please do not arrive more than 30 minutes prior to the show.)

I love the D23 Fanniversary Celebration 2012 Pennant we got last year!!!

Tickets will be available February 5 at 10 a.m. PST for D23 Members to purchase online. The remaining General Admission tickets will be available February 12 at 10 a.m. PST if available.

Tickets are $21 for D23 Members (and their guest). Tickets are $35 for general admission when/if they become available. It’s important to note that parking is not included with the price of the ticket.

As always it’s important to keep in mind that D23 event tickets tend to go quickly, so make sure that you’re online quickly if you’d like to attend one of the D23 Fanniversary Celebrations!

And now for the D23 Fanniversary Celebration Fine Print and Details you want to make sure you know…

Available only to D23 Members in good standing. Members may reserve a ticket for themselves and one (1) guest.
There are a limited number of tickets available. D23 Members will be required to provide their membership number when reserving tickets.
Tickets may be picked up only with a valid photo ID AND D23 MEMBERSHIP CARD. D23 Members who do not bring their membership card may not be admitted to the event.
General admission tickets will be available only if additional seats remain. Ticketed Members who do not attend the event forfeit their place as well as all experiences, benefits, and gifts associated with the event.
If you wish to request for sign language interpreting services for this event, please submit your request to d23.guestservices@disneystore.com at least two weeks prior to the event date.
All D23 Special Events are subject to change without notice.
There are no cancellations or refunds, tickets are not transferrable.

I hope that you’re able to make it to one of the D23 Fanniversary Celebrations, and if you’re at the Orlando Fanniversary Celebration make sure to give me a shout!!!

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club celebrates the remarkable past, present, and future of Disney, taking its name from 1923, the year Walt Disney founded his world-famous company. D23 brings its members a host of exclusive benefits, including a weekly e-mail newsletter; an array of discounts and special offers; and exclusive, member-only special events.

Disney fans can join the world’s only Official Disney Fan Club by visiting www.D23.com or select shops at the Disneyland^® Resort, the Walt Disney World^® Resort and www.DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow “DisneyD23” on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend As A Spectator With Jaimee – @Jaimd929

Hey There! My name is Jaimee Dietz and I was asked to write about my experience as being a spectator at this year’s Walt Disney World Marathon weekend. This was my very first time going to marathon weekend so I wasn’t sure what to expect.

I went to support my friends who were running the Family Fun Run 5k, the Walt Disney World Half Marathon, the Walt Disney World Marathon and even the Goofy (the 1/2 on Saturday followed by the full on Sunday).

First off, I had the opportunity to see the Family Fun Run 5kers early, 4:30 AM to be exact, Friday at the Epcot parking lot, which is where all the runners congregate before heading into their respective corrals. Even though I wasn’t running, I could feel the excitement in the air. There was music blasting, a photo opportunity with Mickey and Minnie, and just a great time of seeing some old and new friends.

As the time approached for the runners to start the 5k, I then headed over to Hollywood Studios with James Hansen and Mary Jo Collins for the Run Disney Marathon Meet up. In order to be a part of the meet up, you had to follow the link in @runDisney‘s tweet announcing the event to sign up for a chance to attend. They only allow a certain number of participants, so it was very exciting to be chosen to go.

walt disney world marathon — Jaimee and the Big Cheese at the RunDisney Meet Up

We met at Hollywood Studios and ran 2 1/2 miles through the park followed by the opportunity to meet some inspiring runners, including Jeff Galloway. I even had my picture taken with celebrities Joey Fatone and Drew Carey. This was also my first time going to this event and it was so much fun. I would definitely do it again if I get the chance.

Saturday was an even earlier start where I got up at 2 am to see the Walt Disney World Half Marathon runners get ready to start their trek through the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. This race also started at the Epcot parking lot. I know this is insanely early but it was completely worth it.

After we left the runners, my friends James and Stephanie and I started our adventure by heading over to the Magic Kingdom via the monorail. This was the most practical way to get over to MK rather than driving a car. The whole process took about 30 min. To see the runners through MK, you don’t need a park ticket because technically the park is still closed. Main Street USA was breathtaking that early in the morning, because all the buildings were lit up with the sun rising behind them. They even had Cinderella’s castle all lit up with the Dream Lights. I could only imagine being one of those runners turning the corner to run down Main Street and see that glorious sight that is Cinderella’s castle. We stayed there for about an hour or two and then headed back over to Epcot to see our friends finish.

Taking the monorail back to Epcot was a little time consuming but we were in no rush so it really didn’t bother us. What was really neat and unexpected was as we were riding the monorail we could see the runners below. When we arrived back at Epcot, we headed over to the area where the resort buses are located to grab a spot to watch the runners head towards the finish line. Seeing my friends finish and wearing their medals proudly was so awesome and inspiring. It even made me proud for them.

Sunday was another amazing day being able to see some of my friends run the Walt Disney World Marathon. We made our way to the United Kingdom pavilion in Epcot to watch the runners come through the end of the race at mile 25. I saw a lot tired and weary faces but also determined faces knowing that they were nearing the end. Some had smiles and some had tears in their eyes. I tried to cheer for everyone, strangers and friends alike, clapping, yelling, and ringing a cow bell!

Overall, I was so thrilled to be able to have this experience being a spectator at Marathon weekend. It was extremely inspiring seeing all different types of people running. One of the most touching moments was seeing a man carrying the American Flag while running down Main Street. It was such an amazing sight to see. It filled my heart with gratitude. Another very special moment was seeing a few men dressed in full firemen garb carrying tanks and all.

This weekend will definitely be a weekend I will never forget. You don’t have to be a runner or interested in running to enjoy marathon weekend. It’s so fun and exciting just being in the midst of all the Marathon Weekend activities. But be careful, you might just get inspired to hit the pavement and sign up for a race of your own. I’ll be running my first half marathon in February, the Walt Disney World Princess Half Marathon and I’m also training for the Dumbo Double Dare Challenge at Disneyland later this summer.

So get out there and cheer for those runners! You never know where it might lead you!

Disney Twenty-Three Spring Issue On Stands February 12th

RETURN TO OZ IN THE ALL-NEW SPRING ISSUE OF DISNEY TWENTY-THREE

ON STANDS FEBRUARY 12

A Dazzling Behind-The-Scenes Look At Disney’s Oz The Great and Powerful,

The 15th Anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and

Never-Before-Seen Concept Art from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen

The spring issue of Disney twenty-three, the flagship magazine of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, hits stands February 12, loaded with articles to delight both Disney fans and the general public. The cover story, “A Great and Powerful Odyssey,” gives readers an exclusive tour of the land at the end of the road of yellow bricks in Disney’s Oz The Great and Powerful releasing in theaters this March. The article features interviews with stars Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams and Zach Braff. In addition, there’s a sneak peek of 2014’s Maleficent, starring Angelina Jolie, which offers a new take on the legendary Sleeping Beauty story.

The Emerald City theme continues with a second story illuminating the many connections between Disney and Oz, including Walt Disney’s early attempts to bring Oz to the big screen. The story includes rarely seen images from the Walt Disney Archives and a fond look back at Disney’s 1985 release Return to Oz.

In celebration of the 15th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we sit down with Imagineer Joe Rohde as he reflects on the evolution of Disney’s wildest and most spiritual park.

“Frozen in Time” includes concept art from the upcoming film Frozen, due in theaters this November. Walt Disney Animation Studios brings an ice-covered world to life as Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell) seeks to reverse a curse put on her kingdom by a cold-hearted snow queen (voiced by Idina Menzel), who also happens to be her sister.

Disney twenty-three also offers the latest on exciting new projects from the world of Disney and a look at some celebrated classics. The spring issue:

Celebrates the 30th anniversary of Disney Channel from the original show Good Morning Mickey through theHigh School Musical trilogy;
Reveals the secrets and hidden delights to look out for when exploring New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom ;
Catches up with Bob Baker, a legendary Los Angeles puppeteer whose exquisite artistry is threaded throughout Disney history;
Tells the story of master glass craftsmen, the Arribas brothers, who now have art in 14 (and counting) different Disney park locations around the globe.

The Disney discoveries do not stop at the end of the publication this spring. In conjunction with the release of this spring issue of Disney twenty-three on February 12, www.D23.com will feature original and exclusive stories that complement the contents of D23’s glossy magazine. Only available on D23.com:

An exclusive Q&A with Brian Henson about his first film, Return to Oz;
An off-road tour of Kilimanjaro Safaris with the head zookeeper in celebration of Disney’s Animal Kingdom 15th anniversary;
An in-depth look at Disney Channel’s schedule, stars, and shows and an exclusive look back at the first day of programming as the Channel turns 30.

Disney twenty-three is delivered directly to the doorstep of all D23 Gold Members, along with a special gift. The gifts for this issue are reproductions of vintage Disney Valentine’s Day cards, which will be attached exclusively to member issues. This special gift will be received by members just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Beginning February 12, Disney twenty-three magazine will be available at retail locations across the country for $15.95, and can also be purchased online at DisneyStore.com and throughout the Disneyland^® and Walt Disney World^® Resorts.

About D23

Disney Live! Is Coming to Orlando

Mickey Mouse and friends rock the world with the stars from The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story in their new touring show Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival coming to the UCF Arena March 3, 2013.

Disney hits are remixed to the hottest sounds of today featuring hip hop, pop, swing, reggae, rock, country and much more! The irresistible lineup of performers, including Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy; Ariel, Sebastian and Ursula; Jasmine, Aladdin and Genie; and Woody, Buzz and Jessie; are among the more than 25 Disney stars featured in this jam session fit for the entire family!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUyxUfdmiNw

We’ll be posting more details, discounts, and a ticket Give-a-way soon!

Make sure you like Disney Live! on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for Updates and information about Disney Live! coming to your town!

Orlando City Soccer Club announces 2013 schedule

2013 Orlando City Schedule Released

Major League Soccer Integration In USL PRO Beginning In 2013

The USL PRO released their 2013 schedule today, with Orlando City opening up the regular season on the road against new USL PRO franchise Phoenix FC on April 7 and play its first home match on Sunday, April 14, vs. the Rochester Rhinos. The Lions will also play a home-and-away series against the Seattle Sounders Reserves in the 2013 regular season.

The USL/Major League Soccer (MLS) agreement announced yesterday has given MLS franchises the opportunity to pair up with an existing USL team in 2013. Orlando became the first USL PRO team to announce an affiliation, partnering with Sporting Kansas City for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Kansas City will be sending a minimum of four players to the Lions to gain playing time.

Other features of the schedule include a rematch of the 2012 USL PRO Semifinal vs. the Wilmington Hammerheads on May 25 at the Citrus Bowl, away against new cross-state USL PRO franchise VSI Tampa on August 4 and visiting the Sounders Reserves in Seattle at the Starfire Sports Complex on May 12. The club also plays host to Seattle on August 11. The two matches against Seattle will count toward the USL PRO standings and MLS Reserve standings, respectively, in 2013. City also plans to hold international friendlies in the June and July area, with announcements to be made on specific opponents later on in the year.

The 2013 USL PRO Playoffs will include the top eight finishers in the table, with the quarterfinals (No. 1 vs. No. 8, No. 2 vs. No. 7, etc.) set for the weekend of August 23-25. The semifinals featuring the four remaining teams will be played the following weekend, with the 2013 USL PRO Championship set for the weekend of September 6-8. All playoff rounds feature a single-game knockout format and teams will not be re-seeded following each round.

The Lions officially kick off the 2013 preseason at the Disney Pro Soccer Classic on February 9th. Orlando will play against MLS sides Philadelphia Union, Toronto FC and Columbus Crew. The team continues its preseason in the first ever “I-4 Derby”, a home-and-away series against 2012 NASL Champion Tampa Bay Rowdies on March 9 and 30.

City has begun a regular training schedule, practicing at the team’s facility in Sanford at the Seminole Soccer Complex.

Wordless Wednesday – Eric’s Waterfall

Wordless Wednesday – January 30,2013

TrenD Report – T-Shirts And More Galore

This week’s TrenD Report is full of some fun new T-shirts, jewelry, and fun Disney items to spruce up your home for 2013!

I love that Snow White is hidden in this flowy tank – $39.95

This Minnie Mouse Trinket Box and Water Bottle are adorable – $24.95/$14.95

Don’t forget to take a look at last week’s TrenD Report, because I am still pretty much obsessed with the new purses they have out!

And while I am especially in love with the Harveys Mickey loves Minnie collection, I am chomping at the bit to see the Good vs Evil collection that will be released February 9th!!!

I hope that you’ve enjoyed window shopping with me!!!

Orlando City To Become USL Affiliate of Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kansas City

Orlando City To Become USL Affiliate of

Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kansas City

Two-year deal between clubs begins in 2013

Orlando City (USL PRO) and Sporting Kansas City (Major League Soccer) are proud to announce a two-year partnership, with the Lions becoming the official USL PRO affiliate of Sporting KC. The landmark agreement made by the two clubs kicks off an important stepping stone in the U.S. soccer pyramid, with MLS reserve players to be integrated into USL PRO play beginning in 2013.

“We are excited to begin our partnership with one of the greatest MLS brands, Sporting KC,” said Orlando City President Phil Rawlins. “We believe the integration of USL and MLS will go down as an important day in the history of the American soccer pyramid.”

Starting with an announcement earlier today via the two leagues, MLS teams now have the chance to partner with USL PRO clubs. As an official affiliate, Orlando City will retain a minimum of four Sporting KC players for development throughout the USL PRO regular season. Those players would then get playing time, in preparation to be called up by their MLS club. The four reserve players Sporting will send to Orlando for the 2013 season have not yet been announced.

Both clubs are known to be top-level organizations within their respective leagues, making for a logical partnership.

Sporting Kansas City began developing a strong relationship with Orlando City Soccer Club during the team’s 2012 pre-season trip to Orlando, where the team will return next month for the 2013 Disney Pro Soccer Classic. The teams met in the Third Round of the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Sporting Park and have remained in regular communication over the last several months for opportunities to develop a more meaningful professional partnership.

In addition to providing loan opportunities for select Sporting Kansas City reserve players, the technical staffs from both teams will collaborate on several initiatives including joint coaching seminars, business endeavors, scouting mechanisms and access to facilities. These efforts would strive to be mutually beneficial for both clubs and serve to build upon the foundation that has been established.

“We are fortunate Orlando City has agreed to partner with us in this new, groundbreaking opportunity. They are a class club and this will be a great partnership for both organizations,” Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes said. “It will provide beneficial opportunities for our players to develop within a competitive environment for a tremendous organization and fanbase. Together, our shared vision for this affiliation made it easy for us to enter into the opportunity.”

Beginning this season, each USL PRO team will play two (2) inter-league games against a single MLS Reserve League opponent, except Antigua (two different opponents). It is anticipated that over half of the games at the MLS opponent will be played in their primary venue (Red Bull Arena, Jeld-Wen Field, Pizza Hut Park, etc.) and in several cases as part of a doubleheader with the MLS “first team” game on the same date.

About Orlando City Soccer Club:

Orlando City Soccer Club (OCSC) is a premier professional soccer sports franchise in the United States and is a member of the USL PRO. The Lion’s pro team has won two regular season titles and one postseason championship during their short time in Orlando. Outside of the pro squad, OCSC also has their own youth club, Orlando City Youth Soccer (OCYS) and a U23s team that participates in the PDL. For more information on the pro and youth clubs, visit www.orlandocitysoccer.com and www.orlandocityyouth.org.

About Sporting KC:

Sporting Kansas City is proud to be the only professional sports organization in Kansas City with local ownership. The team’s parent organization, Sporting Club, consists of the following five entrepreneurs in the Kansas City business community: Neal Patterson, Cliff Illig, Robb Heineman, Greg Maday and Pat Curran. Under their direction, Sporting Kansas City has opened a world-class training center at Swope Park and now plays at state-of-the-art Sporting Park, while also investing in the Sporting KC Academy for developing local youth into homegrown talent. Sporting Kansas City enters 2013 in its 18th season as a charter member of Major League Soccer and has finished in first place in the Eastern Conference each of the last two seasons. The team will represent Major League Soccer in the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League as winners of the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

LEGOLAND Florida for Adults

Recently I visited LEGOLAND Florida for the first time with my mom. Ever since we learned of it being announced in the central Florida area we both wanted to go. Having grown up playing with Legos, this was a great treat to be able to finally attend this relatively new theme park. We were both excited to be able to explore the park as adults (read as kids at heart) without any kids this trip.

As a kid I would spend hours on end creating with Legos and dreaming up new landscapes, vehicles, and architectural designs. I couldn’t wait to see the minilands in particular at the park, but also the great rides, shows and the ability to visit Cypress Gardens. LEGOLAND Florida did not disappoint at all! I had done little research ahead of time as to what attractions there were, but had heard great things from friends by word of mouth ensuring me that I’d enjoy my visit.

One of the first things we did upon entering the parks was to pick up maps, even though I already downloaded the great LEGOLAND Florida app for my iphone. My mom is more inclined to use a paper map than the newer technology and I am a fan of ephemera from parks in particular, so it was nice to have a backup to the user friendly app I prefer to use on my phone. We devised a plan to catch several of the shows that were at set times so we would make sure not to miss them.

The park is divided into different areas: The Beginning, Fun Town, Miniland USA, Duplo Village, Lego Kingdoms, Land of Adventure, Lego City, Imagination Zone, Lego Technic, Pirates’ Cove and Cypress Gardens. The first attraction we experienced was in The Beginning, Island in the Sky, an enclosed platform with seats around the perimeter facing outwards. The platform rises up to 150 feet in the air and slowly rotates 360 degrees giving an amazing panoramic view of the park as well as miles in every direction, including as far as the Bok Tower. This was an absolutely gorgeous way to start the day and to get our bearings and see an overview of the park.

Granny's Apple Fries — Granny’s Apple Fries

From here we went to catch one of the 4-D shows, A Clutch Powers 4-D Adventure, in the nearby theatre in the Fun Town section of LEGOLAND. This was an entertaining show that featured great graphics and a fun story. We didn’t get a chance to catch any of the other 4-D movies, but look forward to coming back again to see the others we missed. Since it was mid morning we stopped for a quick snack, one of my favorites of the day, Granny’s Apple Fries. These fried apple slices were served warm with cinnamon sugar and a tasty vanilla dipping sauce. This was the perfect way to get energized before tackling some rides.

As I mentioned, we are just big kids at heart, so even though we were enjoying the park sans kids, it didn’t mean we were going to explore rides intended for younger children. After our snack break, we rode the double-decker Grand Carousel before heading into Duplo Village. We briefly looked around the playground area of Duplo Farm before riding Granny’s Jalopies, participating in the Junior Fire Academy, and then I rode Big Rig Rally. Yes, these rides are intended for smaller folks, but we still had a great time in this section of the park.

Next up, I wanted to ride some bigger rides, but my mom just wanted to explore, so we headed into the Lego Kingdoms where I rode the Dragon. This is a great coaster that is a combination of indoor dark ride and outdoor roller coaster with some thrills! I especially enjoyed the scenes inside the castle of what is going on before you arrive at the dragon. The other attraction we experienced in this area was Merlin’s Challenge, which I was glad we did before lunch. This ride is a train of sorts that runs seemingly by Merlin’s magic. It is on an undulating track that makes this unassuming appearing ride even more fun once it gets going.

Since I am currently not eating meat, I did look at the official LEGOLAND Florida app ahead of time to see that there were vegetarian options for meals and was happy to see that there were several options to choose from. Based on show schedules and where we wanted to be when, we decided to take our lunch break at I-Zone Panini in the Imagination Zone where I opted for a great vegetarian panzanella.

This was a nice resting point before taking in the Live Water Ski show, The Battle for Brickbeard’s Bounty at Pirates’ Cove. We thoroughly enjoyed this stunt show that featured water skiing, adventure and more on the shores of Lake Eloise. Being a fan of pirates in general, this was definitely one of the highlights of my day with an entertaining story intertwined with great action stunts.

Pirates' Cove with Island in the Sky in the background — Pirates’ Cove with Island in the Sky in the background

Another one of our favorite parts of the day was definitely Cypress Gardens. This beautiful botanical garden was one of the aspects of the park my mom was most looking forward to since she had never been to the park in its previous incarnation. My grandparents had taken me as a child, so it was nice to revisit it as an adult. I absolutely loved the time (almost an hour!) we spent leisurely exploring the meandering paths in this gorgeously preserved area of the park. There is even a fun game to get the kids involved searching for five hidden Travelocity gnomes (I only stumbled upon four – guess this means I’ll have to go back soon to find the fifth one).

My mom wanted to take a break to find a gift for my brother, who is also a huge fan of Legos, so I decided to do a few more of the rollercoasters she said she was going to skip. I think my favorite was the Lego Technic Coaster, which had an awesome drop almost right out of the gate. I also enjoyed the classic wooden coaster, Coastersaurus. We met back up and both rode the fun Safari Trek also in the Land of Adventure.

The area of the park we both knew we were looking forward to the most, and somewhere we ended up spending over an hour in, was Miniland USA. We have varied interests, so we split up part of the time, and reconvened several times crossing paths between the different locations. This section of LEGOLAND is broken up into Daytona International Speedway, Kennedy Space Center, Las Vegas, Florida (with several major cities like Miami, Key West and Tampa represented), Washington D.C., Pirate’s Shores, San Francisco, Hollywood, New York City, and the new Lego Star Wars! I was just telling a friend today I could have easily spent all day in the Miniland USA displays pushing buttons to make the interactive parts work. It is so cool seeing some of these places I’ve visited, and some I’ve seen only in films, come to life right in front of your eyes.

Finishing up the day, we rode one last right in the Land of Adventure, Lost Kingdom Adventure, which is a ride where you shoot lasers at targets to accumulate points. My mom was very proud she beat me in this fun attraction.On our way out, we meandered through stores and the factory tour. We even found ourselves riding the Island in the Sky again since there was next to no wait. Our last stop before heading out of the park for the day was The Big Shop, the park’s largest gift shop. I found an awesome lightweight hooded sweatshirt in my size and favorite color that I couldn’t resist bringing home with me. It was a steal at half off!

We had an amazing time at LEGOLAND Florida as adults, acting like big kids, for the most part. There were a couple of attractions that were challenges for me personally as a larger person, but other than that, we had just as much fun as everyone else enjoying the park. I can’t wait to go back and explore, especially as we get closer to the opening of the LEGOLAND Florida Water Park in a few weeks on March 9th. Overall, LEGOLAND is a great place for kids and adults of all ages. If you want to feel like a kid again, but still enjoy some of the more thrilling rides as an adult, LEGOLAND Florida is a fantastic choice!

Check out some of our other posts about LEGOLAND Water Park here and Star Wars Miniland here.

Posing in front of the Lego Christmas tree

Riding Granny's Jalopies with Mom — Riding Granny’s Jalopies with Mom

The Sound of Plastic sign in Times Square is my favorite detail

Love the guy floating on a barrel and the shark

I've ridden this carousel at Pier 39 — I’ve ridden this carousel at Pier 39

I wish they had this Captain Jack Sparrow shirt for adults

My new hooded LEGOLAND Florida sweatshirt

The SeaWorld Just For Kids Festival Is A Great Time For the Whole Family

Featuring performances by kids’ favorite entertainers, party zone area and more

During the SeaWorld Just For Kids Festival, the paths of SeaWorld Orlando are full of fun kid-friendly music, live performances, games, dancing, and more during this four week festival, which is included in the price of admission.

Zoe’s (and our) favorite part of Just For Kids was the concert, and this year the SeaWorld Just For Kids concert lineup is amazing!

We were able to see the Imagination Movers during the first week, but there are still two Saturdays left to experience some great performances.

SeaWorld Just For Kids - Imagination Movers Concert — Zoe had a blast rocking out at the Imagination Mover’s concert!

Saturday, January 26 Choo-Choo Soul with Genevieve

Starring Genevieve Goings, Choo-Choo Soul allows parents to enjoy the same music their kids do. Featuring soulful and current renditions of the ABC’s, 1-2-3’s, and learning how to be polite, Choo-Choo Soul is a diverse and incredibly hip duo, teaching children through music on an animated train.

Saturday, February 4 Kratt Brothers Live featuring the stars of Wild Kratts

The Kratt Brothers are Chris and Martin Kratt and they are the creators and producers of the widely popular children’s animated series Wild Kratts that airs on PBS. They are the recipients of the 2012 Parents’ Choice Recommended Award.

You will definitely want to make sure that you catch a concert while at the SeaWorld Just For Kids Festival, but you may want to keep a few things in mind when planning your day.

The admission to the concerts is included with park admission, with show times at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at SeaWorld’s Nautilus Theater.

However, to attend guests will need to pick up concert tickets across from Nautilus Theater in order to attend the shows, and tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 9 a.m. each event day. Since shows can and do fill up I absolutely suggest going to the ticket distribution area as soon as you get to SeaWorld, to make sure that you are able to attend the show that best works for your (and especially your little one’s) schedule. Also note that if you are a Platinum Pass Holder, you will not have reserved seating for the concerts.

SeaWorld Just For Kids - IM Playing Bass — Zoe really got to groove when Mover Dave let her play with the band!

Once you have your tickets, you are also going to want to arrive 30-45 minutes before show time to line up outside of the Nautilus Theater to ensure that you have a good seat for the concert.

Once you are inside you will also want to make sure that you know that there is a bathroom located at the back of the Nautilus Theater which is an amazingly convenient thing with little ones, that dancing in the aisles is allowed (and encouraged), and that you will want to make sure that you are prepared for fun!

Before the concert begins there are two acts by the Dragon Legend Acrobats from China that you won’t want to miss! While the acts are pretty amazing, they are also a great way to get your little one accustomed the concert atmosphere.

SeaWorld Just For Kids - Dragon Legend Acrobats Hoopers — The Dragon Legend Acrobats Hula Hoopers were amazing!!!

SeaWorld Just For Kids - Dragon Legend Acrobats Jugglers — The Dragon Legend Acrobats Jugglers from China were amazing!

BUT…if you are like me, you will want to find some way around all of the waiting before the concerts and for that you have two options…

SeaWorld Just For Kids Great Eats & Concert Seats:

It’s easy to reserve your seats to the show by pre-purchasing one of the below dining options.

Elmo’s VIP Character Breakfast – 9 a.m. at Sharks Underwater Grill

Children (2-9) $39.00 / Adults (10+) $49.00

At Elmo’s VIP Character Breakfast, families will enjoy a full-service breakfast experience at Sharks Underwater Grill with Elmo and one of his special Sesame Street friends. Following breakfast, little ones, (and parents, too), will visit with everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends for photos. In addition to that, each family will receive one complimentary 6×8 photo. Those attending the 9 a.m. VIP breakfast will receive VIP seating for the 11 a.m. SeaWorld Just For Kids concert.

Another great bonus is that by attending Elmo’s VIP Character Breakfast you will receive complimentary Valet Parking at SeaWorld Orlando.

Shamu & Friends Character Breakfast Buffet at Terrace Garden – 2 seatings, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Children (2-9) $29.00 / Adults (10+) $39.00

At the Shamu & Friends Character Breakfast Buffet, not only will you get to meet your favorite SeaWorld characters, you will also receive guaranteed admission to specific Just For Kids concerts.

You’ll enjoy and all you care to eat buffet at Terrace Garden Buffet restaurant, and also receive a complimentary 6×8 family photo from the Breakfast. For the concerts, 9:00 am breakfast guests will receive admission to the 2:00 pm concert and 11:00 am breakfast guests will receive admission to the 4:00 pm concert.

With both Character Breakfasts,guests must make sure to arrive at the theater 15 minutes prior to show time to guarantee seating.

Reservations and park admission are required to purchase either breakfast, and can be made online for the VIP Elmo Breakfast and the Shamu & Friends Breakfast.

If you are Passholders, you can visit the Passholder Site to receive 10% off of these Great Eats & Concert Seats Packages.

We are HUGE fans of the Character Breakfasts offered at SeaWorld, and I cannot recommend them highly enough! The food is delicious, and it offers you the opportunity to spend more time playing in the park rather than running to grab tickets and waiting to get into the Theater.

SeaWorld Just For Kids Festival Highlights:

There is a lot more to the SeaWorld Just For Kids Festival than just fun concerts! The whole park is filled with great kid-centric activities, meet and greet opportunities, and shows!

This year there are three new great experiences that have been added to the SeaWorld Just For Kids Festival.

New! Franklin, from the beloved children’s show Franklin and Friends™

SeaWorld Just For Kids -Zoe and Franklin — Zoe and her pal Franklin

Hey, it’s Franklin!

You can meet SeaWorld’s newest friend Franklin located near Pelican Preserve, across from Flamingo Point. Franklin is available at the Woodland for meet and greet opportunities, autographs, and photos (there is a SeaWorld Photographer at the meet and greet) throughout the day at 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm, and 4:30 pm.

Exclusive Franklin-branded merchandise will also be available near the meet and greet area.

Zoe really loved the opportunity to meet one of her favorite characters in a really cute setting! I will warn you that it can get really warm in that area and there isn’t much shade in this area, so you’ll want to make sure the sun is at your back for pictures and it isn’t too warm out while you wait. Also, if you want to minimize your wait make sure to visit Franklin during show and concert times!

SeaWorld Just For Kids - Franklin Merch — There are two Franklin storybooks and a plush that are available for him to sign at the Meet and Greet.

New! Elmo Rocks! (Located at Seafire Inn)

In Elmo Rocks, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Zoe, Abby Cadabby, Bert and Ernie are getting for their very own rock concert located at the Seafire Inn!

The show is full of fun music, dancing, and lots of audience participation. Zoe really enjoyed herself and danced all over the place! You will want to check the time’s guide for show times, but shows are typically at 11:00 am, 2:00 pm, 3:30 pm, and 5:30 pm.

Again, you are going to want to show up 15-30 minutes early to the Seafire Inn to make sure you grab a seat for the show! You will have a rockin’ good time!

New! Enhanced Ocean Adventures Kids Program

SeaWorld Just For Kids - Ocean Adventure — Zoe hard at work to complete her Ocean Adventure!

The Ocean Adventure Program was the highlight of Zoe’s day, outside of the concerts, because she got the chance to experience some of her favorite areas of SeaWorld Orlando in an even better way.

Using the event map children will look for the Sea Star icons inside the park, where they’ll partake in exciting educational activities about animals that make their home at SeaWorld. At each location kids will collect a stamp and a limited edition Just For Kids Explorer’s card. Once they visit all four locations, Wild Arctic, Stingray Lagoon, Manta Aquarium, and near the Shark Encounter, they’ll receive a coupon to redeem at select gift shops for a special prize. Limit one prize per participating child.

Zoe had an absolutely amazing time talking to the knowledgeable and friendly SeaWorld staff, and she wanted to do it again when she was done!

If you are worried about your schedule for the day and how the Ocean Adventures Kids Program will fit in, don’t be! Each station takes less than 5 minutes, and the SeaWorld staff knows how to get in some great information and fun while keeping the line moving.

SeaWorld Just For Kids Specials

The best way to experience all of the fun, music, treats and more at Just for Kids is with a Fun Card, where Florida residents pay for a day and play all year through Dec. 31, 2013. Fun Card members can enjoy all four weeks of Just for Kids fun and all of the amazing special events throughout the year, plus the unforgettable animal encounters, world-class thrill rides and family fun found only at SeaWorld. Fun Cards are available at SeaWorldOrlando.com, at the front gate, or by calling 1-888-800-5447.

During the SeaWorld Just For Kids Festival, there are several tours that when you buy one adult tour your will get a child’s tour free! You can choose from the Behind-the-Scenes Tour, Sea Lions Up-Close Tour, Dolphins Up-Close Tour, and Family Fun Tour.

SeaWorld Just For Kids - Shamu Party Zone — Zoe got to do a mean Chicken Dance at Shamu’s Party Zone!

We absolutely loved our Saturday at the SeaWorld Just For Kids Festival! We had a great day together watching a great concert, riding great attractions, and seeing Shamu…What more could you ask for?

Running Full Circle With Run Disney

How did I get involved with run Disney? Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of running……um NO! Honestly, I don’t really even like running. The races are fun but the training is definitely tough and requires discipline. Ok, so let me back up.

So I decided on a whim in November of 2011 to sign up for the Family 5k, or 3.1 miles, during WDW Marathon Weekend 2012. Having never trained before or participated in a race, I decided to join up with other runners on a “team” so I wouldn’t have to do the 5k alone. Being familiar with Lou Mongello and the WDW Radio Show, I knew they had a running team so I signed up for the WDW Radio Running Team. Who knew that one simple 5k and click of a mouse would completely change my life? Arriving at the Epcot parking lot at 4 AM that first morning was scary. I didn’t know these “teammates” I was searching for in the vast crowd. All I knew was that we were all wearing WDW Radio blue….did I mention that the official 5k shirts were blue that year too? So it’s 4AM, chilly and I’m staring at a sea of blue shirts looking for my team. Finally, after a mild panic attack fearing I was going to have to run this race totally alone, I spotted Katie McNamara and Mike Beckerman who I recognized from the facebook page for the running team. I walked over and introduced myself and immediately was welcomed with open arms. The three of us along with Deanna Mongello and Steve Drew ran the race together and honestly, as we neared the finish line we were all a bit sad that it was over. Yes! I actually wanted to keep running so that we could all be together. They all got me through that first race and I knew then and there, these were friends for life. They even humored me by waiting in line to get an official race photo taken with our medallions. Jokingly at the end of the race, Steve and Deanna said, you’ll be doing half marathons before you know it.

I tentatively agreed to do the half in 2013 but first I came home and immediately called my best friend Jaimee Dietz and asked her if she’d run the Royal Family 5k with me in February of 2012. She agreed and we began training together which was infinitely better than running alone. I couldn’t wait to get back to Florida and introduce her to all these wonderful friends that I had met the month prior. Princess Weekend 2012 cemented my addiction to running, my love for Florida, and my adoration for all these new friends. I was also introduced to the amazing Shelley Caran and Shalon Given during this weekend proving that you never know where life is taking you. More on that in a minute! Jaimee and I met people that weekend who are truly our best friends for life. The Royal Family 5k was so much fun; we got to wear tutus and tiaras which totally distracted us from the running aspect of the event.

My next event would be my biggest and scariest challenge, the Tower of Terror 10 miler. This race was tough, it was a night race, and extremely warm and humid. It was a special night though as the race started on Jaimee’s birthday and ended on my birthday. Thanks to Shelley and Shalon for helping us make some cute running shirts to celebrate this. It was also very exciting to get my first real race bling, an actual medal. The 5k medallions are nice but nothing compares to getting your first real medal. I also knew that having completed the 10 miler, I was totally capable of running and finishing the 2013 WDW Half Marathon. So now here we are, January 2013 and its been ten days since I completed my first half marathon. I won’t say it was easy because it wasn’t, but I had amazing teammates to pull me through. I can’t stress enough how much a running buddy can help you when you think you have nothing left inside you. I ran with three guys who had all previously done half’s or full’s so they were very helpful in explaining what and when I needed to eat, how to pace, and just what to expect in general. I’ll always be grateful to my Coral F running buds, Charles Stoddard, Nathan Mauldin, and Mike Beckerman.

So here we are, January 2013 and I have four 5k’s, one 10 miler, and one half marathon in the books. Whew….it’s been quite a year. This year I’m already registered for the Princess 1/2 next month and the Dumbo Double Dare Challenge, a 10k followed by the Disneyland 1/2 marathon, in August.

So why do I keep doing this? What started as a whim turned into a totally new life for me. I lost weight, I raised money for the Dream Team Project benefiting Make-A-Wish Foundation, I made lifelong friends, and I moved to Florida so that I could be with them all the time! Without all that, I wouldn’t be writing for this blog, operating my own handmade tutu and hair bow company, challenging myself daily to new things, and living a new life that I couldn’t be happier with.

So why Run Disney? Like most things, Disney exceeds your expectations when they put on an event. The races are filled with so much fun. There’s music, character meet-n-greets along the course, fireworks, after parties, and the BLING! It’s definitely not an inexpensive hobby but I’ve never once felt like I wasn’t getting my money’s worth in a Disney race. Another favorite aspect of race weekends is the camaraderie among runners in the parks following the races. Everyone wears their new bling, from the 5kers to the Goofy participants (those who run a 1/2 followed by a full marathon in one weekend) and congratulate each other as they pass in the parks. Even as I was cheering during the Full Marathon, wearing my 1/2 marathon medal, runners were going by congratulating me! They’re on mile 25 out of 26.1 and they take the time to tell me good job on my accomplishment as they are running by! I can’t forget to mention the amazing volunteers that make these races possible. They hand out water, drinks, biofreeze, and the medals.

Big thanks to On The Go’s own Aurora McBride for personally giving me my very first 1/2 marathon medal this year.

If you’re considering joining the Run Disney family, do it! You won’t regret it. You’ll gain so much more than you can even imagine. So join me, and follow along on my Run Disney journey this year as I go Coast-to-Coast! Happy running!