Disney Archives - Busy Moms Helper

Solo: A Star Wars Story (The Past of a Scoundrel)

May 16, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

The Star Wars movies were a huge part of my childhood – growing up, Sunday afternoons were for watching movies with my dad, and this series was a repeated hit. I have no trouble admitting that my childhood crush was Han Solo – handsome, adventurous, and a good guy deep down. While we got to know Han, Leia and Luke very well during the films and later learned much more about the origins of the twins, we had very little clue at all as to Han’s past. All that’s different with the newest film Solo: A Star Wars Story – and we finally learn more about the past of a scoundrel that we all adore!

Have you ever wondered how Han and Chewbacca met? The history behind Lando and Han having differing opinions as to who really owns the Millennium Falcon? Or how they got into the life of smuggling and debts? There’s so many stories I considered when growing up and watching my childhood hero as to these answers – but I’ll freely say that NONE of them were as amazing as what we learned in this newest Star Wars movie!

Don’t worry, I’m certainly not going to do any spoilers – amazing films like this MUST be seen and experienced for yourself, otherwise some of the amazement is gone. Here’s a few things that were downright exceptional, in my opinion, and more reason you need to go see this ASAP (it hits theaters May 25th)!

First of all, you KNOW there’s going to be epic flight scenes – zooming through space, dodging obstacles and/or enemies, racing to beat the clock. The original Star Wars movies were incredible – so with today’s technology it’s even BETTER and some spots were just jaw-dropping with the graphics.

All of the most recent films have had a droid that we couldn’t help but love – and added so much to the humor and personality of the cast, such as BB-8 and Kaytoo (Rogue One). Solo: A Star Wars Story is no exception, bringing L3-37 into our lives and keeping us rooting for this feisty, no-filter lady!

You not only get to learn more of the history of Han Solo, but other favorites like Lando Calrissian – the ever-flirtatious, confident and sometimes mischievous ‘friend’ who’s just as handsome and charismatic as ever!

The Millenium Falcon is one of the most well-known ships in movie history, and we get to learn more about this beautiful and powerful lady during the Solo film. Of any ship of any movie I’ve seen, this one is my absolute favorite!

The cast for the movie was phenomenal – bringing some more popular names mixed in with some newcomers who blew us away. Of all of these, though, I have to say that Paul Bettany was the most shocking to me – I know him best from his role as Vision in Avengers (or the voice of Jarvis previous to that), or as a clever-with-words fellow in A Knights Tale. In Solo, however, he’s a powerful and feared Dryden Vas, crime lord of the group known as Crimson Dawn. I thought it’d be difficult seeing him as a ‘bad guy’, but oh my word he did INCREDIBLE!

Adventure is a necessity in Star Wars films, and Solo’s movie doesn’t disappoint. From crazy plots, to betrayal, to impossible tasks and more, you’ll be gripping your seat to learn how things do or don’t work out!

There’s tons of things included in Solo: A Star Wars Movie that make you go ‘oh my gosh, did you hear that’ – because it’s the basis for other things in the ‘future’ films! I couldn’t help but clap like a little kid at a few lines because it was like my childhood all over again!

Your emotions will be played with, as Han and Chewie form relationships and trust – whether good or bad – throughout their adventure. They each started out with a specific goal, but how will things work out when everything seems to be going against them?

I can’t wait to go see Solo in theaters again to catch any other details I may have missed, and to experience this incredible movie all over again. It makes me feel like my childhood is getting some explanations that I didn’t even know it was missing from those years of watching Star Wars with my dad. And I’ll admit, I *still* have a crush on Han Solo 😉

Who is/was YOUR favorite Star Wars character?

Speechless about Avengers Infinity War

April 26, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

It’s all been building up to this – the past TEN YEARS of awesome Marvel films featuring our favorite superheroes have all been leading to this one big film: Avengers Infinity War. Needless to say, hubby and I have been eagerly awaiting it’s release for YEARS, but nothing could have prepared us for this wild ride. I’ve never had a more challenging time writing about a film – especially a superhero one – than I am now because I’m practically SPEECHLESS about Infinity War!

It doesn’t matter who you enjoyed seeing the most the past decade – whether it was the classic Avengers, Thor and Loki, Black Panther, Spiderman or the Guardians of the Galaxy – because they all come together for this massively EPIC roller coaster of a battle. From the far reaches of space, to the city streets, to Wakanda, everyone must do their part for any hope to save half of all life in the galaxy.

Y’all know I don’t want to give out any spoilers – I’m a firm believer in seeing it for yourself. And even if not, I’m confident that no matter how much I told you, it would still be an extreme shock to your system once you watch the film! So to avoid spoilers, let me just tell you why Avengers Infinity War is not only the greatest movie ever made (in my own, personal opinion), but why it’s in a league all it’s own and practical requires you to see it more than once!

The Villain You’ve Always Wanted

Thanos is FINALLY making his appearance, and let me assure you he does not disappoint all the hype and build up the past several years. He puts the other villains to shame with his power, will, determination, intelligence and more. Not only that, but as you go through the story with him, you see things a different way. Is he evil? Is he just willing to do what must be done for the better of the universe? I’ll let you decide that for yourself…

Oh, and if you’ve never seen any villain THROW A MOON, you’ll love this awesomeness 🙂

An Emotional Ride You May Not Be Ready For

You’ll laugh the whole way through (this is a Marvel film, after all). You’ll most likely cry – possibly the whole way through. You’ll be trying to solve problems or seek answers to questions. There’s so much your brain and emotions will be going through from the first moments (I kid you not – do NOT be late to this movie!) all the way until the after credits scene, that your brain may even feel a little funny afterwards.

You’ll Leave Feeling Different

The whole walk to our vehicle after the movie, then the entire drive home – and even the next day – hubby and I just kept saying things like ‘I just….I have no idea!’ You will feel different – unsure, curious, excited, sad, angry, happy, incomplete, and so many other emotions you may not even be able to label. I’ve NEVER had a movie put me through so much in less than 3 hours – and especially not in a way that lasts long after the movie is done!

You Won’t Expect What’s to Come

If you’re like most everyone else, you’ll be trying to figure it all out along the way. No matter what you guess, no matter how you think it’ll end – you’re likely wrong. It will blow you away! Again – I don’t want to ruin anything for you – but trust me that you won’t know what hit you, even at the finale!

The Visuals are Astounding

So there’s the incredible, one-of-a-kind storyline, great cast, hilarious content and surprises all along the way – but Avengers Infinity War also has amazing visual effects. Fight scenes, insane battles, powerful demonstrations, tricky magic, sweet moments, and so much more is done so well that you feel like you’re right there through it all. It makes me truly grateful for the technology we have today, making the stunning sights in this movie possible!

Even now, as I’m trying to put my exact thoughts and emotions into words to share with you, it’s nearly impossible. There’s just SO MUCH! I do know this, though – no film has ever made me go through so many emotions or thoughts, and I’ve never enjoyed any movie as much as I did Infinity War. I cannot WAIT until next year for the next installment of Infinity War (name yet to be released – eeeeek, so excited!) to see the fate of not only some of our favorite heroes, but also the universe!

Go see Avengers Infinity War NOW – even two or three times!

5 Awesome DIY Disney MagicBand Decorating Ideas

March 21, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

For those that don’t know, our family is working extremely hard to be able to go visit Disney World later this year – that means saving money, planning ahead, skipping on some ‘extras’ to make it a reality. We’re all on board, and doing little things along the way to keep us excited and the momentum going – such as planning how we’ll customize our MagicBands! This is a great way to personalize your own band, and can be a fun Disney-themed craft project as you’re preparing for your next trip. Here’s 5 Awesome DIY Disney MagicBand Decorating Ideas to help get your creativity going!

If you saw when I shared earlier on why I think MagicBands are completely incredible and super useful on a Disney trip, you’ll know many of the ways you use it at the parks, hotels and more. Well, now you don’t only have your own handy band to help along your trip, but you can personalize it however you want to REALLY make it yours! Plus, it’ll add a little bit of ‘magic’ while you’re planning, preparing and counting down to your next visit.

Don’t forget to check Get Away Today for the best Disney Vacation deals!

The usual – purchase a design, or buy add-on accessories

You can order fully designed/printed MagicBands from Disney – everything from classic characters, to superhero or Star Wars. There’s also some fun accessories from places like the Disney Store that just pop into the holes along the band for some 3D accents.

Paint

Okay, how awesome is this Captain America themed band from Creative Green Living? Head over to see how she used paint to customize hers!

Temporary Tattoos

Check out how simple it is to use a fun tattoo for your MagicBand at Disney Insider Tips.

Or see The Delightful Life for another tutorial…

Jewels

How fantastic is this beautiful jeweled MagicBand from The Delightful Life?! I totally love it – this plus the ‘bonus’ craft at the bottom are likely what I’ll do to customize my own this year!

More fun ideas on the blog at Get Away Today!

Nail Polish & Stickers

There’s so many possibilities when you have some nail polish on-hand, so check out ScrapPop for how to use it on your band!

Bonus – GLITTER!!!

I absolutely LOVE this MagicBand creation from Creative Green Living – not just because it’s sparkly, but it’s also purple! I want to mix this tutorial with the jewel/bling one on my own band for our trip – I’ll be sure to share pics when it’s done!

How would you customize YOUR MagicBand?

Disney MagicBands: Why They’re Amazing

March 7, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

I was a bit confused the first time I went to Disney World. I’d been to Disneyland in California many times before, but there were so many differences that I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. For example, how the heck was I suppose to use these cool MagicBands that I received? Luckily I figured it out pretty quickly, and have since come to really love using them in place of tickets and such. There’s so many ways they make your trip better, and we’re sharing all our tips with you. So read on to learn all about the Disney MagicBands: Why They’re Amazing!

First of all, make sure your keep your MagicBand SAFE, because this is your ticket and key for many things! There are clasp slider things you can get, like a BitBelt, that help secure your band on just in case. This can be especially helpful for little kids who not only have tiny wrists, but also move around and mess with their bands a lot. Here’s why they’re so important, and why I absolutely love them on my Disney trip! And don’t forget to check out Get Away Today for the best prices on your magical vacation!

Magical Express Check-in

If you’re staying at a Disney-owned hotel, you can use the Magical Express shuttle from the airport to/from your hotel – for FREE! When you get to the airport, you check in at the Magical Express area (there’s plenty of signs all around the airport, don’t worry) – if you have a MagicBand, you just scan it and your reservation for the hotel pops up nice and easy. Otherwise you have to pull out your documents showing your reservation, taking more time and hassle.

Hotel Room Key

I’m a big fan of online check-in, because the lines when you arrive at your resort are typically pretty long (especially if you took the shuttle, because a LOT of people are arriving with you!). Checking in online beforehand is a great way to just skip straight to the fun – and they’ll email/text you when your room is ready, with the room number and location, so you can just go there at your convenience. What about a key? Your MagicBand is your hotel room key – yay! That means you don’t even have to go to the front desk to pick up any keys.

Purchases

Whether you’re buying that cute Stitch stuffed animal (that my hubby wants so badly), paying for your tasty meal at Tusker House, or paying for that delicious Dole Whip, you can just scan your MagicBand and it’ll charge it to the card you have on file with your band. Don’t worry, they do require a PIN for purchases, so if you do happen to lose it, it’s not the total end of the world. Still keep a good hold on it though – just in case 😉

Fast Pass+ & Reservatons

Unlike Disneyland, they do the FastPass+ system without tickets – this means it’s tied to your MagicBand! When it’s time for one of your FastPasses, you go up to that line and scan your band at the little Mickey stands. It’ll turn green if you’re good to go, and that’s it. No more keeping track of tiny paper tickets, thank goodness. And for your dining reservations, those can be pulled up by scanning your band, as well.

Park Tickets

To get in and out of the park, you can just scan your band at the Mickey stands, check your fingerprint (made the first time you go), then walk on in! It’s so nice to not have to have your tickets out and handy as you’re already trying to get through the lines, security and everything.

Check out Get Away Today for awesome prices on your Disney trip!

Ride & Photographer Photos

You know those amazing photographers all over the parks willing to take your photos? They just scan it onto your MagicBand, then the photos are loaded to your account to view and/or purchase. So convenient! Plus, during rides that have photos – they’re automatically scanned to your band, so you don’t have to rush at the end to nab your photo before it switches to the next one.

Be Our Guest Restaurant

If you do breakfast or lunch at the Be Our Guest restaurant (highly recommend it – so fun!), you seat yourself after placing your order. With your Magicband, they can find you to bring you food right to your table. Don’t worry though – if you don’t have a band they give you a special ‘rose’ so they can still locate your party.

Test Track

For this amazing ride in Epcot, you design a ‘test’ vehicle for a simulation ride while in line (or at a station after the end of the ride), then scan your design from your MagicBand right before you get into your ‘car’. This is really exciting for kids (heck, and us adults, too!) who want to see how their design does. Also, a cast member told me it stays on your MagicBand for about 30 days – so if you design the perfect one and don’t want to replace it when you return in a few days or so, just be sure to not scan a new one onto your band and your cool design will still be there.

Our friends at Michael’s VIPs can give you all sorts of fun tips with their unforgettable guide services!

Personalized Message Surprises

Since they can ping/locate your MagicBand, some ques or rides will have special messages with YOUR NAME on there! At the end of it’s a small world, it said goodbye to ‘Danielle & Vardee’ when I went with my mom a couple years ago. Last year with hubby in line for Expedition Everest, one of those screen ‘ads’ that scroll through personalized to ‘Clayton’, and we saw a few kids get excited when their name popped up in others as well.

They’re Fun & Customizable

Whether you want to add fun things to it yourself, like little button stick-ins or glitter, or want to order a printed design, you can have a lot of fun designing your own MagicBand. Since you don’t HAVE to get a new one each visit, but instead can keep your favorite band, it makes it like a special keepsake as well. If you don’t want to pay more for customizing or decorating it, no worries – if you’re staying at a Disney-owned hotel they send each person one for free and have a handful or so of colors you can choose from. And yes, you can still put your name or something on it while you’re doing the personalizing, too!

What color or design would you want your MagicBand?

Disney Activity & Autograph Book

February 21, 2018 by Danielle 16 Comments

If y’all could see me right now, you’d be shaking your head like ‘what the heck’! I’m a total wreck – crying for joy and gratitude, laughing out of sheer exhaustion, and doing a weird happy dance because my ‘Unofficial’ Disneyland Activity & Autograph Book is FINALLY done! No more boring lines at the parks with our fun Disney Books! These awesome Disney-themed Activity & Autograph books are perfect for any trip. Plus, now without dates on the cover so you can use them any year – Woot woot! Ride lists Updated February 2018!

Contains purchase/affiliate links. See our disclosure for more info.

Disneyland California: Get the PDF here for only $2

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Disneyland California: Get the printed book from Amazon

Disney Generic – any park/trip: Get the PDF here for only $2

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Disney Generic – any park/trip: Get the printed book from Amazon

Check out our Facebook live showing of the book HERE

I’ve been so nervous about what everyone would think of our book – but people are LOVING it! The favorites so far are the fun Star Wars autograph pages, ride lists and new Tarzan’s Treehouse creative activity. With a total of over 60 pages in the Disneyland book, more than 40 pages in the Disney generic book, there’s plenty for everyone, whether young or old! Yes, us adults even enjoy them 🙂

Disney Activity Pages

To keep short attention spans happy, we included a large variety of things for them to do, such as:

Games
Mazes
Connect the Dots
Matching
Crosswords
Create your own map, super hero suit and treehouse
Coloring
Jokes
Trivia
and more!

Even THOR loved playing the games with my friend Lexi’s boy!

Another great thing about the Disneyland books is that there’s ride checklists, divided by the different lands in Disneyland and California Adventure, complete with height requirements for easy reference. No more shoving to the ride entrance to see the height limits! (note: ride availability may change, but we do our best to keep it updated)

The Disney Generic books don’t have the ride lists or height requirements, so you’re able to use them at any Disney park, trip, cruise, etc!

Disney Autograph Pages

Long gone are the days of boring, blank autograph pages – we’ve got more than 20 creatively designed ones to nab signatures from favorite characters! We’ve covered classics like Mickey & Minnie, Donald, and Goofy, princesses like Ariel, Belle and Rapunzel, and even Darth Vader and Avengers! Such a great Disney souvenir!

Donald Duck went CRAZY for his special page – it says #1 Duck, of course!

Even Minnie got in on the fun, along with Chip at Goofy’s Kitchen!

We’re excited to catch Darth Vader next time – got the perfect page just for him!

Disney Memories

Creating memories together is a HUGE reason to do family vacations, right? I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been very good at writing them down before we forget many! Now you can keep track with our several pages designed exactly for that purpose – keeping the most important moments safe. You can list funny moments or things people said on the trip, favorite foods and rides, how old people were and who was with you, and even trace your child’s hand print so you can remember how big – or little – they were! Updated – no longer with dates, so you can use them any year!

To make it super easy to put in your bags or carry around at the parks, we sized it at 6×9. Our kids had no problem keeping track of theirs – they refused to let us carry them since they were having so much fun!

We have two options for each book, so you can get it in whatever way works best for your family:

Disneyland California

PDF Download: print and bind it yourself, especially nice if you have lots of children (via Gumroad)
Professional Printed Book: already bound with shiny cover (via Amazon)

Disney Generic – any park, trip, cruise, etc.

PDF Download: print and bind it yourself, especially nice if you have lots of children (via Gumroad)
Professional Printed Book: already bound with shiny cover (via Amazon)

So turn the lines at Disneyland from boring to fantastic with our new ‘Unofficial’ Disneyland Activity & Autograph Book! More info available in our Store! Also see our Generic Disney Activity & Autograph Book – no ride lists, so you can use it an ANY Disney themed park or trip!

This is included in our Busy Mom Bundle, along with other fabulous printable packs!

Book your next Disney vacation with Get Away Today for the best deals – use Promo Code: BMHDisney for $10 off your vacation package!

Check out our other products HERE

Family Home Binder

2018 Planner & Calendar

Summer Camp Kits or Kid Activity Packs

A YEAR of Meal Plans plus Recipes – on a budget!

Other Disney fun you may like!

Black Panther Leading the World

February 14, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

This year may be one of the most exciting for Marvel – leading up to Infinity Wars, which we’ve all been anxiously anticipating. Along the way, we couldn’t miss out on learning more about the Black Panther – his story, his ascension to the throne, and the history of Wakanda. Along the way, we learn who’s a friend, who’s an enemy, and who may be a little bit of both. As T’Challa’s father tells him – ‘you’re a good man, with a good heart – and it’s hard for a good man to be king.” The big question is, what will this king decide for the fate of his people, for Wakanda, and the rest of the world?

There’s several parts of this film that are just SO MUCH BETTER if you see them yourself, and I don’t want to spoil anything – so let’s just discuss some of the obvious points, and why you can’t miss out on this incredible film! First, we know that T’Challa’s father was killed in the Captain America: Civil War movie, so now he’s next in line for the throne. There are traditions and rituals in Wakanda that must be followed, and since he isn’t the only one who can make an attempt to rule, a few surprising characters may get in his way.

As we’ve come to expect and enjoy from Marvel films, there’s plenty of humor in Black Panther – my favorites typically come from the brother-sister dynamic between T’Challa and his little sister Shuri. She’s definitely full of spunk, plus a total genius!

I’ve always been a Black Widow fan, but I have to admit that if I had to choose to be beaten up by her or Okoye, general of Wakanda, I’d pick Widow because – holy crap – Okoye is LETHAL! She not only has remarkable loyalty to her country, but is one of the best fighters I’ve ever seen. Have a ton of guns? Too bad, her spear is still gonna kick your butt!

It’s quite a ride through the whole movie, wondering which of the potential-bad-guys will end up being the real threat. Maybe M’Baku from another tribe, or W’Kabi who grew up as T’Challa’s friend. Maybe it’s Klaw who’s still angry of his mark when he stole that vibranium many years ago. Perhaps the mysterious Erik Killmonger will be more than Wakanda can handle. Even CIA agent Everett K. Ross may pose a major danger if he learns of Wakanda’s truth. T’Challa certainly has his hands full, and hopefully he can figure out who to trust – and some sad truths from his father’s past.

I doubt I’m alone, but Lupita Nyong’o is one of my absolute FAVORITE actresses – she’s so talented, and stunningly gorgeous. Her character, Nakia, is one full of heart and empathy for those suffering in the world. She’s a brave woman who has a few decisions to make regarding her place in everything, and where her loyalties lie the most.

The visuals in Black Panther are a stark reminder as to how far CG and affects have come over the years – it’s AMAZING! Their tech, the landscape, the suites, battle scenes, and even just the stunning beauty of Wakanda keeps you enthralled from beginning to end.

Be prepared for an entertaining, exciting ride with Black Panther as we’re faced with many surprises and turns – and possibly an outcome that will affect not just Wakanda, but the entire world.

Who’s YOUR favorite character in Black Panther?

Updated Walt Disney World Ride Lists

February 9, 2018 by Danielle 16 Comments

If you loved our previous Disney park checklists, you’ll be thrilled to hear that we now have our most recent Updated Walt Disney World Ride Lists available for you to print off! These free printables feature favorite characters from each of the 4 main Disney World parks and we listed height requirements to make it convenient. These printable Disney checklists will be perfect for your next trip to Orlando! (most recent version updated February 2018)

Ya’ll loved our last Disney World Ride Lists, but with the opening of Pandora: World of Avatar opening in the Animal Kingdom, we knew it was time for some updates. A few rides have switched up, so these are the most accurate we have at the moment.

Great prices on your magical vacation, check HERE. Use Promo Code: BMHDisney

We have a page for each of the 4 main Disney theme parks, sized at 8.5×11 – I highly recommend printing onto cardstock, and of course they look tons better in color! Click the links to download these free printable Disney World Ride Lists!

Since sometimes it’s a pain to carry around a full sheet of paper on your Disney trip, we also put all 4 onto one 8.5×11 sheet, making them compact and much easier to take with you. Here’s the link to download and print that one:

4 Parks on one sheet

There’s a little checkbox next to each ride/activity, and if the attraction has a height requirement, that’s listed out to the side in red so it stands out.

You not only have an easy guide to which rides there area, but can check them off to see what you have left to complete! You can even highlight ones that are your ‘absolutely cannot miss this’, so you can tell at a glance what your priorities are for that park.

Don’t forget to check here for great prices for your next vacation.

Use Promo Code: BMHDisney

Since Toy Story Land will be opening this Summer at Hollywood Studios, we plan to update our Walt Disney World ride lists at that point to include the fun new rides to come!

Be sure to call up Michael’s VIPs for some awesome guides on your next trip!

*We are not responsible for any ride availability, hours, refurbishment schedule, closings or height requirement changes. Check the Disney website for the most up-to-date information for your trip dates.

Other Disney Fun…

2018 Epcot International Festival of the Arts

February 7, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

While I’ve heard many people say that Epcot is more of a ‘partial day’ park – and maybe that’s so if you’re looking at it from a ride perspective – but during their festivals you’ve got to allow more time to enjoy all they offer. In its second year, the 2018 Epcot International Festival of the Arts is no exception, with plenty going on! Whether you’re a love of culinary arts, visual arts or performing arts, there’s something for everyone during this event.

Ya’ll know how much I love food, right? One of my favorite things about the festivals at Epcot are the opportunities to try new, unique and/or interesting tastes. What makes the Epcot International Festival unique is that their focus is on the ART – so the foods at the various booths are specially designed so they look as incredible as they taste!

There’s about 15 food booths around the World Showcase, all with their own special theme – as well as special offerings at the 4 Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company locations, the Funnel Cake stand and the two Refreshment stops. While most things I tried were really good, my favorite was the red wine-braised beef short rib by Cuisine Classique in Germany.

As for dessert, I was really tempted to order a second Le Coucher de Soleil (Sunset Mango & Raspberry Cake) at L’Art De La Cuisine Francaise in the France area.

This is one of those festivals that you’ll want to take some fun photos, since the presentation of these tasty snacks are not something you see everyday!

The Artist’s Table in The American Adventure Area

The Deconstructed Dish in Showcase Plaza

El Artista Hambriento (the hungry artist) in the Mexico AreaL’Arte Di Mangiare (the art of eating) in the Italy AreaThe Masterpiece Kitchen in the Canada Area

The Painted Panda in the China Area

Pop Eats in Showcase Plaza

Takumi Table in the Japan Area

I’m not sure if many of you know, but I really enjoy art. I’m no professional/fancy art collector or gallery attendee, by any means, but I have a few fine artists I like to collect – and I especially enjoyed the various Disney-themed artwork for display and sale during Epcot’s festival.

There’s booths all around, often with one of the artists there either creating a new art piece, or just answering questions and chatting with guests – or signing one of their works if you want (you have to purchase the art first, of course). I picked up a fun Disney-themed piece from Viz Art Gallery because it really fits my family – but y’all already knew we were Disney nuts, right?!

I admit I was SUPER tempted to by a lot of things, but then had to remind myself that 1. my bank account wouldn’t quite agree with this spending and 2. I didn’t plan to bring much of anything extra home, so no spare room in my luggage! It was really fun to look around, though.

They even had different types of art – like a booth where you could get custom-painted TOMS shoes. Or you can paint/marble your own scarf. I wish I’d had more time to look at everything, but there was just so much available that I couldn’t fit it all in!

If you want something more interactive, try one of their classes or seminars – you could have a drawing lesson, or learn more about different artistic mediums. I walked by when there was a lesson on how to draw a proper Mickey Mouse face, and it was really neat with screens around so you could not only hear the instructor, but see exactly what he was doing at the same time.

It was a bit overcast/rainy when I was there, so they probably didn’t have this at that specific time (at least not that I could find), but the festival is suppose to have chalk artists all around the showcase, as well – so be on the lookout for some incredible sights on the ground!

Is performing arts more your style? You’re in for a treat, because they have a bit of everything it seems: gravity-defying gymnasts, living statues, musical performances and much more!

And don’t forget to take advantage of the various photo-booth stops, where you can ‘step into’ awesome artworks from all over the world!

Or join in with everyone to help create a HUGE wall mural with paint – the kids will especially love this activity!

Just like the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, they have a ‘passport’ full of information and lists – complete with stickers to mark off that ‘stop’ during your journey. I have fun checking off the different food booths on mine! Can YOU complete the whole passport?

It’s a treat for all your senses at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts! I’m glad they changed it to EVERY day for the duration this year, as opposed to only weekends or something like that last year. I hope they keep this one around a long while, and it becomes a regular occurance just the like the Food & Wine Festival!

Which ‘art’ is your jam: culinary, visual or performing?

Other Disney Fun…

Walt Disney Studios 2018 Movie Schedule

January 17, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

While I’m still a bit in shock that it’s 2018 already, I’m THRILLED for the movies coming to theaters this year! There’s quite the spread, and I wanted to share the Walt Disney Studios 2018 Movie Schedule with y’all so you can mark your calendars and plan for those tickets because you won’t want to miss a single one!

February 16, 2018 – BLACK PANTHER (Marvel Studios)

Yes, we *finally* get to see more about this more mysterious superhero! We got a peak at him and his incredible powers (and that suit – DANG!) in Civil War, but now we get a more in-depth look at his story, and his country. It’s definitely not what it seems!

March 9, 2018 – A WRINKLE IN TIME (Walt Disney Studios)

Now, I admit I’m not very familiar with this – but from what I’ve heard, researched and been told, many are eager to see this take on the story.

May 4, 2018 – AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR (Marvel Studios)

EEEEEK!!!! Okay, so this *might* be the one I’m most excited for if I really had to choose because – it’s INFINITY WARS!!! Yes, I’m a dork, but I get super giddy and bouncy when I just think of this film and cannot wait to see how it plays out!

May 25, 2018 – SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (Lucasfilm)

I know I’m not the only person who’s always wondered the backstory of Han Solo, right? Even as a kid watching Star Wars over and over again, I wondered why he was the way he was, who his family was, how he met Chewie, and so much more about the rascal. Super excited to finally find out at least some of those things! (trailer coming soon)

June 15, 2018 – INCREDIBLES 2 (Disney / Pixar)

I always wondered if they would ever make a second Incredibles, and it’s finally happening! After all, we’ve GOT to see how life is with a very powerful Jack-Jack 🙂

July 6, 2018 – ANT-MAN AND THE WASP (Marvel Studios)

Y’all know how my family has our own specific superhero names? For our Marvel universe side, my hubby is Ant-Man and I’m the Wasp – so needless to say, we’re extremely eager for this one. (trailer coming soon)

August 3, 2018 – DISNEY’S CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (Walt Disney Studios)

Who doesn’t love the tails of Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin? It’ll be neat to see the newest take of Christopher’s story from Disney Studios later this year. (trailer coming soon)

November 2, 2018 – THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS (Walt Disney Studios)

Just in time for Christmas, this new take on the classic Nutcracker will be an exciting start to the holidays!

November 21, 2018 – RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: WRECK-IT RALPH 2 (Walt Disney Animation Studios)

Ah, good ol’ Ralph is at it again and this time breaks the INTERNET! I know, end of the world, major chaos, how could anyone survive…..but I’m excited to see how him and his group of pals save the day! (trailer coming soon)

December 25, 2018 – MARY POPPINS RETURNS (Walt Disney Studios)

I love Mary Poppins, and am excited for her return at Christmas this year! I loved Julie Andrews, but am eager to see how this fabulous cast does in the newest film! (trailer coming soon)

What Disney Studios Movie are YOU most excited for in 2018?

Christmas Holidays at Walt Disney World

December 14, 2017 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Remember how I said I was thrilled to make a visit to Orlando to experience all four Disney parks last week? Well, it may have been a super-rushed trip, but I was determined to fit in as much as I could – and today I’m sharing all the fun, festive happenings (and treat-enings – get it?) that occur during the Christmas Holidays at Walt Disney World!

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I’ll divide it up by park, so you can see what each one has to offer in terms of the special ‘extras’ for this time of year. Let’s start with the one most people think of first…

Magic Kingdom

When people look to visit Disney World during Christmastime, they often only think about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (you can read my recap of that HERE). It’s very similar in idea as the Not-So-Scary Halloween party, with complimentary treats (cookies, chocolates, pretzels) and drinks (eggnog, cider, cocoa, sno-cones) instead of trick-or-treating, and of course more holiday themed. While I admit this is a HUGE draw for guests, and definitely worth going to if you can swing the price tag, it’s not the only reason you should experience the Christmas holidays at Walt Disney World.

Outside of the party, there’s tons of decorations everywhere – from the garlands, bows and lights that adorn most entries and poles, to the red and white poinsettias adorning gardens and baskets. There’s even lights, wreaths and bells adding to the atmosphere, and even many of the snack carts are feeling that holiday cheer.

Once you get through the ticket entrance, the area right before the train station is a giant red poinsettia Mickey ornament – perfect for a holiday family photo! Go to the right or left and through the entry archways, and you’ll emerge to see a GINORMOUS Christmas tree, surrounded by large gifts and toy soldiers!

At night, Cinderella’s Castle is light up with sparkly, twinkling lights that take it to a whole new level of magical. It was my favorite thing, and I admit I took ‘more than a few’ photos of this delightful sight 😉

Many of the cast members wear holiday-themed outfits and/or Santa hats, and you can even see some of your favorite characters dressed up with a little more Christmas/winter to their outfits, which makes for some extra special meet-and-greet photos.

There’s also an area for Santa – check out the schedule for times when you’re there!

Don’t forget to make a stop by the ‘Jingle Cruise’ as well – even the boats are fun holiday-themed names, the skippers wear Santa hats, and the whole que & ride are dressed up for the occasion!

Some snack locations have seasonal treats that are definitely worth a try, so either check your program or – even better – ask a cast member and they can lead you the right direction! Be sure to contact Michael’s VIPs for their wonderful tour guide services, especially as the holidays can be extra crowded & you want the best trip possible!

Hollywood Studios

With the exception of a few spots (near Star Tours), Hollywood Studios was decorated as much as – or perhaps a little more – than Magic Kingdom. Bright stars from Christmas lights that changed color, wreaths, bells and classic-looking signs featuring Santa, reindeer and more, plus Echo Lake had HUGE ornaments floating in it! The dinosaur even had on a fun Santa hat, and some displays of statue deer and such helped add to the whole feel.

In the evening, there’s the Seasons Greetings show (that may repeat a couple of times, I wasn’t quite sure exactly) over by the Tower of Terror. Along the street leading up to that area are two screens that show a mini video clip, then a great display is projected onto the Tower of Terror with music to match the little clip you just saw. They had the Muppet Chef Guy (I know, I should remember his name, but I can’t) that built a Gingerbread house on the movie clip, then the Tower showed a huge creation out of gingerbread to playful music.

Olaf’s clip was finding a holiday tradition, then the song played along with images of traditions and such.

Even Toy Story got in on the fun, making it the Hollywood Toyland Hotel! I thought this show was INCREDIBLE, and would’ve loved to show my kids! The lights along that street switch around depending on which clip is playing, and ‘snow’ is pumped out, so it’s like a magical snowfall all down the street. That snow continued almost the entire evening it seemed!

On the Chinese Theater was the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! show that I’ve heard several people rave about – but personally, I was a little disappointed by it. Yes, it’s fun with the Elves and rescuing Santa, and it does have fun montages and music. But overall, there was too much to look at with all the different screens it was playing on, plus fireworks, plus laser light show. I even saw several people watch a bit, then decide to leave before it was done. It wasn’t bad by any means, and there were plenty of folks who loved it – it just wasn’t my cup of tea, I suppose. If you’ve seen it – let us know what you thought in the comments!

One thing I really loved was this fun window display, full of dancing ornaments!

Loved these dancing Minnie ornaments in a shop window at Hollywood Studios at #waltdisneyworld #bmhtravel #hollywoodstudios #Disney #Christmas #holidays
A post shared by Danielle (@busymomshelper) on Dec 12, 2017 at 12:12pm PST

I believe that at the Hollywood & Vine, they have a special Minnie Mouse Holiday buffet meal, but I didn’t personally go check this out. That’s one drawback to a solo trip – less excuse to take time for real dining!

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Epcot

I was most excited to see Epcot during the holidays (other than Magic Kingdom, of course) because I’d heard of the amazing ‘holidays around the world’ displays and such. Perhaps it was just that I was there earlier in the day, but it seemed a big let-down. There was a lot of decor – ginormous tree, plenty of garlands and lights and fun garden characters for the holidays. There was a stage where one of the shows would be (again, I was there earlier in the day – since this was a quick trip I couldn’t fit in everything unfortunately – so I missed the shows).

I did see several kiosks that were ‘holiday kitchen’ – featuring some seasonal snacks and drinks. Most of them weren’t open when I was there, though, despite being there until about 2pm. I did enjoy the displays in the various areas, telling a bit about that country’s traditions.

Keep in mind that I was there EARLIER in the day, only until early afternoon, so perhaps all the main holiday happenings occur after that – so don’t write off Epcot just yet. And if YOU have experienced some of the festivities at Epcot, please share in the comments!

Animal Kingdom

Guys, this is my favorite park (because it has TWO of my FOUR favorite rides – Flights of Passage & Everest)! That being said, it was very limited in the holiday-theming department. And maybe that was intentional, so they could keep the different lands more accurate and true to themselves. There was some decor around, but not much at all compared to the other parks, and just normal (yet still good) music playing. Again, this could be in keeping with the different ‘continents’ and areas, so this isn’t a complaint at all – just giving you a heads up that there’s not a lot of holiday-ness at Animal Kingdom. The main exception seemed to be the entrance, where they had the wreaths, garlands, and large Christmas tree up for plenty of photo opps. It was still great and lots of fun!

In ALL FOUR of the parks, you can find special holiday-themed merchandise in the stores – from ornaments and decor, to seasonal snacks and clothing, and much more. They even had a stuffed Stitch with a Santa hat that I wanted so badly to get for hubby, but stuck to my budget. I *did* get two candy apples though to bring home for the family to share – one decorated as a Mickey Mouse Santa. They also had a holiday Jack Skellington (Sandy Claws), Blue Snowflake and others to choose from. The lady at the counter asked if I was planning to take them on a plane, and when I said yes she popped out a sturdy box and packed them extra carefully – so grateful, and they made it home perfectly!

Most of the parks were also playing fun Christmas/Holiday music, which really helped put everyone in the spirit of the season! Overall, I absolutely LOVED experiencing the holidays at Walt Disney World, and can’t wait to take my kids there during this season sometime in the future! We’ll, of course, be using Michael’s VIPs for our guides since they’re absolutely AMAZING!

What’s YOUR favorite holiday thing at Disney World?

The Last Jedi: Bringing Star Wars to a Whole New Level

December 13, 2017 by Danielle Leave a Comment

I was invited to a free screening to facilitate this review. All opinions are mine alone. #TheLastJedi

I *know* I’m not the only one who’s been on the edge of their seat waiting for the new Star Wars movie to come out, or the only one who’s rewatched the trailers multiple times, trying to find hints or clues as to what we’ll be seeing. I was practically bouncing in my theater seat, waiting for the screen to pop up with that familiar text and theme song! Once that hit, I couldn’t take my eyes away from the screen, afraid I’d miss even a second of the incredible story. Now, I won’t give any spoilers in this review, because NOTHING could do it justice other than experiencing it for yourself – but let me tell you why I think The Last Jedi is Bringing Star Wars to a Whole New Level!

You know from the trailers that we still have many of the same cast and characters that we all love (or hate – at least outwardly), but there’s also newcomers who bring quite the variety, adventure and twists to the story. From the seemingly indestructible Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie) who we had the ‘pleasure’ of meeting in the previous film, to the confident and beautiful Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo (Laura Dern), it’s a whole crew of personalities!

Finn is finally awake (if you happen to miss practically every trailer so this was a shock, sorry), and teaming up with Rose, who has her own past reasons for fighting so hard against the First Order. Together, they embark on a mission to save what little remains of the resistance, and risk paying the ultimate price for their actions.

I was a huge fan of Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) in The Force Awakens, but love him even more as we get more of a feel for his no fear, ‘jump in a ship and blow things up’ character. While this can be a huge benefit during a war, there’s the risk he’ll push too far, costing the resistance too much. Despite his ‘trouble maker’ attitude (though not his intent), it’s really sweet his full respect and admiration he has for Leia.

While Star Wars has always been fabulous at including new species/creatures, it seems they put even more into it for The Last Jedi – not just flashes in the background, but a feel for some of the creatures in this universe and some of their cute, proud or down-right beautiful characteristics.

Most of us had major questions about Rey after seeing The Force Awakens – her history, her parentage, and if she’d follow in Kylo Ren’s footsteps and give in to the dark side. It’s no doubt she’s incredibly powerful with the force, but you can still see the doubt and loneliness fighting inside of her. She came to Luke for help, but can he give her what she really needs?

I love that The Last Jedi answered some of our burning questions in regards to Rey, and built up on her character even more than before – showing how brave and strong she really is, as well as tossing us some surprising twists. That being said, though, there’s still so many directions her future, and that of the Star Wars Galaxy, can head in the final film that we’ll see in 2019!

Star Wars has also been known for wonderful, epic battles – on land and in space – but The Last Jedi blew me away with the advancements they showed. Not only knew ships or advanced AT-ATs that I never knew were possible, but how the wars are fought and won (or lost) were visually stunning and tactically astonishing.

You can still rely on good ol’ BB-8 for some funny antics and faithfulness to his people – whether Poe or Finn. I love this little ball, and so glad he’s still part of the adventure in The Last Jedi!

I said no spoilers, and I’m sticking with that so don’t dare even hint at certain things. One obvious thing is – seeing Carrie Fisher (Leia) during the movie was very emotional, especially for all of us who grew up with her as a role model, and such an amazing woman. Knowing she passed away, it was very difficult. In The Last Jedi, she’s even more admirable, strong and dedicated than ever – although possibly more patient than she was in the earlier films 🙂 I’m sure Carrie’s watching us all enjoy her work from Heaven, and proud of all she helped contribute to us Star Wars fans. We love and miss you Carrie!

One thing the trailers kept hinting at was Kylo’s struggles – but not exactly WHAT he was struggling with. There’s so much turmoil inside him – fear that he’s not strong enough, anger at not being who he wants to be, possibly even guilt at killing his father, Han Solo. Then with some strange connections to Rey, his past is brought back to mind and he has to deal with not only his current struggles, but his previous ones as well. Again, no spoilers – but oh my goodness, you won’t be able to prepare for what’s to come with Kylo Ren and the twists this plot will take!

Luke has definitely changed since the original movies, which loss, guilt and fear can do to a person. While he use to be a symbol of hope to the galaxy, he has none himself. Will he be able to overcome his own troubled past and history with Ben Solo/Kylo Ren, or will his belief that the Jedi should end stay true? You’ll have to catch the movie to find out – and I hope you’re as amazed at the surprises in store as I am!

With battles more epic than ever, characters you feel drawn to with their well developed histories and personalities, questions answer – and more left to wonder on – as well as more plot twists and comedy than ever before, I believe The Last Jedi is bringing Star Wars to a whole new level, and absolutely cannot wait until the final installment in 2019!!!

Star Wars The Last Jedi hits theaters December 15th – nab your tickets now & don’t miss out!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

December 1, 2017 by Danielle Leave a Comment

I have no idea how many years I’ve wanted to spend the actual Christmas season (not the day, of course, but sometime around then) at a Disney theme park. When hubby suggested I do a quick trip over my birthday to check out all their holiday offerings, I was THRILLED! And of course I couldn’t miss out on Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

First things first – it isn’t the normal theme park entry ticket. Even if you have an annual pass, or paid for a regular ticket for that day, you do NOT get to go to the party unless you buy the actual Very Merry Christmas Party ticket. They range in price from the $80-$102 range, depending on child or adult and the dates. They begin filtering out those guests who do NOT have a pass to the party in the late afternoon, then the ‘official’ party begins at 7pm. Don’t worry though – if you have a ticket to the party, you can get into the Magic Kingdom starting at 4pm, too! That gives you a few extra hours of fun before the festivities really begin.

Similar to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, there’s special ‘treat’ stations around the park – but you don’t go trick-or-treating. Instead, they have various snacks and drinks for you, such as cookies or Dove chocolates, and cider, eggnog, snow cones and hot cocoa. These are complimentary during the party, so don’t hesitate to enjoy! I especially loved the soft ginger-molasses ones served at Liberty Town Hall. Look on your special party map for the candy cane signs, then keep an eye out along your path for the TALL blow-up candy canes showing you where that treat spot is.

There’s also some special characters that come out, though not as many as the Halloween party (at least that I could tell). The big hit seemed to be Jack Skellington as ‘Sandy Claws’ – if you want to see him, better line up early! I was told he shows up starting at about 6pm (unofficially told, so don’t be upset if that’s incorrect), and when I passed by at 6:35pm it looked like the line was already a good 45 minutes long at least!

There’s fun holiday lights all over the park, and everything seems to glow in reds, greens and blues for the season. My absolute FAVORITE part was the castle though – it’s GORGEOUS all lit up in sparkling lights that look like crystal snow! If you go on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – when you’re going up the second incline slowly – look to your right to check out a new point of view of this beautiful castle.

There’s SO MUCH TO DO during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, so be sure to plan out your evening to fit in the items at the top of your list! Here’s a breakdown….

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration

This takes place in front of the castle, and if you want a really good spot you HAVE to get there pretty early. Mickey, Minnie and a BUNCH of their Disney pals put on a song-filled show that kids and adults were dancing and singing along with. The first song was – I admit – a little strange, and made me feel like it was Disney’s attempt at being ‘cool’ with the new generations. Just watch it and you’ll understand..and maybe text your holiday greetings this holiday 😉

All the songs were great fun, and it was a good length that kids didn’t seem to loose interest. I think my kids would’ve LOVED it, because even I thought it was really entertaining – plus you see so many of the favorite characters at once!

A Frozen Holiday Wish

This was timed really well, so most were able to stay in their spot from Mickey’s show to see Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and good ol’ Olaf greet the ‘villagers’ of this new land, and watch as Elsa uses her amazing powers to bring the castle to life with bright, sparkling crystals! Any Frozen fans will surely not want to miss this.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

Anna and Elsa join the parade with a bunch of holiday-dressed friends, from the classics like Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy, to the princesses WITH their princes, and even Vanellope and Ralph show up in Christmas-clad fun! At the end, the BIG MAN himself makes an appearance, which was a big delight for all the guests! This usually occurs very shortly after the stage shows, so I recommend getting a spot for those near the castle but along the curb, so you can just turn around and be right in front for the parade.

If the kids are near the edge, usually the cast members will do something entertaining with them until the parade starts to keep them happy and occupied. The group by where I was standing were twirling and dancing, then taking turns having each side of the road yell ‘Merry’ then the other ‘Christmas’!

A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas!

This was great for little kids, but also for the pre-teens because it was more bouncy-type music that plenty of people were rockin’ around to. Buzz Lightyear, Mike Wazowski and Stitch join in this musical fun, and the end holds a big surprise as the crew sings to welcome ‘Santa’! Honestly, this was probably my favorite little show because it wasn’t too long, the songs were fun, the dancing was unique and great, and the ‘story’ was really sweet. Plus – STITCH!!! Don’t miss this over in Tomorrowland.

VoicePlay

These guys are a vocals-only group that sings several holiday tunes for a festive little dance party in Tomorrowland, as well. It was more like a ‘mini-concert’ than a ‘show’, but still plenty of good times to be had by all. A sweet little ol’ lady was near me and just dancing around like crazy. I want to be HER when I grow up!

Club Tinsel

Over at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe was an on-going party that went the entire time Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party lasts. With an awesome DJ, blasting music, fun lights and an open dance floor, I saw several parents unable to get their kids away because they were having a total blast! Characters like polar bears or reindeer switch out during the night, so your kiddos always have some fun new friends to dance with/around.

This would be PERFECT if you parents need a little rest – sit at a table to keep an eye on our kids, then let them wear themselves out with a holiday dance party!

Holiday Wishes Fireworks

You know the drill – get your spot EARLY if you’re picky! These were actually really well done – and don’t miss Tinkerbelle flying from the castle (to the right side) at the beginning! Done to beautiful music, with Jiminy Cricket narrating, there was plenty of bright lights, fun sights displayed onto the castle, and a touching feeling of the holiday season. A side note – I know people want their kids to see, but it’s heartbreaking for a kid who has a spot where they can see, only to have a parent put their own kid on their shoulders right in front of them so now their view is blocked. I you want to ensure your kid can see please plan ahead and get a good spot that doesn’t need you to do that – it may be better for your kid, but blocks for so many others.

Don’t forget about the rides still open during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – because there were times there were hardly any lines, especially after the mad-dash of people left as soon as the fireworks were done! Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at a 10 minute wait? Yes, please! Thunder Mountain over and over? Don’t mind if I do.

And DO NOT miss the ~~Jungle~~ Jingle Cruise – I think I like this version better than the normal one the rest of the year!

If you’re a big shopper, don’t forget to check out the merchandise that’s only available to party-goers! Things like shirts, pins and more make for something more unique to take back home and remember your trip.

Yes, the tickets to the party do cost a pretty penny, but it’s a truly memorable experience that I really hope to share with my kiddos some year soon. Rides with shorter lines, entertainment, treats, fake snow falling, and a wonderful holiday spirit – what more could you ask for?!