Unforgettable Thanksgiving Surprises at Walt Disney World

November 24, 2015 By Marijean

I just wanted to make you aware of two heartwarming Thanksgiving stories filled with unforgettable surprises at Walt Disney World involving members of our military from the United States Air Force and United States Navy. As part of their special Thanksgiving week programming, these stories will air on “Good Morning America” on Thanksgiving morning and on “Good Morning America Weekend” on Saturday, Nov. 28.

Find out how this Oklahoma family celebrated a real “circle of life” moment at Disney’s Animal KingdomÕs Festival of the Lion King show with “Good Morning America Weekend” meteorologist Rob Marciano on “Good Morning America Weekend” Saturday morning, Nov. 28.

You’ve seen many stories with the U.S. military surprising their own members and their families. But this week, we will share two military stories with a surprising twist featuring “Dancing With The Stars” former celebrity participant and current “Good Morning America” correspondent Melissa Rycroft and “Good Morning America Weekend” meteorologist Rob Marciano. These are heartwarming Thanksgiving stories that your viewers, readers and followers will remember this holiday season. We hope sharing them with you will help you with meaningful content during the slower holiday news days ahead.

Find out why these two families from Lemoore, Calif. and Roanoke, Va. are enjoying a Thanksgiving feast with “Good Morning America” correspondent Melissa Mycroft.

In addition to watching these segments, please go to http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/ and wdwnews throughout the week for special behind-the-scenes footage, photos and more details on these poignant stories filled with gratitude.

SPECIAL NOTE: These families are from the following markets: Roanoke, Va., Bonaire, Ga., Lemoore, Calif. and Edmund, Okla.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

So Much Fun at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2015 #MVMCP

November 17, 2015 By Marijean

We were given tickets to MVMCP Media Night. All of these opinions are my own.

I love everything about Disney World. My family and I used to make the long 17 hour drive from New Jersey each year until we moved 2 hours away from Disney a year ago. Now we enjoy going very frequently. We have been to Disney World every season, but we never made it out to the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. I had the chance to go this past Friday night with Anne from “Mommy Has To Work” for a Ladies night and we had a blast!!

Cinderella Castle is transformed into an Icy palace that changes color!

You can enter the party as early as 4pm. When we arrived, we were given special wrist bands. These wrist bands you must wear so the cast members know that you paid to come to the Christmas Party. Guests who do not have these bands on will be asked to leave. The park is absolutely amazing with all of the Christmas decorations. From wreaths to snowflakes shining, it really is a site to see! I love how all night there is Christmas music playing. So many people come dressed up in their Christmas shirts, jewelry, and Disney Christmas gear! I didn’t unfortunately, but next year I will!! One favorite part is that it “snows” on Main Street! It was amazing and really did seem like it was snowing real snow!!

Main Street! Beautiful Christmas decorations and it is snowing!

The park has special stations set up for complimentary hot chocolate, sugar cookies & apple slices. They are easily identified by the big inflatable candy canes. I had many cookies and they were so good! The hot chocolate was very chocolatey and yummy. The Disney Characters were all dressed up for Christmas and they all looked so cute.

The parade, called Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, happens twice each night, at 8.15 and 10.30p. We went to the 10:30pm parade. So many characters!! My favorite were the Frozen characters, and of course Santa!!!

Just breathtaking!

At 9:30 we viewed the amazing firework show called Holiday Wishes. Disney always does a great job on their fireworks, this time lots of them were Green & Red for Christmas. There are some special shows that occur as well, Celebrate the Season and Frozen Holiday Wish. Both are great and kids would surely love!

Anne and I with “Sandy Claws!”

I ate dinner at Cosmic Ray’s in Tomorrowland, and there was a dance party going on with Phineas and Ferb! Kids and adults were having a blast with them dancing! There are also characters that walk around and dance with the kids, and of course plenty to have your picture taken with. “Sandy Claws” (Jack Skeleton from Nightmare Before Christmas) was my favorite.

The park also has special souvenirs sold only at the Christmas Party, and also special yummy treats.

Amazing Tree!

Here is some more Information:

This after-hours party is a special – ticket event offered select nights between Nov. 8 and Dec. 18, 2015, and features a sleigh full of merriment:

Queen Elsa’s transformation of Cinderella Castle into a glittering ice palace
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, complete with a special appearance by Santa Claus
An exclusive holiday fireworks extravaganza — “Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season
Live entertainment featuring Disney characters, including the “Celebrate the Season” musical stage show
Meet and greet opportunities with favorite Disney characters throughout Magic Kingdom
Complimentary cookies, apple slices and hot cocoa
A magical snow fall on Main Street, U.S.A.
Holiday performances by the acclaimed contemporary a capella group VoicePlay in Tomorrowland
Many popular Magic Kingdom attractions open for family – friendly fun

Click here to purchase your tickets!!

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2015 #MVMCP

November 13, 2015 By Marijean

If you are a big Disney fan like I am, one thing not to miss are the holiday parties! Each year Disney World, on select nights, has Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This is definitely a party filled with magical fun!

For 20 special nights, guests can delight during this cheery, family-friendly event. Party-goers embrace the joys of the season while sipping cocoa, catching a “snowflake” and enjoying merry shows, fireworks, carolers and special character meet and greets at Magic Kingdom Park.

This after-hours party is a special- ticket event offered select nights between Nov. 8 and Dec. 18, 2011, and features a sleigh full of merriment:

Queen Elsa’s transformation of Cinderella Castle into a glittering ice palace
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, complete with a special appearance by Santa Claus
An exclusive holiday fireworks extravaganza — “Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season”
Live entertainment featuring Disney characters, including the “Celebrate the Season” musical stage show
Meet and greet opportunities with favorite Disney characters throughout Magic Kingdom
Complimentary cookies, apple slices and hot cocoa
A magical snow fall on Main Street, U.S.A.
Holiday performances by the acclaimed contemporary a capella group VoicePlay in Tomorrowland
Many popular Magic Kingdom attractions open for family-friendly fun

For more Information, and to purchase your tickets in advance, please click here.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

INSIDE OUT on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack November 3

October 29, 2015 By Anne

Disney•Pixar’s INSIDE OUT

On Blu-ray® 3D, Blu-ray® Combo Pack and On Demand this Tuesday, November 3rd

And includes an extensive line-up of bonus features as well as an all-new animated short, “Riley’s First Date?”

See an All new Pixar Short Clip – “Riley’s First Date?”

Do you ever look at someone and wonder what’s going on inside their head? Disney-Pixar’s “Inside Out” takes an exciting and hilarious journey into the mind to find the answer. Based in Headquarters, the control center of 11-year-old Riley’s mind, five emotions are hard at work, led by lighthearted optimist Joy. She strives to make sure Riley stays happy as she operates alongside fellow emotions Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness. It’s “an instant classic,” raves Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times. Experience it like never before on Disney Blu-ray!

Pictured (L-R): Sadness, Fear, Anger, Disgust, Joy. ?2015 Disney?Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Stay connected with the latest news and information about ”Inside Out”:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PixarInsideOut

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PixarInsideOut

Instragram: https://instagram.com/pixarinsideout/

INSIDE OUT - Pictured (L-R): Sadness, Joy. ?2015 Disney?Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

Disney•Pixar’s “Inside Out” Halloween Activity Sheets

October 28, 2015 By Marijean

As you get ready for treats – no tricks, we have these really “ghoul” activity sheets to share with you in honor of Halloween, which is quickly creeping up to tie in with Disney•Pixar’s Inside Out arriving on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray Combo Pack and On-Demand November 3rd (now available in Disney Movies Anywhere and Digital HD)! These fun activity sheets include: adorable and affordable DIY character costumes, DIY Bing Bong candy bags, character pumpkin carving sheets and signs for all your Halloween festivities!