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Jodi Whisenhunt

Ringing in the New Year at Walt Disney World

New Year's Eve at Walt Disney World

The holidays are in full swing at Walt Disney World Resort, with festive decorations, spirited shows, and holiday parades and parties to bah away any scrooge’s humbugs. Celebrations continue as the year draws to a close, ringing in 2013 with fireworks, dining, and dancing.

Per Disney Parks, here’s a snapshot of the revelry awaiting New Year’s Eve visitors:

  • At Epcot, Guests can dance away 2012 to the beat of the DJs at select pavilions and watch IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth salute the new year at 7 p.m. and 11:42 p.m. Buffet dining inspired by Disney’s Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 will take place at World ShowPlace facility, with reservations available from 4:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Priced at $68.67 for adults and $44.37 for children. Park admission is required.
  • At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, rock in the New Year with The Mulch, Sweat, and Shears New Year’s Eve Spectacular in front of the Sorcerer Hat icon. The four concert sets will feature pyrotechnics and special effects and will lead up to Mulch, Sweat, and Shears playing live accompaniment to a full scale fireworks spectacular to welcome the start of 2013!
  • At DisneyQuest, located at Downtown Disney, there is a family-friendly cyber celebration from 8 p.m. -1 a.m. Guests are entertained with a DJ Dance Party, character meet and greets, plus unlimited access to games and DisneyQuest attractions including Pirates of the Caribbean, Virtual Jungle Cruise, and CyberSpace Mountain. There’s a confetti drop and festive party favors as the clock strikes midnight. Partygoers also get a coupon for a quick service entrée, side, and drink. Purchase tickets at 407-934-7639.
  • At Cirque du Soleil, located at Downtown Disney, all Guests attending the December 31 performances will receive a limited-edition Walt Disney World/Cirque trading pin. Shows are at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. For pricing contact 407/WDW/SEAT.
  • Registered Guests at select Disney resort hotels will be treated to music and entertainment. At Narcoosee’s restaurant (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa), for instance, there will be a four-course dining experience for $161.85 for adults and $77.19 for children, plus DJ, balloon artists, and special fireworks viewing.
  • Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort offers a special-ticket New Year’s Eve party from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. with a video DJ and limited viewing of Epcot’s Fireworks.

What better way to start a new year than in Disney style? So let’s hope the Mayan calendar was wrong, lol, so we can celebrate New Year’s Eve with Mickey and his pals!

NOTE: This will be my last article for The Disney Moms. It’s been a fun ride! I wish you all a magical 2013 filled with Disney dreams come true and hope to see you around the blogosphere!

Jodi Whisenhunt is the author of MAGICAL MOUSE SCHOOLHOUSE: Learn While You Play at Walt Disney World Resort, and operates a blog by the same title. Her book is available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and  CreateSpace. (Kindle and Nook versions also available.) Come, think outside the textbook and stretch the walls of your home classroom with Walt Disney entertainment!

9 Disney Thanksgiving Crafts & Recipes

Minnie Mickey Thanksgiving

Photo via EBCCS Third Grade

Here in the United States, we celebrate a special holiday in the fall called Thanksgiving. It’s a special time to remember and express gratitude for those brave men and women who left their homelands and journeyed to an unknown land. Traditional feasts serve foods similar to those that may have been prepared for another special meal long ago when the newcomers thanked the natives of this land for their kindness and generosity in teaching them how to survive in this new world.

Thanksgiving is just one week away, and my family is gearing up for a grand feast with friends and loved ones. And you know, it wouldn’t be a celebration unless we kick it up a Disney notch!

I popped over to Disney Family Fun to get a Spoonful of holiday fun, and I came up with lots of options to keep my kids and their crafty friends (I mean that in a good way, of course!) creating till the autumn sun sets.

I’ll tell you what we’re going to do:

mickey-and-friends-cup-labels-thanksgiving-printables

Photo via Spoonful

First, since there will be many at our gathering, we’ll need to label all the cups. Here’s a handy printable. Just print it on sticker paper, cut it out and tack it on. If you don’t have sticker paper handy, use regular paper and tape. We may also attempt some village people (Indians and Pilgrims) to decorate the tables and hand craft some corn husk dolls like the Pilgrim children might have played with.

Mickey-checkers-thanksgiving-printables-photo

Photo via Spoonful

Next, dinner will take some time to prepare, so we’ve got some fun table games to pass the time. We’ll have to play Mickey checkers, of course! All that’s required is a simple printable with printer and paper, scissors, and tape. Crown me! We’ll also have turkey bowling ready, and because Thanksgiving’s not complete without a game of football, we’ve got turkey football too!

pumpkin-pie-sicle-recipe

Photo via Spoonful

And finally, all the fixin’s! Our friends are being generous to provide the turkey, but we’re contributing some goodies too. Between our two families, we have to avoid certain foods like gluten and salt, but the pumpkin pleasers we found are safe to be devoured by one and all. I think we’ll try some curried pumpkin-apple soup to start, and for dessert—or snack later on—a pumpkin smoothie or pumpkin pie-sicle. Mmm-mm good!

Stop by Spoonful yourself for more holiday fun. From The Disney Moms to each of you fellow Disney fans, have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Jodi Whisenhunt is the author of MAGICAL MOUSE SCHOOLHOUSE: Learn While You Play at Walt Disney World Resort, and operates a blog by the same title. Her book is available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and  CreateSpace. (Kindle and Nook versions also available.) Come, think outside the textbook and stretch the walls of your home classroom with Walt Disney entertainment!

Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Luau Dinner Show

Spirit of Aloha LuauSpirit of Aloha is an all-you-care-to-eat, family-style luau and stage performance featuring hula dancing and fire-baton entertainment at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. Held in a covered, open-air dinner theater along the scenic shores of Seven Seas Lagoon, the show is a perfect fit for its lush, tropical setting.

At check-in, Disney PhotoPass captures your portrait for a keepsake memento. A print of the photo is ready to buy later on, or if you’ve purchased PhotoPass+, you will receive a complimentary copy as well as have it scanned into your account. Now you’re ready to join the party! Continue reading →

Question: What about the Water at Walt Disney World?

Jungle Cruise drinking fountain

Photo via AllEars.net

The Disney Moms reader, JOY, asks: Going to Disney for the first time. I want to drink plenty of water, but I heard the water tastes bad there. Any suggestions on how to get my water without spending a fortune on bottled?

A lot of people—my husband included—think there’s nothing wrong with the water at Walt Disney World, but Joy, to be honest, it’s disgusting! I think it’s especially bad in the Liberty Square area of Magic Kingdom. I don’t know why. I know the water is treated and is clean and healthy to drink. I just do not enjoy the taste.

There are a few ways to get around the issue. First, if you’re traveling on the Disney Dining Plan, you can spend snack credits on bottled water. My family rarely uses those on snacks, so it’s nice to be able to grab an ice cold bottle for “free.” Continue reading →

20 Recyclable Arts & Crafts

portable golf course craft

Portable Golf Course Craft from Disney Family Fun

Back-to-school time is sneaking up on kids across the nation, but I bet a lot of you moms  are still hearing the mid-summer cry, “I’m boooorrrreeeedddd!!!”

I’m a homeschooler, and I’m always looking for ways my kids can learn while they play. Here are 20 crafts I found at Disney Family Fun that kids can create from things they find around the house. Some are also handy for Mom! Why not host a family craft party at your kitchen table today? Work together on a family project, or each make your own masterpiece.

Message center – Great schedule keeper
Bulletin bar – Keep those to-do lists handy
Magazine bead bracelet – Super stylish, especially if you use fashion magazines
Snack bag bracelet – Put that junk food to good use
Matchbox locket – Just right for tiny trinkets
Cereal box sandals – Goes with that hard-to-match outfit
Cereal box tote bag – Perfect to pair with the sandals Continue reading →

Which of the Fab Five are You?

Disney Fab Five

I asked my kids which of Disney’s Fab Five Characters they think represents our family. Each chose a different one, and I think their answers were right on target.

My youngest said he is most like Mickey Mouse. They are both small and cute, adorable really! Both are kind and sweet, always looking out for their friends’ best interest. They are funny but have their serious moments, and both can be a bit rascally sometimes. Continue reading →

The Voice of Bambi

BambiDo you ever wonder whatever became of those unseen actors who gave voice to our most beloved animations? Bambi is one of my favorite movies of all time. It still makes me cry! The young deer sounded so sweet and innocent. As it turns out, the little boy in the starring role had quite the career as a child actor and grew up to become an accomplished military serviceman. In honor of the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, I hope you’ll join me in thanking him and the many other brave men and women who have served and who continue to serve our country with their strength and bravery. Continue reading →

Buses Boats and Monorails iPhone App

buses boats and monorails app

Buses Boats and Monorails App

I’m excited to tell you about a new application for iPhones that will make navigating Walt Disney World a little bit easier.

WDW Transportation Guide – Walt Disney World Buses Boats and Monorails is a new app developed by PowWows.com that is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation) and iPad.Requires iOS 5.0 or later. It retails on iTunes for a reasonable $0.99 (US dollars), and I think it’s worth the buck!

Walt Disney World Resort offers Guests plentiful modes of transportation for getting to and from the parks, resorts, eateries and entertainment venues. Sometimes, however, choosing the best route can be a little confusing. Not so if you’ve downloaded the WDW Transportation Guide. Simply plug in your current location, select your desired destination and “Show Directions.” The app will tell you which bus, boat or monorail to take.

Since buses don’t run to and from every point, a trip across property may require multiple stops or multiple modes of travel. The WDW Transportation Guide provides the preferred route as well as alternate options, erasing any confusion and getting you where you need to be. The Guide’s database includes all the theme parks, hotels and restaurants at Walt Disney World, but it excludes the water parks. In my opinion, that’s the only thing missing.

buses boats and monorails app

So what are you waiting for? Download the WDW Transportation Guide today and get to that Character dining reservation on time.

Available for purchase here.

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