A day at Castaway Cay, Disney's own private island! #DisneySMMC

 ****I was invited to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Land and Sea Celebration conference. I paid a conference fee to attend. I received a discounted rate for my stay. All opinions are my own. I have not been compensated or asked to post about Disney.****

We were finally here! A place I have dreamed of visiting for years! Well, who wouldn't love to visit a private island? An oasis filled tropical paradise. The last full day on our first Disney Cruise was Sunday, our Castaway Cay day! 

From 8:30 am to 4:45 pm we would be able to explore, shop, rest, and do just about anything we wanted on this island of splendor. And yes the food is also included, all you care to enjoy! As we pulled up to the dock, the sneak peek of the island was magnificent! I knew we were going to be in for an island paradise! 

If you were inclined you could get off of the ship and head off to do the Castaway Cay 5K, this was totally optional (anyone 10 an up can sign up for this fun run). My mom and I sat this one out, but maybe next time?

What would you like to eat? Want something fancy, something quick? Well the Disney Dream has it all! #DisneySMMC

 ****I was invited to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Land and Sea Celebration conference. I paid a conference fee to attend. I received a discounted rate for my stay. All opinions are my own. I have not been compensated or asked to post about Disney.****

Are you ready to go on a trip to foodie paradise? Scrumptious appetizers, entrees and desserts all you could want to enjoy? Well while you are on a Disney Cruise you can do just that! From breakfast, to lunch, to dinner they have it all. Well here you will get a glimpse of some of the food offerings on the Disney Dream. 

As you probably can tell, I am not the biggest fan of breakfast foods, I personally would rather go to an early lunch and just grab some fruit or a little thing for breakfast. But I was on a Disney Cruise, and the best part was I can eat whatever I want heck I could have sat in my cabin and just ordered a days’ worth of room service. All of you food (excluding the adults only restaurants Palo and Remy there is a $ amount to eat at each of these per person) you want is included! Yes even room service!

Like I mentioned I am not the hugest fan of breakfast foods, but you need to fuel up on something when you are off to a busy day on the Disney Dream. Each morning my mother and I ordered room service. We had a nice big coffee thermos and some fruit, we threw in some donuts and bagels and we were ready for the day. For breakfast you have the options to leave out your order the night before on a door hang, or call that morning with your order, and if you would rather stretch your legs you can visit the all you can eat breakfast bar at Cabanas restaurant. 

Speaking of Cabanas, that buffet was open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Closing for a short time between meals… If you got hungry between those times don’t worry, Flo’s Café has you covered. 

There are many Cars inspired favorites including Fillmores Favorites, enjoy some Sandwiches, Paninis, Fresh Fruits, Wraps, and Salads all made fresh to order. Or fill up on Sarge’s Choice, Filled Rolls, Wraps and Sandwiches or enjoy Stanley’s Selection Freshly prepared to order Paninis. From Lightning McQueen’s Hamburgers and Cheeseburgers to Flo's V8 Cafe - Luigis Pizza there is so much more all there for you to enjoy as much as you would like. But remember don’t fill up too much there is still the sit down dinner to come!

How to make your dreams come true, give back, and some Disney fun from the #DisneySMMC Session 2

 ****I was invited to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Land and Sea Celebration conference. I paid a conference fee to attend. I received a discounted rate for my stay. All opinions are my own. I have not been compensated or asked to post about Disney.****

After a whirlwind trip to Disney World, we were off on our sailing adventure! As a part of this adventure we would have another informative conference session. The session was filled with more informative speakers and lots of great information. Here are some of the highlights and guest speakers from this great Disney Media Moms event!

As the session started we were able to hear from Sharon Siskie, she is the Senior Vice President of Commercial Strategy who leads the sales and marketing efforts for a number of high-growth businesses within Disney Parks & Resorts. Her teams support Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney and Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. 

Sharon was excited to let us know a little more about the Disney Cruise line. Did you know that there are 3 new vessels setting sail in 2021, 2022 and 2023 each new ship will be approximately 140,000 gross tons and each is currently planned to include about 1,250 guest staterooms. Well that is pretty exciting! There will also be more planned Marvel & Star Wars Day at sea’s. They are so very popular and Disney is listening and giving the cruisers what they love. 

A first time cruiser and the amazing ship The Disney Dream #DisneySMMC

 ****I was invited to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Land and Sea Celebration conference. I paid a conference fee to attend. I received a discounted rate for my stay. All opinions are my own. I have not been compensated or asked to post about Disney.****

February was a big month for me I recently had a milestone birthday my family and I visited London and Paris and I got to go on my very first cruise. Yes the very first, I have never been on a ship before (well if you count the Queen Mary.. but that was docked and did not go anywhere) and my very first cruise was going to be a Disney Cruise! As part of the Disney Social Media Moms Conference, there would be fun on land and a great adventure on sea. One of the things I have always wanted to do is go on a cruise, and this was a big thing for me to have this dream come true. 

Since this was my first cruise I was a bit concerned, what to pack? Will I get sick? How will the experience with the ship be? I was nervously exited, but I should not have worried, I was traveling with my mom a seasoned cruiser and Disney had everything planned. Before I knew it our land portion of the conference was finished we were set to leave our wonderful stay at Disney’s Coronado Springs and head on to the bus to set off the cruise terminal. 

Photo credit: "Disney, Photographer: Alex Mirabal".

As we filed into the bus, it really hit me I was headed to a Disney Cruise, the ultimate of all cruises! I have heard such great stories of families traveling on Disney Cruises, and the magic they experience. I knew this was going to be a cruise like no other (well I had no other, but I knew if I had others in the future this would be the high water mark that other would have to try to live up to) an adventure with mother and daughter filled with fun and magic. The ride from the resort to Cape Canaveral took about an hour, not bad at all. Then before I knew it we well pulling into the cruise terminal and you could see her, The Disney Dream!

Arriving and being processed at the terminal was pretty easy, we were there early and the lines weren’t long. When we checked in we were each given our  “Key to the World” card, this card would have all we needed for the cruise, use it to charge, use it to get on and off the boat, to open your stateroom. This card was one of the most important thing you needed on the cruise. The longest we waited was to board the ship, we were in boarding zone 4. When you check in you get a zone and board accordingly, from zone 1 on.  

The announcement said “Zone 4 boarding” and my heart was fluttering with excitement, just one more line and we were on the ship. As soon as we crossed the dock and were boarding we were asked how we would like to be announced, and then they greeted us via the microphone by name while a crew of cast members applauded us as we boarded, it was a magical beginning to the cruise. The main staircase and area of the boat was breathtaking. The chandelier oh it was so beautiful, my pictures do not do it justice the color was so vibrant and the whole area looked so regal.

 

What was the first thing we did as soon as we boarded the cruise? Well we ate of course! I have heard stories about the abundance of food on a cruise, and boy those stories were true! We headed right off to the buffet at Cabanas for lunch. 

See the amazing new trailer for the new Disney Christopher Robin movie coming to theaters this summer! #ChristopherRobin #DisneySmmc

Recently at the Disney Media Moms Confrence, we were very fortunate to be able to get to hear more about this upcoming film from the Producer Kristen Burr. Kristen Burr, is a producer with Burr! Productions, a film production company based at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. Her current projects include the live action adventure “Christopher Robin,” starring Ewan McGregor for director Marc Forster, on which Burr serves as a producer, and the “101 Dalmatians” prequel, “Cruella,” starring Emma Stone and to be directed by Alex Timbers.

Photo credit: "Disney, Photographer: Alex Mirabal".

She is the Producer of the upcoming Disney movie “Christopher Robin“ she told us a bit about her current project. We got a little look at the film, since it is still in post-production I do not have any pictures but from what I saw this movie is going to be a real tear jerker.  You get to see “stuffed” versions of your favorite 100 Acre Woods characters moving along with the live action actors. After seeing the short clip I teared up, just seeing pooh (an older well-loved version, slightly dirty and worn) just brought me back to my childhood and my well-loved stuffed friends. This is going to be a must see film.  The release date is August 3, 2018. 
             
 In the heartwarming live action adventure Disney’s “Christopher Robin,” the young boy who embarked on countless adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood with his band of spirited and lovable stuffed animals, has grown up and lost his way. Now it is up to his childhood friends to venture into our world and help Christopher Robin remember the loving and playful boy who is still inside. Now grown up, Christopher Robin is stuck in a job where he is overworked, underpaid and facing an uncertain future. He has a family of his own, but his work has become his life, leaving little time for his wife and daughter. 

Christopher has all but forgotten his idyllic childhood spent with a simple-minded, honey-loving stuffed bear and his friends. But when he is reunited with Winnie-the-Pooh, now tattered and soiled from years of hugs and play, their friendship is rekindled, reminding Christopher of the endless days of childlike wonder and make believe that defined his youth, when doing nothing was considered the very best something. Following an unfortunate mishap with Christopher Robin’s briefcase, Pooh and the rest of the gang including Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger, step out of the forest and venture into London to return the crucial possessions…because best friends will always be there for you.

Like Christopher Robin on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyChristopherRobin/ 

Follow Walt Disney Studios on Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneystudios   

Follow Walt Disney Studios on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disneystudios/

Christopher Robin arrives in theaters everywhere on August 3, 2018! 

Are you looking forward to seeing Christopher Robin?

Disclosure: The reviews and or opinions on this blog are my own opinions . No monitory compensation was received. I was not required to write a positive review. Your experience may differ. The opinions I have expressed are my own I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement and Testimonials in Advertising .

A day of great tips, some tears and lots of fun, Disney Media Moms Conference session #1 #Disneysmmc

 ****I was invited to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Land and Sea Celebration conference. I paid a conference fee to attend. I received a discounted rate for my stay. All opinions are my own. I have not been compensated or asked to post about Disney.****

The Disney Media Moms conference was as amazing as you would think it would be it was filled with fun, lots of great new information and even a few tears. My takeaways from the first session range from excitement, knowledge, to appreciation and the joy of giving back. There is so much to share with you all. Where to start? Well, let’s start at the beginning. 

When we arrived at the conference the first speaker to greet us was the Chairmen Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Bob Chapeck, to discuss with us some great new things coming to Disney. Disney wants to  fully immerse guests in the experience, from the start of your day to the finish.

The cool new Minnie Vans, these are a great form of transportation that transports the guests one way from any location on property for a flat rate fee. Think of how great this would be after a long day at the parks, just call up a van and you don't have to wait for the bus! I can't wait to try this out. What is coming to the Disney parks soon? I am excited to hear that the Disney Skyliner to trans port guests from park to park is in the works. Another form of transport is always a plus. 

There are so many new rides and shows coming to the parks as well, including Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway this is a 2 1/2D ride so there will be no 3d glasses needed. What exactly is a 2 1/2D ride? We were not told, but I guess we will find out in 2019. The new ride at Epcot that features The Guardians of the Galaxy… well this is going to be an inside roller coaster!

There is a new show slated for Disney’s Animal Kingdom! On Earth Day, April 22, 2018, Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort will debut “UP! A Great Bird Adventure,” a brand-new show featuring Russell and Dug from the Disney/Pixar animated comedy adventure film “UP.” The show will give guests the chance to see Senior Wilderness Explorer Russell and his fuzzy friend Dug in a new adventure that includes encounters with exotic birds from around the world.

A must visit! Pandora - The World of AVATAR at Disney's Animal Kingdom #DisneySMMC

 ****I was invited to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Land and Sea Celebration conference. I paid a conference fee to attend. I received a discounted rate for my stay. All opinions are my own. I have not been compensated or asked to post about Disney.****

One the second day of The Disney Media Moms Conference we were up with the birds, and I did not mind a bit! We were going to be treated to an exclusive sneak peek of Pandora The World of AVATAR in Disney's Animal Kingdom. I personally had never had the chance to visit and this was something I was so looking forward to and Pandora did not disappoint! I was excited to see Disney’s version of Pandora. 

We arrived at Disney’s Animal Kingdom right before dawn, to be able to Pandora in the dark to see the bioluminescent glow of Pandora. As you arrived in Pandora, the beauty just takes your break away. You are really transported to another world, there are no stuffed Mickeys or any other Disney products to be found in this land… Well of course not, you are no longer at a Disney park you are in another world, the land of Pandora. I loved the fully immersive feel of your surroundings. 

After you cross the bridge guests follow a winding forest pathway to where the surreal landscape first comes into view. The exotic Valley of Mo’ara spreads before them. Other-worldly sights, sounds and scenes abound. Adventurers roam verdant pathways underneath floating mountains laced with waterfalls dropping to quiet ponds. They venture deep inside a bioluminescent rainforest amid the sounds of Pandoran creatures roaming the underbrush.

Fun Disney A Wrinkle in Time coloring sheets, & activities! #WrinkleInTime in theaters 3/9/18 #MagicOfStorytelling #DisneySMMC

Have you seen the trailer for Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time? Whoh, what an exciting looking movie! At the Disney Media Moms Conference, last month I was very fortunate to get a sneak peek of an extended look of A Wrinkle in Time. We were also treated to a cool photo opp, and a look at some costumes used in the film. With the Magic of Storytelling promotion we were encouraged to share our love of books by sharing our shelfie. What is a shelfie? Well it is simply a selfie, with you and a favorite book.  For each shelfie posted on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #MagicOfStorytelling, Disney will donate 1 book to First Book this promotion runs from December 29^th to March 31^st.

Photo credit: "Disney, Photographer: Alex Mirabal".

From what I have seen, this movie is going to be something special, from the amazing storyline to the talented actors. “A Wrinkle in Time” stars: two-time Academy Award® nominee Oprah Winfrey as Mrs. Which, Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon as Mrs. Whatsit, Emmy® nominee Mindy Kaling as Mrs. Who, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Mrs. Murry, Michael Peňa as Red and introducing Storm Reid as Meg Murry, with two-time Emmy winner Zach Galifianakis as The Happy Medium and Emmy nominee Chris Pine as Mr. Murry.

A sneak peek of Toy Story Land opening in Disney's Hollywood Studios June 30th, 2018. #DisneySMMC

Photo Credit: Disney Parks

****I was invited to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Land and Sea Celebration conference. I paid a conference fee to attend. I received a discounted rate for my stay. All opinions are my own. I have not been compensated or asked to post about Disney.****

Toy Story fans!  Have you ever wanted to shrink down to the size of a toy and play along with your and be on of Andy's toys? Well, pretty soon you are going to be able to "shrink" and visit with your favorite pals from Andy's room at Toy Story Land opening in Disney's Hollywood Studios June 30th, 2018. This is going to be the park to visit that is for sure, because who doesn't love Toy Story? This is a movie many have grown up watching and I know it holds a special place in my heart. 

 Recently at the Disney Media Moms Conference, we were able to get a sneak peek of a model of Toy Story Land and to hear more about the land from an Imagineer who got to work on the land itself, Ryan Wineinger, an Art Director, at Walt Disney Imagineering. 

Our home away from home for the #DisneySMMC the enchanting Disney's Coronado Springs Resort.

 ****I was invited to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Land and Sea Celebration conference. I paid a conference fee to attend. I received a discounted rate for my stay. All opinions are my own. I have not been compensated or asked to post about Disney.****

One of the things I love about Disney World is that things are always changing, there is always so much to do and see. I have been visiting for over 24 years and I still have not seen everything. Seriously, there are places and even rides I have not ever experienced. Recently at the Disney Social Media Moms conference I got to explore and experience a hotel that I have never had the pleasure of staying at… until now. 

Photo: Disney Parks

The relaxing Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. This enchanting resort brings the romance of Spanish Colonial Mexico, escape with the brightly colored buildings and all of the southwest themed charm. 

The hotel and the grounds are large, and well themed. Take a walk around the water, relax in the lobby, and soak in all of the amazing Disney design in this really cool hotel. So how are the rooms? The rooms are a nice size complete with two queen sized beds with dark wood accents. The room has a nice sized desk, ready for some work or just a great place to organize all of your stuff. There is a great separate area for your luggage and a wide counter with a sink. 

Disney Social Media Moms 2018, Land and Sea… We’re Going! #Disneysmmc

****I was invited to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Land and Sea Celebration conference. I paid a conference fee to attend. I received a discounted rate for my stay. All opinions are my own. I have not been compensated or asked to post about Disney.****

I am super excited to announce that I was invited to the 2018 Disney Social Media Mom's Conference! This is a land and sea conference, which means half the time will be spent at the Walt Disney World resort, and the other half of the trip will be spent on The Disney Dream! WOW! We will be traveling from 2/20-2/26/2018.

Picture Credit: Disney 

Picture Credit: Disney 

Visiting Disney Castaway Cay and Bahamian Cruise Ports of Call. I have never been on a cruise before, and to have my very first cruise be a Disney cruise, now that is going to be magical. With this conference we will get to know all of what Disney has to offer all of the new and fun additions and learn about some classic favorites as well, with wonderful guest speakers this is set to be an amazing conference.  

I have been very fortunate to take some amazing press trips over the years, but with this trip I can bring along the family, but sadly my husband and my daughter are unable to attend… But I am super happy to be able to travel on this trip with my Mom, it will be a great time to hang out together, and have some fun mother daughter times together. I cherish the memories of the last conference, there is nothing better than being able to enjoy the magic of Disney with your family, and to be able to spend the time with my mom is great.