Tuesday

Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop ~ May


Disney+Wordless+Wednesday+Blog+Hop Focused on the Magic
Welcome to The Disney Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop here at Focused on the Magic where each week we gather with other Disney Bloggers to link up and share our Wordless Wednesday or Almost Wordless Wednesday Disney related picture posts.

This week's theme: May Calendar Shot 


Magic Kingdom Wordless Wednesday May Calendar Shot


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Time to link up your post!

Monday

Disney Winnie The Pooh Storyteller of the Year Contest

Winnie the Pooh "Storyteller of the Year."

To celebrate parents and guardians who foster their child's creativity and teach valuable life lessons through storytelling, Disney Consumer Products has launched a nationwide search for the Winnie the Pooh "Storyteller of the Year." 

The "Storyteller of the Year" user generated contest taps into parents' love of Winnie the Pooh and invites them to share the loveable bear's story in a creative way through video and the use of fun props including Pooh plush toys, puppets, blankets or any other Pooh item. 
We invite parents to join Disney in celebrating the art of storytelling and Winnie the Pooh, one of our most beloved characters of all time," said Stephen Teglas, vice president of classic franchises for Disney Consumer Products. "Pooh teaches us about friendship, adventure, and to appreciate the simple things in life. Through the 'Storyteller of the Year' contest we hope to capture some of these sweet family moments and encourage parents to use their best storytelling abilities to spark their child's imagination and create long-lasting memories.

Contest Details:

  • The contest runs from April 22 through May 15, 2013.
  • Choose one of the three Winnie the Pooh stories to tell (see the Getting Started page).
  • Record a video of yourself telling the story and upload it. MAKE IT FUN! 
All visitors to this website may vote for their favorite video. Feel free to share your video with friends and family and encourage them to vote! 

Prizes:


  • One person will be the Grand Prize Winner and will be designated as the Winnie the Pooh “Storyteller of the Year.” 
  • The winner will win a trip for four (4) to Los Angeles, be honored at an event in early June 2013, and will receive additional prizes, including a Pooh Prize basket (see the Contest Prizes page). 
  • Three Fan Favorites and two Honorable Mentions will also be awarded prizes (see the Contest Prizes page

*Use fun props such as, Pooh plush toys, puppets, or any other Pooh item. For Winnie the Pooh product ideas to integrate into videos, please visit www.DisneyBaby.com/WinniethePooh.
Winnie the Pooh "Storyteller of the Year."


Think you've got what it takes to be the Winnie the Pooh Storyteller of the Year?

Get started here: http://poohstoryteller.disneystore.com/home

Good Luck!
Thanks for stopping by!




Marvel And Audi Team Up For "Steer the Story" Comic Book Contest!

Last week, Marvel Entertainment, LLC, and Audi teamed up to give fans a chance to make comic book history with an interactive Iron Man comic and contest!

Marvel's Iron Man 3 fans will have the opportunity to decide the fate of Tony Stark in the Audi and Iron Man comic book via social media. Use sketchpads, cameras, or anything you need to decide Iron Man's fate and then go to http://www.steerthestory.com/ for the chance to see your name in a Marvel comic book. 

 Check out SteerTheStory.com for contest details, dates and prizes!

Friday

New #Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade Coming to Magic Kingdom in 2014

Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade


 Who's excited?
 A new daytime parade, the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade, will march into Magic Kingdom in spring 2014. The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade will bring the magical stories of New Fantasyland to Main Street, U.S.A., through fantastic and innovative new parade floats, vibrant costumes, and an original soundtrack that will feature beloved songs from favorite Disney films, plus a new parade theme song. Magic Kingdom is located at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Disney)

Which is your favorite parade in the Disney Parks? Mine is Spectro Magic♥

It's National Pretzel Day! What's your favorite Walt Disney World and Disneyland Pretzel?


National Pretzel Day!

In keeping with our fun National Pretzel Day tradition, it's time to cast your vote for your favorite Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts pretzel. Do you prefer a sweet, salty (or savory) pretzel? Do you enjoy a plain Mickey Mouse Pretzel or Cream Cheese-filled Pretzels? Leave your vote in the comments section below. 

Where in the world/land can you find one of these scrumptious Mickey pretzel treats? 
Here are just some of the locations you can pick up your favorite soft pretzel at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.
Disney World Disneyland Mickey Pretzel Locations

Disneyland Resort 
  • -Wetzel’s Pretzels®, Downtown Disney District: Located next to RIDEMAKERZ and Haagen-Dazs®, snack on fresh, fancy pretzels like the Cheese Meltdown, Grateful Garlic and Sinful Cinnamon. 
  • -Bayside Brews, Disney California Adventure park: Enjoy a brew (if you’re over 21, of course) and a variety of soft pretzels like the Jalapeno Cheese-filled Pretzel, Cream Cheese-filled Pretzel and Mickey Mouse Pretzel with Cheese.
  • -Bengal Barbecue, Disneyland park: The Mickey Mouse Pretzel and Jalapeno Cheese-Filled Pretzels serve as extra provisions on your journey through Adventureland.
  • -Refreshment Corner, Disneyland park: Mickey Mouse Pretzel, Jalapeno Cheese-filled Pretzel and Cream Cheese-filled Pretzel. Add a cup of cheese to your pretzel for extra dipping delight.
Disneyland Pretzel Carts
  • - Fantasyland (Mickey Pretzel & Cream Cheese-filled Pretzel) in the area in front of “it’s a small world”
  • - Tomorrowland (Mickey Pretzel & Cream Cheese-filled Pretzel) in front of Red Rockett’s Pizza Port
  • - Frontierland (Mickey Pretzel & Jalapeno Cheese-filled Pretzel) across from the Mark Twain Riverboat Dock
Walt Disney World Resort
  • -Wetzel’s Pretzels®, Downtown Disney West Side: Wetzel’s Pretzels is a perfect stop to fuel up between shopping, dining and entertainment adventures. Located next to Characters in Flight and the bridge to Downtown Disney Pleasure Island, there are seven tasty varieties of pretzels and dipping sauce options. Be sure to try the Pepperoni Twist — a fresh-baked cheese pretzel topped with pepperoni. Or try the Sinful Cinnamon — a sweet treat coated with cinnamon and sugar. Grab a table on the patio to enjoy the atmosphere and your twisted treat.
  • -Germany pavilion, Epcot World Showcase: Make a stop in the quaint German village at Epcot for an authentic snack as you tour World Showcase. Chomp on a flavorful hand stretched pretzel (or “bretzeln” as they say in Germany) to the tune of authentic music as you get lost in the charming cobblestone plaza.
  • -Frontierland, Magic Kingdom theme park: This Mickey Mouse-shaped, tasty treat is the talk of the town and, here at Walt Disney World, is only available at one location: Frontierland Pretzel Wagon. You can find the wagon between the Diamond Horseshoe and Pecos Bill Cafe (next to the Turkey Leg cart). The cheese or chocolate dipping sauces are the “icing on the pretzel” that make this a must-eat treat.

More Pretzel Fun at Walt Disney World:
All Disney theme parks have their special sprinkling of pretzel options. Be on the lookout for a popular fan favorite, the Cream Cheese Pretzel. This pretzel is filled with a sweet cream cheese and dusted with sweet crumbs. You can find this one at The Lunching Pad in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom, the Pretzel Garden cart on The Streets of America in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Fife & Drum Tavern at the American Adventure pavilion in Epcot World Showcase. Also featured at Fife & Drum Tavern, and at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, is the Jalapeno Cheese Stuffed Pretzel. 
It’s a perfectly pretzel way to spice up any day — but especially on National Pretzel Day!

What's your favorite pretzel at The Disney Parks? Leave your vote in the comments section below. Be sure to tell us if it's in DL or WDW.
My favorite pretzel in the Disney Parks is in Epcot's Germany Pavilion while sipping a nice cool drink enjoying the German music...ah, I can't wait for May!


bon appepretzel!  

Tuesday

Wildlife Wordless Wednesday


Disney+Wordless+Wednesday+Blog+Hop Focused on the Magic
Welcome to The Disney Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop here at Focused on the Magic where each week we gather with other Disney Bloggers to link up and share our Wordless Wednesday or Almost Wordless Wednesday Disney related picture posts.

This week's theme is Disney Parks Wild Side 
Let your imaginations go wild with pictures of wildlife, wild rides, wild people, wild outfits, walks on the wild side of Disney!
I chose pictures from wildlife adventures we've had at Animal Kingdom this week. The celebration of Disney's Animal Kingdom's 15th Anniversary and Earth Day is still going strong and I cannot wait till May for our next great wildlife adventure! 

Disney's Animal Kingdom Wildlife Wednesday

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Time to link up your post!

Monday

Happy 15th Anniversary Disney's Animal Kingdom!

Happy 15th Anniversary Disney's Animal Kingdom!

Earth Day is always a special day at Animal Kingdom because the park opened on April 22, 1998. This year Disney's Animal Kingdom celebrates it's 15th birthday! 
The underlying theme of Disney's Animal Kingdom is conservation and preservation. Walt Disney was concerned about conservation and wildlife preservation as far back as the 1950's. He once said:
"You've probably heard people talk about conservation. Well, conservation isn't just the business of a few people. It's a matter that concerns all of us. It's a science whose principles are written in the oldest code in the world, the laws of nature. The natural resources of our vast continent are not inexhaustible. But if we will use our riches wisely, if we will protect our wildlife and preserve our lakes and streams, these things will last us for generations to come."  
"I have learned from the animal world, and what everyone will learn who studies it is, a renewed sense of kinship with the earth and all its inhabitants."

Many dignitaries were on hand for the dedication ceremony of Disney's Animal Kingdom on April 22. 1998 including Roy E. Disney who is quoted below.
Happy 15th Anniversary Disney's Animal Kingdom
As a photographer and Animal Kingdom lover from day one I have thousands of pictures from my magical adventures in the parks from the past 15 years. As a little DAK13 birthday tribute I'd like to share 15+ of those photo experiences and a few fun Disney Animal Kingdom facts today.
Happy 15th Anniversary Disney's Animal Kingdom

Happy 15th Anniversary Disney's Animal Kingdom
Happy 15th Anniversary Disney's Animal Kingdom


  • The Tree of Life project was started in the late 80’s and opened on April, 22, 1998.
  •  The tree is 14 stories high, its leafy canopy spreads 160 feet across. So large that it fits the Tough to be a Bug theater inside that can seat 430 people.
  • It took 20 artists to carve the 320 animals into the trunk, branches and the roots. 
  • The trunk carvings were assembled outside the park with 52 rock-work cages out of which the animal sculptures were carved. The trunk was then cut into a dozen giant parts and flown to an assembly area near the park. There, they joined the segments into pairs. The completed six trunk sections were then transported by crane to the Safari Village area and assembled. 

Happy 15th Anniversary Disney's Animal Kingdom


Make sure you stop by DisTherapy ~ 15 Days to 15 Years for the conclusion of the series.
In celebration of Earth Day today I'll be planting my Earth Day trees, a plum and 2 Weeping Willows. Do you have any special plans for today?
Happy 15th Anniversary Disney's Animal Kingdom

Tuesday

Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop ~ Flora, Fauna, Fantasy 15



Disney+Wordless+Wednesday+Blog+Hop Focused on the Magic
Welcome to The Disney Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop here at Focused on the Magic.com where each week we gather with other Disney Bloggers to link up and share our Wordless Wednesday or Almost Wordless Wednesday Disney related picture posts.

This week's theme is Flora, Fauna, Fantasy 15 in celebration of Disney's Animal Kingdom's 15th Anniversary and the new Fantasyland. 
Disney's Animal Kingdom ~ Flora, Fauna and Fantasy

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Time to link up your post!

Advice for first time visitors to Disney World


Advice for first time visitors to Disney World
Planning your first trip to Walt Disney World can be a little overwhelming. Don't worry with a little advance planning and research you will be able to enjoy a magical vacation and learn why it's called "The Happiest Place On Earth".


Monday

Where in The World?

I hope you are all enjoying Tax Day! I'm thrilled my taxes are filed and my laptop is almost back to functioning fabulously fast once again. No more auto updates for me. It was a hard lesson to learn. Never again will Windows update during a storm messing up my registry! Auto updates are turned off!

Let's have some fun and catch us a notorious villain, 
Peg Leg Pete on this taxing Tax Day. He was caught stealin'! Not from the IRS but from John Slaughter! 
Where in Disney World  might you find this wanted poster? 
Peg Leg Pete Focused on the Magic
Leave your answer in the comments below. 
If you have ever had a problem with Windows updates please leave a comment. Was yours a difficult recovery? I had to re-install Windows and lost all my program files. :/ 

Tuesday

Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop ~ The Disney Letter "J"


Disney+Wordless+Wednesday+Blog+Hop Focused on the Magic
Welcome to The Disney Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop here at Focused on the Magic.com where each week we gather with other Disney Bloggers to link up and share our Wordless Wednesday or Almost Wordless Wednesday Disney related picture posts.

This week's theme is the Disney inspired Letter "J". We've been moving through the alphabet and I've had enjoyed going through all my pictures looking for just the right ones for each week's theme.


 L to R. Jack Spence, whom we were thrilled to meet up with at Epcot. Jungle Cruise Elephant, Jugglers in China, Indiana Jones, Jesse, Joodie Patootie, Jiminy Cricket and Mickey's Jammin Jungle Expedition

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Time to link up your post!

Tiggerific Trivia ~ "When You Wish Upon A Star"

Tiggerific Trivia ~ When you Wish Upon A Star

Did you know?
ºoº  “When You Wish Upon a Star” won the 1940 Academy Award for Best Original Song. The song also became the representative song of The Walt Disney Company.
When You Wish Upon A Star, Pinocchio Music Sheet

ºoº  "When You Wish Upon a Star" was written by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington for Walt Disney's 1940 adaptation of Pinocchio.

ºoº  The original version was sung by Cliff Edwards in the character of Jiminy Cricket and is heard over the opening credits and in the final scene of the film.

Monday

Vintage-Style Tees at the Disney Truck Shop & Pick up a Strawberry Eat Hat!

Limited Time Magic

April 8 to April 14, 2013


For one week only, the Disney Truck Shop will be parked along the Downtown Disney Westside route at Walt Disney World Resort, offering you the chance to pick up a limited release vintage-style tee. Available while supplies last, the tee has been inspired by the design and logo of the Disney Parks newest shop on wheels. So cruise over for this Limited Time Magic offer, and pick up some of your favorite souvenirs too—this is one ride you can't afford to miss!

Don't forget to pick up a Strawberry Ear Hat while visiting the Flower & Garden Festival. They are only available during the month of April & while supplies last at select locations in Epcot.

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Have you experienced Limited Time Magic? 

Saturday

Ultimate Blog Party '13 - WELCOME!


Ultimate Blog Party 2013Refreshing Drink from Trader Sam’s-Enchanted Tiki Bar

Trader Sam’s Schweitzer Falls Cocktail Recipe

Thank you for visiting Focused on the Magic in our third Ultimate Blog Party 2013 (#UBP13 on Twitter) hosted by Susan and Janice at 5 Minutes For Mom! I'm so delighted you stopped by!  Let's kick off the celebration with a refreshing Trader Sam's Schweitzer Falls Cocktail (you can click the pic below for the recipe) and fireworks from the Magic Kingdom just for you: 
Wishes


Friday

Crispy Savanna Spring Rolls Recipe


On our next great foodie adventure in Walt Disney World I plan on a return visit to Jiko - The Cooking Place at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. I am so looking forward to  the Crispy Savanna Spring Rolls with Curry Vinaigrette. I just hope it's back on the menu.

Since this month we'll be talking a lot about one of my favorite parks, Disney's Animal Kingdom and it is another fabulous Foodie Friday I thought I'd share the recipe. 


Crispy Savanna Springs and Curry Vinaigrette. SPRING ROLLS
1 tablespoon olive oil
1⁄4 cup diced yellow onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 cups fresh corn
2 cups firmly packed mixed baby lettuce
1⁄2 teaspoon coarse salt
1⁄4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1⁄2 cup soft goat cheese
4 (8-inch-square) frozen spring roll pastry wrappers made with wheat flour, thawed
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten

Vegetable oil, for frying

Preparation:
Heat oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat and add onions. Cook for 3 minutes, until softened, then add garlic; sauté 2 to 3 minutes.
Add corn and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, until corn is tender.

Add lettuce and cook for 3 minutes, until wilted. Add salt and pepper. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes. Add goat cheese and stir until well combined.

Cut wrappers in half diagonally, forming two triangles. With the long side of one triangle nearest you, put 2 tablespoons filling along middle of long edge of triangle and shape filling into a thin log. Fold left and right corners of wrapper over filling, overlapping slightly. Dab top corner with egg yolk, then roll up wrapper away from you into a long thin roll, making sure ends and filling stay tucked inside. Place on a tray, seam side down. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling, keeping tray of rolls loosely covered until ready to fry.

Heat 11⁄2 inches of oil in a heavy-bottom stockpot over medium-high heat until it reaches 365 degrees. Working in batches, fry rolls for 4 to 5 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.

CURRY VINAIGRETTE
1⁄2 cup safflower oil
1⁄4 cup rice vinegar
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons sambal olek (Asian chili paste)
2 teaspoons honey
1 clove garlic, minced
1⁄4 teaspoon curry powder
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh dill

Preparation:
Place oil, vinegar, lemon juice, sambal olek, honey, garlic and curry powder in a blender. Process until smooth. Add dill, and stir to combine. Serve vinaigrette with Crispy Savanna Rolls.
Makes 8.

Recipe Courtesy of Disney InsidEARS
Photo Courtesy of Disney Parks

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 Focused on the Magic: Foodie Friday Disney  Food  Fan  Pinterest  Board



 Bon appétit mes amis!


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Tuesday

Wordless Wednesday ~ April is Here!


Focused on the Magic Animal Kingdom Collage

Disney+Wordless+Wednesday+Blog+Hop Focused on the Magic
Welcome to The Disney Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop here at Focused on the Magic.com where each week we gather with other Disney Bloggers to link up and share our Wordless Wednesday or Almost Wordless Wednesday Disney related picture posts.

This week's theme is your April Calendar Shot. I chose pictures from visits to Animal Kingdom to represent the month of April. The park is to celebrating it's 15th anniversary this month. Time sure has flown by. I remember very well when Animal Kingdom first opened. The wonderful embellishments I used for this collage are from a kitAfrican Vacation Digital Scrapbook Kit Fan Freebie created by my very talented friend Mary at Capturing Magical Memories. Stop by and check out the full kit filled with lots of papers and embellishments!
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Time to link up your post!

Free Fun Birthday Perks at the Disney Parks

Celebrating a birthday while on vacation in The Disney Parks is always a special event and Disney has provided fun free perks to make it even more memorable.


Five Fun Birthday Freebies.
It all starts when you book your resort hotel reservations. Inform your Travel Agent, Disney Member Services or make a notation in your reservation online requests that someone in your traveling party is celebrating a birthday. Provide them with their name and age. Once that’s done the information is in your file and on your reservation for all Cast Members to see and hopefully act on.

1. Upon checking in to your resort mention to the Cast Member that there is someone celebrating a birthday in your group. They should already be aware of this as you list your birth dates on your reservation. It’s always good to *remind* them just in case the information somehow isn’t there. Sometimes they will have prepared a little something special. We’ve had a surprise balloon delivery, a towel decoration adorned with pins and a bottle of champagne delivered once on a cruise. I’ve heard of autographed character pictures too. There are no guarantees, it’s Disney magic when and if it happens!
Francis Floot Streetmosphere Performer Disney Hollywood Studios
2. All Guests (including those staying off-property) visiting the Disney Parks are welcome to enjoy this next perk. Visit the Guest Services in any of the parks to obtain a “Happy Birthday” button similar to the one pictured above. The birthday persons name will be hand printed on the button by a Guest Services Cast Member. In the Magic Kingdom you would visit “Town Hall” on Main Street next to the Fire Dept. Wearing a birthday button always attracts special attention from the Cast Members. Sometimes a smile and a “Happy Birthday”, a part in a parade or show, even a FastPass.

Free Birthday Perks at the Disney Parks

3. Wherever you are dining in the Parks you should tell the Cast Member at the podium when you check-in for your dining reservation. They will make note of it and may already have it in your ADR. Ideally this information is then passed on to your server but it doesn’t always work out that way. Mention it to your server after you are seated. Most table service restaurants have special birthday desserts that are often accompanied by a song. Via Napoli Cast Members sang the “Happy Birthday” song to me in Italian along with a special dessert with a candle, Le Cellier and The Grand Floridian have special birthday plates of chocolate, Liberty Tree Tavern has a birthday table decorated in glitter. Counter Service Restaurants often give the birthday person a cupcake, cookie or brownie and sometimes they’ll stop everything to sing a song. Pizzafari is great for that!

Free Birthday Perks at the Disney Parks
4. While in the Parks be sure to tell the PhotoPass Photographers that there’s a birthday boy or girl in your group. They may ask them to strike a special pose. The final picture might include some unexpected Disney birthday magic.
Have Photopass take a picture using your camera of the Birthday Guest. When you get home you can makyour picturee it a magic shot by adding png image of birthday balloons to the picture in PicMonkey which is a free app.
5. If you are staying on property ask the front desk or concierge desk about a special birthday phone call from one of the characters. If they can manage it you may have a fun surprise waiting for you on your room phone!
Although the next few perks aren’t free, they are inexpensive and will add to the birthday magic without busting your budget.
When the characters sign your child’s autograph book make sure they know it’s your child’s birthday and mention their name, the character might surprise them with a birthday greeting.

When my boys were young I would bring a large birthday card from home with my son’s name on it for the characters to sign. It makes for a cute addition to a birthday page in the scrapbook. You could have them sign a birthday, anniversary, graduation, get well or special occasion card to give at a later date.
Bring some birthday streamers, balloons and party supplies from home. Decorations can be lightly taped up without damaging anything and it’s a fun surprise to have a birthday resort room. Mousekeeping sometimes joins in on the celebration too;)
One last thing. "Grownups" are treated equally when it comes to celebrations in Disney Parks. You are never too old or too young to celebrate. Live it up and join in the fun!


Do you have any free birthday perks you’d like to share?
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