This weekend, I’m having the pleasure of visiting one of the most fun and exciting of the year, San Diego Comic Con. The event is always a huge draw for movie studios, TV shows, and comics, and as such, features many great looks at some of the most highly anticipated movies coming out over the next year. Thankfully for Disney fans, Walt Disney studios started off this weekend with a bang, bringing what I consider one of the best panels I’ve seen at any convention in quite some time. We were fortunate enough to see things from Tim Burton’s ‘Frankenweenie‘, ‘Wreck-It Ralph’, the first ever footage from ‘Oz: The Great and Powerful’, as well as a surprise look at ‘The Lone Ranger’. This was a fully jam packed panel, and I’m definitely glad I got to be there.
Mickey Mouse Waffle Maker Giveaway
Who doesn’t love Mickey Mouse Waffles? Well I am sure even some pancake lovers out there would love to win this Classic Mickey Waffle Maker from our good friends at Pixie Vacations!
To enter, all you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below. The contest ends Saturday July 14th at 11:59pm. On Sunday I will pick one lucky winner and notify them Monday Morning via email that they won. Be sure to use a valid way for me to contact you.
For bonus entries, share this post using any of the buttons at the top of this page. You can tweet and share as often as you like, because each counts as bonus entries!
Oz The Great and Powerful Trailer
Official debut trailer for Disney’s fantastical adventure “Oz The Great and Powerful”. Discover the origins of L. Frank Baum’s ‘the Wizard of Oz’. In theaters March 2013.
When small-time magician Oscar Diggs (James Franco) pulls one flimflam too many, he finds himself hurled into the fantastical Land of Oz where he must somehow transform himself into the great and powerful Wizard—and just maybe into a better man as well.
Starring James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, and Zach Braff and directed by Sam Raimi (Spider-Man). “Oz The Great and Powerful” arrives in theaters March 2013.
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Disney Publishing Worldwide presents Minnie Bow Maker app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch!
Fresh on the heals of her successful Disney Junior television show Minnie‘s Bow-Tunes, Disney Publishing Worldwide brings us a new app: Minnie Bow Maker!
In this new app created by Disney Publishing, kids become Minnie’s personal fashion assistant and help create customized bows using her very special Bow-Maker.
“Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power Of Two” Set For Panel At San Diego Comic-Con International 2012
Disney Interactive is happy to announce that the highly-anticipated Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two video game will be featured in a panel at the Comic-Con International 2012 show in San Diego on Sunday, July 15th at 1:00pm in Room 25ABC.
Participating in the panel are video game designer Warren Spector of Disney Interactive’s Junction Point, Peter David, award-winning comic writer and author of the upcoming Disney Epic Mickey 2 Graphic Novel and Marv Wolfman, award-winning American comic book writer and co-writer of Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two.
Use Your Packing Smarts for more Potato Head Parts!
Who’s been to Once Upon a Toy in Downtown Disney? Â Sometimes I think adults have more fun in that store than kids do! Â For just $20 (+ tax) you can pack a box full of Mr. Potato Head parts. Â This is a great (and economical) souvenir!
Here’s a few helpful hints on how to get the most bang for your buck:
Buy your Potato Head body at home. Â If you have a Mr. Potato Head already, great! Â Bring him with you, in your suitcase, so that you can try out all of the new parts you purchase. Â If you’re able to, purchase a Mr. Potato Head before leaving for Disney World. Â Finally, keep your eyes open at garage sales – I once found a Mr. Potato Head body for 25 cents! Â Having a potato body already, allows you to fill your box with more parts.
Book Your 2013 Vacation OR Take Advantage of Free Dining!
It’s been a BUSY week this week. Disney has now officially released 2013 Packages and they are available to book now! The dining plans stayed as far as what they offer the same but they did up the price of the dining packages a bit.Â
ALSO:Â Free Dining is now available for EVERYONE to book!
Valid for stays select nights 9/30/12 – 12/13/12.
-9/30/12-10/4/12
-10/19-11/1/12
-11/9/12-11/15/12
11/23/12-11/29/12
-12/10-12/13/12
Your vacation does NOT have to be those dates exactly but must start within one of those date ranges and then is good for your entire stay!
Tastes So Good – Columbia Harbour House
When I think of food at Walt Disney World, my mind hardly ever goes to Magic Kingdom except to think about the coveted Dole Whip! Â I tend to dream and salivate about Ohana, and the Tusker House breakfast until I tried something at the Columbia Harbour House that changed the way I viewed dining at the MK!
I didn’t eat at the Colombia Harbour House until about 4 trips ago, and I am hooked!  The Columbia Harbour House is located in Liberty Square close to the Hall of Presidents and across the street from the Haunted Mansion.  Before I had actually entered the Columbia Harbour House, I always thought it was probably small and crowded but I was wrong.  This place is good sized in the inside with plenty of seating with an upstairs too!  I have never experienced this place to be super busy, although there has always been a line!  I have not had a problem finding a place to sit.  I love how cool the Columbia Harbour House feels on a hot Florida day, it is really refreshing!  Something else I really like about eating here is that there are a lot of outlets by the tables against the wall, and while I don’t know if we are supposed to use them I always plug my iPhone in while dining here!
Why Cruising is the Perfect Vacation

Walt Disney World natives know how much work planning a vacation is, there’s the initial planning
- Where do we stay?
- Can we really afford a deluxe?
- How much are we going to eat (ooooh that dining plan is SO yummy!)
- What is my ADR date (I MUST stay up till midnight to get my first choice restaurants!)
- When are the park hours going to be posted, I need to know my extra magical hours!
These are just a few of the issues to consider when planning a Disney World trip.
It’s easy to be in a frazzled frenzy before your trip even starts, and if you’re a “park commando” type, there’s no rest for the weary. Undoubtedly you become the keeper of the clock, and the responsibility for getting everyone up and to your destination on time is your job; which is a full time job in itself (talk about overworked and under-paid!) By the time you’re back you need a vacation from your vacation. This is why I’m obsessed with cruising and I think it’s the PERFECT vacation!
If you can’t imagine a vacation without the Disney magic (who could?! Say it ain’t so!) but want a break from the frenzy of the parks, a Disney Cruise Line vacation is the perfect solution. Let all your problems sail away as you board the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder or Disney Dream (the Disney Fantasy will be in rotation soon as well!)
Why get onboard with Disney Cruise Line?
1. The planning is minimal-Pick your sail date and destination and get onboard. There are very limited decisions, all you have to do is pick when you’d like to eat at Palo and if you’d like to do shore excursions…the rest is already set! DCL tells you where to eat and when, the show schedule is set and the rest you can decide on the fly with the help of your Personal Navigator.
2. All inclusive experience-Once you’re onboard everything is taken care of. There’s no touring plans to be done, no hours of operation to worry about, and never a shortage of things to do. You don’t have to pick a dining plan, it’s all included and there’s plenty to choose from.
3. Be as active, or inactive as you want-No park commando vacation style necessary, pick and choose what you’d like to do each day when your choices arrive via Personal Navigator. The pools are always open (kiddie pool and adults only pool-my personal favorite!), relax in the sun (grab a book to borrow from the Coffee shop) have a drink brought to you at your chair or relax in the hot tub. If you want to go and conquer the boat, it’s ready whenever you are. If the pool is calling your name; there’s always a chair ready.
4. Say Bon Voyage to the kids-If your children’s age ranges keep your touring plans in an uproar a DCL vacation is the perfect solution. The kids clubs are divided with age appropriate activities and peer groups, let the teens go do their thing in their own area (no adults allowed) and the littler one’s can find adventure in the Oceaneers Club, Oceaneers lab or even Flounder’s Reef nursery. If you’re horrified at the idea of sending your children out of your site on a family vacation, trust me…after one hour in the kids clubs you’ll change your mind. They will want nothing to do with you and don’t be surprised if you have a battle getting them to come to dinner with you. Parents are so boring compared to the kids clubs, they’ll never want to leave.
5. Be pampered-Mousekeeping is great at WDW, but DCL makes it look like child’s play. Every time you turn around your stateroom host (or hostess) is replenishing your toiletries, making towel animals, making your bed and leaving chocolates on your pillow. You never lack for anything and it’s a true feeling of royalty.
6. Be entertained-Instead of worrying about keeping everyone busy and being “fair” to everyone in your family, DCL has entertainment for everyone and it’s already planned, all you have to do is show up. The stage shows are Broadway caliber and fit for the whole family…don’t miss Disney Dreams…it’s my personal favorite! I love “Twice Charmed” as well! They are all great and you’ll leave breathless (and probably a little teary eyed to!)
7. Feast, Frolic and Flop-The food is endless, the activities are abundant and there’s plenty of relaxation…need I say more?
There you have it. Our seven reasons why cruising is the perfect vacation.
Tell us what your favorite part of cruising is!
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Free Dining is Back!

At long last…free dining is available for everyone, not just those select Disney Visa cardholders.
The offer is as delicious as always:
Book a non-discounted 6-night, 7-day stay at a select Walt Disney World resort and receive the dining plan for free!
Available for select dates:
Cinderella Fairytale Fantasy Sweepstakes
Enter Disney Movie Rewards’ Cinderella Fairytale Fantasy Sweepstakes for your chance to win a family vacation for four to New York City to meet Cinderella.
Open to residents of the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada (void in Quebec), 13+. Contest ends September 15, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. PT. One entry per person.
Grand Prize: 3-night trip for four to New York City, NY, a $1,000 Disney Store Bonus Shopping Card, a Disney Store Shopping Spree with a personal shopper concierge, and a private meet and greet with Cinderella at the Disney Store location in Times Square.
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Registration Now Open for Disney’s Princess Half Marathon
Runners nationwide have their first chance today to go after a commemorative new medal that will be awarded to finishers of the 2013 Disney’s Princess Half Marathon.
Registration for the race weekend opens today and all finishers will receive a one-of-a-kind medal to mark the fifth anniversary of the women-focused event at Walt Disney World Resort, Feb. 22-24, 2013. Runners can sign up for the race at www.rundisney.com and the commemorative tiara medal will be revealed in the coming months.
Disney’s Princess Marathon Weekend is one of the largest women-specific running events in the country and focuses on healthy active lifestyles for women and girls. After nearly 7,500 runners ran in the inaugural 2009 event, the popularity of the race has grown considerably with more than 19,000 competing in last year’s race. This year, the event is expected to attract more than 20,000 runners.
The weekend event includes the Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Royal Family 5K and Kids’ Races on Saturday, followed by half marathon on Sunday. The weekend also includes the Disney Fit for a Princess Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, featuring the latest running apparel and equipment, as well as a speaker series involving running experts such as official runDisney training consultant Jeff Galloway.
Disney’s Princess Half Marathon is one of two women-focused runDisney event weekends. The Tinker Bell Half Marathon takes place in January at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Ca.
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