Disney Delights

I have been a Disney fanatic for years (no real surprise there, I'm sure), but have never actually owned my own pair of Mickey ears. The reason being, whenever I was in the parks before I always chose something that was Marie based (one of my favorite Disney characters) and had my own special pair of Marie ears headband. Over the last few years I have started realizing how much I have wanted a traditional pair of Mickey Ears for myself, but never ended up purchasing any.

Knowing this, Krystal, invited me to go along to the Disney Store's 25th anniversary celebration that gave away free ears. The morning of, I was in so much pain (darned wisdom teeth deciding to come in) that I had to pass up the opportunity. Wonderful person that she is, Krystal made certain to snag an extra pair of ears for me. Below, the kiddos in my first ever pair of Mickey Ears commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Disney Store!

Reyna with some Mickey love

My silly little guy

Disney Delights

Photo from www.caffeinetime.wordpress.com

As most of you know, I'm from the West Coast (i.e. the land of coffee). When I first moved to Florida to take part in the Walt Disney College Program I had a very hard time adjusting to being so far away from home. It was the first time I had ever really worked, been away from home, and had roommates. The first few days in our wonderful Chatham apartment I remember being slightly shell shocked, and just existing between work related moments.

My wonderful roommates (they were/are wonderful, wonderful ladies) helped me out the best way they could with directions, work tips, and eager interest at my life back home. No matter what, though, I couldn't seem to make myself fit in.

About a week into me being there, my roommates surprised me with a small outing - we were on the hunt for a coffee shop! Let me preface this by saying they had heard plenty about my shock at not having a coffee pot supplied by Disney (I had been told that our kitchen would be fully furnished - a kitchen without a coffee pot is not really a kitchen!), and had seen my joy when a friend's Grandmother mailed me a small coffee pot. So, the three of them decided that I needed a small taste of home, and out we went into Orlando to find it!

It took 20 minutes for us to locate a Starbucks (in my own hometown there is literally a coffee shop every few blocks), but in that time I truly was able to let loose and get to know my roommates. After finally entering the shop, it was my pleasure (and also shock) to show them how to order a mocha, and what flavor pairing would be best. From that moment on I had lifelong friends.

Now that Disney and Starbucks are forming an in park relationship, it makes me happy to think of those old days and the joys that those two separately brought me.

Disney Delights

Photo by Dramowhisk

Thanks for coming back to week two of Disney Delights! A question was posed on Facebook a few days ago about favorite times to be in the parks. This got me thinking about some of the special access times I was allowed to be there. I have two favorite times, but for the purpose of this week's blog I'm only going to discuss one: late at night!

When I was part of the Walt Disney World College Program one of my friends invited me to an after hours movie shown in the theater in World Showcase, France. This was something they did every few weeks for the College Program kids, and since they were showing one of my favorite musicals (that particular night it was Phantom of the Opera) I jumped at the chance to go.

It was so much fun to sit back with my friends in such a beautiful space, munching away on our snacks, watching a great movie. The best part, though, was leaving after the movie. Imagine, if you will, the beautiful glow of Epcot at night. Now, remove all of the crowds and sounds and that is what my friends and I had laid before us: The park was left to us and the night workers, with everything lit  up and music quietly playing.

I remember distinctly the four of us skipping in the World Showcase, barefoot (the street cleaners had just come through) laughing and acting like little girls again. It is a memory I will always cherish, a group of girls I will never forget, at the place that means most to me.

Disney Delights

Photo from www.themeparkinsider.com

Hey everyone, each Monday I am going to be sharing a personal Disney favorite plus back story. It's a great way for me to share more about my Disney obsession, and get to know all of you better!

 To kick this off, I chose my favorite Disney fireworks show, Wishes. I first saw this when I was a cast member in the College Program back in 2005, working over time. I will never forget catching the last few moments of it from backstage (as far as I'm concerned, it's the perfect vantage point for full effects), and being in absolute awe at the sheer sound and power of the whole thing. To be honest, though, the real reason this is a Disney favorite is because it is the first thing that opened my husband Ken's (hubby but at the time, fiance) eyes to why I love the parks so much.

 We hadn't seen each other in months, and since it was my first time away from home, he made certain to come and visit even though he thought the parks were "for kids." The weeks up to his arrival I went over in my mind all of the places I had to take him, and where to go first. When he finally was in Orlando, I knew we had to start at the Magic Kingdom. I instantly dragged him to the park (and let me tell you, after travelling from Tacoma, Washington to Orlando Florida it was definitely dragging) and ran around like crazy trying to show him all of the magical things. We had fun, and Ken was definitely supportive in saying how proud he was of me in the college program, but that he still didn't understand the full hold it had on me.

 As evening approached and announcements were being made for Wishes, I started pulling him towards the Wishing Well by the castle to have a magical viewing spot. Before we made it to our location, the fireworks started and Ken was rooted to the spot looking up in amazement, unwilling to move until realizing that there could be a better vantage point. We made it to the Wishing Well, and watched the rest of the show holding each other. Since then, we have returned home and started a new life together, but he still occasionally mentions that moment we had so long ago. It is one of the several Disney Magical Moments I cherish, and will never forget. Thank you for joining me in this week's Disney Delights, I cannot wait to continue this adventure with all of you!