I needed to check out some of the newest merchandise in the Disney shops to find some gifts for later in the year. So today I stopped in at the Emporium on Main Street at the Magic Kingdom. I have such fond memories of that store and it’s no surprise, I’ve been going there since 1971!
While browsing and meandering through the store, I found the absolutely most fun beach towel. It’s just so colorful yet simple and not in your face Mickey. I like that sometimes. It retails for $18.95. I checked Disney Shopping online to see if it might be there, but it wasn’t. I guessing it’s only available on property.
With my pool I use beach towels all the time. I think this one just might be a fine addition to my collection.
Also… I stopped at the cast discount store on my way home just to see what they had in stock. I go there maybe once a year just to check it out. It’s a store where they sell out-dated merchandise or overstocked merchandise to the cast members at a discount price. It’s not a big secret or hush-hush. Cast members can bring family or friends every once in awhile to shop there, too. Today I got the greatest deal ever on something I’ll probably never use or need. But once you see it, you’ll understand why I had to have it.
Isn’t that great! It’s a New Year’s Eve Mickey ears hat from last year. And the best part is – it was under $1.00 AND because it’s my birthday month I got an additional percentage off that price. So, I practically got it for free. How fun!
Leave it to Disney to bring people together. Ok, I work there so I could be slightly biased. I had the good fortune Saturday night to catch up with a former co-worker, actually 2 of them, from my days in the TV newsroom. Michelle Stevens and her husband, Chris, attended a little event this weekend at Disney where we were able to catch up on old times. In fact, when I last saw both of them, they weren’t even dating. Now, nearly 10 years later, they’re married with two beautiful children. She’s now the editor of the Orlando chapter of Moms Like Me. We spent some time at dinner then visited the fabulous Rix Lounge at Coronado Springs. This bar is gorgeous! I consider it a fun adult-hidden gem at Disney.
So Laura and I went to the Grand Floridian today to meet up with one of our wonderful Walt Disney World Moms Panelists - Jodi and her family. While we were there, we were lucky to run into David from the Grand Floridian who offered us a tour of the Grand Suite! The Grand Suite is the most luxurious and largest suite at that resort. It’s GRAND! It’s a gorgeous 2-bedroom suite with panoramic views that includes the Magic Kingdom, Seven Seas Lagoon and the resort pool. Many a celebrity has stayed there over the years including the late Princess Diana. And fortunately for me, I had my Flip camera in my purse and took some video to provide you this exclusive “leanne production”.
I’ve spent the past 48 hours with an amazing group of mom bloggers at Walt Disney World Resort. We started Friday evening and experienced a whirlwind tour of some of the magic Disney has to offer families.
I’m always a slightly nervous heading into these weekends. It goes back to the feelings we all felt in high-school, wondering if we’ll be liked, will we be accepted, and will we get along. We all come from different backgrounds, different areas of the country, different living conditions, different family make-ups, different economic status. But the one thing I think we all had or felt, was an appreciation and adoration of the Disney brand.
I was honored to meet these very amazing women. There were 3 moms here who each have 6 children! Two moms with very 7-month old boys. Yet they were all so cool and calm and so much fun to be around. I’ve never been blessed with children, sadly, although I treat my two dogs as my kids. I had so much fun with everyone this weekend. AND I even had a golden opportunity to babysit a 7-month old for about an hour – and the precious baby never cried once! I did good.
I’ll share more soon. I had an extraordinary weekend – made many new friends and am totally exhausted. Having a glass of wine then off to bed. @magicalmoms ROCK!
My long-time friend Mike was in town this week and we had the fun chance to hit the Disney parks on Saturday. We headed straight to the Magic Kingdom early in the morning then hopped over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the afternoon. The weather was gorgeous! The crowds were manageable. And the fun was off the charts.
The obligatory Castle photo
it's a small world afterall
and it's still a small world afterall
View from aboard the Liberty Belle
Thaddeus, a fabulous singer at American Idol Experience
Thatddeus is only 16 years old with an amazing voice.
Ever since I was a little girl I have adored tigers, in particular bengal tigers. I don’t know how old I was, maybe 10 – 12 years old, I had a glow-in-the-dark velvet poster of a tiger hanging over my bed. Ah, those were the days. And – I ate Frosted Flakes for breakfast. (Please tell me you get the connection.)
Today I was at Disney’s Animal Kingdom meeting up with someone I’ve had an online connection with, but hadn’t met in person yet. Allison from Texas and I have been communicating through Twitter and Facebook for several months and today we finally said hello – face-to-face.
After spending time saying hello, I used the next 30 -minutes in the park (before my next conf. call) to head over to see my tiger friends. Last time I was there I captured a great shot of one yawning. I was hoping for the same spontaneous photo moment today. While the “action” shot didn’t happen, I still managed to take some great pictures of these magnificent beasts.
Aren’t they just gorgeous creatures? And to think I’m a dog person. Huh.
The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival opened this Wednesday. I wandered around World Showcase with my moms panel friends, Brigitta, her mom and daughter, Brooke; Laura, and my new Twitter friends Dawn and Bill. It was my first “tweet-up”. Kinda cool! Mickey must have pulled some strings to have such fan-tab-ulous weather for opening week. Hats off to all the horticulturalists who made Epcot look so spectacular. The Festival runs thru May 31 and includes weekend musical acts – like Davey Jones this weekend. Everyone should go – you’ll not only get self enjoyment but you’ll be doing your part to help the economy.
The all-new American Idol Experience opened today to guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The media premiere held Thursday night brought together all 7 former Idols for the very first time. What a moment for American Idol fans! I include myself in that group. I’ve watched the show since day one.
Some of my favorites from the night: Jordin Sparks, David Cook (of course!), Melinda Doolittle, Carrie Underwood. And Paula looked darling her her little pink and blue tutu dress.I’m an AI junkie. So it was definitely thrilling for me to be standing on the sidelines of the motorcade watching so many of the idols parade down Hollywood Blvd at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Stunning Carrie Underwood
Jordin Sparks is all smiles!
Both Jordin Sparks and Carrie Underwood were fan favorites. Carrie was gorgeous, petite and so gracious meeting with her fans. Jordin was more beautiful in person and had such a big smile. It was fun to watch the fans take self-photos with the Idols.
Game Day has finally arrived here in Tampa. The weather forecast is outstanding, maybe slightly chilly for my Florida blood, but all the visitors will love it.
For those wondering why am I here – I am part of the Disney team that produces the “I’m Going to Disney World” commercial and helps bring the player to Walt Disney World the next day. I’ve been doing this since the last New Orleans bowl, which I think was 2002. I missed a few in-between for various reasons. All-in-all, this will be my 6th Super Bowl appearance. I feel very blessed and fortunate to have this opportunity. I don’t and never will take it for granted. I love the pageantry of the event, all the hype, all the devotion of the fans for their teams. I had that same devotion to the Miami Dolphins back in the days of Dan Marino and Don Shula. When those days ended, so did my hard-core passion for football. But, it is really cool to see others having so much fun and enjoying the moment.
So for tonight- I don’t have a favorite team. I only wish that everyone has a great time and enjoys the big game.
Last week I had the pleasure of meeting the first guest getting in free to a Disney Park on their birthday – part of the company’s “What Will You Celebrate?” campaign for 2009. (more…)
Hello and welcome to Leanne's Life! Before anything else - please know that this is my own personal blog and is in no way affiliated with my employer or any other company.
Now a little bit about me: I'm a native of Central Florida and work at Walt Disney World Resort. (And yes, it's a dream job!) Prior to my magical days at Disney I spent nearly 10 years at WFTV Ch-9 in Orlando. I'm a graduate of Rollins College. I love animals so you'll probably see quite a few stories here about my babies, Mikita and Jefferson.
I hope you'll enjoy my posts. Topics will be wide ranging from amusing stories about daily life to the excitement about something that happened at work, or maybe just my random (and sometimes silly) thoughts on something. Who knows!?
Thanks for visiting and please comment so I know what you're thinking.
