Rss Feed

‘Disney’ Category

  1. Tyra & Tiana & Little Princesses

    November 21, 2009 by Leanne

     

    A Friday evening at the Magic Kingdom in the fall makes for a very fun time. 

    Me Castle Xma

    Add in Disney’s breath-taking holiday decorations and it gets even more spectacular. 

    Tyra Castel

    Add on to that -  a once-in-a-lifetime meeting of about 20 little princesses at a nighttime tea party under the glow of the amazing glistening Cinderella Castle with the newest Disney princess - Princess Tiana and it’s sure to be a wonderful night.

     Tyra Little Princesses

    By wait – there’s one more add – bring on world famous Tyra Banks and her TV crew and – whoa!!

    Tyra2

    Just look at the face of the little girl behind Tyra looking up in awe of meeting both Princess Tiana and Tyra at the same time!

    To piece it all together, Tyra Banks taped a segment for her talk show (The Tyra Banks Show)about Disney’s newest and first African American Princess – Princess Tiana.  (Tiana debuts on the big screen on Dec. 11 in the new Disney movie, The Princess and the Frog.) Tyra surprised three little girls on her show last week with a trip to Walt Disney World to meet Princess Tiana IN PERSON. 

    The setting was as charming as you can imagine - a royal tea party at the base of Cinderella Castle, draped in lavish holiday lights with incredible desserts, hot cocoa, tea and punch.

    Tyra Desserts

    Tyra was so wonderful with the girls. You could see that they truly looked up to her, not only because she’s tall (ha ha) but they were so excited to meet her.  And by the way, Tyra looked sensational!  Her hair was pulled back and she wore a button-down yellow tee paired with slender jeans topped off with tall red staccato 5-inch shoes. Way to go, girl!

    Tyra Tiana

    The girls and their moms were waltzing with each other, laughing  and taking in every moment of this beautiful night. 

    Tyra Lorraine

    This segment will air on Tyra’s show this Wednesday, Nov. 25.  Check your local listings for channel and time. 

    I have to thank the wonderful and talented Leigh Caldwell who shot almost all these photos and allowed me to use them.  She is a wonderful person and not only a good photographer but also a great writer. She authors the blog “Theme Park Mom.com” that, as the name alludes, focuses on theme park destinations and families.

    I also want to give a shout out to my other bloggers who attended the Tyra-Tiana evening – Lorraine from “Ask Wifey” – who is also pictured above dancing with her daughter; and Stefanie of Mommymusings.com who I met about a year ago at Disney. They have wonderful blogs and I encourage you to stop by and check them out.


  2. VoluntEars & Disney

    September 29, 2009 by Leanne

    Today Disney Parks announced an exciting new way to inspire volunteerism in 2010: Give a Day, Get a Disney Day.  The program was kicked off with announcements in major cities across the country and Canada today including Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, Toronto and Atlanta.  The premise is simple:  Give a day of volunteer service and in return, you’ll get a free ticket to a Disney theme park at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort.  There are more pictures and stories about the multiple city events on the brand new Disney Parks Blog at www.disneyparks.com/blog.

    GDGDD Finale

    I was fortunate to be in Atlanta when the announcement was made today. Dozens of volunteers from around the city gathered at the Butler Street YMCA for a day’s work to clean up the facility.  So many wonderful people got down and dirty planting, gardening, painting, building benches, cleaning, and helping any way they could. Disney entertainment teams kept the place jammin’ with music.  Colorful Mickey Mouse balloon towers aligned the work areas. A fabulous acapella quartet from Voices of Atlanta rocked the house. And the weather, slightly chilly, but nonetheless spectacular. And of course, a Disney event wouldn’t be complete without a little character – and who better than Goofy and Pluto to lend a helping paw. Er, I mean hand.

    GDGDD FGirlTwo members of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel also attended, Jennifer and Heather both of the Atlanta area.  Heather had her entire family joining in the volunteer activities at the crack of dawn – weeding, painting and planting flowers. They were such an inspiration.

    For all the details on how to get in on Disney’s Give a Day Get a Disney Day, go to www.disneyparks.com.

    VoluntEars painting artwork for the amphitheater.GDGDD Painting

    GDGDD Banner

    JennLauraMe

     

    Moms Panel Jennifer, Laura and me outside the Butler Street YMCA

     

    Voices of Atlanta – Awesome group!IMG_3363 


  3. Searching for Disney Moms (& Dads!)

    September 9, 2009 by Leanne

    For you moms and dads who really know your way around Walt Disney World Resort, you might be the perfect person for the 2010 Walt Disney World Moms Panel.  The search for 10 new members of the panel begins tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 10) at 9:00am EDT.  Click on the button below or go to www.disneyworldmoms.com/2010 to apply.

    castle1

    Good luck everyone!

    Moms Panel Search


  4. New Citizens @ Magic Kingdom

    July 3, 2009 by Leanne

    New Citizens Waving the Flag

    New Citizens Waving the

    Since I’ve been working for Disney I’ve been fortunate to be a part of many wonderful, memorable events but nothing as emotional as being there when 1,000 immigrants were being sworn in as new U.S. citizens. Today at the Magic Kingdom, more than 1,000 immigrants representing 100+ countries took the Oath of Allegiance to become U.S. citizens. In that number were 35 Walt Disney World cast members.
    Walt Disney World has hosted this ceremony for a number of years, on and off.  In years past, the ceremony was held at Epcot but two years ago moved to the Magic Kingdom. 
    This year was spectacular and emotional in every way. The pride on the faces and the anxiousness in the motions of the new citizens was so special to see. As the immigrants stood when their homeland country was announced, a chill came over me watching them beam with pride, waving their US flags and listening to their families cheer them on.  Actor Andy Garcia gave the keynote address speaking about his Cuban heritage. After the 45 minute ceremony, the new citizens and their families were led by Mickey Mouse in a short parade to the Hall of Presidents attraction to see the re-imagineered show featuring the addition of President Barack Obama.

    Hands Raised to take Oath of Allegiance

    Hands Raised to take Oath of Allegiance

    Andy Garcia delivers keynote address

    Andy Garcia delivers keynote address

     

    Mickey Mouse and Ambassador Vanessa lead new citizens in short parade.

    Mickey Mouse and Ambassador Vanessa lead new citizens in short parade. Guests at Hall of Presidents attraction

     hallofprez1

     


  5. Disney Weekend Ahead

    May 29, 2009 by Leanne

    Mickey Towel Art awaiting me in the room at the Boardwalk

    Mickey Towel Art awaiting me in the room at the Boardwalk

    It’s no secret to anyone that part of my job involves working with many talented and amazing mom bloggers. While I’m only a mom to my baby dogs, I do blog, occassionally so I have the experience to know what it takes to maintain a blog.  It truly amazes me the work these women put into their blogs. The writing is often flawless, the stories are creative and captivating and the accompanying photos are all so professionally shot. I sit in shame and bewilderment as to how they do it and maintain their homes and families.  My hats off to all of you. You inspire me.  I will provide a blog roll list on one of my next updates so you can check them out yourself.  I can’t do it right now because I need to be downstairs in a few minutes to meet the next wonderful mom bloggers - who are calling themselves on Twitter – #disneymochamoms.  Follow our trail this weekend on Twitter.