Alive in Wonderland

Halloween is still sweet. Roll with the changes

 It’s finally happened. My kids don’t want me to dress in a costume for Halloween. That would be, to use a direct quote, “Totally embarrassing.” It used to be our thing. When they were little and I could pick out their costumes, I got the chance to show my Winnie-the-Pooh love by dressing us all as characters. When I was pregnant with my son, Ben, my belly rounded out my Pooh Bear costume perfectly. It was a magical year.

Then my kids had their own opinions on what they were for Halloween. We’ve seen Troy from “High School Musical,” Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz” and our fair share of pirates and princesses. When this phase hit, I would resurrect my roller-skating waitress costume, year after year.

This year, my daughter is all about the 1950s, since she saw “Grease” a few months ago. So she and her bestie are dressing in vintage clothes from that era for Mickey’s Halloween Party, at Disneyland Resort. At 13, she’s too old to go trick-or-treating – nothing worse than a group of teenagers coming to your door and clearing out your candy stash – so this is her only big Halloween festivity.

 Mickey’s Halloween Party is a special ticketed event at Disneyland Resort that runs 12 nights in October. (Go to [disneyland.com] for ticket prices and a schedule.) They close down the park and transform it into a spooktacular Halloween party. The best part: The kids get to trick-or-treat at DISNEYLAND! It’s an absolutely mind-blowing experience. Also, guests get to experience things that only happen at Mickey’s Party, such as their special Halloween fireworks show and a Costume Party Cavalcade Parade. Adding to the fun: It’s the only time that adults are allowed into the park in full costume. Hooray! But, um, not per my kids. So no dressing up for me... except for ... my Minnie Mouseish costume at Mickey's Halloween Party. Check out my photos:

 

Tick or Treat stations throughtout the park.

My son and I on the tram into the park

 

 

My daughter's friend posing with Duffy at Big Thunder Ranch.

Dapper Dans singing Halloween-themed songs at Big Thunder Ranch

Although my daughter will no longer go trick-or-treating, my son, who is 10, is still heading out to collect what always turns out to be too much candy. So this year, we are gong to participate in the Halloween Candy Buy Back Program. It allows kids to sell their candy to a local dentist to earn cash – which I suspect will simply be used to buy candy. The sweetest thing is that this year the program is teaming up with Spry and Operation Gratitude. Together they will work with participating dentists to collect children’s Halloween candy to send to the U.S. troops overseas, along with toothbrushes and other oral care items. Just go to [halloweencandybuyback.com] and enter your zip code. A list of local dentists will be provided.

            I do miss the days of dressing up and hitting the neighborhood with my kids, each year holds sweet memories for us. Anyone need to borrow my roller-skating waitress costume? I’m rolling with the changes but, sadly, not rolling door to door with my kids anymore. 

Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland Resort

 

 

Disney Resort calls it trick-or-treating in the "ultimate neighborhood," Mickey's Halloween Party has returned once again to the resort. The party is a separate ticketed event that happens only 10 nights in October and allows guests to have the park to themselves for an evening of exclusive Halloween-themed activities inside Disneyland. What sets Mickey's Halloween Party apart from a night in the park?

*Adults and children can dress in costume (but nothing scary is allowed).

* Themed dance parties for families. This year Pirate-poliza promises to be hit with the kids.

*Special character experiences. Guest get to mingle with characters like Stormtroopers, the Queen of Hearts and many of the Disney Villains. These are characters not normally seen in the park.

* Halloween Screams Firework Spectacular.  Oh, man! I love this firework show and you can only see it during Mickey's party. (Here is my video of the entire show from a few years ago.) It's a must see at least ONCE!

*Trick-or-Treating for the kids. Lots of candy stations, but they offer healthy treats as well.

You should purchase your tickets in advance, here. Most nights are $49 if you buy them before you arrive at the park. On Oct. 28 and on Halloween night tickets are $64 because everyone wants to be there during the height of the season.

 

Mary Poppins is practically perfect at Segerstrom

(Watch my interview with Mary Poppins herself, plus some clips from the show.)

 

 

Mary Poppins the Musical started its four-week run at The Segerstrom Center for the Arts on Friday night. The hit Broadway musical first premiered in London in 2004 and has swept through the world performing in the most delightful way to over seven million guest.

"It the best of both the book and the movie," Stephanie Leigh, who plays Mary Poppins in the OC run, told me.  With all the classic songs written by the Sherman Brothers for the movie--Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, Spoonful of Sugar, Let's Go Fly a Kite, Chim Chimmery--and fantastic new songs like "Practically Perfect" that fit seamlessly into the story of our favorite flying nanny, Mary Poppins.

If you're a fan of the movie Mary Poppins the stage show will deliver the same toe-tapping, sassy goodness you love from the film, plus stunning sets, colorful costumes and fantastic little surprises--at one point Bert tap dances on the ceiling!

My daughter, Emily, and I enjoyed every magical minute.  It's the kind of show where we kept elbowing each other and smiling.  At one point Emily whispered in my ear "Thank you for brining me to see this, Mom. I love it!"

The Lowdown:

Tickets for Mary Poppins start at $22 and special packages are available.  Head on over to Segerstrom's web site, here, to order.

Showtimes:

Tuesday through Friday, 7:30 pm

Saturdays 2 pm and 7:30 pm

Sundays 1 pm and 6:30 pm

Tuesday through Friday

 

Jodi Benson sings "Part of your world."

 

Sometimes while I'm out doing my job I take a step back and I think, "Man, I can't believe this is my job!"

That moment happened at a Disneyland Press Conference recently while I was sitting in the front row taking notes on all of the upcoming attractions and changes (Carsland, Star Tours, Ariel's Underwater Adventure) and the Disney host said something like, "...and now for something special."

NOTE: Okay, when you're at a Disneyland press event and they say "time for something special" get out your camera. Seriously, just do it.

Next the music swells up and out comes Jody Benson, who is the "Voice of Ariel" in The Little Mermaid. She then sings "Part of Your World" and, as if that weren't enough, she's joined by Sebastian (not sure if he's the original voice) and they sing "Under The Sea" together.

It was freakin' fantastic....and here's the video.  I've used it on several occasions to impress third-graders.  Feel free to do the same.
http://www.vimeo.com/13843234

Sneak Peek at the Destination: Cars Land float before it cruises the Rose Parade on New Year's Day

Inside a cavernous warehouse 17 miles from Pasadena 2,000 plus volunteers have been working on Disneyland's entry into the 124th Rose Parade -- "Destination: Cars Land." Disney has a long tradition with the Tournament of Roses Parade. The first float was in 1938 featured characters from Snow White. This year the theme "Oh, the places you will go!" parlayed perfectly with the opening of Cars Land in Disney's California Adventure this past June. 

Randy Wojcik, Senior Show Director with Creative Entertainment, Walt Disney Company, took blogger Lisa Robertson, me and our kids on a tour of the float.

"I'm just humbled by the amount of volunteers who come out, the details and effort they give to the float is amazing," Randy told us. All together it will have taken 25,000 man hours to make Destination Cars Land roll down the parade route on New Year's Day. 

Once the float is in full-swing it will be there are over 45 moving parts including, tractors, Luigi, Guido, Sally and Lighting McQueen all constantly in motion, along with live working waterfalls and high-energy dancers grooving to the tune of Route 66 by the Cheetah Girls.   

When we saw the float it was still in two pieces but once the last details are finished -- like adding the license plate to the back and the Cars Land postcard to the front -- the California-shaped float will be 125 feet and reach 35 feet at its highest point. 

I've never seen a Rose Parade float up close before and didn't know what to expect on our tour. It was fascinating to see the detail and creativity involved in the smallest detail.

The Tournament of Roses Parade begins at 8 am. Disney's Destination: Cars Land float is expected to appear around 9 am and rumor has it, there will be some VERY special guests who will make an apperance on the float. 

Look for our personal touch. The kids and I got to add our own roses to the side of the float, just below McQueen and Sally. 

Happy New Year! 

 

Inspiration and advice from RunDisney's Jeff Galloway

I'm not a runner. You know, not a "runner" runner, but I have signed myself up for the 5K during the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend at the Disneyland Resort in January. That's my goal right now, to run in the 5K. Since I'm still recovering from my accident (I was thrown from a horse back in November), I'm taking it very easy by using the run-walk method of Jeff Galloway, the official runDisney training consultant. Galloway is a former Olympic runner with over 40 years experience in running, a monthly columnist for Runner's World and an author of over twenty books.

If you've always wanted to run, but the thought of hitting the pavement has been out of the question due to the time it takes or some physical limitation, I encourage you to check out Galloway's methods on how to get yourself out there. A group of 20 runners and a few bloggers got the chance to meet Jeff and ask him a few questions last Friday morning as a kick off to Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend.

His practical, almost comical, advice on how to keep yourself inspired to run will help the experienced runner get motivated and the newbie runner over the psychological hurtle of just getting started. "My job," he said, "is to get you running for the next 100 years, after that, you're on your own." Here are some quick hits from Galloway given on the floor of the Health and Fitness Expo at the Disneyland Hotel:

* Know that at first you will walk more than run, and that's okay. You don't have to "puke" to have a good run. Just getting out there is enough for today.

* Running allows you to get your "executive mind" working. It is a quiet sport that will clear your mind to think.

* Amateur runners who apply the run-walk method in general finish 13 minutes faster than runners who run their entire race.

* On how to motivate yourself to run:

1.) Show up at any race to watch runners cross the finish line. Those with cancer, the elderly and physically challenged are out there                       running. No excuses. So can you

2.) Run with a friend or join a running group. (We have a group called Disneyland Runners if you are looking for a group.)

3.) Mentally rehearse. Picture yourself running, crossing the finish line, getting your medal.

4.) Lie to yourself! Tell yourself you're just going to "put on comfortable clothes" (make sure they're running clothes). Then eat                                  something that will give you energy to run "just as a snack." Then go outside just to "check the weather." Before you know it, you'll be                running through the neighborhood.

If you're liking Galloway's approach to running, you can check out runDisney's video training series at runDisney.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikfRZxlexwk&feature=channel_video_title

This series has been helpful to me as not only inspiration, but also because it answers some basic running questions, like how to set your pace and determine your "finish time" of a race. Without the assistance of these videos and the whole runDisney program, I know I would have dropped out of the January Tinker Bell Weekend 5K (called the Neverland run) a long time ago.

I met up with Galloway later that afternoon as the doors opened and the first expo guests arrived. He stood at his table ready to sign books and chat with his fans. His big smile greeted me as I approached him. I introduced myself and told him all about the stupid horse, my struggle to recover and then thanked him for his work. He listened to every word and then got very serious, looked me straight in the eye and said, "You can do this. You are going to recover and be stronger than ever before."

I'm sure he's heard worse stories than my misadventures as a cowgirl, but he took it very seriously. He was obviously passionate about his work and cares about the people he is guiding. It was inspiring and so yes, I went home and went for a run. I guess I am a runner after after all...

The Lowdown:

The Never Land Family Fun Run (5K) is still open for registration. It is a nighttime run through Disneyland that will kick off The Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend (the half is sold out).  Men are welcome and I personally respect any man who will run during the Tinker Bell Weekend.  Register, here.

The Never Land Fun Run registration includes a ticket for the park for that day only, from 4 pm until the run, which starts at 10:30 pm. You'll also receive a t-shirt, 5K medal, Goofy bag and lots of encouragement along the way.

You can join Disneyland Runners on Facebook, our support group for runners of all skill levels, here.

Comparing Disneyland Resort to Disney World

While at The Social Media Moms conference I got to spend the day at Walt Disney World--my first visit!  I love it, check out my video where I compare it to Disneyland and basically have a blast romping around the park.

 

Disney D23 Expo is a blast for kids

Walking into the D23 Expo wields the same wallop of excitement as walking into a Disney park. No corner of the Disney's enormous empire was left unrepresented during the three day expo at The Anaheim Convention Center.

I was flying solo, without my kids, because of all the *ahem* work I had to do, but I found myself saying over and over again, "Oh, man! My kids would LOVE this!" Even though the prevailing perception of D23 Expo is that it's for hard-core, dyed in wool, Disney fans, which it is, it also caters to everything kids love about Disney.

Disney Celebrations displays ideas for kids' birthday party themes

A good place to start when planning a day at D23 Expo with the kids would be taking a look at the events scheduled throughout the convention. The Disney Legends Ceremony is a must for kids 10-years-old and up. For the second time the D23 Expo hosted the ceremony that's become one of Disney's most touching and heartfelt traditions.  It honors the folks that have made a indelible contribution to The Walt Disney Company.

This year I could have cried because my daughter wasn't seated next to me. Four women who gave a voice to some of our favorite princesses were honored. Watch this video of Lea Salonga, the voice of Mulan, perform "Reflection" during the ceremony. What young girl wouldn't be moved by her performance?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBJMXXMI3pA

Disney Channels revs it up for D23 Expo with loads of stars from all of their hit shows from Disney Jr. to Disney XD.

Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates was there to meet his fans

Every kid got a chance to meet the characters

The cast of Phineas and Ferb were there

 

Cast of Phineas and Ferb met every fan, even the super fans

Watch my interview with the cast of Phineas and Feb, here.

Walking the convention floor offers lots of pop in opportunities for the kids to have fun with Disney and Disney partner products.  Ridmakerz, Build-a-Bear, and LEGO were there, just to name a few.

This McQueen is made of solid Legos.

Disney Play Place

Disney Play Place was all set up and ready for kids to come play, naturally. Everything the little ones love about Disney just waiting for hands-on play.

The Carousel of Projects is a walk-through exhibit that shows visitors what's coming to Disney Parks and Resorts. Kids would love to get the inside scoop on upcoming projects like Cars Land.

Prototype from attraction at Cars Land

McQueen: One of two cars from Radiator Springs Racers

Kids (and adults) have the opportunity to preview some of DIsney's new video games in the gaming section of the D23 Expo.

Can't tell who is having more fun...

For the older kids Disney Treasures offers some exclusive peeks into their favorite Disney movies and TV shows through artifacts and costumes.

From the TV show "Lost"

"Ticket" from Lost

From the movie TRON

Disney Baby also offers a lounge with diaper changing stations, private rooms for breast feeding. If you have little ones this you can stop by and relax on the nice couches and just kick it with the kids.

Next time D23 rolls into town grab the kids and head on down, even if it's just for one of the three days. There were so many unique Disney opportunities for the kids they will love it.

 

 

Mickey's Soundsational Parade Hits high note!

The new "Mickey's Soundsational Parade"  premiered at Disneyland on Thursday for the first time to a cheering crowd on Main Street USA. The parade has a  feel like a party in motion; fueled by a packed playlist of favorite Disney tunes, a sweeping collection of Disney characters and stunning float design.

Soundsational embraces Disney's favorite characters old and new then mashes them up in colorful, pop-up storybook style floats. "It's a fun balance of what the kids will love and what the parents will love, it's a tapestry that speaks to everyone," said Steve Davison, Vice President, Parade and Spectaculars, Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Entertainment.

The parade is highly interactive so make sure to get a good spot for your kids on the parade route. The dancers and musicians goof with the crowd throughout and you won't want them to miss the chimney sweeps, drummers and characters who stop often to mess around with the kids.

Soundsational features nine floats designed by the popular Disney artists Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily.  I was looking forward to seeing their unique perspective and trademark vintage style in the parade.  If you're familiar with their work, you'll find little delightful details that are signature Kidney and Daily.

The two artists are known for bringing back old school Disney characters and design so including the Three Caballeros--based on the 1944 cartoon feature staring Donald Duck--into the parade as a float won't be a surprise to their fans. It will also remind you to see the movie again.

Davison said they intentionally mixed the timelines of Disney characters to give the parade a timeless feel. "I like including the old and the new in every show I do," he told me. "I call it the 'read more about it design' in where you inspire people to go out and see that film (the Three Caballeros) again."

Mickey's Soundsational Parade is drum-driven not only in its music, but visually with four of the nine floats shaped like drums; each including some sort of percussion element. The parade is kicked off with a drum line and the beat goes on throughout the entire parade. "I really wanted to bring back the live musician thing," said Davidson.

Oh, and it's back, with even Mickey and Goofy playing drums on their floats. "It's the fastest tempo parade we've ever done," said Davidson.  "I think you really feel that."

Though there is an energetic and creative mixing of musical styles--Latin, Jazz, World--in the original music for the parade, composed by "Glee's" Vocal Director Tim Davis, the musical punch comes when hearing the familiar music of Mary Poppins, Princess and the Frog and the Little Mermaid.

Mickey's Soundsational Parade will march down Main Street though the summer and right up until the holidays.  Check out the Disneyland schedule and plan your spot in line before your trip, here.

Disney Helps Spread Message of Hope and Encouragement to Bullied Kids

By now, you've seen this heart-wrenching video from a local teenage boy who was being tormented by bullies at school because he is gay, but just in case you've been in a holiday stupor, please watch it. Over eight million people have already viewed it ...

 

 

When I first watched Jonah's tear-filled face and read his words, I too cried. But what could I do to help other than teach my kids to be tenderhearted, compassionate and accepting? Then I learned about The Trevor Project.

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization that aids gay, lesbian, transgender and questioning teens and young adults through crisis intervention and suicide prevention services. Everyday the Trevor Project fields hundreds of calls from kids in crisis and over 23,000 use their Trevor Space message boards to connect and get support. The Trevor Project Lifeline -- open around the clock and staffed by 210 counselors -- has taken over 200,000 calls since it opened its lines in 1998.

The Trevor Project also offers classes and support for parents and teachers and an online "Ask Trevor" service that fields questions of a non-time sensitive nature to anyone who needs more practical questions answered, like where to find a good counselors in the user's area. In every respect, The Trevor Project is reaching out to kids where they are, in the method they feel most comfortable, to help them deal with bullies and with the colossal pressure of being young and gay.

Through connections with other people, wether it's a peer or a trained professional, these kids receive the support of a community and I'm truly grateful for the Trevor Project for offering that to them. "No life is a one person show," says Bruce Vaughn, Chief  Creative Executive Walt Disney Imagineering, in this video produced by The Walt Disney Company for The Trevor Project titled: It Gets Better.  "You need to surround yourself with people who love you for who you are and encourage you to share with the world the unique gifts that you have to offer," says Vaughn.

 

Good for Disney for lending a hand to the incredible organization by making this raw and honest video. I recognize so many of the participants through my work with Disney. These are the people who bring you the products, stories, experiences and magic we all love.

I would encourage you to help spread the word by sharing it to help reach kids in crisis everywhere. The single, simple message at the end might be just what a gay or lesbian youth need to hear right now: It gets better!

If you or someone you know ever needs help, call The Trevor Lifeline at 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386). It's toll-free, confidential and available 24/7.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH THE TREVOR PROJECT:

TWITTER

FACEBOOK

YOUTUBE

You can also help by donating to The Trevor Project, here.

 

Photo via The Trevor Project

The Story About Me, Tinker Bell and Veronica Lake

This is me and Tinker Bell. Well, a photo of me and Margaret Kerry, the actress/dancer who was the action model for Tinker Bell in the animated Disney movie, Peter Pan. She is the closest anyone will ever come to meeting Tinker Bell and I met her ... and she was sassy.

At 82-years-old Margaret is a live-wire! I met her in the upstairs archives room at the Disney Studios in Burbank. She was there with many of her contemporaries--Disney Legends--for a photo shoot for the Disney D23 publication, Disney Twenty - Three.

After introductions I asked if I could get a photo with her. She happily complied with the caveat that I pout-it-up with her in Tinker Bell style. After the photo she turned to me and said: "Your hair is driving me crazy!"

"I noticed you outside during the group photo; flipping and pulling it away from your face," she went on as if we knew each other for ages and she was finally getting something off her chest.

"I wish I had a pin to hold it back. No one can see your face under that hair!" She makes a motion toward it and I instinctually dodge small her. 

I explained to her that is the style now. That I like it that way and though I appreciated her concern, hair flipping is kinda "my thing."

"Oh," she said in complete understanding now, nodding her head slowly. "It's just like with my friend Veronica Lake."

You see Margaret and Veronica Lake were in a movie together, years and years ago, and they became fast friends. "She was very, very funny," Margaret remembered with a smile. 

"People don't know that about her, she was a real cut-up, but she always had to play the vixen, you know..." Then Margaret threw her eyes at me to react. 

I sadly shake my head in deep understanding, as if I know exactly what it's like to be a comedian typecast as a sex kitten.

"That happens," I sympathize.

"She had that same hair as you (She squints and glares at my one long bang as she talks) , except hers was just one piece that came straight down the the middle of her face and she'd peek out from under it, very seductive," Margaret tries her best to demonstrate for me that look as we stand there in the bustle of the archives. God bless her.

Then she says she remembered one particular day like yesterday; Veronica Lake stretched out on chaise lounge next to a pool, her hair all up in a towel. They sat and talked and laughed and laughed. Then Margaret told me again how funny she was and how sad it was that she never got to play in comedies.

"It is very sad, dang studios!" I chime in, almost livid at the crime of it.

"You think you're very funny, don't you?" Margaret asked me with a twinkle in her eye, thinning her lips at me.

"I do," I admit quickly. 

"I sure wish I had pin to hold your hair back..." Margaret said as she walked away shaking her head. 

 I'm Margaret Kerry's biggest fan now. 

....and then Richard Sherman sat down at the piano and played this song for us, cut from the movie Mary Poppins. He and his brother wrote it for "Julie" to sing, but it never made it to the movie ... and then my head exploded in sheer delight. 

 

 For more info on Disney D23, go to my blog "Disneyland Locals" at OC Family.

Disneyland During Halloween Time and Those Dapper Dans

There are so many things to love about Halloween Time at Disneyland. There are only six more days to can catch all the spooky fun before it's gone until next September.  

If you haven't been to Disneyland during the Halloween season, check out this video to see what's special about this time of year. 

You'll also get a personal serenade by the world-famous Disneyland a-cappella group--The Dapper Dans. They will sing a song written just for the season. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel's Undersea Adventure Makes a Splash at Disney California Adventure

 

 

The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel's Undersea Adventure opened to the public on June 3--and they were lined up waiting.  It's been 22 years since Disney released the movie (can you believe that?), but from the masses of eager Disneyland guests who waited hours to ride in the little clam shells into Ariel's world, you would think The Little Mermaid was this week's blockbuster.

I suppose that's the magic of Disney movies--the songs, story and love is passed down from generation to generation, making them timeless.

Exploring Ariel's undersea world will take about 5-minute and the adventure begins with a dive into the water and through the bubbles, past a giggling Ariel who swims above you, and then the music starts--"I want to go where the people are..."  The ride incorporates four of the remastered songs from the movie--Part of Your World, Under the Sea, Kiss the Girl, Poor Unfortunate Souls--along with an original soundtrack that's woven throughout and fits nicely with the songs we know and love.

  

To me, that's the clincher of the ride--the music. Though I enjoyed how colorful, vibrant and alive Ariel's underwater world felt, it's the music that tugged at my heart and endeared me once again to all the characters I knew from the movie. They're all there--Flounder, Prince Eric, Scuttle, Sebastian, and that witch Ursula and her cronies Flotsam & Jetsam--and they tell the story from beginning to end of our little redheaded mermaid Ariel--following closely the storyline of the movie.

Parents will be happy to hear that Ursula, though big and impressive, isn't too scary for the kids.  Even the little ones who I interviewed as they came off the ride said they weren't afraid of her.  Which is a relief since I have two kids who get frightened easily--sometimes even on Peter Pan.  I feel confident to bring them on The Little Mermaid.  The mood of the ride is light and festive and at five minutes long, it's going to leave the kids humming all the tunes and smiling from ear to ear.

Watch my video interviews with the Disney Imagineers who helped create the ride.

 

Little Mermaid ~ Ariel's Undersea Adventure isn't going to be Fasspassed, but the line moves pretty quickly. You can fit "as many people on a clam as is safe."  So a family of four can ride together if they like. I like.

The Little Mermaid is located in Disney California Adventure next to Paradise Bay where the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts building used to be.  The part of the structure still looks the same, though when you look further you'll see detailed reliefs of Ariel's sisters on the side along of the ride along with the statue of King Triton  who was taken from his watery home in Fantasyland at Disneyland to now sit right atop his daughter's new ride.  Very cool.

 

Browse all of my photos from Ariel's Undersea Adventure on my Flickr page, here.

 

The music of The Little Mermaid is beyond iconic and the voice behind that music is actress Jodi Benson. She performed at the opening ceremony and it was...magical, okay.  It really was. Watch the video here provided by my friend and all-around good guy Mr. Daps, Opening Ceremony Ariel's Undersea Adventure.

After that ceremony a few bloggers were asked if we wanted to meet Jodi for a private Q & A upstairs at Wine Country Trattoria...and yes I wanted to meet her!  She was gracious and friendly; just one of the gals. We talked at first about how perfect her dress was for the occasion and she told the story of finding it and how excited she was about it.  She talked about her kids--9 and 12--and how they reacted to the first time they realized "Mommy was Ariel."

When she was asked about the ride, that she had only first seen that day, this is what she said: "Thinking about what Walt (Disney) wanted the theme parks to be and how he wanted them to bring so much joy to the kids, I'm beside myself thinking about that--about all the kids who are going to enjoy this ride."

As we continued to talk to her about her family, the experience of being Ariel and all of the things it has lead to in her career it hit me that she was just as excited as we were.  That she was still thrilled and felt honored to be part of Disney and The Little Mermaid.  It was so refreshing to hear someone who could be "over" the whole animated character thing or who might be jaded from the years of recognition, but she wasn't.  She was obviously still stoked about being the voice of Ariel.  It was fantastic to meet her.

At the last minute I pulled out my FLIP and recorded this question. I'm glad I did, you can see for yourself how humbled and honest she is:

 

What is D23 anyway

With the D23 Expo coming to the Anaheim Convention Center Aug. 19-21, you've probably been seeing Mickey smiling at you from billboards and busses everywhere inviting you to come. But what is D23 anyway?

D23 is a membership, fee-based club created by The Walt Disney Company for fans who love Disney --from the parks, to the movies to collectibles. The year-round fan club celebrates Disney's rich history, informs its members on what's happening in all aspects of the company at the moment and gives them a sneak peek at what's on the horizon.  The name is a combination of "D" for Disney and "23" for the year the Walt Disney Company was founded, 1923.

"It's all about access and experience,"  Steven Clark, VP of Corporate Communication for Disney and Head of Programing for the D23 Expo, told a group of bloggers recently as we toured the Disney Studios in Burbank. When Bob Iger took over as President and CEO of the Walt Disney Company in 2000 one of his goals was to create a fan club that had "all things Disney under one roof."

And why not? If any company can capture the hearts of their guests, consumers and fans it's Disney. A fan club seems like a natural step. D23 offers two levels of membership, Gold ($74.99) and Silver ($34.99).  Each level offering members exclusive merchandise, special offers, access to seasonal event and a subscription to Disney Twenty-Three Magazine.

During our tour of the Walt Disney Studio I met a really Goofy guy...I mean, literally, Goofy. Bill Farmer has been the voice of Goofy for over 25 years. He took the time to have lunch with us and he talked about his work with Disney (he was officially made a Disney legend in 2009) and chatted about D23 and the upcoming D23 Expo.

Though he was fun and silly, breaking into character throughout the lunch, a wave of sincerity and appreciation came over him when he talked about Disney and D23. "The fans are what the whole company is about," he told us over iced tea. "History is important to the fans...like visiting an old friend."

I guess that's why D23 is a natural move for a Disney fan. You get the inside scoop on what's happening with your beloved company, plus all the old stories and history, just like an old friend, but ...you know...without them ever tagging you in a picture on Facebook from your 1985 Senior Prom.

This week I'm attending the Disney D23 Expo, a three day event produced by D23. So look for updates and flagrant bragging about all the cool things I'm going to see and do.

You can go too. Get the lowdown and tickets here.

 

My interview with the cast of Phineas & Ferb

 

What is D23 anyway

With the D23 Expo coming to the Anaheim Convention Center Aug. 19-21, you've probably been seeing Mickey smiling at you from billboards and busses everywhere inviting you to come. But what is D23 anyway?

D23 is a membership, fee-based club created by The Walt Disney Company for fans who love Disney --from the parks, to the movies to collectibles. The year-round fan club celebrates Disney's rich history, informs its members on what's happening in all aspects of the company at the moment and gives them a sneak peek at what's on the horizon.  The name is a combination of "D" for Disney and "23" for the year the Walt Disney Company was founded, 1923.

"It's all about access and experience,"  Steven Clark, VP of Corporate Communication for Disney and Head of Programing for the D23 Expo, told a group of bloggers recently as we toured the Disney Studios in Burbank. When Bob Iger took over as President and CEO of the Walt Disney Company in 2000 one of his goals was to create a fan club that had "all things Disney under one roof."

And why not? If any company can capture the hearts of their guests, consumers and fans it's Disney. A fan club seems like a natural step. D23 offers two levels of membership, Gold ($74.99) and Silver ($34.99).  Each level offering members exclusive merchandise, special offers, access to seasonal event and a subscription to Disney Twenty-Three Magazine.

During our tour of the Walt Disney Studio I met a really Goofy guy...I mean, literally, Goofy. Bill Farmer has been the voice of Goofy for over 25 years. He took the time to have lunch with us and he talked about his work with Disney (he was officially made a Disney legend in 2009) and chatted about D23 and the upcoming D23 Expo.

Though he was fun and silly, breaking into character throughout the lunch, a wave of sincerity and appreciation came over him when he talked about Disney and D23. "The fans are what the whole company is about," he told us over iced tea. "History is important to the fans...like visiting an old friend."

I guess that's why D23 is a natural move for a Disney fan. You get the inside scoop on what's happening with your beloved company, plus all the old stories and history, just like an old friend, but ...you know...without them ever tagging you in a picture on Facebook from your 1985 Senior Prom.

This week I'm attending the Disney D23 Expo, a three day event produced by D23. So look for updates and flagrant bragging about all the cool things I'm going to see and do.

You can go too. Get the lowdown and tickets here.

 

My interview with the cast of Phineas & Ferb

 

Modern retro newly renovated Disneyland Hotel

Like most Orange County natives, I feel a special connection to Disneyland. Some of my most vivid and precious childhood memories are linked to visits to the park with my family. As a kid, even driving by Disneyland and spying the tippy-top of the Matterhorn from the station wagon window could make my young heart leap.

That well of warm memories and strong sentimental emotions are exactly what Disneyland Resort is hoping to tap into when guests visit the newly remodeled Disneyland Hotel. The two-year renovation not only has brought modern luxuries and more efficient design elements to the 55-year-old property, but it also delivers something unexpected—nostalgia.

“There’s a lot of history here for families and bringing the history and memories together in one place is something only Disney can do,” said Tony Bruno, Vice President, Hotels and Downtown Disney, for the Disneyland Resort. “Those elements were important to us in the redesign.”

My family and I live only minutes from the Disneyland Resort and visit the park often. But I was downright excited to stay at the Disneyland Hotel (something I hadn’t done since I was 8 years old) and share some of my memories with my kids—the koi pond, the Dancing Waters Show—and create some new ones with them. It was a “staycation” for us, Disney style!

 

The first wallop of nostalgia came when we walked through the totally revamped pool and courtyard area between the three towers. The dramatic centerpiece of the hotel is a replica of the original Disneyland sign that now sits atop the water slides. You remember it: flags waving high above boxed letters spelling out “Disneyland.” The 10 year old inside me squealed in delight when I saw it and so did the 10 year old standing next to me, my daughter. The entire water slide structure is reminiscent of the original Monorail Station at Disneyland, with the actual slides made to look like the Mark I, the very first Monorail that debuted in the park in 1959.

“We wanted to relate to the nostalgic Disneyland wherever we could,” John Mauro, Development Manager, Walt Disney Imagineering, told me on a tour through the property.

 

Even in the smallest details, the resort has clever dashes of Disney spattered everywhere. In a nod to the old ticketing system at Disneyland, the pools are named the “D” Ticket and “E” Ticket pools. The tiles of each pool are colored to match the color of that pool’s ticket—yellow for “D” Ticket and green for “E” Ticket. Even the lounge chairs are covered in fabric that looks like the zigzag embossing of the old Disneyland ticket books.

“Fans of Disney look for that kind of detail,” said Mauro. “We really raised the bar in this hotel renovation…everything has a Disney touch.” Nowhere at the resort is the Disney touch more cleverly employed than with the “Good Night Kiss,” a technological wonder built into the headboard of every standard room bed in the hotel. My kids were thrilled to see Sleeping Beauty Castle light up with twinkling stars and fireworks on the beautifully carved wooden headboard, but when the song “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” began to play in music-box style—they shrieked with laughter. They must have made that magic happen 50 times during our one-night stay. We all fell asleep with the words dancing around in our heads: “A dream is a which your heart makes, when you’re fast asleep…”

All standard rooms—with either two queen beds or one king—have been completely renovated with modern touches like flat screen TVs, cell phone and computer plug-ins and Wi-Fi. Although the headboard is the centerpiece and the real “magic” of the décor, look for nostalgic dabs of Disney in the rooms, like black and white photos of Walt Disney.

The Disneyland Hotel sits at the far end of Downtown Disney and beyond all the downtown excitement await both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. I was surprised that even though all the action was near us—we viewed the fireworks show from our room (if you are lucky enough this, make sure to tune in to the soundtrack of the show on the room's tv)—it felt like we were staying at an exclusive resort, away from the fray and pull of the crowds.

I don’t know if it was the nostalgic charm of the newly remodeled Disneyland Hotel coupled with its abounding modern luxuries, but our staycation there felt at once homey—friendly and warm—and like a true getaway. “We knew we wanted to make The Disneyland Hotel special for that mom, that dad, their kids…something that would get them excited,” Mauro said. They have succeeded. Disney has created a hotel that will delight every member of the family as together they create memories to treasure for years to come.

Disney's Aulani Resort is open to families

The new Aulani Resort and Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii, is Disney's first dive into a full, stand-alone resort without a theme park nearby to keep guests busy. Yes, you'll still find Mickey, Minnie, Stitch and Goofy, but no attractions, snazzy stage shows or booming fireworks. So, with none of the usual "Disney" activities to keep your family busy, what can families expect when visiting Aulani?

"Our hope is that families will go beyond what their expectations are for a Hawaiian vacation and find more," Tom Staggs, President of Disney Parks and Resorts, told me on my recent visit. The resort, from the magnificent open-air lobby to the protected lagoon, has been designed with families in mind.

Disney was smart in their approach to this new venture borrowing many of the elements that work well for traveling families from their wildly successful Disney Cruise Line. Top on that list of clever ideas is the Daily 'Iwa, which is just like the Daily Navigator you'll find on Disney cruises. A new one left in your room nightly, it provides families with a specific itinerary of the next day's events, like where to find characters, craft activities or special exercise programs.

Another feature at Aulani that's lifted straight from the decks of the cruise line is their model of complimentary childcare. I can hardly bring myself to call it "childcare" because it's so beyond the notion babysitting children. Aunty's Beach House is modeled after the Oceaneer's Club on the cruise line, but I'd note at Aunty's the experience is more intimate and homey.  From what I hear, kids tell their parents they have to go say goodbye to Aunty and Uncle before they leave the resort for home.

"We are hoping families take a different look at Disney. We want to create the kind of vacations families are looking for," said Staggs, a father of three boys himself who spent time with them at Aulani before our interview. "We've geared it so there's something for everyone in the family."

Here is a quick hit of just some of the many family activities available at the Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa.

Aunty's Beach House: At Aunty's Beach House kids are securely checked in and brought into Aunty and Uncle's house to play dress-up, do crafts in Uncle's garage, romp outside on the expansive green grass lawn or in treehouses, and listen to Aunty tell stories and sing songs. They can even eat a meal with their new friends for a small fee ($12).

Waikolohe Stream: The stream winds through Waikolohe Valley and I'd say the most beautiful and creative  "lazy river" you'll ever experience. Not only do you feel like you're floating through a lush tropical garden, but Walt Disney Imagineers have thought to carve animals in the lava rock along the way. Every trip through the stream will surprise and delight kids.

Menehune Bridge: The Menehune are Hawaiian mythical creatures who come to life at night to create mischief. Aunty describes them as "Hawaiian elves." Even though they're rascals, they are industrious little guys and one night they built the Menehune Bridge inside the Waikolohe Valley.

Pool areas: The pool area offers a beach-like side for little kids and then scrolls around the lower part of the Waikolohe Valley with lots of twists and turns. Also in the pool area you'll find a Hawaiian shaved ice, the Lava Shack-- for snacks and refills on soda--and two of the resort's jacuzzis.

Rainbow Reef: For a small additional fee kids and adults can snorkel in a 3,800 feet water wonderland. I hadn't ever done anything like snorkeling in my life and took to it like...dare I say, a fish to water (sorry!), and spent a good half hour splashing around with tropical fish and a few undersea Menehune. There's also a lookout at poolside in case you don't want to brave the cold waters of the reef.

Starlight Hui: Steeped in Hawaiian tradition this hui isn't like anything you've seen in Hawaii. The evening starts with kids participating in making Hawaiian crafts. Then the show which includes both traditional and contemporary hulas along with the ukulele innovator "Heart and Soul." These two guys will change the way you think of the ukulele FOREVER. The evening ends with a Character Dance party (READ Mickey and Minnie grooving on the beach with the kids).

Here is my video of Heart & Soul from one of the first Starlight Hui's. These guys are phenomenal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Kgr3Z6zfSo

Lagoon/Beach: Guests at Aulani can enjoy the benefits of  the protected lagoon that is connected to the resort. Families will love that there are no waves--thanks to the natural rock breakers--so little ones can splash away at the shoreline and older kids can enjoy paddle boarding and swimming out the the rafts placed in the middle of the bay.

Aunty's Breakfast Celebration (Character Breakfast): Offered a few times a week at the Makahiki restaurant. Aunty hosts the interactive fun inviting kids to join in the dance line and sing along to Hawaiian songs. Served buffet-style breakfast offers what you'd expect from a Disney kitchen--Mickey Mouse waffles--but also has some Hawaiian specialties liked baked fish and fresh tropical fruit.

Menehune Adventure Trail: Pick up your Adventure Trail iTouch at the Pau Hana Room. Aunty will show kids where to go using maps and clues she'll give you in a video from her store. The young explorers will make rocks move, drums play and trees light up when they follow Aunty's directions. Every adventure is different so kids will not have the same experience twice.

Disney has packed Aulani with family activities keeping in mind all families are different. Some like to just kick it on the beach all day and some like adventure and lots of activity.  The Daily 'Iwa really comes in handy when you're a family like ours that likes to pick and choose what we're going to do that day, depending on our mood and energy levels.

There's so much more to Aulani than I covered here, so look out for more mosts from me this next week. All the photos posted here are taken by me. For more photos, check out my Flickr photostream, here.

World of Color lives up to the hype. Read my review...

On Thursday night Disney's California Adventure premiered its new nighttime show, "World of Color." I was there for the red carpet event, the pre-show, and then the fantastic debut of the long-anticipated show. Packing the punch of both Disney and Pixar characters, the water show projected images onto water screens 200 feet in the air and 380 feet long across Paradise Pier. 

The show lives up to its moniker "water spectacular." World of Color will both blow your mind and warm your heart at the same time. It's the kind of show you've come to expect from Disney, but with so many fresh twists and surprising elements, you'll want to go back again and again to catch everything.

"Every child is blessed with a vivid imagination." --Walt Disney.

Projected across the water, this quote kicks off the show and sets the mood as 1,200 fountains, 36 flame projectors, bubbles, fog, lasers and phenomenal surround sound launch you into the stories of  Disney and Pixar amidst a torrent of technical feats that keep delivering the "oohs and ahhs" throughout the show. 

"World of Color is all about the lyrics: 'each dream you chase, each wish you embrace will lead you to a magical faraway place,'" said Steven Davison, Director and VP of Parades and Spectaculars. Quite an undertaking for a 26-minute, standing-room-only show. But Disney delivers by making the show at once grandiose and very personal. 

Scary parts? No, Sir. 

I'd like to frame this portion by saying my kids are afraid of the Winnie the Pooh ride at Disneyland--capisce? They are scaredy cats and although they enjoy Fantasmic and portions of the fireworks show every year, they view the more scary, villain-packed portions through their fingers.  

Now that I've seen World of Color twice, I can confidently say my kids won't be watching any of it from behind my legs.  I would call the Buzz vs. Zurig and Pirates of the Caribbean sequences "intense," not scary.  Fire and loud music ramp up the action, but never the nerves.  The Lion King bit with Simba and the stampede is more emotional than frightening. 

That's the word I would use to describe the whole show World of Color: emotional. Kids will respond to the music, the colors, the characters and the surprises with the delight and wonder that only Disney can deliver. I know that's how I responded--at one point hugging the utter stranger who was standing next to me. I could tell, we were both having a moment as Pocahontas started to sing "Just Around The River Bend" and the entire screen became a panoramic, crystal-clear scene of wilderness.  

World of Color is really that good. So, go.  Maybe not this week, maybe not even this summer, but put it on your bucket list of things to do in the next four months.  Starting in the fall, the pre-show will change with every showing and there is talk of a holiday show as well. So carve out the time to go see it soon with your family.

The lowdown 

"It's like our [Disney's] version of diner and a movie,"  Bob Iger, The Walt Disney Company's President and CEO, told me on the red carpet.  Here are some of the ways Disney is making that happen:

Picnic meals with reserved viewing tickets: Order a picnic meal online or pick one up at Sonoma Terrace, Golden Vine Winery the day you want to see the show.  Adult meals are $14.99--Taste of Asia, European Antiposto, Mediterranean Vegetarian--and the smaller kids's meals are $9.99.  Click here to get the details and order.  

All these meals come in a large World of Color tote and the kids' meals include a glow bracelet in each tote.  Important to note here; you'll receive a ticket for a reserved viewing section with each meal.  In my opinion, this is the way to go.

Dining packages with preferred viewing: Wine County Trattoria and Ariel's Grotto Restaurants offer pre-fixed meals at $36.99 for adults and $20.99 for the kiddos. It's the highfalutin' way to experience the show. Call (714) 781- DINE to order, or click here for more information. After dinner these lucky guests will be escorted to their own premier viewing area. 

FASTPASS: To get the best view of the show you'll need to get some sort of preferred or reserved viewing--at least not through the summer.  So, if these meal options aren't in your budget or don't sound delectable to you, there's always the FASTPASS option. 

Pick up your World of Color FASTPASS at the Grizzly River Run Terminal.  **They will not interfere with your other FASTPASS tickets of the day.**  

The World of Color FASSPASS tickets are available every morning when the park opens and the four to six thousand passes that are available have sold out quickly, so get there early. 

It will take some planning on your part, but it will be worth the effort.  

I call the play-by-play of the Premier of World of Color

Please check out my photo slideshow of the Red Carpet event (Teri Hatcher, John Stamos, Jason Segal, Jamie Lee Curtis) along with photos of the exclusive pre-show, four different views of the show, and random facts about World of Color--all accompanied by my running commentary. This will really give you a feel for the show. Click anywhere on the photo below to get started...

 

Can't get enough World of Color? Check out these blogs.

Marcy of "The Glamorous Life." The World of Color Red Carpet (Unless I'm color blind.)

Lisa from "Babes in Disneyland."  World of Color Review with Lots of Pictures.

 

 

Star Tours opens at Disneyland Resort (Video of opening ceremony)

"Star Tours ~ The Adventure Continues" opened today at Disneyland to an eager crowd of thousands who lined up to be among the first to ride the new 3D adventure.  I was there and video taped the opening day ceremony.  Check out what went down for the press and Disney VIPs in the exclusive ribbon cutting ceremony.

 

 

 

Ride review to follow.

Kids eat the OC: Paradise Grill at Disneyland Resort

The May OC Family TV is showing every Monday at 6:30 and Saturday at 5:30 throughout the whole month on Cox3.  You can also catch some of the segments here on my blog.  This is one of my favorite from this month's show. It's the Kids Eat the OC segment at the PCH Grill inside the Paradise Pier Hotel at Disneyland Resort.

PCH Grill is the only place outside of the parks that you're going to see Mickey. So, if you need a little Disneyland fix without venturing into Disneyland or Disney California Adventure, make a reservation at PCH Grill and spend some time with your favorite characters--Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, and Stitch.  Goofy just stopped by to see me on the day of this shoot.  He usually can only be found down at his own restaurant, Goofy's Kitchen.

PCH Grill offers buffet-style breakfast foods for kids and adults and has some specialty items found only there. You'll have to watch the video with Chef Toby Hollis to see what they are. You'll also see me get interrupted by that rascal Stitch while I try to interview a representative from the Disneyland Resort.

 
 

***** Other segments from OC Family TV this month****

I suit up as a Washington General and play the Harlem Globetrotters at The Honda Center.

 

 

 

Monster Jam comes to Angel Stadium