Photo Flashback! Random Retro

Below are a few old photos and some random thoughts.

In 1970 I made my first trip to Walt Disney World.  Yes, 1970.  The Magic Kingdom was not open then, but the Preview Center was.  Then in December 1971 we visited the Magic Kingdom for the first time.  Little did I know this would be the first of many, many trips to follow.  The photo below is me with my parents and nieces in Adventureland.

December 1971 - First Trip to the Magic Kingdom

In 1973 I married the love of my life and took her to central Florida to meet my sister.  While we were there I took her on her first trip to the Magic Kingdom.  Of course, I had to take a picture of Cinderella Castle.  It still is my favorite view at WDW.  I love the feeling I get when I walk through the train station and onto Main Street, USA and see the Castle.

1973

And of course there is always the Mouse.

1973 - I love a parade

I grew up watching the Mickey Mouse Club on TV.  This was the one with Annette, not Britney.  And on Sunday nights there was Walt Disney introducing some fantastic story you just had to watch.  The opening of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color had Tinkerbell fly across the screen and the announcer would say "and now Walt Disney".  Walt would come into your home and tell you his fantastic tales.

In 1973 there were no digital photos.  We had a Kodak Instamatic camera.  Film came in a plastic cartridge with 12, 24, or 36 pictures.  Once you took all the photos you had to have your pictures developed before you could see them.  AND they cost, what seemed like then, Lots of money to see your photos.

There was no such thing as a "selfie" back then either.  You had to stop a stranger and give them your camera so they could take your photo.  So by doing that we were able to get one photo of the Newlyweds together.

1973 - Honeymoon

Not really retro, but in a sense it is "retro" as this will be our last photo at the Studios with Mickey's Sorcerer hat. The hat is gone. It's still not a selfie.  Our son, Ridge, was with us and took this photo with my digital camera.

2014 - still going strong

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my old photos and some thoughts of the Old Man and the Mouse.

--DisneyDad

Thanks for stopping by Growing Up Disney.

Happy Father's Day: A Disney Bride's Dance with Daddy

Continuing the Father's Day Celebration, I'd like to honor the men who have shown my husband and I what it means to be a terrific father, our dads.  

And since they looked great in their suits, let's check them out on our wedding day.  Andy and I were married at Disney's Wedding Pavilion with a reception at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort.

  

Pre-ceremony smiles for the Eastmans 

One last kiss on the cheek from DisneyDad before we headed down the aisle

Andy's father opened the ceremony with a reading of 1 Corinthians 13 and asking "who gives this bride?" I loved how my father addressed that later in the ceremony.  He said that he didn't give me away because I wasn't his to give.  Children are a gift from God and I was entrusted to him and my mother for a time. 

Not many girls are lucky enough to have their dad officiate their wedding.  Not many grooms are unlucky enough to have their father-in-law officiate their wedding.  (I kid. )  He did a fantastic job with the ceremony.

First dance with Dad to "Stars Fell on Alabama"  A Disney moment that I now wish had lasted a little longer.

Love this picture!  Happy Father's Day, Dad! I love you!

Magical Blogorail: Must Buy at Walt Disney World

Welcome to those of you joining me from A World View and those of you just hopping aboard.  I am the final stop on our Magical Blogorail.

This month's Magical Blogorail Red is discussing our "must buys" at Walt Disney World.

The first must-buy item that comes to mind is Dole Whip. I adore this refreshing frozen pineapple treat. A new addition to that list is carrot cake cookies from Writer’s Stop at the Studios. And each trip, I seem to have learned about a new treat I just have to try, usually from Lou Mongello or disneyfoodblog.com.

I really need to start buying ornaments again. I started getting those each year when I was on college program but stopped somewhere along the way and I don’t really know why.

I don’t like too many things to dust or store, so I tend to buy practical souvenirs. I love the kitchen items and really wanted a Food and Wine Festival oven mitt last trip, but Disney didn’t make me one.

My Disney wedding was over six years ago and I still always check out the latest Disney wedding merchandise. The frames, mugs, and other goodies always catch my eye, but rarely my wallet. The one exception to this was the Precious Moments wedding couple wearing ear hats. That was a must have splurge several years ago. Now I really want more of the Disney Precious Moments figures but so far I’ve been able to hold out.

No girl can have too many bags and it’s not uncommon for me to come home from WDW with a new tote or purse.  I love my Disney Dooney & Bourke tote.  


We go to WDW most often in the fall and I tend to buy a new jacket or sweatshirt on those trips.  I bought a hoodie last year that I wear all the time in the spring and fall. 

While I love the convenience of buying lots of items at World of Disney, I miss the days when park merchandise was more diverse. Now, if you see a t-shirt or hat, you can probably find it in 10 other stores before the end of your vacation. I’ve enjoyed getting items over the years from specific attractions. I have a cool Space Mountain hat and wore out a Tower of Terror t-shirt during my gym rat days.

The best gift purchase I made at WDW in the last couple of years was Tink’s Mickey and Minnie plush. She loves them and sleeps with them every night and naptime. It’s the cutest thing ever when she gives Mickey (or Minnie) a big hug.

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Thank you for joining Magical Blogorail Red this month. We will be back December 16^thwith an all new theme. Keep checking in with our blogs in between loops to keep up to date with our Disney info, photos and stories. If you are looking for more Disney magic, you can make your way over to The Magical Blogorail website to see all our members and their blogs, as well as all our previous loops.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1^st Stop ~ Disney Donna Kay

2^nd Stop ~ My Dreams of Disney

3^rd Stop ~ A World View
Final Stop ~ Growing Up Disney

Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Sure Knows How to Make a Cake

I loved my wedding cake.  The bakery at the Grand Floridian Resort made us the most beautiful and delicious cake.  Click here for photos/story.  A couple of weeks ago, I ran across the video above on the blog from Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings and it was too cool not to share.  Watch this time lapse video and you'll see the final preparation of one of their delightful creations.

Photo Flashback! Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary!

For me Amy's wedding day was a blur of activities watching whole thing unfold. Disney's wedding people were like ninjas moving around taking pictures, radioing ahead, keeping everything on schedule. It was a fun day and Amy asking me to be her 'Man of Honor' was a real treat.

Dad played a little trick on Andy's brother Gary and myself, we were the carriers of the rings and just before we were to take our places Dad asked us for them back so he could "bless" them. Well he didn't give them back to us and when it was time for them Gary and I looked a little bewildered. Then Major Domo walked in carrying the rings, crisis averted and I am sure I had a visible look of relief on my face.