Photo Flashback! Four Things I Love

This week's Wordless Wednesday theme is "4 Things."  Here's what came to mind.

Friends (Finally!)

Firsts (Favorites)

Fun (Fairytales, Fantasyland)

Family (and Food and Festivals!)

Photo Flashback! Magic Kingdom at Night

I love the Magic Kingdom at Night.  As wonderful as it is during the daytime, it is extra special at night.  In February 2016 we were at the Magic Kingdom for the 25th Anniversary party for Disney Vacation Club members where the Magic Kingdom was open from 9 to midnight just for DVC Members.

The Hall of Presidents

The River Boat at night

During the 25th Anniversary Party there were only about 10000 DVC Members allowed in.

I love Cinderella Castle at night

DisneyMom

Disney Vacation Club 25 and Beyond

Let us know if you love the Magic Kingdom at night.

The Disney Vacation Club celebrated 25 years in 2016.  We have been members since 1993.  February 2016 was the first party for DVC Members to celebrate the 25th Anniversary. Free tickets were given to 10000 DVC Members for an after hours party in the Magic Kingdom.

--DisneyDad

Photo Flashback! Until We Meet Again...

Two weeks ago, we said goodbye to my father-in-law, Jim. 

Jim is missed by many. He loved to laugh and was equal parts ornery and generous. I am thankful for the time I was able to spend with him and desperately wish my husband and children had more years with their father and grandpa.  The girls decided Grandpa's favorite things were John Deere, Pepsi and the WSU Shockers.

Jim went to Walt Disney World four times and I was a part of the last two. He read 1 Corinthians 13 to start our Disney wedding and asked "who gives this woman?" A couple years later, we took a trip with both sets of parents and managed to get everyone to ride Everest...once.  Jim didn't know quite what to make of character meals but was a good sport. 

Jim, until I see you again in Heaven someday, I promise to take good care of the family you left behind. Thank you for raising Andy to be smart, funny, loyal and a hard-worker. The apple didn't fall far from the tree. 

Photo Flashback: Valentines Day +1

To my Valentine.

I've shared these pictures before in different posts.

Honeymoon 1973

At our Daughter, Amy's, Disney Wedding.
This was taken at the Grand Floridian in 2005.

Riding the TTA/ People Mover

My Valentine 💘

Since Valentine's Day was yesterday, I thought I'd share a few pictures of My Valentine.
--DisneyDad

Photo Flashback: Love This!

My husband, Andy, and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary at Aulani last year.  It was an wonderful trip.  This week's blog hop theme at Focused on the Magic is "Love this!"and I knew I needed to share some photos from Aulani.

This was from our lunch at 'AMA'AMA on our first full day on the island.  I'll share the rest of the meal later but today I wanted to show you the amazing view from our table, my honey, and one of the best desserts I have ever had.

The lagoon over my cup of fruit-infused water.  We were in no hurry to give up this view.  And as best we could tell, they weren't in a hurry for us to leave.  

So happy I married this guy!

We ordered Mocha Chantilly Cake.  And you should too.

The Happy Anniversary mousse was a lovely and very delicious surprise.  

This, my dears, was a dessert that still makes my mouth water 10 months later.  The menu says "Coffee Kanten, Coffee Anglaise, Macadamia Nut Nougatine and Chocolate Gelato." None of those words really describes just how incredible this tastes.

Check out the other "Love this!" posts through Deb's hop at Focused on the Magic.  We are so happy to welcome her back to Disney blogging!

Photo Flashback! What time is the 3 o'clock Parade?

Welcome back Deb and Focused on the Magic's Wordless Wednesday!

Magic Kingdom Parade 1973

The 1973 parade picture was taken my by wife's uncle.   

His wife has given us his old pictures of The Magic Kingdom.

Parades at The Magic Kingdom have changed some what but the 

age old question remains:

What time is the 3 o'clock parade?

Magic Kingdom Parade 2016

OPEN WIDE!!

FIRE!!

Hello Mickey!

Up and Away!

I took the 2016 Parade pictures in February when my wife and I went to the Disney Vacation Club 25th Anniversary party at the Magic Kingdom.

--Disney Dad

Disney Game Review: The Lion Guard, Protect the Pride Lands

The Lion Guard premiered as a regular series on Disney Junior in January 2016.  It was instantly a hit with my children.  The girls were 6 and 4 at the time and they preferred Kion’s adventures in the savanna over Sofia’s more refined problems.  (Sofia and Doc, we still love you.)   I can’t tell you how many times they have wrestled in the living room claiming it was a “moshingdano.”  I have no idea how that should be spelled but it’s how the kids say it.  An early episode showed two animals competing to rule an area and have rights to eat the fish there but it becomes a giggly ‘fight’ in my house.

 I like the show too. The short movie that launched the series explained that the Lion Guard had always been made up of lions.  Kion is Simba’s son and he forms his Lion Guard in a new way, with a variety of animals.  The friends work together as a team and each brings his or her strengths to the task of protecting the pride lands.

 My friends at Wonder Forge have created a game that translates this teamwork and adventure to a board game.  It’s called The Lion Guard: Protect the Pride Lands.  The board itself includes a cardboard version of Pride Rock and looks pretty cool when it’s all set up.  I warn you to prep this game before the kids are ready to play for the first time.   It doesn’t really take that long but it’s irresistible to excited preschoolers.  We had a play date the morning after I received the game in the mail so I thought it would be fun to have Minnie’s friends help us test it out. 

We had 3 4-year-olds, two girls and one boy, and one 7-year-old girl and they immediately started claiming one of the four character figures.  Once we started learning how to play, we quickly realized no one plays as any one character exclusively.  It’s all about teamwork.  This really pleased my friend who is the mom of the 4-year-old twins.   On a child’s turn, he or she draws a card and completes one action for the heroes and one for the Outlanders.  There is an element of strategy involved as the children decide which moves will help them most, as they try to limit the number of Outlanders on the board while helping Kion to climb to the top of Pride Rock. 

Protect the Pride Lands is recommended for ages 4 and up and can be played by 1-4 people.  All of the kids at the play date enjoyed playing the game.  It’s easy enough for preschoolers to play but the strategy makes it a fun game for young elementary school kids too.  It takes about 20 minutes to complete a game so you'll be able to keep the little ones engaged.  And Kion is fabulous. 

Many thanks to Wonder Forge for providing the game for my review.  I didn’t receive anything other than the game and these are my honest thoughts.   If you’d like to buy the game, here is a link.  (I don’t make anything on that.  It’s just for your convenience.)  

Happy 6th Anniversary Growing Up Disney!

Growing Up Disney is 6 today.  In 2010, we took "Tink" to Walt Disney World to celebrate her first birthday.  We splurged on Disney Vacation Club points to book a Grand Villa at Old Key West.  I planned character meals for the whole group and a 5th anniversary date night.  My parents baked a Mickey birthday cake and smash cake and drove them down from Alabama.  Andy, Tink and I flew to Orlando from Oklahoma.  Even though I had been visiting the World since I was three, I had lots of questions when I first started traveling with my own children.  I went to many different resources to find the answers and when I returned home from our trip, I decided to share what I had learned and Growing Up Disney was born.

The Growing Up Disney family at 1900 Park Fare in April 2010

We have shared some really good kiddo tips over the years but I am glad the blog has grown well beyond that one focus.  DisneyDad offers his thoughts as a lifelong WDW fan, old school DVC member, and grandfather.  Ridge has entertained us with stories of his travel.  We have been honored that friends from across the United States, Canada, and England have graced us with their own memories and special travel tips.  

My own family has grown to include Minnie since we started the blog and the girls have been to the World 9 and 7 times.  My husband and I just celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary at Aulani.  So as often our busy real world life allows, we will continue to share our Disney adventures for many years to come.  

Many thanks to the Growing Up Disney family and all of the friends we have made over the last 6 years.  Our "World" is a better place because of you all.

Wishing you love and magical memories, 

Amy

Photo Flashback! We're Going to a New (to us) Resort with Lots of Palm Trees

Almost 11 years ago, this handsome guy and I said "I do" at Disney's Wedding Pavilion.  It was a beautiful April day and the setting could not have been better.

Since then, we have had two babies, lived in 7 places in 4 states, and moved 8 times (long story but we moved into one house twice.)  We've been blessed with lots of joy and many tears of frustration. 

2015 was a rough year for us so a tenth anniversary trip didn't happen.  But now it's 2016 and things have settled down.  Our girls are old enough to stay with Grandma and Grandpa for a week without us.  We haven't taken a trip alone since our first anniversary.  

So when my husband asked if I'd like to go to Hawaii this year, I was thrilled.  We drug our feet on planning (no idea why) but now we have planned a trip to Oahu.  Aulani, here we come!  I am excitedly researching things to do and see and eat.  Our week's stay will be split with 4 nights at Aulani in the more relaxed area of Ko Olina and 3 nights at a resort amid the hustle and bustle of Waikiki Beach.  

If you have been to Aulani or Oahu, I'd love any tips you'd like to share!

  I'm so happy that Deb is back to blogging!  Please head over to Focused on the Magic and leave her some comment love.