Designing Our Own Disney Park - Episode 154 of The Disney Exchange Podcast

The Disney Exchange is Lisa, Dave, and me, Nick

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This week's show was suggested by listener Claire. "If you could open a new park, what 5 rides would you put in there from the existing Disney parks around the world."

I suggest this new park be called Nickland, but I'm quickly shot down. We finally decide on Potatoland. Why Potatoland?  

This Mickey Mouse cartoon is why!

Lisa and Dave go international while I keep it strictly USA, but we feel we came up with a really great mix.

 My #1 choice, Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission : Breakout 

from Disney's California Adventure

The centerpiece of Potatoland? Potatoship Earth of course!

Lisa, me, and Lisa's husband Raymond

The Wheel of Distiny topic this week is also from a listener, Glen. Glen asks what intellectual property is under-represented or not represented at all. After a few ideas we decide this topic deserves it's own episode, so please come back for that soon!

Like Claire and Glen, you can reach out with show suggestions and Wheel of Distiny topics, or just comment on the show, tell me how great I am, or request a listener number on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange  or Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyexchange  

If you would be so kind as to leave us a 5 star review on any of the social media sites, such as Facebook or iTunes, we’d really appreciate it. Thank you!

Merry Christmas... - Episode 106 of The Disney Exchange Podcast

The Disney Exchange is Lisa, Dave, and me, St. Nick. Ho ho ho! 

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First off, I'd like to thank all our listeners for their support on social media, we've had some new 5 star reviews and that means a lot to us!

We go on to talk about the recent announcement that alcohol will be served at 4 more venues, besides Be Our Guest, which has served it since it's opening, in the Magic Kingdom. The other venues are Cinderella's Royal Table, Tony's Town Square, Skipper Canteen, and Liberty Tree Tavern, thus finally making that last one a real tavern! We share our feelings and discuss the uproar on the internet.
We go on to discuss the Annual Pass Holder lines that appear to be in a test phase at Walt Disney World.

Dave has seen Rogue One: A Star Wars Story before both Lisa and me? What the...?!
Have you received the new Disney Magic Bands with the magic pucks yet? We have not! If you have, please share a picture via email or social media (links below).

We have our annual Disney Exchange Gift Exchange, and there are some, hmmmm, interesting gifts given and received.

The Wheel of Distiny topic: Favorite Disney Ornament  

You can send us an email at info@thedisneyexchange and reach out with show suggestions, submit Wheel of Distiny topics, or request a listener number (remember those?) on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange, Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyexchange

If you would be so kind as to leave us a 5 star review on any of the social media sites or iTunes, we'd really appreciate it. Thank you!

And, as always, thank you for listening, Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas from The Disney Exchange!

Fun With Fours - Episode 104 of The Disney Exchange Podcast

The Disney Exchange is Lisa (The Brains), Dave (The Tech) and me Nick (The Talent and the Beauty).

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We begin by discussing the new Express Transportation service at Walt Disney World.
You can hear the 3 of us talk more about transportation on Episode 2 and 102.

Star Wars will be featured at Disney's Hollywood Studios big time in December.

Our main topic is based on something that seemed to go around social media for about 5 minutes called FUN WITH FOURS, in which friends or groups asked your favorite, you guessed it, four things on a multitude of subjects. Since we are nothing if not right on top of the latest crazes, we share ours on the following: (Note, I've added a blank so you can print it out and play along, cause, yea, I believe THAT will happen).

Four favorite rides at a Disney park
1 
2.
3.
4. 

Four Favorite non ride attractions at a Disney Park (including parades / shows /fireworks)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Four Favorite Disney characters
1.
2.
3.
4.
Four favorite Disney Animated Movies including Pixar
1.
2.
3.
4.

Four Favorite Disney Live action (including Star Wars and Marvel)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Four favorite Disney Restaurants:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Four favorite park snacks:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Four favorite park drinks:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Our Wheel of Distiny Topic: Are you looking forward to Star Wars: Rogue One?!

Finally, we got some nice emails from listeners (and, yes, I confess, one was family) and we want to say thank you!

You can send us an email and tell me how great I am us how great we are, or just say hi at info@thedisneyexchange and reach out with show suggestions, submit Wheel of Distiny topics, or request a listener number (which was a thing for about 5 minutes, just like Fun With Fours) on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange, Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyexchange

And if you are so inclined, a 5 star review on iTunes would go a long way towards getting our show out to the masses!

Thank you for listening to The Disney Exchange! 

Disney Gift Guide - Episode 103 of The Disney Exchange Podcast

The Disney Exchange is Lisa, Dave and me, Nick   

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This week we share our Disney Holiday shopping suggestions for people of all ages. 

The criteria was that everything be available online, and we take a look at obvious sites such as the Disney Store and Target, but also other sites such as Etsy and Redbubble. 

The Wheel of Distiny topic: Have you ever been to a non Disney Park Disney attraction or historical site? No Dave, Disney Springs doesn't count.

You can make show suggestions, submit Wheel of Distiny topics, request a listener number, or just say hello on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange, Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyexchange  or email us at: info@thedisneyexchange 

And if you are so inclined, a 5 start review on iTunes would go a long way towards getting our show out to the masses!

Thank you for listening to The Disney Exchange! 

Wordless Wednesday: Our disney Christmas Tree

By Nick

What She Said...Pulling My Disney Comfort Closer

I'm publishing this article which Lisa just posted yesterday on her Living a Disney Life Blog because she has summed up how I feel about this past week pretty well. - Nick  

By Lisa Green 

This is the first post I’ve written all week – I still love you guys and I still have a lot to say about Disney and my love for all the joy and magic I find in it.  This week I’ve been distracted by a few things, not the least of which has been the hate-filled rants and incredibly vicious attacks I’ve seen all over social media related to our American democracy and the process of electing the people who govern our country.

Pulling My Disney Comfort Closer

I treasure my own freedom of speech and believe we are entitled to speak our minds.  I love a good debate between open-minded adults who can argue a point without making personal attacks on those with opposing views.  If you’ve ever met me in person, you know I possess no shortage of opinions on a wide variety of topics and am never afraid to express my feelings.  I speak my mind…sometimes too quickly, sometimes too passionately, but not with the purpose of tearing down another human being intentionally.  On social media?  I choose to post family events and happenings, the occasional humorous meme, and lots of pictures of my dog, Junior. 

  

I also post a LOT about my love for Disney.  It’s not that I don’t have strong feelings about religion or politics, I’m simply choosy about when and where I express those particular opinions and with whom I’d like to debate them.  I believe one should never email, text, or post on social media anything one would not say face-to-face – hiding behind an online identity to be hateful is the sign of a coward.

 I didn’t unfriend or unfollow a single person, but I was shocked and dismayed by what I read on Wednesday morning.  I’m not a person with delicate sensibilities, but the vitriol!  The utter disdain for fellow citizens and their right to their own beliefs and decisions was shocking to me!  Complete strangers hurling horrific insults at one another, spewing poison with no respect, no compassion, and no reason!  And what purpose did it serve?  Why would anyone want to show the world the very worst version of themselves they have to offer?  Is that who they really are?  If so, then we do indeed need to fear for the future of America – her citizens have chosen anger and hate over respect, tolerance, and love.

Then I figured out why I was so surprised.  Remember this post about the Disney fan community?  I follow (and am followed by) thousands of fellow Disney fans on social media.  Overwhelmingly nice people in general who are brought together by their passion for Disney vacations, movies, characters, collectibles, and more.  Some are fellow bloggers and podcasters, all are very geeky about Disney.  The ugliness on social media was not coming from these people.  They were, like me, disgusted enough to politely ask, “Why can’t we all get along?” before taking a break from Facebook and Twitter to ride out the election aftermath watching movies or planning a vacation.  Once again, I am reminded how special my Disney friends are and how much I appreciate being part of such a loving group of humans.

I’ll be back next week with more Disney topics to share – in the meantime, thanks for reading and have a great weekend.

Lisa can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LivingaDisLife and on Twitter at @life_of_green

Please be sure to check out Lisa along with me and David Hodges on The Disney Exchange Podcast! Our 100th Episode comes out tomorrow!

Are You a Disney Geek?

By Lisa Green  

We go by many names – Disney Geek, Disney Nerd, Disney Maniac even – but we all have one thing in common:  Disney is more to us than a man, a theme park, or a movie-making company.  Disney is a way of life.  We are the Disney-addicted and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Are you a Disney Geek?  Take this quiz to find out.  Give yourself one point for every true statement.

1. You have a Disney vacation planned.
2. You’re using a countdown calendar or app to keep track of the number of days until that vacation.
3. You have a Disney collection of some sort (pins, vinylmation, figurines, etc.). 
4.  Your car shows off your DisneySide with an antenna-topper, magnet, or window cling.
5. You are wearing a something Disney-related right now.
6. You have at least one framed Disney picture hanging in your home.
7. You listen to a Disney playlist while working out or cleaning house.
8. You have ever cooked a Disney restaurant recipe at home.
9. Your pet has a Disney name.
10. You know the meaning of all of the following:  FP+, MDE, ME, MM+, TOT, BTMRR, EE, TSMWM, ADR, and SSE.
11. You can say “Por favor manténganse alejado de las puertas.” perfectly and you know what it means.
12. You regularly check the Orlando weather and you don’t live in Florida.
13. Your morning coffee or tea is consumed from a Disney mug.
14. You’ve been emotional (and unashamed) on Main Street U.S.A.
15. You have cravings for Dole Whips, Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars, or Churros.
16. You have at least one Magic Band and will keep it forever.
17. You purchase at least one new Disney guide book every year.
18. You have a treasured photo of yourself (as an adult) with your favorite Disney character.
19. You read Disney blogs or listen to Disney podcasts.
20. You write for a Disney blog or host a Disney podcast.

Scoring.
5-10:  You like Disney vacations and some Disney merchandise, but you’re not obsessive.
11-15: You’re a real Disney fan and it shows!
16 or more:  You are a certified Disney addict.
Leave a comment!  What kind of Disney fan are you?

This article was originally posted on Lisa's Living a Disney Life Blog.
She can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LivingaDisLife and on Twitter at @life_of_green

Please be sure to check out Lisa along with me and David Hodges on The Disney Exchange Podcast!

5 Tips For Raising Disney Children

 

 

By Lisa Green 

 

 

Here at Living a Disney Life, Raymond and I have reached the child-rearing promised land!  The children have both passed the age of 18 and are still alive and well and successfully Disneyfied!

For you young people just starting out, we have no advice for the terrible twos, potty training or meltdown-free bedtime rituals – but we did raise a couple of Disney fans as passionate about the Mouse as we are!  To do this successfully (it’s not as easy as you think, darn you Sponge Bob!), we offer you these pointers:

1.  Our home is our castle and we are the monarchy.  Yes, those darling children get to be prince and princess, but the King and Queen reign supreme – let there be no doubt.  Democracy is great as a form of government and all, but in a Disney home…..the King and Queen RULE!  We have final say on where our vacation dollars are spent.

2.  Total Disney immersion from birth.  Brainwashing is such an ugly term, don’t you think?  I prefer to think of it as, hmmmm….guidance.  You don’t have to go crazy with the themed décor or anything, but introducing Disney early and often sets the right mood from the get-go.  So, I might have sang a few Disney lullabies, soothed skinned knees with a Disney bandaid or two, served milk with a Mickey silly-straw…where’s the harm? Oh, and if there’s a Disney prize in a box of sugared cereal…it’ll be okay to buy it.  Promise.  What’s wrong with a few Disney Halloween costumes or Mickey-shaped baked goods, I ask you?   Hedging your bets if you’re not sure if you have a girly-girl or a tomboy doesn’t hurt either.  For example:  Megan received both a princess gown and a Buzz Lightyear for Christmas one year.

 

3.  Gentle steering towards Disney merchandise, movies, party themes.  When they’re really little, they don’t care what toys and movies they’re being exposed to, why not make them Disney?  As they get older, just take them to those party supply stores that go heavy on the Disney-themed decorations.  Disney bubble bath, pajamas, underwear, sheets, towels, lunch boxes…you don’t have to go overboard, but there’s absolutely no harm in making sure those items are in your home.  Need ideas?  Hello, Pinterest!

4.  Associate Disney with happiness.  The Thanksgiving Day Disney movie tradition is an important one for our family.  Start babies on their way to Disney fandom with some Disney books and bathtub toys.  Disney bedtime stories are a great way to share the Disney love.  Disney sing-alongs on car rides are a lot of fun.  If YOU are calm, relaxed, and happy on Disney family vacations – the memories of quality, joy-filled family time are worth more than you can possibly imagine – and will nearly guarantee your offspring will be very pro-Disney.

5.  Change it up – Disney is easily incorporated everywhere.  The teen years are especially critical – if there’s any hesitation at all about going to Walt Disney World, try something new and different!  Disney Cruise Line sails to many exciting ports and offers incredible opportunities for new adventures all within the Disney bubble!  Don’t forget about Disneyland, Adventures by Disney,  and the Aulani, Vero Beach, and Hilton Head resorts.  Heck – those foreign Disney parks offer all kinds of new experiences.

Have little ones?  Stay the course, friends…the results are worth it.  If you need me, I’m here for you.

What tips do you have to share for raising Disney children?

 

 

This article was originally posted on Lisa's Living a Disney Life Blog.
She can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LivingaDisLife and on Twitter at @life_of_green

Please be sure to check out Lisa along with me and David Hodges on The Disney Exchange Podcast!

 

Episode 53 of The Disney Exchange : Armchair Imagineering

By Nick 

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O53 The Disney Exchange – Armchair Imagineering. The Disney Exchange is David Hodges, Lisa Green, and me, Nicholas Maglio.

Welcome back to The Disney Exchange, now in it's second year!

We briefly talk about the Memory Maker price reduction. Yes you just read that right.

Dave tells us about his recent visit to Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It sounds awesome!

Photo: Dave

TarTar Sauce.

Photo: Dave

We look forward to seeing our listener in February!

On this weeks show, Lisa, Dave and I pick an attraction, show or experience from each park in Walt Disney World and "plus" or enhance it, for instance, Lisa would like to include a free Memory Maker download of Wishes for every person entering the Magic Kingdom so there would be no need to hold up 27" iPads and cameras, etc. so we could eliminate this;

Lisa wants to do THIS to Primeval Whirl at Disney's Animal Kimgdom:

Aquila at Tivoli Garden, Copenhagen: Courtesy of Lisa

We apologize to all people who grew up in and or have fond memories of the 1970s. I also apologize for my weak ideas. Really, Lisa's and Dave's are much better so...sorry.

Wheel of Distiny topic: Favorite Star Wars Movie.

Our friends Josh and Jill, my wife Barbie, and me 

about to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which was amazing!

Thank you again for listening to The Disney Exchange, the geographically challenged podcast.

If you have a show or a wheel of Distiny topic, please let us know on on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/disneyexchange  or email us at: info@thedisneyexchange

The Disney Exchange Podcast ; Happy Anniversary to Us!

By Nick 

The Disney Exchange Podcast which I co-host with Lisa Green and David Hodges just celebrated it's first anniversary and we thank you for joining us!

You have heard us, right?

If you have not, I've compiled this handy episode guide along with links to the shows just for you!

As an added bonus I've included The Wheel of Distiny topic for each episode. What is the The Wheel of Distiny? Please give a listen and find out!

001 The Disney Exchange - Here we are!

002 The Disney Exchange - Disney Transportation

003 The Disney Exchange - DVC vs. Deluxe Resorts ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Worst counter service restaurant at Walt Disney World


004 The Disney Exchange - Disney Best and Worst of 2014 ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : What are we looking forward to in 2015?


005 The Disney Exchange - Things You Can Only Do At Disney ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : One small thing you always look for at Walt Disney World.


006 The Disney Exchange - Epcot’s World Showcase ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Places to Watch Illuminations.


007 The Disney Exchange - A Walk Through Disney’s Animal Kingdom ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : One Favorite Souvenir you always buy


008 The Disney Exchange - Animal Kingdom Lodge Table Service ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite attractions that have been around half our lives


009 The Disney Exchange - Touring Disney’s Hollywood Studios ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite ride vehicle.


010 The Disney Exchange - Quick Serve In The Parks ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Suggestions for Rainy Days.


011 The Disney Exchange - Things To Do On Property, Outside The Parks ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Our favorite movie released prior to the year of our birth. Yes, they made talkies before Lisa and I were born.


012 The Disney Exchange - Run Disney ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Movies we are most looking forward to this year.


013 The Disney Exchange - Living With Food Allergies in Walt Disney World ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Walt Disney World attraction with no height requirement


014 The Disney Exchange - A Day At The Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Adult Beverages at Walt Disney World.


015 The Disney Exchange - Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival ; The Wheel of Distiny topic: Best Disney ride for thrill seekers.

016 The Disney Exchange - Take A Ride Vehicle Home ; The Wheel of Distiny topic: A Disney movie you’d like to see remade or a sequel to.


017 The Disney Exchange - Best Table Service in the WDW Parks ;The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Way to Add a Little Disney to Your Day When Not at a Disney Park


018 The Disney Exchange - Disney Souvenirs ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Scene in Epcot’s Spaceship Earth


019 The Disney Exchange - Disney Cruise Line ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Walt Disney World 3D attractions.


020 The Disney Exchange - Resort Category Comparison ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite part of the Maharaja Jungle Trek in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.


021 The Disney Exchange - Walt Disney World Attraction Swap Outs ; Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Disney Princess


022 The Disney Exchange - Favorite Places to Take Rest at Walt Disney World ; Wheel of Distiny : Things people buy at Walt Disney World that we think are a waste of money.


023 The Disney Exchange - Progressive Dinner on the Monorail Resort Loop ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Summer sun survival tips.


024 The Disney Exchange - The First Day of Your Walt Disney World Vacation ; Wheel of Distiny topic: Favorite Disney Sidekick


025 The Disney Exchange - Meeting Disney Characters on a Disney Cruise and at Walt Disney World ; The Wheel of Distiny topic: Best Place to Get Coffee at Walt Disney World


026 The Disney Exchange - Walt Disney World Recommendations for Young Families: Part 1 ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite sweet treat at Walt Disney World.


027 The Disney Exchange - Walt Disney World Recommendations for Young Families: Part 2 ; Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Walt Disney World Guidebook(s)


028 The Disney Exchange - Walt Disney World Trip Planning ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Name an attraction you have ridden multiple times in a single day & what were the circumstances, and HOW did you get to ride it multiple times?
 

029 The Disney Exchange - Disney To Do Lists ; Wheel of Distiny topic : What Country would you like to see added to Epcot’s World Showcase?


030 The Disney Exchange - Half a Day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : The oddest thing we have ever eaten at Walt Disney World.


031 The Disney Exchange - The Best in the Lands ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : The most disgusting thing we’ve eaten at Walt Disney World.


032 The Disney Exchange - Progressive Dining Around the Epcot Area Resorts ; Wheel of Distiny topic : The best queue to stand in at Walt Disney World in the heat.


033 The Disney Exchange - Photography at Walt Disney World ; Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Marvel Cinematic character.


034 The Disney Exchange - Favorite Pixar Films ; Wheel of Distiny topic : The Pixar character we most identify with.


035 The Disney Exchange - Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Statue or Stationary Figure at Walt Disney World.


036 The Disney Exchange - Big Changes Coming to the Disney Parks ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Way to Start the Day at Walt Disney World
 

037 The Disney Exchange - Adult or Kid Friendly Dining at WDW ; The Wheel of Distiny topic: Best Run Disney Training Tip


038 The Disney Exchange - Pros & Cons of the Disney Dining Plan ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : What is the latest you’ve ever stayed out at a Disney Park?

039 The Disney Exchange - Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party ; The Wheel of Distiny topic: Who is the Avenger character you’d most like to have dinner with and why?


040 The Disney Exchange - Counter Service Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner at Epcot ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : If you only had one attraction to choose to ride at Epcot, what would it be?


041 The Disney Exchange - Aulani with Special Guest Dave Tupper ; The Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite Disney attraction music.
 

042 The Disney Exchange - Attractions at Walt Disney World We Can Do Without ; The Wheel of Distiny topic: What did you think of the first episode of The Muppets which made it’s debut September 22nd?


043 The Disney Exchange - Walt Disney World With Non Disney Lovers ; Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite view at Walt Disney World.

044 The Disney Exchange - Disney Deluxe Resorts at Walt Disney World ; Wheel of Distiny topic: Favorite non fiction Disney book.

045 The Disney Exchange - The Best Things I Ever Ate at Walt Disney World ; The Wheel of Distiny topic: The Scariest Thing of Any Ride at Walt Disney World

046 The Disney Exchange - Packing For a Trip to Walt Disney World ; Wheel of Distiny topic: Favorite spot for Holiday Decorations at Walt Disney World

047 The Disney Exchange - Walt Disney World, Where Does the Money Go? ; Wheel of Distiny topic : What was the first Disney Park attraction you ever went on?

048 The Disney Exchange - Progressive Dining Around Epcot’s World Showcase ; Wheel of Distiny topic: Where and when is a room view worth paying extra for.

049 The Disney Exchange - runDisney Redux with Karen Seal ; Wheel of Distiny topic : Which Disney character would you like to have dinner with and why?


050 The Disney Exchange - Disney Will Dos ; Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite live music at Walt Disney World.


051 The Disney Exchange - Monorail Loop & Epcot Resort Area Lounge Hopping ; Wheel of Distiny topic : Turkey Leg, yes or no?


052 The Disney Exchange - A Year of Walt Disney World ; Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite live action Disney movie.


Thanks again for listening to The Disney Exchange Podcast and please stop back for more exciting episodes!

Do It Yourself Disney Christmas Tree Topper

By: Lisa Green

 

 

 

It’s been long time since I’ve worked on a Disney craft project.  This one was not even planned, but happened mostly by accident.  Raymond and I were out supporting our local merchants on Small Business Saturday and we happened to be in a fantastic home décor and accessory store that always has the most amazing Christmas decorations!  We were there for just a quick stop to pick up a couple of ornaments for gifts and grab some extra ribbon and deco mesh (you can never have too much deco mesh, right?).

As we were making our way to the checkout counter, I stopped dead in my tracks, having spotted something unexpected and adorable!  I spied a small black felt top hat, decorated festively for the holidays.  As usual, I immediately said what I was thinking, “Hey!  I could put ears on this!” and Raymond, in his usual way, replied, “You could.”  Enough chitchat.  New item added to the armfuls we were carrying, we made for the cash register.

By the time we got home, I had formulated a plan for that little top hat’s transformation into a Disney-themed tree topper.  All I needed was to make use of Raymond’s mad skills with power tools.  I handed him a large, sparkly, black shatter-proof ornament left over from the Halloween wreath project and told him to make me a couple of ears from it.  Because I love him, I did remember to yell, “Don’t forget protective eye wear!” as he headed outside to his shop.  I wish I could show and tell you exactly how Raymond managed to slice two perfect ears out of that one ornament, but I didn’t see what he did.  I will tell you it involved something called a die grinder, but I have no idea what that is or does.  If you decide to slice up a plastic ornament, I imagine a saw of some sort would also work.

Now, I knew that if I just glued those ears onto the hat, there would be a big gap between each ear, the hat, and the hat’s brim.  I was trying to figure out a way to fill that gap with some black sheet-foam that I had on hand, when Raymond solved the problem for me by cutting the foam into tear-drops that could be used to cover the back of each ear and fill in that gap at the same time – I do love that man!  So, I fired up my new glue gun, which gets really super hot in a hurry, and proceeded to glue the backs onto each ear, then glue the ears carefully onto the hat, making sure the corner part of the teardrop filled in the gap between ear, hat, and brim.  I only sustained one glue-burn (on my right pinky), which is actually good – the injury count where hot glue and I are concerned is normally much higher.

So, making the tree topper proved much easier than getting it in a good position at the top of the tree!  I ended up making a spiral wire around the top of the tree to perch the hat securely on, then I used my old tree topper (sprays wired together to mimic Wishes fireworks) to add some festive touches around the hat.  The moral of this story?  Don’t be afraid to try!  When inspiration strikes, go for it.  The hat was $12.99 and for the investment, Raymond’s cutting skills, and one hot glue burn, we got a pretty awesome new Disney decoration for our tree.

This article originally appeared on Lisa's Living a Disney Life Blog.

Lisa can be also be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LivingaDisLife and on Twitter at @life_of_green

And not only is Lisa one of my favorite bloggers, but she co-hosts The Disney Exchange Podcast along with me and David Hodges!

Ratatouille Sign

By Nick

Raise your hand if you channel surf.
There are channel guides that we can consult to find something we may be interested in, but where is the fun in that? So we surf. And there are certain movies that, if we should happen to encounter them, we'll stop and watch, regardless of how many times we've seen them. Jaws. The Matrix. The Avengers. Star Wars. (Any Star Wars, even the prequels!) Any Disney/Pixar Movie. Those last few probably aren't a surprise as this is, after all, a Disney Blog.

Recently while surfing I came across Ratatouille, one of my very favorite Pixar movies, and had to stop and watch.
It got me wanting a collectible from the film. I only have one item from this terrific motion picture, a Hallmark ornament of Remy looking at the book, Anyone Can Cook!

I came across a few things that caught my eye on eBay, but then, as the movie ended, and I saw the Ratatouille sign over Paris, I had the idea to go to Etsy, and did a search.

Imagine how pleasantly surprised I was to find this for $30 plus $12 shipping! It's metal and measures 14 x 14 1/4 inches.

As you can see, it is very close to the sign in the movie:

Before making the purchase, I consulted with Barbie, as this was to hang in our kitchen, and she immediately gave her approval.

We briefly considered hanging it exactly as it is in Ratatouille, but we decided it wouldn't have nearly the same aesthetic effect hanging in the kitchen as it would with Paris in the background, so went with just hanging it on the kitchen wall visible as you enter the room.

I'm very happy with this purchase, a wonderful reminder of a wonderful film.

Bobble-less Mickey Mouse

By Gaylin 

A few trips ago, maybe in 2005, I picked up this Mickey Solar Bobble Head:

I love this guy, he sat in my living room quietly bobbling back and forth until this spring. I guess, he bobbled to much and now just sits. Very sad. But still cute!

I think it is rather weird that Mickey has no mouth, who is going to eat that popcorn? The slice in the top of the popcorn is to hold one of two cardboard signs this came with. I couldn’t find the signs when I was taking the photos.

At 4 inches tall and 4 inches wide, he doesn’t take up much room. I bought this at WDW, obviously you could get it at Disneyland as well.

The little red plastic ‘balloon’ is on a spring and wobbles when poked.

Yes, you can see that the solar panel is clean – it just doesn’t work anymore.

Disney trade mark. Made in China.

Somehow I managed to save the packaging it came in. I like how it says never needs batteries, doesn’t say it will always work.

On the bottom you can see the two memo cards it came with, Mickey on the front, space to write on the back.

Have a Disney day everyone!