Toy Story "Hawaiian Vacation"

My youngest son loves the Disney movie Cars, so he will be very excited to find out that Cars 2 comes out on June 24, 2011. We are also looking forward to watching a 3D animated short story before the movie starring the Toy Story Gang! Here is a short clip from Toy Story's "Hawaiian Vacation":

Get a Tinkerbell Tote for $3.25

To get a Tinkerbell Tote for $3.25, first become a fan of Tinkerbell on Facebook. After, use the code "Tinkfan" on Disney Movie Rewards to get this tote for $3.25. Thanks, Moms By Heart!

The Gratitude Challenge Day 6 and Day 7

The Challenge for Day 6 is: Take a few minutes to call someone you haven't talked to in a while. Tell them how much you appreciate them.

The Challenge for Day 7 is: Take a picture of one thing, person, place or specific moment that makes you feel grateful. Share it with your social network.

This summer my family went to Disney World. So although I did not take this picture today, the moments spent with my family in Disney make me feel grateful. I loved this family vacation, because I felt like we had uninterrupted time spent together. When we went on our vacation this summer, there was no work, computer, tv, or phones to distract us. This was my children's first time at Disney World, and it gave us the opportunity to see the parks through the eyes of a child. My kids loved the characters. And I got to admit, I enjoyed seeing them and getting pictures with them, myself. My kids ask quite frequently when will we be going back.

To the left is another one of my favorite pictures taken at Disney's Hollywood Studios. That's me in a set getting about 800 gallons of water poured on me. My husband and I volunteered to act out a scene during the Backlot Tour. The purpose of this particular part of the tour, is to show how a battle scene at sea might be filmed.
We were both excited to participate, and they gave me a special suit to wear, so I really didn't get that wet. Overall, we had a lot of fantastic family moments.

Love Disney World? Volunteer and earn a Free Ticket.

Want to earn a free ticket to Disney World or Disney Land? Starting January 1, 2010, register online with Disney and sign up for a volunteer opportunity from participating organizations. Once you have completed your service and it has been verified, you will be sent a voucher for a one day admission to one of Disney's theme parks. Tickets will be given to the first one million people to complete their service. In order to sign up, you must be 18 or older, but kids as young as 6 may complete volunteer work to earn a free ticket. To learn more or to sign up for email updates, click here. Thanks, Mojo Savings!

Love Disney World? Apply to be part of Disney World's Moms Panel

Do you love to go to Disney World? I do. I would go every year if I had the chance. Before we went this year, I did some research through Walt Disney's Worlds Mom's Panel. I even asked a question about the Harmony Barbershop and it was answered on their website. In just a few days on September 10, you can apply to be a part of the Moms Panel. If you are picked, you will win a trip to Disney World in order to be trained for the panel. What an awesome opportunity! Interested? Click here for more information.

My Favorites and Freebies at Walt Disney World

My family just spent the week at Walt Disney World-the most magical place in the World. If I had the chance, I would go every year. This was my kids' first visit and what an experience it was. I thought I would share with you my top 10 favorite things to do at Disney, as well as a few freebies I found along the way.

My Top 10 Favorites at Disney World (not in any order):

1) Roller Coasters- Both the Aerosmith Ride and Expedition Everest were awesome. The Aerosmith Roller Coaster is inside in the dark with neon signs along the way. It also goes upside down. On Expedition Everest, we went both forwards and backwards, and at the top of the ride we got a magnificent view of the Animal Kingdom.

2) The Lion King Show at Animal Kingdom.

3) Both the Muppets 3D show at Hollywood Studios and Mickey's PhilharMagic 3D show at the Magic Kingdom.

4) The Enchanted Tiki Room at the Magic Kingdom. The show is very entertaining and I would recommend getting an Orange Slush at the Sunshine Tree Terrace right outside of the show.

5) Character Dining at the Crystal Palace. You get to eat a fantastic buffet, as well as meet Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and Tigger. We had originally decided not to do a character dining experience since it can be rather expensive. However, after a week of eating lots of hamburgers and french fries, we decided to splurge. It is one of the best choices we made. I would definitely do it again.

6) "SpectroMagic" Parade at Magic Kingdom. This parade is at night and all of the floats as well as characters have lights on them. After the parade, stay for the fireworks, where Tinkerbell flies from the top of the Castle.

7) Fantasmic. This show at Hollywood Studios is a must see. However, to get a really good seat, you need to show up about 90 minutes ahead of time. We were there an hour before and got in the very last section of seating. If you do not get a seat there is a spot for standing. In this show, the Disney Villains try to take over Mickey's imagination.

8) It's a Small World.

9) All of the Character's that you can meet. My children got to see: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale, Pinocchio, Daisy, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore, Pooh, Captain Hook and Smee, Alice in Wonderland, and the Evil Stepmother and Stepsisters from Cinderella.

10) The Harmony Barbershop.

Freebies at Disney World:

1) You may have noticed my last favorite was the Harmony Barbershop. Did you know that the Magic Kingdom had a barbershop? Although haircuts are not free ($14 for kids and $17 for adults), they do give out a few freebies if your child is getting their first haircut. This is their specialty. My son got his first haircut and it was a special moment. The barber started out by giving him a bunch of stickers and then started putting a sticker on his clothes. My son spent the rest of the time putting stickers all over his clothes. After his hair was cut, the barber gave him his first set of Mickey ears. On the back of the ears it said First Haircut. He also gave him a certificate of bravery.

2) Stop at Guest Relations at any park and pick up a free pin. They have a variety of pins for anything you may be celebrating. They have pins for 1st visits, anniversaries, birthdays, engagements, just married, reunions, and there is a general pin that says "I'm celebrating."

3) Stop by Club Cool at Epcot to try out free samples of soda from around the world. I tried a soda that tasted like ginger ale. However, my husband tried a soda that tasted like medicine.

4) At the World Showcase, keep your kids busy by stopping at Kidcot Fun Stops. At their first stop they will receive a mask, a stamp from the country, and a paper charm. At each of the remaining stops they can get their mask stamped and pick up another charm.

We had a lot of fun at Disney and I can't wait to go again.