#halloween photopass

[samsdisneydiary]

New Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Photo Ops for 2023

Halloween is here! Well, at least at Walt Disney World Resort. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party starts tonight at Magic Kingdom Park, and Disney PhotoPass photographers are brewing up brand new spooky shots during the event, featuring Donald Duck’s mischievous nephews, the “Lonesome Ghosts,” Maleficent, and more. Plus, many of your favorite Magic Shots are returning this year, including the…

[themovieblogonline]

Oogie Boogie Bash Returning to Disneyland This Halloween Season

Calling all Disney haunt-lovers! Get ready for some wickedly fun news because Disneyland just announced the return of Oogie Boogie Bash, a Disney Halloween Party! This frightfully fantastic after-hours event will slither back into Disney California Adventure Park for a record-breaking 27 nights this Halloween season. Mark your calendars! The party kicks off on Sunday, August 25th, and runs through Halloween night, Thursday, October 31st, with nights in between. Here's what you can expect: - Immersive Treat Trails: Follow spooky paths and fill your bag with sweet treats! - Unique Character Sightings: Mingle with your favorite Disney characters and maybe even a few villains! - Special Entertainment: Get ready for boo-tiful shows and spooky surprises! - Themed Merchandise: Snag some wickedly cool souvenirs to commemorate the event. - Frightful Food & Beverages: Tantalize your taste buds with creepy-crawly treats and spine-chilling drinks (all available only during the party). Bonus! Your Oogie Boogie Bash ticket also includes: - Early access to Disney California Adventure Park – enjoy the park for three hours before the party starts! - Unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital downloads from the party – capture all your spooky moments! Tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash haven't been released yet, but stay tuned for more info in the coming weeks. In the meantime, start planning your costumes because anything goes at this Halloween bash! But Wait, There's More! This Halloween season isn't just about Oogie Boogie! Here's a glimpse of the other hauntingly awesome things happening at Disney Parks this year (source: Disney): - Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: Get your groove on with Mickey and friends during this frightfully fun party at Walt Disney World. - Halloween on the High Seas: Set sail on a spooky Disney Cruise Line adventure with Mickey, Minnie, and Donald in their new Halloween costumes! - Haunted Mansion Parlor on the Disney Treasure: Explore this eerie new bar featuring a ghost fish aquarium and a ghostly portrait gallery. - New and Returning Halloween Merchandise: Deck yourself out in spooky style with frightfully fun clothes and creepy home décor. - Halloween Festivities Around the Globe: Get your ghoul on at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disney Resort! - Descendants: The Rise of Red: Catch the newest installment in the popular "Descendants" franchise this July on Disney+. - 31 Nights of Halloween: Tune in to Freeform in October for a month of spine-tingling movies. - Disney Movie Insiders Oogie Boogie Sweepstakes: Enter for a chance to win a frightfully fun prize pack! - runDisney Haunts: Gear up for a hauntingly fun runDisney race weekend at Disneyland this September. - Disney's Villainous Wedding Inspiration: Plan your dream wedding with a touch of Disney evil! - Halfway to Halloween Treats: Indulge in spooky sweet treats at Gideon's Bakehouse and Kayla's Cake. This Halloween season is shaping up to be spooktacular at Disney Parks! Whether you crave creepy treats, chilling thrills, or villainous vibes, there's something for everyone. So, grab your best costume and get ready for a hauntingly good time! (Source: Disneyland Parks) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBViOMEv-UA

[spiciestmarinara]

Ninja Sass Party ( with @captainnuttwinkle as Dani) takes Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party Part 1

BONUS!

Met the awesome @hoodwinkedtoohoodvsevil during the party! It was so nice to meet you, thank you for saying hi! It was so nice meeting a fellow NSP and TWRP fan, hope to meet you again soon!

[mytripstodisney]

[mrdaps]

There are many different ways to celebrate Halloween at the Walt Disney World Resort. Some of them are in the parks and include entertainment, food, merchandise, or even parties. One common thread throughout all of these different celebrations big and small is there will be people taking pictures of and with the experiences. Disney Springs has another way to get some fun photos of the season at the Disney PhotoPass Studio.

The Disney PhotoPass Studio offers both traditional standard portrait backdrops and also digital options for a spooky seasonal photoshoot.

For guests wanting something spooky but maybe not quite as focused on Halloween, there are also some Haunted Mansion photo opportunities.

Another option gives guests the chance to face off against Maleficent.

Disney-Pixar’s Coco fans will love the photo options built around this movie as well!

Reservations aren’t required to visit the Disney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs. Both Memory Maker and Memory Maker One Day may be used for this experience.*

The Disney PhotoPass Studio gives guests an opportunity for some fun seasonal photos. It’s a great opportunity to get dressed up and get some unique new content for social media or a memory the wall at home!

*Disney PhotoPass Service and Memory Maker are subject to the applicable terms and policies. Includes photos taken during the applicable Memory Maker Window as defined in such terms (generally, photos taken (i) within one day for Memory Maker One Day or (ii) within 30 days from the date of first activation for standard Memory Maker). If Memory Maker is purchased at the advance purchase price, any photos taken within 3 days of the date Memory Maker is purchased are not included and must be purchased separately. A MagicBand is required to receive certain attraction photos and other digital content. Online registration required. Disney PhotoPass Photos in your account will expire pursuant to the expiration policy. Downloads are restricted to personal use only. Not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Valid theme park admission required for certain photo locations.

Disney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs Offers Multiple Opportunities for Halloween Photos There are many different ways to celebrate Halloween at the Walt Disney World Resort. Some of them are in the parks and include entertainment, food, merchandise, or even parties.

[kennypirate]

Spooky Photopass Shots during Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Spooky Photopass Shots during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

The  Halloween decorations are already going up in the Magic Kingdom.  It is only a matter of hours until the very first 2017 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party starts.  Each party only lasts for five hours, and is jam packed with things to do: trick-or-treating, Boo to You Parade, Special Character Meet and Greets, and spooktacular castle shows and fireworks.  In addition to all of this,…

[fairwindcosplay]

#waybackwednesday to MNSSHP 2019, where I got to be this dreamer for the Halloween party in the parks! I hope one day we can go back when it’s safe for our family to do so. I miss the magic and the fun of these Halloween trips: spending time with @aureliancosplay in WDW was the best! Costume by @miccostumes and wig styled by @aureliancosplay Photo: Disney PhotoPass #cosplay #disney #singer #disneycosplay #disneyprincess #disneyprincesscosplay #cinderella #cinderellacosplay #princessperformer #princessparties #dreambigprincess #characterperformer #adreamisawishyourheartmakes #sothisislove #havecourageandbekind #princess #cosplayer #mnsshp #asdreamersdo #mnsshp2019 #actorlife #cosplayersofinstagram #cosplaymodel #princesslife #glassslipper #newfantasyland #halloween #halloweencostume (at Cinderella Castle) https://www.instagram.com/p/CG5hCKojlhQ/?igshid=1q4opodwi9h4y

[thedisneydoc]

Lands That I Love: Life Could Be a Dream

Has Disney ever completely changed your mind about something? I used to have some very solidly-built opinions on certain Disney topics. But thanks to Imagineering Magic, I have been converted to an avid fan of these franchises that I previously disliked simply because Disney parks built an entire “land” around them. I’m going to start with my favorite “new” land...

Cars Land, Radiator Springs

Cars was my LEAST FAVORITE of the Pixar movies at the time this land came out. I thought it was dumb concept just to have cars that could talk. So I wasn’t entirely thrilled to have an entire section of DCA dedicated to it. And when it first opened, I feel like it didn’t have much going on for it besides its major thrill ride, Radiator Springs Racers, which always had a long-ass line and a Fast Pass Distribution that not only had a long line of its own, but also ran out of Fast Passes almost immediately after rope drop. It was just one ride and a bunch of very specifically themed Cars stores. I don’t think Luigi’s Rockin’ Roadsters was open for a very long time due to the trackless technology at the time and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree was still a “kids ride” to me back then.

I don’t remember the exact moment when I fell in love with Radiator Springs. I think it happened gradually during the year I was a local Annual Passholder. I was in SoCal for 1 year to get my graduate degree and I only lived about 30-40 min from Disney, so I thought it made sense to finally get an AP again after nearly 2 decades. I ended up spending a lot of time going as a solo AP adventurer, going to Disney almost every weekend by myself just to wander and have fun. There have been several times that I have gone to Disney just to study (believe it or not) with my notes and my iPad, bumming off the new guest wifi hotspots they had just installed. One of the best wifi hotspots was at Flo’s Diner in Cars Land. I remember one day, I brought my homework out there and finished a group project on Google Slides out on the patio. They were playing my favorite vintage music from the 1950s and 1960s on a loop. There was an ice cold beer at my side and every few minutes, I would see the Radiator Springs Racers zoom by the beautiful butte next to me. I remember that’s when I realized Cars Land was one of my favorite places to be. 

Radiator Springs Racers is a fantastic ride when the wait times aren’t outrageous. But two of my favorite DCA rides are actually Luigi’s Rockin Roadsters and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree. During my year as a local, I also came with some regular friends. I don’t remember exactly which friend convinced me to try it first, but after we rode them for the first time, my friends and I always make it a point to ride them every trip. The wait times are usually 5-15 min long and they have enough spin and fun to them that it’s always entertaining. On Mater’s the momentum of the spinning is strong enough to whip you around and cause you to squish your unsuspecting friend into the side of the cab. On Luigi’s you usually get a different musical dance every time and depending on which car you choose, you could end up as the star of the show. And there’s always a spin at the end! My friends and I all know when the spin happens in each number, so we always throw our arms up just before the car twirls us around.

Cars Land also has an AMAZING Halloween overlay that started a few years ago. Before then, DCA has never dressed up for Halloween! I love all the themed decorations. There are spider gas cans and a spider car, a zombie car, a sugar skull car (who I affectionately call Dolores), Jack-O-Lantern traffic cones, and the Cars Land sign gets this “Happy Haul-O-Ween” makeover with a adorable little witch car in the front for Photopass Opportunities. The punny car movie posters across from Fillmore’s snack stand also change to holiday themed films! Something similar happens for Christmas with Cars-themed decorations, lights, and a winter makeover with a snowcar for the welcome sign. And no matter what time of year it is, Radiator Springs always has a special neon-lighting ceremony at sundown, just like in the movie. When you hear “Sh-Boom” over the loudspeakers, you’ll know. 

I went back and rewatched Cars with a newfound appreciation. Maybe I was just too young to appreciate the story before, but now I understand the nostalgia and the small town beauty that the film focuses on. I think just being on the streets of Radiator Springs and having such good, nostalgic memories of my own there have really made the Cars franchise special for me. 

I have another land that has completely changed my mind about that franchise, but I’ll save it for later! Any guesses?

PC: the.disney.doc

[anaspiringalice]

Starting The Magic: How to Start Planning for Disneyland!

Disclaimer: I'm not a travel agent, Annual Passholder, cast member or associated with the Disney company in any way. The views, as with everything on my blog, expressed here are my own and how I personally begin to plan and will follow through planning. This is to help those who have no idea where to start. Planning is overwhelming. I go into far too much detail with planning, starting a year or more in advance as it's entertaining for me and take a lot of the anxiety out of the trip. I enjoy it and thus spend too much time doing it. I hope that what I have found will help others and reduce the stress of planning their own Disneyland vacations.

You've gone ahead and chosen Walt's original park to have your next vacation - Disneyland in California! An excellent choice and one you won't regret (but who would regret a Disney vacation? Perhaps those who don't plan it properly!) That begs the question: now that you've chosen your destination, where do you begin?

Hi, I'm Aspi! I'm an avid Disneyland fanatic and the purpose of my blog is to share my own knowledge, experiences and mistakes so that you can learn from them and plan your own trip. I want to compile Disneyland tips, tricks, how-to's, suggestions and little bits of magic .. all while removing as much of the stress as possible to help your own trip. Please read my blog disclaimer before continuing!

WHO'S COMING?

One of the most important things is to figure out who is coming, as the people you bring (as well as the number of them) will have the largest impact on the rest of the planning. They present the most variables you need to account for: scheduling, rides, food, budget and more. Everybody has their own way of doing things, so by planning and allowing for that, the process becomes that much easier. Far less meltdowns and stress and much more fun ahead!

When I planned for my sister and I back in 2018, I had no problem getting a rough draft of what to expect. Not only did we grow up together, we share many of the same interests and opinions on Disney and how we prefer our days to go. We know each other's strengths and weaknesses and what would be tough in the park, our sleeping and eating habits, staying all day, remaining in the "disney bubble" and the like! She's been to the park several times before, so it was easy for her to communicate what she did and didn't enjoy about her previous trips. With a year for me to plan, it was more than enough time to figure out what we didn't see eye to eye on and plan a vacation that would be magical - for the both of us! I'm happy to say it was a success, and it meant so much to me when she said I'd been her favourite to visit with and that our trip had been the most magical of all the others she'd been on. In fact, she was even bored of Disneyland and didn't want to go, she just wanted to spend time with me! Now she can't wait to go back.

This time around, I was in more of a pickle as I don't have that experience with the group I'm going with. I want to do for them what I did for my sister; make it magical and memorable. While I've known two of the people I'm travelling with for almost fifteen years, having gone with them to many anime conventions, I know Disneyland puts even the largest con to shame and poses bigger and different problems than struggling to put contacts in or staying up until 3AM to paint scales on a dress. The third person I'm friends with, but I've only known for about three years and haven't had the pleasure of going on a trip with or getting to know as well as I'd like to! I don't know the fourth at all and really wanted for us to connect and get a sense of how well everyone worked together and what their preferences were. More on this in a moment!

WHEN TO GO?

Fortunately for us, the time of year or the amount of days wasn't even a question! It was without hesitation that we wanted to experience the Halloween season and attend Oogie Boogie's Bash on the 31st, with 5 Day Park-Hoppers. Unfortunately, life goes as it does, and several factors such as COVID-19 and a wedding just made those dates not work for us. We've adjusted our dates and will now be visiting in early November, hopefully enjoying the first few days of the Christmas season.

In any other situation, the way I narrow down when to go is factored in by all of the following points, which makes it easy to choose the month and year. I don't tackle these things in specific order or worry about hte exact day, unless there's a specific celebration, as that is narrowed naturally by things like days off of work, openings in hotels, crowd levels, flight prices, Disney tickets, etc.

» Budgeting. Of course, this is a rough ballpark of what you want to spend. I take into account items to purchase as well such as clothes or shoes for the trip, food, tours, character dining, flights, hotel, transportation, gifts and merchandise. I find around $5,000 is my ideal budget without having to worry about money while I'm there and to be more than enough extra, including for emergencies or if something doesn't go as planned. Plus, it feels good to come home realizing you spent $1,500+ less than what you budgeted for! You want to find out what works for you. Take the time to browse prices, what interests you in the parks and how long it takes to raise what you can comfortably afford. It might be a few months, or even a few years. Keep in mind your budget may look different, as I may be interested in different things or you may be driving/have cheaper flights and may not need to factor in conversion rates if Disneyland isn't an international park for you. I'm Canadian, so this is something I need to keep in mind!

» Celebrations/Holidays. These are things that you would like to be, or not to be, in the park for. Consider birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, new ride or land openings, special parades and shows, park events such as Dapper Day, holidays and the like. One of our members comes from a military family, so wasn't wanting to be in the parks on Remembrance Day as it's an important day for her family if we could help it!

» Refurbishments. Consider attractions that would completely ruin your trip if they were unable to be ridden while you were there. I personally have six that I couldn't imagine not riding, but the only ones that would completely ruin my trip would be Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Carribbean. Indiana was originally planned for refurb in 2020, but due to COVID, I'm not expecting that to happen this year; if it did, I would re-schedule in a heartbeat. This happened to me with the Matterhorn in 2018, as I'd never ridden it before and wanted to! I also missed seeing Fantasmic as the last day it was available was our first day there. Make sure to check the schedules!

» Crowd Levels. This, I’m sure, is the major factor for most people. Nobody wants to be elbow-to-elbow walking from point A to point B; but it’s hard to say for sure what the park will be like on any given day. Fortunately for us, there’s plenty of tools out there to help you make educated estimates on levels. While my personal favourite is IsItPacked, you do need to take into account Public Holidays as well as thing like Events or Refurbishments and seasonal holidays such as spring break. There are many websites that have articles on the best and worst times to go, some of them being MouseSavers, IsItPacked, GetAwayToday and DisneyTouristBlog.

» Weather. I will likely lose a lot of you on this one as I don’t mind a rainy day or two or the colder weather and I find it much more comfortable than any amount of heat, but of course nobody likes to be out in line for two hours when it’s sweltering. Take the time to check historical averages and some information on Disneyland during different times of the year. Weather also affects what rides are operating and how long the parks are open, so do take that into account too!

WHERE TO STAY?

Disneyland currently offers three official hotels; Disneyland Hotel, Paradise Pier & the Grand Californian. However, there are many places to stay right across the street for just a fraction of the cost, some being even closer than the official hotels! With that, I think my opinion on the matter is pretty clear: I don't think it's worth it to stay on-property at Disneyland. Some say the benefits aren't worth losing, but other hotels offer similar amenities for a little extra (but still remain lower than the average night at a Disney hotel.) Some things may be done yourself in "DIY" fashion, or made up for in other areas!

» Extra Magic Hour. The perk of entering earlier every single day of your stay compared to entering early only once is easily made up for with a good itinerary and time management. If you are willing to fork over the extra money just for this, then I recommend the Max Pass as a still-cheaper and even better solution as you have access to all PhotoPass photos, including ride photos.

» Proximity. With the exception of the Grand Californian, several hotels are actually much closer to the parks. Those that aren't are only a few minutes more walking distance, may offer free or low-charge shuttles to and from the parks, or are only a $5-7 Uber ride away; all of which are cheaper than the average nightly rate.

» Theme. Personally, I was less than impressed with the Disneyland Hotel when I visited in 2018. After a meltdown where my sister ducked me into the nearest bathroom to calm down, I was a little disorientated and had to ask where we were.. because the themeing was just so minimal. Apart from the teacup-chairs and headboards in the rooms, the dark carpet and odd texures mixed with historical elements that I feel would be better off highlighted in a tour.. it just felt far too dirty, focusing on quantity rather than quality with no privacy in areas like the pool. It was disenchanting and unwelcoming in comparison to the gorgeous Majestic Garden, offering full-out castle themeing with a rose garden and koi pond, not to mention a fairytale surrounding the hotel with its own Princesses who wanders the halls and tells her story nightly by the fireside and even responds to letters. The Grand Californian was beautiful, but I feel the cost of staying is better put to use with more days in the park at an off-property hotel. We never visited Paradise Pier, though it was almost our hotel of choice, but the cons outweighed the pros. With so many hotels much more beautiful than Disney's, as well as AirBNB's in the area, offering so much more private space and even full kitchens... it's just not worth it, to me. I do think it is more than worth it to take half a day or so to tour the hotels and the lobby, especially during holidays, but I’m not fond of the themes otherwise.

» Character Dining. This is offered in other locations, my favourite being the in-park Minnie's Breakfast At The Plaza Inn.

» Reservation Priority. For most everything you would want to reserve, they may typically be made up to 60 days in advance for non-hotel guests and there is generally no issue with booking if you're early enough.

» In-Room Celebrations. As far as this goes, I will be making a post at a later time in my AddALittleMagic section which presents a DIY Method to bring in a cheaper celebration. Part of what this will mention is various Princess Party businesses, which bring in characters who will do a series of activities. I'm sure if you phone those companies, they'd be more than willing to offer specialized wake-up calls as well, just like the Disney property hotels.

The only benefit I see as worthwhile for staying on Disney property is the Package Express, which delivers items directly to your room for you. Even then, there is something so special to me about choosing a particular item in a store with friends and family. Some of my strongest memories in the parks, including one of my very few memories of my 2004 trip, were choosing items in the store and carrying it around the rest of the day. There are locker rentals for larger and more cumbersome purchases, but I also recommend midday breaks back at your hotel.. which just trumps the benefits of the Package Express. The decision of staying on or off property is completely up to you, but I would much rather buy an extra day or two in the park!

How do I choose where to stay?

I don’t have a fancy way of narrowing down the options which I use, but I am thorough in choosing where to spend the night. The method I use is meticulous, but well worth it. I consider the amenities the people I travel with would like or need, ranging anywhere from free breakfast, pool, gym, suite, connecting rooms as well as a their overall budget.

From there, I search on Google Maps for “Disneyland Hotels”  and keep within a few blocks of the park itself to make sure everything is in walking distance or only a short Uber ride away. I use the options to narrow down guests staying, the dates and the price per night. I visit the websites of these hotels and view the rooms, listing pro’s and con’s. I then do similar on the AirBNB website and compare amenities and price! When I’ve narrowed it down to the top 5, I take the list to those I’m staying with and ask them their opinions - voicing what I think the best option for us is.

The most beautiful hotel I found in the area, offering so much for such a ridiculously low price, is the Majestic Garden Hotel where my sister and I stayed in 2018. I have stayed in many a hotel and AirBNB and the service and quality offered here is completely unmatched.

For 2020, my group and I will be staying at the Hyatt House. I was sad to compromise with this, but we would have needed two rooms at the Majestic Garden - which doesn’t offer free breakfast either, so it made more sense costwise and it was important for us to all be in one room. We’ll still be visiting the Majestic Garden during our trip, to tour the hotel and eat the amazing sliders at their bar!

Other places which I haven’t had the pleasure of staying at, but I would have stayed in a heartbeat, is this gorgeous Peter-Pan themed AirBNB. The host also offers several other spaces themed to Disney movies, but I’m a sucker for Peter! There was also this stunning muted pink-and-grey townhouse!

I sincerely hope that this post helped you in some way and would appreciate a follow if you would like to see more! I’ll be making plenty of posts about Disneyland and my planning process. *No affilliate links are featured in this post. All opinions are my own.

[lovelikelex]

Christopher Robin

I have never talked in-depth about my experiences at Walt Disney World. I never felt like I ever had to. The funny thing is, I noticed before I left for Orlando that I was always feeling like I had to compensate for something. The way I looked, the way I acted, the way I loved. As I have stated in previous blogs, this journey in healing and accepting that I wasn’t perfect and that not everyone would like me began in late May/Early June. Everyone thinks it all started with the initial move to Orlando or the job that was mentally and physically demanding, but no. This journey began surprisingly with a bear and a tiger.

Upon my arrival at Disney, I felt very... empty. Did you know that sometimes adjectives like empty can be feelings? Have you ever felt that way? Maybe when a pet passed away or when you had to move schools or if your parents got into a fight? I felt empty and hurt. And all of those feelings of past frustration and anger and sadness left me in my room a few days after my arrival. Rather than cause a scene or lash out, I took time to defect on my past behavior. Sometimes, people who have mental/emotional problems lash out when they really want to love others because it’s all that they know to do. I’m wondering, friend, did you ever do that before? Did you ever say something mean or rude about someone who was just trying to help you or be your friend? Did you ever accidentally lash out on someone when they only wanted to love you? These are normal things, I assure you. But because I had no outlet to help me with those issues, I often did these things. I felt extremely bad afterward. I often did this as a child too. I would have meltdowns so severe that I would tear posters off of my wall, kick and scream, refuse to eat, hit and kick and even hurt myself. Yes, it is hard and sad to admit. These compulsive behaviors were all that I knew. And each time that I would hit or kick or get angry and yell, I would secretly find myself crying in my room feeling bad about what I had just done but couldn’t help... that, my friend, is emptiness. I am not ashamed to say that though I don’t scream and kick or hit anymore (thank god), I still find it sometimes hard to manage those feelings and issues that come into play.

After unpacking and spending that time reflecting on my anger, sadness, and inability to cope, I said out loud to whoever could’ve listened “I don’t ever want to be that bitter, angry, and mean person again. I want to love and to be loved - to show other people how much they matter and to know deep inside that I am better for it. When I wake up, I will be a different person.” And I was.

After my first week of training, I was thinking of what I could do on my next two days off for some fun. I put on some clothes, and I headed to one of my favorite parks, Magic Kingdom. When I arrived, I went on a few rides and soaked up the environment around me. I was not expecting that day for what came next. As I walked toward the teacups, I caught a Glimpse of Winnie The Pooh and Tigger - two of my most favorite characters growing up. As I looked at them in that seemingly long line, I took a moment to reflect on all of the times that I would rewind my VHS tape of Pooh’s Grand Adventure as a child. I thought of every morning that I grabbed my Pooh and tigger stuffed animals off of my bed and placed them onto the couch as I went into my own special place in my head, dancing away to the music in The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh. But more than anything, my heart ached for that child I was so many years ago, crying and begging out loud “why can’t you come play with me?” As I stared at the tv in utter disbelief that I had absolutely no friends due to the compulsive behaviors that I utterly could not help or control. And as I saw that child in my head, I hugged him briefly for a moment in my heart before hopping into the line and waiting my turn to finally hug my two virtual “best friends” from the tv.

I ran into Tiggers arms, as he had always been my favorite next to beloved Pooh Bear. I told the characters how much they had meant to me, shed a few tears, gave my hugs and kisses. I told them how much they mattered and they listened to every word, holding my small sweaty hands as tight as they could. That was the first day of my mission to love and to be loved. As I walked away with watery eyes, a character attendant chased me down the sidewalk frantically. Smiling, she said “Pooh and Tigger just wanted me to tell you that they Love you exactly as you are. They were so happy to see you and they hope you come back to see them sometime.” At that point, no one had any idea that I worked for the company. They simply thought that I was a child. It’s kind of funny to think about, but also endearing. Childlike wonder is one of the purest things in the world. After that, an idea came to me: I went to Walmart with a friend one night and gathered up a yellow polo shirt and some navy blue shorts with some knee-high socks.

The next day, I went to the Crystal Palace Character dining as Christopher Robin. The whole restaurant stared in awe as I made my way to my seat. And one by one, my hundred acre friends were so excited to see me. It made me smile to feel such positive energy around me. After the breakfast, I went to a gift shop and I found this raggedy-looking, original Tigger and I had to have him. He was $35 without my 20% cast discount. He was the very first merchandise item that I ever bought at Walt Disney world and he hasn’t left my side since. After that, it was back in line to see Tigger and Pooh at their usual meeting spot. I waited 45 minutes patiently and it was hard for me. Sometimes I have found that when we are waiting, we want to rush. That is never okay. Rushing is rude and sloppy. Sure, we want to rush, and sometimes we even have to rush, but it’s always nice to wait our turn and to take our time.

As my turn approached, tigger and Pooh were so surprised and in awe at the cute little outfit that I was wearing. The photos above were taken the second time I had ever met tigger and Pooh. Tigger was attacking me with cuddles and kisses and tickles and Pooh was just as soft and cuddly as the day before. I was developing a love in my heart for these very special character friends that could never be broken.

After that day, I wore that Christopher Robin outfit almost everywhere I went, and people started talking. Entertainment started noticing and it was becoming a big deal. I started to get noticed everywhere I was as Christopher Robin. Nobody even knew my real name until I started my postings on the special Facebook group for people who were involved in the same internship as I was. I would even get recognized at Walgreen’s or at my Job. It felt great to know that people were being kind to one another and loving each other the way that I had wanted since that night that I had prayed about it.

I visited Pooh and tigger every chance I got. Sometimes 3 times a week or more. And my love was eventually spread to ALL characters that I visited weekly. I became a friendly face to all of those wonderful entertainment folks and I was always sure to visit every single character when I went to a park to ensure that I wouldn’t hurt anyone’s feelings. Some of my favorite characters were always Elena, Tiana, and Launchpad McQuack. I also enjoyed seeing Peter Pan.

One day, upon my reflecting which I did often, I came across a very special song in Mister Roger’s Neighborhood - one of my special interests and shows that I enjoyed when I was younger. It’s called “I like you as you are” I will write the lyrics down below:

🎶I like you as you are

Exactly and precisely

I think you turned out nicely

And I like you as you are

I like you as you are

Without a doubt or question

Or even a suggestion

Cause I like you as you are

I like your disposition

Your facial composition

And with your kind permission

I'll shout it to a star

I like you as you are

I wouldn't want to change you

Or even rearrange you

Not by far

I like you

I-L-I-K-E-Y-O-U

I like you, yes I do

I like you, Y-O-U

I like you, like you as you are 🎶

I sang this song to Mickey and Minnie one August day in Town Square Theater, and they enjoyed it very much. So much that I could feel them both sobbing onto me as I held onto each one of them and reminded them that they were so special. I looked them into the eye and told them that I loved them exactly as they were and that they never had to do anything extraordinary like put on a funny hat or sing a funny song for me to love them. I remembered the photopass cast member, Meredith, whom I did not know at the time, sobbing her eyes out at the “selfless act of love” and affirming words that she later described to me in a well-written letter, thanking me for what I had done. I hugged Meredith that day, and I told her that I loved her as she was and that there was only one person on earth like her. Did I say that to gain attention? No. I said that to Meredith because she deserved to hear that. Don’t we all? How much is it to ask to simply remind others how proud you are of them? And how much you enjoy being around them?

That song followed me throughout the rest of my internship and I sang it every time after that encounter with Meredith, Mickey and Minnie. And I delivered affirmations each time after that reminding my character friends and former cast members how much I openly, fiercely, freely and unapologetically loved each and every one of them without the expectation to gain something from that love that I had given.

When fall arrived, I was having a hard time coping with my job, but I still made time for the weekly visits to the characters. I started dressing up more frequently and as other characters due to the Halloween Party pass I had. I had so many different outfits - Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Mickey Mouse, Tigger, Pooh, Mister Rogers, and of course my old friend, Christopher Robin whom I never forgot about.

My friend Shay even organized a birthday party where several of my entertainment friends showed up. There was a Winnie The Pooh cake and some decorations and even some gifts. Most of it was beautiful art that I still have, and by that time I had completed the Winnie The Pooh Original stuffed animal collection I had mentioned earlier. Tigger now had Pooh, Piglet and Eeyore to keep him company. I wa grateful to had spent my birthday around so many people who mattered to me and who reminded me how special I was. For once in my life, that child from my heart so many years ago that longed for friends, finally got his one true wish.

Months had passed, and I had all of these special bonds with all of my favorite character friends. My friend Koda from Brother Bear was another bear-y good friend I liked to visit. I used to come to the dance party in animal kingdom back in June/July and just watch Koda from the sidelines, too anxious to say hi, until one day Koda came to me. I attended the dance party once a week after that. Koda and my character captain friend Lisa even got me a little Koda Bear as a gift after the dance party had ended due to a lack in entertainment funds and Koda had to go away. Though I was heartbroken, I was thankful for the special one-on-one time that they always allowed me to have with my friend.

After Fall left, I knew that my mission was over and that my message was fulfilled. My last week at Disney was my most favorite but most painful goodbye I think I ever experienced. It started at Animal Kingdom with a visit to Launchpad McQuack - one of my most beloved characters. I looked into his eyes one more time, and reminded him how much I loved him while delivering the affirmation that had grown on me in those seven months: “did you know that you make so many days so special for so many people? Just by being yourself. There is only one person in the whole world exactly like you and people can like you exactly as you are” choked up, I could feel my throat swelling up as I blinked and tears fell from my eyes while singing one last time “I like you as you are... exactly and precisely..” I sobbed my eyes out as I walked on to my next goodbye. That was when the entertainment leader had come out and said that she had a day filled with surprises for me. I got to say goodbye to all of my favorite fab five pals like Goofy, Donald, Daisy, chip n Dale.. they all surprised me with a big group hugs. I could feel them all, specifically Donald, sobbing next to me as I said again for one last time “you have made these seven months the most SPECIAL seven months.. by just you’re being you!” Sang my song and grabbed a few more photos before begging led to every single character in animal kingdom. My heart was truly touched at the way I was treated with such profound kindness that day.

After that, shay brody and my “new dad Scott” made our way to Magic Kingdom to say goodbye to my friends Tigger and Pooh. I don’t even remember being able to speak at first because I was just so heartbroken, so instead, I began to faintly sing “I like you as you are....” my tears interrupted me as I sobbed gasping for air and never wanting to leave the side of the two furry friends who helped change me for the better. For the last time for a while, I reminded pooh and tigger how much I loved them. I thanked them for their friendship and gave them each one last kiss on the nose. I was allowed to walk with them back to their special spot near backstage area. One last hug, one last affirmation, and one last kiss and then that chapter in my adventure book had ended.

I was always so thankful for every good thing that everyone did while thinking of me and my mission to LOVE while I was in Orlando. Learning to love others and to be loved was my greatest achievement. I am proud to have been an assett and to have mattered to that company and community, but now, it’s time to move on to school and to love even more and to show what I learned while I was gone. I still often think of Christopher Robin. I am thankful for him and although he is tucked away for now, he is always with me - just like those special memories with pooh and tigger and the other phenomenal entertainment folks of Walt Disney world.

One more thing before I sign off for the night, you have made this day so special for me. Just by being you. There is no one else on earth exactly like you, and I like you exactly as you are. In fact, that’s what makes you so great. You’re you and I’m Me. We are still able to grow and to love even at 20 years old or 45 or even 100. Don’t ever lose that sense of childlike wonder, internet neighbor.

[themovieblogonline]

Oogie Boogie Bash Returning to Disneyland This Halloween Season

Calling all Disney haunt-lovers! Get ready for some wickedly fun news because Disneyland just announced the return of Oogie Boogie Bash, a Disney Halloween Party! This frightfully fantastic after-hours event will slither back into Disney California Adventure Park for a record-breaking 27 nights this Halloween season. Mark your calendars! The party kicks off on Sunday, August 25th, and runs through Halloween night, Thursday, October 31st, with nights in between. Here's what you can expect: - Immersive Treat Trails: Follow spooky paths and fill your bag with sweet treats! - Unique Character Sightings: Mingle with your favorite Disney characters and maybe even a few villains! - Special Entertainment: Get ready for boo-tiful shows and spooky surprises! - Themed Merchandise: Snag some wickedly cool souvenirs to commemorate the event. - Frightful Food & Beverages: Tantalize your taste buds with creepy-crawly treats and spine-chilling drinks (all available only during the party). Bonus! Your Oogie Boogie Bash ticket also includes: - Early access to Disney California Adventure Park – enjoy the park for three hours before the party starts! - Unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital downloads from the party – capture all your spooky moments! Tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash haven't been released yet, but stay tuned for more info in the coming weeks. In the meantime, start planning your costumes because anything goes at this Halloween bash! But Wait, There's More! This Halloween season isn't just about Oogie Boogie! Here's a glimpse of the other hauntingly awesome things happening at Disney Parks this year (source: Disney): - Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: Get your groove on with Mickey and friends during this frightfully fun party at Walt Disney World. - Halloween on the High Seas: Set sail on a spooky Disney Cruise Line adventure with Mickey, Minnie, and Donald in their new Halloween costumes! - Haunted Mansion Parlor on the Disney Treasure: Explore this eerie new bar featuring a ghost fish aquarium and a ghostly portrait gallery. - New and Returning Halloween Merchandise: Deck yourself out in spooky style with frightfully fun clothes and creepy home décor. - Halloween Festivities Around the Globe: Get your ghoul on at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disney Resort! - Descendants: The Rise of Red: Catch the newest installment in the popular "Descendants" franchise this July on Disney+. - 31 Nights of Halloween: Tune in to Freeform in October for a month of spine-tingling movies. - Disney Movie Insiders Oogie Boogie Sweepstakes: Enter for a chance to win a frightfully fun prize pack! - runDisney Haunts: Gear up for a hauntingly fun runDisney race weekend at Disneyland this September. - Disney's Villainous Wedding Inspiration: Plan your dream wedding with a touch of Disney evil! - Halfway to Halloween Treats: Indulge in spooky sweet treats at Gideon's Bakehouse and Kayla's Cake. This Halloween season is shaping up to be spooktacular at Disney Parks! Whether you crave creepy treats, chilling thrills, or villainous vibes, there's something for everyone. So, grab your best costume and get ready for a hauntingly good time! (Source: Disneyland Parks) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBViOMEv-UA

[ahnsael]

This is the extent of the attraction photos I got with my MaxPass (Max Pass was still worth it without these, just based on how many FastPasses I booked on my second day).

I wish there had been more PhotoPass photographers. I’m guessing, since a Halloween party was a bout to happen, that’s the reason why so many rare villains were out.

I saw Maleficent, the Wicked Queen from Snow White, the Queen of Hearts, Jack and Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas, and (possibly not Halloween-related) a penguin waiter from Mary Poppins out and about, along with the regular character line-up.

But I couldn’t find a PhotoPass photographer near them who could take a pic of me with them (there weren’t even automated crappy PhotoPass boxes taking awful pics). Nor could I even find a character host, to whom I would have gladly handed my phone to take a pic of me with them. I didn’t really want to hand my phone off to a stranger (a camera, sure, but the only camera I brought was my phone and while losing a camera would suck if someone ran off with it, losing my phone to such a person would have been disastrous).

[sleepy-kiddo]

Hi, hi! Me and my love (my Knight) have passes to disney and just last week had gone to Epcot! I saw you post about Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween! Do you and Bubby have passes too? Also I hope you guys have so much fun☺️💜

Did you go to the Food and Wine Festival?? How's it looking there?? Cause I know LOTS of renovations are happening at Epcot!

We are passholders!! We have been for about 3 years now I think and it's so worth it despite having to drive like... 2 hours to get there 😂 but man the new price increase is gonna ruin our gold membership fun cause we'll probably have to downgrade back to silver. I've been trying to get all the photopass opportunities that I can while they're still free xD

I'm super excited to be going to the Halloween Party again! We went a couple years ago and it was lots of fun, unfortunately they raised the price on the Party since so it's not as "cheap" 😭 Not sure the exact date yet we will be going, but we are planning for early October! This year I'm going to wear a costume that doesn't make me sweat a bunch tho 😂 I'll take a picture of my costume when the night comes!! Its super cute and I'm super excited!

[mytripstodisney]

[mrdaps]

Celebrate 25 Years of Two Holidays Colliding with Disney PhotoPass Magic Shots Inspired by ‘Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas’ at the Disneyland Resort

Celebrate 25 Years of Two Holidays Colliding with Disney PhotoPass Magic Shots Inspired by ‘Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas’ at the Disneyland Resort

I can’t believe my eyes! Is it already time to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Nightmare Before Christmas? Not only can you celebrate with the beloved Haunted Mansion Holiday, but Disney PhotoPass service has cooked up some truly sinister magic shots to help commemorate the anniversary!

From October 26-31, some of your favorite characters from the holiday classic can join you in your…