Our Disney Trip {2 day park plan}

We recently spent one day at Disney {The Magic Kingdom} and one day at Hollywood Studios.  We thought both parks would be great for our boys {ages 6, 4, and 2}... and we were right.  :-)

Here is a brief summary of the highlights of our days:

Day 1 (Monday):  Hollywood Studios

7:45am - We arrived at the park because we had booked a breakfast with the characters from Disney Jr. at 8:15 (which gives you early access to the park).  This was definitely a highlight for our boys and totally worth the money!

9:00am - We sent one person from our group to "fast pass" Toy Story Mania while we got ready to leave the breakfast.

After the breakfast, we headed straight for "Jedi Training Camp" sign up.  If you have a child between 4 and 12 who likes Star Wars, you definitely need to do this.  (When we signed up, they gave us a time of 1:50pm to return for the camp.)

Next, we headed straight for the Voyage of the Little Mermaid Theatre (which is lovely and magical), and after it was over, we headed back to Toy Story Mania to redeem our fast pass and get our pictures taken with Buzz and Woody.  If you can, send someone for a Fast Pass for Star Tours while you are waiting in line to see the characters.

At this point, you should just assess the time of day and make a plan for what you want to do next.  Make sure you use your fast passes, and try to make time for the following:

• Muppet Vision 3D
• Disney Jr. Live Show (featuring characters from Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse Club House, and Little Einstein)
• Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun Parade
• Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show (featuring Lightening McQueen)
• The Tower of Terror (if your little ones are brave and over 40" - my two oldest did it and loved it)
• The American Idol Experience (where singers try to win a ticket to the front of the line at a real American Idol Audition)

... and, if you have girls, you will probably want to see Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage.  We didn't have time to fit it in, but you could always skip Jedi Training Camp or the Cars Stunt Show if you think your children would prefer it.

And you MUST end your day with the Fantasmic! nighttime spectacluar.  Seating opens up 90 minutes prior to the show, so you will need to be there very early.... but it is soooo worth it.  While watching, my 2 year old said, "This place really is magic, isn't it Mommy?"  Isn't that what it is all about?  :-)

Day 2 (Wednesday):  The Magic Kingdom

Again, it is important to arrive early to the park.  It takes awhile to process people through, and if you are at the gate when it opens, you can do a "countdown" with the characters (which is lots of fun!)

With The Magic Kingdom, it is really important to use your Fast Passes.  We used the first ones for Peter Pan's Flight, and for Town Square Mickey (where you can meet Mickey and Minnie, get their autographs and have your picture taken).  I also suggest using your Fast Passes for:

• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
• Splash Mountain
• Jungle Cruise
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

The other "must do" rides with big wait times (and no fast passes) are:

• It's a Small World
• Haunted Mansion
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Mickey's PhilharMagic
• Space Mountain (if your child is brave and older... the height restriction is 44", but I thought it was a little rough for my tall four year old) 

And, you definitely won't want to miss:

• Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade (only one time each day)
• Main Street Electrical Parade
• Nighttime light show and fireworks (complete with tinker bell flying down from the castle)

You will likely have time for some more rides/attractions/character meet and greets, but focus on the most important ones first.

Whatever you decide to do, I am sure you and your children will feel the "magic" of the Magic Kingdom.  I know we did!  :-)

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (Click here for 5 MUST READ Disney Tips that will help you get the most out of your Disney park visits.)

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No-Sew {Disney} T-Shirts

My three boys went to Disney, and two of their cousins came with us.  So... with five boys {six and under} going to Disney, I knew they needed matching shirts.  Matching shirts look adorable, they let other people know that you are a group, and they make it easier to keep track of everyone.  Clever and cute!  :-)

I have yet to figure out how to use my sewing machine, so I knew the shirts had to be "no sew".  I headed to Walmart, and I picked up some Heat n Bond (iron on adhesive), some $5 t-shirts, and some matching fabric scraps.

First, I used a Mickey Silhouette (from one of the boy's coloring books) as a template.  I traced the shape onto the Heat n Bond and cut it out.

Then, I used the same template to cut the shape out of the fabric.

From there, I just followed the instructions on the package.  

The shirts turned out really sweet, and the boys were thrilled, but I did find they weren't very durable (i.e. They didn't survive washing.)  It may have been "user error", but to be safe, if you want them to last more than a day, you might want to try sewing them on.  

(Or... as suggested by one of my readers... seal the edges with fabric paint.  Such a great idea!

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

** If you haven't already "liked" me on facebook, I would love to have you join me here.

Disney Craft {Personalized Autograph Books}

We went to Disney World for March break, and we decided to treat the boys to a "Breakfast with the Characters".  So... when I saw some adorable autograph books at Craftomaniac, I knew I had to do a version for my boys {and their cousins who came with us}.

I don't have a fancy craft cutter, so I tried to keep things simple. 

Here's what I did: 

1)  I downloaded a Mickey Mouse silhouette and traced it onto a piece of cardstock.  I also cut a two squares of cardstock (one for the front cover and one for the back cover) and a letter (initial) in a contrasting color.

2)  I taped the silhouettes and letters in place (using double sided tape) and had the front and back covers laminated at a business supply store.

3)  I cut about 15 pieces of blank paper (for each book) and used a hole punch to put holes in the tops of the pages and the covers.  Then, I secured everything in place with key rings.

4)  Finally, I added some cute ribbon so the boys could hang the books around their necks.

The personalized books were a huge success, and the boys had a great time getting autographs from all their new Disney friends.  :-)

I think Mickey liked them too.  :-)

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

** If you haven't already "liked" me on facebook, I would love to have you join me here.

Disney Craft {Easy Mickey Ears}

Seriously... how cute are these adorable, felt Mickey Mouse ears?  They are really easy to put together, and they are perfect for dress up, party favors, or a trip to Disney.  :-)

I got the idea from Family Fun {such a great magazine and awesome website}, but I made a few minor changes.  Here is what I did:

First, I downloaded the template from Family Fun here.  After my first attempt, I ended up cutting about 1 cm out of the middle part.  You will have to make adjustments based on the thickness of your headband.

Then, I twisted some pipe cleaners onto the headband.  (This wasn't in the original version, but I found it necessary in order to keep the ears "up")

Finally, I glued the middle section onto the underside of the headband (using hot glue), and then glued the front and back of the ears together.



I hope you give this a try.  Let me know how your little "mouse" likes them.

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

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