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3 Don’t Miss Activities for Adults Aboard the #DisneyDream | #DisneyCruise Series Part 5

Tessa Smith
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3 Don’t Miss Activities for Adults Aboard the #DisneyDream | #DisneyCruise Series Part 5

Disclosure: I was provided with this experience from Disney Cruise Lines. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

MERIDIAN ON THE DISNEY DREAM
With dŽecor inspired by the early days of sea travel, Meridian is an adult-exclusive lounge located next to Palo, the Disney Cruise Line signature specialty restaurant on the Disney Dream. Meridian offers inside seating, as well as an exclusive outdoor teak deck that’s the perfect place to enjoy ocean views while sipping a cocktail, gaze at a romantic sunset or relax with a cigar. (Preston Mack, photographer)

I recently went on a Disney Cruise and had the time of my life! It was just a three day cruise but it was a blast. My family and I have since planned a second one for this coming February and I cannot wait to experience it with my husband. He has been in class for work and was unable to attend the last one, so I took my mom. I was sure to take lots of mental notes on what adult activities there were that my husband and I could enjoy while our daughters are at the Oceaneer Club and Lab. There were actually lots of things – but my top three MUST DO activities that I recommend for adults on a Disney cruise are hitting the spa, eating at Palo (or Remy), and lounging in the 18+ deck area.

SENSES SPA & SALON ON THE DISNEY DREAM
Senses Spa & Salon, an environment that provides relaxation and tranquility to adult guests aboard the Disney Dream, features the Rainforest Room. This serene space offers the benefits of steam, heat and hydrotherapy to help guests completely unwind and indulge by pampering themselves with a variety of tropical, aromatic showers, or by reclining in heated, mosaic tile loungers while observing calming ocean views. (Diana Zalucky, photographer)

Senses Spa & Salon

The Senses Spa & Salon provides tranquility, pampering and relaxation with a multitude of spa and beauty treatments. Dive into pure bliss, indulgent luxuries and inner contentment in an environment designed to soothe the senses. This pristine setting features rainforest-themed aromatherapy steam rooms, a dry sauna fashioned after a Roman bath, private luxury villas and so much more. Enjoy this impressive retreat at sea, offering the following therapeutic and beautifying personal care services for both men and women:

  • Spa Treatments – massages, body wraps, facials, aromatherapy, teeth whitening and much more
  • Salon Services – manicures, pedicures, hairstyling and traditional men’s grooming services
  • Luxurious Spa Villas – private rejuvenation destination for individuals, couples and families
  • Chill Spa – an oasis for teens ages 13 to 17
  • The Rejuvenation Spa – a haven of vitality, offering a complimentary 30-minute consultation to determine which of the 4 groundbreaking, nonsurgical treatments are right for you

My mom and I were able to visit the Rainforest Room while on board the Disney Dream – and it was so relaxing! I know that is something my husband would really enjoy, so we are planning on booking a trip there on our upcoming cruise as well. When you walk in to the spa, you are given the choice from a few different scrubs (I went with lavendar). You then go between saunas, steam rooms, and showers. It was the most incredible experience of my life. After the last shower, my mom and I got a cold glass of lemon water and relaxed. It was so nice to have some adult time and just have normal conversation without kids needing me, or pulling on me. We were given sandals and robes to use while in the spa and the best part – you can come back the entire day! There are even multiple day passes you can purchase so that you can stop by more than once – my husband and I might be doing this!

Palo Disney Dream

Palo

Named after the signature long poles used by gondoliers in Venice, Palo serves Italian fare in an intimate setting. Fine Italian cookery begins with artfully prepared antipasti, soft potato gnocchi piennolo in tomato sauce with kale, fritto di calamari e gamba marinara or sip on a steaming stew of seafood favorites scented with basil and garlic. Continue with a plate of classic pasta such as penne arrabbiata. For your main course, be transported to the heart of Italy as you pamper your palate with freshly prepared specialties that include butternut agnolotti, seared sea scallops on celery root puree – or entice your taste buds with a house favorite: piquant dover sole (fileted table side), garnished with nut brown butter garnished with chopped capers.

Palo Dessert Disney Dream

At Palo, incomparable Italian dining and impeccable service sure to exceed your expectations are always on the menu. True to form, there’s an abundance of fine European wines and Italian-American-inspired cocktails like the Bellini and the Italian surfer—and cappuccino, espresso, lattes and café mochas. For a sweet ending, discover a culinary confection of freshly made desserts including homemade tiramisù, panna cotta or our house favorite: chocolate soufflé with vanilla bean and chocolate sauce.

My mom and I were blown away by the food here! I knew immediately that my husband and I would be having dinner here on our family cruise. The steak that I ordered was perfect. We got so much food and I was full the entire next day, but it was so worth it. I have never had food this good before! I am used to eating with my children so it was a breath of fresh air to have an entire dinner without children at all. Since this is an adult only restaurant, there are no kids at all – making it nice and quiet. We took full advantage of it and spent almost tow hours at Palo enjoying dinner. I highly recommend factoring in a trip to Palo during your cruise – you will not regret it!

18-deck-disney-dream

18+ Deck Area

Escape to this onboard oasis exclusively for adults and enjoy a serene atmosphere and cocktails. This quiet pool area invites adults to unwind in a tranquil kid-free setting. A main pool and nearby whirlpool spas allow Guests 18 years of age and older to relax, recharge and soak up the sun. Within these subdued surroundings, sip on cocktails and specialty coffees, read books and magazines, or watch TV at nearby Cove Café.

A main pool with a sleek 3-circle design is the centerpiece of this upscale retreat. Open from 6:00 AM to midnight daily, Quiet Cove Pool features varying depths, including a plunge pool and a shallow sunbathing pool. Plush lounge chairs available on a first-come, first-served basis beckon sunbathers, while built-in lounge chairs in the ankle-deep section of the pool let you enjoy the best of both worlds. Nearby, Guests can soak in a whirlpool spa while admiring sweeping ocean views.

At various times during the day, a live duo performs soothing music poolside and Cast Members host games and activities. For the ultimate indulgence, massages by experienced therapists from Senses Spa & Salon can also be booked. In the evening, mood lighting heightens the area’s ambience while alcoholic libations, gourmet tea and coffee, and complimentary snacks are available throughout the day, just steps away at Cove Café.

My mother and I spent about two hours in this area – and it was heaven! My girls were off having the time of their lives in the Oceaneer Club and we relaxed and soaked up the sun with a cocktail.

EVOLUTION IN THE DISTRICT ON THE DISNEY DREAM
Evolution brings a piece of big city night life to the high seas at The District on the Disney Dream. Inspired by the metamorphosis of the butterfly, wing patterns on the walls and trails of light along the ceiling impart the feeling of butterflies in flight. The heart of the club is a dynamic, lighted dance floor that changes with the intensity of the music and a colorful butterfly-shaped feature light on the ceiling above. (Preston Mack, photographer)

There are other adult only activities such as bars and events on board – but these are my 3 must dos for adults! If you are traveling with your kids, I know you will be picking and choosing what to do without them – these are the three that you HAVE to do! You deserve some rest and relaxation – enjoy it!

Disney Cruise Line Series 2

Peanuts Rock the Vote with Nikki DeLoach

Tessa Smith
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Peanuts Rock the Vote with Nikki DeLoach
rock-the-vote-nikki-deloach
Nikki DeLoach

You may remember Nikki DeLoach as a child member of The Mickey Mouse Club, along with Ryan Gosling, Justin Timberlake, and Keri Russell! She stars in one of the fantastic celebrity YouTube PSAs promoting the Peanuts Rocks the Vote campaign! As a Peanuts Ambassador, I was lucky enough to get the chance to talk with her on the phone about the Peanuts Rock the Vote Campaign! I learned a lot about this campaign (and went right to the website with my daughters after getting off the phone). Below is my interview with her – now get out and Rock that Vote!

Tell us about the Peanuts Rocks the Vote campaign.
This is a partnership between Peanuts and Rock the Vote, which is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that’s been encouraging and helping young people to register to vote since 1990. When you go to Peanuts Rocks the Vote dot com, you’ll find a mock presidential election going on among the Peanuts characters: Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Sally, and Franklin. You can read their bios and their platforms, and then you can vote for your favorite. Then, right there on the website, there’s a button that says “Register,” and when you click on that, Rock the Vote will help you register to vote in your location.

And why is Peanuts doing this?
Politics has been a recurring theme in the Peanuts comic strip for decades—Charles Schulz often had the characters running for president during actual presidential election years. He even had Lucy talking about wanting to be the first female president! So Schulz believed in our democratic system, and Peanuts wanted to play their part by helping people register to vote. But of course, they do it with a unique Peanuts flair!

Are you a Peanuts fan?
Of course! Who isn’t?!

I know a lot of celebrities—including yourself!—have taped fun PSAs promoting the Peanuts election and the Peanuts Rocks the Vote campaign. What made you want to do one?
I just feel that it’s such a privilege to be a citizen of this country, and part of the deal is that we participate in the election process. I know sometimes people, especially young people, feel that their vote doesn’t count or doesn’t matter, but of course that’s absolutely not true! It’s so important that everyone use their voice and their vote. And this was such a fun way to get that message out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLPD3LCnamxhvL9QComy9PoPcOMzLnI3B6&v=7oZjFHaeAaA

Who are some of the other celebrities who have taped PSAs?
There are so many great ones, from both the 2008 and 2016 elections, including: My Awkward co-star, Jillian Rose Reed, John Oliver, Whoopi Goldberg and Candace Cameron Bure from The View, George Lopez, Eden Sher from The Middle, Vanessa Marano from Switched at Birth, Deborah Norville from Inside Edition. You can see all of them when you go to Peanuts Rocks the Vote dot com and click on “Celeb Endorsements.”

In addition, there are educational materials for teachers and activities for kids grades K through 8. Can you describe in more detail?
Yes, there are materials that provide a fun way to get children involved with the issues of elections, campaign promises, polling, and candidate platforms. The curriculum specialists at Young Minds Inspired created three lesson-planning guides for grades Kindergarten through 2nd grade; three through five, and six through eight. Copies are going out to thousands of schools nationwide. There’s also a DVD of the Peanuts television special, You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown that parents and teachers can use as a fun teaching tool about elections.

And finally, I know the Schulz Museum has two special election-themed exhibits on display right now. Can you talk about those?
Yes, and they sound so great!

One is called Snoopy Presents: Lucky Dogs and Presidential Pets, and it features photos and fun facts about presidential pets. The exhibit goes all the way back to George Washington’s hunting hounds and Thomas Jefferson’s riding horses, and it also includes presidential pets you probably never heard about, like President John Quincy Adams’ pet alligator, who lived in the White House in an unfinished East Room bathtub! There’s a great display on John F. Kennedy’s dog, Pushinka, who was a gift from Soviet Premier Nikita Khruschev. The dog’s mother, Strelka, flew aboard Sputnik 5 and landed safely back on Earth.

The other exhibition is called Mr. Schulz Goes to Washington, which focuses on the intersection of politics with Charles Schulz and Peanuts. You can see some of Schulz’s correspondence with several American presidents, including a 1980 letter from Ronald Reagan, who was then in the middle of his own presidential campaign. Reagan jokingly wrote, “Anything you can do to talk Snoopy out of running will be appreciated. How would he feel about a cabinet post?”

logo

The Rock the Vote campaign encourages people to visit peanutsrocksthevote.com, where they can cast a ballot for the Peanuts character of their choice for President, then register to vote in the real fall election right from the website.

Giveaway Alert

rock-the-vote-prize-pack

Enter to win a Peanuts Rock the Vote Prize Pack using the Gleam form below. The items include:

one of four different styles of an official “Peanuts Rocks the Vote” t-shirt
(sizes 2T for kids to adults X-Large)
Winner can choose shirt, subject to availability.
Snoopy for President book
& You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown DVD

Be sure to check out my other giveaways while you are here and GOOD LUCK!

Peanuts Rock the Vote Prize Pack

The Lion Guard: Unleash the Power Activity Sheets

Tessa Smith
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The Lion Guard: Unleash the Power Activity Sheets

Print out your free The Lion Guard: Unleash The Power activity sheets for your kiddos to enjoy while they are stuck inside.

lion-guard-unleash-the-power

My girls LOVE Disney’s The Lion Guard. I am a huge fan of it as well because The Lion King was one of my favorite movies growing up (and I promise it has nothing to do with the fact that JTT was the voice of young Simba). The Lion Guard is a fun continuation of the series, and I really enjoy watching it with my girls. A new DVD, Unleash the Power, was released today.

It contains 6 of the best episodes and my family cannot wait to check it out. In order to celebrate the release, I am sharing some amazing activity pages with you – as well as giving one lucky reader the chance to win an awesome The Lion Guard Prize Pack (including a copy of the new DVD!).

The Lion Guard Activity Sheets

Print out your activity sheets by clicking the button below!

lion-guard-activity

About The Lion Guard Unleash The Power

Join Kion and his friends as they unite to protect the Pride Lands and maintain the Circle of Life. Packed with action, music and over two hours of fun, The Lion Guard: Unleash the Power! proves that when heroes join forces, they are truly a force to be reckoned with. 

“The Lion Guard” continues the epic storytelling of Disney’s “The Lion King” and follows the adventures of Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala, and his diverse group of friends – Bunga, a fearless honey badger; Fuli, a confident cheetah; Beshte, a friendly and good-spirited hippo; and Ono, an intellectual egret. Together, Kion and his friends make up the Pride Lands’ fiercest, bravest, fastest, strongest and keenest of sight.

EPISODE LISTING:

  • “Fuli’s New Family”
  • “Bunga The Wise”
  • “Eye Of The Beholder”
  • “Follow That Hippo!”
  • “The Search For Utamu”
  • “Never Judge A Hyena By Its Spots”

Voice Cast:
Rob Lowe (“The Grinder”) as Simba; Gabrielle Union (“Being Mary Jane”) as Nala; Max Charles (“The Amazing Spider-Man 2”) as Kion; Joshua Rush (“The Adventures of Puss in Boots”) as Bunga; Dusan Brown (“Blaze and the Monster Machines”) as Beshte; Diamond White (“Sofia the First”) as Fuli; and Atticus Shaffer (“The Middle”) as Ono. Ernie Sabella (“The Lion King”) reprises his role as Pumbaa.

We love Disney’s The Lion Guard – and I think you will too!

Beauty and the Beast Celebrates it’s 25th Anniversary | #BeOurGuest #BeautyAndTheBeast

Tessa Smith
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Beauty and the Beast Celebrates it’s 25th Anniversary | #BeOurGuest #BeautyAndTheBeast

beauty-beast-lorie

I grew up watching Beauty and the Beast over and over and over. Belle has always been my favorite princess – I am pretty sure this is because I could always be found with my nose in a book. I have shared my VHS copy with my young daughters numerous times and am now so excited to be able to share the 25th Anniversary Blu-ray edition with them! Talk about a difference in quality – WOW! It is like I am watching a whole new movie. This movie is now one of their favorite Disney movies and they ask to watch it often (proud Mama moment right there!). Along with three different versions of the movie, there are many awesome bonus features on this blu-ray disk – and I can’t wait to tell you all about them!

There are a lot of bonus features on this disk – but I have two favorites, and I will tell you why. The first one is 25 Fun Facts About Beauty and the Beast. I really enjoyed watching this because I love Easter Eggs and well, all things Disney! This bonus includes some Easter Eggs that I didn’t even know about (and was thrilled to find out about!). My other favorite feature (because there is no way I can choose between the two) is the sneak peek at the new live action Beauty and the Beast. Guys, these images alone make picking up this copy of the movie worth it. I was already really excited for this new film but now, I am even more excited! It is going to be truly amazing.

Beauty & the Beast Featured

Pick up your copy of Beauty and the Beast: 25th Anniversary Edition today!

About Beauty and the Beast
Twenty-five years ago, Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” broke ground as the first animated feature film to receive an Academy Award® nomination for best picture, and now this tale as old as time joins the Walt Disney Signature Collection on Sept. 6 on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere, and on Sept. 20 on Blu-ray™ and DVD. The beloved animated classic has truly stood the test of time and now a whole new generation of viewers are invited to be our guest and fall in love with this enchanting tale, its captivating characters and unforgettable, award-winning music score and original song, “Beauty and the Beast.”

Beauty & The Beast Blu-ray

The Walt Disney Signature Collection edition features four versions of “Beauty and the Beast.” The Blu-ray release will include the original theatrical film; an extended version with the “Human Again” song sequence and a never-before-released on home entertainment sing-along version. The original work-in-progress version will be available digitally and on Disney Movies Anywhere. There is also a host of all-new bonus extras including a rare opportunity to gather around the piano with some of Disney’s greatest composers, including Alan Menken (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin”), Stephen Schwartz (“The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Pocahontas”), Kristen Anderson-Lopez (“Frozen,” Disney’s upcoming “Gigantic”), Robert Lopez (“Frozen,” Disney’s upcoming “Gigantic”) and Lin-Manuel Miranda (Disney’s upcoming “Moana”) as they sing and share how they’ve personally been inspired by the film’s award-winning music; a look at how Walt Disney himself sought to adapt this famous fairytale; a nostalgic look back with Paige O’Hara, the voice of Belle; behind-the-scenes access into the recording booth with the cast; and a sneak peek at Disney’s upcoming live-action re-telling of “Beauty and the Beast,” arriving in theaters in 2017.


Film Versions:

BLU-RAY, DIGITAL HD* & DISNEY MOVIES ANYWHERE:

  • Original theatrical version
  • New advanced sing-along version
  • Extended version with “Human Again” song sequence

DIGITAL HD* & DISNEY MOVIES ANYWHERE:

  • Work-in-progress version

Bonus Features:

BLU-RAY, DIGITAL HD* & DISNEY MOVIES ANYWHERE:

  • Menken & Friends: 25 Years of Musical Inspiration – Get a front-row seat for an intimate discussion between legendary music composers from classic and future Disney films, including Alan Menken (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin”), Stephen Schwartz (“The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Pocahontas”), Kristen Anderson-Lopez (“Frozen,” Disney’s upcoming “Gigantic”), Robert Lopez (“Frozen,” Disney’s upcoming “Gigantic”) and Lin-Manuel Miranda (Disney’s upcoming “Moana”). Discover how the composers are personally connected, how they first experienced “Beauty and the Beast” and how they find inspiration for their own films. And watch as they pay tribute to the film’s award-winning music score and the man who has inspired them all—Alan Menken.
  • #1074: Walt, Fairy Tales & Beauty and the Beast – Long before “Beauty and the Beast” became the instant classic we know and love, Walt Disney made two attempts—between the 1930s and 1950s—to adapt the famous fairy tale into an animated film. Discover what Walt and his team was dreaming up through Walt’s actual voice recordings, archived artwork, story notes, and learn why the project was sidelined for decades.
    · Always Belle – The original voice of Belle, Paige O’Hara, reminisces about earning the role of the beautiful bookworm in “Beauty and the Beast” and recalls how the iconic character changed her life and continues to inspire fans both young and old.
  • The Recording Sessions – Go in the recording booth with the cast of Beauty and the Beast and see what went into adding voices to the characters and the lines we know and love.
  • 25 Fun Facts About Beauty and the Beast – Disney Channel’s Gus Kamp and Kayla Maisonet host this entertaining countdown featuring little-known fun facts, anecdotes and hidden Easter Eggs (references to Disney animated films and characters) from one of the most cherished animated films of all time.
  • “Beauty and The Beast” Sneak Peek – An exciting first look into the live-action re-telling of “Beauty and the Beast,” which refashions the classic characters from the tale as old as time for a contemporary audience, staying true to the original music while updating the score with several new songs.

DIGITAL HD* & DISNEY MOVIES ANYWHERE:

  • Classic Bonus Features – These offerings from prior home entertainment releases include over five hours of bonus material, such as an alternate version of “Be Our Guest” and the “Beauty and the Beast” music video performed by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson, and deleted scenes.

* Bonus features may vary by retailer

Enter to Win a Queen of Katwe Prize Pack – In Theaters 9/23 | #QueenOfKatwe

Tessa Smith
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Enter to Win a Queen of Katwe Prize Pack – In Theaters 9/23 | #QueenOfKatwe

Queen of Katwe Giveaway

Queen of Katwe hits theaters everywhere on September 23 – and I for one cannot wait to see it. I have heard that it is beautiful, touching, and a must see. I plan to go see it opening weekend. To help celebrate the release of Queen of Katwe, a group of bloggers have gotten together to bring you an awesome prize pack. One lucky winner will get a copy of the Queen of Katwe book and a Wooden Chess Set.

Synopsis
“Queen of Katwe” is the colorful true story of a young girl selling corn on the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess, and, as a result of the support she receives from her family and community, is instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion. Directed by Mira Nair (“Monsoon Wedding”) from a screenplay by William Wheeler(“The Hoax”) based on the book by Tim Crothers, “Queen of Katwe” is produced by Lydia Dean Pilcher (“The Darjeeling Limited”) and John Carls (“Where the Wild Things Are”) with Will Weiske and Troy Buder serving as executive producers. The film stars Golden Globe® nominee David Oyelowo (“Selma”), Oscar® winner and Tony Award® nominee Lupita Nyong’o (“12 Years a Slave”) and newcomer Madina Nalwanga.

QUEEN OF KATWE opens in theaters on September 23rd!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4l3-_yub5A

Like QUEEN OF KATWE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QueenOfKatwe/
Follow QUEEN OF KATWE on Twitter: https://twitter.com/queenofkatwe

Giveaway Alert

Enter to win the Queen of Katwe prize pack using the giveaway form below. Be sure to check out my other giveaways while you are here.

Prizes subject to change depending on availability. A prize of equal or greater value will be substituted.

Kate & Mim-Mim Must Have Toys PLUS The Mimiloo Zoo Comes to DVD | #KateAndMimMim #DisneyJr

Tessa Smith
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Kate & Mim-Mim Must Have Toys PLUS The Mimiloo Zoo Comes to DVD | #KateAndMimMim #DisneyJr

This post contains affiliate links.

Kate and Mim-Mim Mimiloo Zoo

My girls (ages 3 and 5) are giant fans of the series Kate & Mim-Mim, which airs on Disney Junior. They even have a plush Mim-Mim that they take with them just about everywhere. We were thrilled to receive an advance copy (release date September 20, 2016) of the new DVD The Mimiloo Zoo. In addition to including six fun-filled tales, this DVD features a bonus video called “Mimiloo’s Creatures.” Join Kate and Mim-Mim and their friends Lily, Gobble, Tack, and Boomer as they encounter an amazing assortment of curious creatures including baby humming turtles, a unicorn, lemmings, and mitty kats! I must say, this DVD is filled with fun and laughter – and has quickly become a favorite in our home. Grab your copy here!


Synopsis
In the story The Mimiloo Zoo, Kate’s trip to the zoo gets canceled because it’s raining, so it’s off to the fantasy world of Mimiloo! In Mimiloo, animals made out of bushes are being created for Gobble and Tack’s AMAZING new fruit garden inside their AMAZING new hedge maze. When Mim-Mim accidently spritzes the animals twice with Gobble’s powerful presto potion, they come to life and things quickly get wild! With the animals creating a bit of havoc, the gang needs to find a place for them to live and Kate knows the perfect location. This DVD also features the story Lily and the Unicorn. Lily has always wanted to see a unicorn, and now is the perfect time as beautiful shimmer flowers, which unicorns love to eat, are blooming. After searching all day, the gang final locates a whole garden of flowers. When the garden starts to float away, with Lily, who can save her?

“THE MIMILOO ZOO” will be available on DVD September 20, 2016. The stories included on this fun DVD are:

  • “The Mimiloo Zoo”
    Kate’s family trip to the zoo is canceled when it starts raining. In Mimiloo, Kate and Mim-Mim help their pals make animals out of bushes. But after two spritzes from Gobble’s presto potion, the animals come alive, and things quickly get a little too wild!
  • “Kate’s Turtle Drive”
    When Kate’s ant farm breaks, she wonders how to get the ants back in their home. In Mimiloo, Lily has found hatching humming turtle eggs! Cowgirl Kate must find a way to round up the baby humming turtles and lead them to their mama in the Singing Seas.
  • “Lily and the Unicorn”
    Kate is looking for fireflies, but they keep flying away without lighting up. In Mimiloo, Kate, Mim-Mim, and Tack’s Sniffer Finder, a rambunctious robot dog, help Lily look for her favorite magical animal, a unicorn, by tracking its favorite food – shimmer flowers!
  • “To Catch a Critter”
    Enchanted by its hopping, Kate captures a grasshopper, but as soon as it’s in the jar, it stands still. In Mimiloo, Kate and Mim-Mim help Lily and Boomer try to capture some amazing new Mimiloo critters to learn all about them.
  • “Follow the Leader”
    A bird has flown into Kate’s house, and Kate has an idea to get it out – but her parents can’t hear her over the commotion. In Mimiloo, a group of lemmings are in trouble and decide that Mim-Mim is their leader. They ask him to find them a new home – but a soft-spoken little lemming has a great idea herself!
  • “Kittens & Mittens”
    While Kate and Mom are looking after a box of kittens, the box tips and they run all over the house. In Mimiloo, a flurry of mitty kats have overtaken Lily and Boomer’s house! Kate cleverly spots something they can use to round up the mitty kats and lead them home to the Winter Waterfalls.

About Kate & Mim-Mim
Inspired by a real life little girl, “Kate & Mim-Mim” follows the fantastical adventures of five-year-old Kate, who, together with her toy rabbit Mim-Mim, travels to the fantasy world of Mimiloo where Mim-Mim comes alive as a larger-than-life playmate. In each story, Kate and Mim-Mim and their group of loveable friends discover exciting new places and set off on adventures, all in the hope of solving a puzzling problem Kate has encountered in the real world.

Exploring themes of friendship, adventure, and problem solving, Kate & Mim-Mim encourages children to use their imaginations and work together, believing no problem is ever too big to solve!

Anti-Hero Loot Crate Breakdown

Tessa Smith
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Anti-Hero Loot Crate Breakdown

I really like that Loot Crate has several different boxes – LootCrate, LootWear (formally Level Up), & LootPets are my favorites – and I get them each month. They also have LootCrate DX, LootAnime, and LootGaming. The August 2016 Loot Crate theme was ANTI-HERO and below are the items that each of my boxes included. I was thrilled to see so much Harley Quinn because I LOVE her – and Dead – errrr – Dogpool was a great addition too!

Subscribe to Loot Crate here and get $5 off!

LootCrate

Loot Crate

Are you doing the right thing for the wrong reason? Do the less-than-moral means justify the positive ends? Would you do anything to achieve your goal…except for that one thing because it’s against your code? Congratulations, you’re at ANTI-HERO!

Exclusive Harley Quinn Q-Fig (QMx)
Harley’s had a lot of looks the last few years but the classic never goes out of style. With this figure designed exclusively for Loot Crate and its Looters by Quantum Mechanix, Ms. Quinn is rocking her original suit with one of her pet hyenas (it may be Bud, it may be Lou, we’re not 100% sure). How could we not want it?!

Exclusive Archer T-Shirt (Ripple Junction)
Kenny Loggins can only serve for so long so declare your support for the next President of the Danger Zone with this tee! With the elections and presidential conventions on everyone’s minds, we thought it appropriate for our first Archer item.

Exclusive Kill Bill Socks (Loot Crate Labs)
Replicate The Bride’s killer style without having to fight anyone to death. We love all things Tarantino, so Loot Crate designed these outrageous socks as an homage to the beautiful Beatrix, one of our favorite anti-heroes.

Exclusive Hellboy Coin Bank (Zak Designs)
Would you try to steal from Hellboy? Of course not! The Right Hand of Doom will keep your change safe or just look good on your desk or shelf. Our curators strive to find new products you’ve never seen before and this was designed specifically for our Looters.

THIS MONTH’S PIN: Anti-Hero
Make your own playable Anti-Hero in one of the biggest MMORPGs of all time!

LootPets

Loot Pets

Harley Quinn Squeaking Plush Mallot Pull Toy (The Coop)
Harley Quinn’s making her live-action debut in Suicide Squad, so we put her iconic mallet in the crate for your little monster to chew, tug on, and POW its enemies in the face with!

Exclusive Mallet Smackers Treats (Loving Pets)
These drool-worthy dog treats pack a mighty wallop of all-natural chicken and cranberry taste into every bite. Use them to reward your furry friend’s good behavior! Puppy dog eyes.

Exclusive Dogpool “Head of the Pack” T-Shirt (Fifth Sun)
Over on Earth-103173 Deadpool’s a dog. A Dogpool. Who occasionally hangs our with a disembodied, zombie Headpool. Bring your pup to the head of the pack with this stylish tee – the first dog shirt ever to feature these members of the Deadpool Crops! Oh, and there’s one for you, too.

Exclusive World of Warcraft Sylvanas Charm
Sylvanas is one of our favorite anti-heroes in gaming! She’s unmatched on the battlefield, but this cool charm totally matches August’s Loot Crate pin!

LootWear

Loot Wear

Loot Socks – Exclusive Suicide Squad Socks

Loot Socks – Exclusive Punisher Socks

Loot Wearable – Exclusive Archer Baseball Tee

Loot Tee – Exclusive World of Warcraft Sylvanas T-Shirt

Loot For Her – Exclusive Harley Quinn Skirt


Connect with Loot Crate on Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lootcrate
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Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/loot_crate

Fan Girl Friday

Celebrate #WorldPlayDohDay with Hasbro! | #PlahDoh60 #PlayLikeHasbro

Tessa Smith
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Celebrate #WorldPlayDohDay with Hasbro! | #PlahDoh60 #PlayLikeHasbro

This post contains affiliate links.

play-doh

My girls love to be creative. We are always doing projects, building, drawing, and creating. One tool that I am a huge fan of (and I know they are too) is Play-Doh. With Play-Doh, the possibilities are endless. Today is their 60th Birthday and so it World Play-Doh Day! My youngest and I celebrated by playing with our brand new Play-Doh Doctor Drill and Fill set from Hasbro. This set is so much fun! My daughter had a blast making teeth, drilling them, and brushing them with pretend toothpaste. We even came up with a game where we would take turns pulling out teeth and fixing them.

play-doh-lorie

Celebrate 60 years of creative Play-Doh fun with the classic Doctor Drill ‘n Fill set! For decades this guy has helped the idea of going to the dentist feel more fun with lots of silly dentist-themed activities kids can enjoy again and again. Start the patient’s appointment by shaping some teeth with the tooth molds. Fight cavities by giving them a buzz with the electric drill and filling them in with more Play-Doh compound! Add some braces with the roller, and keep the patient’s teeth nice and clean by squeezing some pretend toothpaste through the toothbrush. And to celebrate the Play-Doh brand’s long history of inspiring kids’ imaginations, we’ve given our mustached friend a makeover with exclusive retro-style packaging that’s sure to bring us all back to the good ol’ days.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKa6Ao-BmZv/

Includes head, drill, tweezers, roller, toothbrush, tooth mold, accessory, instructions, and 5 cans of Play-Doh Brand Modeling Compound.

 


Inside the Magic of Marvel’s Doctor Strange | #DoctorStrange #Marvel

Tessa Smith
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2
Inside the Magic of Marvel’s Doctor Strange | #DoctorStrange #Marvel

Doctor Strange

As I am sure you all know by now, I am a huge fan of Marvel Comics. Doctor Strange has always been an “ehhh” character for me. Don’t get me wrong, I love him – but he can be boring, full of himself, and he also tends to disappear during major events happening in the Marvel Universe. So when I heard he was joining the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), I was a bit skeptical. Then when it was announced who would be playing him, Benedict Cumberbatch, I got a little bit excited. I mean, the guy is a genius. Fast forward a few months later and the official trailer is released – at this point, I am excited. And now, well, a featurette has been released, Inside the Magic, and now I am counting the days until November 4th. I mean, just check it out and then tell me that you aren’t on the edge of your seat waiting for this film.

See! I told you! Ah! This Marvel-obsessed girl cannot wait! I am honestly so surprised at how excited for this film I am becoming – literally shocked, guys. It is going to be good! You better bet I will be in theaters November 4th anxiously awaiting to see it!

DOCTOR STRANGE opens in theaters everywhere on November 4th!

Like DOCTOR STRANGE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoctorStrangeMovie
Follow DOCTOR STRANGE on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrStrange
Follow Marvel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvel/
Visit the official DOCTOR STRANGE website here: https://marvel.com/doctorstrange

5 Tips for Attending Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney World | #MNSSHP #Disney #DisneyTips

Tessa Smith
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28
5 Tips for Attending Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney World | #MNSSHP #Disney #DisneyTips

This post contains affiliate links.

Lotso MNSSHP

We are a Disney family. There is no denying that. My husband and I honeymooned at Disney World, and we have been back almost every year since. Our daughters are 3 and 5 and will be going to Disney World for the 3rd time this coming fall. Last year, after several years of attempting to find the time, we were able to attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP). We immediately started to research and plan our visit. Here are 5 tips that will help you plan your MNSSHP experience to the fullest!

Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride MNSHHP

Arrive Early & Use Those Fastpasses

MNSSHP officially starts at 7pm, however, party guests can enter the park at 4pm – but that’s not all. If you have not been to another park that day (and used fast passes), you can schedule 3 fastpasses (for times between 4pm and 6pm)! The same holds true for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas. This is a great way to get a popular meet and greet in or get on some popular rides. Keep in mind that the lines for rides will be much shorter during party hours because of two reasons. 1) There will be less people in the park and 2) many people will be attending party events. If you are staying at Disney World for several days, I recommend planning your party night for a day off from the parks or the first night – and get a bonus day in the parks (because you will not need a regular park ticket to attend.)

Jack and Sally MNSSHP

Jack & Sally OR The Seven Dwarfs

Jack Skellington and Sally (from The Nightmare Before Christmas) are one of the most popular meet and greets at MNSSHP. The Seven Dwarfs are right up there with them. These characters are not normally in the park and so everyone at the special event will try to get to meet them. We had our heart set on getting to see both and it didn’t work out. I suggest planning to go to one of the lines right at 4:30 since the characters usually arrive around 5 (the party starts at 7, however the characters often come out early – no worries, only those with event wristbands will be allowed to line up). If you are able to meet both sets of characters, great, just try not to get your hopes up.

Mike Dance Party MNSSHP     Sully Dance Party MNSSHP     Boo Dance Party MNSSHP

Shake Your Stuff at the Dance Party

At MNSSHP there is a Monsters U dance party – and it worth spending at least 15 minutes there. Here guests can dance around with their favorite characters in between trick or treating stops. It is so much fun and we got some great photos with Boo, Sully, and Mike! It is a great experience for the kids – and fans of the movie series alike!

Boo to You Parade MNSSHP
Watching the Boo to You Parade. (Photo Credit: Joyce/Women and Their Pretties)

See the Second Parade & Show

There really is so much to do at MNSSHP – from Trick or Treating to special meet and greets. The parade and the show happen twice each party night and I highly recommend seeing the second one of each. There will be less people there and this way you can utilize your time early in the night for other party exclusives (you will be able to meet a lot of villains like Lotso and Jafar). Both the parade and show are worth seeing – don’t get me wrong – just opt for the second showing of each.

Costumes MNSSHP

Dress Up

The best part about attending MNSSHP is getting the chance to dress up. During normal hours, adults cannot dress up in the park at all and even children’s costumes are limited. From the second we knew we were going, my family started planning a group costume. Tangled is one of our favorite Disney movies so we settled on Rapunzel, Pascal, Mother Gothel, and Flynn Ryder. There is something truly magical about walking around Disney World in costume and trick or treating. We bought most of our stuff on Amazon for fairly cheap! Here are some fun family costume ideas to get the ball rolling on your planning.


If you are a Disney Vacation Club Member, you can save $5 per ticket on special events!

Have you ever been to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World? If so, do you have any tips to share? Please do so in the comments!

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