The worst #DisneySMmoms post ever.

Last weekend I was one of 175 invited guests to attend the Disney Social Media conference in Walt Disney World. It is a great event each year that always leaves me brushing off the pixie dust the following week. If you are interested in my business-y analysis of the event, I wrote this fancy article for the Weber Shandwick site (my employer), but if you want the usual stupid Marcy musing- see below ; )

As usual, my standard take-photo-of-outfit-in-mirror-before-walking-out-the-door photo. When I returned, I found out that my brush must have been cold-since it put on a brush-kimono while I was out. Here I am on the balcony of my room- which over looked tennis courts. Yeah, come to Disney World and you play tennis for fun? Unless you are Venus Williams- you better not. I waited to heckle the first person I saw- but none came.

  

Best centerpiece ever- was this Rayovac plug in thing. So smart and awesome. Best swag? This wonderful travel mouse (get it? MOUSE) with a retractable cord. Most disturbing? Small World branded body cream.

As this pic from Italy (Epcot) shows- it was hot. Don’t worry- Mai Tai to the rescue. Oh and remind me to talk to my gardener- clearly he is not performing up to his potential.

Eating lunch in France? Watch out for animatronic Remy coming by. I may have screamed in delight. Next it was off to see the new Animation Resort with it’s James Bond kinda check in area, fun wall of animation, and DAAAAMN-its-big Nemo themed pool complete with giant character sculptures.

 

   

The biggest thrills for me at Disney World are to see and do things that we no longer have at Disneyland. So naturally we went to Carousal of Progress, rode the People Mover and caught the Electric Parade. But mostly I was happy to hang out with my best friends Lisa and Suz. Flying 3000 miles to get to have a weekend alone with your friends who live 20 miles away? Now that is insane magical.

WOW D23 begins Twitter Sweepstakes Giveaway

I have been head down into the latest D23 Magazine. What an amazing publication.

Here are a few shots- but it doesn’t do it justice. The vintage marketing reproductions and the never before seen transcriptions from Walts creative meetings. Amazing.

     

But I wanted to let you know about a very cool thing happening later this week. Here are the details:

As D23: The Official Disney Fan Club gets ready to celebrate its third anniversary in the midst of its most exciting year ever, D23 Members and Disney fans are invited to get in on the fun with a special, 23-day Twitter sweepstakes that combines the fun of Disney fandom, history and trivia with the thrill of a scavenger hunt.

Starting Feb. 17, D23's "23 Days of Celebration" invites all Disney fans to help mark the third anniversary of the first and only official Disney fan club.  Each day at approximately 10 a.m. Pacific time, D23 will provide a different challenge for the day – and the first person to submit a valid photo that matches the challenge will win a special D23 prize.

For instance, D23 Members and Disney fans may need to raid their photo albums for a picture of themselves in front of a certain Disney Parks attraction, or might be asked to take a digital snapshot with a D23 pin, or wearing a specific item of Disney apparel.  Each day will offer a new challenge – and each day will present a new opportunity to win! Fans will submit photos via Twitter by “@ replying” @DisneyD23, including the hashtag #D23Sweeps.

Prizes will include exclusive D23 pins and patches, D23 collectible merchandise, and, on March 10 – D23’s third anniversary – a special prize package.

The task and the prize will change on a daily basis, so be sure to follow “@DisneyD23” on Twitter to keep up with every challenge – and every winner – in D23’s “23 Days of Celebration” anniversary sweepstakes! (Full rules are available at D23’s website, http://www.disney.com/D23.)

SoCal Residents: $99 for 2 day park pass.

Special Ticket at Disneyland Resort Offers
Two Days of Fun for $99 for Southern California Residents

Guests Will Enjoy All That's New Plus Classic Adventures

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2012) - An exciting ticket offer at Disneyland Resort invites Southern California residents to enjoy two days of fun and adventure at two parks for just $99. To explore all there is to do at Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park, guests may purchase a 2-day ticket for just $99, with their choice of one park per day.  With the 2-day ticket, guests get the flexibility to make memories with family and friends any two days from Jan. 4 to June 9, 2012.*

The 2-day ticket is the perfect way to catch all the fun, and it won't last long.  SoCal residents  must purchase the 2-day ticket by June 1, 2012. First use must occur on or before June 8, 2012, and the tickets expire on June 9, 2012.  The 2-day ticket can be purchased at Disneyland.com/2days, The Disney Stores, Albertsons and other retail locations, as well as any Disneyland Resort ticket booth.  Guests who purchase online can print their tickets at home.

So Cal Resident 2-Day, 1-Park per Day and 2-Day Park Hopper Ticket Disclaimer *Tickets valid only for Southern California residents within ZIP codes 90000-93599 and Northern Baja California residents within ZIP codes 21000-22999 and proof of residency is required for purchase and admission. Each day of use constitutes one full day of use.  Tickets expire June 9, 2012.  Blockout days of 3/30/12-4/15/12 and 6/4/12-6/5/12 apply.  May purchase up to 5 tickets per person per day with valid ID.  Tickets may not be sold or transferred for commercial use.  Offer may not be combined with other discounts or promotions. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

Disney open 24 hours for Leap Year (day)

I don’t normally post Press Releases….but I am going to put this one up in the essence of time…

Leap Year 2012 Calls for ‘One More Disney Day’

As Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resorts

Turn Feb. 29 Into 24 Hours of Nonstop Theme Park Magic

Anaheim, Calif. and Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Jan. 1, 2012) – Disney Parks guests can get the most out of February 29 when Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California celebrate Leap Year by keeping a theme park on each coast open for 24 hours of nonstop memory-making fun.

For the first time ever, both the Magic Kingdom Park and Disneyland Park will stay open for 24 hours straight as part of a bi-coastal salute called “One More Disney Day.” From 6 a.m., February 29 to 6 a.m., March 1, 2012, local time, guests can fill the extra day of leap year with a marathon of Disney magic and fun.*

And for 60 days straight – from Jan. 1, 2012 to Feb. 29, 2012 – a daily winner will be chosen in the “Disney Parks One More Disney Day Sweepstakes” to receive a Disney Parks vacation. One entrant each day will win a vacation for four to make memories at either Disneyland Resort in California or Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.**

For the past year, Disney Parks has invited guests to “let the memories begin,” noted Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

“We’re honored that so many guests have shared their Disney memories with us as part of ‘Let the Memories Begin’, and I’m pleased to announce that the campaign will continue throughout 2012,” Staggs said. “To celebrate, for the first time ever, the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Parks will remain open for 24 hours on Leap Day, so that our guests can take advantage of every minute of their extra day to make memories with friends and family.”

In addition to the extra time, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California will feature a special offer:

· Guests get one more day and night of memory making, free when they buy a 3-night/3-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Co. room and ticket package at select Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort hotels. The package offer is good for arrivals most nights Feb. 26 – March 10, 2012 and must be booked by Jan. 31, 2012. ***

In 2011, Disney Parks has encouraged families to “Let the Memories Begin,” with guests celebrating their only-at-Disney memories by sharing their vacation stories, photos and videos online at DisneyParks.com/memories.

Guests can find out more information about other Disneyland Resort offers and tickets at www.disneyland.com and other Walt Disney World Resort hotel and ticket offers at www.disneyworld.com. Guests can find out more information about “One More Disney Day” and get official rules for the “Disney Parks One More Disney Day Sweepstakes” at www.OneMoreDisneyDay.com.

*Select attractions, entertainment and services will be available for 24 hours. Subject to capacity restrictions. Valid theme park admission required.

** NO PURCHASE/ TEXT MESSAGE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Open only to persons who are, as of Entry, legal residents of, and physically located within, the 50 U.S., D.C. or Canada (excluding Quebec) and who are not Minors. Sweepstakes starts 12:01 AM (EST) on 1/1/12 and ends 11:59:59 PM (EST) on 2/29/12. To enter, send on your cell phone the key word “DISNEYDAY” as an SMS text message to the SMS shortcode 347639 (Disney). Msg. & data rates may apply. Or to enter for free and for Official Rules, visit Disney.com/memoriessweeps. If entering via SMS you will receive a confirmation text in response to your entry. LIMIT: ONE ENTRY ALLOWED PER PERSON/Cell/Address for each day. Sponsor: Disney Online 500 S. Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91521.

*** Number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Room charge based on average per night rate of applicable room during stay. Offer is valid for bookings from 1/1/12 through 1/31/12 for arrivals from 2/26/12 through 3/10/12. One (1) consecutive night will be added to the hotel stay and one (1) day added to the tickets. Offer applied once per package/reservation and excludes suites. Disneyland® Resort multi-day tickets expire 13 days after first use or 3/23/12, whichever occurs first, Walt Disney World® tickets are for one theme park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. Each day of use of a ticket constitutes one full day of use. Advanced reservations required. No group rates or other discounts apply. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Check for packages of other lengths of stay. Walt Disney Travel Company CST: 1022229-50. ©Disney

SmokeTree Ranch and Disney (D23) And….What is on Walt’s Tie?

 

Have  you ever wondered about the ‘mystery’ symbol on Walt’s tie in all of the partner statues?

Wonder no more!

It is the official brand for SmokeTree Ranch.

Don’t know what SmokeTree ranch is, and WHY it is so important to Disney?

Check this out:

Can you imagine visiting there as an official D23 member?

YOU CAN. And they have some big plans for you too. Check it all out here.

Tam O’Shanter Inn: Walt’s favorite restaurant is waiting for you (D23 Disney & Dickens)

In Los Angles, near the Disney Studios in Burbank is a little restaurant, that was Walt Disney’s favorite. Disney employees came so often it was referred to as “The Studio Commissary”.  Near the fireplace in a quaint corner is table 31, where you would find Walt sitting nearly every day at lunch time.

I completely and totally understand why Walt loved this place. It embodies so much of what he was about; joyful service, incredible product and transformative theme experience. He loved it so much he created (yes, apparently drew himself) a large work with the Tam-O owner (Lawrence Frank) with Mickey, Minnie, Donald's and Goofy all in their best Scottish outfits.

  

Lunch from the bar is a carving station with unearthly good brisket or turkey, homemade potato chips and side salads. There is a full dinner service menu which is more upscale and just as delicious. Oh and if you are thinking of going, try to go during the Holidays. It is simply beautiful during the holiday season.

  

If you are a member of D23 (and you should be!) they offer a special Disney & Dickens Holiday night complete with carolers and more.

(For more information on D23 visit here)

From Wiki: The Tam O'Shanter Inn was established by Lawrence Frank and Walter Van de Kamp, founders of Van de Kamp's Holland Dutch Bakeries who went on to found the Lawry's restaurant chain.[2] They commissioned Harry Oliver to design the building. He constructed the Storybook Style building aided by movie studio carpenters. The Tam O'Shanter Inn opened in June 1922 and was a great success. The owner said, "Every piece of wood which was used in this structure was thrown into fire first with the result that we never had to paint it and it got more beautiful as the years went by." The Tam-O, as it is known for short, is located at 2980 Los Feliz Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90039 at the corner of Boyce Ave and Los Feliz Blvd in Atwater Village.

D23 legend photo shoot!

Being invited to the Disney Studios is always a huge honor. But being invited to come and take a photo with some the greatest legends ever? People who contributed to the amazing successes of Disney through out the years? An amazing event.

They were gathered to take a photo for the cover of the upcoming D23 magazine, and we were there to meet them (I am on the left, 4 rows back)

So who are these people?

Kathryn Beaumont, voice of Alice and of Wendy Darling
Alice Davis, Imagineer and costume designer
Lisa Davis, voice of Anita in "One Hundred and One Dalmatians"
Joe Hale, animation producer
Dickie Jones, voice of Pinocchio
Margaret Kerry, live-action model for Tinker Bell
Floyd Norman, animator and "story man"
Richard Sherman, composer and lyricist
Ruthie Thompson, supervisor of Scene Planning department (Ink & Paint)
Tyrus Wong, background artist

But do you know Richard Sherman?
I am a huge and sincere fan. And after watching the Sherman Brothers, I felt like I just wanted to hug him when I saw him. But he is so bubbly and happy in real life- just joyful that I forgot all about that sad documentary of his life and collaboration with this estranged brother.

He asked to see Walt’s piano- and his wish was granted (and mine too!) and here is  a video of him singing (to me!) a song he wrote for Mary Poppins that was never used in the movie...OH and he is performing on WALT's original piano inside the Disney Studio archives. Pretty amazing stuff.

Here are SOME movies that he wrote the songs for....
Mary Poppins, 1964                                                                    The Jungle Book, 1967
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 1968                                                 The Aristocats, 1970
Bedknobs and Broomsticks, 1971                                           Snoopy, Come Home, 1972
Charlotte's Web, 1973                                                                  The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, 1973
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, 1977             The Tigger Movie, 2000

And in the theme parks? all of these earworms and many more:
There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow for Carousel of Progress
"it's a small world (after all)" for the 1964 New York World's Fair attraction Pepsi
The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room for Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room

While we were visiting Disney Studios we were given the opportunity to visit the archives on site. Where we were shown this amazing piece of history. This is the original story board notebook for Steamboat Wille. Believed to have been created by Walt. Not gonna lie. This was amazing to see in person.

And then there was Alice Davis taking a look at one of her costumes on an It’s a Small World character…

But as I was just walking along, I see a rack of costumes, and find this. Just sitting there- waiting for me to try on take a pic.

 

And then I grabbed some shots of some Lost stuff for Jack.

 

And then? THIS.

Tiny sign next to it says ‘Escape from Witch Mountain’. Awesome right? Come on all children of the 70’s tell me you aren’t excited about seeing this!

I actually have so much more to tell you….

More about D23 and the awesome adventures they are offering members coming soon!

Holidays at Disneyland 2011

As you know I am very fortunate with my work with Disney to get to meet and interview all kinds of amazing legends and celebrities. But none as big as the guy in the red suit.

Was fun to ask him if he is on Twitter….

Interested in seeing what It’s A Small World looks like on the inside for the holidays?

(click the image for the complete video)

I am very proud of my work with Disneyland and my role as a Three Disneyland Mom. We would love for

you to connect with us on Google Plus for all things Disney as well.

(click it!)

Phineas and Ferb Rock & Rollin Dance Party

The Holidays and Disneyland Resort are beautiful and lovely and all that jazz, but speaking of jazz…

or JAZZ HANDS…

How about a dance party with Phineas and Ferb?

Well okay.

But NO LAUGHING.

Be sure to join in the dance party fun at Disney California Adventure!

Disneyland Christmas 2011: 5 Reasons to go this year!

I am sure you have heard people say it before- “Disneyland at the holidays is even MORE magical”.

And it is.

In addition to all the amazing entertainment value of Disneyland anytime of the year, here are 5 of my favorite reasons to visit over the holidays.

1. Seeing our favorite characters in holiday outfits. Especially the family favorites Pooh & Eyore.

2. Picture perfect holiday decorations, that do not require me to put them up, or take them down.

Did you know? Decorators trim nearly 700 Christmas trees in the resort  for the holidays – at the parks, hotels and Downtown Disney

 

 

3. A holiday parade that is memorable and fun (and worth the wait!)

 

 

4. Holiday lights like NO OTHER. From the castle to It’s a Small World. Millions of lights shine bright and make the nighttime spectacular. And after the fireworks each nighte- SNOW falls on main street. Now THAT is some Southern California maic.

 

5. Great photo opportunities everywhere you look. Use PhotoPass to get the perfect family photo for your holiday cards this year. Here is a pic of The Three Disneyland Moms  (yeah that’s me in the middle) at a recent event for bloggers.

Bonus: The Holiday treats. This year they have amazing bread pudding, mango parfait and even DESSERT NACHOS in the park. All of which are delicious. I skipped dinner at a recent event just to be able to try them ALL and report back to you. See how I sacrifice for serious journalism? : )