Top 5 Ways To Cheer Up With Disney

As much as we all want to live in a world where all of our dreams come true, where everything is perfect, most of us have to face a little thing called reality.  Unfortunately, reality is far from perfect and comes with its daily issues and challenges.  Sometimes it can be a little much for people and can make them feel sad, upset or angry; overall a variety of unpleasant emotions.  However when you get to feeling that way, there are plenty of ways to cheer up - everything from realizing all that you have to be thankful for, participating in an activity you enjoy, spending time with friends and family, the possibilities are endless.  Still, it can be a struggle at times to cheer up from whatever is bringing you down.  I have personally struggled with anxiety and depression for years.  It's not something I'm ashamed of, but rather I know it has made me who I am.  There are many things I do to try and feel better when its bringing me down and this week, I'm going to share with you my top 5 favourite ways to cheer up using Disney.

1) Read Disney Quotes
Walt Disney said many inspiring things over the years.  You can find his quotes in so many places about all different things.  I personally have a coffee mug that says "Who says you have to grow up?"  He was all about giving hope and letting out that inner child.  There are also plenty of quotes from every Disney movie that can also make you feel better and give you hope.  Here are a list of some of my favourite Disney quotes:

"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them," Walt Disney

"If you can dream it, you can do it," Walt Disney

"Have faith in your dreams, and someday your rainbow will come shining through," Cinderella, Cinderella

"Hakuna Matata," Timon and Pumbaa, The Lion King

"Everything in the forest has its season. Where one thing falls, another grows. Maybe not what was there before, but something new and wonderful all the same," Bambi's Mother, Bambi

"The very things that hold you down are going to lift you up," Timothy Mouse, Dumbo 

2) Listen to Disney Music
Music has the power to do many things, including cheering people up.  Disney has many wonderful songs to cheer people up.  There are songs about love, friendship and so much more that can remind you of happier days.  I enjoy listening to romantic songs, which remind me not only of the classic Disney love stories, but also reminds me of my own.  Those sweet, happy memories can really help you when you're down and just put a nice smile on your face.

Photo Courtesy of Fernl on DeviantArt
http://fernl.deviantart.com/

However, one of the best type of Disney songs to listen to when you're feeling down is a big show stopping number.  These are the songs that will get you dancing and singing along to the words that you know and love.  They get you so energized and happy that you can forget why you were even down in the first place.  Some of my favourite ones to listen to include "Under The Sea" from The Little Mermaid, "Be Our Guest" from Beauty and The Beast and "Hakuna Matata" from The Lion King.  

3) Watch a Disney Movie
You've listened to the songs, now how about watching the movies?  Watching any movie can distract you and usually help cheer you up, but a Disney one can definitely make you happier.  There are so many great choices, whether you're looking for classically animated, Pixar or live action style.  Personally, I enjoy the classically animated ones the most.  I usually like to watch something I haven't seen in a while and then snuggle up with a warm blanket, relax on my comfy couch and get lost in the magic.  It's very easy to get right into in all of the storytelling, characters and songs.  By the time the movie is done, how can you not feel better?

Photo Courtesy of Fernl on DeviantArt
http://fernl.deviantart.com/

4) Remember your Last Disney Vacation
One thing that really helps to cheer up when you're feeling down is to remember happier times.  And why not remember your last trip to the happiest place on Earth, Disney World, or any Disney vacation hot spot.  I find it particularly relaxing to remember our Disney Cruise vacation, especially the time we spent on Castaway Cay, Disney's own private island.  I close my eyes and just imagine that I'm back there, sinking my feet in the soft white sand, hearing the sound of the water as it swooshes and splashes, smelling the Caribbean air and enjoying sight of the beach for miles.  Thinking about those memories of being in that beautiful place is so relaxing.

Serenity Bay at Castaway Cay
Photo from personal collection

Of course it wasn't just about the beaches.  There were so many wonderful things to think about with my last vacation, including the food, the characters, the shows, the activities and so much more.  Every sight was incredible and a new experience that I could not wait to try out.  The magic of a Disney vacation really is like no other and it can really bring a smile to your face to relieve those memories.

5) Start Planning your Next Disney Vacation
So now that memories are fresh from a previous fun Disney vacation, why not start to plan the next one?  Think of the memories you can create in the future and the new things you can experience.  For instance when my husband Scott and I were last at Disney World, New Fantasyland was still a couple months away from opening.  Next time we go, we're going to check it out and experience all of the new attractions, which happen to be from my favourite movies, Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid.  We also plan to spend much more time in the parks and checking out other new things, including the new Art of Animation resort.

Planning all of these details can be fun and give you something to look forward to.  Knowing that you're going to get to go on this once-in-a-lifetime trip can give you that motivation and push to do just about anything.  It can also give you the determination to work harder to get there.  While saving for our cruise, I found it very difficult at times to get through days at work but knowing that we were going on this Disney adventure kept me going forward.

Scott and I with Mickey and Minnie at the Magic Kingdom
Photo from personal collection

So those are my top five ways to cheer up with the help of Disney magic.  I hope they help you when you're having a bad day or are just feeling plain miserable.  I have found comfort in all of these ways and clung to the hope that it will get better.  Fairy tales and happily ever afters do happen, it's just that some days you really have to work at it.  In the end, it's all worth it to see the magic and happiness within your own life, with the help of a little Disney!

DeviantArt Profile: Fernl

There is a site I like to visit called DeviantArt, where you can find all kinds of wonderful and interesting art.  Every type of art you can imagine of just about anything, including a great collection of Disney pieces.  There are artists whose Disney works capture the beauty and essence of what it means to be Disney.  This week I'm going to share with you some of my favourite works of DeviantArt artist, Fernl - be sure to check out his work at http://fernl.deviantart.com/

Photo Courtesy of Fernl on DeviantArt
http://fernl.deviantart.com/

Photo Courtesy of Fernl on DeviantArt
http://fernl.deviantart.com/

Photo Courtesy of Fernl on DeviantArt

http://fernl.deviantart.com/

Photo Courtesy of Fernl on DeviantArt

http://fernl.deviantart.com/

Photo Courtesy of Fernl on DeviantArt

http://fernl.deviantart.com/

Photo Courtesy of Fernl on DeviantArt

http://fernl.deviantart.com/

Photo Courtesy of Fernl on DeviantArt

http://fernl.deviantart.com/

Photo Courtesy of Fernl on DeviantArt

http://fernl.deviantart.com/

Photo Courtesy of Fernl on DeviantArt

http://fernl.deviantart.com/

Photo Courtesy of Fernl on DeviantArt

http://fernl.deviantart.com/

Photo Courtesy of Fernl on DeviantArt

http://fernl.deviantart.com/

Photo Courtesy of Fernl on DeviantArt

http://fernl.deviantart.com/

I hope you enjoyed this wonderful art!  In the future I will do more profiles on my favourite DeviantArt artists and I will try and use their works in my regular blog entries when I can.  In the mean time be sure to check out these and many more in Fernl's gallery http://fernl.deviantart.com/gallery/

Top 15 Disney Love Songs

Happy Valentine's Day!!  As we approach the annual romantic holiday, I thought I would look back at my top 15 Disney love songs.  Note that I only include classically animated Disney films with only one exception that has some live action in it.  I also decided to order them chronologically because to be perfectly honest, they are all wonderful songs.  Finally, I also included Youtube links to every song, so feel free to enjoy all of this wonderful Disney love.

Photo courtesy of SiriusSteve on DeviantArt
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1) I'm Wishing/One Song - Snow White (1937)
This is a song that really introduces us to Prince Charming and Snow White.  She's outside her castle in peasant clothes, dreaming for her Prince to come.  She makes a wish at the well and a prince shows up and tries to woo her.  She bashfully tries to hide from him as he sings to her but in the end, you can tell she's interested in him too.  This was the start of romantic songs for Disney and it introduces us in such a sweet way.
Youtube link: I'm Wishing/One Song

2) Baby Mine - Dumbo (1941)
Ok, I'm going to be perfectly honest, I haven't seen Dumbo in years but as I sit here now, having just watched this song, I'll admit I'm a little choked up.  The love that Mrs. Jumbo has for her son Dumbo is a really beautiful thing.  I realize it's not "romantic" but it's still some of the strongest love I've ever seen in any movie.  The song takes place as Dumbo goes to visit his mom, who is locked up after causing a panic while protecting her son.  She rocks him softly in her trunk, which is all she can get out through the bars of her cage.  Throughout the song, you see other animals and their mothers together and it made me even more aware of how lucky I am to have my wonderful mother.  Love you, Mom!
Youtube link: Baby Mine

3) So This Is Love - Cinderella (1950)
That magical moment when Cinderella walks into the Prince's ball and he sees her for the first time - that would be what leads to this magical song.  The two of them start dancing and walking through his garden together.  It's so beautiful to watch the two of them together as they start to fall in love.  She looks absolutely gorgeous and you can tell this is going to be the most magical night of her life.  The song should end with a kiss but right as they're about to, the clock starts to strike midnight and Cinderella must leave.
Youtube link: So This Is Love

4) Bella Notte - Lady and the Tramp (1955)
This one is for all the dog lovers out there.  Humans aren't the only ones who can have romantic dates which include a wonderful Italian dinner and stroll through the park.  This song happens after Lady has run away from the evil Aunt Sarah and gets chased down by some mean dogs.  Tramp saves her and they spend the afternoon together.  Eventually they make their way to Tony's Restaurant via the back entrance and are given a spaghetti dinner.  As they enjoy it, the chefs sing to them and it is really romantic.  The song continues as they take a nice stroll through the park and are clearly very smitten with each other.
Youtube link: Bella Notte

5) Once Upon A Dream - Sleeping Beauty (1959)
This is the song from Sleeping Beauty where Princess Aurora, aka Briar Rose is dancing with a mysterious stranger in the woods, aka Prince Phillip.  She is talking with her animal friends about how she met this man and how wonderful he was and how they got along so well.  The only thing was, it was just in her dreams.  So she starts singing about her dream and him and Prince Phillip, wondering through the woods, hears her and starts to join her in song.  When she first sees him, she's initially a little frightened but she quickly warms up and starts dancing and singing with him.  You can tell just how quickly they fall in love, not even knowing who the other one really is.
Youtube link: Once Upon A Dream

6) Kiss The Girl - Little Mermaid (1989)
This song comes from everybody's favorite crab, Sebastian from The Little Mermaid.  It is Ariel's second day as a human and she only has three days to get Prince Eric to kiss her.  She has just spent a day with him getting a tour of his kingdom.  At this point, they're in a little row boat together and Sebastian tries to help her get Eric to kiss her by singing a sweet song.  He gets other animals to help him create the right mood and tone and try to encourage the two of them to kiss.  You really get to see the two of them fall in love for each other during this song and right as they're about to kiss, Ursula's eels Flotsam and Jetsam knock over their boat.  Still, this song is pretty romantic up to that point.
Youtube link: Kiss The Girl

7) Beauty And The Beast - Beauty and the Beast (1991)
If I personally had to pick one favourite song on this list, this would be it.  Beauty and the Beast has been my favourite movie for years and this song is truly a masterpiece.  It takes place as Belle and Beast are starting to fall in love with each other and during this song is when the magic really happens.  They are all dressed up in their iconic outfits - him in his blue suit and her in that stunning yellow ball gown.  From the time they walk down the stairs to when they enjoy their meal to dancing in the ball room, it's a thing of beauty from start to finish.  Plus there is the talented Angela Lansbury singing the song as Mrs. Potts.  It is truly an amazing song and one that gets me everytime that I watch it.
Youtube link: Beauty And The Beast

8) A Whole New World - Aladdin (1992)
Known as one of the biggest Disney hit songs out there, A Whole New World delivers many elements, including romance and adventure.  Aladdin realizes he needs to get Jasmine to see him differently than the way she has seen most suitors.  He takes her on a magic carpet ride and shows her the world and all of its wonders.  The song isn't only about discovering the physical world they're seeing, it's also about falling in love and all the risks and joys that come with it.  It's scary at times but it's so beautiful and a once in a lifetime experience.  The way she sees that he is different from what she thought opens her eyes up to a whole new experience she never thought possible.
Youtube link: A Whole New World

9) Can You Feel The Love Tonight - Lion King (1994)
Another song from the animal kingdom, Can You Feel The Love Tonight is a captivating song about two friends reuniting and discovering that they might be more than that.  Simba, who had been living with Timon and Pumbaa since his father's death, is too ashamed to return back to his homeland and prefers the care free lifestyle.  Nala wants him to come back and take over as king and in this song, they start to get to know each other again.  They're adults now and they have feelings for each other, which they never thought they could have before.  Timon and Pumbaa are worried that they'll loose their friend but in the end, love and friendship both win.
Youtube link: Can You Feel The Love Tonight

10) If I Never Knew You - Pocahontas (1995)
This one might not seem as familiar as the majority of songs on this list and that's because it wasn't in the original version of Pocahontas.  When Disney re-released the movie years later, they added it back in.  John Smith is being held captive by the Native Americans, accused of killing Kocoum, and Pocahontas visits him.  As they have a few moments alone together, she apologizes for getting him into this mess but he tells her that his life wouldn't have been the same without her.  They both go onto say just how much the other has changed their lives for the better.  This is without a doubt one of the most powerful songs in Disney's repertoire.
Youtube link: If I Never Knew You

11) I Won't Say (I'm In Love) - Hercules (1997)
Now onto one of the only songs where we only have one half our leading couple.  However, while this is mostly about Meg, Hercules is the one she is claiming not to be in love with.  She was hurt once before by being in love, so after swearing she would never fall in love again, she is scared to realize that she might be doing just that.  She tries to deny it but the Muses assure her that it is alright and that she can't keep denying it.  In the end she finally does admit to herself that she is in love.  It's a scary feeling to jump back in that boat, especially when you've been hurt but like so many love stories prove, it really is all worth it in the end.
Youtube link: I Won't Say (I'm In Love)


12) You'll Be In My Heart - Tarzan (1999)
This is my other parent/child song.  It takes place after Kala, a motherly ape, has rescued Tarzan from Sabor, a leopard who killed not only Tarzan's parents, but also Kala's son.  Her husband Kerchek isn't impressed but he agrees to let him stay.  Kala then sings this beautiful song to her new baby.  She lets him know that no matter what anyone else says, no matter what struggles he goes through, he will always be in her heart.  This song has a special place in my heart because it was the father/daughter song at my wedding.  It really is such a beautiful song and like Baby Mine, it shows just how strong the relationship is between a parent and a child.
Youtube link: You'll Be In My Heart

13) That's How You Know - Enchanted (2007)
This is the one song I picked from a Disney movie that's only partially animated.  I decided to put it in because it really demonstrates the classic Disney love song.  Giselle is trying to show Robert that he can't just assume that his girlfriend Nancy knows how he feels about her.  He needs to be romantic and make her feel special and loved.  She manages to get most of Central Park involved in this big showstopping number which really gets the message across.  In the end, you've got to make sure that your special someone knows that they are loved by you.
Youtube link: That's How You Know 

14) Ma Belle Evangeline - Princess and the Frog (2009)
This is a sweet song between firefly Ray and his "girlfriend" Evangeline.  He points her out to Tiana, Naveen and Louis and they realize she is actually a star in the sky and not a firefly.  Still he loves her very much and sings a little romantic tune about her.  While he's doing that Naveen gets a hestant Tiana to dance with him on a lily pad.  The two of them clearly have some romantic chemistry together but they quickly try to extinguish any flames that may have sparked.  Eventually they end up together and this song is a sweet beginning to when they start to fall for each other.
Youtube link: Me Belle Evangeline

15) I See The Light - Tangled (2010)
This song is a perfect way to end this list.  It's beautiful, it's romantic and it's classic Disney but with a modern spin.  After finally making their way to the kingdom to see the floating laterns, Rapunzel and Flynn are in a boat together, ready to enjoy it.  The laterns start floating and she can't believe she's finally there watching it.  She begins to realize though that she likes Flynn and that without him, she wouldn't be there, while at the same time he is also developing feelings for her. Overall this is a nice romantic song between two people coming to the realization that while their initial relationship might have been just to help the other, it's grown into something more - love.
Youtube link: I See The Light

That's the end of the list, I hope you all enjoyed it.  As you can see, there are plenty of beautiful Disney love songs and not just in these 15 movies, but in many more.  So this Valentine's Day, I hope you all get to spend time with the people you love most.  And remember, love really is beautiful thing, so once you do find it, treasure it and not just on February 14th, but year round.

Sleeping Beauty

In honour of the recent 54th anniversary of the release of Sleeping Beauty, this entry is dedicated to one of the most iconic Disney Princesses, Princess Aurora.

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On January 29th, 1959, Sleeping Beauty was released to theatres   It starred Mary Costa as Sleeping Beauty, Bill Shirley as Prince Phillip and Eleanor Audley as Maleficent.  The story starts off with the celebration of the birth of the king and queen's daughter, Princess Aurora.  As everyone is together celebrating, the evil Maleficent makes a visit and gives the precious baby a horrible gift.  Before her 16th birthday, she will prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die.  After Maleficent disappears, one of the three good fairies, Merryweather, gives her a gift that will make it so that if she pricks her finger on that spindle, she will rest in sleep instead and be awoken by true love's kiss.  Her parents order that all spinning wheels be burned.

Photo Courtesy of Cor104 on DeviantArt
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Still fearful of their daughter, the King and Queen agree to let the three good fairies, Flora, Fauna and Merryweather take care of their little girl in a cottage in the woods.  The fairies raise her as their own without the use of magic, under the name of Briar Rose.  On the day of her 16th birthday, Briar Rose is out picking berries and meets a stranger, with whom she dances with and falls in love.  They agree to meet again at her cottage later that evening.  However, when she returns home, the fairies tell her the truth about who she is and take her to the castle where she will be married to Prince Phillip.  Saddened, she leaves with the fairies but as soon as she is left alone for a few moments in a room in the castle, she is led by Maleficent to another room with a spinning wheel where she pricks her finger.  Meanwhile Prince Phillip is off to chase some girl that he met in the woods, which happens to be Briar Rose. Maleficent quickly captures him as he gets to the cottage and locks him in her dungeon.  With the help of the three good fairies, Prince Phillip must defeat the evil Maleficent and kiss his princess.

Aurora has remained one of the main Disney Princesses and is one of the most popular.  Her beautiful long blonde hair, classic pink and blue dresses and stunning features have made her the dream of many young girls.  She, along with Snow White and Cinderella, will continue to be the three classic princesses of Disney.  Maleficent will also continue to be one of Disney's most iconic villains.  I love that she is remembered for both forms that she took during the movie.  More often than not, it's usually the normal version of her you see but occasionally, we are lucky enough to see the larger-than-life dragon version of her.

My husband Scott and I with Princess Aurora on our Disney Cruise
Photo from personal collection

When you go to any Disney Park, chances are you will see Sleeping Beauty around.  She even has her own castles, most notably, the one in Disneyland in California.  You can also find Maleficent as well, in various shows including one of my favourite Fantasmic, where she is the main villain of that show.  Personally, I got to meet the lovely Princess Aurora on my Disney cruise and she was a delight.  And I did see Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios in Disney World and that is without a doubt one of the coolest shows I have ever seen.  The way they bring Maleficent to life in a battle against Mickey Mouse is imagineering at its finest.  She even breathes real fire!

You can also see Princess Aurora in the hit ABC drama Once Upon A Time.  So far she has made appearances in the first half of the second season.  She is portrayed by the lovely and talented Sarah Bolger, who puts a new spin on the princess.  In the show, she, along with Mulan try to help Mary Margaret Blanchard (who is actually Snow White) and Emma Swan (Mary's daughter), get back to the real world which they were sent from.  She struggles with different issues along the way, including the loss of her beloved Prince Phillip and the side effects of the sleeping curse.

Photo Courtesy of Daekazu on DeviantArt

http://daekazu.deviantart.com/

So as you can tell, Sleeping Beauty is a movie that has changed and shaped the Disney landscape.  It is an amazing movie that I enjoy watching  time and time again.  Hopefully we'll continue to see more of this lovely lady in other places.  Personally, I hope to see more of her in Once Upon A Time.

Enchanted Review

One of my favourite recent Disney movies is the live action/animated, Enchanted.  Released in 2007, Enchanted has big name stars including Amy Adams as Giselle, James Marsden as Prince Edward, Patrick Dempsey as Robert and Susan Sarandon as Queen Narissa.  While most of the film takes place in the live action city of New York, there are some parts, mostly toward the beginning, which are classically animated in a way that reminds me of older Disney movies such as Snow White.

The movie begins (animated) in a song where Giselle and Prince Edward meet, fall in love and agree to get married.  Just before the wedding can begin, Giselle is whisked off by an old lady (Prince Edward's stepmother Queen Narissa in disguise) who insists on giving her a magic wish on her special day.  Queen Narissa pushes Giselle into a magic fountain as she is making her wish and sends her away to a place where there are no happily ever afters.  Giselle emerges from a pot hole (here the animation changes to live action)and is immediately scared of where she has ended up, in the busy streets of  New York City.  Eventually a man, Robert, and his six year old daughter, Morgan, discover her and try to help her.  Uncertain of this strange new world, Giselle tries desperately to find her prince who has also made his way to New York in search of her.  In a tale of fantasy meets reality, things are certainly never boring and always fun.

There are so many elements to this movie which make it perfect for a real Disney fan.  To start off with, there is the perfect female lead, Giselle.  She is the typical Disney Princess, reminiscent of the classical princesses such as Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty but there is definitely a bit of Ariel in her too.  Much like the film is a tribute Disney movies, Giselle is a tribute to Disney princesses.  There are scenes throughout the movie that show Giselle doing things in ways that remind me of moments in other Disney movies.  A notable one is when she is scrubbing the floor and there are bubbles everywhere, which is very similar to a scene in Cinderella.

Photo Courtesy of Fernl on DeviantArt
http://fernl.deviantart.com/

Speaking of Disney Princesses, there were some past ones in this movie.  I spotted the first two of three almost right away.  The first one is Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel, who plays Robert's secretary.  The second one is Paige O'Hara, the voice of Belle, who is an actress in a soap opera.The third one is Judy Kuhn, the singing voice of Pocahontas, who is a woman with children.  Audiences can also enjoy Mary Poppins herself, Julie Andrews as the narrator.

There is also a prince in this movie - Prince Edward.  He is the image of Disney Princes, very charming, handsome and meant for this role.  He gets very into being a prince, doing the classic storybook tale of trying to find a princess to marry.  There is also another leading male, Robert, who is a divorce attorney in New York.  He has stopped believing in fairy tales and happily ever afters and is trying to raise his daughter not to believe in either.  He is very handsome though and has some quirky qualities to him that make him a fun challenge for Giselle. 

Every movie needs a villain and this one has Queen Narissa.  She is mostly like the Evil Queen from Snow White and Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty.  There are a couple times where she is in disguise as an old hag, which is very similar to when the Evil Queen did the same thing in Snow White.  She also transforms herself into a dragon, like Maleficent did in Sleeping Beauty.  However, both of these happen in the real world, so its neat to see old animation re-imagined into the modern world.  When she is in her regular human form, Narissa is a representation of the classic Disney villain - evil, mean, yet stylish in the typical villain way.

Photo Courtesy of Fernl on DeviantArt
http://fernl.deviantart.com/

There are a few songs, mostly sung by Giselle, which help make the movie a true Disney classic.  All the music was done by Stephen Schwartz and Alan Menken, the latter who has been creating music for Disney since The Little Mermaid.  If I had to pick a favourite song it would be "That's How You Know," which is sung by Giselle in New York's beautiful Central Park.  In the song, she explains to Robert that he should try to show his girlfriend Nancy that he loves her in romantic ways.  This is the big, show stopping number in the movie, as Giselle gets everyone in the park joining in, singing and dancing with her.  The other two main character-sung songs include "True Love's Kiss" and "Happy Working Song."  The first is a typical Disney romantic song, as Edward and Giselle both express their desire to find their one true love.  The second is Giselle's way of cleaning Robert's messy apartment with the help of her new animal friends in New York City.  This one reminds me of Snow White's "Whistle While You Work," as it is a fun cleaning song.

As you can see, there really is more to this movie than meets the eye.  It has every Disney element you could ever want, including a truly special happily ever after.  It has the princess, the prince, the music and even a villain.  So next time you want to enjoy a great Disney movie, be sure to check out this unique masterpiece and be enchanted.  

My Disney Cruise - Part 3

This week I end my three part series on my Disney Cruise Honeymoon with my husband Scott.  I will end by talking about the Broadway-style shows, the dining and food experiences and ports of call.

Broadway-Style Shows

When it comes to entertainment, there is plenty of it aboard a Disney Cruise.  On the Disney Fantasy specifically, we enjoyed some very entertaining shows at the Walt Disney Theatre, including three Broadway-Style shows.

Walt Disney Theatre

Photo from personal collection

The first show we got to see was Aladdin, based on the popular 1992 movie.  This was the perfect way to start off our Broadway show experiences.  Aladdin is one of my favourite Disney movies and seeing it on the stage was quite a treat.  All of the songs you know and love are there, including One Jump Ahead, Friend Like Me, Prince Ali and one of the most romantic songs of all time, A Whole New World.  There is also a special song that isn't in the movie but is in this show which was a really nice touch which I'll leave for you, my readers, to discover on your own.  The songs themselves were performed in such a way that you'd think they were meant to be performed on stage to begin with.  One minor setback was that Abu and Rajah weren't included, however the show did good without them.  Speaking of characters, my favourite was the Genie.  He made everything hilarious and really stole the show.

The second performance we saw was Wishes, an original Disney Fantasy Cruise Line show.  It's the story of three friends, Kayla, Brandon and Nicole, who are just about to graduate high school.  While spending the day at their favourite place, Disney World, they make a wish at the wishing well to go on the ride of their lives.  They are taken through a variety of beloved Disney songs, where along the way, they discover life lessons, including the importance of staying in touch with their inner child.  The music includes songs such as Hakuna Matata from the Lion King, Zero to Hero from Hercules, I've Got a Dream from Tangled, I've Got No Strings from Pinocchio and many more including an original song called Ride of Our Lives.  I definitely got in touch with my inner child while watching this - in fact I believe she was singing along to every song.

The third and final show we saw was Believe, a show that can be seen on both the Disney Fantasy and the Disney Dream.  Believe is the story of a horticulturalist, Mr. Greenaway and his daughter Sophia who is celebrating her birthday.  Along with a special guide, Mr. Greenaway learns to believe in magic though some Disney persuasion.  Like Wishes, there are a variety of Disney songs including Higitus Figitus from Sword in the Stone, You Can Fly from Peter Pan, Once Upon A Dream from Sleeping Beauty, Be Our Guest from Beauty and the Beast, just to name a few.  There is also a really beautiful original song called What Makes a Garden Grow. 

So when it comes to entertainment, these Broadway-style shows will be sure to impress.  They are without a doubt some of the best shows I have ever seen.  The singing, the dancing, the costumes, the sets, it all just comes together to bring you into worlds you never thought you'd get to see this way.

 

Scott and I at the Walt Disney Theatre

Photo from personal collection

Dining and Food

Feeling hungry?  Well you will be once you hear about all of the food aboard the Disney Fantasy because its everywhere.  There are different types of dining depending on the time of day and the kind of food you want.  For breakfast and lunch, check out the Cabanas.  It's a huge buffet on deck 11 where you have a huge variety of food choices, lined up in two sides.  You can have a meal either inside or outside and you can enjoy a Finding Nemo theme, with the seagulls watching down at everyone who walks through.  It was one of my favourite places to enjoy a great meal.

 

Entrance to the Cabanas

Photo from personal collection

In the evening, there is what is known as rotational dining for supper.  There are three restaurants and two dining times.  Your dining ticket will include your dining time, as well as the order you'll be going to the restaurants, as well as your table number, which remains the same at each.  You get the same waiters that travel with you to each location and they get to know you and what you like.  This is a great way to really feel like home on the ship by seeing and getting to know these waiters and waitresses.  The three restaurants on the Disney Fantasy are Animator's Palate, the Royal Court and the Enchanted Garden.

Animator's Palate

Photo from personal collection

At Animator's Palate, the theme is a tribute to the animation of Disney.  When you enter, it's almost like you've walked into an animator's studio.  Fitting props are everywhere, including large screens that look like sketch pads.  As you're enjoying your meal, you can be entertained by different videos on those screens, including a tribute to just about every food scene Disney has ever had in all of their animated movies.  The Royal Court is designed to look very elegant and reminiscent of Disney Princess movies.  There are unique details everywhere that really make you feel like you've stepped into a castle's dining room.  Enchanted Garden is a beautiful place that makes you feel like you've stepped right into the middle of an beautiful garden.  The flowers, green details and overall feel can make one feel very serene and relaxed.

Enchanted Garden

Photo from personal collection

Finally, for the adults, be sure to check out the two speciality restaurants, Palo and Remy's.  Both are some of the finest dining you will find at sea.  Remy's is based on the movie Ratatouille and named after its star, Remy the rat.  The cuisine is French inspired and the theme is a sophisticated, classic French style.  The other restaurant Palo, is also very beautiful and elegantly themed.  This one takes after Italy though, with a wonderful Italian themed menu.  We were only able to do Palo but we hope to do Remy's on our next cruise.  If it's anything like our experience at Palo, it will be the finest dining we have ever done and it will be amazing.

Scott and I at Palo

Photo from personal collection

So wherever you dine, Bon Apetit!

Ports of Call

Disney Cruises travel all over the world and offer some the most unique off shore excursions (basically fun adventures to the places you travel).  During our cruise we travelled to the beautiful islands of St. Martin and St. Thomas, both of which were terrific.  They were the perfect examples of Caribbean paradise.  However the highlight of the Ports of Call was without a doubt our visit to Castaway Cay, Disney's own private island.  Opened to the public in 1998, this little piece of heaven is accessible only by Disney Cruise ships.

View of Castaway Cay from the ship

Photo from personal collection

From the moment we stepped off the boat and onto the beautiful island, we felt like we were in a very special place.  Its so cut off from everywhere else, all you can do is take in the natural wonder of it all and appreciate every moment that you're there.  It is one of the places in the world that I feel lucky just to have spent the time that I did there.  However, it is a place I will definitely be going back to! 

Sidewalk at Castaway Cay

Photo from personal collection

Much like the ship, the island is divided up into different areas depending on age and activities.  For instance families can enjoy Castaway Family Beach but if the adults want a little getaway, they can check out the 18+ Serenity Bay beach.  We spent the majority of our time in the waters of Serenity Bay.  It is pretty big and not near as crowded as the family beach.  The sand felt amazing on my toes and it was a nice way of reminding me that this was actually real.

My feet in the sand at Serenity Bay, Castaway Cay

Photo from personal collection

The water was so clear and beautiful and you could see different things in the sand such as shells, seaweed and even some small fish.  However the biggest surprise we saw came when we were standing at just over waist deep water.  As we were standing around enjoying the view, Scott managed to see a sting ray.  We did stay clear of it but it was quite the thing to see that close.

Sting ray at Castaway Cay

Photo from personal collection

However we didn't spend our time in Serenity Bay alone.  We did go check out the two water slides at Pelican Plunge, located right near the family beach.  You swim out to the wharf and have the option of a covered or open slide.  The covered one is shorter and faster, while the open one is longer and slower.  Both are very fun and can be enjoyed by people of all ages, as was evident by grandparents joining their grand kids in all of the sliding fun.

Pelican Plunge at Castaway Cay

Photo from personal collection

So that brings my Disney Cruise to an end.  It was the most incredible trip I have ever taken and I am truly lucky to have been able to experience it.  I would recommend a Disney Cruise to everyone, without a doubt.  Every element is brought together seamlessly to bring guests a world that they thought they could only dream about.  It is truly a magical experience and one that I hope to do again.

Disney Fantasy Life Buoy

Photo from personal collection

My Disney Cruise - Part 2

Last week, I began to share mine and my husband Scott's experiences aboard a Disney Cruise Ship.  This week, I continue as I discuss the the daily navigator guide, character experiences and the pools/Aquaduck.

The Daily Navigator

This is the perfect way to stay organized and make sure that families can get the most out for their Disney Cruise.  You will receive your first Daily Navigator when you board the ship and the rest will be left in your room by your housekeeper in the evening.  It is the all-in-one guide to making sure you can do the activities that you want.

On the front page, you will see the highlight of the main activity taking place that day, such as one of the Broadway-style shows.  Also, you will see the daily weather forecast, as well as the evening cruise attire.

Sample of a Personal Daily Navigator we received
Photo from personal collection

Inside you will see activities that will appeal to different age groups.  From the Oceaneers Club for kids, to Vibe for the teens and even some special adult exclusive activities, there is something for everyone.  Cruisers will also find a removable single page which will have a time line for the day, broken up in into the various age categories, as well as specific types of activities, such as character experiences.  This allows families to plan their days, making sure that everyone gets to do exactly what they want to do.

Sample of a Personal Daily Navigator we received
Photo from personal collection

Character Experiences

Scott and I with Goofy
Photo from personal collection

Nothing makes a Disney vacation like getting to meet all of your favourite characters.  It is one of the rare times when you can freely let that inner child of yours out.  And if your inner child is anything like mine, chances are they will jump for joy at the sight of that favourite Disney character.  It's that feeling of seeing your dreams in reality and it's an opportunity to share in some truly special moments.

Scott and I with Mademoiselle Minnie
Photo from personal collection

One of the coolest things for me was to meet the Disney Princesses and all at once at a Royal Princess Gathering.  We stood in one line and got to meet Ariel, Tiana, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Cinderella and Snow White. 

Scott and I with Princess Ariel
Photo from personal collection

Prince Ali was also making his way through the crowd and I must say, he was pretty slick.  He asked us to tell Snow White to stop giving Abu apples.

Scott and I with Prince Ali
Photo from personal collection

Something I didn't expect to see were Disney Pixar characters.  We were able to meet some of our favourites from Toy Story, including Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Jesse.  We also met Remy, from the movie Ratatouille, who happens to be Scott's favourite Pixar character, because he is a chef and loves rats.

Scott and I with Remy
Photo from personal collection

One of the character experience highlights for me was meeting Pinocchio.  When I was little, my late grandfather used to poke fun at me for having a long nose.  He would call me Penelope, Pinocchio's sister and it was always a funny thing in our family.  So when I got to meet Pinocchio aboard our honeymoon cruise, I knew I had to take a special picture for my grandfather.

Pinocchio and I pointing at each other's noses
Photo from personal collection

Pools/Aquaduck

When it comes to places to cool down, there are plenty of places you can do just that aboard a Disney Cruise.  There are pools and play areas just for kids, such as Donald's Pool and Nemo's Reef.  There is also a family pool located nearby called Mickey's Pool.  To be perfectly honest, we didn't spend a lot of time at the family pool, mostly because we were travelling without children.  We spent the majority of water time at Quiet Cove, one of the adult only pools.  The pool has three levels, the first one came up to about waist level when seated, the second which was 5'5" and the third one was ankle deep and had a bar at the end.

Quiet Cove Pool
Photo from personal collection

Aside from the pools, the other cool water attraction aboard the Disney Fantasy (as well as the Disney Dream) is the AquaDuck.  This is the coolest water slide Scott and I have ever seen!  It's a clear acrylic tube that goes around the ship, while passengers sit one or two to a floatation tube.  There are twists and turns, hills and lots of splashing.

The Aquaduck sign/stairs
Photo from personal collection

So this concludes part 2 of our Disney Honeymoon Cruise Adventure.  Be sure to check back for the final instalment where I discuss the Broadway shows, the dining and food experiences and offshore excursions/ports of call.