Is Ornament Day A New National Holiday?

My friend, Don, and I have been a bit obsession with this Disney Sketchbook Ornament series that's been going on for a couple of years now. One of us has less self-control than the other (Guess who?)

Just as in past years, this year has some cool and memorable characters. Disney doesn't release the ornaments on the same day each month, so you constantly have to look. Trust us. We've missed out on a few ornaments we really wanted. (Yes, we know about eBay.)

I've been checking most of November, and finally today, I struck gold with Cheshire Cat! Don was thinking about getting this ornament for his daughter. For me, Cheshire Cat has always been a favorite character. Many of my friends say that I remind them of this playful cat, usually because of the smile. I'm sure the round belly and snarkiness he exhibits add to the resemblance. I'll own it. I can't stand on my own head, however.

Click here to view this year's Sketchbook Ornament Collection.

While I was shopping for Cheshire Cat, I found this really cool Mickey and Minnie Park series of ornaments! I would love to get them all, but I 'started' with my favorite. Who knows? I may add a few more. They really are cute!

Click here to visit DisneyStore.com to browse through more ornaments...or get these Mickey and Minnie Park Series ornaments!

So as if these two ornaments weren't enough for me, I was so lucky to have a coworker give me this ornament! It's from EPCOT's 2015 Food & Wine Festival. If you don't know, I'm a huge fan of Figment (Who isn't?!?). So this ornament will hold a special spot on the tree this year. Heck, all of these ornaments will!

Click here to view more of the 2015 Food & Wine Festival merchandise.

The Stockings Were Hung...So Were The Ornaments

Like many people, I have more Christmas decorations than room to display them all. But that means I can rotate what I put up each year. That allows me to see old, dear "friends" from Christmases Past. For example, take this ornament (not literally).

This one was given out to Disney Cast Members at the annual Disney Family Christmas Party. In 1989, we weren't as politically correct yet and had to say, "Holiday". Anyway, at these parties, the focus truly was on the Disney family. Cast Members from all parts of the Company (Park, Studio, Corporate, etc.) would come together at Disneyland to celebrate. In the years I worked at Disneyland, this is the only ornament I can remember that was given out, so it is very special. 

Then there is this one. 

I know it's a little hard to see and it looks shaky, but that's because I used Panorama to capture as much of the ornament as I could.  Let's see if this one is any better. 

This ornament commemorates the opening of EPCOT in 1982. EPCOT is my favorite of the (currently) four Parks that make up Walt Disney World, but I wouldn't get to experience it for my first time until January 11-17, 1988. I went with a group of my Tomorrowland friends and we had a blast! Thankfully they still had this ornament available, and I was able to remember that trip and EPCOT all in ornament. 

Not to mention everyone's favorite, Figment! Oh, and in case you are curious about the other side of the ornament...

In 1999, I had the opportunity to take my parents to Walt Disney World for their first trip to FL. After only knowing Disneyland, they really enjoyed seeing the "other" place, and like me, they enjoyed EPCOT the most. 

While we have fun memories of all four Parks, this next ornament helps me remember what was then Disney's MGM Studios. They enjoyed seeing the house front of 'The Golden Girls', which now is gone. So Jessica holds a special memory for me of that trip, and she sits on the mantel with her special Mouse-shaped holder.

I picked up a number of ornaments last month when I went to Walt Disney World to celebrate my 50th birthday. Do I have a favorite? It's hard to say at this point, but maybe one will win out over time. That sometimes happens when you reflect on the past. Or is that just a Figment of my Imagination?

As Christmas 2014 approaches, the stockings are hung by the chimney with care, but Santa has already given me my presents as I look over my decorations and reflect on fond memories. 

She's Drawn That Way

During my vacation at Walt Disney World, I was looking for that special work of art that I could take home as my memory of the trip celebrating my 50th birthday. I looked at many pieces, and my friends who were on the trip with me will tell you how long my list was of potential contenders. But I kept coming back to Mulan or Merida at the Art of Disney in EPCOT. Han Solo at Disney's Hollywood Studios was also in the top three.

The day before my last day, I took another spin into the Art of Disney, and my mouth dropped wide open. It did! For now I saw Jessica Rabbit. Oh the agony of making me choose! As much as I was leaning towards Mulan, I was 'drawn' to Jessica.

Today Jessica arrived in pristine condition. I'm thankful given the mishap I had with my Christmas ornaments, but in the end they turned out to be fine (see previous post).

I'm thankful to several friends who, over the past four years, have given me a Disney gift card for either a birthday or Christmas gift. I hoarded them away in my safe and to be honest, forgot about them until I started looking in my safe for this trip. But thanks to them almost the entire work of art was paid for by their generosity. I've always said my friends are the best, and this is just one of many examples.

Every time I look at Jessica, I'll think of them!

 

And I'm thrilled with the signed and numbered work!

 

Here's the CoA. I'm sorry. Certificate of Authenticity for non-collectors. 

 To see more of William Silvers' work, click here and click here.

Now, All the World is Figment’s Stage!

Perfection! Disney, and Grand Jester Studios (GJS), are celebrating the 450th birthday of William Shakespeare. What better way to do so than to have the master of role play portray Hamlet?

Once again, Figment is honored with a limited edition GJS sculpture that will be released on June 28, 2014. You can read more details on Duckman's Blog or head over to the Art of Disney and link to Disney Theme Park Event Merchandise to order your Figment. Of course I've already pre-ordered mine! He's going to look great with last year's piece, Magician Figment.

Magician Figment

In my April 6, 2013 posting, I mentioned that I ordered my Grand Jester Studios Magician Figment piece from Walt Disney Event Services. They told me it would take six to eight weeks for me to receive my Figment(s) (Yes, I had to order two: one for at home and one for at work.)

When I arrived at work late Friday night, April 12th, I had a box waiting for me on my desk. Too tired after driving back from Wisconsin Dells from a business meeting, and thinking it was a work-related package, I left the box unopened until this morning.

Imagine my surprise when I opened the box to discover my Figments had arrived! That has to be one of the shortest shipping times I've had ordering from Event Services! Sculpted by Bruce Lau, you can't go wrong! It's more adorable in person than in the picture.  Both are signed by Bruce, and I received #133 and #518 out of 3,000! I'm just happy I was able get my hands on at least one.

So as always, Figment has brightened my day. He will at work and at home!

Magician Figment Sculpture  Premier
Designer and Art Director: Patrick Romandy-Simmons
Sculptor: Bruce Lau
Retail: $65.00 plus sales tax
Media: Polystone, hand-painted
Release Date: Saturday, April 6, 2013
Location: Art of Disney, Epcot®
Dimensions:  9”  high x 3 ½” wide x 3 ½” deep
Limited Edition Size:  3,000

http://www.disneyparksmerchandise.com/events/artist-appearance-and-singing-with-bruce-lau/?instance_id=

Figment Sculpture and Art Event

Today's the big day. It's the Figment Sculpture Premiere Event. For the past five years, at least, there's been a Walt Disney Classics Collection Figment event. This is the first year that this event won't have a WDCC piece. However, I'm thrilled that there is a Grand Jester Studios piece of Figment, and it's fun.

I ordered mine a few weeks ago, and I'm hoping that I'll be able to order the back-ordered Monty Maldovan, Mickey and His Pal Figment piece next week. I've been calling for months.

The polystone mini-bust was designed by Patrick Romandy-Simmons and sculpted by Bruce Lau, and stands 9” tall.

To find out more about the event and piece, visit the Art of Disney, EPCOT.

Very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Another Christmas is here, and that means it's time for some annual traditions. One tradition of mine is to watch Beauty and the Beast Enchanted Christmas. I love singing along to the songs! This year I watched it before another tradition: going to the 11:00 PM service at church. This year I had to go, because earlier on Christmas Eve, I went into the 10 or Less line at Target with 14 items. Oops! (Yes, I became one of those people at whom I yell, but I honestly didn't know I had extra items. That's what happens when you just grab and go!)

With my family being across the miles from me, my Christmas morning tradition is to brew some chocolate peppermint coffee, shower, cuddle up in my Disney fleece robe, and then settle in to watch the Disney Parks Christmas Parade on ABC.

This year there are some fun things to see on the parade, like the new Cars Land at Disney's California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort, and the new Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. They even showed a clip of Darth Vader, which means a nod to Star Wars! (Does Christmas get any better than that?!?)

I should probably explain that I have two Christmas trees: one green and one red. I alternate them every other year, so obviously this is the 'red' year.

So from my house to yours, whatever you celebrate, remember the best of your family and friends, don't take them for granted, and put out there what you would like to receive back.

And yes, I do say, 'Merry Christmas!'

Travel Planner Kenneth At Your Service!

I'm so excited to announce my friend, Kenneth, is a brand new travel planner for It's All About The Mouse Travel! I can't think of anyone who is more qualified to help you plan your Disney vacation with all the Guest Service you would expect from a Mouseketeer. (See, how could you not trust a man with a smile like that?!?)

Kenneth is a native Georgian and true Southern gentleman, who at the ripe old age of 19, opened his store, Enchanted Gardens Florist & Gifts, in 1986. His love affair with Disney started in 1998 when he added Walt Disney collectibles to his merchandise displays. His store came alive for him when he hosted Disney Artists, Sculptors & Imagineers for in-store signing events. I'm sure Kenneth isn't a name-dropper, but I bet it was such talented sculptors like Bruce Lau and Kent Melton who graced the walls of his store.

From The Walt Disney Classics Collection, Original Animation cels, to pins and the Disney busts from Grand Jester Studios (I should know about this one. He personally got me hooked and has sold me most of those pieces in my collection!), Kenneth has added a little Disney magic for his customers. I happen to know personally he will do whatever it take to help customer try to find their special Disney collectibles.

Like many of us Disney fans, Kenneth has logged many hours at Disney Theme Parks and on the Disney Cruise. He recently graduated from the "College of Disney Knowledge" and is excited to share his years of experience planning special vacations. His goal is to make your Disney vacation a magical experience for you and your family.

You can contact Kenneth at ken@mickeytoday.com to start planning your magical Disney vacation! And as a bonus, if you book or transfer an already booked 2013 Disney vacation with Kenneth before November 15, 2013 you will receive a $25 Disney gift card with your travel documents! If you book or transfer an already booked 2012 vacation you will receive a $50 Disney gift card with your travel documents! 

Don’t delay; contact Kenneth today! And be sure to tell your friends about him, too!

(And while I endorse this candidate for Magical travel, I do not receive any kickbacks. But I approve this message.)

Anniversary Weekend

This weekend, I flew out to Colorado to celebrate my Dad's 77th birthday and my parent's 51st anniversary.  It's also another anniversary. On Monday, October 1st, EPCOT will be celebrating its 30th anniversary.  It's wonderful to see Walt's dream come alive and how much it's changed.

The first time I went to EPCOT was in 1986 with a bunch of friends. I was hooked from the moment we arrived, and it remains my favorite Park at Walt Disney World.

Besides everything that World Showcase has to offer, two of the best things to come out of EPCOT are Figment at The Journey Into Imagination pavilion and Kitchen Kabaret at The Land pavilion. If you don't know I'm a huge Figment fan, just check out this earlier blog post. Who couldn't love Figment?

Now if you mention Bonnie Appetite, Mr. Dairy Goods, The Cereal Sisters, Hamm and Eggz, the Colander Combo and the Fiesta Fruit to any fan, they will probably start singing some songs. The one that you will probably hear most often is 'Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit'.

Courtesy of http://www.omniluxe.net/wyw/kk.htm

Tucked away in my storage unit are some plush toys of the Fiesta Fruit, ceramics of Mr. Dairy Goods and the Cereal Sisters, an apron, pot holder, the above place mat and various post cards. I wish they had done more! (And if Walt Disney Classics Collection is reading this, we must see them in WDCC!) Need proof of the apron? Check out this photo of me back in the '80's! That's back when I had hair and was thinner. I miss the '80's.

So Happy 30th to EPCOT and he's to many, many more years!

The Disney Store blog has a nice little tribute, so be sure to check it out here.

And that's just part of the proof from my shopping extravaganza on that trip.

Goofing Around France (Pavilion)

I'm a Disney's PhotoPass fiend (actually a different word, but I try to keep my blog Disney!). Anyway, while at the France Pavilion at EPCOT, there were two PhotoPass Photographers together "fighting", in a joking manner, to take my picture. So I said, "Let's not fight. One of you can take my picture and the other one can join me!", so this poor chap lost and had to have his picture taken with me. But as you can see, he's as big of a ham as I am, and I only wish I knew he was going to ham it up so I could have done the same. But it's a fun memory nonetheless!

Hear, Speak, See No Evil - Parts 2 and 3

I did this a few years ago with Goofy and Pluto, but look who I'm adding to the list!
(Besides Tony and Mike)