Thursday, October 31, 2013

Disney World 2013: Day 1



I have finally returned from Disney World and am now ready to give all you lovely readers a breakdown of the most relaxed, awesome vacation of all time. Lets start with the official first day of the trip. First off, I woke up extremely early (no surprise there) as I was too excited to sleep. I decided to spend my incredibly early time by explore the grounds of the resorts.

First I toured around Pop Century. We were located in the 70's area (which ended up being cooler than expected!) Our room was very close to the giant set piece of the section, showcasing a huge Big Wheels Bike and Mickey Mouse Telephone. As I walked around further to see more of the decor, I noticed a group of bunnies hopping near me. This was incredibly adorable and surprising, even for this little New Yorker who used to seeing similar creatures. I tried to snap a shot of one, but the lack of light made it hard for a good picture.


Afterwards, I returned to my hotel room and saw all my other roommates were awake. We got dressed and made our way to our first park visit of the trip: Disney's Hollywood Studios!

Lauren didn't fit in the car, so she had to lay on our laps!


First we visited one of my favorite rides of all time: Star Tours. After visiting a galaxy far far away we headed off to check out more of the park. On the way we went on the ride that made me want to be part of the filmmaking business: The Great Movie Ride. Though simple and cheesy as hell by today's standards, this ride captures the perfect little feeling that watching the grand classic films of the past give you when viewing them for the first time. Some of my favorite moments are seeing Gene Kelly in Singing in the Rain or Dorothy and crew from The Wizard of Oz.

Munchkins! 

After a few more rides and attractions, we eventually got to the Animation building and participated in one of their famous drawing classes. This time we got the chance to draw Donald! Though difficult, I was extremely pleased with how my favorite quacker turned out. 

Everyone's Donald Drawings!

We continued to explore the animation area of the park, including their famous shop that featured stunning art, sculptures and other Disney inspired trinkets. I am particularly loving the pieces of original princess Snow White, done to be in a more dramatic style of her signature dress. I also was secretly eying the Indiana Mickey Jones statue, cause it is just friggin priceless.


Lunch time finally arrived, and thus meant getting to visit one of my favorite places in the world - the place that I dub (similarly to The Great Movie Ride) "My Church" - The Sci Fi Dine In Theater. This little burger joint is inspired by B-Movie Sci Fi craze of the 50's. You are seated in tables designed to simulate the cars of the era, while being surrounded by a starry night sky. In front of you is a giant movie screen, which continuously shows a reel of 50's/60's sci-fi trailers and snack time promos. 

One of my favorites thats shown is the famous "Hot Dog Jump In Bun" animation that is probably most famously seen behind John Travolta during the "Sandy" sequence in Grease. It continues to be ridiculous silly and endearing at the same time! Click here to see

"Let's all go to the movies"

Though this place might not have the best food in the park, the atmosphere and variety of comfort food choices make it totally worth the visit. My personal favorites are their onion rings and picnic burger (a hot dog and burger in one!) 

Then it was time to check out some more attractions. We visited the animation section again, this time to do a personality quiz. Interestingly I got Cinderella, a character that I never thought I would have much connection with! Crystal got Lady, while Andrea got Dot from a Bugs Life. Lauren then found out she was Belle (Jealous!) and the best of all.... John found out he was Jafar (even more jealous....)



After some relaxing times, Andrea and I stopped off to see a live show I had never experienced: Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. The show is a group of stunt actors recreating (in the most cheesy style possible) famous scenes from Raiders. I personally loved the show, even though you can tell how dated it is (especially by the big fake film camera they use...)


Afterwards we went to relax at the Writers Stop, a little coffee/cookie joint near Star Tours. There I got to eat the famous Carrot Cake Cookie (basically a carrot cake flavored whoopie pie for us East Coast kids.) It was delicious and beautiful, along with being HUGE. The coolest find though was Mickey shaped macarons! Though not the best in flavor (I am spoiled by my New York bakery macarons...) the shape is cute enough that it doesn't matter. 


Finally it was time for my favorite show in all of the parks: Fantasmic. We got to the arena area early, and got what could be the best seats I have ever gotten to watch the nostalgia classic. But for a short second things seemed to not being going well, as it was raining and I was scared the show would be cancelled. But the preshow went on and all seemed well. The show of course was as flawless and as awesome as ever, and continues to make me cry through the whole thing without fail.



After the show we headed to do one last ride on Star Tours. We went through the galaxy twice in a row this time, but sadly got the same exact planets both trips. Ah well!

Then we took the bus back to our hotel and found something special waiting for us: Beautifully shaped towel decorations! The one in the window we named Latrice Royale (after our favorite Drag Race contestant <3) and the other was a big giant bow. We think they made this for us since we had so many frills in our closet! Either way it was truly adorable.


And that was the end of our first day at Disney World! Look for more posts soon <3

Friday, October 18, 2013

Disney World Trip Approaching

It's time for another epic and awesome Disney World trip to commence. This time I will be going in October, my first official Fall season trip to the park. Previously I had been in September, when things are in mid-transformation for the beginning of the holiday seasons to come.

Another first for this trip is I will not be going with my mom this time. She usually is my trusted park companion, but she encouraged me to go with my equally awesome and amazing frilly friends. That's right - this is gonna be a frilly Disney vacation! Literally the vacation of my dreams!

Just to get it all out my system (and incase you are curious) here is my schedule for the trip:

First off we will be staying in the Pop Century resort, another first for me!


I love the very pro-nostalgic decor of all the buildings, but I am hoping we either get to stay at the 50's building or 80's! *crosses fingers*


They also have their own kind of waffle!

Our first day will be spent at Hollywood Studios, my personal favorite park out of the four. I know a lot of people aren't big fans of it, but its one of the main reasons why I became such a passionate film fanatic. Attractions like The Great Movie Ride and Animation Studio Tour sparked my interest in the industry and the history behind it.


The opening scene of the Great Movie Ride!


My favorite restaurant in the park (specifically for it's theming) Sci Fi Dine In Theater!


And of course we're gonna end the night with my favorite Disney show in any of the parks, Fantasmic! Its the one thing that instantly make me cry. 

We also will be dining on our trip at a few other places I've never been to/only tried once, including Cinderella's Royal Table, Grand Floridian Cafe and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. 


Cinderella's!


Grand Floridian Cafe


Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

I'm also gonna get the chance to do some dress swapping with my friend Crystal! She is bringing one of my new dream pieces, Fragrant Rose Memories to wear for our day at the Magic Kingdom! 

*lusting*


But of course the aspect I am the most excited for is the food. Ever since I knew we were going on this trip I have been going nuts reading the Disney Food Blog and their excellently helpful reviews of the places through the WDW resort. Here is some Food Pictures to tickle your taste buds!



Hungry yet? 

But there is one other new aspect that has been filling my brain with anticipation: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. I have never been to any of the special Holiday themed parties at any of the parks, so that fact I am getting to attend my first during this all ready super epic trip is seriously the coolest part. The part I am the most excited about in terms of the event itself is the ability to meet so many awesome characters. At the top of my list is animated crushes Tarzan and my favorite couple Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen, along with other favorites Lots-O and new additions Jack and Sally


SO CAN YOU TELL I AM REALLY EXCITED!? 


If you are at all interested in seeing what I am up to during my vacation, follow me on my Tumblr and/or my Instagram! I'll be updating them as fast as you can say....







Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Fangirly Post: Two Princes of Different Kinds

Sorry for things being slow here on Magic a'la Mode! I've been insanely busy the past month like you would never believe. But let's take a moment to celebrate some new movie news that is worthy of a Fangirly Post!

First up, finally the poster for the 2014 French Beauty and the Beast film was released! And yes, we finally get to see the Beast in the (CGI) flesh. The design itself looks awesome, but I am a tad nervous that the motion capture budget isn't up to pare, and thus The Beast will look a bit cheap on film when he is next to his completely live action co-star. Either way I am ridiculous excited.



But there is one thing I have complete confidence in, and that is the Into The Woods film that is currently in production. Dear god the cast of this movie looks flawless. Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp and Chris Pine - it is literally perfect. Speaking of (my favorite aspect of the movie) Chris Pine, there was a lot of on set photos released including him in his princely garb! Check out how charismatic and charming (pun intended) he looks!




Its really hard to contain my excitement over seeing Kirk/Jack Frost in a super ridiculously pretty prince outfit, about to belt out some of my favorite tunes in musical history. Seriously, with every new thing I hear about this movie it sounds better and better.

What are your thoughts on Beauty and the Beast? Do you like this new interpretation of the character? And what about Into The Woods? Any fans out there? 



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