We are planning our Disney vacation and will be visiting all four parks - Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdon, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios.  I am especially interested in stuff preschoolers will most enjoy in Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.  We are more familiar with Magic Kingdom and I think Lil Roo already has his favorites there! 

We are also debating where to stay and looking for the best atmosphere and fun for the dollar (as well as being close to Disney).  We’ve stayed at Bonnet Creek before and love it (especially the lazy river!), but Liki Tiki Village has a pretty good special going on right now and they have a pretty nice water play area in addition to other resort amenities.  The ability to use bus transport  would be helpful, as it would save the $12 daily parking fee at the parks (I don’t think Liki Tiki offers it). 

Tips, thoughts, opinions, and advice are all welcome! 

I think a series of reviews of this trip will be the perfect way to launch Florida Fun Reviews!

Awesome deal as in $685 for a family of four for 4 days, 4 parks, and 5 nights.  Check out all the details at Savvy Frugalistas. 

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse:
Mickey’s Choo Choo Express

Available: Dec 1, 2009

Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, Professor Von Drake, and Toodles are off on an adventure as Professor Von Drake plans to create snow that never melts.  Once he sets out and makes it, he’ll need something to carry it back to the clubhouse… something like the Choo Choo Express! 

While Professor Von Drake sets about making his snow, Mickey, Toodles and the gang have to find all the Choo Choo pieces, get the train put together, then head off to meet the Professor to pick up the “nicey-icey, easy-freezy” snow that never melts.

Snowy goodness abounds at clubhouse and Mickey has invited all his friends to a snow party.  Toodles restocks his Mouskatools, additional train cars are added, Mickey puts together a train schedule, and off they go to pick up all their friends for the party.

The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Choo Choo Express starts with the familiar Clubhouse show intro and includes fun new songs (like Choo Choo Express by They Might be Giants).  It isn’t Christmas-y, but all that snow makes it festive enough for Winter watching.  Likewise, it isn’t one that will have to be packed away until next Christmas once the New Year rolls around - it is a great show for any season.

Bonus Episode: Mickey’s Big Job.

The DVD has 3 fun ways to watch and play featuring interactive adventure mode.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Choo Choo Express DVD provided by WDSHE.
Image © WDSHE. All Rights Reserved.

MONSTERS, INC

Disney’s Monsters, Inc was re-released on November 10, 2009 as a special Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital Copy 4 Disk Set. 

Monstropolis, powered by their energy company Monsters Incorporated, is having an energy crisis.  Powered for generations by the screams of children (thanks to the visits by their “monsters in the closet”), it is unable to keep up with the increased energy demands as the children become harder to scare.

After closing time one day, Sulley goes back to the Scare Floor to finish up some paperwork for his buddy Mike.  He discovers adorable Boo and is immediately scared out of his wits.  The little toddler isn’t scared of him at all and makes him a fast friend - much to Sulley’s dismay.  The Monstropolis Child Detection Service is all over the place on the hunt for her and as Sulley and Mike try to find a way to get her back home, they stumble upon a foul plan by their co-worker and rival as he strives to become top monster at Monsters Inc.  Sulley, Mike, and little Boo have quite a time trying to avoid diseaster and find Boo’s door so she can get home. 

If you haven’t seen Monsters, Inc, I won’t spoil it all for you, but naturally it has a happy - and rather sweet - ending.  Here are some fun teasers for ya:

 Trailer

Roundtable Favorite Scene (Bonus)

On the Job (Film)

Featurette: Tokyo Monstropolois (Bonus)

Product provided by WDSHE. Photos copyright WDHSE. All rights reserved.

UP

 Released to Blu-Ray & DVD on November 10, 2009

The first portion of Disney’s UP is rather bittersweet.  Ellie and Carl are adorable and comical together - from playing as children to growing old as a happily married couple. The bittersweet? Dreams that never came true…  That is until Carl, faced with a move to Shady Acres Retirement Village, takes a big chance and begins quite an adventure!

Russell, an adorable yet chatty and overeager eight year old Wilderness Explorer, looking to earn his final badge, “Assisting The Elderly”, so he can become a Senior Wilderness Explorer, shows up on Carl’s doorstep.  Carl sends him away on an imaginary task.  The next time Russell shows up on Carl’s doorstep, he finds himself floating up… along with the rest of the house! 

During their adventure, the two unlikely companions meet a “Snipe” - a rare 13 foot flightless bird that Russell names Kevin then turns out to be female; Dug and the pack of dogs he is in that all talk, thanks to a special collar; and Carl’s lifelong hero, who isn’t exactly what Carl envisioned him to be.  They discover Kevin is in danger and it appears Carl and Russell are Kevin’s only hope. 

Carl spent his entire life thinking of the adventure he and Ellie didn’t have, until he finds a special message Ellie has left for him.  That message and his new friendship with Russell make him realize the great adventure his life really was and what it still can be.

Up is an inspiring story that reminds us to look for the silver lining and take advantage of the adventure of what appears to be an ordinary life.

As the mommy of a three year old boy, one of my favorite sniplets of the movie was when Carl suggested to Russell that they play a game to see who could be quiet the longest. Russell replies, “Cool! My mom loves that game!”  Ha!

 Product provided by WDSHE.  Images © Disney.  All Rights Reserved.

SANTA BUDDIES: THE LEGEND OF SANTA PAWS

On Blu-Ray & DVD November 24, 2009

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh….

OK, “one-horse open sleighs” aren’t exactly very commonplace here in Florida, but after watching Disney’s Santa Buddies: The Legend Of Santa Paws tonight, I’m really starting to feel festive.  Even if it is still hot as summer outside some days. 

I’m not as familiar with the Air Bud series of Disney movies, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this really was one cute tail tale.  Even though some of the main characters are the Buddies pups, you don’t have to be famailiar with their history to enjoy this film, though I would think if you are familiar with them, you may appreciate their individual characteristics a little more. 

Most boys and girls have heard tell of Santa Claus, otherwise known as Jolly Ole’ Saint Nicholas of the North Pole, but you may not be as familiar with his Christmas partner, Santa Paws.  The Christmas traditions of the North Pole will one day be passed on the Santa Paws’ son, Puppy Paws, but Puppy Paws has become a little bah-humbug about Christmas spirit and just wants to be an ordinary pup. He spies an entry on the Naughty List of what looks to him to be a fun-loving ordinary pup and stows away when mail is collected from all the towns with Santa letters.  Puppy Paws finds the “ordinary” pup, and the rest of the Buddies and does his best to fit in.  When caught by the Scroogy dog catcher, Mr. Pruge, Puppy Paws is locked up in the kennel next to Tiny, an adorable pup who still believes in Christmas miracles and that faith inspires Puppy Paws. 

Meanwhile, back at the North Pole, the Christmas magic is fading and they need Puppy Paws’ help ASAP.  Puppy Paws cannot do it alone and enlists the help of the Buddies.  Together, maybe, just maybe, they can save Christmas…. 

You’ll have to snag your own copy to find out - and to find out if Tiny gets that Christmas miracle!

Santa Buddies is a great family holiday film - get your jammies on and pop some popcorn and make it family movie night! 

Product provided by Disney Home Entertainment.

Tinker Bell And The Lost Treasure

“A shimmering blue moon will rise before the frost, but can it light the way to find what has been lost?” 

Walt Disney Pictures’ newest creation, Tinker Bell And The Lost Treasure, is an adorable and fun tale - you wouldn’t expect anything less from Disney of course.  Tinker Bell has been chosen, at the moment she thought she was once again about to get a reprimand no less, to have the honor of creating the sculpture that will hold the beautiful blue moon stone during the Autumn Revelry. Something special happens every eight years, with the moon stone at just the right angle at just the right time, that restores the Pixie Dust Tree - the source of the Pixies’ magic.  But as well meaning and good hearted as Tink is, she is always quite the accident prone fairy. 

When an accident occurs that could potentially mean no restoration of the Pixie Dust Tree, Tinker Bell is absolutely devastated.  Encouraged to take a break and join the others to watch a play, she learns the secret of a special mirror that just might set things right.  As she begins her journey, her friendship with her best friend Terence gets very rocky and she meets a new friend - a firefly named Blaze.  Tink learns a lot about true friendship during her adventurous journey. 

You’ll have to watch for yourself to see what happens at the Autumn Revelry and if the Pixie Dust Tree is restored (and if her friendship with Terence is restored).  ;) 

No matter how old I get, I can’t resist a good Disney animated tale.  Tinker Bell And The Lost Treasure did not dissapoint. I do have a feeling Tink will find herself under a lot of Christmas trees this year.  Though this one will “officially” be Lil Roo’s movie, I think it unoffically may actually be Mommy’s, LOL! Tinker Bell may be girly-girl, but this DVD / Blu-Ray adventure isn’t neccesarily just for girls.  I can’t wait to enjoy it all over again through the eyes of my three year old. 

DVD / Blu-Ray Extras:

Magical Guide To Pixie Hollow: Tinker Bell & Terence are your guides as you explore the Autumn area of Pixie Hollow.

Pixie Hollow Comes To Walt Disney World: Discover how the filmmakers helped transform Epcot into Pixie Hollow.

Scenes You Never Saw: Pixie-powered goofs that never made the screen.

All New Music Video: “The Gift Of A Friend” performed by Disney Channel’s Demi Lovato.

Additional Information:

Feature runs approximately 80 minutes

Rated G {bonus material not rated}

Release Date: October 27, 2009

Savings, Codes, and Contests:

Inside each Tinker Bell And The lost Treasure Blu-Ray + DVD Combo Pack is a Disney Movie Rewards code worth 125 points.

The combo pack is a great deal if you would otherwise purchase both a DVD and Blu-Ray version - or if you have a Blu-Ray player and want a DVD backup disc without paying full price for a second disc.

Look for a coupon on the front of the package good for $8 off when you purchase both Tinker Bell And The Lost Treasure & Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs Diamond Edition on Blu-Ray or DVD. Coupon expires November 23, 2009.

Details are included in the case on the “Tink My Ride Sweepstakes” with prizes including a 2010 Honda Insight EX, Gibson Guitar signed by Disney Channel star Demi Lovato, Tinker Bell video games, magazine book collections, balloon playsets, and PixieHollow.com membership game card = 247 total winners.

Really want to get a deal on this Disney new release combo pack?

Target has Tinker Bell And The Lost Treasure priced at $25 & Walmart may be even less. Disney has a $10 printable coupon to use on the combo pack, making your total price $15 or less!

Thanks to Tracie @ KC Penny Pinchin’ Mama for the heads up on this coupon.

 Product provided by Disney.

Disney movie lover? (Or the parent of one? LOL!) Be sure to sign up for the Disney Movie Rewards (completely FREE) to earn reward points for watching Disney DVDs and viewing Disney films in theatres.  By clicking the graphic below, signing up and entering the special code, you’ll start your account off with 50 reward points. Take a brief survey (it actually is pretty quick, only took me a couple of minutes max) and get an additional 100 points added to your account.  You can start cashing in at 175 / 200 points (donate a tree seedling to a school or get a free month access at either Disney’s Toontown or Preschool Time online premium areas), get stickers or a 4 call pkg of Enchanted Calls at 300 points or let the points add up for a little bit to cash in on a bigger prize. 

Offer to get free reward points expires 7/31/09, so sign up right away.

Learning Curve is having an awesome sale going on right now with some items 50%++ off!  Some of the items I noticed:

Thomas The Tank $2 (was $12)

Toby The Tram $2 (was $12)

Johnny Lightening Road Trip Box Set $10 (was $25)

Adventure Zone Counting Puzzle $7 (was $13)

Bob Builder Take Along Mixer $3 (was $6.50)

Blue’s Clues Fire Truck $3 (was $7)

Baby Bumble Music Rattle $3.50 (was $7)

Activity Toy Bench $10 (was $20)

Wooden train sets (several) $10 (was $40) WOW!

Lots of replica vehicles around 50% off

Diego Rainforest Rescue Set $16 (was $36)

Dora & Diego Vehicles (several) $3 (was $7)

Eeyore Tunes baby toy $13 (was $21)

Lamaze Fly & Chime Friends $10 (was $20)

Happily Ever After Castle $58 (was $100)

Car seat base (several) $20 (was $37)

Travel Systems (several) $50 & $100 off

Lots of Thomas, Disney, bath & feeding, and infant toys.

COUPON CODES:

You must be registered & logged in for discounts to apply. Each of these codes cannot be used with any other offer (but does work with marked down items!).

WELCOME – $10 Off $30 purchase - Register & use this code at checkout (one time use only)

LCFRIEND – 25% Off entire purchase –

Assuming your purchase of $30 is of items averaging 50% off, here’s how it would break down:

Reg prices: $60 - Sale discounts: $30 - $10 coupon code = $20 (66% off!)

If you buy three sets of the wooden trains, it would look like this:

Reg prices: $120 – Sale discounts $90 - $10 coupon code = $20 (85% off!!)

* This comes out to $7 each for a really nice gift!

* The total will come out to 29.97 for all 3, so throw in a $2 Thomas to push you over $30.

I know this summer will be filled with kids’ birthday parties & baby showers and it is never too early to start buying & putting up for Christmas, so use these deals to save on purchases you’ll probably be making anyway!  

You can also follow Learning Curve on Twitter for deal updates & more.

We leave for our Disney trip early in the morning, so today is full of preparations and packing.  I’ll be gone most of the week, so posting may be sporadic. 

I feel like a chicken running around with my head cut off (sorry for the visual, lol).  There’s so much to do and now it is all being done last minute.  I used to plan for trips at least a week in advance – detailed lists, begin packing things I wouldn’t need in the meantime, etc – what happened? LOL! 

I’m not sure how well Lil Roo slept last night, but he became pretty tired and cranky a lot earlier than normal today, so he is down for a nap as I write this.  My little break at the computer is about up, as I still have lots to do. 

Have a great week!!

While I was up til all hours of the night last night with a sick little boy that decided he was wide awake in the middle of the night, I started checking out Disney books on Amazon and came across Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers (2009) (Paperback)

by Lisa M. Battista and ordered it. 

Amazon’s Editorial Review - Product Description:

Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers goes well beyond the typical Disney travel guide. This focused guidebook delves into the Disney experience as seen through the eyes of your preschooler. It unlocks the magic of Walt Disney World for parents of small children by revealing the keys to a successful Walt Disney World trip with little ones. If you have young children, this guide is an essential tool for making your next Walt Disney World vacation a magical and memorable experience for the whole family.

Inside you’ll find the following - plus more!

Planning your Disney Vacation with Kids

Character Dining

Recreation for Children

Parades and Character Greetings

Hidden Attractions

Attractions to Avoid

Attraction Height Restrictions

Baby Care Centers

Pools and Playgrounds

Disney’s Magical Express

Disney’s FASTPASS

The tickets (ok, technically cards we will need to exchange for tickets) just came in yesterday’s mail, so it is official!! We are Disney-bound at the end of the month! 

We will be visiting the Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom.  I tried to remember the last time I was at Disney World… was it really Grad Night? I’d like to tell ya that was just a few years ago, but… uh… well, it wasn’t so I am going to abruptly change the subject now.

We are so excited, but are not able to tell Lil Roo because his concept of time is basically, “ok, let’s go” as in “ok, let’s go now”.  He is going to be SO excited!!  He absolutely adores the Zoo, and we go often, so the Animal Kingdom will simply blow him away.  We’ve scheduled a character breakfast plus lunch one day in the Rainforest Café inside  Animal Kingdom. I’ve dined in the one at Downtown Disney in the past and think he would just love that experience!  Hopefully it won’t be too much “experience” overload, LOL!!

He really loves Mickey, McQueen, and Nemo – so it is going to be a blast to go to their “house”.

So… as I plan this trip… what do I need to know? What is a must see / must do?