A New Way to Collect Disney Autographs
I was looking through some photo albums of past Disney trips and enjoyed seeing pictures of my family with various Disney characters. Hey, I may be an adult, but I love the Disney Princesses, too. I especially like collecting their signatures. When I was younger I had an autograph book that I filled, but now I collect autographs differently.
Instead of having a book, I have loose pieces of colored paper that I keep in a box. My paper comes pre-cut from Creative Memories and different color selections come in their own boxes. I use these papers in several different ways. I have members of my group journal about the trip, I play hangman while standing in line, and I have Disney characters sign their name on them. Why not just use an autograph book?
When I get home I can put the autographs in my scrapbook with the photo of me and the character. I have also made several collages in picture frames and it is easy to slip in an autograph when it is on its own paper. I also slip them into books as a surprise the next time I reach for the book. It also makes a great bookmark. I’m sure you can think of other things to do with the unique autographs. Every time you see the signature you’ll be sure to remember your trip. Happiness squared.
Goofy Tip #31: So what am I doing with all the signatures I collected in my autograph book when I was a kid? I am removing them, taping them down on one page (or more) and making an iron-on transfer. This is easy to do since the paper is white. I haven’t decided if I am going to make a pillow or something larger, but I thought it would be fun to design something crafty. Maybe I’ll iron them on a T-shirt. What would you do?
Celebrate National Rock Your Socks Day!
Okay, I’ll admit that I have had some pretty goofy ideas, thus the reason for this blog, but this one is not mine. The folks at littlemissmatched came up with this event. I love the idea so much that I am telling everyone. But wait, maybe I should start at the beginning. Who is littlemissmatched?
Littlemissmatched is a company that makes sock that don’t match. The best part is that you get three sock instead of two, allowing you to wear your mismatched socks in many different ways. Even though the sock don’t match they are coordinated. It’s a guarantee that you will look awesome in your mismatched socks. So why did they create National Rock Your Socks Day?
This event is to encourage everyone to express their creativity. Their slogan is, “Ask not what your socks can do for you, but what you can do with your socks.” I love that. And it doesn’t have to be about socks. Maybe you want your socks to match, but you’re going to wear your hair in a totally new way. As long as it is creative it works. And now for the last question. This is a blog about being happy at the Disney parks; what does National Rock Your Socks Day have to do with Disney? I’m glad you asked.
The obvious answer is that the littlemissmatched stores can be found in Downtown Disney (that is where I do my shopping). It was at Downtown Disney that I discovered littlemissmatched. I got the point right away and have since then have bought many mismatched socks. But more importantly, Walt Disney believed we could all be creative. Lots of people told him Disneyland would never work, but he didn’t let their negativity, their matching socks, get in the way of his creative dreams. And that is what today is about, no naysayers. Everyone is creative and everyone should start using their creative dreams to make the world a happier place. Nothing is more Disney than that.
Goofy Tip #30: Littlemissmatched has Disney socks that don’t match!!! Wear them when you visit the parks and your outfit will be complete. Don’t forget to take a picture of you in your mismatched socks. Happiness squared!
Spend your Birthday at the Disney Parks
Today is my birthday!!!
I am not spending this year at a Disney Park, but two years ago I went to California Adventure with my brother and his family. We had so much fun that I encourage everyone to spend your birthday with Disney. Here are three great reasons why:
1. The Birthday Button. Tell everyone today is your birthday. Head over to the customer service area at the front of whichever park you are at and pick up a free “Happy Birthday” button. There is a place to write your name on it with a marker. I wore one of these around California Adventure and a lot of cast members wished me a happy birthday and used my name. It was great to be recognized.
2. Make a dinner reservation. Instead of just eating at the casual restaurants plan to eat at a special restaurant and make a reservation. When you place the reservation let them know that someone in your group is having a birthday. We did this when we reserved our dinner at Jiko in Animal Kingdom Lodge. The staff signed a card and they came out to wish the birthday girl a happy day. They also provided a special dessert with a candle in it. It was a wonderful special celebration.
3. Purchase a Disney Birthday Gift for your room. This is a pricy idea, but the surprise might be worth the expense. You can pick a gift from Disney Floral and Gifts and they will arrange it in your room. Imagine coming into your resort after a being treated like royalty in the parks and at dinner and seeing the entire room transformed into a Mickey Mouse birthday celebration. I would probably pass out from happiness. There are many types of in-room gift packages you can choose from and you can provide gifts of your own that they will incorporate it into the set up.
So there you have it. Make plans to spend your birthday at a Disney park. It is sure to be happiness squared. If you need more ideas for making the day special check out this page. It lists lots of ways to ensure a happy birthday.
Goofy Tip #29: Don’t just celebrate your birthday at the parks. All of the these ideas can be adapted to any celebration from an anniversary to graduation and any other occasion you can dream up.
What is Your Favorite Ride?
What is your favorite ride? Ask any Disney park visitor that question and a lively debate will ensue. Very few people have only one favorite. Some have a favorite in each park. Other’s have a favorite in each land. People’s reason for why a certain ride is their favorite is as varied as the rides themselves. So, what is your favorite ride?
If I had to pick one ride from all the Disney parks I have ever been on (ohh, my head!) I would pick Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom. It is such a thrill and the track takes you so up so high that you can see all of Walt Disney World. It is a world class roller coaster. But so many others are a close second. Here they are broken down by park.
Magic Kingdom – Pirates of the Caribbean
EPCOT – Ellen’s Energy Adventure
Disney’s Hollywood Studios – The Magic of Disney Animation
Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Expedition Everest
At Disneyland:
Disneyland – Pirates of the Caribbean
California Adventure – Turtle Talk with Crush
You’ll notice that they are not all fast rides. There are many things I love about Disney and speed is only one of them. How about you? Have everyone in your group make a list of their favorite rides. Make sure they pick an absolute favorite. Talk about why they love that ride. This would make a great dinnertime discussion and builds anticipation. And anticipation builds excitement. And excitement builds happiness.
Goofy Poll #1: So this is our first Goofy Poll, but I’m sure there will be more. Leave a comment on this post or e-mail me at agoofyidea@gmail.com. I’ll tally up the results and see what everyone likes.
Q: What is your all time favorite Disney attraction? What is your favorite attraction in each park? (If you have been to any of the international parks feel free to list your favorite ride there, too.)
A Sweet Enticement
Many years ago I ate a Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and loved it. I am planning on enjoying their great Italian food again when I go to Walt Disney World in January. If you have never been let me give you a delicious reason to make a reservation.
The Disney Parks Blog has made a video of the chef at Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano making a decadent dessert. I want to eat it now, but I’ll wait. Check out this video and get ready to drool.
Goofy Joke #11: (This is your after dinner joke.)
Q: What did the 101 dalmatians say when they finished dinner?
A: That hit the spots.
Have A Disney Halloween!
If you have plans to spend Halloween at one of the Disney Parks, hooray! You are going to have a great time. I, however, will be home, saving up my money for my Disney trip in January. But that doesn’t mean I can’t bring a little Disney Halloween magic to my house. And you can, too.
First, are you signed up to get Disney’s Family Fun posts in your e-mail? If not then do it as soon as possible. Then you can have Disney inspiration all year-long and you don’t have to do any searching. The latest e-mail I got had awesome Disney Halloween crafts, treats and costumes. There were too many ideas to mention here so I am going to give you links for my top three. Be sure explore the whole site. It is a great way to add some Disney to your Halloween celebration. Happiness spooked!
Disney Halloween Countdown Calendar
Goofy Tip# 28: Would you like to decorate your computer as well as your house for Halloween? Check out the Disney Parks Blog and download the exclusive Haunted Mansion wallpaper. Watch out for hitchhiking ghosts!
GQ: Finding Park Merchandise
Do you have a Goofy Question (a GQ)? I don’t mean a dumb question (because there are none.) I mean a question for A Goofy Idea. Anything you have been wondering that would help make your trip happier. If you do I would love to answer it for you. All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog or e-mail me at agoofyidea@gmail.com. I will answer them here in the blog and as a return e-mail. So go ahead. Be Goofy!
Today’s question comes from my friend, Arlene. We are planning a trip to Walt Disney World and she asked if there was a way to check out the park merchandise before she arrived at the parks. What a great Goofy Question!!! If she could look at merchandise beforehand she would be more prepared to shop at the parks and could even buy something ahead of time, thus saving time while in the parks. Happiness squared!
And the answer is yes. While not all the merchandise from the parks is online (except maybe on eBay, but then you should know what you are looking for), the Disney Store has a tab called Theme Park Products. This is where you can go to find official Disney Parks merchandise. I love to browse this website because they always have new products and great holiday ideas.
Thanks for the question. Keep them coming and we’ll help everyone have a happy trip, together.
Goofy Tip #27: Here’s another advantage to staying on property. Anything you buy in the parks can be sent to your room. That means you don’t have to wait to buy items as you’re leaving the park or carry bags around all day. So convienent.
Hakuna Matata
Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase
Hakuna Matata! Ain’t no passing craze
It means no worries for the rest of your days
It’s our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata!
The above lyrics probably had you humming the song and thinking of a wise cracking meerkat and a smelly warthog. Isn’t it what we all want when we go on vacation? (No, not a smelly warthog.) No worries, no problems. Just a great time relaxing at the water hole. Well, I am here to tell you that is it possible to have a vacation with no worries and no problems. The trick is two words. Hard work.
I know, hard work and hakuna matata seem opposites, but the way to have a worry free vacation is to do the planning and research ahead of time so you are ready for what ever happens on your trip.
Let me give you an example. Let’s say a member of your party has a food allergy, perhaps to gluten or peanuts. If you do not do the research ahead of time to find out which restuarants are best for everyone then you are hardly going to have a worry-free time when you are concerned about someone eating the wrong food. Meanwhile everyone in your party is getting hungry and soon you all turn into crazy hyenas instead of laid back meerkats. Not good. Not hakuna matata.
So plan ahead. Know what the best options are for transportation, food, attractions, and hotels. Then have an hakuna matata time on your vacation. Furaha mengi (happiness squared).
Goofy Joke #9 & #10 (Okay, I made these up so they are super groaners. Today you get two. One for Timon and one for Pumbaa.)
Q: What is Timon’s favorite candy bar?
A: KitKat
Q: What language did Pumbaa learn in school?
A: Pig Latin
Become a Goofy Guest
As friends have been giving me great ideas for my blog I realized that there is a vast resource of people who know the tricks to a happy trip to the Disney parks. It would be a shame not to share all that knowledge. So I am starting my Goofy Guest program. This is a way for any of my readers, friends and family to submit a blog that I will publish on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Those days will be Goofy Guest days.
Perhaps you know the best spot to watch the parade from. Or maybe you know how to beat the crowds when the parade is happening. Any tip, large or small, ten words or two hundred are welcome. The only rule is that it be a tip that will help the reader have a happier time at the Disney parks. I will review all posts, but won’t change anything without consulting you first.
If you are interested you can submit a post a agoofyidea@gmail.com. I look forward to seeing your writings.
Goofy Tip #26 agoofyidea@gmail.com is where you can contact me for any blog reason. Tips, jokes, trivia, any idea is welcome.
The Windows Above Main Street
For many Disney visitors Main Street U.S.A. is the way you get to the Castle and then on the the rides. Perhaps you look in the shop windows and wander in to buy something. But have you ever looked up? On the second floor of the Main Street buildings most of the windows have writing on them. The old-fashioned writing gives the feeling that different proprietors run business in this turn-of-the-century town, but they are actually a code. Each of the windows honors a Disney cast member who contributed to the building of the park.
Walt Disney has several windows, and his are usually at the beginning and end of Main Street, like opening and closing credits. But there are many more and all of them have a story. Along with the name of the cast member there is a profession written on the window. Some describe what that person did for the park. Others tell of a hobby or pasttime the person enjoyed.
How can you know what story each window represents? As always, there is a book. Windows On Main Street by Chuck Snyder describes the story of each window in Disneyland and Magic Kingdom. The windows are listed alphabetically and there is a picture to help with identification.
Want a to find the answer with your smart phone? There are many websites that can tell you what the windows represent. My favorite belongs to a great podcast, The Laughing Place. They have a list of the Disneyland windows and an app for the Walt Disney World windows.
So the next time you are on Main Street U.S.A. slow down and look up. With Disney every detail has a story to tell.
Goofy Tip #25 Make a game out of looking at the windows. See if you can guess the job or pasttime associated with each person. The book or websites can tell you if you are right or not, but it is fun to guess whether you know the answer or not. Bonus points for finding Walt Disney’s windows. Happiness squared.
A Goofy Idea 