tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28155266140766458442024-03-04T22:10:31.351-06:00Disney Donna KayDonna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-78661330623787637892011-07-04T07:49:00.000-05:002011-07-04T07:49:58.489-05:00Mentoring Mondays - Jana - Mousekaholic<strong>Jana - Mousekaholic</strong><br />
<br />
blog: <a href="http://www.mousekaholic.com/">http://www.mousekaholic.com/</a> <br />
twitter: @mousekaholic<br />
facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/mousekaholic1">http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/mousekaholic1</a><br />
<br />
I met Jana through the <a href="http://www.babesindisneylandblog.com/">Disney Blog Hop</a>, her blog is a favorite of mine. I have a soft spot in my heart for her because like my daughter, she is an Army wife and I know first hand how tough that can be. Like me Sleeping Beauty is her favorite Disney movie, and Aurora her favorite princess. You are going to enjoy today's interview!! So without further ado, here's Jana...<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong>Introduce yourself and describe your blog.</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> My name is Jana Robins, and I have a blog called Mousekaholic. I am an Army wife and mom of an 8 year old daughter and an almost 3 year old son. Mousekaholic is a blog about my obsession with Disney.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuI9lf2g7eVpaLCxLQ05mg8p74uQm8mJb4WyGvT9J1XtNX4wgb5z3h4LWVjyXNFzI3ZCH6KddWccFgOV8rD4wmTowiHf5XXDizR8SCdQ5d05P5aSs3wG44Cc9wYAqzO5sc54knL5ryZota/s1600/family+with+mickey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_cdkmfx="468" height="235" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuI9lf2g7eVpaLCxLQ05mg8p74uQm8mJb4WyGvT9J1XtNX4wgb5z3h4LWVjyXNFzI3ZCH6KddWccFgOV8rD4wmTowiHf5XXDizR8SCdQ5d05P5aSs3wG44Cc9wYAqzO5sc54knL5ryZota/s320/family+with+mickey.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong>What inspired you to start blogging?</strong> </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">B</span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">eing a military family, we move all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I originally started blogging to keep family and friends updated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While my husband was deployed to Iraq last year, I decided to apply to become a Disney travel specialist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started a Disney blog titled Jana’s Guide to Disney to give clients some helpful tips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never updated that blog and I feel that it was the name that was really dragging me down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was overwhelmed with the feeling that every post had to be a tip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes I wanted to just talk about something Disney-like that had happened in my day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I abandoned that first blog, and started Mousekaholic about 4 months ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The name is more generalized, so I was encouraged to write whatever Disney thought happened to cross my mind.</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong>How do you decide which articles to include in your Mousekaholic Daily? How do you keep them organized?</strong> </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">This question made me giggle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get this question so much and there’s a very simple answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mousekaholic Daily is a daily newspaper that is automatically generated from the website <a href="http://paper.li/">http://paper.li/</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It uses who you follow on Twitter or Facebook to create your own paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have gotten some pretty amazing followers based on the Daily mentioning their names!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong>Any tips for choosing topics for posts, how early do you write them?</strong> </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">I think this is something all bloggers struggle with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One thing I do if I’m having trouble thinking of anything, is to go through and look at my Disney pictures on my computer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remembering past trips usually generates a good topic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In general, I am not a planner – the exception being planning Disney trips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tend to do things spur of the moment in this family, so I write my posts as they come to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have found this method (or lack of method) a little harder with both kids at home for the summer, so I may have to tweak when I write my posts!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXtXNBcXEfq_JrnEh32GIGdM9MboB6rvpiGfrPBcmisHrwYD382HWV4ZT7qI9W0J0C8bJovkpw33Tzt7AIHEa2eKCNMLnAR0FqHvoBhiySjgn6rQm18FyPc2McL33ZOCvri6rdy9tMc5d/s1600/family+and+Cinderella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_cdkmfx="487" height="253" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXtXNBcXEfq_JrnEh32GIGdM9MboB6rvpiGfrPBcmisHrwYD382HWV4ZT7qI9W0J0C8bJovkpw33Tzt7AIHEa2eKCNMLnAR0FqHvoBhiySjgn6rQm18FyPc2McL33ZOCvri6rdy9tMc5d/s320/family+and+Cinderella.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong>If you could give a new blogger one piece of advice what would it be?</strong> </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Blog about your passion!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re not passionate about what you’re blogging, it’s going to become a burden to write and your readers will be able to tell.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong>How important is networking with other bloggers? Do you have any suggestions for connecting with fellow bloggers?</strong> </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Super important!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of my readers are fellow Disney bloggers I’ve connected with on Twitter and Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s great to connect with other bloggers who share your same passion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One great way to connect is to find a blog hop to link up to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get lots of new readers each week from linking up with blog hops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong>How often do you post, and how important is it to post frequently?</strong> </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Ideally, I would like to post everyday, but that has yet to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My goal is to get at least 3 new posts a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I usually don’t blog on the weekends, as they are reserved for family time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do think it is very important to blog frequently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s really the only way to keep readers coming back to your blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there’s nothing new to read, readers will lose interest quickly.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYir0rZLg_P07clsr4bUTia30-8P7wf1H3YPAB2b5lAy_4mVoV5Zrbf8_K0wq8SJOYHPrCHgXJu60nXwARPPjchlQqLrj_jGTmXVte3prUN1GaWb_CD4O8Lz7x5frwwTCAtCwaGfjfZwL/s1600/Aurora+and+Jana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_cdkmfx="522" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYir0rZLg_P07clsr4bUTia30-8P7wf1H3YPAB2b5lAy_4mVoV5Zrbf8_K0wq8SJOYHPrCHgXJu60nXwARPPjchlQqLrj_jGTmXVte3prUN1GaWb_CD4O8Lz7x5frwwTCAtCwaGfjfZwL/s320/Aurora+and+Jana.jpg" width="218" /></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong>If you could be a Disney Princess for a day who would it be, and why?</strong> </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Definitely Princess Aurora!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sleeping Beauty is my favorite Disney movie and she of course is my favorite princess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to being a Disney nut, I am also very artistic and musical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I LOVE the art in this movie and how the characters appear to have been placed in a Renaissance painting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music is amazing as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would love to sing and dance around barefoot with an owl in a cape in such a wonderful backdrop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prince Philip is also a definite plus!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong>Do you have a Disney Vacation tip you would like to share with our readers?</strong> </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">I think the most important thing to remember is to relax and have a good time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go into it knowing that it is impossible to do everything, so there’s no reason to run yourself into the ground trying to get it all done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have small children, let them be your guide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let them go back and take naps, so they can enjoy their time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe me, if your kids are tired and cranky, no one is going to have a good time. </span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Also if you’re travelling with a large group, don’t be afraid to split up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The worst mistake you can make is trying to keep everyone together one hundred percent of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone is going to want to do different things at some point during the vacation, and it’s perfectly okay to split up for a while and meet back later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll alleviate a lot of frustration that way.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong>Anything you would like to add?</strong> </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">When I first joined Twitter, I have to admit I was a little discouraged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was overwhelmed with how many Disney blogs there are and all the Disney experts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a while, I thought I shouldn’t blog about something when others have the most updated information out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would hesitate to post an update about something because I had already read about it on Twitter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, you have to realize that even if there are a million blogs about that one subject, no one has the same viewpoint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have different experiences, so your blog will be unique as are you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You also have a whole different group of readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My readers don’t visit Disney sites regularly, so even if something has already been posted out there, they won’t know about it unless I post it as well.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">I also want to thank Donna Kay for hosting Mentoring Mondays. When she first asked me participate, I wondered if she had me confused with someone else. What a great way to help those new to blogging as well as those who have been at it for a while. It's an honor to participate amoung all the great guests you have interviewed. Thanks, Donna Kay!</span></span></div>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-84444870336495819172011-06-30T08:21:00.000-05:002011-06-30T08:21:07.336-05:00#15 Ursula - The Little Mermaid (Disney Blog Hop)<strong>#15 Ursula - The Little Mermaid</strong><br />
Hi! Welcome to everyone who is stopping by from the Disney Blog Hop hosted by <a href="http://www.babesindisneylandblog.com/">Babes in Disneyland</a>. Please join in and visit everyone on the blog list and say HI! The theme this week is "Under The Sea" and I couldn't think of a better time to turn to my list of Favorite Disney Villains and Ursula. <br />
<br />
Ursula is truly evil down to the core, she would do anything to get rid of King Triton. From her gray skin to her ruby red lips Disney created a great villain you love to hate. She truly loves adding to her "collection" of Poor Unfortunate Souls. This clip is when she starts to formulate her plan to get rid of King Triton using Ariel's love for Prince Eric. Hope you enjoy it!! Have a Magical Day!!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_bhopXy8hBw?fs=1" width="425"></iframe>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-91368230794136099302011-06-27T08:27:00.000-05:002011-06-27T08:27:32.604-05:00Mentoring Mondays - Beth - A Disney Moms Thoughts<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Beth - A Disney Mom's Thoughts</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Blog: </span></strong><a href="http://www.adisneymomsthoughts.blogspot.com/"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">www.adisneymomsthoughts.blogspot.com</span></strong></a><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Twitter: @adisneymom</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Facebook: </span></strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/adisneymomsthoughts"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/adisneymomsthoughts</span></strong></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Welcome to Mentoring Mondays!! Today's featured blogger is Beth Green of </span><a href="http://www.adisneymomsthoughts.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Disney Moms Thoughts</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. Beth holds a special place in my heart, she is the very first person to follow my blog. I think she accidentally found me right after Auburn won the national championship when I posted the Auburn Fight Song. So you see, we share three very important things, our love of Disney, our love of Auburn University (War Eagle Beth!) and we are both Alabama girls. But I have to tell you, even if we didn't share these I would still love her blog. So I will step aside now and let you read what you really come here for.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1. Introduce yourself and describe your blog.</b><br />
My name is Beth Green.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a mom of two boys ages 10 and 2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I am the “Disney Freak” in the family, all my boys support my obsession and we try to travel to WDW at least every other year, if not every year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I’m not blogging about Disney or being a mom, I am a full time youth minister. “A Disney Moms Thoughts” is now 15 months old!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through my blog I try to share my thoughts, ideas, tips and experiences about Disney, particularly Walt Disney World.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of my posts deal with our past travels and traveling with children.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5hA_g7Y52WEw8XKseyaXSTw9cJwE2tymyvWLmeQSm7a2jMEi1lro26bMibeFg5AIukRwRZexpMKwZumH3QcwF90vqBxHlgl4Tmwkr-_DgJnfT0Q8DQ6_6LVZSw4h-crc7S3v9h_AR4oR/s1600/eeyore.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5hA_g7Y52WEw8XKseyaXSTw9cJwE2tymyvWLmeQSm7a2jMEi1lro26bMibeFg5AIukRwRZexpMKwZumH3QcwF90vqBxHlgl4Tmwkr-_DgJnfT0Q8DQ6_6LVZSw4h-crc7S3v9h_AR4oR/s320/eeyore.JPG" width="223px" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2. What inspired you to start blogging?</b><br />
I started blogging for 1 reason: to attend the Social Media Mom’s Conference at WDW!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read Disney blogs and followed the Disney Mom’s Panel members on twitter for over a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I read about the SMM Conference I knew I had to start being a “social media mom” in order to attend, so I started blogging and soon a twitter account and facebook page followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it’s an obsession!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe in 2012 I’ll be fortunate enough to attend! :)</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3. I know you write for the Magical Blogorail Green, and are a guest blogger on occasion, how are these post different from your regular blog post?</b> <br />
My Magical Blogorail posts aren’t that much different from my regular posts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I write about what I know and what I’ve experienced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I do a better job of editing my Blogorail posts since I know more people will be reading and I’m linked to other writers- even though I’m sure you will still find type-os and grammatical errors in them…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think sometimes my Blogorail posts are longer because I put more thought into them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have our topic for several weeks before we go “live” so I have plenty of time to think about the topic and do research if needed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4. Any tips for those who would like the opportunity to write for other blogs?</b><br />
Don’t be afraid to ask and put yourself out there!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I first ran across the Magical Blogorail I thought it was amazing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wanted so much to be a part of it so I put myself out there and asked about being a part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When other bloggers ask for guest bloggers, put yourself out there and volunteer!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When someone asks for a co-host for a blog hop, put yourself out there.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTm7ipPIZgXu7ItLhgibBAP6sP2iAjPp4lLis7miQKjObYxQ6C2cEM-rGdKIzJfCfW_Wj2Gk7-oHXhgFwsqBxoVG_VP6YOAnI4jLtKMgXhvx0xERA9RmJhcoDcvc-S-aTxpT3hNax9UqY/s1600/AKfam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTm7ipPIZgXu7ItLhgibBAP6sP2iAjPp4lLis7miQKjObYxQ6C2cEM-rGdKIzJfCfW_Wj2Gk7-oHXhgFwsqBxoVG_VP6YOAnI4jLtKMgXhvx0xERA9RmJhcoDcvc-S-aTxpT3hNax9UqY/s320/AKfam.jpg" width="212px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5. How important are photos to your blog, how many pictures do you usually use in a post? </b></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Photos are important to my blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I try to use at least one photo on each post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes I use more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a visual person and I like to have photos to accompany the text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like photos (on other blogs) when they are writing about something I haven’t experienced and I try to remember that for my readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone hasn’t experienced all I have, so when I write about something at WDW, I try to add photos for those people who have never seen or done it.</span></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">6. You are a Mom of 2 and Youth Minister for your church and still find time to blog, you must be very organized, any organization tips for us?</b><br />
This question makes me laugh because I am made fun of often at work and home for how organized I am!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have multiple calendars, to do lists, files, binders and spreadsheets going at all times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My organization tips are 1) keep a calendar and write everything on it- when you have appointments, parties, dates, meetings, birthdays, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even write on my calendar when special events are at WDW so I will remember to blog about it at the right time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2) keep your computer organized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Utilize folders and create good file names so they are easy to find in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3) stay on top of things and don’t let anything get too out of hand (housework, shopping, couponing, laundry, yard work, etc).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do a little each day or week and don’t put it off until it’s too big to handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4) once all your “life stuff” is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>under control, take time to write several blog posts at once and either schedule them to post or keep them to edit before you’re ready to post.</span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">7. I know you use social networking (Twitter/Facebook) and post very regularly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which do you feel has been more beneficial to you in relation to your blog and why?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Personally, I like Facebook better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been using facebook for years and it’s familiar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I get more visitors from twitter, so I guess it’s been more beneficial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t until I started using “tweetdeck” that twitter became a useful tool!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can now schedule my tweets ahead of time directing others to my blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s another organization tip!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext;">8. You are currently planning your 16<sup>th</sup> Disney vacation. Please share a favorite Disney vacation memory.</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: windowtext;">Wow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a hard question!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have so many so I’ll make a quick list for you~ taking my sons for the first time, running in the <a href="http://adisneymomsthoughts.blogspot.com/2011/01/walt-disney-world-marathon.html">marathon</a> (03) and <a href="http://adisneymomsthoughts.blogspot.com/2011/04/mondays-memory-wdw-half-marathon-2008.html">half marathon</a> (08), going on the <a href="http://adisneymomsthoughts.blogspot.com/2010/08/pressed-pennies.html">pressed penny</a> hunt with my friend Heath, spending time at the <a href="http://adisneymomsthoughts.blogspot.com/2011/05/day-26-30-30-day-disney-photo-challenge.html">MK with my husband</a>, and <a href="http://adisneymomsthoughts.blogspot.com/2010/05/mondays-memories-monorail.html">driving the monorail!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHHcn3nH326Uc61b1S4cLJHPhouAp7Tcwx1leJRjjuwscbYr-z8Epndt1NZpCYtC_1LmXVkfUKcq10WkbKwOL-HMHSxgFoOiugaL-V_E_vZqL1SGogHCI48FqlG9bKlo1OFEG60lA-Szf/s1600/B%2526J.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHHcn3nH326Uc61b1S4cLJHPhouAp7Tcwx1leJRjjuwscbYr-z8Epndt1NZpCYtC_1LmXVkfUKcq10WkbKwOL-HMHSxgFoOiugaL-V_E_vZqL1SGogHCI48FqlG9bKlo1OFEG60lA-Szf/s320/B%2526J.JPG" width="224px" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">9. Do you have a Disney Vacation tip you would like to share with our readers?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Be prepared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have all the “stuff” you think you’ll need at your resort or in your backpack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be familiar with the parks, the distance between things, and how long it takes to get places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Know the park hours, parade times and your dining times before you arrive and plan accordingly. Don’t think you’ll be able to do it all- you won’t!</span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong>10. Anything you would like to add?</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your Mentoring Mondays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What an honor to be interviewed with these other bloggers that I admire myself!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If any of your readers have specific questions for me, feel free to ask and I’ll answer- either with my own experiences or after some research!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can contact me through my blog, email, facebook or twitter.</span></span></div>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-85962849127365741972011-06-23T15:24:00.001-05:002011-06-23T15:26:15.599-05:00#16 -Prince John - Robin Hood<strong>#16 - Prince John</strong><br />
Money is truly the root of all evil isn't it? When King Richard is tricked into going on a crusade, Prince John quickly moves to assume his brother's throne. Due to his excessive greed, the new ruler moves to take everything of value from his subjects with his unjust taxes. At the same time his is almost childlike in his mannerism, having a habit of sucking his thumb. Humiliated after he was fooled and robbed by Robin Hood and Little John, he is more cruel than ever to his subjects. He is probably the wimpiest Disney Villain there is, but he is truly villainous just the same. The clip below depicts Prince John as who he truly is. I hope you enjoy it. Have a Magical Day!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_QlT8gayK30?fs=1" width="425"></iframe>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-26359309601396327632011-06-23T09:15:00.000-05:002011-06-23T09:15:50.815-05:00Magic Moments - Disney Blog HopHi everybody!! It's Thursday so that means it's Disney Blog Hop day hosted by Lisa at <a href="http://www.babesindisneylandblog.com/">Babes in Disneyland</a> and co-hosted this week by my friend Manda of <a href="http://www.mandasdisneyblog.blogspot.com/">Manda's Disney Blog</a>. Welcome to anyone joining the hop for the first time and Welcome Back to everyone who has visited before. I really appreciate all of you stopping by.<br />
<br />
This weeks theme is Magic Moments. I try to be a glass half full kind of girl, and find magic in life's little moments. Having Dakota want to sit down and watch a Disney movie with me, or flipping through the channels to see that Monster's Inc. is on Stars (there's something special about finding it on TV and not watching the DVD weird I know).<br />
<br />
Mike is not a huge Disney fan, we are going to Walt Disney World for me and I am well aware of that. It's such a small thing, but having him ask about Disney restaurants or say something about wanting to ride Peter Pan's Flight are magical moments for me. <br />
<br />
Reading Disney books to my kids when they were younger was really magical for me. They loved the pictures and the stories, even though they had every video Disney ever produced, something about the books and reading them together was so special. To this day Ashley & Dakota love to read, I attribute it to the Disney books we read when they were small. Now Ashley is reading the stories to Lexi, and it looks like I am going to have another grandbaby to read to in February.<br />
<br />
Actual Walt Disney World magic moments, I think my most magical moment was seeing the Walt Disney World sign for the first time. There is something so magical about seeing it and knowing you are actually there. My palms were sweating and my heart began to beat a little faster, there was even a tear in my eye. I hope it's just as exciting this time around, and somehow I think it will be. Another magical moment was seeing Main Street for the first time, we were going to breakfast reservations at Crystal Palace and it almost seemed as though we were the only people there. I think it was like you went back to a time when life was a whole lot simpler. It's amazing how you forget the rest of the world even exists when you are there.<br />
<br />
I hope you will all take the time to try to find a little magic in everyday! You all make my days more magical, I'm glad I have so many new Disney friends. I hope each one of you has a Magical Day!!Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-6818617094108716442011-06-20T08:27:00.000-05:002011-06-20T08:27:06.992-05:00Mentoring Mondays - Chad - Days In The Park<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong>Chad - Days In The Park</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Blog: <a href="http://www.daysinthepark.com/">www.daysinthepark.com</a> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/daysinthepark">http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/daysinthepark</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Twitter: @DaysInThePark</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">I am pleased to have Chad here today from Days In The Park. His blog hasn't been around as long as some of the others featured here on Mentoring Mondays but you will find that it is always interesting, and his true love of Disney really shines through. He has a fabulous sense of humor and the pictures on his blog are always great. I doubt I will ever get to see Disneyland for myself, but Chad makes me feel like I've already seen it. I know you are going to enjoy is Mentoring Mondays interview.</span></div><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Introduce yourself and describe your blog.</span></b></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">My name is Chad Elliott and I’m the co-creator/founder of a blog entitled Days In The Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Days In The Park is a blog all about the random fun, adventure, and “Days” we spend at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We try to be a bit different than a lot of websites that deal with Disney in that we try to be more personal, or relational, than informational.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We like to write about our own personal likes and things we enjoy doing around The Parks, and we try to use that to set us apart to some extent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not to say we never report on any news items, but the ones we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do</i> report on are the ones that interest <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">us</i> the most and have a personal tie to us in some way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We try to keep it fun, lighthearted, and humorous in any way that we can because we feel that’s where we’re able to do our best writing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">What inspired you to start blogging?</span></b></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">I had been doing my own personal blog for a while when we began Days In The Park, but other than a few personal friends and family members, there wasn’t much traffic going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really enjoy writing a lot, and I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i> only do it for myself, but at the same time it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> enjoyable having others reading what you’re writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had written a few articles about The Parks on my own personal blog and couldn’t help but notice that those were the ones that got the most traffic, so I figured I might be on to something there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friend Mark, who writes on our blog along with me, and I had been spending a lot of time in The Parks together at the time, and were having a “texting” conversation one day in which I mentioned I was considering starting a blog solely aimed at Disneyland, and he said he’d like to start one, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather than do two separate ones, and since we spent many of our “Days” there together anyways, I approached him with the idea of combining our efforts and just doing one together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest is, as they say, history.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">What do you think is the best way to attract new readers/followers?</span></b></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">I think that the best way to attract new readers/followers is to do your best to constantly have new content for people to keep coming back to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s easy when you’re first starting to fall off a bit, but the downside of that is if you have new readers checking you out, if you do it’s easy for them to fall off too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it’s really important to continue churning something out as often as you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It shouldn’t be stressful but if you’re having trouble doing something substantial every day, do something lighthearted and easy so people have something to come back to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Secondly, I think it’s important you just be yourself and who you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With so many websites/blogs dealing with Disney out there, a lot of the information gets repeated on a lot of different sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s important to take whatever you are writing and infuse your own voice into it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that people really respond to that and love seeing it in a blogger’s writing. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">What attributes do you think make a good blogger?</span></b></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">I’m kind of piggy-backing what I just said just a little bit, but I think one of the best attributes a blogger can have is to just be themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Readers are pretty smart, and they can easily tell if someone is being themselves in their writing and I think that they respond to that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inject as much of yourself and your personality into what you write and you’ll never go wrong with what you’re trying to convey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also think that bloggers need to be knowledgeable as well about their source material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a blogger you owe it to your readers to be as correct in what you say as you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, for me, it’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i> important (and it may just be me) that you write as professionally as you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I go to a lot of trouble and re-read what I write several times to make sure my spelling, grammar and structure are all correct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I’m reading other blogs, I notice things like that right away, so I try to do the best I can to make mine what I’m looking for in others’ writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that’s really important to make your blog match up with what <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> want to see in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">other’s</i> work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re not perfect, and we don’t have to be, but it doesn’t hurt to strive for it!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFOTotMEYBF3dadmDWKYQ0TR6Fs0GvwxryxB9Da8lila79FurFvsgAEJsOVYweFOABEST3j-4igikKwx33yJAkJ4K9TypFkix5L488Ll0Gc_0MpBFkV4rHczpP2CNscHIR-eCsZLNikfa/s1600/IMG_2516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFOTotMEYBF3dadmDWKYQ0TR6Fs0GvwxryxB9Da8lila79FurFvsgAEJsOVYweFOABEST3j-4igikKwx33yJAkJ4K9TypFkix5L488Ll0Gc_0MpBFkV4rHczpP2CNscHIR-eCsZLNikfa/s320/IMG_2516.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="5" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">If you could give a new blogger one piece of advice what would it be?</span></b></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">I’m probably sounding like a broken record at this point, but I’ll say it again; just be yourself!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s okay to look other blogs and see how they’re structured and what other people are writing about, but it’s really important to make your blog <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yours</i> and infuse it with as much of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> as you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it’s really important too to not get discouraged, but keep at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you first start blogging, you’re probably not going to have a lot of readership (that comes with time), and it’s easy to get discouraged because of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you are writing for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yourself</i>, and because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> enjoy doing it, then it becomes easier to take the good days <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> the bad days when you’re blogging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pay attention to your numbers (stats) so that you can see what’s working for you in terms of your writing and what isn’t, but don’t get too caught up in the numbers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just write about what you enjoy writing about, and if anyone wants to come along for the ride with you, consider it a blessing and do your best for those people that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i> reading you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s supposed to be fun, so do everything in your power to keep it just that: fun!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="6" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">How important is social networking (Twitter/Facebook) to blogging?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any advice on getting followers/likes?</span></b></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Social networking is crucial to your success as a blogger in my opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing will ever beat “word of mouth”, and if you have a presence in the social media world and people reading you, they’re almost sure to tell other people (friends) about you and you can pick up quite a following that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s probably the #1 way to increase readership of your blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you write a new article, let people know on Twitter and Facebook and invite people to come read your articles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for getting more “likes” and followers, it’s just a matter of getting out there and interacting with people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re on Twitter, spend some time interacting with people, let them know you’re there, and always respond to them (do your best not to ignore them).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they get to know you there, and like you there, the odds of them reading your blog are much higher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Same goes for Facebook!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of interaction is a good thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And don’t be afraid to advertise yourself or “fish” for new followers too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t spam the Twitter Stream to the point of annoyance, but don’t be afraid to try and gain a few new followers here and there either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sure can’t hurt!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="7" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Do you thing being a male blogger is an advantage/disadvantage and why/why not?</span></b></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">That’s actually a great question and one I’ve wondered about myself from time to time, mostly on days when my numbers haven’t been very good – LOL!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it’d be really hard to prove one way or the other, but I like to think that we’re all just bloggers and as long as we have great content and something worth reading, it doesn’t matter one way or the other in terms of quality of what we’re able to put out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of my favorite bloggers are women, and some of my favorite bloggers are men, so I think that in the end it all shakes out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="8" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">If you could be a Disney Villain for a day which would it be, and why?</span></b></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Fun question!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And really hard to answer!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I’d probably go with my favorite Disney Villain of all time (and one I’d love to meet one day), Prince John from “Robin Hood”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up until the end of the flick he’s really living the good life there – riding the countryside, pet snake, sucking his thumb and ruling England!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oo-de-Lally, sounds like a party to me!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="9" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Do you have a Disney Day Trip tip you would like to share with our readers?</span></b></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">My tip is pretty much always the same; take it easy, relax and just enjoy the magic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see so many families (and used to get caught up like this myself) that are worn out by noon (complete with kids lying in the ground throwing a tantrum), because they just run around like crazy thinking that everything has to be done ASAP so that “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everything we need to do</i>” gets done, and to me the tradeoff has never been worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I honestly don’t see how you can enjoy what you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i> seeing if your thoughts are constantly on the next thing you need to get to, a la Clark Griswold in “National Lampoon’s Vacation”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I guess my tip is to focus more on the enjoyment of what you are doing and less on what you “have” to do, if that makes sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has certainly helped me enjoy <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my</i> time in The Parks more!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="10" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Anything you would like to add?</span></b></li>
</ol><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">I just want to say a personal “thank you” to Donna for asking me to interview for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t been blogging very long myself, so to be included alongside some of these other bloggers is mind-blowing, and I’m not entirely sure I’m worthy of that quite yet, but I hope that my answers <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do </i>help in some way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks so much again for the opportunity!</span>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-34232815512246186282011-06-16T10:27:00.002-05:002011-06-16T14:49:34.333-05:00Disney Blog Hop - FamilyHi to everyone returning from previous Disney Blog Hops & Nice to meet you to everyone stopping by for the first time. Thanks to Lisa at <a href="http://www.babesindisneylandblog.com/">Babes In Disneyland</a> for hosting the blog hop each week. You should really check out her website and book if you haven't already. When you leave Disney Donna Kay today don't forget to visit the other bloggers who are Disney Hopping today!<br />
<br />
Today's theme is Family. I thought I might introduce you to mine. I don't post personal things here very often, so indulge me. <br />
<br />
<strong>Ashley</strong><br />
I had my "Baby Girl" on June 11, 1987. I was a single parent, much to the disappointment of my father (Papa). She is definitely one of the best things that ever happened to me and I would do it all alone again. By the way, she is the apple of Papa's eye and she feels the same way about him. The Disney character that Ashley reminds me of the most is Ariel. She is strong and independent and determined to do things her way, no matter what. She is curious, intelligent and loves to learn new things. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Little Mermaid Wallpaper Disney Image" border="0" height="256px" src="http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt202/Halloween-Hannah/Little-Mermaid-Ariel/Ariel-Little-Mermaid-Dreaming.jpg" width="320px" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Mike</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mike and I got married December 16, 1995 after dating for 8 months. When it's right you know. I think the Disney character Mike is most like would be the Beast from Beauty and the Beast. Probably an odd choice I know, but here is my reasoning. Mike can seem a little short tempered and selfish sometimes. But, deep down he is a softie who loves us more than he wants anyone to know. He's kind of old school in feeling like showing affection is a sign of weakness. I know his heart is in the right place.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Beauty & the Beast" height="240px" src="http://www.wallpapershell.com/wallpaper/cartoon/disney/beauty-beast/beauty-beast-wallpaper-010-1024.jpg" width="320px" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Dakota</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dakota is my biggest unexpected blessing, he was born on June 27, 1997. Mike and I were in agreement that Ashely was going to be an only child. I took my birth control pills religiously. Well, let me tell you, it is true they don't work when you take antibiotics. God is smarter than all of us, because Dakota is the most amazing person. He is so loving, kind, generous and smart. He is somewhat shy, and is a huge fan of 60's & 70's music (disco not included). His guitar is his prized possession, and he's pretty good with it. He's probably the hardest one for me to pick out a character, but I am going to choose Simba from The Lion King. Dakota has a strong sense of responsibility even now at almost 14. He likes to have a good time and goof off, but when it comes down to it, he's always going to accept his responsibilities and do what is expected of him to the best of his abilities. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="The Lion King and Horus" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-113" height="174px" src="http://gatewaytogold.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/the_lion_king_movie_image_2-300x174.jpg" title="The Lion King and Horus" width="300px" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Donna Kay</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wow, who am I? I was born August 19, 1963 on my mother's 27th birthday. I was the "Baby Girl" (at least until Ashley took over). I come from a large family, 5 sisters, 2 brothers. We are all fiercely competitive, and love nothing more than beating each other at games. I am extremely devoted to my family and friends, you'd better not mess with them. I think quick on my feet, and I can handle whatever situation is thrown at me. But which Disney character am I most like? After much consideration, I think I am going to go with Wendy from Peter Pan. I think she was a mother figure to her brothers, Peter even wanted her to be a mother to the lost boys. She enjoyed having a good time, but she still understood that you have responsibilities you must keep. She believed that she could fly, and that all her dreams would come true. All I'm doing is waiting for Tinker Belle to come by and sprinkle some Pixie Dust, then I'm off to Neverland...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-16563" height="368px" idx="2" itxtbad="1" src="http://www.disneydreaming.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Disneys-Peter-Pan-Movie.jpg" startheight="368" startwidth="500" style="height: 368px; width: 500px;" title="Disneys Peter Pan Movie" width="500px" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I know I was a little long winded today, I hope you enjoyed getting to know me a little better. Have a Magical Day!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-2101354147309193072011-06-15T09:22:00.000-05:002011-06-15T09:22:38.754-05:00#17 - The Queen of Hearts - Alice in Wonderland<strong>#17 Queen of Hearts</strong><br />
Temper, Temper, Temper! My goodness, the Queen of Hearts is quite the Diva isn't she? I wonder how many times she actually said "Off with his head?" I love that Alice finally puts her in her place by calling her a "fat, pompous, bad tempered old tyrant." Everyone else, including her husband seems quite content to live in absolute fear of her. This clip is from Alice's trial. The queen is still being her "charming" self. Hope you enjoy it. Have a Magical Day!!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WqhhAe1UE58?fs=1" width="425"></iframe>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-30454019048377712982011-06-13T09:36:00.000-05:002011-06-13T09:36:14.287-05:00Mentoring Mondays - Beth Doda : The Magical Blogorail & Pursuing The MagicMentoring Mondays - Beth Doda Magical Blogorail & Pursuing the Magic<br />
<br />
Blog - <a href="http://www.pursuingthemagic.com/">http://www.pursuingthemagic.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.magicalblogorail.com/">http://www.magicalblogorail.com/</a><br />
Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/magicalblogorail">http://www.facebook.com/magicalblogorail</a><br />
Twitter: @MagBlogorail<br />
<br />
So I worked up the nerve to ask <a href="http://www.magicalblogorail.com/">Magical Blogorail</a> to participate in Mentoring Mondays, I think my heart was about to jump out of my chest. As I typed out the DM on twitter my palms were seating. I had to remember my own advice, the worst that could happen is they could say no. It didn't take long and I had my answer, "Of course, what do I need to do." Well, she sent me her email and I about fell out of my chair - it was Beth. How did I not know Beth had founded the Magical Blogorail??? After I got over feeling like the worlds biggest idiot, I laughed at myself. Beth is the sweetest person, we follow each other on twitter and read each other's blogs. How did I not know this, I am still befuddled. I know you all are familiar with the Magical Blogorail, I hop aboard all the time and she has some incredible people writing at each stop. Her blog <a href="http://www.pursuingthemagic.com/">Pursuing The Magic</a> is just as wonderful. I almost forgot she writes for the WDW Daily News as well, Beth you're such a slacker! I am thrilled to have Beth here on Mentoring Mondays, and I am very happy to call her my friend. Thanks Beth!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgazmz8B82gU64j4iE2oYzn5E0l7fiLJ21ndKQyPuBbF0tKmyyjE4GGdo9NH5Dk9Y0QVDtJIOUxxlFkAsAOo22VcEBU26UHmvo-zR8qstgNT7-Ypk-Dn_4J_mBpHsztZlSKLJOOCmSEln/s1600/Blogorail+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="109px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgazmz8B82gU64j4iE2oYzn5E0l7fiLJ21ndKQyPuBbF0tKmyyjE4GGdo9NH5Dk9Y0QVDtJIOUxxlFkAsAOo22VcEBU26UHmvo-zR8qstgNT7-Ypk-Dn_4J_mBpHsztZlSKLJOOCmSEln/s320/Blogorail+Logo.jpg" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";"></span></div><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">Introduce yourself and describe your blogging network.</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My name is Beth, and I am a stay at home mom of three little ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I organize the Magical Blogorail and also write my own personal blog called Pursuing the Magic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Magical Blogorail is a place where Disney bloggers can come together and share their love of Disney with all Disney fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once or twice a week a group of five or six bloggers comes together for a “loop” to share their perspectives on a single topic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether you travel to Disney regularly or have never been, you can find a great collection of Disney information all in one place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pursuing the Magic is my personal blog where I share all of the ways my family brings Disney magic to our home in between trips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also a place I share all the lessons I have learned traveling to Walt Disney World as a mom and traveling to Walt Disney World with a large group, since our trips are always a large family outing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">What inspired you to start The Magical Blogorail?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">At the time that I started the Magical Blogorail, all three of my children were under the age of five and not in school yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved reading Disney blogs, but I just didn’t have the time to keep up with the blogs I loved and keep up with the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day as I read through a scrapbooking blog hop, I thought why couldn’t I do a Disney blog hop?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be a much easier way for me to get from one blog to the next. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t sure who would want to join, so I was very hesitant about reaching out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally e-mailed a few people I had connected with on Twitter, who were as excited about the idea as I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we had our first loop, I started getting a lot of people requesting to join us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what I thought would be a group of five or six bloggers coming together once a month, has turned into 30 bloggers coming together in small groups each week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only has it been a great way to share our love of Disney with everyone, but it is also a community of people who help each other out daily, whether it be needing some advice with a technology related question, looking for a particular picture to enhance a blog post or just a spot to share personal triumphs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Magical Blogorail has more than exceeded my expectations. I am so thankful for everyone who is participating and sharing their blogs, and appreciative of all our readers who are interacting with us during the week with our daily recaps and weekly blogorail loops.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYPq6AAh-Bukrwyvqyi8EFzoQAFU3pUDgKVpgkp5oFOwUy1N4uUk_bP0FJ39CYn2UQwXUvjVFV2K01flPL_d1JUiXAQobJnIr-wGSTa1wuG7A-gtn_DhJ7vm11oag0oBNYGfCkGzwM6F0/s1600/February+2006+Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYPq6AAh-Bukrwyvqyi8EFzoQAFU3pUDgKVpgkp5oFOwUy1N4uUk_bP0FJ39CYn2UQwXUvjVFV2K01flPL_d1JUiXAQobJnIr-wGSTa1wuG7A-gtn_DhJ7vm11oag0oBNYGfCkGzwM6F0/s320/February+2006+Family.jpg" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">Do you feel social networking has been beneficial in the success of the Blogorail? Explain.</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Absolutely!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the great things about Twitter and Facebook is that you can connect with people who have the same interests as you do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can share with an audience that has followed you because they like the content you are offering them and have a personal connection with that, which in our case is a love of Disney, whether that is our Disney stories, pictures or information we share.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">How important is it for bloggers to network with each other?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I think networking with other bloggers is very important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bringing so many people together does a couple of things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, it gives readers several different perspectives on one topic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the Magical Blogorail, we have family blogs, mom blogs, photo blogs, food blogs, some are based in Walt Disney World, some in <place w:st="on">Disneyland</place> and many more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, when we discuss a topic, you will read about it from many different angles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only will you get a lot of information, but also our personal stories and experiences that go along with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also have created a community where we have become a resource for each other, and members feel comfortable asking each other for advice, asking for information or sharing successes they have had.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="5" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">What attributes to do you look for when adding a blogger to the Blogorail?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">When someone requests to join the blogorail, all I look for is a blog that was created to share someone’s love of Disney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t matter if someone has been blogging for years or just days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always say that I could talk Disney all day long, I just need to find someone who can listen as long as I can talk about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I use my blog to get my Disney energy out between trips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will find that, though we may not all word it the same way, the blogorail members all have their blogs for that same reason, just wanting to share our personal Disney memories, knowledge and the Disney lessons we have learned.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy77wHd3sBdyrpntG03zZJmUqToCEjWgun80gI4xmTHLsya7pRz0RUAHy2OlQWCNP3XOrrsb-veV0Wr7tWvkS_C4QtEB4ANGh-qmoThNjQlZt5BNVJ81R771_mnPumN6tbihUoPbbyKIF/s1600/February+2006+Joey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy77wHd3sBdyrpntG03zZJmUqToCEjWgun80gI4xmTHLsya7pRz0RUAHy2OlQWCNP3XOrrsb-veV0Wr7tWvkS_C4QtEB4ANGh-qmoThNjQlZt5BNVJ81R771_mnPumN6tbihUoPbbyKIF/s320/February+2006+Joey.jpg" t8="true" width="320px" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="6" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">With so many different Blogorails each week and so many different topics, how do you keep it all organized? </span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Each Magical Blogorail line is assigned a color that corresponds with a color of the monorail system used by Disney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By grouping bloggers into small groups, it is very easy to manage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each line has their own schedule as to when they will have their loop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will admit it took me some time to really get a system down that works, but I have a lot of Excel spreadsheets and a desk calendar that I cannot go without checking at least a couple times a day. Most importantly, I am very lucky to have such a great group of people on the Magical Blogorail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are always supportive and ready to help out whenever I need it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="7" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">Share with us why you feel it is important to give readers several perspectives on a certain subject?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">There are so many experiences you can have in a Disney theme park and so many ways to plan where you are going to dine, how you are going to tour the parks, which guidebooks to read, and so on that it can be difficult for someone to decide what is best for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When someone reads my personal blog, they are going to read how I plan our vacations and what our favorite dinners and attractions are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that doesn’t represent the only way to enjoy a Disney vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By offering different perspectives, someone can see pros and cons to many things. The Magical Blogorail is based on sharing personal experiences with all things Disney, so though we do offer a lot of Disney information, we are offering our personal perspectives and experiences during our loops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By having so many different perspectives, a reader is going to find many ways to approach planning and enjoying a Disney vacation.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnQ2aCmfaOZOXp2Xi0Q0AxR-NPqSN1AlDgZlxKtL79GtpoCq5vKHbpfgRPke9a7nMfoQF59GE68qaEMeOyoBY53RDz-XSBj5Kd7MKxrT9cOa5HmS-EdQTflxUm1ltu3fN8H2qdvQQ7jg7/s1600/March+2010+Akershus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnQ2aCmfaOZOXp2Xi0Q0AxR-NPqSN1AlDgZlxKtL79GtpoCq5vKHbpfgRPke9a7nMfoQF59GE68qaEMeOyoBY53RDz-XSBj5Kd7MKxrT9cOa5HmS-EdQTflxUm1ltu3fN8H2qdvQQ7jg7/s1600/March+2010+Akershus.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="8" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">You have so many topics each week for your bloggers, how do you come up with so many new ideas?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The topics are created by the Magical Blogorail members each week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally, they are chosen by the group members, though we have also polled our readers and used the poll results to choose our topic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With thirty people working together to create topics, we have a very diverse set of ideas to choose from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="9" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">What is your favorite Disney souvenir? </span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Besides our photos and memories, there is one souvenir that really is emotional for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a point that my husband and I thought we wouldn’t be able to have children, though fortunately we were able to overcome that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as I was pregnant for our first child, I was already starting to plan his first Disney vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took my son, Joey, for his first trip when he was 14 months old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided that we would go to our family’s first character meal at Cape May Café.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My son fell in love with Chip and Dale and could have spent the entire day just playing with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a reminder of that day, I purchased a Chip and Dale Christmas ornament for my son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To this day, over 5 years later, it is one of my favorite ornaments to hang on our tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Disney dream, which I wasn’t so sure was going to come true, was always to bring my children to Disney, and this ornament represents my dream coming true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even better, it reminds me of the smile he had on his face every time he saw Chip and Dale turn the corner and come toward our table.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="10" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">Do you have a Disney Vacation tip you would like to share with our readers?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuf_FrzrxAO_oAo1V3W5ENGcxKq7uqL7DVyEJSow9eNu-a-0UGrMt_-wSGtR1biYfpO2i1em5W28pK2And66cjFzvEJuNCRLOMr5OJlGfYTW6YvAIiV-t7mAhQtrP3x2wSf6uvAyIaOQK/s1600/March+2010+Hoop+Dee+Doo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuf_FrzrxAO_oAo1V3W5ENGcxKq7uqL7DVyEJSow9eNu-a-0UGrMt_-wSGtR1biYfpO2i1em5W28pK2And66cjFzvEJuNCRLOMr5OJlGfYTW6YvAIiV-t7mAhQtrP3x2wSf6uvAyIaOQK/s320/March+2010+Hoop+Dee+Doo.jpg" t8="true" width="235px" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">There is so much to see and do on a Disney vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always recommend taking your time and enjoying all the little details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy and appreciate the moments with your friends and family as you are experiencing the attractions, shows and parades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you reminisce about being in Disney, you aren’t going to talk about the time you made it to Splash Mountain and the wait was five minutes or the time you walked up to a show and were first in line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are going to remember the special moments, which for me are seeing Joey’s face the first time he “drove” a race car at Tomorrowland Speedway or met Buzz Lightyear for the first time, when Hayley played peek a boo with Donald when she was two and watching Emily dance at Hoop Dee Doo, Crystal Palace and in the middle of Adventureland when she was just 10 months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had we been rushing from attraction to attraction to get it all in, these are some of things we may have missed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="11" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">Anything you would like to add?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I want to say a big thank you to all the Magical Blogorail readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get a lot of e-mail from people who are enjoying what we are doing, and our blogorail members are getting a lot of comments on their Magical Blogorail posts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would also like to say that I am so very thankful for every member of the blogorail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They took a chance on an idea and have made it what it has become.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel very lucky to have made so many new Disney friends, who are so supportive and who love Disney as much as I do!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, Donna Kay, I think Mentoring Mondays is a great concept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have learned a lot from reading about all the mentors you have featured so far and look forward to reading more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think we always have opportunities to learn, and you have created an amazing tool to help build community amongst bloggers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am very appreciative of you letting me share my experiences! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-49647197916921506482011-06-09T11:28:00.000-05:002011-06-09T11:28:25.248-05:00Summertime - Disney Blog HopHi everyone! It's Thursday and that means the Disney Blog Hop, one of my favorite days of the week. Thanks to Lisa for hosting every week and my friend Melissa for co-hosting this week. <br />
<br />
This weeks theme is "Summertime" and it is especially poignant for me because this summer I am going to Walt Disney World. So I thought I would list the 5 ways I plan to cool off this summer while at WDW. <br />
<br />
1.Storm Along Bay - I am staying at the Yacht Club, and it has the most awesome pool in all of Disney World! I think the Disney website describes it perfectly. "Stormlong Bay is a beachside water park that offers up 3 acres of aquatic fun for the whole family. Catch currents in an expansive sand-bottomed pool or a lazy circular river, explore the "Shipwreck" and slide down one of the highest hotel waterslides at Walt Disney World Resort, or simply lie on the elevated tanning deck and soak up the sun's golden rays.<br />
With 750,000 gallons of water comprising an impressive complex of pools that range from swirling to placid, open to secluded and cool to warm, every member of your family can find a place to make a splash at Stormalong Bay. Guppy Bay Kiddie pool lets even the youngest of Guests in on the fun."<br />
<div align="center"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Pools" height="144px" id="PoolsListingMedia" src="http://wdw1.wdpromedia.com/media/wdw_nextgen/CoreCatalog/WaltDisneyWorld/en_US/Media/InternetMediaType/Recreation/Pools/SRL_POOLS_240.JPG?t=2009-12-11T15:40:34" title="Pools" width="240px" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Blizzard Beach - We didn't do a water park last vacation (we were there in January) so we want to be sure to experience one this trip, and I am sure we will need the cool down in the July Florida heat! Quoting the Disney website again "Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park, one of 2 Water Parks in Walt Disney World Resort, features one of the world's tallest and fastest free-falling waterslides, as well as slides and rides for the whole family—like a kid-sized, snow-castle fountain play area with scaled-down versions of the more thrilling attractions. </div><div class="genericContentText">The story behind Disney's Blizzard Beach begins with a freak snow storm that blanketed Florida. Within the blink of a snowflake-tipped eye, a ski resort sprang up with slalom courses, toboggan slides and iceberg walkways. Then, just as quickly, the weather shifted back to hot. The whole resort started to melt. What to do? </div><div class="genericContentText">An enterprising alligator saw an opportunity! Clad in a scarf and hat, this Ice Gator slid down the snow-less ski jump, shouting 'Yahoooo!' all the way. With a big splash he landed in a pool of melted snow below the mountain. It was at this moment the slushy, slippery slopes became an exhilarating Water Park with a ski theme."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/kc3VEJPTXxQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div align="center" class="genericContentText"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"> <stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></f><f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></f><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></f><f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></f><f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></f></formulas><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock></shapetype></span><stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></f><f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></f><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></f><f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></f><f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></f></formulas><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock></shapetype><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"> </shapetype></span></span></div><div class="genericContentText" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Mickey Premium Bars - A quick snack you can find almost anywhere at Disney World. And they are so darn cute with the Mickey Mouse Ears!!</span></span></div><div class="genericContentText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a data-bk="26.1" data-bns="API.YAlgo" href="http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0PDoTDB4PBNkQkA5SeJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBqY2pzbGhoBHBvcwMxMQRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZAM-/SIG=1k3rkomtf/EXP=1307660609/**http%3a//images.search.yahoo.com/images/view%3fback=http%253A%252F%252Fimages.search.yahoo.com%252Fsearch%252Fimages%253F_adv_prop%253Dimage%2526va%253Dmickey%252Bpremium%252Bice%252Bcream%252Bbar%2526fr%253Dslv8-%26w=500%26h=375%26imgurl=farm5.static.flickr.com%252F4050%252F4627590502_cfe76746b0.jpg%26rurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwdwpics.blogspot.com%252F2010%252F05%252Fyummy-yummy-mickey-ice-cream-bar.html%26size=161KB%26name=Mickey%2bMouse%2bice...%26p=mickey%2bpremium%2bice%2bcream%2bbar%26oid=7173e411fccf1bc07347ed4c42d435e9%26fr2=%26no=11%26tt=56%26sigr=1294p0qob%26sigi=11mrq37ss%26sigb=135kfsjel%26.crumb=7hcluSyqbcG"><img alt="Go to fullsize image" height="120px" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1015789726220&id=2e968974400a75cccee5cceb21476fa1" title="http://wdwpics.blogspot.com/2010/05/yummy-yummy-mickey-ice-cream-bar.html" width="160px" /></a></span></div><div class="genericContentText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Picture from <a href="http://www.wdwpics.blogspot.com/">http://www.wdwpics.blogspot.com/</a></span></span></div><div class="genericContentText" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="genericContentText" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">4. Beaches & Cream - Again, we're staying at the Yacht Club...way too close not to try it out. Dakota is a milkshake aficionado, he can spot them from a mile away. I don't think he would let me go home without checking this place out.</span></div><div class="genericContentText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a data-bk="10.1" data-bns="API.YAlgo" href="http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0PDoS0q4_BNaCoAJ0aJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBqMjZqMWxsBHBvcwMyMwRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZAM-/SIG=1noakd3g8/EXP=1307661226/**http%3a//images.search.yahoo.com/images/view%3fback=http%253A%252F%252Fimages.search.yahoo.com%252Fsearch%252Fimages%253Fp%253Dbeaches%252B%252526%252Bcream%252Bdisney%252Bworld%2526js%253D1%2526b%253D21%2526ni%253D20%2526ei%253Dutf-8%2526xargs%253D0%2526pstart%253D1%2526fr%253Dslv8-%26w=628%26h=371%26imgurl=www.chipandco.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2010%252F03%252FThe-Kitchen-Sink.jpg%26rurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.chipandco.com%252F2010%252F03%252Ftop-10-desserts-at-walt-disney-world%252F%26size=79KB%26name=Top%2b10%2bDesserts%2b...%26p=beaches%2b%2526%2bcream%2bdisney%2bworld%26oid=041deea447d67b5e4ae6b1f98dfc6407%26fr2=%26no=23%26tt=4000%26b=21%26ni=20%26sigr=126fm18a4%26sigi=121dmiq23%26sigb=1400h89d1%26.crumb=7hcluSyqbcG"><img alt="Go to fullsize image" height="94px" src="http://ts2.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=971795930225&id=f10529f0313c4d14b02abdff59ad4289" title="http://www.chipandco.com/2010/03/top-10-desserts-at-walt-disney-world/" width="160px" /></a></span></div><div class="genericContentText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Picutre from <a href="http://www.chipandco.com/">http://www.chipandco.com/</a></span></span></div><div class="genericContentText" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="genericContentText" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">5. Kali River Rapids - Quoting the Disney website again: "Kali River Rapids is an adventurous river raft ride for big kids, teens and adults that journeys through the rainforest on the churning Chakranadi River in the Asia area of <a href="http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/animal-kingdom/" rel="" target=""><span style="color: #056287;">Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park</span></a>.</span></div><div class="genericContentModuleNewContainer clearfix"><br />
The Kali River Rapids raft covers some choppy waters, and then there's a startling change in scenery. Hazardous debris left behind by illegal loggers litter the riverbanks. A few infernos blaze through the landscape. Scattered across your path: evidence that renegade logging companies are threatening wildlife and destroying delicate rainforests.<br />
Escape the devastation by rushing down a 30-foot waterfall. As your raft floats under the bridge, beware the smiling faces that look down from above—you may get a soppy surprise. There are signs before boarding Kali River Rapids warning that you will get wet. You will. Maybe even soaked. Such a pleasant respite on a hot day."<br />
<div align="center"><a data-bk="38.1" data-bns="API.YAlgo" href="http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0PDoTE78fBNrBkASIeJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBqajcxOW1rBHBvcwMzNQRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZAM-/SIG=1jockfaap/EXP=1307664827/**http%3a//images.search.yahoo.com/images/view%3fback=http%253A%252F%252Fimages.search.yahoo.com%252Fsearch%252Fimages%253F_adv_prop%253Dimage%2526b%253D19%2526ni%253D18%2526va%253Dkali%252Briver%252Brapids%2526xargs%253D0%2526pstart%253D1%2526fr%253Dslv8-%26w=374%26h=331%26imgurl=www.wdwplanner.com%252FImages%252F04_04-KPD-O9409111.jpg%26rurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.wdwplanner.com%252Fkali.htm%26size=27KB%26name=Kali%2bRiver%2bRapid...%26p=kali%2briver%2brapids%26oid=b819d68815243526a8d40df6b127ba1a%26fr2=%26no=35%26tt=4410%26b=19%26ni=18%26sigr=112ialtrt%26sigi=11g1pgdg6%26sigb=13mh4ri15%26.crumb=7hcluSyqbcG"><img alt="Go to fullsize image" height="141px" src="http://ts2.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=972870261233&id=97d5486d49ff1a7831f1cad422ee31d9" title="http://www.wdwplanner.com/kali.htm" width="160px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Picture from <a href="http://www.wdwplanner.com/">http://www.wdwplanner.com/</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>So what do you to to cool off while you're at Disney? I would love to know, just leave a comment. Hope you are have a Magical Summer!!</div>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-89254076892421278922011-06-08T10:26:00.000-05:002011-06-08T10:26:11.388-05:00#18 - Pete - Mickey Mouse Cartoons<strong>#18 - Pete</strong><br />
<br />
Pete first appeared February 15, 1925 and has been around longer than any other Disney continuing character, he's even older than Oswald. He loves to antagonize Mickey, Donald and Goofy. In the 1930's he even tried to woo Minnie (despite the fact that he is a cat). Pete has had a lot of occupations over the years from boat Captain to outlaw to sheriff. In the cartoon below he takes the role of sheriff, and he is evicting Mickey and Donald. This one may not be the best showcase for Pete, but I love Goofy battling with the piano and Donald fighting with the plunger. Hope you enjoy! Have a Magical Day!!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/R8FzGOOQNDY?fs=1" width="425"></iframe>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-48612779017997455222011-06-06T16:24:00.000-05:002011-06-06T16:24:24.336-05:00Mentoring Mondays - Stuart WDW Fan Zone<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">Website: <a href="http://www.wdwfanzone.com/">http://www.wdwfanzone.com/</a></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/WDWFanZone">www.facebook.com/WDWFanZone</a></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">Twitter: @WDWFanZone</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">I am thrilled to have Stuart of WDW Fan Zone featured this week on Mentoring Mondays. I love the website, there is so much information there, and so many great contributors. The absolute love for all things Disney really shines through on this site. But I have to say Stuart is so nice and supportive. He is always the first to comment on the upcoming Mentoring Mondays on Facebook. He is always so positive, absolutely one of the most amazing Disney people out there. Stuart, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with us, I am very honored to have you here.</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">Introduce yourself and describe your website. </span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">Hi I’m Stuart Sternberg, @DisneyGeekDad on Twitter and co-founder of the <a href="http://www.wdwfanzone.com/meet-our-columnists/stuart/www.wdwfanzone.com/"><strong><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";"><span style="color: blue;">WDW Fan Zone</span></span></strong></a> . I currently live in <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">New Jersey</place></state> with my wife and two children. Our hope is to follow our dream and someday move close to Walt Disney World. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">The <a href="http://www.wdwfanzone.com/meet-our-columnists/stuart/www.wdwfanzone.com/"><strong><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";"><span style="color: blue;">WDW Fan Zone</span></span></strong></a> is an inviting community website where all Disney fans are welcome. Our columnists are group of passionate Disney fans who have come together as a family to share their knowledge and perspective of all things Disney from trip planning to its history. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">What inspired you to start WDW Fan Zone?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">In February 2009 I started the Disney Geek Dad Blog as a way to keep the magic alive between Disney trips. Over the course of the next few months the purpose of my blog changed from keeping the magic alive to using it as a way to give back to the most wonderful community of people I have ever known. However, having my own blog wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to reach more people and find a way to do more for the community while giving others an outlet to express themselves. So, along with Lisa Battista we founded the <a href="http://www.wdwfanzone.com/meet-our-columnists/stuart/www.wdwfanzone.com/"><strong><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";"><span style="color: blue;">WDW Fan Zone</span></span></strong></a>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">What do you think is the best way to attract new readers/followers? </span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">I think the best way to attract new readers and followers is by having a good product and maintaining a good product but, most importantly by word of mouth from your readers, writers, and friends.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">What is the best/worst advice you have ever received?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">I have to say the best advice was my own to pursue my dream to start the <a href="http://www.wdwfanzone.com/meet-our-columnists/stuart/www.wdwfanzone.com/"><strong><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";"><span style="color: blue;">WDW Fan Zone</span></span></strong></a>. Since Lisa Battista and I never sought the advice of others there is no bad or worst advice to mention.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYvAWUy9kL4BbJiCTQOh6IRWuhcPQK0q_8BxR89PCJxcFdxBNGoBRWeiFTbSEpAG_XqZqmjwnIJT-iBd4FivZbJXP4TA-VyN5Pua0y4KgaZzxaUFWU9Sp5HoakMb8iTk3-WPX4UmIF9bi/s1600/Photo0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYvAWUy9kL4BbJiCTQOh6IRWuhcPQK0q_8BxR89PCJxcFdxBNGoBRWeiFTbSEpAG_XqZqmjwnIJT-iBd4FivZbJXP4TA-VyN5Pua0y4KgaZzxaUFWU9Sp5HoakMb8iTk3-WPX4UmIF9bi/s320/Photo0013.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><ol start="5" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">What is the biggest mistake most new bloggers make?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">I think the biggest mistake most new bloggers make is that they will publish one or two posts to their blog then disappear for a weeks before returning with a new post. For a blogger to be relevant and build a readership they have to regularly publish new articles.</span></div><ol start="6" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">How important is social networking (Twitter/Facebook) to blogging?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any advice on getting followers/likes?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">I think social networking is very important to blogging. It’s a way for people to get to know who you are and what your blog is all about. My best advice to get followers/likes is get involved in conversation, be yourself, and let it happen naturally.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="7" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">Do you thing being a male blogger is an advantage/disadvantage and why/why not?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">I never thought of myself as a male blogger. I’m just someone who loves Disney, the Disney community, and writing about it. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="8" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">What attributes do you look for when choosing a columnist?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">I just go with my gut instincts when choosing a columnist and I think that has worked out very well. We have a great group of writers and I am so proud of every single one of them for their amazing contributions.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="9" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">What is your favorite Disney Vacation memory? </span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">I actually have two favorite Disney vacation memories. The first took place in June of 2001. At the time my son was 8 and my daughter was 5. We were waiting in Disney’s Hollywood Studios then known as Disney MGM Studios to meet up with my brother’s family. As we were waiting Snow White came out of nowhere and walked over to my children. She was so warm and friendly to my children and although it was a brief conversation it was long enough to leave a lasting impression. My other favorite Disney memory was the entire Lou Mongello WDW Radio Dream Cruise. It was the greatest non-Disney World theme park vacation I’ve ever been on. It was a humungous family gathering and one in which so many life lasting friendships were made.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="10" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">Do you have a Disney Vacation tip you would like to share with our readers?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">Whether or not you are a seasoned veteran of the Disney parks managing your time to get the most out of your trip and to have a great vacation takes research, planning, and organization. Always develop a touring plan for your Disney trip. There are several excellent guide books available and a number of great websites such as <a href="http://allears.net/index.html"><span style="color: blue;">AllEars.net</span></a>, <a href="http://www.touringplans.com/"><span style="color: blue;">TouringPlans.com</span></a>, and <a href="http://www.passporter.com/home-of-disney-world-cruise-travel-tips-planning-articles-photos.html"><span style="color: blue;">PassPorter.com</span></a> providing excellent advice and assistance in planning your vacation.</span></div><ol start="11" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">Anything you would like to add?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">There has been a tremendous growth in the Disney community since I started getting involved a little over two years ago. I love seeing friends and new comers to the community taking an active part in it whether it’s starting their own website, blog, podcast, or just contributing to one. The Disney community has endless boundaries with room for everyone to add their own touch. My hope is more and more people will become actively involved.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma", "sans-serif";">Donna Kay I wish you the very best of luck with your blog and I am truly honored that you thought to include me as a participant in your Mentoring Mondays. Thank you so very much!</span></div><div align="left"></div>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-44350829040027485732011-06-02T14:09:00.000-05:002011-06-02T14:09:26.766-05:00Disney Blog Hop - Disney FirstsHello! It's Thursday and that means Disney Blog Hop hosted by <a href="http://www.babesindisneylandblog.com/">Babes In Disneyland</a>. You should visit Lisa's blog it's full of lots of great info, especially if you have younger children. You may also want to check out her book while you are there, she is offering a discount right now.<br />
<br />
The topic for today's Disney Blog Hop is Disney Firsts. I thought about posting about my first Disney movie<em> Sleeping Beauty</em>. She is my favorite Disney Princess you know. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_aY7FXpoJCE?fs=1" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Then I thought I may post about the first Disney ornament I bought for my Christmas Tree, it was Mickey made of wood and hand painted. Then I thought, no that's just not right either.<br />
<br />
Then I decided to write about my first trip to Walt Disney World. Really didn't like that idea either, you guys heard a lot about it in my The Good, The Bad and The Ugly post. Finally I decided to tell you what I am going to do for the first time when we go to Disney World next month. Thanks for the idea Beth. ;0)<br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0PDoX773OdNzjgA3pyjzbkF/SIG=13ihc0u6m/EXP=1307069819/**http%3a//www.intercot.com/themeparks/magickingdom/adventureland/pirates/images/potcrehab06-7.jpg" />*</div><ul><li>Pirates of the Caribbean - Love these movies, but have never ridden the ride. </li>
<li>Soarin' - We were in WDW in 2003, Soarin' opened in 2005.</li>
<li>Tower of Terror - I am not a thrill ride person, I am going out on a limb and trying this one.</li>
<li>Yacht Club Resort - Last visit we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and loved it. This time we are changing it up and staying at the Yacht Club Resort.</li>
<li>Typhoon Lagoon/Blizzard Beach - In 2003 we were at WDW in January, not exactly waterpark weather. This time we are definitely trying them out. If you have been let me know your favorite.</li>
<li>Coral Reef - We had reservations last time, but the lovely family we were with didn't want to eat there.</li>
<li>Fantasmic - My hubby isn't much on the shows, but Dakota & I have talked him into Fantasmic this trip.</li>
<li>IllumiNations - If you read my post about my first trip you know I missed fireworks due to being sick. I am really looking forward to seeing them this time.</li>
<li>World Showcase - The day I got sick was out Epcot day last time. I am very excited about visiting all of the countries this time.</li>
</ul><div align="center"><a class="image" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1_epcot_illuminations_2010.jpg"><img alt="" class="thumbimage" height="146px" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/1_epcot_illuminations_2010.jpg/220px-1_epcot_illuminations_2010.jpg" width="220px" /></a>**</div>Reading all the firsts I have on my list you would think I didn't do much on my first trip wouldn't you. I can't wait to get there and blog all about it!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Picture of Barbosa is from </span><a href="http://www.intercot.com/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">www.intercot.com</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> .</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">**Picture of IllumiNations is from <a href="http://www.wikipedia.com/">www.wikipedia.com</a> .</span>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-57270111061466632662011-06-01T15:30:00.000-05:002011-06-01T15:30:59.738-05:00#19 Yzma - The Emperor's New Groove<strong>#19 - Yzma - The Emperor's New Groove</strong><br />
Yzma is the Emperor's advisor, she is calculating, selfish, power hungry and delusional! She actually thinks she is beautiful, maybe her mirror reflects what she wants to see (if there is such a thing can I have one too?). She overthinks everything, and she plans really big elaborate schemes to get rid of Emperor Kuzco so she can take over, but the plans fail because she overlooks the small things. Part of the reason I love Yzma is that she is voiced by Eartha Kitt. Her voice is so unique, I remember her as Catwoman from the old Batman television series from the 60's. I watched it every afternoon after school with my Dad, it was my favorite part of the day. I hope you enjoy the clip. Have a Magical Day!!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IsJ2kUagImU?fs=1" width="425"></iframe>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-67164195273970661382011-05-30T07:24:00.001-05:002011-05-30T07:24:48.710-05:00Mentoring Mondays - JL Knopp with The Disney Driven Life<div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong>Mentoring Mondays with JL Knopp TheDisney Driven Life</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong>website: </strong><a href="http://www.thedisneydrivenlife.com/"><strong>http://www.thedisneydrivenlife.com/</strong></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong>twitter: @DisDrivenLife</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong>facebook: </strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/TheDisneyDrivenLife"><strong>http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/TheDisneyDrivenLife</strong></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">I am honored to have JL Knopp of The Disney Driven Life as our Monday Mentor today. You are all familiar with her website, it's so full of great Disney information. But I have to tell you she is one of the sweetest people. Thanks for sharing your wisdom JL, I am thrilled to have you here!! </span><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><img src="http://thedisneydrivenlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ddl.jpg" /></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><strong>1. Introduce yourself and describe your blog.</strong> </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">My name is JL Knopp, and I was born and raised in South Florida. Being so close to Walt Disney World, I grew up regularly visiting the Mouse and developed a fascination with the creativity of Disney Parks. Noticing that my happiest moments seemed to always take place in <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1306717414_1" style="border-bottom: #366388 2px dotted; cursor: hand;">Walt Disney World</span>, I began trying to recreate the magic of Disney in my everyday life beginning in my pre-teen years. Adulthood, thirteen years of marriage and three children later, I continue to lead a Disney Driven Life and diligently work to pass my love for Disney on to my husband and children. This lifestyle was the inspiration for the eventual vision of my blog, <a href="http://thedisneydrivenlife.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1306717414_2">thedisneydrivenlife.com</span></a> and the Neurotic Disney People community that surrounds it. Through this venue I strive to help other Disney fans stay connected to the brand that has served as a keystone in my family life.</span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><strong>2. What inspired you to start blogging?</strong></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Originally I wrote a Disney trip report that I titled “True Confessions of a Neurotic Disney Mom” and posted it on some of the boards of which I was a member. Many people seemed to really enjoy reading the stories that I told about my family’s adventures in Walt Disney World, and I was encouraged to keep writing beyond the trip report. This, along with a growing number of people who wanted to be associated with the principles for vacationing that I discussed in my trip report, prompted me to set up a blog.</span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><strong>3. What do you think is the best way to attract new readers/followers?</strong></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><strong><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></strong></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I think that the best way to attract new readers is by being yourself and being personal. People take interest in you when they can relate to you. So when you write, allow your personality to be expressed through your words in order to make a connection. Let your work reflect that you are a human rather than a just a report. On the flip side, people also take interest when you take interest in them. Social media platforms like <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1306717414_3">Twitter</span> and <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1306717414_4">Facebook</span> now give us the chance to actually interact with our audience. We have the opportunity to show that we don’t only care about them listening to us, but that we care about listening to them. So when you tweet, engage your followers on a personal level, asking them about things that are happening in their lives. Being other-centered rather than self-centered is always an attractive thing.</span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><strong>4. What is the best/worst advice you have ever received?</strong></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The best advice I ever received was to ignore the “peckers.” It seems that there are some people that will do what they can to drag you down, especially when you are headed in the right direction. Their motives are varied, but usually the appropriate response is the same. Do not acknowledge their hurtful actions. Stay focused on your goal and walk towards it with dignity.</span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The worst advice I ever received was to keep the focus of my blog on me. My blog did started off being solely about me and my family but transitioned into being about a community with a shared habit of bringing Disney into their homes. The evolution of this has put a lot of “cooks in the kitchen,” and sometimes created difficult situations that have had to be worked through. However, I won’t ever try to take center stage on my blog again. I feel the impact that the blog has had on people’s lives has been far greater and more powerful because of the community aspect of The Disney Driven Life.</span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgls5ygLC5-u0XdIDgdtOtlLQiDNlLwnoul_A6N9WTXYulWYT5bvq9k4Dd5NYH0aUAafxA1mwCbQ-uxefappZPPsnsqlbe0CHnNQdyANh8f2shFWAIg-wFpP5tLbsC2yTvxBBwgsg4oeTCX/s1600/smmoms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgls5ygLC5-u0XdIDgdtOtlLQiDNlLwnoul_A6N9WTXYulWYT5bvq9k4Dd5NYH0aUAafxA1mwCbQ-uxefappZPPsnsqlbe0CHnNQdyANh8f2shFWAIg-wFpP5tLbsC2yTvxBBwgsg4oeTCX/s320/smmoms.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center" style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><strong>5. What is the biggest mistake most bloggers make?</strong></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I know the biggest mistake that I made was not having a plan in place before jumping in. I wish that I had sat down, made goals, set deadlines and thoroughly developed a vision first. Instead, I “just did it” and figured I’d make it up as I went along. Because of that I was not ready when the blog got some momentum, and I have always struggled to keep up with the growth of the blog.</span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><strong>6. How important is social networking to blogging?</strong></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">In my opinion, social networking is EVERYTHING to blogging. When I watch the analytics of my blog, it is obvious that it directly correlates with my social networking activities. During phases when I am active, the traffic on the blog greatly increases. During phases when a personal break from being “plugged in,” the traffic on the blog begins to decline.</span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><strong>7. How important are labels, and do you have any advice on choosing labels for posts?</strong></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><strong><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></strong></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I am far from an SEO expert, so I don’t have any great secrets to share concerning this other than to “tag” your posts. I have no secret words or formula for getting a leg up in doing so, but if you don’t “tag” your posts, you are sure to never get that leg up.</span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><strong>8. What is your favorite Disney resort?</strong></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I haven’t stayed in all of the Disney resorts yet, so I don’t know that I’m entirely fair in my pick; however, <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1306717414_5">Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge</span> is certainly the personal favorite of my entire family so far. The ability to see such exotic animals right off of your balcony combined with the very unique theming and incredible restaurants is something that really appeals to my family.</span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><strong>9. Do you have a Disney Vacation tip you would like to share with our readers?</strong></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Come prepared and with a plan. A Disney vacation can be very overwhelming to people who just show up and expect to “experience magic.” Magic can certainly be experienced at Disney by even the poorest of planners because Disney property seems to be saturated with it, but the magic will be enhanced exponentially if there is a strategy for covering the activities that your family designates as most important. My personal favorites for finding guidance in this area are the book, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, and the site <a href="http://touringplans.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1306717414_6">TouringPlans.com</span></a>.</span></div></div></div>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-81567445520109197052011-05-27T14:13:00.001-05:002011-05-27T14:13:36.497-05:00Walking to Walt Disney WorldYou know, I am really ashamed of myself for not posting my progress each week. But, I want you all to know I have been walking at least 6 days a week. We have also changed over to a low fat diet at our house. While I cannot say I have lost any weight, I can tell a difference in how I feel. I think we are even walking our daily 2 miles a little faster than when we originally started. I have updated my ticker to show the miles we have walked since my last post. I will try to do better at posting about it. I have everyone has a Magical Memorial Day weekend!!Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-83304810693447685022011-05-26T11:58:00.000-05:002011-05-26T11:58:59.753-05:00#20 - Dr. Facilier Princess and the Frog<strong>#20 - Dr. Facilier</strong><br />
Dr. Facilier is very smooth and cunning, fooling people into thinking he wants to help them, only to use them as he wishes. Facilier is a bokor: a voodoo magician who practices both black and white magic. His powers come from his "Friends on the Other Side" and he owes them a debt, which he plans to repay with the souls of New Orleans. The clip shows his demise, hope you enjoy it. Have a Magical Day!!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9wHNdmGqaA4?fs=1" width="425"></iframe>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-66078881792031641082011-05-24T13:00:00.000-05:002011-05-24T13:00:52.769-05:00#21 - Frollo Hunchback of Notre Dame<strong>#21 - Frollo</strong><br />
<br />
Frollo is the Minister of Justice and clearly thinks himself better than everyone, especially the Gypsies. He can see the corruption in everyone except himself. He is vindictive and intelligent, and has the power to do almost anything he wishes, except in the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Using his faith as an excuse he tries to rid the world of sin, and he feels he can do this by destroying all of the gypsy race. When he met Esmerelda he felt an immediate attraction, the fact that he is attracted to Gypsy "witch" almost drives him mad. One evening, Frollo is disturbed by his attraction to Esmeralda, believing a relationship with her will result in his eternal damnation, which he expresses in the song "Hellfire." Here is that clip from the <em>Hunchback of Notre Dame</em>. Hope you enjoy it! Have a Magical Day!!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JTJxNYLYiOY?fs=1" width="480"></iframe>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-79364682477681350162011-05-23T08:52:00.001-05:002011-05-23T08:52:57.834-05:00Mentoring Mondays - Jodie of Magical Mouse Schoolhouse<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><strong>Mentoring Mondays with Jodi - Magical Mouse Schoolhouse</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">website: <a href="http://www.magicalmouseschoolhouse.com/">http://www.magicalmouseschoolhouse.com/</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">twitter: @magicalmousesch</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">facebook: <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/Magical.Mouse.Schoolhouse"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">www.facebook.com/Magical.Mouse.Schoolhouse</span></a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">It's time for Mentoring Mondays! Todays featured mentor is Jodi of <a href="http://www.magicalmouseschoolhouse.com/">Magical Mouse Schoolhouse</a>. Her amazing website is full of ideas for bringing some Disney Magic into your home schooling. Her advice here is nothing short of fantistic. Thanks for being a Monday Mentor Jodi!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Here's her logo, I love it! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6-9eQM960rWeHqlV0f9r_6bctkgodykaYZ1GqprsamjZNfaTil_aACEwdYG3N6t3QjEiMF0E7XPYkB3s6ylLvIm-kgOh0WtNwaoeiDPEWuGqAr4Ztb6xTV73DsOJG7gpCgR1ZfYAxtyS/s1600/NEW_MMSH+Logo_2010_no+ears+flag_framed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6-9eQM960rWeHqlV0f9r_6bctkgodykaYZ1GqprsamjZNfaTil_aACEwdYG3N6t3QjEiMF0E7XPYkB3s6ylLvIm-kgOh0WtNwaoeiDPEWuGqAr4Ztb6xTV73DsOJG7gpCgR1ZfYAxtyS/s320/NEW_MMSH+Logo_2010_no+ears+flag_framed.jpg" width="232px" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><br />
</div><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Introduce yourself and describe your blog.</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Hi, Donna Kay! Thanks for inviting me to your Mentoring Mondays! I am Jodi Whisenhunt, a writer, editor, wife and mom of 3 kids, living near Dallas, Texas. I own <a href="http://www.magicalmouseschoolhouse.com/">Magical Mouse Schoolhouse</a> (MMS), where Disney IS school. My friend Carol Beth Scott of <a href="http://www.3dtravelcompany.com/">3D Travel Company</a> and I established MMS as a way to help homeschoolers stretch the boundaries of the home classroom. We uncover educational tidbits that hide in Disney movies, Disney theme parks, Disney story books, Disney art and more. At the end of each post, we provide ways to enhance lesson plans with the fun, exciting appeal of Walt Disney entertainment. Though we’re geared toward home educators, really anyone with kids can have fun learning while they play.<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">What inspired you to start blogging?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">I began blogging in 2008 as an extension of my freelance editing business. Magical Mouse Schoolhouse launched February 1, 2010, to offer homeschoolers more options. We didn’t want just a common, run-of-the-mill blog, though. That’s not the Disney way! The Walt Disney Company “plusses” everything they do; they take the standard and kick it up a notch. Likewise, with MMS we strive to plus not only the homeschool experience, but also the Disney experience.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlqTi2b2DoeqQhCKe8o9hEW46qgajHjWPOMxLN0nvNKrD-JYyfKEnFRvrA3h5Zv1l4SkzWpLhuekxToJf5JMB9Hb8EVbAb5-6DkGckbMVvBDQhRyq2z-GzSbMCgSN8cK_44NPz6QhkTuz/s1600/J%2526kids1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlqTi2b2DoeqQhCKe8o9hEW46qgajHjWPOMxLN0nvNKrD-JYyfKEnFRvrA3h5Zv1l4SkzWpLhuekxToJf5JMB9Hb8EVbAb5-6DkGckbMVvBDQhRyq2z-GzSbMCgSN8cK_44NPz6QhkTuz/s320/J%2526kids1.jpg" width="218px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">What do you think is the best way to attract new readers/followers? </span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Social media networking! No doubt about it. You cannot underestimate the power of that tool. It’s essentially the old word-of-mouth referral system, kicked up a notch—or plussed.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">What is the best/worst advice you have ever received?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Regarding blogging? Or life in general? LOL! Regarding blogging, I think the best advice has been to maintain my online presence and be professional but also be real. Can’t really think of any bad advice, because I try to seek out only what’s helpful. Now, regarding general life advice, I plead the 5<sup>th</sup>! That could just get me in trouble ;)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="5" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">What is the biggest mistake most new bloggers make?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">They don’t post new material regularly. It’s very important to keep fresh material flowing on a regular basis or you’ll lose readers (or not gain them).</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="6" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">How important is social networking (Twitter/Facebook) to blogging?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any advice on getting followers/likes?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Extremely! As I said above, you cannot underestimate the importance of social media networking. It is FREE marketing. You have access to potentially thousands of readers. You connect with people who share your personal and/or business interests who are more than willing to spread word about your site. (Of course, it’s common courtesy to return the favor.) It really is the best way to let people know your site exists, to find people you can learn from, and really to make some great friends.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">The easiest way to increase your following is to follow. Look over people’s Twitter lists, like my list of <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/MagicalMouseSch/disney-tweeters">Disney Tweeters</a>. Follow those who interest you. Many but not all will follow you back.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Participate in #FF (Follow Friday) on Twitter. Recommend the people you enjoy and follow others who are recommended. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Very important</b>: Interact with your followers! Converse with them. Build relationships with them. Not only will you find some great new friends, but they’ll learn more of what you’re about and will be better able to recommend you to their friends and followers. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Participate in blog hops. Host or guest host them on your site as well. I host <a href="http://www.magicalmouseschoolhouse.com/search/label/Tiggerific%20Tuesday">Tiggerific Tuesday! Blog Hop…or Bounce!</a> every Tuesday. Stop by and link up. Email me at jodi(at)magicalmouseschoolhouse(dot)com if you’d like to guest host.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Leave <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">meaningful</i> comments on others’ blogs. And don’t forget to leave your URL!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Guest post on others’ blogs and occasionally invite them to guest for you. You’ll bring in some of their readers.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Join social media sites. For Disney bloggers, join Dismarks, the Disboards, Mouselinked, etc. Join theme groups on sites like LinkedIn, and be an active participant.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Study the market and educate yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back for doing that right now by reading this post!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9vxFP556Ndy6ltee3bvy7xlF0YDCj5jjBiXT9GZh1he1nYYz7WHJI7YNVOVt3QExXXYzKG01WkBbKfSAImBOd44tVE2acqr-SGPnWA9OAUKRMDSXOsPzhcywUFP7ZQ-vRWDZ18AnT0-g/s1600/DSC00841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9vxFP556Ndy6ltee3bvy7xlF0YDCj5jjBiXT9GZh1he1nYYz7WHJI7YNVOVt3QExXXYzKG01WkBbKfSAImBOd44tVE2acqr-SGPnWA9OAUKRMDSXOsPzhcywUFP7ZQ-vRWDZ18AnT0-g/s320/DSC00841.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><ol start="7" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">How important are labels, and do you have any advice on choosing labels for posts?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Labels are important, but you need to make sure your site is set up correctly so that the search engine bots can find you. If you, like me, are technologically-limited, seek out someone to help you. Have them check your meta tags and run analyses of your labels. Search Google’s key word rankings, and if they’re usable with your blog’s theme, include them in your labels to help drive traffic to your site. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="8" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">What is your favorite meal while visiting Disney?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Wow, that’s a tough question! We really enjoy O’hana at the Polynesian Resort for its delicious food and fun atmosphere. Another place we always stop when we visit Walt Disney World, even though it’s a franchise eatery, is Raglan Road at Downtown Disney. Honestly, I can’t think of any Disney food we don’t like!<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="9" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Do you have a Disney Vacation tip you would like to share with our readers?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Try to go during off-peak times, take advantage of Fast Pass, order your Disney Photo Pass CD in advance of your trip (save $) and definitely get the Disney Dining Plan.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol start="10" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Anything you would like to add?</span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">When you visit Walt Disney World or any other Disney Resort, pay attention. Don’t be so rushed you forget to notice the details. Don’t stress over long ride waits; look around and learn from the queue décor. Stop and talk to Cast Members, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thank them</i> for making your trip so magical. When you get home blog all about it! And if you have any requests or suggestions of things you’d like to read about at Magical Mouse Schoolhouse, I’d love to hear from you at jodi(at)magicalmouseschoolhouse(dot)com.<span style="color: red;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Thank you so much for this opportunity! We are<span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://www.magicalmouseschoolhouse.com/"><span style="color: red;">www.magicalmouseschoolhouse.com</span></a></span>; on Twitter at<span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/MagicalMouseSch"><span style="color: red;">www.twitter.com/MagicalMouseSch</span></a></span>; on Facebook at<span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Magical.Mouse.Schoolhouse">www.facebook.com/Magical.Mouse.Schoolhouse</a></span>.<span style="color: red;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Oh! By the way, we host <a href="http://www.magicalmouseschoolhouse.com/search/label/giveaway">Giveaway Wednesday</a> on the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> Wednesday of each month. Put your Disney knowledge to the test and you may win a Magical Mouse Schoolhouse T-shirt and/or other cool prizes!</span></div>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-48383124255379479872011-05-19T11:30:00.000-05:002011-05-19T11:30:58.193-05:00Disney Blog Hop - Pirates of the CaribbeanWelcome to everyone visiting from the Disney Blog Hop hosted by <a href="http://www.babesindisneylandblog.com/">Babes In Disneyland</a>. This week's theme is Pirates of the Caribbean. I am currently counting down my favorite Disney Villains, so I chose to focus on the villain of this movie, Blackbeard. I can't really rank him on my list since I haven't seen the movie yet, but if this movie is like the previous three I will probably rank him high on the list. First of all, the choice of Ian McShane was brilliant. He's a wonderful actor and plays bad guys really well. Second, the storyline of racing to find the Fountain of Youth is an interesting one, (maybe they can find it for Keith Richards he needs it the most of any of the cast LOL).<br />
<br />
Jack ends up on <em>Queen Anne's Revenge</em>, after he meets up with a former love Angelica (Jack doesn't know it but she's Blackbeard's daughter) and she has him drugged and brought back to the ship. Blackbeard is a ruthless captain, he severely punishes any of the crew who dares stand against him. Angelica has brought Jack to the ship to guide her father to the Fountain of Youth, he is looking for immortality to make sure a prophecy that his death will come at the hand of a one legged man doesn't come true. We will have to see the movie to find out if the find the fountain and see how Jack gets out of this one. <br />
<br />
I have attached the official Disney trailer for the movie to help get us pumped for the premiere tomorrow. Have a Magical Day Mateys!!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t5AqJww06bw?fs=1" width="480"></iframe>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-23218596293453749622011-05-17T14:19:00.000-05:002011-05-17T14:19:07.133-05:00#22 - Hades<strong>#22 - Hades</strong><br />
In the movie <em>Hercules</em>, Hades is the villain, but also a good source of comedy. Watching him is like watching a used car salesman, or bad Hollywood agent. He is the brother of Zeus and Poseidon and all he want is to rule Mount Olympus. When he finds out he has a chance by releasing the Titans 18 years after Hercules is born, he sends Pain & Panic to kill Hercules, needless to say they fail and a Disney Movie is born. In this clip you will see Hades being Hades. Hope you enjoy it! Have a Magical Day!!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YjkX6XBYKBM?fs=1" width="425"></iframe>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-32713967972045185612011-05-16T09:50:00.000-05:002011-05-16T09:50:36.085-05:00Mentoring Mondays - Amanda with Disney Go To Girl<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Web: </span><a href="http://www.disneygotogirl.com/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.disneygotogirl.com</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">twitter: @disneygotogirl</span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAHPUK1tNO3OfimROCZQIitum1zIZUhjBaFcoC9DnNvPPJG9fMR6YwWGTbbsZwfQdZLDlWWP3KJmXRCvpBcp5y79cF_QonPVqbChaW_rL9xmY0dbuAOeq3B_eMrshO3163OpyYpKIQOWl/s1600/1299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Facebook: DisneyGoToGirl</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This weeks' Mentoring Mondays featured Mentor is Amanda with Disney Go To Girl. I love Amanda's philosphy that a Disney World is her "Lavish Laughing Place". She is also the girl to turn to if you are looking for eco-friendly products with her "DGTG Eco-Approved Products." I know you are going to enjoy her interview and her pictures, so meet Amanda Ficili - Disney Go To Girl.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Introduce yourself and describe your blog. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi Everybody! My name is Amanda Ficili and I am the creator and Author of The Disney Go To Girl Blog, a travel blog focusing on Disney World as a luxury vacation destination. </span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am married to my best friend, Rich whom I met at Downtown Disney in 2000, and I’m mom to 4 year old Princess Bella. We own a restaurant and wine bar in NC and reside in Northern California in the off-season. </span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are self-professed foodies and our bags are always packed in preparation for the next adventure! Speaking of adventures, we leave for Disney on Thursday to experience Star Tours 2! YAY! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;"><u>Topics covered at Disney Go To Girl</u>: </span></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Disney Dining Reviews and Recipes to make at home </span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fashion and Shopping (the hottest buys in and out of the parks) </span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Disney News and official Press Releases </span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tips on being Eco-Friendly while traveling and Reviews of Eco-Friendly Travel Items </span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lots of Fabulous Reviews and Giveaways </span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wine Wednesdays: I explore Disney as a destination for Wine Enthusiasts </span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Splurges: tips on pulling out all the stops on your Disney Vacation </span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. What inspired you to start blogging? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have nicknamed Disney World my "Lavish Laughing Place" and have made it my goal to promote Disney as a luxury vacation destination to those who may not see past the Castle and the parks. The DGTG blog is designed to showcase all of the finer things Disney has to offer, recognizing it as a fabulous venue for families seeking the "magical little extras" that only Disney can offer. </span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Disney Go To Girl is the product of "One Girl’s Dream." After making it to the 3rd and Final Round of the Disney Moms Panel search last year, I discovered the value of my love and passion for Disney and decided to take my personal blog to a whole new level. I realized that even though I didn’t make the panel, I could still help others experience Disney through my shoes, and alas DGTG was born! </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewKBqRMUUU9UOP4XLUecnJq-d5yDHhuYJ5UbM8p6ovnmgbKF9kBTW6nYHIgKsjQt0kGM3mxIS0AeVxxiDIEldtLzCfPeGeSSPhpzFWhVWm9n5hzh2UXNfpOpO5oO1OxD7FmXfQTjFvclz/s1600/1170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewKBqRMUUU9UOP4XLUecnJq-d5yDHhuYJ5UbM8p6ovnmgbKF9kBTW6nYHIgKsjQt0kGM3mxIS0AeVxxiDIEldtLzCfPeGeSSPhpzFWhVWm9n5hzh2UXNfpOpO5oO1OxD7FmXfQTjFvclz/s320/1170.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. What do you think is the best way to attract new readers/followers?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have several answers to this one: </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Host Giveaways </span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Promote other Blogs </span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#FF-Follow Friday </span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Participate in Blog Hops </span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Guest Post on other Blogs </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">Attend a Blog Conference…or 2 or 3!</span> </span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. What is the best/worst advice you have ever received? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Best advice came from Chris Brogan, social media guru, during his presentation at Disney Social Media Moms last March. His message deals with "putting yourself out there" and I’d love to share a few of his valuable quotes with you: </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Be everywhere. Use all the social network sites and use your site as just a home base" </span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"If you are not connecting every day you are not building your brand. ALWAYS be connecting" </span></li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P is for Presence. you want to be places. Be everywhere. That’s how people get noticed. If you blog 2x per day you double your traffic in no time at all </span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. What is the biggest mistake most new bloggers make? </span><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwp8-UtnT48paBVMqYNJ0J4IW2Dzc1Hjg0dL_-oOHhjyPd5sZPzKa33VPr2o_cLYnhEgqRq46SHsKHKv-oaF6ZpQ0M5ryyp_C8vNV5YbaIT7q1tblNhZ437Mgv_vUD6PAt0XViY_btu6u7/s1600/439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwp8-UtnT48paBVMqYNJ0J4IW2Dzc1Hjg0dL_-oOHhjyPd5sZPzKa33VPr2o_cLYnhEgqRq46SHsKHKv-oaF6ZpQ0M5ryyp_C8vNV5YbaIT7q1tblNhZ437Mgv_vUD6PAt0XViY_btu6u7/s320/439.JPG" width="320px" /></a><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To quote two of my favorite Disney Films: </span></div><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Whooooo-Rrrrr-Uuuuu?" It’s very challenging to discover your niche when first starting out, but it’s imperative that you define yourself as a blogger. Who are you? Who is your audience? </span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Beeee Yourself": After you define yourself, stay true to who you are! Be unique and give your readers what they want! </span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. How important is social networking (Twitter/Facebook) to blogging? Any advice on getting followers/likes? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your Social Media Footprint and the success of your blog are dependent upon one another! Your blog should literally be holding hands with Twitter and FB at all times. This may sound redundant, but you HAVE to put yourself out there! USE these platforms to promote your blog. Build your Social Media Empire by making yourself visible: If you build it they will come. </span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And as far as gaining followers/likes, a great pointer: you reap what you sow. While self-promotion is fine and dandy, be sure to promote other blogs and they will do the same </span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for you! Support fellow bloggers by leaving comments on their posts and by giving them shout outs on Twitter, for example! It’s nice, and it gives you more exposure! </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAHPUK1tNO3OfimROCZQIitum1zIZUhjBaFcoC9DnNvPPJG9fMR6YwWGTbbsZwfQdZLDlWWP3KJmXRCvpBcp5y79cF_QonPVqbChaW_rL9xmY0dbuAOeq3B_eMrshO3163OpyYpKIQOWl/s320/1299.JPG" width="320px" /></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. How important are labels, and do you have any advice on choosing labels for posts? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Labeling your posts is extremely important and makes your blog accessible through the search engines! It also makes it easier for your readers to find specific posts on your blog! I believe it is impossible to have too many labels. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. What is your favorite splurge while visiting Disney? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some Amazing Splurges: </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dinner at Victoria and Albert’s </span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Day at the Grand Floridian Spa </span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Private Fireworks Cruise </span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cabana rental at Grand Floridian or Polynesian </span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. Do you have a Disney Vacation tip you would like to share with our readers? </span></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyB7hsWiRw9vKeHWCxV3nbtLpzZLKKFFC7SFHOO5-q-lYI5MmzJOluuuwpzKC5frprbWOJG996jKh7Dnfd6a4U6Nv0WyZBGakdPwnlKhOakSkA-YX5zC4jQhFRGQA-ORth7JYdeu_OdEAa/s1600/Photo0042FourBySix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyB7hsWiRw9vKeHWCxV3nbtLpzZLKKFFC7SFHOO5-q-lYI5MmzJOluuuwpzKC5frprbWOJG996jKh7Dnfd6a4U6Nv0WyZBGakdPwnlKhOakSkA-YX5zC4jQhFRGQA-ORth7JYdeu_OdEAa/s320/Photo0042FourBySix.jpg" width="320px" /></a><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take advantage of the Deluxe Dining Plan at least once. Disney Signature Restaurants are amazing, but can be pricey. With the Deluxe Plan you can try an appetizer, entrée, and dessert without worrying about the price! It’s a great way to go all out and experience the culinary Magic of Disney! If you happened to book "Free Dining" this fall, I would recommend upgrading to Deluxe Dining. </span></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. Anything you would like to add? </span></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to Donna Kay for inviting me to be a part Mentoring Mondays! It has been an honor! </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please be sure to visit me over at Disney Go To Girl for more tips on splurging at "My Lavish Laughing Place." You can also find me on Twitter and Facebook! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdp_bpvR2y2KlX8oh_0GMmSi9prigV8Ccu3iW8FfdDUL6fQie_49Z85lsY-rKffkOT_U4CjC_8B-dwh_Lbc3xJNM6wgA0FmEhug5E_zlUkwUa8KL9xGE8H206hVNC5ClqTeSJhuz6NVsO/s1600/vivo.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdp_bpvR2y2KlX8oh_0GMmSi9prigV8Ccu3iW8FfdDUL6fQie_49Z85lsY-rKffkOT_U4CjC_8B-dwh_Lbc3xJNM6wgA0FmEhug5E_zlUkwUa8KL9xGE8H206hVNC5ClqTeSJhuz6NVsO/s320/vivo.bmp" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-small;">Disclosure: Amanda, The Disney Go To Girl is not affiliated with Disney. All opinions in this posting are her own and do not necessarily represent those of the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1305509531_0" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; cursor: hand;">Walt Disney Company</span> or any of its entitities. She just LOVES Disney and enjoys sharing her opinions with her readers.</span></div>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-77928514453449393472011-05-12T11:43:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:52:49.667-05:00Disney Blog Hop - Disney DecorGood Morning! Welcome to everyone who is stopping by for the first time and Hey! to all of you who are Disney Blog Hop regulars! I am deviating from my Disney Villains list for this Blog Hop, very unusual for me I know. I thought we would look at some of the Disney Decor I keep around me in my office at work everyday. I spend more waking hours here than at home, I may as well have some Disney Magic at work, right?<br />
<br />
The Mickey Mouse items in my office were all given to me by my bosses, I have trained them well. They even bring me Disney souvenirs when they go on vacation! The first item is the tin from a 75th anniversary Mickey Mouse watch they gave me for secretary's day, it's the first gift I ever got from them.<br />
<div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWkjHPAFQIIr2pFolkkChjbp7SNzhLjl3SgwxibraQnmf2LmbmdcwI5rVClrquW-Itay5caUUzF31GV0mqETcL5DaQlUyE1iFmWnhZGhstIqFy6Xw1C089xPbCYp8TGCcLqN2Un7kDMsj/s1600/Mickey+Tin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWkjHPAFQIIr2pFolkkChjbp7SNzhLjl3SgwxibraQnmf2LmbmdcwI5rVClrquW-Itay5caUUzF31GV0mqETcL5DaQlUyE1iFmWnhZGhstIqFy6Xw1C089xPbCYp8TGCcLqN2Un7kDMsj/s320/Mickey+Tin.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The next item is my Mickey Mouse magnet. It stays on my filing cabinet. It was on my birthday cake one year. My boss joked I like the Mickey Mouse better than I liked my present (which was true, I don't even remember what my present was). Mickey is so cute flying his plane in the clouds, the propeller spins!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0UfPCRZMwWuTTJCFrskGxHujdOH3FiWsbafKLRVDttykSHieWEPFlu-aMPQOOkdwwmtwyNpVpOTmGkVb7EnafVFZwDLu65u4tMFdJFjypWGJ6wBR5KFuAvXsjXn7BCiLI0v4C_CxwLBB/s1600/Mickey+Plane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0UfPCRZMwWuTTJCFrskGxHujdOH3FiWsbafKLRVDttykSHieWEPFlu-aMPQOOkdwwmtwyNpVpOTmGkVb7EnafVFZwDLu65u4tMFdJFjypWGJ6wBR5KFuAvXsjXn7BCiLI0v4C_CxwLBB/s320/Mickey+Plane.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The last item is my Mickey Mouse picture on the wall. I came into work on a Monday and it was hanging there and there were 2 books on my desk both with Mickey on the front. The books are at home, they are filled with Disney art and old comic strips. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbvt4t6CHKIJwjVx1YDm-jpUBcPfCT249jhbWtlT8aAFv4r5eQozgH0mOeF-uXyy31PgLa7BJ6QOKRkUriGNMKga5_fuPwg0Ds6707dOdN9-zTMfOHiqkknDhEfdT_WPZSwy6SYxMnnJ-/s1600/Mickey+Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbvt4t6CHKIJwjVx1YDm-jpUBcPfCT249jhbWtlT8aAFv4r5eQozgH0mOeF-uXyy31PgLa7BJ6QOKRkUriGNMKga5_fuPwg0Ds6707dOdN9-zTMfOHiqkknDhEfdT_WPZSwy6SYxMnnJ-/s320/Mickey+Picture.jpg" width="228px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So here are the pieces of Disney that keep the Magic in my life at work everyday. Note to self: you really need to get a Mickey desk set. Now I had better get back to work! Have a Magical Day!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">P.S. These pictures were all taken with my Droid, please don't think of these as an example of my photography skills!</div>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-90129246472723421002011-05-11T09:13:00.000-05:002011-05-11T09:13:32.603-05:00#23 - Disney Villains - Shan-Yu<strong>#23 - Shan Yu</strong><br />
<br />
Shan Yu was the leader of the Huns, he was cold-hearted and ruthless. He just looks evil with his catlike eyes, muscular physique and large forehead. When the Emperor built the Great Wall of China he saw it as a challenge, and he loved a challenge. But, Shan Yu underestimated Mulan, Shang and the other soldiers. It's ironic that both times Mulan defeated him it was with fireworks, once causing the avalanche and once on the roof of the Emperor's Palace. Hope you enjoy the clip below. Have a Magical Day!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2I-BvceYTbw?fs=1" width="425"></iframe>Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2815526614076645844.post-6291331046211945432011-05-10T13:22:00.001-05:002011-05-10T13:22:45.803-05:00What Mentoring Mondays Has Taught Me.Aside from the obvious information we are all getting from the interviews from the fabulous mentors featured on Mentoring Mondays, it has been a huge learning experience for me. I wanted to take a moment to share with you some of the things I have learned since the idea of Mentoring Mondays first entered my mind.<br />
<br />
First, the worst thing that can happen is to never ask. The best thing that can happen is someone can say yes. Imagine sending JL Knopp a message asking for a favor when your blog has had less hits in it's existence than hers gets on a bad day. Yep, been there-done that. The most amazing thing, she said YES!! But, she couldn't have if I had never asked.<br />
<br />
Second, if you don't believe in what you are doing why should anyone else. When I first thought of Mentoring Mondays I sat on it for a few weeks wondering is this a good idea? Will any bloggers be willing to do it? Once I believed in the project then things started to happen, and they happened fast. I am not afraid to send anyone an email anymore, if they say no I will pick myself up, dust myself off and go to the next potential Mentor. <br />
<br />
Third, I've got to be me!! I am a nurturer by nature, I think that is part of the reason that Mentoring Mondays works for me. I love taking care of people, I love helping others be the best they can be. This is my goal with Mentoring Mondays to make all of us a better community of bloggers. I really care that readers get something out of reading Mentoring Mondays, I look at it as an opportunity for all bloggers to learn and improve. <br />
<br />
Fourth, we are a community. I think this is the most wonderful thing I have learned, the community of Disney people (fans, bloggers, writers, podcasters, ect.) are a caring, giving, understanding group of people who really want each other to be successful. I've had other bloggers who have messaged me, as well as Mentors who send emails to say "It looks like things are going good. Please let me know if I can do anything to help." I just LOVE Disney people!! I truly feel honored to be part of this community!<br />
<br />
Fifth, getting all this together takes a lot of organization!! Keeping who is mentor for which week, who have I sent interviews to, who is a potential Mentor for the future all straight is work (fun work though)! My hat is off to all of you who organize this kind of thing on a regular basis (Magic Bogorail, Disney Driven Life, WDW Fan Zone, ect.).<br />
<br />
Lastly, I truly appreciate every person who comments, follows and reads this blog. I hope you are enjoying Mentoring Mondays as much as I am. Please let me know if there is someone you would like to see featured or if there is a particular question you would like answered. You can comment here, email <a href="mailto:disneydonnakay@yahoo.com">disneydonnakay@yahoo.com</a>, twitter @disneydonnakay, or facebook DonnaKay Disney(they wouldn't let me put Disney as my first name!) I would love to hear from you.Donna Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07719851098730902048noreply@blogger.com0