Pocket Princesses Celebrates 100th Comic Strip!

My absolute favorite Disney fan artist is Amy Mebberson, the creative mind behind the adorable Pocket Princesses.  The weekly one-panel comic strip features all the official Disney Princesses in candid moments (as Mebberon sees fit), with cameos from others such as Kida, Stitch, and the princes.

The strip is posted on Facebook (almost) every Friday, and yesterday's was the 100th post!

 I love all the excitement and hidden jokes in this one!
Did you find Snow White?
Image from the Pocket Princesses Facebook page.
Copyright belongs to Amy Mebberson.

Congrats to Pocket Princesses!  I highly encourage you to like the page on Facebook -- you won't be disappointed!  Every single strip is cute and hilarious.  Mebberson's take on the characters are true to the original and yet uniquely hers at the same time.

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Five4Florida: Spring Break 2014!

Exciting news, ya'll!

In a little less than two weeks, my girls and I will be in Florida for spring break!

That's right: Michelle, Molly, Kaihtlyn and Mary are going to Florida March 9-15, 2014!

Reaction: Can't hold it in anymore!
Sources missing.

Reaction: Worth celebrating!

Reaction: yesyesyesyes!

Reaction: excited dance!

We are super excited about the trip.  It's been a long time in the making, as we realized we will never have time to go on a senior spring break -- Kaihtlyn and Mary are studying abroad different semesters next year, and then the three of us other than Mary are all graduating a semester early.  But while we've been planning this trip since last semester, we only recently got fully approved by all of our parents.

Originally, our friend Tara was going to join us but after some disagreements, she is potentially not coming.

We'll be staying at Kaihtlyn's aunt house in Florida, and Michelle is driving us down there and back.  It's going to be quite the adventure!

Previously, we tossed around the idea of going to Disney World for a day (how can you go to Florida and not go to Disney World?!) but because of financials, that's out of the question.  (Super sad face!)

Of course, I will still blog/vlog for all of you guys here, but we have created a Wordpress blog so everyone can take turns posting for friends and family to see.

So please, keep up with our Five4Florida: Spring Break 2014 adventure by checking out our blog HERE.

"Adventure is out there!"
Image from five4florida.wordpress.com

Have a lovely day, everyone!  ttfn!

Halloween: Disney Style!

(So I apologize that this is late since Halloween was like 2 weeks ago – jeez, that makes me feel bad.)

Do you dress up for Halloween?

Or even better: do you dress up Disney-style for Halloween?

Joslyn is Violet Parr.
Don't you love how she even made sure
to have her hair cover one eye?
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Allison is hipster Ariel.
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And of course, my gals and I dressed up too:

Hipster Disney Princesses!
L-R: Thing 1 Kaihtlyn as Rapunzel, Michelle as Jasmine,
Thing 2 Mary as Belle, and me as Cinderella.
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Hope you had a happy, not-too-spooky Halloween!

See you all soon!

Get This Off My Chest...

(NOTE: Before you continue, read this post.  You won’t understand what I’m about to say (er, criticize) unless you read the post I'm linking to.)

At Comic-Con this year, ABC announced that their hit TV series Once Upon a Time will return for its third season and revealed a preview trailer, which you can view below.

Both videos are from YouTube.

ABC also showed a clip at Comic-Con verifying that a certain ginger mermaid will appear in the series…

I don’t want to repeat my beliefs about Once Upon a Time as I previously stated them in this post, but I’m not happy with this decision for four basic reasons.

You Are the Glow!

I raved in a previous post how much I love the song “The Glow” that the beautiful and talented Shannon Saunders sings.  For those of you who don’t recognize or remember the song, here it is below.

Both videos are from YouTube. This is the music video version.

And this is the alternative music video with some behind the scenes footage of Shannon recording and performing the song!

During this past school year, I discovered that when the volume is set quietly, this is actually a really great song to listen to on repeat as I study.  So one day after listening to it over and over, I was so excited about the song that I wrote the chorus lyrics on the whiteboard outside my dorm room.

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Just so everyone would know that they “are the glow”!

Reaction: awww....thanks
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See you all real soon!

French Trailer for “Frozen” with Translations!

Today, I discovered the latest trailer for Frozen but yet again, it’s in another language.  This time: French.  But the video below has English subtitles!

Video from YouTube.

The good and bad thing is that this trailer is the exact same one as the Japanese version (disappointing) but at least now we get to understand what they’re saying.  (Well, I’m trusting that whomever posted the trailer translated it correctly… I don’t know French. You?)

So we’ve had one English teaser and two foreign trailers for this film…  C’mon Disney: release an English trailer with new footage!  Get me even more excited!

Reaction: yesyesyesyes!
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Are you excited for Frozen?  Let me know in the comments below!

See you all real soon!

What If Ariel Wasn’t a Redhead?

The Disney Mermaid, obviously, loves mermaids.

And her favorite one is Ariel.

She especially loves her because like Ariel, she has bright red hair (though, as she was commenting the other day, Ariel’s is too pinkish to be legit).

But what if Ariel wasn’t a redhead at all?

Because originally, she was going to be blonde.

Check out the below video to see what Ariel would have looked like as a blonde.  Thoughts?

Video from YouTube.

Well, I definitely prefer her as a ginger!

.gif image from Petite Tiaras,
reblogged at the-disney-freak.tumblr

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Sing a Song, Hear a Story

For Christmas 2012, YDF and MDF each found a very cool CD in their stockings, gifts left there by Santa.

For MDF, it was the CD Songs and Story: The Littler Mermaid.

For YDF, it was the CD Songs and Story: Tangled.



Photo taken by THE Disney Freak;
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I’d seen other CDs in this series at Walmart and Target but hadn’t ever bought one, not really interested.  So when YDF and MDF each got one, I was curious and suggested we listen to them a few days later as we waited for the guests to arrive for our annual New Years Eve party.  Gave them something to do while they waited and gave me something to blog about for later.

Video from YouTube. The Disney Freak’s Blog original video.

My thoughts overall: the CD is great in terms of the story part, where a narrator narrates (no way!) the story of your favorite Disney movie.  However, in terms of the song part of the CD, it seems to depend on the CD you get. 

For YDF’s Tangled CD, the songs were all from the movie and featured the original voice actors.  There was one song that I guess was inspired by the movie, which was fine.  I enjoyed it. 

For MDF’s The Little Mermaid CD, the songs were the originals from the movie but other singers sung the parts.  Which was disappointing.  I’d rather hear Jodi Benson sing “Part of Your World” instead of some random singer they chose.

Otherwise, great CDs, and I’m going to look for some myself.  I really like the story part, especially since each narration is complete with audio clips from the movie.

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The 11th Disney Princess: Verified

Thanksgiving day, YDF, MDF, and I worked on some of their Disney Princess puzzles.

Picture taken by THE Disney Freak;
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Picture taken by THE Disney Freak;
do not remove watermark.

The next day, I was glancing through all the toy catalogs from various retailers.  In the Target one, I found an interesting Disney Princess doll set.

Picture taken by THE Disney Freak.

Picture taken by THE Disney Freak.

Why am I highlighting this?  Maybe it was pretty obvious that this would happen, but Merida is included in an (*ahem*) official Disney Princess doll set. 

So is Merida going to be an official Disney Princess?  Or is she just being included with official Disney Princesses as a non-official princess?  Will that change (aka question A)?  Several questions arose at the sight of this set, obviously.

Immediately, I called over TDSO (our previous Brave hypothesizer) for her take on this all.  She said that she didn’t think Merida would be an official Disney Princess but because she is a Disney princess, she would be included in a few sets.  Just like when Kida or Nala sometimes appear in Disney Princess merchandise.

However, seems things have changed – or been verified.

Because in July 2013, Merida will indeed join the official lineup as the 11th Disney Princess.

What are your thoughts?  The Disney Mermaid is personally upset because Ariel won’t be the only ginger anymore (and for some other reasons).

As for me, I’m not quite sure what I think right now.  As the Disney Wiki pointed out, Merida will be the first Disney Princess without a love interest, which I’m not against, but all the other Princesses appear with their Princes in some merchandise and at events at the Parks.  Poor Merida will be the odd one (literally) out.  Like The Disney Mermaid, I’m disappointed that they would add in another ginger, and if they’re going to just add any new princess character they add, why not allow Kida to join?  How does Disney’s selection work (hey, that’s another post to work on!)?

See ya all real soon!

Christmas is quickly approaching!  Shopping done?

Is That Who I Think…?

Apologies for the fact that this is technically old news, but I figured some of you haven’t heard about it.  So might as well share, eh?

It’s always interesting when you see a familiar Disney character used outside of the company…oftentimes without Disney’s permission.  For example, I wrote a post about a familiar-looking mermaid among colored and shaped rubber bands.

Speaking of that mermaid, she’s popped up somewhere else.

And it really irks me.

Real Life Princesses

Ever wondered what the Disney Princesses would look like in real life?

Well, Jirka Väätäinen has figured out for you.

Jirka (pronounced Yirka) is a Finnish student studying graphic design at the Arts University College at Bournemouth.  One of his projects (I'm not sure if it's for school or just for fun) has been to draw the Disney Princesses as they would appear in real life.

Actually, he calls it photo manipulation using Photoshop.

But he still does a fantastic job!

He was kind enough to let me share his artwork with you, as long as I credit him and link back to his site!

As I told him in a comment, I think he does a great job of keeping the original character but making her look more realistic, less "cartoony".  But you have to see below for yourself!

Personally, I enjoy Mulan and Rapunzel very much.  And I realize Ursula isn't a Disney Princess...but he included her, so of course I'm going to include her for you!

Which ones do you like?

Jane from Tarzan.
All credit and copyright goes to Jirka.
Used with permission.
Do not re-post or anything without Jirka's permission.
(Same with the rest of the portraits)

Alice from Alice in Wonderland.
Being that blue's my favorite color, I really like this
one too.  Her eyes are beautiful!

Can't tell you how much I absolutely love love love
this one!
Rapunzel from Tangled.

Cinderella from Cinderella.

Snow White from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Still the most beautiful one of all?

Tiana from the recent The Princess and the Frog.
Jirka says this is the only Princess that he
looked at her voice actress.
Otherwise, he doesn't.

Mulan from Mulan.
I love the pink background, and her hair tucked behind her ear just
makes her all the more pretty.  Sometimes I have to do a double-take
because the "gaps" in her teeth give the appearance
of braces to me from a distance.  Whoops!  My bad.

Pocahontas from Pocahontas.
Nice pose!

Jasmine from Aladdin.
This one is very close to being tied with my two
favorites!

Esmeralda from The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Also another great pose!

Aurora from Sleeping Beauty.

Meg from Hercules.
He picked a great pose for her: really brings out her
spunk!

The beauty: Belle from Beauty and the Beast.
Quite an interesting face...

Ariel from The Little Mermaid.
I love the sand clinging to her tail and arms!
The only thing that makes me cock my head is her right arm:
is she double-jointed?

And the villainous Ursula brings up the end!
Ursula also from The Little Mermaid.
So Ariel gets her villain.

Princesses of Silly

Please do not judge me by that title.  Read on to understand.

Last year, my bestie and her family took me to Cedar Point, apparently the roller coaster central of the United States.  After the trip (lemme just say I now love roller coasters), my bestie and I had a Disney "fest."  We colored in her Disney Princesses coloring books.  We watched Tangled and The Princess and the Frog.  And she also gave me a little surprise gift: some Silly Bandz!

Now, I'm sure you've heard of those.  So I'll spare you the explanation.  (If not, I direct you to this link.)

Different Silly Bandz.  I'm sure you get the
idea of the different forms, colors, and shapes
they can come in!
Picture from Wikipedia.

Guess what the Silly Bandz she gave me were of.

The Disney Princesses!

Okay, only four of them.

Tiana, the spirited Princess from The Princess and the Frog, is in a flashy red, in what I suppose is one of her signature poses.

(At last, a good quality photo from my camera!)
This is Tiana.  I couldn't find a clipart/picture
for reference.  It's a side shot of her.
Picture taken by and copyright THE Disney Freak.

While this isn't a Disney Silly Bandz, I also have a frog prince from a different set...could it be Naveen?

A frog prince...all he needs is one kiss...
Picture taken by and copyright THE Disney Freak.

My next Princess is the sassy Princess Jasmine, from Aladdin.  She's in a pretty blue (which happens to be my favorite color) that makes me think of sparkles.  Do you?  Maybe that's just me.

And here is Jasmine.  I love the color.
Picture taken by and copyright THE Disney Freak.

No, that's not her hand.  It's her hair.  Use this picture as reference.

Reference for the Silly Bandz above.
Picture from the Disney Wiki.

The third little Princess I have is sweet and innocent Snow White, titular star of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney's first full-length animated movie.  She's in a bright purple.



Snow White!  She's sort of bendy
so that's why there's a shadow (aka she
doesn't lie flat).  To get an idea of
this pose, see the below picture.
Picture taken by and copyright THE Disney Freak.

Imagine this image flipped...and it's pretty close!
Picture from the Disney Wiki.

And finally, my favorite of the four I have is Ariel, the awesome but naive star of The Little Mermaid!  She's in a bright yellow, and when my bestie handed her to me, I nearly fell out of my seat I was so happy.  Ariel is also the favorite Princess of The Disney Mermaid, my sister.

Ariel! When my bestie handed me
this Silly Bandz, I literally freaked out...
I was so excited!
Picture taken and copyright THE Disney Freak.

And again, this one's not a Disney Silly Bandz, but it's another mermaid...so Ariel's got some company.

One of Ariel's fellow mermaid
Silly Bandz...
She's lounging on her side.
Picture taken by and copyright THE Disney Freak.

Do you have any Disney Silly Bandz?

I've Said This Before...

I'm really very sorry.  I know I promised a Maleficent post.  And I know I promised a sequel post.  But to be honest, those posts are going to take some time to write, edit, and make sure are perfect.  And I'm going to have to become more confident in spilling my opinions with you... So I'm sticking with shorter, easier ones.  I will get to the promised ones though!

Now bear with me as I give you a short post on one of those promised ones: sequels.

In fact, it's very repetitive.

Petite Tiaras is a tumblr blog, and the blog author (I don't know the person's gender) shared a nice collection of the different Disney film sequels along with a quote I shared in an earlier post.

And she/he/it (the author, okay?) shared some of her/his/its own opinions on these sequels.

"I’ll admit it, Disney sequels aren’t that great. In fact, I think for the majority of the movies they use the same formula. You have the original awesome characters who are no longer as cool as they were before. They have a child who thinks that they run the place. For some reason the kid always makes their parent look weak. For instance, how did Simba get his butt kicked? Or what about Tramp? Ariel? None of it makes sense. We watched and cherished the first films because the characters were great and relatable, but the sequels bring them down a whole notch.  That’s not to say that Disney sequels aren’t fun though. I always get a laugh watching the Lion King 1 1/2 and Bambi 2 was a very heartfelt film. Sequels are a give and take thing."

Source: Petite Tiaras

I definitely agree!

Oh yes.

More on that later.

Until then, here are some pretty interesting sites discussing Disney sequels...

The Reality of Disney

Fellow Disney fan Sara introduced me to the tumblr blog Walt Disney Confessions.  Today, I think one of the best confessions appeared on the site.

An anonymous confession...but I think we all feel this way.
Picture from Walt Disney Confessions.

I admit, I feel this way as well.

Except, I wonder if I ever accept that.

You?

That Looked Familiar...

While doing some research for another post, I stumbled across this picture on the website for Silly Bandz (those addicting, collectible rubber band bracelets).

In the "Fantasy Shapes" set, look at the mermaid shape in the top left corner.

The mermaid is in the top left corner.  Looks familiar?
Image from and copyright Silly Bandz (sillybandz.com)

Now when I saw that, the first image that popped into my head was of Ariel.  Yes, that mermaid's pose looks very much like one of Ariel's iconic poses.

This isn't the exact pose
I'm referring to:
her left hand isn't raised.
The exact pose is below.
Image from starstills.com

The pose is on the right side of the bar.  This is one of the most familiar (and most used
by Disney) poses of Ariel.  It's seen in coloring books, merchandise, almost anything.
Image from auctionworks.com

One difference between the two (the Silly Bandz and Ariel) is the hair.  Otherwise, I'm not seeing much else.

I can't accuse anything, and I don't really want to.  I only found it quite interesting and thought I'd share.  In fact, as I was looking for the picture of Ariel, my other sister says, "Why are you obsessed with that?"

Because it's my duty with you to share the Disney things I find and hear about.

By the way, I'm sure now you have some sort of idea what the next post will be.  Congratulations!  Check back soon.

Comments: What do you think?  How alike are the two poses?