Bestie’s Birthday – Face Reveal!

Friday, December 14th, 2012.  Bestie’s birthday.

And it would be her “adult” birthday.

When I first got home for Christmas Break, I was hoping to spend the day with her in honor of her big day.  However, being in ballet, she had a show and class to do, with community college finals early in the day.  I got to see her at 2:15 for a coffee break with her mom, but then she was headed to ballet.  I did get to hang out with her mother for the rest of the day until Bestie got back in time for presents and cake with her family (including me, an honorary family member).

Before Bestie got back, her aunt and I went to pick up dinner.  On the way, she and I decided to “roam Apple Valley” which really meant get a present for Bestie.  With my help, she found basically the perfect gift.

And of course, there was my gift to her – which was unfortunately not Disney-themed.

Let me show you in pictures.

Warning: there are a lot of them.

When Can I See You Again?

One of my absolute favorite artists is Owl City.  He (“He” being Adam Young, the man behind the Owl City) is actually from Minnesota like me and crazy thing, goes to my friend’s church!  Jealous!

(Funny thing, as I write this, I’m listening to his new CD The Midsummer Station.)

Anyway, several months ago, I received his email newsletter, being on the mailing list.  In it he included a link to the music video for the song “When Can I See You Again?” which Owl City performs on the Wreck-it Ralph soundtrack.

Of course I checked it out!

And of course, as expected from either Owl City or Disney (but put them both together!), it was amazing!  Probably one of my new favorite songs.

Video from YouTube.

I really enjoy the style of the video, keeping with the arcade world of Ralph and his friends.

And yes, I’m hoping to get to a post on Wreck-it Ralph, probably in time for the DVD release.  I’m still forming my opinions about that latest Disney flick.

See you all real soon!

Thank you again for being part of the Blog’s first year with me!  And if you're new, welcome and thanks in advance for being part of year two!

Sing What? Revisited

So as you read in “Sing What?”, my drawing Disney buddy has her own version to the Swahili chanting in “Circle of Life.”

Now as I shared with you, last weekend was fall break, so I went home.  Saturday night, I was able to spend the evening with Bestie and her family – which was super fun!

However, one slightly creepy thing happened.

Bestie’s mom went upstairs to change into more comfy clothes and came down in….

Pink pajamas with penguins! (Not quite on the bottom.)

I had to get a picture.



Photo taken by THE Disney Freak.
Do not remove watermark.

And yes, that’s Bestie’s foot.  And her mother chose the pose.

See ya all real soon!

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New Fantasyland Dress Rehearsal!

Nick Maglio over at Disleelandia (one of my favorite Disney blogs) just went to the “dress rehearsal” of New Fantasyland!  He took lots of great pictures, and there are a few jokes only a Disney fan would know.

His trip—literally, just pack up and go—makes me kind of jealous because it was actually fall break here at Benedictine this past weekend, so I went home.  If only I had a bit more money, I would’ve gone to Walt Disney World instead perhaps!

(Well, maybe not. I did miss Riley and Bestie an awful lot…and my family of course.  A hard choice.)

See ya all real soon!

(PS: I am now using Windows Live Writer to write my posts and send them—avoiding any Internet problems!)

 

***UPDATE***
 

I will be using Windows Live Writer to solely write the posts and put in links, then use Blogger here to make sure the formatting is right and to do pictures and videos.  Have a nice day, everyone!

I See the Light

A friend of mine also graduated this year.  And here in Minnesota, there are these things called "Open Houses."  Supposedly they're to celebrate the graduate's successful graduation without dying (high school is tough these days, you know!).  To be honest, it's more of a free food fest ("So how do you know the graduate?"  "What? Oh, we're just here for the food."--no that doesn't really happen).

Well, this particular friend of mine happens to be extremely cool and came up with a fantastic idea to end her Open House.

Floating lanterns.

(Does not come with matching Flynn and Rapunzel.)

The Beast and I, being introverts, discussed whether or not we wanted to stay to see the lanterns.  Good thing we did!

At the appointed time (9:30 I believe), everyone was called over to the side yard, where there was more room.  Various kids held unlit lanterns by the strings attached.

Yes, the lanterns weren't really going to float up into the sky as in Tangled.  The idea was to hold onto the (invisible) string, making the lantern like a kite.

(Or was that the idea?)

From All of Us Here...

Happy Fourth.



Here at our house, My Disney Family and I wear red, white, and blue
clothing today.  MDF found this shirt for her red.
Too cute not to share!
Disney and America.  How great.
I'm proud to be an American.
Picture proudly taken by and copyright THE Disney Freak.

And the Winner Is...

Good afternoon, all!  Greetings from northern Minnesota, where I sit in an armchair at my grandma's.  Yes, that same grandma that I've mentioned at least three times thus far on this blog.  The other day, I suddenly realized she's been getting some mention and will continue to get some, but this member of My Disney Family doesn't have a name yet!  I'll get to that soon.

But I'm not posting about that.  That was a short side trail from my main train of thought.

Instead, I'm posting a sort of late update on that contest Design by Me!

We have a winner, my friends.

And the winner's shirt happened to be one of my favorites (the three I shared and couldn't pick from).

The chosen shirt is the one of Mickey's famous face which is made up of several Disney characters. 

From the Disney Store website, I found this statement from the winner Christy W.

"'I have long admired the tradition, creativity, and imagination that symbolizes the Disney company...I am humbled to be a small part of that tradition...It was truly "all started by a mouse" - all the characters that each and every Disney fan knows and loves....I am thrilled that so many Disney fans share that ideology along with me and are so excited to wear this new design.'"

(Source: The Disney Store, Design by Me winning t-shirt page)

Christy did a fantastic job of using this phrase in her winning design: "all started with a mouse."  Mickey Mouse is the main character on the shirt, but since he started everything Disney, the characters make up him.

Congratulations, Christy, and splendid job!  For the rest of you, order your shirt now!

Speaking of Mickey Mouse shirts, did you wear your Mickey today?

See ya all real soon!

(Like The Disney Freak's Blog on Facebook for even more Disney updates and daily doses of Disney magic.  Thanks!!)

Dare to Dream in the Pioneer Press

This Sunday (which would be yesterday), the Pioneer Press printed this short notice about the Disney on Ice show "Dare to Dream" opening on Wednesday at the Target Center.

FAMILY / DISNEY ON ICE: DARE TO DREAM
Wednesday-March 4: A show about a frog opens on Leap Day. Along with plenty of jumping, audiences will see stunning spins and synchronized dancing when Disney on Ice presents "Dare to Dream." Princess Tiana will boogie on skates with Prince Naveen (aka the frog) as they act out scenes from "The Princess and the Frog." You'll also see Rapunzel and Cinderella with their princes. Target Center; 600 First Ave. N., Mpls.; $65-$10; 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.
- Maja Beckstrom

I smiled at the reference to Leap Day and Naveen and Tiana as frogs.

Don't miss out on this great show!  Check my other two posts about "Dare to Dream" for showtime info and ticket info.

Poster for show.
From the Disney Wiki.

Alert! Dare to Dream!

"Dare to Dream" opens on Wednesday, two days from today!

Here are the showtimes.  Remember it's only a five day show here in Minnesota!

Opening Day: February 29: 7 p.m.

March 1: 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.

March 2: 7 p.m.

March 3: 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m.

Last Day: March 4: 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Tickets can still be found here!  And remember, they start at just $10....going up to $65 for front row.

Dare to Dream

In just a little over a week, the Disney on Ice show "Dare to Dream" is coming to the Twin Cities!

The poster for the show.
From the Disney Wiki.

Here's a short synopsis from the Disney Wiki: "Experience Disney's hilarious hair-raising escapade, Tangled; as Rapunzel, her unlikely companion, Flynn, and Maximus, embark on an uproarious journey that takes adventure to new lengths! Boogie to the beat of the bayou with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen in a magical, musical journey that all begins with a fateful kiss. And fanciful dreams become reality as Cinderella meets her Prince Charming, with a glass slipper fit for an unforgettable fantasy come true. All your favorite princesses take to the ice in a spectacular finale at the ultimate Disney Princess event of a lifetime! Experience the beauty, sparkle, and spirit when Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream comes to your hometown!"

While there is a video on the webpage for the show, I've included two from YouTube.  The first is pretty much the official video for the show (although different than the one on the webpage for the show).  The second is a behind the scenes look at how the show went from "Idea to Ice."

Starting February 29, this magical show will be playing at the Target Center in Minneapolis.  The show will be playing at the Target Center from February 29-March 4.

As in ad in the Sunday paper recently proclaimed, tickets start at $10!  For front row, tickets are priced at $65.

Tickets can be found here.

I'll be keeping you informed as we move closer to the dates and if I hear anything else!

Comments: Planning to go?  Tell us!  Went?  Please share, whether you liked it or not!

Making This a Lion King Weekend

Be prepared...The Lion King is getting a big spotlight this weekend.

Who doesn't love this group of characters?
Photo from the Disney Wiki.

First, the movie is actually airing today on Disney Channel.  I do not know the time, especially since my family doesn't get cable.

And tomorrow is the last day to see the Broadway show at the Orpheum theatre here in Minnesota.

I realize this is really short--just wanted to give ya'll a heads up!

The Lions are Coming! The Lions are Coming!

The Lion King started out as a Disney movie back in 1994.  No one thought it would do that well.  They were wrong.  It's become one of the most beloved Disney's classics and was hailed as "the greatest wonder of all" by the Los Angeles Times.  Books were developed, sequels were created, and now there's a magnificent Broadway version of the movie.  And better yet: it's here in Minnesota!

The Lion King show was developed in 1997 by Julie Taymor, who also is the director of the show.  It opened on July 8, 1997 in Minneapolis at the Orpheum Theatre, and 15 years later, it's returned to the same theatre, same town, same state this very month!

This is the official promo video that gives you a glimpse at just how spectacular and stunning this show really is.

Now then, if you're interested in checking out this great show, I've found the sites where you can buy tickets online.  Check them out, and enjoy the show!
Tickets at the Hennepin Theatre Trust
Tickets at Ticketmaster

PS: if you've gone to the show, please share about how amazing it was in the comments!  And if you went to it but didn't really like it, please share with us what you didn't quite enjoy; we want to hear both sides of the story!  If you're going, please share your excitement in the comments!  And if you haven't...well, tell us how you want to. :)