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Disney

Must Do Disney: 2022 Edition

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Before 2020, Walt Disney World and I were faithful buddies.

I popped in for a visit several times a year, and Disney rewarded me with a good time and great memories. In fact, in September 2019, I celebrated my 20th visit to Walt Disney World and my first visit without the kids! Yep, my husband and I ditched our offspring for an adults-only vacation. We visited Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and ate around Epcot and took advantage of every minute of extra magic hours. My boys were flabbergasted that we left them behind, but I promised that we’d all be back for our family vacation in March 2020.

MARCH 2020! Oops.

In fact, we didn’t go back, and it would be a full two years – and two cancelled Disney vacations later – that we were finally able to experience the most magical place on earth. In June, we spent five incredible days rekindling our love for classic attractions, enchanting fireworks, over-the-top food and beloved Disney characters.
Was it worth the wait? YES.
Would I do it again? HECK YES.
Was it… different? Yeah, yeah it was. …

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Baby’s First Summer: #DisneyBabyCA Twitter Party!

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Often, when I look at my boys with fondness and wonder, I ask myself, “HOW are they 4 and 6??” It seems like just yesterday that they were experiencing their very first summer. Walks down to the lake in the stroller; testing the texture of grass, peeking out from a cool sunhat and even cooler shades. (I think my ovaries twinged for a moment. Hmm… nope. False alarm.)

Baby’s first experiences are major milestones every mother loves to share (and re-live!). To make sure this summer’s moments are magical, we’re getting together for a #DisneyBabyCA Twitter Party! Join us on Monday, June 16th at 9pm ET where we’ll share our best tips and advice for upcoming summer travel, ways to enjoy the outdoors with baby, keeping sun safety at top of mind or simply what to pack if you’re heading to the park. In short, we want you to get outside – with baby in tow!

Disney Baby GraphicSo what’s in it for you besides fabulous conversation? Oh, just OVER $700.00 in Disney Baby prize packs! That’s right – if you’ve got a little one under two, or know someone who does, you won’t want to miss the party!

RSVP now for a chance to win, and we’ll see you on Monday night! …

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GTA: Win 1 of 4 Family Passes to Disney’s Frozen

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Live in the Greater Toronto Area? Why not join me for a very special advanced screening of Disney’s Frozen. I’ve got four (4) family passes of four to give away to lucky readers in the Greater Toronto Area. The advanced screening takes place on Saturday, November 9th at 10:00am at Cineplex Odeon Winston Churchill (Oakville).

From the studio behind 2010’s “Tangled” and last year’s “Wreck-It Ralph,” Walt Disney Animation Studios presents Frozen, the most daring comedy-adventure ever to hit the big screen. When a prophecy traps a kingdom in eternal winter, Anna (voice of Kristen Bell), a fearless optimist, teams up with extreme mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff) and his sidekick reindeer Sven on an epic journey to find Anna’s sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), the Snow Queen, and put an end to her icy spell.

Encountering mystical trolls, an amazing and comedic snowman named Olaf, Everest-like conditions and magic at every turn, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom from destruction.

Frozen is in theatres in 3D on November 27, 2013 – but you can be one of the special folks who sees it before the public release! If you’d like to join me on November 9th, simply leave a comment below indicating your interest. Remember, each family pass is good for four (4) admission tickets, and I’ve got four family passes to give away.


I’ll randomly draw for winners on November 6th. And contrary to the movie’s title, I hope you all stay warm!

The Little Mermaid Diamond Edition #Giveaway

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NOTE: The following giveaway is open to US/Canadian residents only.

I’ve been talking about The Little Mermaid coming out on DVD/Blu-ray for so long… don’t you think it’s time for me to ante up with a giveaway?

Finally releasing from the Disney vault, “The Little Mermaid” makes its eagerly awaited debut on Diamond Edition Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, Digital Copy and HD and SD Digital formats October 1, 2013. Creating the ultimate at-home viewing experience, Disney’s Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) contains digitally restored picture and sound, a digital copy of the film, and a variety of never-before-seen bonus features, including the music video for Grammy-nominated superstar Carly Rae Jepsen’s recording of the film’s beloved song, “Part of Your World.”

Additional new bonus treasures include @DisneyAnimation, Disney Intermission (Crab-E-OKE Sing-Along), Deleted Character: Harold The Merman, Under the Scene: The Art of Live-Action Reference , Part of Her World: Jodi Benson’s Voyage To New Fantasyland, Howard’s Lecture and all of the original classic DVD bonus features.

Ariel (voiced by Jodi Benson), is a free-spirited mermaid, who is off on the adventure of a lifetime with her best friend, the adorable Flounder (voiced by Jason Marin), and the reggae-singing Caribbean crab Sebastian (voiced by Samuel E. Wright) at her side. But it will take all of her courage and determination to make her dreams come true—and save her father’s (voiced by Kenneth Mars) beloved kingdom from the sneaky sea witch Ursula (voiced by Pat Carroll).

WIN IT!!! One lucky reader will win a copy of The Little Mermaid Diamond Edition 2-Disc Blu-ray+DVD Combo Pack with Digital Copy. To enter, simply fill the form below with your qualifying entries. Good luck!…

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Tips for a Frugal Disneyland or Disney World Vacation

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Note: The following giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents.

Today I have a splendid guest blogger, Sarah Deveau from Money Smart Mom. Sarah is the author of two financial guides – Sink or Swim: Get Your Degree Without Drowning in Debt and Money Smart Mom: Financially Fit Parenting.

In addition to being a prolific freelance writer (her work has been published in Today’s Parent, Parents Canada, Style at Home as well as most major Canadian daily newspapers) Sarah has contributed to dozens of parenting websites and blogs across Canada. She also appears regularly on radio and television shows such as Breakfast Television.

With summer break just around the corner, she has offered to share her best tips for a frugal Disneyland or Disney World vacation – one of the hotspots for summer travel. Take it away Sarah!

Tips for a Frugal Disneyland or Disney World Vacation

As the author of Money Smart Mom: Financially Fit Parenting, people sometimes get the impression that I abhor spending money, and never have any fun. That couldn’t be further from the truth! I like spending money as much as the next person – but only when it’s being spent on something I value and when I feel I’m getting the most bang for my buck.

My childhood didn’t include a Disney trip, so it’s no surprise I leapt at the chance to take my oldest when WestJet had a killer seat sale a few years back. Since then we’ve also visited Disney World, sourcing out the more exciting adventures at the best price.

Here are my top tips for saving money on a Disney trip without sacrificing any of the fun….

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Disney’s Wonderful World of Knowledge

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If there’s one thing that Ryder, at the tender age of two, has taught me – its that knowledge is never wasted. In fact, he finds clever uses for all the little tidbits of information that he gathers every day. He has learned to scream “Oh my God!” when something surprises him; understands that any sound resembling a crash brings mommy running (and fast); and that eyelashes, particularly when batted, are a powerful weapon.

That’s why I’m happy to books which inspire his intellect and foster imagination. Disney’s Wonderful World of Knowledge collectors box is a beautifully illustrated, fun and highly educational children’s collection of 14 hard cover encyclopedias. Each 64 page encyclopedia is beautifully illustrated and features the most adored Disney characters of all time – Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto.

Titles include:
Dinosaurs
Planet Earth
The Human Body
From Stone Age to Space Age
Wonders of the Sea
Great Travelers and Explorers
Space
The Marvels of Science
Great Inventions
The Kingdom of Mammals
Reptiles and Amphibians
Famous Places
How Machines Work
Insects and Spiders

Click here to look inside Dinosaurs.

The collection is NOT sold in stores and can only be ordered exclusively through the Montreal Gazette for a limited time. It is definitely something that will be treasured for generations to come.

For more information and to purchase the Disney Wonderful World of Knowledge collection, please click here.