Happy Holidays from Zannaland!
Archives for December 2009
Yes, Virginia…
Ever since first hearing about the famous little Virginia and her letter in the September 21, 1897 edition of the New York Sun, it’s become a part of my annual holiday heart string-pulling. I cling to it more closely this year, when my 9 year-old daughter is at the age where she questions the veracity of Jolly Old Saint Nick. It’s hard in this day and age to keep that particular bit of magic alive, in a time when commercials are touting “Christmas for less!” and blatantly showing parents relieved to get presents for their children at discount prices. “Why do you have to go shopping?” she asks smugly. “How does he get to every house in one night anyway??” and “People at school say he’s not real and there’s no such thing as Santa Claus.” Telling her I still believe doesn’t seem to work as well.
Holiday Commercial Round Up!
With the exception of the Super Bowl, there are few times as exciting in the world of television commercials as the holiday season. There are some that stick with us for years, good or bad. I thought I’d share some of my favorites for 2009 as well as the ones that bug me the most!
Love the Island of Misfit Toys Verizon commercial. Poor iPhone!
Disney Dooney & Bourke Black Wonder Multicolored Mickey Bags
PART TWO in the Disney Dooney & Bourke Handbag series:
If you have been following the mania that is Disney’s collaboration with Dooney and Bourke with its first foray into Disney park-themed designer handbags, you’ll know by now that there’s a new kid on the block – and his name is Mickey.
Dooney & Bourke has now come out with a new style and color for the winter – PVC-coated black cotton design with bright multicolored Mickey Mouse silhouettes and black leather straps.
Take a look at the new designs –
Sneak Peek at the New Rayovac Commercial Set in Disneyland!
Did you know Rayovac is the preferred battery of Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts? I didn’t! They have just completed a new commercial set in Disneyland, seen through the eyes of a little princess visiting the park, and all the magic that appears as she makes some wishes. It’s a really sweet video and I was given the opportunity to share it with you all before it debuts on Good Morning America on Monday, December 21, 2010.
Wasn’t that adorable?! I just came *back* from Walt Disney World and it makes me want to run right back. (I’d buy all those light up wands and spinners if I could too those never get old!) I loved the song too!
In addition, Rayovac is offering its Facebook fans a $3 off coupon on their new Facebook page. Just become a fan, click the coupons tab and enter your email address to receive the coupon. That’ll be helpful to stock up for batteries this holiday season!
*Rayovac asked me to share this with my readers, but I have not been compensated in any way or provided with copy to post here. I received the video and coupon link from Rayovac, not from the Walt Disney Company or any of its employees.
WDW Moms Panel 2010 Training – Part 1 of Many!
Alright, I’ve waited long enough for this update! The truth is, in addition to heading back to Disney World 2 days after returning from training, and then getting sick and having a sick baby to take care of, the thought of trying to put back into words all the the amazing sites, experiences and emotions I felt during the 5 days of training was just a tad overwhelming! But I’m finally here and figure if I break it down into days, I can tackle it. It’s just too good not to share, right?
On the day I was supposed to drive up, I got cold feet. I know, most people would have killed to be in my shoes, both being close enough to drive to Walt Disney World and being picked to be on this amazing panel…but I still got nervous. You see, there’s a reason why I write a blog and don’t host a pod cast or web cast or anything else involving face-to-face interaction. I am in fact, pretty shy. There, I said it. I wasn’t always this way, my 1st grade report card lists me as a “Social Butterfly” and as a result I was separated from my best friend for 2nd grade. It isn’t even because of all the moves my family made over the years, deeming me the eternal ‘new kid’ – I actually had no problem making friends and keep in touch with many of them from all the way back to grade school. This really started in college but is also a combination of being nervous about speaking in front of people. Let me digress a bit…
Help Toys for Tots Through 1-800-flowers.com
In addition, 1-800-flowers.com is giving 10% of net proceeds from their Toys for Tots collection back to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Just pick an arrangement or gift from their exclusive collection and enter code TOYS at checkout.
Be sure to become a Facebook fan of 1-800-flowers.com for more news and great deals for the season!
What I’m Looking Forward to at Disney Moms Panel Training!
Of course, this is all just speculation about ‘hoped for’ activities – we will not get our itinerary until we check in tomorrow. There are trip reports and blog entries accounting for past year’s training events, but I have successfully avoided reading any of them – on purpose. I didn’t want to have any expectations going in and risk disappointment by thinking ‘hey, they did that last year!’. That is not to say I’m expecting to be disappointed – of course not! Anyway, I just thought I’d note a few things I’m hoping we get to experience.
- Riding Expedition Everest – even thought we live an hour away and have annual passes, I still have not gone on this ride! I’m not a roller coaster enthusiast, but I’ve done all the other coasters at Disney, so I’m sure I can handle this one, and it looks so scenic and exciting too!
- Seeing inside the new Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. I’ve seen tons of pictures of this newest DVC offering, but it’s one of the few resorts I have not been able to tour yet. I’d love to see it in person!
- Heading back into the Tunnel (ok, the Utilidor) under the Magic Kingdom. I have no clue if there would ever be a need for the Disney Moms Panel to tour the Utilidor, but I have to admit, I kind of miss it and would love to see my old stomping grounds again.
- Checking out Pirates League or Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Ok, so this is probably a long-shot because I doubt they are going to take the time to make-over all of us as pirates or princesses, but I think it would be SO cool to do!! I’ll probably do this with my daughter when we make it back for our girl’s day out trip at some point soon.
- Touring the Cinderella Suite in the Castle. Again, longshot maybe because this suite and staying in it are no longer part of the current Disney World promotion to visit the parks…and there are way too many of us to stay overnight IN the suite, so I’m not even asking for that, but just to be able to walk inside – see the twinkling lights in the ceiling over the bathtub…sigh…every princess’ dream!
No matter what we see or do (or eat) I have no doubt it will be an amazing trip of a lifetime. I have not been without family on a trip since my junior year trip to Europe in high school – and even then, I had my best friend with me – this time it’s ALL new people! Luckily I feel like I know many of them already and I know we’ll be into trouble in no time. 😉 I have never been away from my kids – they’ve had sleepovers but that’s it, and the baby, well…I really hope he remembers who I am when I return!! I will miss my husband and kids so much but I know they are wishing me well and so excited for this new adventure. I can’t wait to tell you all about it when I get back!