Disney World Holiday Magic

As if there wasn’t enough going on at Walt Disney World you are going to want to adjust your schedule to catch all the new and traditional holiday entertainment. Let’s start with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2016. It’s such a great stage show with twelve musical performances of holiday and contemporary music. It’s great for all ages and takes place right in front of Cinderella’s castle in the popular Magic Kingdom. The characters are all in holiday attire and you have your mix of classic and favorite Disney Characters. You also get a Latin spin with some of the music like Feliz Navidad!

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Duffy wave to Magic Kingdom guests as snow falls on Main Street, U.S.A., during " Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade" at Walt Disney World Resort. The festive processional is one of the happy highlights of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, a night of holiday splendor with lively stage shows, a unique holiday parade, Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season nighttime fireworks, and snow flurries on Main Street, U.S.A. The special-ticket event takes place on select nights in November and December at Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Ryan Wendler, photographer)
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Duffy wave to Magic Kingdom guests as snow falls on Main Street, U.S.A., during ” Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” at Walt Disney World Resort. The festive processional is one of the happy highlights of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a night of holiday splendor with lively stage shows, a unique holiday parade, Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season nighttime fireworks, and snow flurries on Main Street, U.S.A. The special-ticket event takes place on select nights in November and December at Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Ryan Wendler, photographer)

Cinderella’s castle is promptly lit at 6:30 p.m. Mickey’s Most Merriest Christmas Celebration is performed at 7:40 pm, 9:25 pm, 10:30 pm and 12:00 am. You’ll want to set your reminder for A Frozen Holiday Wish at 8:15 pm when Queen Elsa uses her powers to freeze Cinderella’s castle and turns it into a sparkling icy show stopper. It’s such a beautiful sight to see. There are scenes projected onto the castle which is something I would have never imagined and it’s so amazing to watch. I also enjoyed the different hues of color on the castle as it changed throughout the evening.

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Take advantage of all the beauty that Main St. has to offer with snowflakes, the holiday décor and shops. There are reindeer, gingerbread men and soldier men walking around the park for meet and greets among other exclusive characters for you to enjoy. I can’t forget the holiday treats and fireworks that light up the sky. I had the BEST gingerbread cookies and egg nog. You can visit different holiday treat locations throughout the park for a variety of complimentary holiday treats. All locations are open until 12:00 am. Bonus: They have allergy friendly offerings and alternative healthy options to enjoy.

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Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade with all your favorite Disney Characters happens twice throughout the evening at 8:30 pm and 11:00 pm in Frontierland. You can grab a Magic Kingdom guide map to see the exact parade route. The New Event Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Nighttime Spectacular is a holiday adventure to get Santa back to the North Pole in time for Christmas Eve. There are so many memorable scenes from Disney shows projected onto the Chinese Theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There is definitely something for everyone and its nostalgic, heartwarming, original, fun, and current with a big finish full of laser lights and fireworks!

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Be sure to visit Disney Springs and check out “Starbright Holidays” the collaboration with Intel as they light up the sky with hundreds of twinkling choreographed show drones. The show is nothing short of amazing as 300 Intel show drones in the sky captivate your attention. You’ll want to be sure to make a wish. There is synchronized choreography of the new Intel shooting start drones. They are set to specially orchestrated arrangements of classical holiday music. Fun Fact: This is the first time in the United States that 300 show drones have flown at one time.

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There are so many holiday shows to take advantage of at Walt Disney World. Visit their website for specific information and show times. I really enjoyed all the different light shows and fireworks.

Have you ever been to a Walt Disney World Holiday Performance? How did it make you feel?

Visit Disney Springs this Holiday Season

I’ve always heard stories about the “old” Downtown Disney but, never had the opportunity to experience it myself. I did recently visit Disney Springs a.k.a the upgraded Downtown Disney and it’s a must see location when visiting Lake Beuna Vista, FL. I got to experience their first ever holidays celebration. Disney Springs has pretty much doubled in size with 150 venues. There are four neighborhoods within Disney Springs: The Landing, Marketplace, West Side & Town Center. Town Center use to be a parking lot. It’s amazing to see how it’s grown over time into a place that everyone can enjoy. My favorite quote from the opening press conference was “you can make a purchase and a memory.” I have so many memories from my first visit to Disney Springs. I get it!

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Disney Springs sits on 120 acres of land and is the central portion of Walt Disney World Resort. It’s a beautiful waterfront property. I love the convenience of FREE parking or a complimentary motorcoach service to guests of Disney resort hotels and all four theme parks. Complimentary Water Taxi’s are available from a few nearby Disney Resorts; the arrival docs are located at the Marketplace and The Landing neighborhoods. I personally would drive so you can run back to the car as necessary and drop bags when shopping. I’m speaking from personal experience! If you plan to dine at a restaurant, catch some live entertainment or watch a movie then alternate transportation is fine. The Starbright Holidays is a beautiful drone light show in collaboration with intel that you must see.

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There are a variety of retail locations to shop from like American Threads where I just had to get a pair of black suede Matisse Skye Heels. You also have M.A.C Cosmetics, Origins, UGGS, Levis, Kipling, Melissa, Lily Pulitzer and Superdry just to name a few. You get food, entertainment, makeup, clothing, shoes, jewelry, toys and accessories all in one place. Some of the best brand name retailers are there with exclusive Disney merchandise. There’s also World of Disney which is the largest Disney Store, a Lego Store and bibbidi bobbidi boutique where little girls can get a princess makeover. It was so cute to see all the little Birthday Princess’s walking around Disney Springs all dolled up.

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There are so many restaurants to choose from and you have a great selection from quick grab-and-go kiosks, food trucks, casual dining to five award winning chefs establishments. Disney Springs boasts five James Beard Award-winning chefs: Masaharu Morimoto (Morimoto Asia), Art Smith (Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming Kitchen and Southern Shine), Rick Bayless (Frontera Cocina), Tony Mantuano (Portobello), Wolfgang Puck (Wolfgang Puck Café). More than 50 food and beverage locations are open now, with more to come. I had the opportunity to eat dinner at Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming Kitchen & Southern Shine. It was DELICIOUS!

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I had a salad to start, Fried Chicken, macaroni & cheese, Hushpuppies (not pictured), Shrimp & Grits, Collard Greens and Moonshine Cake! I was stuffed! There was also a wine tasting as we dined and they were paired perfectly. I definitely can’t wait to experience some of the other restaurants that Disney Springs has to offer. If you visit Orlando, FL during the holiday season, make Disney Springs an intentional stop and experience all it has to offer. You get to visit Santa’s Chalet and walk the Christmas tree trail with fifteen different Disney themed trees. I can’t forget Characters in Flight balloon ride that I was so determined to get on and time escaped me. Disney Springs is a great place for the entire family to enjoy.

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Have you ever been to Disney Springs? Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Where are you shopping Black Friday? Visit the Disney Springs website for additional information.

Recap: AT&T 28 Days Durham

I was so excited when I heard that ATT 28 Days was coming to The Carolina Theatre in Durham, NC. I was looking forward to the seeing keynote speaker Corvida Raven whom I’ve been following on twitter for a couple of years and never had the chance to meet personally until now. Corvida Raven is a social media expert that blogs at SheGeeks.net and is up on all the latest technology and knows the ins and outs of social media. Corvida is one of the who’s who in social media that you must know. There aren’t too many black female tech bloggers to date and she definitely owns her blogging Real Estate in that market.

Corvida has been recognized by Fast Company as an Influential Woman in Technology (2009), Essence as a Power Player (2011), Glamour Magazine as one of 21 amazing young women of 2011 at the Glamour Women of The Year Awards, and a 2012 Women Interactive Digital Vanguard Award Recipient just to name a few of her accomplishments. Corvida spoke about “Getting People To Listen To What You Have To Say” at the ATT 28 Days event. She was very insightful and gave me a lot to think about as a blogger and online social media butterfly. The event was hosted by Rickey Smiley who kept me in stitches. Mayor Bill Bell spoke to us briefly about how wonderful the city of Durham is as it continues to grow and thrive. I’m definitely a foodie and can appreciate all the local restaurants that I patronize. I always try and support my local businesses and not just on Small Business Saturday!

I really appreciate the fact that Rickey Smiley brought it front and center that ATT doesn’t have to do the 28 Days Black History Month Speaker Concert Series to honor Black History Month. He also said and I quote “We are intelligent awesome people and our history is rich!” I completely enjoyed this event and Elle Varner was our entertainment for the evening. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to see her yet again, I saw her last November for a North Carolina Central University Homecoming Event. Elle Varner just captivates her audience with that beautiful voice. She also gave us a taste of “Not Tonight” her next single and of course she didn’t leave without giving us a “Refill” I always enjoy her concerts.

So many Thank You’s to ATT 28 Days for coordinating a great event like this to celebrate Black History Month. I got to hear a great speaker (Corvida Raven) speak on Social Media and Technology, Rickey Smiley kept me laughing and dropped some Black History nuggets and Elle Varner “Sangggggg” her heart out. I left feeling inspired and motivated to continue to do what I am doing and excel at my craft. What inspires you? We can’t forget to NEVER text and drive! Pledge now at #itcanwait For more information on AT&T 28 Days join the conversation at 28 Days To Inspire. I took some pictures. Enjoy…

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Women’s Empowerment 2011

Saturday March 19, 2011 the RBC Center will be packed with thousands of women and let’s not forget the men looking to be uplifted by motivational speakers, attend educational sessions, and celebrate Women’s History Month. Women’s Empowerment is a Radio One event and one of the largest most anticipated ones at that! It’s an entire day of seminars, demonstrations, networking, performances and shopping with doors opening at 10:30 a.m. and closing at 8:00 p.m. I attended Women’s Empowerment 2009, Mary J Blige was the keynote speaker and I had a GREAT time.

This year’s keynote speaker is Steve Harvey and I’m looking forward to his speech. He is an Actor, Comedian, Author, Radio and Television personality and he knows what he’s talking about! I really enjoyed his book “Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man” (What men really think about love, relationships, intimacy, and commitment) and his newest “Straight Talk, No Chaser” (How to find, keep and understand a man) I’m actually in the middle of reading it now. Single ladies, read these books before you say “I DO” I found myself wishing I had read it before I said “I DO” Real Talk!

Some of this year’s lineup of entertainment and speakers include:

Recording Artist Keyshia Cole: Jumping on the scene in 2005 Keyshia Cole went platinum with her album “The Way It Is” following behind with another platinum hit album in 2007 “Just Like You” then shortly after produced yet another certified platinum album “A Different Me” in 2008. “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is” a reality show based on her career and relationship with her family aired on BET for two seasons. Keyshia Cole took some time off and found love, had a son with fiancé Daniel Gibson of the Cleveland Cavaliers! How NICE is that! She is now back on the scene with yet another album that is FIRE “Calling All Hearts” I just can’t wait to see her!

New Thought Spiritual Teacher Iyanla Vanzant: An inspirational speaker, spiritual teacher and writer. She’s made numerous appearances on Oprah and written really good books on loving yourself, getting through rough times, and spiritual growth. I’m looking forward to being motivated and uplifted because when Iyanla speaks, you walk away feeling educated,  inspired and ready for anything!

 

Former Model Turned Actor Boris Kodjoe: Born in Austria and speaking several languages you may best know Boris Kodjoe from his role as Damon Carter from the Showtime Television Drama Soul Food playing opposite Nicole Ari Parker whom he eventually married FOR REAL! He’s got game! They’re an adorable couple and have a beautiful family. I can’t wait to snap a picture of all his GREATNESS! No disrespect Nicole, he’s gorgeous!

R&B Singer/ Songwriter Musiq Soulchild: This Philly native released Aijuswanaseing in 2000. His music style automatically blew me away with some jazz, blues, soul, hip hop and R&B influences just to name a few.   In 2002 he released Juslisen, 2003 Soulstar, and then took some time off to change management and labels to return with LuvanMusiq in 2007, and OnMyRadio in 2008. Musiq Soulchild is scheduled to release album MusiqInTheMajiq this summer.  I’m looking forward to an amazing show!

Stay Tuned for the Recap of Women’s Empowerment 2011…

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