Magical Mouse Schoolhouse

DREAMs are not just FANTASY on Disney Cruise Line

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Just over a year ago, the Disney Cruise Line fleet expanded with the launch of the Disney DREAM. I was honored to attend its christening celebration and cruise to Castaway Cay January 19-21, 2011, which occurred before the public set sail on the January 26th maiden voyage. Here’s a photo montage of the festivities and some DREAM features.

With 14 towering decks (two more than its sister ships), a ship length measuring 1,115 feet and width of 125 feet, the 130,000-ton DREAM is 40% larger than the MAGIC and the WONDER. It holds 5,007 beds (nearly 2,000 more than the MAGIC and WONDER) in its 1,250 staterooms to comfortably accommodate 4,000 passengers and its 1,458 Crew Members.

Dining, of course, is exquisite on the Disney DREAM. You can dine in a different location each evening, and your wait staff will follow you. Some choices include
Enchanted Garden—a whimsical, casual French garden environment that transforms from day to night.
Animator’s Palate—a signature Disney Cruise Line restaurant filled with character sketches, film strips, paint brush pillars and pencil columns.
Royal Palace—an elegant eatery that features fairy tale elements such as tiaras, glass slippers, roses and apples inspired by the classic Disney films Cinderella, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty.

Special kid zones entertain infants on up.
it’s a small world nursery—for little ones ages 3 months to toddlers aged 3, provides quality care for the littlest Guests.
Oceanears Club—for kids ages 4 to 10, features several different themed play areas, interactive dance floor and a craft room.
Edge—club for tweens ages 11 to 13, offers gaming wall, computer stations and a special porthole for viewing the AquaDuck—the world’s first at-sea water coaster!
Vibe—club for teens 14 to 17, features wall pods for video/audio/gaming, giant LCD screen and private pool deck.

Stage shows, movie screenings and spontaneous Character greetings make the journey even more magical. More than you could ever dream of awaits you and your family!

Today’s Takeaway:
The DREAM’s little sister, the Disney FANTASY, will soon be joining the fleet too and will boast many of the same attractions that draw travelers aboard the DREAM. We’ll take a special look at the FANTASY when it sets sail next month. For now, though, you can cross the Atlantic Ocean on it virtually via the Disney Cruise Line Diaries (find the videos at DisneyCruiseLineNews Youtube channel). Track the ship on its journey to the States in these daily video journals via disneycruise.com.

Watch all the videos and let your imagination run. “Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492…” What a different voyage he took! Visit your local library and/or research Christopher Columbus online. Study his journals. Mark his first Atlantic crossing on a map. Consider how long the trip took and what the morale of his crew might have become by the time they reached the East Indies. Put yourself in Columbus’ place and write a daily journal from his perspective. If you’re feeling especially creative, turn that into a screenplay and have mom and dad make a Christopher Columbus video cruise journal.

SCHOOL SUBJECT: History
SKILL LEVEL: Middle Grades

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Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Anandapur, Disney's Animal Kingdom

This week's theme: Disney Details

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Tiggerific Tuesday! Blog Hop...or Bounce!

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Tiggerific Tuesday! Blog Hop...or Bounce!

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The Magic and Wonder of Disney Cruise Line

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:30:00 +0000

The Disney Magic

Please welcome back our dear friend Kim, our resident Disney Cruise Line guru, to tell us a little more about the Magic and the Wonder!

MMS: The Disney Magic was the first ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. When did it first sail?
KD: The Disney Magic set sail on her maiden voyage on July 30, 1998.

MMS: The ship’s designers looked to the “Golden Age” of ocean liners, pulling inspiration from the elegance and splendor of early 20th century luxury ships. Can you describe the Magic’s décor? Does it seem reminiscent of ocean liners from that era?
KD: I have to say that Disney nailed it! Just one look at the Disney Magic and you are transported back to the golden age of yesteryear. From the twin funnels to the opulent décor found throughout the ship, Guests cannot help but feel like they have stepped back in history.

MMS: When Disney entered the cruise line industry, they wanted to set themselves apart from their counterparts. Do you think they achieved that goal with the launch of the Magic?
KD: With spacious staterooms, rotational dining, children’s programs that cannot be matched, Broadway style stage shows and Character experiences, I would say they accomplished their goal.

MMS: What aspects of the Disney Magic set the Disney experience apart from competitors?
KD: Aside from all the differences I just mentioned, Disney Cruise Line took one other area and ran away with it. Castaway Cay is Disney Cruise Line’s private island paradise. It is truly magnificent. You can enjoy a day at the beach that includes lunch and fun activities for the whole family. No need to worry if you are an adult looking for some peace and quiet. Castaway Cay has a spot for adults only called Serenity Bay and it is just that…serene.

MMS: This will date me, but growing up I watched a television show called The Love Boat. (It’s OK to laugh!) That show was set aboard a cruise ship, and while it was entertaining and I watched it every week, it made the whole cruising experience seem a bit dull. I know first-hand that a cruise on DCL is anything but boring! Can you tell us what travelers should expect aboard the Magic?
KD: We must be the same age! J I too grew up watching The Love Boat. I think that show is where my passion for cruising was sparked.

Guests should expect to have a wonderful vacation aboard any Disney Cruise ship. Disney Cruise Line has gone the extra mile to make sure that there is something for everyone no matter their age. You can do as little or as much as you want.

The Disney Wonder

MMS: Is the Magic’s sister ship, the Wonder, its identical twin? What year did the Wonder launch?
KD: They are very similar but not identical. The Disney Wonder set sail on August 15, 1999.

MMS: Is the Wonder as luxurious as the Magic? Is its décor similar?
KD: Yes, the Disney Wonder is as luxurious as the Disney Magic. The décor is art nouveau while the Magic décor is art deco. Both the ships are beautifully decorated. Di
sney Cruise Line never misses a beat when it comes to keeping up the theme throughout their ships.

MMS: What distinguishes a trip on the Wonder apart from one on the Magic? Is it a mere matter of destination and itinerary? (Are all the shows the same? Are the restaurants the same? Is the stateroom theming/décor the same?)
KD: Each one has a stage show that is unique to that ship. The destinations are different with the Wonder visiting the Mexican Riviera at the moment and the Magic sailing to the Caribbean. Most dining locations are the same. However the grand and casual dining rooms are different on each ship. The Disney Wonder is home to Triton’s and Beach Blanket Buffet and the Disney Magic features Lumiere’s and Topsider’s Buffet.

MMS: Do you have a personal preference between the two ships?
KD: I would gladly sail on either ship! I know with Disney Cruise Line I will have a wonderful cruise experience no matter which ship I am on.

MMS: Can you describe “the perfect cruise” aboard either the Disney Magic or the Disney Wonder?
KD: ….relaxing atmosphere, great service, laughter, unique dining experiences, fabulous entertainment, a visit from a beloved Disney Character, throw in a private island paradise and I think you have “the perfect cruise.”

Thanks for joining us again today, Kim! I tell you, after reading your descriptions, I’m about ready book a DCL cruise myself!

Today’s Takeaway:
As Kim told us, the Magic's interior is fashioned in the art deco style, while the Wonder's is art nouveau. Art nouveau was popular from the early 1880s to around 1914. Art deco picked up when the first World War ended and carried into the 1930s. Art nouveau sprang out of the industrial revolution, utilizing technological advances and spilling over from the fine arts (painting, sculpture) into the applied arts (furniture, jewelry). To my untrained eye, certain pieces of art deco and art nouveau artwork appear similar in presentation. However, architecture from each movement is very distinctive.

Scour the web and visit your local library and/or art museums to learn more about both art movements. Discover what details distinguish one style from the other. Here are a few handy websites to get you started:
~Find a nice description about each style, along with photos of period pieces, at "Art Nouveau to Art Deco," by Richard Whitehouse.
~Find a listing of "great buildings" at art nouveau architecture. Be sure to click on the building names to view photos.
~Find out all about Art Deco Architecture 411 and view some "great buildings" images here.

Magic interior (left) / Wonder interior (right)

The state of Illinois offers free pdf downloads to build your own model "main street." One of the buildings included is the Senior Citizens' Building in Elgin, which was build in the art deco style in 1930 as a Citidel for the Salvation Army. Download, print and build your own here!

SCHOOL SUBJECT: Art and Architecture
SKILL LEVEL: High School - All levels can study the topic; I would suggest high schoolers to continue further research.

*Ship photos courtesy Disney Cruise Line, Wikipedia and About.com.

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Magical Blogorail Fridays

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:58:00 +0000

Welcome to Magical Blogorail Fridays!

Magical Mouse Schoolhouse boards the Magical Blogorail Yellow Loop on the first Friday of each month. On the Fridays in between, we're bringing you a sampling of our fellow Blogorailers' sites.

This week we're spotlighting P.T. from 400 Miles to Disneyland! P.T. is a full-time worker, mom, wife and Disneyland passholder who has a great passion for all things Disney. Her 400 Miles to Disneyland blog hosts printable monthly photo scavenger hunts and weekly reviews, tips, photos, mommy thoughts, and Disney news. You can find P.T. aboard Magical Blogorail Peach.

Check out P.T.'s February scavenger hunt and join in the fun!

Read on to find lots of other Disneyland fun!

The next Magical Blogorail Yellow Loop will run Friday, March 2. Check back then to find out where we'll be stopping!

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Feast Aboard Disney Cruise Line

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:30:00 +0000

A lot of folks celebrated Valentine’s Day this week with a romantic evening at their favorite restaurant. Well, Disney Cruise Line offers just as elegant experiences aboard each of their three (soon to be four) ocean liners. Here’s a sampling of the fare you may find on the Disney Dream, along with recipes to replicate at home.

Whet your appetite with Curried Carrot and Apple Soup from the Enchanted Garden
Serves 4

1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon curry powder
1 cup diced carrots (about 4 medium carrots) plus 1 whole carrot, divided
1 medium onion, chopped
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped
4 cups vegetable broth
Coarse salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Plain yogurt, fresh parsley, for garnish

Heat the oil in a large, heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. Add curry powder and cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes. Add diced carrots, onions and apple, and stir until coated with the curry powder. Sauté for 5 minutes. Add broth, stirring to combine.
Cover the pot. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until carrots and apples are very soft, about 20 to 25 minutes. Puree in a blender, or with a hand-held blender. Taste, and add salt and pepper, if desired.
While soup is cooking, preheat oven to 400°F. Peel remaining whole carrot and cut into very thin curls. Roast for 3 to 5 minutes, or until ends are browned and crisp.
Top each bowl of soup with yogurt, roasted carrot curls and fresh parsley. Serve warm

Dine finely on Baked Salmon Royal from the Royal Palace
Serves 4

Truffled Cauliflower Puree
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 shallot, chopped
1 pound cauliflower, cored and cut into small florets
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
1 tablespoon white truffle oil

Sautéed Swiss Chard
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 small onion
2 cloves garlic
1 1/2 pounds Swiss chard (about 1 large bunch), cut into strips
1/2 cup dry white wine (such as Chardonnay)
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground white pepper

Baked Salmon
1 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
1/3 pound smoked salmon, very finely chopped
1/3 cup prepared horseradish
1/3 cup plus 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
4 (6-ounce) filets salmon

Beurre Blanc
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, divided
1 shallot, finely diced
1 celery stalk, sliced
1/2 leek, cleaned and sliced
1/2 cup dry white wine (such as Chardonnay)
1/2 cup fish stock
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground white pepper
Freshly chopped chives, optional

For the truffled cauliflower puree:

Heat butter in a large stockpot over medium heat. Sauté shallot until translucent, then add cauliflower florets, cream, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
Cover pot and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer, covered, until the cauliflower is soft, about 10 minutes. Add salt and white pepper; stir in truffle oil.
Transfer mixture to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.

For the sautéed Swiss chard:

Heat oil in a large skillet. Add onion and garlic, and sauté until fragrant. Add the Swiss chard and sauté until slightly wilted, about 4 minutes.
Add the wine, salt and pepper; simmer until wine is reduced and Swiss chard is tender-crisp, about 5 minutes.

For the baked salmon:

Preheat oven to 280°F.
Combine panko, smoked salmon, horseradish, 1/3 cup olive oil, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir until breadcrumbs absorb oil and mixture is combined.
Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear salmon on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Cool to room temperature. Evenly distribute panko mixture among the tops of the salmon filets.
Bake salmon for 15 to 20 minutes, or until crust is golden and salmon is just cooked through.

For the beurre blanc:

Cut butter into tablespoons. Reserve 2 tablespoons; set remaining butter aside.
Heat the reserved 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Sauté the shallot, celery and leek for 2 minutes. Add the wine and fish stock. Simmer until reduced by 2/3, about 10 minutes. Add heavy cream and simmer until mixture is reduced by 1/3.
Turn heat to low. Whisk remaining butter into wine mixture, one piece at a time, allowing each piece to melt fully before adding the next one. Season with salt and white pepper.
Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Keep warm until ready to serve.

To serve:
Spoon truffled cauliflower puree onto the center of a plate and top with sautéed Swiss shard. Place a piece of salmon over the Swiss chard, then drizzle with beurre blanc. Garnish with fresh chives, if desired.

And complete the meal with Chocolate Soufflé from Palo
Serves 6

3 tablespoons butter, plus more for greasing the soufflé cups
6 tablespoons sugar, plus more for dusting the soufflé cups
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa
2 ounces (2/3 cup) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, melted
4 eggs, separated
Vanilla Sauce (recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Set a full kettle of water on to boil.
Butter six 4-ounce soufflé cups and coat with sugar; set aside.
Bring the milk to a boil in a small saucepan, meanwhile; melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cocoa to the butter and beat with a whisk to a smooth, paste-like consistency. Reduce heat and cook for 1 minute.
Slowly add the hot milk, whisking until smooth, then blend in melted chocolate. Let cool for 5 minutes, then stir in egg yolks.
Beat egg whites in a separate bowl until frothy. Slowly add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until stiff, glossy peaks form. Stir a heaping spoonful of egg whites into the chocolate, then fold in the remaining whites just until combined.
Pour the batter into prepared soufflé cups. Place cups in a large baking dish and add enough boiling water to reach halfway the sides of the soufflé cups.
Bake for 20 minutes. Serve immediately, with warm vanilla sauce.

Vanilla Sauce
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1/4 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
3 tablespoons sugar
2 small egg yolks

Bring cream and vanilla bean to a low boil in saucepan over medium heat.
Combine sugar and egg yolks.
Add 2 spoonfuls of boiling cream to egg mixture and stir well, then pour back into the remaining cream and continue to cook over low heat, stirring constantly for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly.

Today’s Takeaway:
Choose one or all of the recipes above and serve to your family at mealtime tonight.

SCHOOL SUBJECT: Home Economics
SKILL LEVEL: Middle Grades, High School

All recipes and photos courtesy Disney Cruise Line News.

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Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:19:00 +0000

This week's theme: Animal Kingdom animal attractions

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Tiggerific Tuesday! Blog Hop...or Bounce!

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Tiggerific Tuesday! Blog Hop...or Bounce!

Link up, meet new friends, network with other bloggers, and have fun!

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Conservation Education on Disney Cruise Line

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:30:00 +0000

When it comes to sailing with Disney Cruise Line (DCL), as with visiting any Disney theme park, there’s so much more than meets the eye. If you’re looking for a plain and simple, relaxing journey, DCL is the place for you. If you’re looking for excitement and action-packed adventure, DCL is also the place for you. And if you’re looking to learn while you play, guess what? Disney Cruise Line is that place too.

Did you know that aboard DCL, your kids can study conservation of endangered species and discuss mankind's impact on the environment? Some initiatives DCL supports include
1) The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. The Walt Disney Company matches Guest contributions, distributing more than $15 million in total donations and supporting more than 850 wildlife projects in 110 countries worldwide to date.
2) Partnership with Disney’s Animal Programs. This team monitors all shore and educational excursions featuring animal experiences and oversees research on Disney's private island, Castaway Cay.
3) Coral Reef Restoration. A multi-year project is underway to restore the health of the coral reefs surrounding Castaway Cay, transplanting native long-spined sea urchins to the area.

4) Whale watching. DCL navigational crew help spot and report endangered right whales that shelter their young off Florida’s coast each spring and summer.
5) Summer Eco-Camps. At various ports of call across The Bahamas and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Disney Cruise Line sponsors and provides guidance for summer eco-camps.
6) Safety Smart Goes Green. Timon and Pumbaa from The Lion King inspire environmental responsibility in everyday life. Guests can view scheduled airings and take part in special children’s activities.
7) Behind the Waves. Discover DCL’s land and at sea environmental efforts in a unique onboard video, Behind the Waves, hosted by Disney Channel personality Brenda Song. To view the video, visit http://Environment.DisneyCruiseNews.com.
8) Sea Turtle Protection. DCL crew members partner with Disney’s Animal Programs to excavate hatched nests and ensure sea turtle survival.

Today’s Takeaway:
Sea turtles are endangered. That means their populations in the wild are dwindling. Disney Cruise Line and other organizations are doing what they can to make sure these cool creatures do not become distinct.

Today, work through a unit study with your kids. I’m listing two here. The first is geared toward toddlers/preschoolers. The second is appropriate for early elementary kids. Both include sea turtle crafts, vocabulary, manipulatives, reading and other course work.

Toddler Turtle Unit

Sea Turtle Animal Study & Lapbook

SCHOOL SUBJECT: Science, Art, Language Arts
SKILL LEVEL: Preschool, Elementary

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Magical Blogorail Fridays

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:14:00 +0000

Welcome to Magical Blogorail Fridays!

This week we're spotlighting Mary from Capturing Magical Memories! Mary grew up frequenting Walt Disney World and now, as a wife and mom to 2 boys, she is still as big a fan as ever! Mary is also a dedicated scrapbooker and amateur photographer. You will find her aboard Magical Blogorail Teal and at Reedy Creek Radio and The Disney Moms.

Check out Mary's photo organization tips in today's "Flashback Friday" post, "Organizing Disney Photos with Keywords":

I have been struggling forever with the sheer number of photos I have - and specifically the Disney ones. My husband will ask me 'Do you have a photo of the inside of Via Napoli?' and I have to go through folders of photos before I say 'no.' Something had to be done so I sucked it up and am putting keywords on everything.

Read on to find out more ways to capture magical memories!

The next Magical Blogorail Yellow Loop will run Friday, March 2. Check back then to find out where we'll be stopping!

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Disney Cruise Line Q&A

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Magical Mouse Schoolhouse is so honored to welcome back our very special Guest, Kim Deviese of 3D Travel Company! Kim was born and raised in Florida, and Walt Disney World has always been a part of her life. She is also an avid cruiser, having sailed several times on all three (and soon to be all four) of the Disney Cruise Line ships. Kim is not only a seasoned Disney traveler, but also a veteran homeschooler who, along with her kids, loves to learn while she plays when Disney IS school.

MMS: Kim, thank you so much for taking time to sit down with us for a little Q&A! You and your family have taken several cruises on a number of different cruise lines. What sets Disney Cruise Line (DCL) apart from the others?
KD: People mention the Disney difference all the time, which I can tell you is very real and shows on all of the Disney cruise ships. It starts with the magnificent Cast Members and ends with Disney’s attention to detail found throughout the entire fleet.

MMS: On which DCL ships have your traveled?
KD: So far I have sailed on the Disney Dream, Disney Wonder and Disney Magic. I will have the pleasure of sailing on the Disney Fantasy along with a few others on March 23, 2012.

MMS: We’ll talk more specifically about each ship later on. For now, can you give us a brief description of each fleet member?
KD: There are three wonderful ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet…soon to be four! The Disney Magic, the Disney Wonder, the Disney Dream and making its debut on March 31, 2012 will be the Disney Fantasy. The Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy have taken Disney Cruise Line to a whole new level. They are the first ships to have an actual attraction on board, the Aquaduck water coaster. Very cool! Disney Cruise Line has spared no expense when it comes to their ships.

MMS: Do you have a favorite ship on which to travel, or do you find them equally appealing? If you have a favorite, what makes it special?
KD: I think Guests pick a favorite ship based on their personal experience while aboard that ship. For me I would have to say the Disney Magic holds a special place in my heart. I spent seven wonderful nights with great friends and family. It was the most relaxing vacation I have ever experienced. It brings a smile to my face when I remember some of the great times we had.

MMS: Does the magic of a Disney cruise begin as soon as you step into port?
KD: Absolutely! I would say it even begins on the shuttle ride from the airport to the port or on the ride from a nearby hotel to the port. The excitement builds and by the time I step off the escalator I feel like I could fly.

MMS: Can you walk us through the greeting/boarding process?
KD: The greeting is so special. It brings tears to my eyes. As you enter the atrium of the ship a cast member will ask you for your family name. The Cast Member then announces your family by saying, “The Disney Wonder welcomes the Smith family!” It is just a great start to what is sure to be a magnificent cruise.

MMS: Do you follow a specific itinerary during the cruise? How is that schedule determined?
KD: The great thing about cruising is you can do as little or as much as you want to. Each night the Navigator (daily newsletter) is placed in your stateroom. In it you will find the next day’s activities laid out by age group and time. I recommend bringing along a highlighter so you highlight those must-do activities.

MMS: What are some of your family’s favorite activities to do on board?
KD: We love to watch the theatrical productions and the first-run movies in the Buena Vista Theater, and we love to dine in the restaurants. We love it all!

MMS: Have you cruised with young children?
KD: My son was 9 years old when we first sailed on Disney Cruise Line. My boys are now 13 and 20 and both never turn down a chance to sail on a Disney cruise ship. YES, even the 20-year-old.

MMS: What activities are available for kids? For teens?
KD: Disney Cruise Line makes sure ALL children no matter what their age have plenty of organized activities as well as free time to just play and be a kid. They can make flubber, enjoy dance parties, play video games, have computer time and the list goes on and on.

MMS: Did you feel confident about the level of security for kids’ areas?
KD: I feel very confident leaving my children in the care of the Cast Members in the children’s clubs.

MMS: Are there Characters on board? Do they make meet-and-greet appearances?
KD: Yes, there are a number of Characters on board. Disney Cruise Line keeps you informed by placing the Navigator in your stateroom each evening. Listed in the Navigator you will find all the meet and greet times. There are also unplanned Character moments that make the cruise all the more special. Imagine sitting by the pool and all of the sudden Pluto comes out of nowhere, or walking down the beach when Captain Jack Sparrow goes running by, or how Captain Hook paid a visit to the Oceaneer Club while your son or daughter was playing. The best character meets are the unexpected ones.

MMS: Are there any special surprises during the trip? (Gifts left in your room, impromptu dance parties on deck, etc.)
KD: Towel animals, chocolates, Castaway Club gift (for returning guests), a clean room, a turned down bed….what’s not to love! The Pirates in the Caribbean party is probably everyone’s favorite. You have lots of dancing, signing, Characters, fireworks and, of course, there is that moment when Mickey saves the day. Fantastic!

MMS: Are the ports-of-call appealing to kids/teens? Which ports are the most family-friendly?
KD: Disney’s private island offers a wide range of things to do and most are included in the cost of the cruise, so I would say that it is the most family-friendly port. Lucky for us, most sailings will stop at Castaway Cay at least once on the voyage. There is really something for everyone on Castaway Cay. However, I find that most ports-of-call are family friendly for the most part.

MMS: Have you traveled without your children? Is a Disney cruise appealing as an adult-only trip?
KD: I had the privilege of sailing on a 3 night cruise to the Bahamas without my family. It was wonderful! Disney Cruise has taken extra steps to make sure there are areas aboard all of their ships specifically for adults only.

MMS: How’s the food on board DCL? Do you have a favorite restaurant?
KD: Can I just say yummy and leave it at that?  As for a favorite….I would say Animator’s Palate on all 3 ships. I may pick a new one on the Disney Fantasy.

MMS: Are the shorter cruises (three or four nights) as satisfying as the longer ones (seven or more nights)? Aside from duration, what are the main differences between the two options?
KD: I think the three, four and five night cruises are great! On every Disney cruise you are able to build relationships with the Cast Members that are working so hard to make this the best cruise ever. Your children will build friendships that often last for years. There are some differences between the sailings. For instance Guests on seven night sailings are offered a chance to dine with Characters at breakfast. Palo offers high tea and brunch on the longer sailings. While each ship has a special production number, the longer sailings will also bring in outside entertainment like comedians and ventriloquists. The quality and great service is present on all sailings no matter the length.

MMS: OK, now for your thought question of the day: If someone had the same budget to spend at either Walt Disney World Resort OR a Disney cruise and had never been to WDW or cruised before, which do you think offers “more bang for the buck”?
KD: This is a tough question. I love Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line. I believe they both offer “bang for your buck.” When you pay for your Magic Your Way Vacation Package or your Disney Cruise you have covered the majority of the expenses. With both Disney vacations you will have a few additional expenses but it is great to board that ship or check into the resort knowing that you can sit back and relax.

MMS: And finally, do you have any last piece of advice you’d like to offer anyone considering a journey on Disney Cruise Line?
KD: Book early! By booking early you will get great rates and excellent stateroom selection. You even have the option of making payments along the way.

Thank you, again, for joining us today, Kim!

Disney Cruise Line certainly offers a unique experience where there’s something fun for everyone. We’ll be taking a closer look at each of the ships beginning next week. If you’d like more information about booking a Disney Cruise or other Disney vacation, you can get in touch with Kim here.

Today’s Takeaway:
One of the activities for kids in the OceanEars Club is to make flubber. It’s really quite easy to do, and kids love to play with it! Here’s a great video tutorial and recipe.

SCHOOL SUBJECT: Art, Science (if you want to explore the chemical properties of the mixture)
SKILL LEVEL: Preschool, Elementary

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It's GIVEAWAY Wednesday!

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:57:00 +0000

It's GIVEAWAY Wednesday!

For your chance to win a Magical Mouse Schoolhouse T-shirt AND Minnie Mouse earbuds by MuPods, by midnight tonight, email jodi (at) magicalmouseschoolhouse (dot) com the correct answer to the following trivia:

In the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction, when lightning struck the hotel, it stopped the hotel's clocks at what time?

One winner will be selected from correct entries via random.org. International Guests are welcome. Good luck, thanks for playing along, and have a wonderful holiday!

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Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:30:00 +0000

My silly little man!

This week's theme: Wildlife!

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Tiggerific Tuesday! Blog Hop...or Bounce!

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Tiggerific Tuesday! Blog Hop...or Bounce!

Link up, meet new friends, network with other bloggers, and have fun!

Our Requests:

1. On GFC, Networked Blogs, Twitter or Facebook, please follow all three Hosts

and

2. Follow who you like and be sure to let them know that you are from "Tiggerific Tuesday! Blog Hop...or Bounce!"

3. You are not required to, but we'd greatly appreciate it if you could grab our button and write a post about this hop and/or display the button on your sidebar.

get the InLinkz code

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Disney's "Private I" (Island, that is!)

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:30:00 +0000

A Disney cruise to the Caribbean would be incomplete without a stop at Disney’s own port of call, Castaway Cay in the Bahamas. Pronounced Castaway Key, this tiny island is solely owned by Disney and is accessed only by passengers and Cast Members of the Disney Cruise Line fleet. At only 3.1 miles long by 2.2 miles wide, Castaway Cay is the only private island in the cruise industry where the ship docks alongside so guests do not have to tender to land.

What is there to do once you’re on the island? Check out these Port Adventures!
• The Extreme Getaway Package is 4-in-1 fun in the sun: Splashtacular, Nature Adventures, Active Adventures and Family Adventures. Snorkel in the lagoon by the family beach, sway with the waves in on a float or an inner tube, get up-close and personal to live stingrays during a feeding session, or go biking along an offshore trail.
• Castaway Ray's Stingray Feed, touch and even snorkel amongst approximately 40 real-live stingrays who call the Cay home.
• Parasailing Active Adventures Fly high above the crystal waters for approximately 5-7 minutes at heights of 600-1000 feet during a breathtaking aerial adventure.
• Watercraft Ski Adventure Hop on a WaveRunner and follow a guide for a 45-minute ride to 2 stops (weather permitting) outside the lagoon to learn the fascinating history of the local Abacos region, about its marine life and the pirates who frequented these waters. Double-rider WaveRunner adventure also available.

• Walking and Kayak Nature Adventure Enjoy a 45-minute walk through the picturesque landscape, learning the history of the Bahamas as you go. Then, embark on a one-hour kayak adventure, exploring tidal zones and mangroves. Enjoy a relaxing 30-minute swim at a serene, secluded beach that’s reserved only for Adventure Guests before paddling back to the launch for a return to the airstrip.

If you’re looking for less excitement, simply sit back and enjoy the sunshine at either the family beach or the adults-only beach. Perhaps rent a private cabana for the day or venture out on a glass-bottom boat. Just don’t get so relaxed that you miss the ship’s call to return!

Today’s Takeaway:

On the Watercraft Ski Adventure, guides tell tales of the pirates who once frequented the waters around Castaway Cay. Today, dress like a pirate and prepare a pirate unit study. Homeschool Share provides an excellent program that covers schooner diagrams, Caribbean/East Indies map studies, calendar skills, history, vocabulary, math, music, and more!

SCHOOL SUBJECT: Art, Geography, History, Language Arts, Math, Music
SKILL LEVEL: Elementary

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Top 5 Good Eats at Walt Disney World

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Welcome to those of you joining me from DELIGHTFULLY DISNEY and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 2nd stop on our Magical Blogorail.

Welcome to Magical Blogorail Yellow! We have a delicious topic for you today, so I’m going to get right to it.

Our Top 5 Good Eats at Walt Disney World are…

#5 Although this one is a franchise eatery and not uniquely Disney, my family must visit Raglan Road at Downtown Disney every time we go to the World. You may remember we featured their bread pudding recipe in our Virtual Food & Wine Festival back in October.

#4 Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a filling way to end Disney day. Its cozy, weathered brick decor surrounds an open kitchen where kiddos delight in watching the chefs hand toss their pizza pies.

#3 My family enjoys Cinderella’s Royal Table not so much for the food, but for the atmosphere. Breakfast is the best there. What better way to start the day than with the royal court?

#2 Willkommen to the Biergarten at Epcot’s Germany Pavilion on the World Showcase! Not only does this place serve a savory spread of hearty Bavarian fare, but it also serves up delightful song and dance, inviting audience participation, at both lunch and dinner settings.

And our very favorite Walt Disney World restaurant is…

#1 ‘Ohana! Located at the Polynesian Resort, ‘Ohana whisks Guests away to a tropical paradise where families and groups can indulge in an all-you-can-eat feast, featuring appetizers, vegetables and skewers of grilled steak, shrimp, chicken and pork. Oh, and don’t forget dessert! Just one word: Yum! This is one place kids are encouraged to get down and run around. They can enjoy coconut races and hula hoop contests. If they’re there for breakfast, they can also march to melodies with some favorite Characters and smile for the camera when Mickey, Pluto, Lilo and Stitch greet each table.

Today’s Takeaway:
‘Ohana means family in Hawaii. Today, create a meal fit for royalty, serving at least one dish from each cuisine above (Irish, Italian, German, Hawaiian/Polynesian) and enjoy family time around the table. Since Cinderella’s Royal Table is a generic cuisine, rely on it to theme the party. Craft the king and queen crowns shown below for Mom and Dad and smaller versions for your princes and princesses to don while dining.

Instructions can be found at Play at Powerhouse.

For a special dessert treat, serve these “Big Daddy Mardi Gras Crown Cookies”

Get directions at Disney Family.

SCHOOL SUBJECT: Family time
SKILL LEVEL: All

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is RETURN TO DISNEY.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:
1st Stop ~ Delightfully Disney
2nd Stop ~ Magical Mouse Schoolhouse (YOU ARE HERE!)
3rd Stop ~ Return to Disney
Final Stop ~ DISTherapy

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Disney Cruise Line 2012 Sailings

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Soon four sleek ships will sail under the Disney banner. The Magic, which set sail in 1998, and its sister ship the Wonder, which launched a year later, have made travelers’ cruising dreams come true for many years. Last year, their “little” sister, the Dream, made her debut in January 2011 with a star-studded christening celebration and mini-cruise. Next month, the fleet will be complete when the Fantasy crosses the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean, sights set on New York City.

In 2012, Disney Cruises will set sail from five U.S. ports—New York, New York; Seattle, Washington; Los Angeles, California; Port Canaveral, Florida; and Galveston, Texas—offering more choices than ever before with several appealing itineraries.

The Disney Magic will depart New York City from May through September, destined for either the Bahamas or Canadian ports-of-call. From September 22 through the
beginning of December, it will sail from Galveston to the
Western Caribbean.

From May through August, the Disney Wonder will venture from Seattle to Alaska. For much of the year, it will also depart Los Angeles for destinations along the Pacific Coast,
the Mexican Riviera and for the first time, Hawaii.

The Disney Dream will continue to sail a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries departing its home dock of Port Canaveral, and on March 31, 2012, the brand new
Disney Fantasy will take its maiden voyage, sailing also from
Port Canaveral, and destined for Disney’s private island,
Castaway Cay, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Next year will bring the Disney fleet a new Miami, Florida, homeport and will offer new European destinations aboard the Disney Magic, such as Venice, Italy; Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast; Ephesus, Turkey; and the Greek Isles. Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney will also offer families unique land and sea experiences in the Mediterranean.

Today’s Takeaway:
The Gulf Stream is the oceanic current that flows along the Atlantic coast of the United States, beginning in the Caribbean and carrying warm waters northward, eventually making the waters of northwest Europe more tepid than those of other regions at the same latitude. (To read more about the Gulf Stream, visit CIMAS.) Similarly, the California Current flows southward from British Columbia, keeping Hawaii cooler than other land masses at its latitude. (For more on the California Current, visit NOAA.)

Follow this Science Buddies experiment to replicate ocean currents using common household items in your kitchen: “The objective of this ocean science fair project is to make a model of ocean currents and measure how the heat input affects velocity of the currents.”

Items you will need:
• Glass bread loaf dish, 1.5-qt.
• Thyme, dried (or any other dried leaf spice) (2 tsp.)
• Teaspoon
• Vegetable oil (about 4 cups)
• Measuring cup
• Spoon
• Ceramic coffee mugs (2)
• Small candles or cans of Sterno® (4)
• Lighter or matches
• Paper for sketching
• Thermometer
• Ruler
• Stopwatch
• Funnel
• Adult helper
• Lab notebook
• Graph paper

Follow the step-by-step instructions here.

Ocean Currents

SCHOOL SUBJECT: Oceanography
SKILL LEVEL: Middle Grades

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February 2012 Earn Your E.A.R.S.

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Registration for January 2012 Earn Your E.A.R.S. is now OPEN!

For those unfamiliar with the program, the Enriching Academic Reward Series, or E.A.R.S., is an achievement program designed to encourage kids to continually reach for academic success.

As a homeschooler, I emphasize learning. I do not stress getting good grades, and so my children do not always appreciate the value of a high score. I would rather see them grasp concepts than celebrate or despair over rankings. E.A.R.S. is a way to stimulate students to do their best. It motivates them to complete their assignments and gives them the desire to do more. E.A.R.S. is not a standalone curriculum; it enhances students' current course loads and rewards their diligent efforts.

Earn Your E.A.R.S. is open to all skill levels. If you registered your children last year, you are still in the system and do not need to sign up again. One change from last year is that instead of running September through May, the program will run August through May of each school year and will take the month of December off.

Here's how Earn Your E.A.R.S. works:

1) Register your students by submitting the below form or by clicking here. Also available on left-hand sidebar through the 5th of each month or by scanning this QR code with your smart phone.
2) Magical Mouse Schoolhouse will email your assignment by the 5th of each month.
3) Have your students complete and return the assignment by the last day of the month to receive an incentive reward. Please note that Magical Mouse Schoolhouse will NOT assign grades. We are interested in completion and education.
4) Students who complete ALL NINE MONTHS' assignments will receive a Certificate of Completion and small "graduation" gift in June.

Are you ready to Earn Your E.A.R.S.?

Today's Takeaway:
Register your students for the Earn Your E.A.R.S. program by submitting the registration form.

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Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Kilimanjaro Safari, Animal Kingdom

This week's theme: Wildlife!

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Tiggerific Tuesday! Blog Hop...or Bounce!

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Tiggerific Tuesday! Blog Hop...or Bounce!

Link up, meet new friends, network with other bloggers, and have fun!

Our Requests:

1. On GFC, Networked Blogs, Twitter or Facebook, please follow both Hosts

and

as well as our featured Guest

2. Follow who you like and be sure to let them know that you are from "Tiggerific Tuesday! Blog Hop...or Bounce!"

3. You are not required to, but we'd greatly appreciate it if you could grab our button and write a post about this hop and/or display the button on your sidebar.

get the InLinkz code

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January in Review

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:30:00 +0000

This month began with a big announcement from Disney: Disneyland Park at Disneyland Resort in California and Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida will remain open 24 hours on February 29, 2012, to celebrate "One More Disney Day" on Leap Day.

In similar celebratory fashion, we told you about One More Disney Park—Shanghai Disney Resort—coming to Mainland China in about four to five years. The Resort will be "both authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese."

While in China, we checked in with Hong Kong Disneyland. This Resort has a "land" I wish they'd bring to Walt Disney Word: Toy Story Land. How fun it would be to walk right into the world of Andy's toys!

We also celebrated Chinese New Year and the Year of the Dragon at Hong Kong Disneyland. Special events continue through February 5th.

We ventured a bit North and across the water to Japan's Tokyo Disney Resort, stopping first at Tokyo DisneySea to join the 10th Anniversary festivities. We also went under the sea and became part of Ariel's world at Mermaid Lagoon.

Tokyo's Disneyland Park is also loads of fun! We found Toontown to be a great place for the Park's younger Guests to get their first taste of roller coasters. They can also explore some favorite Characters' homes.

Speaking of Characters, Tokyo Disneyland's Fantasyland it the place to find Character-themed attractions and shows, from Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and several other fan favorites.

We also hopped aboard Magical Blogorail Yellow for a flight on Soarin', hopped...or bounced on Tiggerific Tuesdays, enjoyed several Wordless Wednesdays, and hosted a few great Giveaways. Earn Your EARS also resumed this month, and a new project will be out very soon.

Today's Takeaway:
Take some time to look back over January's posts. Be sure to try out some of the activities and let us know how they turned out for you.

Coming in February: Disney Cruise Line!

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Magical Blogorail Fridays

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Welcome to Magical Blogorail Fridays!

This week we're spotlighting Meet the Magic! Meet the Magic is a prime place to meet fellow fans who are seeking out that Disney magic. A team of writers offer strategies for paying for a Disney vacation, travel tips and other great resources. Check out what Natalie, Kristen, Janine, Sheila and Zach have to say!

A recent entry takes a look at several things to consider when "Planning Your Disney Vacation":

For those of you who have never visited Disney, you can wing it and have a pretty great time. However, if you enjoy planning a vacation in order to get an even better vacation, Meet the Magic is a great place to start! Here you will find out all sorts of information to get you planned and prepared:
1. The Best Time to Travel To Disney
2. Where will you stay when you arrive at Disney? On or off property?
3. Will you be using the Disney transportation or will you be renting a vehicle?

Read on to see what else is on the list!

The next Magical Blogorail Yellow Loop will run Friday, February 3. Check back then to find out where we'll be stopping!

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Fantasyland at Tokyo Disneyland

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Fantasyland at Tokyo Disneyland is the place to be if you want a Character-themed experience. Characters featured in attractions include Peter Pan, Snow White, Cinderella, Mickey Mouse, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Alice and Winnie the Pooh.

Peter Pan’s Flight is “a pirate ship to high adventure!” Fly high in the London sky to “the second star on the right and straight on til morning,” all the way to Never Land.
On Snow White’s Adventure, Guests board mine cars and travel far into the deep, dark forest to meet the Seven Dwarfs and hopefully avoid the menacing old witch.
Cinderella’s Fairy Tale Hall invites Guests into the Castle to walk through a chronicle of Cinderella’s rise from mistreated stepchild to regal princess.
Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck sweep Guests into the fantastic world of Disney animation in Mickey’s Philharmagic.
Guests take a Daring Journey with Pinocchio through his treacherous journey to transform from wooden puppet to a real boy.
Timothy Mouse conducts his best friend Dumbo, who’s flying Guests up and down and around and around.
The Mad Hatter is throwing a dizzying “Unbirthday” tea party for Alice.
Guests join Winnie the Pooh on a Hunny Hunt deep in the Hundred Acre Wood, bounding through a sticky adventure.

A few popular classics are also found in Fantasyland.
• 90 white horses parade to calliope music on the Castle Carousel. On this ride, a dream that you wish might come true!
• 999 happy haunts are dying to make the next Guest number 1,000 at the Haunted Mansion.
• Five of the seven habitable continents are represented on “the happiest cruise that ever sailed,” it’s a small world.

Today’s Takeaway:
The hunny pot ride vehicle of Pooh’s Hunny Hunt attraction is impulsive and whimsical and has a mind of its own. It rides a whirlwind, bounces about and whisks travelers through the pages of a beloved children’s story book. In these tales, a “bear of very little brain” has an ever-present “rumbly in his tumbly” that is satisfied only by the sweet delight of “hunny.”

Pooh’s constant craving for honey gets him into many sticky situations, often stirring the ire of the bees who make it.

Today, study the honey bee. Here are several different activities I found that you can incorporate into a unit study:

Learn to identify different flowers. Purchase inexpensive artificial flowers from a craft store and display them around the room. Have students “buzz” around, pretending to be bees. When the teacher calls out a flower name, the first student to buzz over to the correct flower wins! (via Danielle’s Place)
Bees communicate with body language, specifically dancing. The dances tell the worker bees where to find food. Print out this maze and have students help the bee find its way to the flower. (via University of Arizona)
Bees recognize each other by their scent. Play a game of secret smells. Spray or dip cotton balls in a variety of scents, such as lemon juice, peppermint oil or perfume, making two of each scent. Place cotton balls in zip-top bags and hand one to each student, making sure another student has the matching scent. Then, have them use their noses to find the match. (via Danielle’s Place)
Honey bees secrete wax to build elaborate honeycombs. Each cell of the honeycombs is hexagonal (six-sided). Study the geometric figure and discuss why that particular shape suits their purposes. (via University of Arizona)
Print off this fun bee-themed crossword puzzle. (via NCBeekeepers)
Print off this diagram and learn the anatomy of a honey bee. (via Enchanted Learning)

SCHOOL SUBJECT: Science
SUBJECT: Elementary

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It's GIVEAWAY Wednesday!

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:30:00 +0000

It's GIVEAWAY Wednesday!

For your chance to win a Magical Mouse Schoolhouse T-shirt AND Offical Mickey Mouse Club journal (Theme Park Merchandise), by midnight tonight, email jodi (at) magicalmouseschoolhouse (dot) com the correct answer to the following trivia:

In Walt's original version of E.P.C.O.T. (the Environmental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) as a working city, how many permanent residents did he anticipate?

One winner will be selected from correct entries via random.org. International Guests are welcome. Good luck, thanks for playing along, and have a wonderful holiday!

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Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Jodi Whisenhunt) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:30:00 +0000

This week's theme: Wildlife!

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Magical Mouse Schoolhouse

DREAMs are not just FANTASY on Disney Cruise Line

Wordless Wednesday

Tiggerific Tuesday! Blog Hop...or Bounce!

The Magic and Wonder of Disney Cruise Line

Magical Blogorail Fridays

Feast Aboard Disney Cruise Line

Wordless Wednesday

Tiggerific Tuesday! Blog Hop...or Bounce!

Conservation Education on Disney Cruise Line

Magical Blogorail Fridays

Disney Cruise Line Q&A

It's GIVEAWAY Wednesday!

Wordless Wednesday

Tiggerific Tuesday! Blog Hop...or Bounce!

Disney's "Private I" (Island, that is!)

Top 5 Good Eats at Walt Disney World

Disney Cruise Line 2012 Sailings

February 2012 Earn Your E.A.R.S.

Sign up to Earn Your E.A.R.S.

Wordless Wednesday

Tiggerific Tuesday! Blog Hop...or Bounce!

January in Review

Magical Blogorail Fridays

Fantasyland at Tokyo Disneyland

It's GIVEAWAY Wednesday!

Wordless Wednesday