Image by popculturegeek.com via Flickr

One of the more popular pastimes at my house of late has been WII gaming.  My son and I love to curl up together in our chair and play Epic Mickey or Kirby Epic Yarn.  The time spent laughing together as we play is priceless.  One thing I had found to be difficult when we first stated playing together and before we owned either of our Epic favorites was how to find a game that would be good for both of us to play and enjoy.

As we began shopping, we were in our local Game Stop and I mentioned that I was leery of buying a game because of their price.  (For those of you who do not have a local Game Stop, this is chain business that sells new and used video games.)  I just was not interested in purchasing a $50 game and deciding after playing it for an hour that it was not something either of us enjoyed.  The employee at Game Stop informed me that games purchased from them are returnable if you have any problems with them within 30 days after purchase.  They went further to say that should I not like a game, I could exchange it for a new one.

During our shopping for the Epic games, my son had wanted several other games such as ones that featured Dora, Spider-man, etc.  He is only 5 now and really is not that great at working the controls yet so my willingness to purchase him a plethora of games is just not there.  Then one day as I was checking out some book and movies from my local library, I hit the motherload!  Out of the corner of my eye, I glimpsed a WII game on the return counter.  I know I did a double-take!  I got the attention of a librarian and asked if they had WII games there for rent.  She said, “Yes, we have a few SHELVES full of them in the media room!”  Excited, I ran right back there to check out the selection.  I grabbed a Dora game for the little one and a Mario Brothers for myself.

This was so exciting!  I could now at least try out the games before buying them or just be able to play a variety of games for FREE!  Before seeing these for rent at the library, I had looked at purchasing an account at Game Fly.  However, the accounts are fairly expensive at $15.95 per month for 1 game rental at a time or $22.95 for 2 game rentals at a time.  I think I will just stick to my free rentals from the library that last 3 weeks!

Be sure to check your local library.  They are always adding new and exciting things that can entertain and save you money!

When heading to Disney, most families travel quite a distance. Whether traveling to Disney by train, boat, airplane or car, having something new to do, can really help pass the time!  I remember when I was young(er), when my parents would take my sister and I on a long road trip, we would be given a new “treat” at each stop along the way.  We would stop at a gas station, we would get a new coloring book or small toy.  This really made the drive more entertaining and gave my sister and I something new to explore as we journeyed along to our destination.

Perhaps you and your family want to also find new items to enjoy along your journey to Disney.  Here are a few items you may enjoy according to age category:

Adults:   You can spend hours of time taking in a good book!  Along a drive, an audiobook really helps pass the time.

Audiobook for The Hunger Games

Children 5-10:  Childrenalso really enjoy a great audiobook.  This one is highly loved!

Audiobook for Magic Treehouse Collection

Children 8 – Adult:  Rummikub is a wonderful game which will refine your reasoning and strategic skills!

Rummikub Travel Game

Children 12 – Adult:  A game that will leave everyone in the car laughing!  

Apples to Apples Travel Game

Children of all Ages:  Kids love to draw.  This desk will help them keep organized and entertained!

Melissa and Doug Desk to Go

Children 3 – 5:  Nothing works a child’s mind like a puzzle.  These Melissa and Doug puzzles are wooden and include 48 pieces.  Each piece is large enough they cannot easily be lost!

Melissa and Doug Wood Puzzle for Girls

Melissa and Doug Wood Puzzle for Boys

Do you have something you enjoy bringing along to pass the time as you travel to Disney?

1. Upon check in to your Disney Resort, let the concierge know you are celebrating your Wedding Anniversary.  Many times you will receive special gifts delivered to your room during your stay.  These gifts have been known to include flowers or desserts.
2. Head to Guest Relations in your Disney Resort or in any Disney theme park.  Let them know about your special celebration and you will be given an Anniversary button.  This button will help others bring well wishes to you and your loved one all day!
3. Bring along one of your loved ones favorite desserts or bottles of wine.  When you return to your Disney Resort, head back to the room bring out your item to enjoy.
4. Make your loved one a gift.  This gift may be something you made through with any of your crafting specialties!  Bring along the gift and give it to your special someone at just the right time during your Disney vacation!
5. Slip a love letter under your loved ones pillow or on the sink for them first thing in the morning!  What better way to wake than to have someone remind you of how much you mean to them.

These are only a few of the great ways to celebrate throughout your Disney vacation.  Hope you have the very best Wedding Anniversary ever while in Disney!

Treat yourself, with Restaurant.com!   Restaurant Gift Certificates will be available for only $4 with code TREAT.

Click here to head to get your Certificates at Restaurant.com

Remember, you can use many of the coupons found at Restaurant.com in your local area or in areas, such as Orlando and Anaheim, where you vacation!  Stock up now!  Be sure to read all restrictions and expiration dates before purchase.

This is only available today!  Be sure to get these spooky deals while they last!

Duffle Bag – $6.99

Travel Bag – $6.15

For the Movie Lover:

We Were Soldiers – $4.69

Clue – $2.99

Green Mickey T-Shirt – $10

Grey Mickey Men’s Shirt – $10

Remember, Meet the Magic will continue to bring you gift ideas all throughout the holiday season so you can not only get a great gift for you loved ones and friends, but also be able to save money while doing so!

Legoland Sign

LEGOLAND is a great theme park, located about 30 minutes from Orlando, Fl.  The park is dedicated to families of children between the ages of 2 and 12, and loved by many a LEGO fan!  My original visit to the park was a great time, especially for my 6-year-old son.  Admittedly, he had only played with the DUPLO line of LEGO products.  However, since leaving the park my son has become quite good at saving up and shopping the LEGO sales to get himself a few great sets!  I admit we also help with the purchase costs because I find that LEGOS are great for my son’s focusing and reasoning skills, much as puzzles do.

Wanting to experience more of the theme park and also the Brick-or-Treat Halloween party, we were invited to return to the park.  To begin our second tour, we decided to begin with the Halloween offerings.  The Halloween Party for this theme park is included in the theme park ticket and is available on Saturdays and Sundays in October.  My son decided he did not want to take part in their Halloween Costume Contest so we did not participate in that.  However, be sure to check with LEGOLAND if your child would like to participate.  The contests follow a schedule which includes a sign up time which cannot be missed if you want to participate.

Moving on, we headed to the LEGO Monster Fighters Haunted Scavenger Hunt.  Here you seek out candy corns made of LEGOs, which are carefully hidden within LEGO cities.  This year included 5 letters which unscrambled to make a Halloween-friendly word.  We admit, it was a bit of a challenge to find the last letter!  The family split up and eventually found the last letter.  We loved it!

Click to view slideshow.

Costume on, my son headed through the Brick-or-Treat Trail.  At the head of the Trail, a worker gave my son a bag and then my son received a hand stamp and we were told only he was allowed to collect treats.  Each of the treat stations were within 10 feet of one another with around 10 total different stations.

Overall, we loved our visit to the Halloween party at LEGOLAND.  The offerings were perfect, allowing plenty of time to experience the attractions in the theme park, as well as time to experience the Halloween offerings.  Again, the Party is included in the price of admission.  If you plan on heading to LEGOLAND, you should consider planning to head down there in the month of October to take advantage of this great party!

]]> http://amazedbydisney.wordpress.com/2012/10/30/brick-or-treat-legoland-halloween-party/feed/ 0 LEGOLAND Legocity Halloween Hunt nrhenley Legoland Sign http://amazedbydisney.wordpress.com/2012/10/30/how-to-save-big-money-by-reducing-your-interest-rate/ http://amazedbydisney.wordpress.com/2012/10/30/how-to-save-big-money-by-reducing-your-interest-rate/#comments Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:00:29 +0000 Natalie H. http://meetthemagic.com/?p=10997 ]]>

credit (Photo credit: the|G|™)

It is no secret that most people use loans in order to afford things that are needed in everyday life, such as homes, cars, appliances, clothing, etc.  In fact, most people will continue to keep loans for extended amounts of time so they can continue to live the lifestyle desired.

To help you reduce the amount of money you spend on the interest for these loans consider the following:

•  Getting a FREE copy of your Credit Report – You really should get a copy of your credit report annually so you can be sure that the information being presented to creditors is accurate and representative of your lending history.  If you find incorrect information, be sure to contact the companies to get the information corrected.  Get your free copy of the credit report by visiting annualcreditreport.com.  Remember, getting your credit report CORRECT is vital to getting the best available rates when taking out a loan or applying for credit.
• Get Credit – If you do not have any credit established, start off by getting a savings account.  Be sure to fund the account and hold it for a few months.  This will help you establish a foundation to good credit!  If you plan on purchasing larger items such as a house or car, be sure to continue building your foundation as a good creditor by borrowing money and repaying it ON TIME.  Another way to continue building a positive foundation is by getting a credit card and paying off the balance every month ON TIME! The key is to show that you are trustworthy with the borrowed monies by always paying it back on time.
• Make the Call – If you have a credit card with a high balance, be sure to know your interest rate.  Often times, you can simply call your credit card company and request a decrease in interest rates. This can save you large sums of money!  Inquire today to begin saving.
• Get Rid of the High Rates – If you have several credit cards and loans to pay off, you need to establish a plan as follows:  monthly pay all minimum balances due on time, then apply any remaining funds available to the balance that holds the highest interest rate.  This will help you get this loan paid off first.  Continue with this rationale until all of your loans and credit card balances are paid off.

I hope that these strategies will help you save a bundle of money on your interest expenses.  If you liked this strategy be sure to check out all of the others at StrategiesForPayingforDisney.com.

As you approach the Norway Pavilion, you will notice that it becomes more and more pronounced.  Following a ride aboard the Maelstom, you will be led through a variety of stores which feature a variety of Norwegian items.

As you meander through the shops, you will come to the store which features the perfume Laila.  This is a perfume described as being infused of Norwegian mountain wildflowers with a touch of fruits such as watermelon.  The fragrance includes no synthetic additives and is known to be worn by many who are not able to wear perfumes due to allergic reactions, etc.  The smell is light and refreshing.

Many, many a guest purchase this perfume during their vacations to Disney. However, how can it be purchased once you get home and run out of the item or need more?  For years, I looked for a way to purchase the perfume once I was at home.  I have even gone as far as to call EPCOT and the Disney store but found that it was not for sale at that time outside of the parks.  Now, it is available here at Amazon.  It is the perfect gift for others (or in my case, myself!)

Small Children – Ages 2 – 4:  Learn and have fun!

Melissa and Doug Lace and Thread – $9.40

Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes – $8.99

Children agest 5 – 10:  Children will find hours of fun with these great items!

Mickey Crayola Color – $6.99

Cinderella Doll – $6.99

Disney Belle Decorate Princess – $3.94

Melissa and Doug Reusable Sticker – $6.13

Cars Hopper – $9.97

Older Children – Ages 8 – Up:  These two games will help your older children expand both their creativity and imagination!  Children will love playing these games with friends or family!

Rummikub – $8.69

Rory Story Cube – $7.44

Be sure to check out all of the Great Gift Ideas for Under $10 throughout the coming months for great holiday ideas for everyone on your list!