How to Keep the Disney Magic Alive Daily

If you’re as much of a Disnerd as I am, the overwhelming need to return to any of the parks can sometimes feel stifling. Particularly if you have neither the funds nor the vacation time.

Of course, you can ignore it, but as any true Disnerd knows, the longer you ignore it, the more the urge builds. In fact, often it will build to a point where every moment of the day, you find you have to talk yourself out of quitting your job, dropping everything, and hopping on the next flight to Orlando.

Figuring out how to combat this urge can be a difficult task. This is largely due to even your subconscious knowing nothing is quite as satisfactory as the real thing.

So what are some of the things you can do to help curb your Disney appetite without breaking the bank?

Watch your favourite Disney movies

Creating a point to connect with the magic can come from a variety of sources, but the movies are usually one of the best ones. After all, for most of us, they’re what initially drew us to Disney, and they give us the stories, characters, and music we love. What’s wonderful about them is it’s not difficult to find a movie that counters any mood, no matter how down, out, or anything you feel.

One thing my husband and I did was buy a shelf just for our Disney movies and place it so it faces into the seating area in our living room. That way, we never have to go searching when we want to watch something magical.

Visit the Disney Store

This one can get a little pricey if you are not good at controlling your money, but if you can keep a handle on your plastic, it’s a great way to take in some of the atmosphere without having to jump on a plane or drive for hours.

One of the best parts about visiting the Disney Store is most of the employees are usually Disney fanatics themselves. It’s a great opportunity to find another Disnerd to just gush about all the awesomeness of Disney with. And if they’re someone who takes advantage of their employee discount to visit the parks often, they’ve usually got great tips for things to see and do on your next trip!

If you can afford it, buying a new coffee mug or even seeing what’s available in the clearance section can help give you that ‘Disney merch’ rush! We’ve been slowly building our Disney mug collection over the years, and use that as our treat when we’re craving a trip.

Listen to a Disney song and Disney Parks playlist

One of the most wonderful things about the internet is you can literally get access to anything on it. For the Disnerd, this means not only the ability to create playlists of classic Disney music, but also access to piles upon piles of music from inside the actual parks. Want to visualize yourself whizzing through Space Mountain or taking a stroll down Main Street USA? Need to take a slow spin on the Carousel of Progress? Or maybe you just want the ambient music to Disney-ify your work day. Either way, there are a variety of great sources for compiling this music, or for listening to a Disney-themed radio station. Here are just some of my favourites:

• Spotify - It seemed like for a while, their Disney music was limited, but now you can find it all on Spotify. They’ve even licensed some of the official park music soundtracks, so you can easily create a mix of both. If you’re unfamiliar with Spotify, or unsure of what search terms to use, you can view my "A Spark of Magic" playlist to get started.
• 8tracks.com - On this site, you can find a lot of the full ride tracks, with the actual walkthroughs and not just the music. I think I have a list of over 200 songs on it, broken down by parks, types of rides, places in the parks, you name it! A good place to start is this main search for Disney Parks music. You can sign up via Facebook and save collections into one place, allowing you simply to play all the collections in one solid playlist.
• Sorcerer Radio - This station plays music from and related to the Disney Parks all day long. I find it’s great if you’re looking just for some ambient Disney park music. They tend to focus on specific sets per hour, walking you through all the different musical aspects of Disney. You can find out more here.

Plan a Disney Trip

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Whoever said you need money to plan a trip? Thanks to Disney’s super easy trip-booking site, you can plan as many Disney vacations as you want, without ever actually having to book any. In times like now, when I am literally having to stop myself from running to the airport, this is usually my go-to method. I can dream and plan, and then cry a little when looking at how much it would cost.

Planning Disney vacations is a whole lot of fun, and this gives you the opportunity to get ideas for when you can finally go--everything from which hotels you’d like to stay at, to what parks you want to spend time at, restaurants, and the most important part, what price point you would be looking at.

And who knows, maybe one of those plans you fiddle around with will end up being doable, and instead of hitting ‘empty cart’ you can choose "BOOK NOW"!

What are some of your coping tactics when you are bit by the Disney bug?

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Nerdy Ambient Soundtracks for Your Day

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If you’re anything like me, doing anything with complete silence is impossible. It’s too easy to get distracted by the lack of ambient noise, or, even worse, with the wrong type of ambient noise. It’s especially bad if I can’t stand the music playing or the sounds around me are not inspiring.

Though I don’t always need actual music, certain sounds can make a world of difference.

I fall asleep to the Solitudes albums because their natural sounds and calming music are wonderful and help coax me into a peaceful, meditative state to sleep.

But I’ve always thought, wouldn’t it be wonderful if the ambient noise, music, and sounds I listen to could be from the places that make my inner fangirl come to life? I mean, if I could write my articles sitting in the Gryffindor common room, or spend time reading while listening to the sounds of the Normandy’s ship buzzing around me, I’d be in heaven.

Sounds are a major part of my existence. It is those ambient sounds and extra noises within the shows, movies, and games I love that help transport me into their worlds. Those worlds light the fire of inspiration in my heart. They are my muses.

Recently, a friend sent me a link to a place that made all my dreams come true: ambient-mixer.com.

Not only does this website allow you to create your own ambient mixes, but it gives you access to a whole library of user-made ones, including hundreds to indulge your fangirl needs in.

Depending on what you are looking for, there are a range of options for each setting. Some include music, some are just ambient noise. Each mixer also contains sliders for the different ambient noises contributing to the atmosphere, allowing you to increase or decrease different aspects to suit your desires.

Although I’ve only been using it for a few weeks now, these are some of my favourites:

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Gryffindor Common Room - Harry Potter

There are a number of options for the common room, but I like this one in particular because of the addition of the Harry Potter theme music in the background. Sometimes I’ll turn that portion up a bit, other times I’ll turn it down. When I really need to get my concentration focused, I will close my eyes for a moment and imagine that I am really there, hanging out in front of the fireplace, curled up with a good book, just listening and taking it all in.

Often, I will play this track while at work, drowning out the awful music and sounds of the dealership around me. It brings a bit of nerdiness into my every day life, making me feel a little less frustrated with living in the real world.

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The King’s Throne Room - Disney’s Atlantis

This is one I find super inspiring. It’s kind of like a mix between a Solitudes track and sitting in an actual port. Not only is this one great when I need something incredibly calming, but it also doubles as a great mix for doing meditation, deep thoughts, or just doing breathing exercises. Plus, it’s not too difficult to imagine you’re about to chill in Atlantis when you let the sounds carry you away.

The ambient backing track is beautiful, soft yet sharp sounds encouraging peacefulness and clarity. The sounds of the chains clanging together in the port are just frequent enough to carry you away. Everything about this one screams calming and focus, and although it is a little less peppy than one might expect for something inspired by Disney, I feel like it fits quite beautifully with what I would imagine the actual sounds of their Atlantis world to be like.

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Daenerys at War - Game of Thrones

Need something to put you in a more somber mood? Or maybe you just feel like taking yourself to a place of mystery, dragons, and epic battles? This mix is fantastic for that. Part of the reason this one appeals to me so much is that, as a writer and an author, sometimes I need something to take me to a darker place. If I’m in a particularly good mood, I can often forget just how dark a scene needs to be. This is the kind of ambient sound that is great to send me there.

The deep, soulful music carries a sadness to it--you just know something dark and devastating is going on. The sword-fighting keeps your mind active. You can’t just disappear into the sadness with battles going on around. It drives that deep feeling of the need to take action, to push forward with a relentless rage, channeling all your hurt and sorrow into the task at hand.

(©Tabitha Wells)

Walking Down Main Street USA - Disney

If you’re a fellow Disnerd, this particular track probably doesn’t require much explanation. I am one of those weird people who says that Disney World is my happy place. There are literally times I have become so overwhelmed with the desire to be in Disney that I have broken down in tears. It is the one place where I truly feel at home.

There are a number of places to listen to sounds and music from Disney World, with plenty of playlists that include tracks from the rides, clips from different areas of the parks, and more. What makes me love this ambient mix so much is that it’s a single, ongoing track putting you directly on Main Street USA. You can play it all day, soaking in the magic and joy those sounds give you when you’re truly there. It’s like sprinkling pixie dust on your day, no matter where you are.



What places would you love to listen to ambient mixes from to take you away from everyday life?

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Three Must-Do Rides at Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World has some of the best attractions in the world. One of the biggest reasons why their rides are so incredible is due to the in-depth work Disney Imagineers put into creating them. Each one goes beyond the ride itself, cultivating an atmosphere to match before you even climb aboard. Unique waiting areas set the scene, inviting you to step into your imagination and transport yourself to the world in which these rides are set.

Everything is detailed, from the texture of the walls to the railings and even the pathway, all made to blend seamlessly into the narrative you are entering. Often, you’ll even encounter familiar characters while working your way through the line-up--like Scuttle in Under the Sea.

In any trip to Disney World, it’s a given that it will take more than one day to work your way through all there is to see and do at Magic Kingdom. There are many popular, interesting, and incredible rides throughout the park that often end up on everyone’s list.

Which ones are the most important will vary depending on who you talk to, but there are three rides standing out in my mind as staples for every single trip. Each of these rides is unique in its own way, but one specific thing connects them all--the immense amount of detail put into every moment.

Whether you’re a Disnerd veteran who travels to Walt Disney World regularly, or a newbie heading down for your first trip, the following rides are absolutely must-dos in order to capture the heart of Magic Kingdom. 

First up is a stroll through Adventureland to Pirates of the Caribbean.

The ride has been wildly popular since its initial opening, but it became an even bigger deal after the movie franchise exploded. Over the past decade, the ride has been redeveloped, refurbished, and reimagined to incorporate pieces of the movie canon into the boat ride.

While waiting in line, you work your way through the fort at Port Royal, beginning in some of the upper hallways and quickly moving down towards the dungeons. The rocks become damp and a musty smell fills the air as you shuffle along to your destination. Bits and pieces of storage crates, cannons set aside for war, and even some of the barracks wait for you as you twist and weave through the old building.

The work is meticulous. Save for the garbage cans every now and again and the railings with metal chains guiding you through the line, you could almost believe you were exploring an actual historical fort.

As the years have gone on, the puppets inside the ride have become more realistic as well, recreating some of our favourite scenes from the movies and introducing us to new ones along the way. Throughout the ride, you’re treated to the sneaky antics of Jack Sparrow, and it’s been said that sometimes, Mr. Depp himself will disguise himself to make a guest appearance in the ride. With how real-to-life some of the scenes look, it would be easy to miss the real thing.

Once you've finished with Adventureland, worked your way through Frontierland, and found yourself in Liberty Square, another infamous ride is up.

Like the previous ride, this one inspired a Disney movie, bringing to life the antics of this particular house through the comedic skills of Eddie Murphy.

Upon first glance, The Haunted Mansion looks like a grand house, well kept-up and welcoming to any visitors. But as you near closer, you realize things are not quite as they appear. Moving into the line, the first thing you notice is a beautiful guest carriage being pulled by a horse that is nowhere to be seen, despite the harnesses appearing to be draped over the animal.

As you move through the line, you make your way into a graveyard for the house, filled with mysterious omens and hints that all is not right within the house. At one point, it may feel as if you are being watched--don’t worry about it too much, you are! The eyes on the gravestone for ‘Dear Sweet Leota’ blink and move as you wait.

The ride can be frightening for younger children, but if they’re able, it is a ride that is great for the whole family. From the moment you walk inside and learn about the dark and mysterious happenings inside the mansion, you are introduced to a cheeky look at what could be an otherwise terrifying place. Much like Pirates of the Caribbean, the work throughout is outstanding, from the realistic design of the house to the ghosts, self-playing pianos, and even the eerie encounter with Leota towards the end.

The final must-do ride is one that people either absolutely love or completely despise.

This particular ride is about more than creativity--it’s about tying in some of Disney’s own history and encouraging everyone to dream about possibilities.

Welcome to The Carousel of Progress. The original performance first appeared at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, designed as a prime feature of the GE Pavilion by Walt Disney. The revolving showcase walked viewers through the decades, highlighting the changes in technology and ideas, rocketing them into the future.

The Carousel at Magic Kingdom features more of the robotic puppets used in many of Disney’s rides, and guests sit in a ‘booth’ that rotates in a circle around the stage. Each section of the stage reveals a different point in history, highlighting everything from the beginning ideas of the refrigerator to electricity, voice-activated appliances, and more.

The main character, John, walks the audience through a series of scenes set in the 1900s, 1920s, 1940s, and finally into the 21st century. Each scene involves different members of his family, helping introduce you to some of the ‘recent’ technological advances of that decade.

Of course, one of the best parts about The Carousel of Progress is its theme song, "There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow." Once you’ve heard it, you’ll probably never forget it--and you’ll probably get it stuck in your head out of nowhere in the future.

Have you been to Walt Disney World, or do you visit frequently? If so, what are your top three must-do rides at Magic Kingdom?

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Walt Disney World vs. Disneyland

As a seasoned Walt Disney World attendee, I can honestly say that I feel like I know everything there is to do there (even though I actually don’t), and I never have trouble navigating the parks or figuring out what to do next. I have been going to Walt Disney World since I was five and have been on countless trips since then (this past May was trip number 14, and trip 15 is coming up in January!).

So, when I got the opportunity to take a trip to Disneyland with one of my closest friends, I jumped at the chance. I had always wanted to see it – to see the places that Walt himself walked, ride the rides that came from his great mind. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time.

And now that I’ve been home for a little over a week and can take a step back and assess the trip in a little more detail, I can tell everyone the biggest differences between the two Disney parks.

Disneyland is…

1. A LOT smaller
I was actually surprised HOW much smaller. I went into the trip knowing that it was, getting myself ready for the fact that there probably wouldn’t be as much to do and see. As opposed to the four parks at Disney World, there are only two at Disneyland, and they’re a lot smaller in comparison.

2. A LOT cozier
I think because it was smaller, it also had a cozier feel. This was fine until the third day of our trip when the parks were packed, then it was just claustrophobic. (I suggest not going on a weekend.)

3. A LOT busier
Not the parks themselves necessarily, but the area. Disneyland is right in the middle of Anaheim, California. I was impressed that they got everything into one small space because the city is RIGHT THERE. It’s hard to explain without seeing it. We took Uber rides to and from our hotel which took anywhere from 5-15 minutes and we were only a mile away from the parks.

4. A LOT different
I tried to go into Disneyland with an open mind despite what I’d heard from some different people about the major differences. I didn’t want to go off of other people’s experiences without knowing for myself. The cast members (employees) were not nearly as friendly. They didn’t smile a lot and didn’t talk unless spoken to. (Something that is obviously very different at Disney World). The wait-staff at the Disneyland restaurants were not as attentive as they are at Disney World restaurants. They were rush-rush-rush and wanted to get you in and out of the restaurants so that they could get new customers in. (I get that this happens at some other major restaurants, but it’s just a stressful situation when you want to sit down for a nice meal at Disney.)

5. STILL nice
I was happy overall with my trip to Disneyland. While it wasn’t obviously my first choice of Disney destinations, I had a great time. I got to walk where Walt Disney walked, I got to ride rides that he came up with, and I got to see things he saw. That in and of itself was worth the whole trip.

So, would I go back? Maybe. But I’ll be spending most of my time at Walt Disney World from now on.

Have you ever been to Disneyland? If so, what were your favorite things?

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A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow

source Matthew Wade

Have you ever met someone so obsessed with Disney that they had all the Disney clothes, movies, soundtracks, and even went to Disney World as often as humanly possible? Well, that’s me. And if you haven’t met a person like that yet, allow me to introduce myself.

I’ve been a Disney fangirl since before I even realized that I was. I grew experiencing Disney sing-a-longs, watching every Disney animated movie that I could, and going to Disney World as often as my mom could talk my dad into it! (Which, much to my dismay, was usually only once every five years or so.)

The thing about fangirling about Disney is that the feeling never goes away. People think I’m crazy–I know they do. They say, “Oh, you’re going to Disney again?” “Oh, you’re going to see that kid’s movie…?” (Let it be known that Disney movies are for every age and not just for kids…duh.)

Disney is my middle name (not really, but wouldn’t that be cool?!) and so writing about it is…well, easy. I come by all of this honestly, FYI–my mom is just as Disney-ified (that’s not a word but it’s going to be used in my posts, so get used to it) as I am.

So with that, I’m going to introduce you to one of my favorite Disney rides of all time. This ride was originally created for the 1964 World’s Fair in Chicago by Walt Disney himself. Part of the reason I love it so much is that I know this was something that he had his hand on–something original, something wonderful. I never go to Disney World without riding it, and while some people find it outdated, I find it amazing.

The Carousel of Progress is a moving theater. You walk in and sit down, and after each scene, the entire theater moves and you are taken to the next scene.

Each new scene is a different time period. It starts out with the beginning of the 20th century. This scene shows things such as gas lamps, an ice box, and a hand-cranked washing machine.

The second scene takes place in the 1920s. During this act, we see electric lights, cookware, and a sewing machine.

The third scene is the 1940s and features a dishwasher and a TV! (This is my favorite scene in the whole ride. I have always had a “thing” for the 1940s!)

The fourth and final scene is set in what is considered “the future.” It includes a high-definition television, voice activated appliances, and virtual reality games. This particular scene could use some renovations, as most of the things in this scene are outdated (including the clothes and furniture. However, keep in mind this ride was created in the 1960s so it was great for its time!)

This ride has a theme song, There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow, that was written by the Sherman Brothers, of Mary Poppins fame. This song plays throughout the ride starting with the first scene and going through to the last. The video below features the Sherman Brothers and Walt Disney singing the theme song together.


While some may consider this particular attraction outdated and not worth their time, I can never go to Disney World without sitting down and watching the show.

Because, there’s a great big beautiful tomorrow…shining at the end of every day. There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow…and tomorrow is just a dream away.

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