Rock Your Disney Side Archives - Over The Top Mommy

Rock Your Disney Side

Adults Aren’t Too Old to Wear a Costume to Disneyland! We’re Big Kids Too!

September 10, 2014 / Disney, Disney, Travel

I sometimes wish I was a kid again so that I could dress up in a costume any time I visited the Disney Parks. There are only a couple of occasions during the year when adults are permitted to dress up in a full costume to enter a Disney Park and Disney’s 24-hour event was one of the most recent ones. It was extra fun to people watch at the “Rock Your Disney Side” event. Let me share a few of my favorites with you.

I know he’s not a Disney character but I must start by saying that both Emi and I were pretty enamored to see this guy in the parks…..

Santa likes photography too!

Other than his Christmas EARs, he wasn’t dressed up in a costume. I KNEW Santa was real! AND he likes Disneyland!

Almost right away, we came across one of our favorite princesses. We didn’t want to bother her because she looked to be deep in thought!

Aurora likes to feed the ducks! She was carrying her basket with some bread in it and sitting in front of the Rivers of America, most likely daydreaming about a certain prince!

Funny how a couple of hours later, we ran into Aurora again…this time with friends!

Spending some quality time in the parks with girlfriends is the best way to do it! Aurora was wearing what looked to be the prettiest gown from the closet!

Next, we ran into a very familiar mermaid! It looks like she chose legs for the occasion in lieu of her usual tail!

I loved seeing Ariel and Eric in their more casual outfits! I wonder if he was texting Ariel’s dad to ask permission to hang out with her in the parks?

There’s nothing that makes my heart more happy than seeing these two together!

They were WAY cute together! AND her name really IS Jessie!

It looks like Princess Leia enjoys a Dole Whip as much as the rest of us do! Nice mani!

It was funny to see Alice and The Queen at this spot. I guess that must be their favorite bathroom too!

I was fangirling on Alice’s handbag! She never carries it in her movie! And this lace version of her dress? Love! The girl’s got a great sense of fashion!

WHO knew these two were actually friendly in real life?

Doc McStuffins is even cuter in person than on Disney Junior! I loved her Big Book of Boo Boos and Lambie! She diagnosed me with “Disneylanditis“! I don’t think that’s a bad thing though!

I always wondered how Maleficent looked so great and now I know! She works out whenever she’s in the parks!

Witnessing an engagement in front of the castle is ALWAYS special! This one landed on Belle’s birthday! (I totally teared up)

I was so happy that Belle and Beast let us all witness their special engagement in front of the castle!

Oh Belle, we’re all so excited for you, too!

Disney Magic happened that day for sure!

I’m not sure where the Seven Dwarfs were but Snow was really wrapped up in her cell phone convo!

I think she loves her cell phone as much as I do! (except I’m really more of a texter)

Seriously, it looks like whatever the gossip, it’s pretty good! Hey Snow, I want your shoes!

I saved my most favorite pics for last. These two ladies were both so beautiful and I adored their costumes and hair! They honestly looked like they were having the best time ever! Emi asked me if they were going to get in trouble for riding the Tea Cups? She thought they were the official in-park characters!

So beautiful!

Rapunzel’s hair! I want it!

Now these are my kind of girls! Selfie in a teacup?!!!

I had the best time writing this post. I love all of the creativity that these guests put into their costumes and outfits and I love how they’re wearing their costumes with such confidence. Most of all I love the fact that you’re never too old to dress up and have fun at Disneyland!

Have YOU ever dressed up as your favorite Disney character? If so, which one?

The Girl With the Disneyland Map Skirt at Disney’s 24-Hour Event!

September 7, 2014 / Disney, Lifestyle, Social Media, Travel

As Mickey’s Trick or Treat party at Disneyland gets closer, I’ve been looking through pictures and trying to get costume ideas. As I was going through some of the pictures I’ve taken at Disneyland Resort, I came across some that I took of this adorable girl who was wearing the cutest outfit at Disney’s 24-hour event in May. I didn’t realize just HOW cute, until we got up close to her and realized that her skirt was made from park maps!

I just HAD TO approach her to ask where she got the skirt! That’s when she showed me her matching bow and told me she’d made them both! Oh my goodness! I loved her creativity and Emi looked instantly inspired by her! She was such a sweet person to talk to also, which is always nice.

I, of course, didn’t grab her contact info that day and I think she said she isn’t on Twitter or Instagram (good for her). I suppose one day I’ll run into her again and I”ll be able to ask if she could make a skirt and bow for Emi, because Emi has been dying to have her very own ever since that day and can’t seem to duplicate it. (believe me, she’s tried!) I know the power of social media is strong because it’s helped me find people before. Plus, I think she lives locally.

Did you attend Disney’s 24-hour event in May? Did you see “The Girl in the Disneyland Map Skirt”?

Help Me Find This Couple from Disney’s 24-Hour Event! They Got Engaged! #RockYourDisneySide

August 4, 2014 / Disney, Lifestyle, Social Media, Uncategorized

I was just going through my pictures from Disney’s Rock Your Disney Side 24-hour event back in May, when I came across some that I totally forgot about. As Emi and I were walking around that day, I had my camera out and ready to snap pics. Just as we approached Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, there were a bunch of people standing around and I witnessed the end of an engagement! This adorable couple, dressed as Belle and Beast, was in the center of the crowd. I knew something special was happening so I started snapping pics. Emi totally missed it but I got a few. They seemed very shy and although the PhotoPass people took some pics, I think it was just really quick and then they were done. I never got to chase after them to tell them I caught a few of the pics because I felt like I’d be interrupting their moment. I know that no one else caught these other pictures of them though and looking at them again, I see that it was “Belle’s” birthday! (her name is Yela) I’m guessing he arranged Photopass to snap a castle pic for them, letting her believe it was just for her birthday and then broke out a ring! That’s my best guess, but I’m a total fantasizer! I believe in fairytales! Regardless of the real details, I know that they’d want these pictures, because I know I would if it were me, so I’m determined to find them, so I can give them the pictures! I was tearing up adding these to this post. I think you’ll tear up too! Just look….

This one chokes me up BIG TIME! I think the shock and excitement just settled in here!

I love her backpack! It’s him!

As I stood there in shock, they just walked away. I was too frozen to bother them in the middle of their moment!

So… I’m going to rely on social media to help me find Belle and Beast…because I know how powerful social media can be! I also know that if I had gotten engaged like this, I’d want these pictures for my own keepsakes. Sorry guys but I think this guy just set the bar really high!

Do you know them? If not, please help spread the word!

Now let’s sing it….”Tale as old as time...”

The Day We Met Olaf (Josh Gad) at Disney’s 24-hour event

June 1, 2014 / Disney

I must admit that I was a little hesitant about attempting the Rock Your Disney Side 24-hour event at The Disneyland Resort with Emi. I have an immense love for Disney, I just wasn’t sure how it would be with a 9 year old by my side. We did some pre-planning for the day and even organized a little bit, thinking it might help make our experience a little easier. (to see that post, click here.)
I originally planned on arriving at The Disneyland Resort around 5 a.m. but waking up Emily was a little more difficult than I anticipated. We still made it by 6:30 a.m., which actually turned out a little bit better for us, because those initial crowds were already inside of the parks. We parked in the Mickey & Friends parking structure and that’s where the Magic started for the day! Emi had a HUGE smile on her face after the CM gave her these.

Disney even offered carpooling perks for guests carpooling to the event!

Here we are going down the escalator to the tram…at 6 a.m.!

The parking structure didn’t seem very crowded nor were the trams. After exiting the tram and going through the security bag check, we spotted the media area in the Esplanade with sand sculptures in it. As we walked towards the giant Olaf sand sculpture, we were both in awe of its beauty. Clearly we had no idea there was an even better surprise over there!

After walking around the media area to see if any of our friends might still be over there, I recognized the amazing Lisa Robertson of Babes in Disneyland and saw that she was taking a picture with someone, right in front of the Olaf sand sculpture. That’s when Emi tugged at my shirt and (practically) shouted, “Mommy LOOK…it’s Olaf!!!” Lisa was actually taking a picture with Josh Gad, I guess I just didn’t realize at first! I try not to fangirl but THIS WAS OLAF! Emi and I walk around on a daily basis talking like him, quoting him, doing his snowman dance…we LOVE Olaf! When we saw Josh had walked over to the other side to take a few fan pictures and sign some autographs, we walked (very quickly) over there too. He was so kind and genuine with the fans, taking time with each one. He chatted with them, signed autographs, took pictures with them, and even recited a line from the movie for one girl, as she recorded it. It melted my heart when my daughter backed up to make more space for a guy in a wheelchair, so he too, could have access to Josh. It melted my heart more when Josh approached him and the guy’s face light up as they took a picture together. I then overheard a high school kid next to me say, “Oh my gosh, this JUST made my entire graduation trip here SO MUCH BETTER!”

At this point I was already overjoyed about our day and it was only 6:45 a.m.!

We chose to start our day in the parks inside Disneyland. I loved walking in and seeing Alice and Mad Hatter dancing in the entryway with some children to the music of The Disneyland Band. I loved being inside Disneyland this early in the morning because there were still lights on that you’d normally only see at night and it just feels like you’re getting a view of Disneyland that you normally would never get during a regular visit. I loved seeing all of the guests in costumes. I already loved the ambiance. I think I loved a lot of things that day!

As Emi and I walked down Main Street, U.S.A., we just kept running into social media friends. First we saw our friend Caryn from Rockin’ Mama and we got to meet Heather from It’s a Lovely Life and Nicole from Presley’s Pantry too. Next we spotted Pattie from Living Mi Vida Loca, who was channeling her inner Snow White. Then we got to sit for a little while on the patio of The Jolly Holiday and have coffee with Liz from Family is Familia!

We LOVED our Maleficent buttons that they gave us at the Main Gate!

A little later it was time for some fun in Fantasyland. Surprisingly, the lines weren’t very long. Emi and I have several mandatory things we must do in Fantasyland each time we visit Disneyland. Some of them include a ride on King Arthur’s Carousel (specifically on Jingles), a ride in the caboose of Casey Jr. Circus Train, and a spin in the blue tea cup over at Mad Tea Party.

Jingles is so beautiful!

From Fantasyland we strolled over to Big Thunder Ranch to visit the animals. We have a special bond with the goats and sheep over there, and taking pics and selfies with them has just become something necessary for us on each visit. We’re even starting to know each one by name. (you can learn their names from the tags on their collars). I’m convinced that the Disney goats have actually learned how to pose for a properly for photo. What do you think?

We were fortunate enough to run into the ladies behind Disneyfluentials while we were there and got one of their cool buttons!

We also got to watch an interview they did with one of the goats.

You HAVE TO check out that hilarious interview below!

I love how festive Mickey is in his Spring suit!

All of the socializing really made us work up an appetite, so we cruised over to Stage Door Cafe next. We were on a mission to try the Red Velvet Funnel cake, which was offered exclusively for the Disney 24 event! After one bite, it was like…..WOW!!! We were fighting over who was getting bigger bites and who was eating more of the cream cheese frosting! Sometimes it’s just hard to share!

We headed over to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad next but the line was a little longer than we were prepared to wait, so we just grabbed a fast pass for each of us. This is when we ran into The Disney Sisters! I’m telling you, it was a super social media day and, although we had never gotten to meet in person, it was fun to chit chat with them for a little while!

I feel like we did so much walking, talking, eating and tweeting all day long until we found ourselves in the early evening. Emi and I were both exhausted but neither of us was willing to admit it to the other one. We decided to take a walk into Downtown Disney for a little while to break up our day and re-energize with a Frozen Strawberry Lemonade and some Cinnamon Bits at Wetzel’s Pretzels. As soon as we both sat down, outside of Wetzel’s Pretzels, I think I knew what was going to follow. We were both exhausted and I don’t think either of us had any energy to walk back to the parks. I felt like we accomplished a lot in the 13 hours that we did rally that day! Honestly, it was one of the BEST days we’ve had at The Disneyland Resort! We saw so many of our friends and got to do so much and let’s not forget, WE MET JOSH GAD!!!! I think THAT one is going to be hard to top!

Are you ready for my grand finale shot? Here ya go……….

Should YOU attend the next 24-hour event that Disney has? TOTALLY!

Ready for Some Fun at Disney’s #RockYourDisneySide 24-Hour Event!

May 21, 2014 / Crafts & DIY, Disney

Emi and I are so excited about the Rock Your Disney Side 24-hour event at The Disneyland Resort on May 23, that we’ve been counting how many more sleeps? It’s going to be our first attempt at one of the 24 hour parties. We’ve been doing a lot of pre-planning for the day, referencing the Disney Parks Blog site and a few other favorite blogs who have posted fun and useful tips. I think having a little bit of knowledge ahead of time is going to make a world of difference and being prepared to endure a long day can’t hurt either!
Here are some of the park necessities we’ll be bringing with us:
*Our APs-These are obviously the most important part of our trip that day! Not only to get in the gates, but also for parking. (By the way, to read about the carpooling perks that Disney is offering for this event, click here.)

My business cards just go along with my APs in the wallet every trip! You never know who you’ll network with!

*A backpack-I almost ALWAYS bring a backpack with me, to the parks, so I can carry things like a water bottle, headache medicine, bandaids, sunblock, extra snacks, an autograph book, a pen, my camera, extra clothes for layering, and gum. I’m sure I’m leaving something out, but basically a backpack allows me to have my hands free, which is so much better than carrying a purse!

This is my lucky UK Mickey Pen that I got from a Disney friend!

*Disney accessories-Emi and I like to wear our matching Minnie ears headbands when we’re in the parks. Sometimes she prefers to wear her traditional ears too, so I’ll be bringing both for this trip. (Do you see why I NEED the backpack?)

*Coordinating attire-Although we’re not going to the extent of wearing actual costumes, (we’ll save those for Mickey’s Trick or Treat Party) or even DisneyBounding like other park goers, we do love to dress for an occasion and had special shirts made for each of us! Why NOT sport our Twitter handles on a shirt, right? Sending a BIG thank you to The Shirt Cannery in Mission Viejo! They are amazing!
*Pooh-When you are going to be in the parks for an extended amount of time, especially when it’s going to be crowded (or at maximum capacity like they’re predicting), having something like a stuffed friend to play with really helps keep your kid(s) occupied during wait times. They also make for great photo opportunities. Some stuffed friends even have their own Instagram accounts. (Ours doesn’t) Pooh is usually the one Emi likes to bring with us!

*Our “Eat Our Way Through the Parks” Checklist-Yep, you read that one correctly! Have you read the post on the Disney Parks Blog about all of the special items that they’re going to offer in both parks, exclusively for this event? If you haven’t, then click here. After carefully analyzing all of the items, Emi and I are especially looking forward to trying the ones you see on our checklist of what we’ll attempt to eat and drink at Disney 24!