Never Miss Another Magical Memory with #ANKERLOVE

Disclaimer: I was compensated by ANKER for this post. However, all opinions are my own. 

I'm a picture taker. One might say, having 7,893 photos on your camera roll is too many. I say, NO WAY! One can never have too many photos. A mom, especially, can never have too many photos. Add to that being a Disney-loving mom, fugetaboutit!

With my crazy lady, mamarazzi, picture taking self, I tend to often have a low battery. Or, worse yet, a DEAD iPhone.

When I took my kids to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party this month, I knew I didn't want to be parked in front of an electric outlet when my phone was low on battery. I mean, Magic Kingdom does have that fabulous area in front of Rapunzel's Tower, that has multiple USB charging ports; but who wants to be tied down while your family is enjoying the park?

Enter ANKER. My new ANKER PowerCore+ 13400 allows me to recharge my iPhone when the battery begins to get low. One of my favorite features is, there are TWO charging ports. So, myself AND another member of my family can charge our devices at the same time! That's HUGELY important in a family of seven.

Without my new ANKER portable charger, I would've missed this shot of McKinley and Elena of Avalor.

Without my new ANKER portable charger, I would've missed this shot of Mae and her most favorite princess of all time, Anna.

These memories, of course, will always be in my memory. But, thanks to ANKER, I have photos. Photos never fade. 

ANKER products are available at Walmart and/or Walmart.com. You can find a full line-up of portable chargers, car chargers, home chargers, and more. 

Walt Disney World Resort's Silver and Weekday Annual Passholder Blackout Select Dates Lifted

The rumor is true! Walt Disney World Resort is FABULOUS and has lifted select blackout dates for Silver and Weekday Annual Passholders. Beginning June 8, running through June 29, you can enjoy all four Parks (Disney's Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios), when your passes would've ordinarily been blacked out! Weekday Passholders still have Saturdays and Sundays blacked out.

This added benefit comes just before Disney's Hollywood Studios NEW Toy Story Land's Grand Opening on June 30. Don't worry, Annual Passholders will have the opportunity to experience Toy Story Land in an exclusive event in September 2018.

Now that you've heard the news, are you planning any trips in June? I am checking my calendar now, to plan for some day trips!!

Kicking Off the Coolest Summer Ever at Walt Disney World Resort

photo credit: Disney

This past Friday, Jake Austin and I were invited to go with the Disney Parks Blog to kick-off the Coolest Summer Ever at Walt Disney World Resort. We're not talking about an ordinary day in Magic Kingdom, y'all. We're talking about a 24 hour {yes, 24 HOURS of Disney!} event that happens only once a year!

First things first, we left our house at midnight on May 22 to drive to Walt Disney World and check-in at 4am. We got there at about 3am, and can you believe we were one of THREE cars in the parking lot? Front row parking! It was Disney MAGIC!

After we checked in, we took the Ferryboat over to the Magic Kingdom and were whisked away to watch the Opening Festivities.

{do you see us? we're up front, to Mickey's left!}

photo credit: Disney

{the opening ceremony featured the stars of Frozen; Kristoff, Olaf, Anna and Elsa}

{is there anything better than a selfie with Mickey and Minnie Mouse?}

photo credit: Disney

Once inside the park, we watched the final few minutes of the flag raising ceremony on our way to breakfast. {did you know there was a flag raising ceremony in the morning and one again, to retire the flag for the day, in the evening? I'll write about it soon.} Disney Parks Blog hosted a super yummy breakfast for the 500 readers that were there to join them. 

{gotta love a good photo prop. It's Orange Bird!}

Another pretty cool sighting was the Jet Pack and Costume used in Disney's newest film, Tomorrowland.

After breakfast, we were treated to a special screening of Tomorrowland in Downtown Disney's AMC Theatre. 

{stay tuned, next week I have something cool to share with you that we were able to take part in after the movie!}

All of the above mentioned fun happened before noon. There was still PLENTY of hours left to enjoy the Magic Kingdom and all it has to offer. But, I'll tell you about it another day. :) 

Disclaimer: I won two passes to Disney Parks Blog's 'Tomorrowland' event to Kick-Off the Coolest Summer Ever in Magic Kingdom. I received theme park tickets, breakfast, movie passes, and a few goodies as the winnings in a sweepstakes. Disney Parks Blog did not for me to write about the event. All opinions are my own.

Becoming a Princess at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

For months, all McKinley has talked about is going to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Walt Disney World. Seriously. Ask her where she wanted to go and she'd proudly tell you that her daddy was going to take her to the "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo", as she calls it.

What's the big deal? Your daughter is treated as royalty from the moment she checks in. She's given a Royal Invitation and a Royal Pager {like the pager you get at a restaurant while you wait to be seated} while she awaits her turn to be called. Once called, her Fairy Godmother takes her to her dressing room where her ball gown and wand await her.



From there the royal treatment continues. Your princess will get her nails painted and her make-up applied.



McKinley was really starting to feel like a princess at this point. Her Fairy Godmother and the other Royal subjects all oohing and ahhing over her.

The PhotoPass Photographers walked around the boutique and would stop by and tell silly jokes to make the girls giggle.

Now, it's time for her up-do, complete with a sparkly tiara and enough Pixie Dust atop her noggin to choke old Codfish himself.






It's time for Princess McKinley to see herself for the first time since sitting down to the Royal Salon Chair.



She loves it! Just look at that smile!!!




Since we weren't able to get our Royal Reservation at Cinderella Castle itself, we went to Downtown Disney's location. Same great experience, just not in the Magic Kingdom. From there we hopped on a Disney Transportation bus and headed to Main Street, USA to finish the evening riding rides and meeting characters and watching fireworks!




Of course, we stopped in front of Cinderella Castle to have a family picture taken. I just wish I had thought to have McKinley's picture taken by herself in front of the castle. Oh well. Next time.



Want a few tips on a couple of things I learned from start to finish when treating your daughter to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique?

• Make your reservation EARLY! You can call 180 days in advance to book. And, if you know your travel dates, you should book that early. Especially if you want the Cinderella Castle location!
• If you want to save yourself $100+, bring a princess dress that is new to your daughter. She'll never know you didn't buy it at the Boutique.
• Make sure your princess is well rested and fed. Princess McKinley quickly turned into Princess Pouty Pants after her transformation. After a quick bite to eat she was twirling all over the park! Tired and hungry preschoolers aren't any more happy dressed as a princess while among a million people than any other day. Trust me.
• Be prepared to get lots of attention! Both Cast Members and Characters will bow to her Highness and speak to her as if she is the real princess she's dressed up as. {McKinley dressed as Rapunzel. As we entered the Magic Kingdom the Cast Member at the gate asked her where her frying pan was. He said that she told him that she NEVER left her tower without it. So fun!}

Have you taken your daughter to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique? I'd love to see your pictures and hear of your experience! Tell me about it and/or leave your link in the comments.