Disneylanders, A Novel: Book Review

Today on One Girl’s Dream, we have Barbie from Disney Musings with a great review of a book I am now wanting to read! Check it out…

   

Have you ever read a book that immediately transports you to the place or time that you are reading about? The sights, the sounds and smells? Has a book ever taken you back to your childhood?

Well, Kate Abbott’s book, Disneylanders, A Novel, published by Theme Park Press, does just that. Not only does the author take me straight to Disneyland, but she has the ability to take me back in time to my own childhood and those oh–so–awkward moments of testing my wings; trying to become an adult. (p.s. this book is geared for the teen audience.)

Kate Abbott’s book is well written and thoughtful; about a thirteen year old girl struggling to figure out who she is. Casey is on vacation with her parents at Disneyland, where through crazy circumstances, she bumps into a fifteen year old boy and they innocently spend their time together with and without their families, touring the parks, enjoying the rides and getting to know one another. There’s a lot of Disney trivia thrown in for good measure.

I found myself completely engrossed in the story, reading aloud descriptive paragraphs to my husband, and quizzing him on the chapter titles. Each chapter named “more or less on a famous Disney slogan, song, attraction, show or spiel.” (The answers were at the end of the book!)

Although the book is written for a specific group, young adults or tweens, I truly enjoyed reading this. It is a fun, heartfelt story, sometimes hitting close to home, it made the tale that much more believable.

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Thanks Barbie!!

Since Barbie bought that edition of Disneylanders by Kate Abbott, it has taken on a new cover. I love it!

Disneylanders at Amazon.com 

Do you read any Disney fiction? What are your favorites?

Super-Easy Personalized Disney Tumbler & a GIVEAWAY!!

 

I love all things Disney, and I LOVE coffee and other hot drinks. One day when I found these little cute “scrapbooking” tumblers at S’bux (known for their mermaids in Seattle), I knew I had to have one… or two. LOL

I use these frequently and love to change out the insert depending on my mood.

The two above are how they are currently. I love the princess-y bling of the glitter and rhinestones, and the down-to-earth but fun Mickey balloons.

I have also been known to personalize them with letter stickers with my name, or photos of recent trips. So many possibilities!

So let’s get started on the HOW…

Short & Sweet Sunday – ‘Ohana breakfast

Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo & Stitch at the Polynesian Resort

This is honestly one of my favorite meals at Walt Disney World. It’s becoming very popular since dinner here is usually completely booked 6 months in advance.

My first time here was nice and relaxed. The second time the place was practically empty for some reason. Then this past February, there was a huge crowd waiting for their name to get called so they could get a seat for some fun and grub! Since I was eating alone, it wasn’t too much of a wait and I got a table next to a window with a BEAUTIFUL view! I could see the marina, Seven Seas Lagoon, and a bit of the Grand Floridian Resort.

Breakfast here is served “family style”. Just pretend you’re at Grandma’s for a down-home meal while she cooks for everyone and their cousin. Speaking of cousins, the cast members here usually call guests “cousins”…

DiVine at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Hello friends! Today I have a guest blogger here. 🙂

I’ve asked my good friend Nick from Disney Musings to share with us about when he found DiVine, the mysterious and hidden character at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park in Florida.

I’ve seen her once, but was too awe-struck to pull out my camera. LOL

So without further ado, here’s Nick…

DiVine at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

I’ve heard about her for years, but never saw DiVine in over a dozen trips to Walt Disney World and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

In case you don’t know, DiVine is a very talented stilt performer who is adorned in vines and leaves who so seamlessly blends in with the dense foliage of Animal Kingdom, that you can easily pass her by without ever knowing she is there.

In fact, we would have very likely missed her once again on our last visit to Animal Kingdom in January, if not for noticing

Surprise Fish Tacos at Paradiso 37 in Downtown Disney

I’ll be the first to admit I’m not much of a seafood fan. And yes, I live on the Chesapeake Bay famous for crabs. It’s just not my thing.

However, there are a few rare times a year I will crave fish. Usually when this happens I am in the mood for the oh-so-yummy but oh-so-bad-for-you fried fish. One of my favorite incarnations of fried fish is fish tacos. My hubby introduced me to these little gems about 6 years ago at a Houlihan’s restaurant. I fell in love with him and the tacos. 😉

On my last trip to Walt Disney World, I decided that at least 1/2 of the restaurants I’d go to were “new to me”. In my line-up I settled on Paradiso 37 for my first on-property meal for lunch. When I saw Baja Fish Tacos, I was in!