Fantasy Candlelight Processional at Epcot

Enjoyed another annual family Christmas tradition tonight, Epcot's Candlelight Processional.

It is one of my favorite things of the year.  This year we saw an old favorite, Neil Patrick Harris.

We've seen him below - check out the video below.

So while he's our favorite, I've started thinking about my wish list of celebrity narrators for the show..

 

Here are my thoughts, I would love to hear yours...

1) Keep NPH of course!

2) Rob Lowe - I think he would literally be amazing.

3) Oprah

4) Tina Fey

5) George Clooney

6) Patrick Dempsey

7) Julianna Margulies

8) Selena Gomez

9) Bette Midler

10) Allison Janney

11) Lady Gaga

Who's on your list??

 

My Disney License Plate Collection

In honor of the 40th anniversary today of Walt Disney World, I wanted to share with you all one of my favorite things - Disney license plates.

When I started working at Disney in 1998, I decided I wanted to collect something.  Pins were starting to become the big thing, but I easily could see that getting out of control.  Mostly because you know it's pretty impossible to own every single one.  And what's the point of collecting something if you can't have a goal to complete the set?

A friend of mine, Bruce, mentioned that he started buying Disney license plates.  I had always had a thing for regular license plates - not sure why - don't ask....so I figured it could be interesting just to see how far I could take it.

I quickly became obsessed.  I have a plate for almost every single Walt Disney World Resort and attraction - I'm only missing the new Hawaii resort. (Hint to my Disney friends!!!)  But I have plates from Tokyo, Hong Kong, Paris, Vero Bech, Hilton Head, all over really!  All thanks to friends and eBay!

I have well over 200 license plates.  I especially like cast member only plates.  Sadly, Disney is making less resort-specific items lately.  I haven't seen any cast member plates at all.  Hopefully I can get a 40th anniversary plate - but so far, no luck!!!

Many have asked me..."but what do you do with them?"  Good question!

I have used some of the plates as a border in my son's bedroom.  They are something great to look at - and his friends love seeing them when they come over. I also use them as a border in our garage.

Some of my favorite plates can be seen here:

See the full gallery on Posterous

True story - one day I walked out of our kitchen door into the garage and there was a guy standing at our open garage door with a dog on a leash - in our garage.

He scared me to death - and just said..."I'm sorry...I noticed the license plates from the street and couldn't help myself.  They are so cool!"

I now make sure to always keep the garage door closed :)

 

Mickey's Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party!

It's a family favorite halloween tradition, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom!

This year was a bit different for our boys, mostly because they LOVE Mickey's Toontown, which is closed due to construction.  But it did open an opportunity for us to do lots of rides that we normally don't ride.  We rode Peter Pan, I think, for the first time EVER in our lives.  The boys enjoyed It's a Small World, but about half-way through they were finished.

It's a great event for the whole family.  Lots of great people watching opportunities! Check out my photo gallery.  You'll see the big giant penguin dad - he was pretty awesome - except for the fact that the rest of his entire family came in regular clothes.

And then there's the male Blow Pop dude - he's a bit...interesting.

The candy was great this year - lots of chocolate - which they haven't had a lot of in years past.  You could tell due to all the construction issues the candy areas had to move around a lot.  Some seemed a little crowded and the lines were a bit confusing.

But all-in-all, great night by all!

See the full gallery on Posterous

Today, they added a new interactive element to the Halloween party.

A new game called Mickey's Trick or Treat available from Disney on Facebook lets users get in the Halloween spirit by virtually trick-or-treating with online friends and decorating their own porch.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has added signs scattered throughout the park with a code guests can submit in the game and unlock prizes.