Top Ten Budget Friendly Disney Gifts

I have a few family members who love Disneyland...including me. Whenever a special occasion comes around, I love to shop for 'Disney Treasures'...something I know these family members of mine will love and treasure themselves. Since I live no where near Disneyland...I always head to the internet first. Some of the treasures on my list I have actually bought, some are for the future, and all are budget friendly.

1. Disneyland soundtrack of the actual rides in the Park

I purchased this for my Dad and he has enjoyed it, as have I. You can find this particular CD for sale on Amazon.com. 

Below are some of the tracks found on the soundtrack...

Walt Disney's Dedication Of Disneyland

Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life For Me)

Splash Mountain Medley

Space Mountain

and more! There are 22 tracks.

 

We also listen to Pandora--there is a channel that is called Disney (Kids) Songs, and it will play many of the Disney Classics including some of these tracks.

2. Disney Air Fresheners

They smell like the real deal! And they look super cute hanging above your dashboard. :) Purchased the Mickey Ice Cream Bar for Mother's Day, and she loved it.

Again you can find these on Amazon.com

3. Disney iphone cases

These are kind of out of my budget, but they are so fun to look at! And maybe save up for...I found these two websites had the greatest selections:

www.zazzle.com

www.redbubble.com

Super cute!

4. Disneyland Fact and Trivia Books

I love to learn of the history of any National Landmark, and since Disneyland is our go-to Family Spot, it's fun to learn it's history too.

There are many to choose from, and many are affordable.

Search for them on Amazon.com

5. Disney Window Decals

I'm personally not a window sticker person, but whenever I see these on someone's back window, they make me smile.

So if I ever did buy one, it would be one of these. :)

Find them at www.laughingplacestore.com

 

6. Disney Tees

I love stocking up on Disney Tshirts before a Disneyland trip. The styles from Target and The Children's place have a subtle and vintage look that I love. And best of all they are affordable!

Whenever I come home with Disney Tees before a Disney vacation, it adds to the excitement. It would also be fun to get new shirts every morning before heading in to the park too!...if you could wait that long...I'm always bad with surprises...

 

7. Personalized Disney Water Bottle Labels

Found these cute labels on this cute Etsy site:

Announcements Plus

Super fun for parties! And even fun for a Disneyland Vacation!

Or if you want something more environmental friendly...

You can make something like this! I found this tutorial on this site here.

Love it!

 

 

8. Disney themed Wallets

Found these beauties on Amazon.com

 There were also purses to match...although more expensive.

 

9. Disney Themed Food!

Check this site out here for 30 Disney themed cupcakes...I'm already getting requests from my kids. :)

Would love cupcakes any day...

10. Disney Store Toys

I am always looking through this site here!

There are so many fun Disney toys here...just click the sale button for amazing deals.

 

There you have it, my top ten budget friendly Disney gifts!

Baby Girl Shower Ideas

I recently got to throw a Baby Girl shower to my friend who has 3 boys. You bet we were excited to bring out the PINK!

We decided to serve brunch since the shower went from 10 to 12. 

 

Fruit Cake: made out of watermelon, whipped cream and more fruit as the toppings

Pink Drink: Raspberry Sherbet + 7up

We had a Bow Making station. We supplied the materials, the guests assembled them.

One of my favorite gifts that I saw: Shoes made out of felt!! Adorable!!!

 

 

THE GAMES:

There were three :)

First was the Icebreaker, or the game the guests picked up on arrival.

Feel free to use these to your hearts content.

The instructions are easy. The daughters names are listed, and the mothers names are in the box. Match em up! (If you need the answer key, email me and I will send it to you.)

 

After Brunch, we played 'Dad Knows Best'. The guests were to guess how many questions Megan would get right.

Megan would get a point for every question that matched Robbie's answer. She wasn't answering them according to her...she was answering them according to Robbie's answers. Make sense?

The guests could guess along with Megan.

*For some extra fun, I asked these questions to Robbie and recorded him while he answered. We watched the tape during the shower. :)

 

After presents, the guests played 'Parental Guidance'. I called the mother and the mother in law to get some fun stories about Megan and Robbie. The guests were to guess if it was a Megan story or a Robbie story. 

 

Below are the tags for the guest 'Thank Yous'. I filled the bags with Kettle Corn. Easy and Sweet.

Girls are so fun.

 

My New Etsy Shop: Barley*Crafts

I just opened a new shop! You can check out my first few items for sale.

etsy.com/shop/BarleyCrafts

 

Best Disneyland Food worth the Dough.

There is a serious misconception around that it is TOO expensive to eat IN Disneyland.

Okay, Kinda true... 

Granted, it is less expensive to bring in your own snacky items...(which you totally can do)

but really, spending SOME money on food that is delicious reminds you that you are on vacation. :)

So hopefully this post will direct you to some food I think is delicious and food I buy, Every.Time.I.Go.

 

First up!

Our 5 Best Treats: 

1. Tigger Tails

Located in Pooh's Corner right next to Splash Mountain and Winnie the Pooh Ride

These are made of Marshmallows, dipped in caramel, dipped in orange chocolate topped with sprinkles and chocolate stripes.

I'm not a huge marshmallow fan, but these are SO Yummy.

2. Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Treats

You can find these in various carts around the park!

3. Dole Whip

These yummy treats are found by the entrance of the Tiki Room. Totally do not miss these, if you see a short line, jump in! Sometimes the wait is long...

If you can't wait until your next Disneyland trip try this recipe I found on Pinterest:

Disney Dole Whip Recipe. 

2 cans (20 oz. each) DOLE crushed pineapple

2 tbsp. lemon juice

2 tbsp. lime juice

1/3 cup sugar

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped

      How to make it -

   Drain pineapple: reserve 2 tbsp. juice. Set aside. Place pineapple, lemon juice, lime juice, sugar and reserved pineapple juice in blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into two 1-quart freezer zipped bags. Store ...

4. Jolly Holiday Bakery and Cafe Cinnamon Roll

I tried this for the first time on our last trip to Disneyland. I will be getting one again! We shared this roll with 2 people easily.

5. Disney Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie

Again from Pooh Corner...we really get all our goodies there! All their cookies are delicious...believe me, I think our family has sampled every single one! ;)

Here is a recipe I found from Picky Palate that seems easy enough:

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwich…Picky Palate’s Version

• 3 cups good quality chopped milk chocolate
• 4 tablespoons shortening
• 12 halved graham crackers
• 2 cups creamy peanut butter

Directions

1. Melt chocolate and shortening over a double boiler, stirring to melt. I use a small saucepan, boil water, reduce heat to low and place a heat proof bowl over the saucepan then add my chocolate, stirring until melted.
2. Dip each graham cracker into chocolate and let set up on wax or parchment paper. Stick in the freezer for a few minutes to speed this up. Spread 2 tablespoons (or a cookie scoopful) of peanut butter over the top of each dipped graham cracker then place in the freezer for 10 more minutes. This step is important. While the peanut butter is freezing, remove chocolate from heat and stir, so it cools slightly and thickens up a touch. Slowly and carefully spoon melted chocolate over tops and sides of peanut butter. This is where the patience and work comes in. Use a small spoon working the chocolate around the edges and sides. You’ll then use a little plastic knife to run the chocolate around the edges and clean it up a little. Let set up, (stick back in the freezer for another 10 minutes) then with a spoon, drizzle chocolate over top to get the “lines” you see in the pictures above. (If your chocolate is too thick at this point, set it back over the double boiler so it melts a little bit).
3. My reviews…Definitely keep these chilled just like Disneyland does, they melt rather quickly once your fingers get on them. It was tricky to get mine to look quite as pretty as the Disneyland ones, but with a little patience you can do it! Have fun and keep them chilled!

Makes 12 sandwiches

6. The Disney Churro

This treat is not one of our current traditions...but I do love the smell of them, and you smell them quite frequently in the park...so I had to represent them on here. :)

 

Next up:

Our Top 5 Restaurants

1. Hungry Bear Restaurant

Located in Critter Country

If I could eat here our whole trip, I would.

SO worth it. The restaurant is settled next to the river...nuff said. One of my favorite places in the park. 

My favorite sandwich: Fried Green Tomato Sandwich with a side of delish Sweet Potato Fries. YUM.

They also have cute little cupcakes and pies for dessert, but we usually head over to Pooh's Corner for something sweet afterward. :)

2. Rancho del Zocalo

Located next to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride

The portion sizes are pretty big, so they can be shared! Which saves on the mula.

The food served here is Mexican style.

3. Disney Turkey Legs and Chimichangas

These do not actually come from a restaurant, they come from a cart! But they eat like a meal. I highly recommend the Chimichanga...yummy.

4. Flo's V8 Cafe

Located in Disney's California Adventure in Cars Land

Portion sizes are big! There are yummy salads and comfort style meals here.

5. Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta

Located in Disney's California Adventure

Again, portion sizes can easily be shared, and there are many items to choose from!

 

If you want to see a full list of all restaurants available PLUS menu items go here:

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/list/

 

There are so many fabulous eating places to choose from.

To save on spending, we eat breakfast at the hotel, pack in a lunch, water and snacks, which then allows us to eat dinner in the park and purchase one park treat. To feed a family of 5 it costs about 50-60 dollars a day depending on what you order. Not too shabby!

Disneyland FASTPASS/Runner Tips

FASTPASS: A pass any Disney Park Goer can get and use while in the park. This pass allows you to go in the FASTPASS line, cutting off a major portion of the line which then helps you get to the ride faster. FAST...PASS get it?

Not every ride has a FASTPASS. Here are the rides that do...

 

In Disneyland:

Splash Mountain

Space Mountain

Indiana Jones

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Autopia

Star Tours

Haunted Mansion

Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin

 

In Disney's California Adventure:

California Screamin'

Goofy's Sky School

Grizzly River Run

Radiator Springs Racers

Soarin' Over California

Tower of Terror

World of Color

 

I'm not sure about other Disney Parks, this is only info for Disneyland in Anaheim, CA.

These rides have a spot designated for FASTPASS Distribution. Each one is themed for the attraction, and there is always a Disney worker there to help you if needed.

 All you need is your Park Ticket... 

Slide it in, and Ta-Dah! Out pops a FASTPASS... 

The FASTPASS will tell you when you can come back to the attraction and enter through the FASTPASS line.

It will also tell you when you can get another FASTPASS ticket down on the bottom.

This is where the 'Runner' comes in...

Runner: a person in your group that is in charge of all the Park Tickets and FASTPASSES. This person takes special care in learning when new FASTPASSES are available and even though the group is headed to the FASTPASS line at (ex.) Splash Mountain, if your FASTPASS says it's time to get another ticket, you run to whatever attraction you want to do next to get more FASTPASSES.

 

Our family establishes a 'Runner' for the day. And we get to ride the 'long-lined' rides countless times a day.

Note: You CANNOT get a FASTPASS for someone who hasn't entered the park for that day.

Example:

For Christmas, we had a Family Reunion with 17 peeps! I wanted to get Racer FASTPASSES over in Disney's CA Adventure, half of the group was in Disneyland, and there were still a couple coming from the Hotel on the bus. I could only get FASTPASSES for everyone who was already somewhere in the park...even though I had those couple's Park Tickets, I couldn't get them a FASTPASS because they weren't there yet...make sense?

The 'Runner' has a big responsibility, they have to be a good multi-tasker, and not lose everyone's Park Tickets especially...that would be tragic. :)

So, when choosing a 'Runner'-handle with care!

In December, the line for the FASTPASS Distribution for the Racers started at Disney Junior Onstage and ended over by Bug's Land. It was long! (But seriously, worth it.)

 The one-hour return window moves forward throughout the day, and it moves forward in five-minute increments every time a certain number of FASTPASSES are distributed. So, you could miss out on a FASTPASS, if you wait too long.

I went to get one right after Disney's CA Adventure opened, and our hour return window wasn't until 4:00 that afternoon!

Even then, the FASTPASS line was still a 40 minute wait, but again helped...the regular entrance was a 2 hour wait. :) 

Also good to remember that World of Color FASTPASS Distribution is over by Grizzly River Run, and you can still get FASTPASSES throughout the day after receiving this ticket.

 

(images and information from Google and my own experience) :)

Bibbity Bobbity Tips and Tricks

Hi all! I have spent a year or so exploring blogs and sites of fellow Disneyland fanatics. I have learned so much from each of them, and they go down in my book as experts!

I am no expert.

But I have been to Disneyland quite a few times and in all different stages in my life. I've been with my own family as a teenager, as a High School graduate, as a college student with my friends, as a newlywed, and I've been with 1, 2 and 3 kids. Each time is magical, and each time is just a little bit different...which keeps me coming back for more!

The tips I want to share, are tips that have worked for me and my family.

Take them if you want them. You may have heard them before.

But I warn you...

reading this may plant a seed of longing for the magic yourself.

So, in the words of Scar, "Beee Preeparrrred!"

 

Here are Jana's

TOP TEN REASONS WHY I LOVE DISNEYLAND!

(in no particular order)

 

1. The History-there are many good sites out there that give a great history of how Disneyland came to be, and when you walk in the park, you will notice that things have been updated through the years...but mostly it's been maintained. Which I love.

 

2. The Rides-love them all! After reading this blog, you will be able to establish between Kiddy Rides and Big Rides. But I assure you every ride is worth the wait and every ride or attraction is for everyone. :)

 

3. The Smells-every ride has a distinct smell to me. I was there the year Indiana Jones first opened, and it still has the same smell it did today! Brings back so many fun memories. At Christmas, if you walk down Main Street...it smells like Christmas!!! Part of the Magic.

 

4. The Music-there is always music playing in between the parks. I love it.

 

5. The Atmosphere-one of my favorites is walking in through the entrance of the park and hearing the "Wee-Hoo" of the scanner when it scans your ticket in, I love it when a character is noticed and people make a bee-line to form a line to meet him/her.

 

6. The Attention to Detail-If you haven't been or have been and haven't yet noticed, every part of the park is themed...right down to the garbage cans and bathrooms. Look and see for yourself! So cool.

 

7. The Fellow Disneyland Goers-I love to see The Fans (people who are decked out in Disney Gear, families in matching shirts, people hurrying (but not running) to get to the next attraction, people who are courteous and kind while standing in line. We have met so many fab fans while standing in line! My favorite is seeing couples run around by themselves...that would be my mom and dad. Love them.

 

8. The Disneyland Business-what does that mean? Disneyland is smart, they make you feel like YOU are in charge, YOU own the park, and Disneyland is the reason YOU are making fabulous memories. SO smart. How do they do this? They make little things like Fast Passes that (if you figure them out correctly) will make it so you have hardly any waiting time...even on busy days, they make sure EVERY employee is on point making you feel special and happy.

 

9. Disneyland at Night-the lights in the trees, the fireworks, the coolness of the evening, you name it...everything about it I LOVE.

 

10. The Food-we have our restaurants that we have to eat at everytime we go. The food is delicious, and you may have heard it is expensive to eat in the park...but really, the prices totally compare to the surrounding sit down restaurants outside the park. And really I will spare you a good mouth watering session by not even going in to what kind of Disney treats are there....SO YUM.

 

Disneyland has become our Family Tradition. I hope you learn something or even just come to appreciate the magic that is there for anyone and everyone. :)

Stay tuned for more...

 

Before/After Dresser Table

When we lived in Student Housing, people who were moving would take furniture that they didn't want anymore and leave it outside where it was a free for all! I acquired this beauty as well as many other treasures.

I love this table. And my husband asked me to never paint it because it is 'real wood'!!!

Well, when I moved it down to our living room and started storing our board games in it, my husband was all of the sudden very critical of how it didn't match! And much to my dismay, he even tried to get rid of it during a game of 'Bigger or Better' that our church was playing a couple weeks ago.

SO...I thought that was my all clear for Paintin Time! 

This time I decided to Spray Paint. I used Flat Black Spray Paint, then finished it off with Polyurethane Spray. (I really don't like this stuff, I think it is going to be so much easier, until I use it and realize it goes on splotchy...) Oh well. 

Then I was contemplating getting new handles at Hobby Lobby. But I really love these handles, so I chose a Aqua Blue color...was going to do Khaki but wanted to change things up a bit. I also sprayed these with polyurethane after the color coat. 

And Here ya go.

Love the Flat look, and it feels like I have a brand new piece of furniture! 

Sweet handle. Totally my fad color of the year.

P.S. My husband even approves. Smiles all around!

Linkin up here :)

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/" title="TDC Before and After" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/beforeAndAfterButton_thumb1.gif" alt="TDC Before and After" style="border:none;" /></a></div>