Our unintentional Disney themed Memorial Day weekend

Have you ever unintentionally had a Disney themed weekend?  We did over the past Memorial Day weekend!  Not sure if it was our first, but definitely the first one I noticed. It was a catch up on with Disney theme.
My husband and I thought it would be a nice treat to take our 3 year old to the movies.  I decided to check out the cheapo theater by our house, and see Muppets Most Wanted.  Unfortunately we were not able to stay too long, because some one was desperate for a nap ( and it wasn't me!).  David played his I want to go home/ I want to watch a movie game. After our second reentry to the movie we left.  For the hour that I saw it was a good movie and I can't wait for it to come out on blu ray on August 12. A side note-our 3 year old usually does great with movies sitting for almost 2 hours has never been an issue until today.
Saturday night we watched Lone Ranger. We just happened to notice it on cable.  In my opinion it was just an okay movie, one of those I don't regret watching but I don't love it either.
Sunday night we had a free rental from Comcast, because we've been dealing with a faulty box for a long time. We rented Saving Mr. Banks.  I have not had a chance to watch it until then and I loved it!  Another teary eyed ending for me but almost every Disney movie I've seen for the first time has that affect on me.  It was a heart warming story. Now that it has been out for a while, I bet most people are familiar with. The movie did caused me to look up PL Travers biography.  One quote caught my eye, her grandchildren said, she "died loving no once and with no one loving her." Well so much for heart warming...
Monday I had a Mommy and Son shopping day due to Daddy's birthday fast approaching.

We went to Hallmark and discovered this cutie, a not so IttyBitty biggie:

Their IttyBitty line of plush is just so adorable. They will be releasing Star Wars IttyBittys soon!  These are awesome!  It makes me miss my Hallmark employee discount!

Review of Disney Store's May the Fourth event

In honor of the start of Star Wars weekends, I wanted to review the May the Fourth event that the Disney Store hosted.
We got there early because I love to collect to pins.  I had to add the limited edition event pin to my collection. There was a good turnout for the event, we were number 53rd in line.

Afterwards we browsed around the mall and returned for    My son loved it and he took his training very seriously.

The kids received inflatable light sabers.  Once they completed their training, they received a paper medal, coloring sheet and trading cards. 

 The Disney Store will be releasing a set of trading cards for the next two weeks after event.  There will be a total of 9 cards.
My only complaint was the store manager was not very well-versed in her Star Wars story.  She kept calling Aunt Beru Luke's Mother, mispronouncing character names but the little Jedis in training didn't mind or even notice.

Disney Flea Market Finds!

Disney is not the only thing that warms my heart.  I also love collecting toys, and finding a good deal.  Our family loves to visit the Chicago Toy Show twice a year.  Last April I found this Disneyland board game -no pieces just the board and box. This is perfect little addition to our Disney collection for only $5! Score!  I took that game and ran!  I plan to convert this into wall art.

Disneyland Monorail Game 1960

I also love finding old Disney toys for my son, David, especially for the not so recent movies.  In the past I have found Bugs Life, Aladdin, and Peter Pan.  On our last trip to the Toy Show someone was getting rid of their Hercules collection, still in the package priced at a dollar each.  We watched Hercules, for the first time the night before on Disney Jr.  One of the few Disney movies not on Blu Ray yet, so it has not been added to the Pierce family movie collection.

 Hurrah for Hercules, it is coming out on Blu Ray August 12!

In the past I have found many Disney Golden Books and Disney View-Master slides to add to my collection:

My husband picked up this Roger Rabbit figure:

If you have a local Toy Show, or Flea Market check it out!  You never know what Disney gems you might find.

I love looking at Vintage Disney photos, toys, etc- just visit my Vintage Disney Pinterest board!

Yipee! Planing our November Disney Trip with Free Dining

David enjoying his favorite meal-ice cream!

Disney released it's Fall Free Dining special to the public yesterday.  Finally we were lucky enough to snag it! Even though we wanted to stay at the Art of Animation we decided the savings of the Free Dining was worth changing our resort to Pop Century, an old family favorite. We received the Quick Service Dining plan with our vacation package.
Today at work, I've been fantasizing about all the new food I can try.  Usually when we travel to Disney World we budget for a few character and table service meals.  Our quick service meals are often cheap, fast, not thought and sometimes just consist of Disney snack (I love to make a meal off of a pretzel and plastic cheese).  For breakfast we dine in our room.  We bring with us granola bars, peanut butter, and pop tarts. Having a quick service dining plan opens up a whole new world to us. For instance, I hear that Wolfgang Express in Downtown Disney Marketplace is the best value for the Quick Service Dining Plan. We have never tried it because we are loyal Earl of Sandwich diners.
Now I am sold.  I am dying to try the bacon-wrapped meatloaf:

Yummmmm!!!!!

I can't wait to explore new food options!