Olivia's Disney Adventures

One of my favorite things to do when watching my young nieces and nephew is we get to watch Disney movies all day.

Alice in Wonderland is always on that list it seems. One of my favorite parts to recite is Twinkle Twinkle Little Bat from when Dormouse falls from the sky after the rocket on the cake explodes.

Say it with me:

Twinkle, twinkle, little bat
How I wonder what you're at
Up above the world you fly,
Like a tea tray in the sky

What is your favorite part in Disney's animated tale of Alice in Wonderland

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Everyone is offering green options these days for your shopping. Disney is no exception to this. In fact they have so many different varieties, you can collect the bags.

Each visit to the Disney store I buy a new bag. Whether its a cute new design I don't have or they have one they offer at checkout for a very low price. This week I did both. Before I hit checkout I picked up a minnie and mickey plus an alice in wonderland bag. At checkout I was offered a large toy story bag for only $1.

These bags come at a very reasonable cost of $2.50 (larger ones are a bit more) and can be used in many ways. Use them as a gift bag, overnight bag to grandmas with pajamas and favorite blanket, to carry your picnic lunch on a beautiful day at the park, use instead of plastic at the grocery store, or one of my favorites with the larger bags is as a laundry bag while on vacation.

*Pictures are property of Olivia's Disney Adventures and are not to be reproduced or distributed without permission of Olivia's Disney Adventures

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EleTRONica takes you into the grid during this high energy, music pumped, journey while taking you back to what you love about Tron.

Walking into Flynns arcade and seeing the iconic wall where the home of Tron lives is truly a sight to see. As a young kid I remember wanting to go to that very arcade and play the legendary Tron game. At Disney's California Adventures you can do just that.

You can even get a Tron makeover with face painting. How cool is that!

I must admit one of my favorite parts is walking over to get a glowjito from the End of the Line club. Its nice to have some adult time and relax with a drink in the middle of an incredible disney experience.

On the Disneyland Facebook page it was announced that ElecTRONica will continue through the summer. My son (16) loved it and being this next trip has turned into his birthday trip (for his 17th birthday) it will certainly make this trip that much better. I wasn't able to get a decent picture or video this last time but I will go better equipped to capture a little something to share upon our return.

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Cars 2 is coming and I am so excited! I didn't think I would enjoy it when Cars was first released. All I could think was how can you make a cute movie about racing. Boy was I WRONG! Cars is one of my favorite movies. I will be in the theater watching the new release this summer and you can bet I will be visiting the Disneyland resort when Cars Land opens.

Until then enjoy this Cars short





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Pin trading began at Disney in 1999. Since then many pins have been traded among guests and cast members.

Its a fun way to do something new and exciting during your Disney trip.

Getting started is easy. You can purchase starter kits which include a lanyard and pins ready for trading. You can also purchase these separately if you choose. I started with a lanyard offered when checking into the Disneyland hotel that included one with my vacation package.

You can trade any pin you like with cast members or even other guests. You can even trade complete sets if appropriate. Trade for pins that mean something to you. I think it is also fun to purchase a couple special pins that are just for me to keep and personalize my lanyard. You can too.

Pin trading is found all over the Disney resort. This includes cast members walking around. Don't be afraid to ask a cast member to trade with you. They will help you out and even offer tips.

There are 3 types of lanyard colors and you need to know what they mean.

Blue Lanyards are for general trading. Adults and children can trade pins with cast members wearing blue lanyards.

Teal Lanyards are worn by Disneyland cast members and only available for children pin trading.

Green Lanyards are worn by Disney World cast members and only available for children pin trading.

There are a few rules of etiquette when trading:

• Have Fun! Disney Pin Trading can be a great way to interact with and meet Cast Members and other Guests.
• The main criteria to judge whether a pin is tradable or not is that it must be a metal pin that represents a Disney Event, Location, Character or Icon. Some pins from our Operating Participants are also tradable, but must represent the Operating Participant in a way that has a specific Disneyland®Resort or Walt Disney World®Resort affiliation.
• Pins should in good, undamaged condition.
• Trade one pin at a time, hand to hand, with the backs attached.
• Guests may trade a maximum of two pins with each Cast Member.
• Guests may trade only one pin of the same style with a Cast Member.
• When trading with Cast Members, Guests should offer a pin that is not already displayed on the Cast Member's lanyard.
• Please refrain from touching another person's pins or lanyard. If you need a closer look, ask the person wearing the lanyard if they can bring it into clearer view for you.
• Disney name pins may not be traded with Cast Members.
• Monies or gifts may not be exchanged or used in trade for a pin.
• In addition to the 12 pins on Cast lanyards, some Cast Members may wear a "Showcase" pin. These "Showcase" pins are for demonstrations to our Guests and are not available for trade.

Don't forget to purchase a lanyard medal as well. These hang from the clip on your lanyard and make this personalized to you. You can even make your own if you choose. Purchase badge covers and create something special for you or your entire family. Hand drawn and colored is always fun for the kids. Make a new one each trip and attach that one special pin you won't be trading anytime soon.

Beginning can be overwhelming. Have fun with it. Once you break the ice with one trade you will be on the look out for pins to trade everywhere you go.

Watch for those Hidden Mickey pins as well.

*Pictures are property of Olivia's Disney Adventures and are not to be reproduced or distributed without permission of Olivia's Disney Adventures

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Valentines Day is near and nearly everyone is working on their plans to show their love.


Edible Arrangements has a variety of ways to do this. Even Mickey style

The pineapple is cut in the shape of Mickey Mouse!

Bears, flowers, and candy are fun but I like the unique gift that I can share and remember. This is one of those gifts.

What I think is even more fun is have these delivered to your hotel when on your next Disney vacation. Great snack after you arrive and a great way to start off your own Disney adventures.

*Pictures are property of Edible Arrangements and are not to be reproduced or distributed without permission of Edible Arrangements

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Working from home can mean long hours so you need good sleep. Add in a comfy pair of pajamas and it is a perfect night. I have to confess... I love Mickey and Minnie Mouse pajamas! I have lots of them and all comfy.

Shhh - Don't tell anyone but I even wear them during the day when I have a long day of at home with work.

Walmart is my main source for my pajama purchases. Main reason is because its easily accessible since this is where I do my grocery shopping. They do come out with great styles frequently and very reasonable in price and sizes. I do buy pajamas from Disneyland and the Disney store as well.

My latest set of pajamas came this week from Walmart.

Tell me these are not cute!

They have 3 more pairs that I don't have that I am considering going back to purchase if they have my size. I tend to stick with the black, red, white combo as I prefer the classic mickey and minnie colors. I do choose other colors but these colors are my favorite when I go looking for pajamas. I also try to avoid obvious holiday styles but sometimes you just can't help it. 

I probably have about 10 current pairs of pajamas and the way I keep going I may have 30 by summer lol


*Pictures are property of Olivia's Disney Adventures and are not to be reproduced or distributed without permission of Olivia's Disney Adventures

The Green Bay Packers have won Super Bowl XLV and everyone wants to know "What's Next?" Of course a very excited player has just announced they will be going to Disney World.

For years this was one of my favorite commercials. Being I lived in CA it was Disneyland vs Disney World but you always enjoyed the excitement of the winners celebration and the announcement of going to Disneyland or Disney World. I wanted to live in Disneyland when I was younger so anything that would keep me excited and anticipate my next visit was always very much welcomed.

It's part of those fond memories of how Disneyland has always been in my life and how I can share those memories with others.

Takes me back to sitting in the couch with my grandpa as he asked me who was going to win and the finish off our time together with that iconic commercial.

We have decided on our next trip to Disneyland! We plan to arrive April 10th. We are taking a few different sights along with Disneyland such as Universal Studios. I am very very excited because we didn't think we could return so quickly! The Angels will be home so we will even catch a game. I haven't been to an Angels game since I was a teenager and Wally Joyner was my Angels eye candy.

We are taking a guest with us so this will be exciting. My son's girlfriend will be visiting California for the very first time so that is exciting. This trip will be my son's birthday trip so lots will be happening. A very exciting trip.

We are staying at the Tropicana Inn and Suites once again because of our excellent experience last time. My husband has a knee injury that will likely still be evident at the time of our trip so we will be utilizing the ECVs at the parks (we rented one last time for a day).

More details to come as we begin planning.