The Holiday Special

On Friday, December 2nd at 8:30 AM ET/PT, the Disney Channel will airing the special Jake and the Never Land Pirates - It’s A Winter Never Land!/Hook on Ice. One of the latest Disney holiday shows around! Jake, Izzy and Cubby awake to find that Peter Pan has left the crew presents and a tree to celebrate Winter Treasure Day and Captain Hook invites Jake and the crew on a winter treasure hunt. And I bet we won’t be the only ones tuning in since this show is one of the most co-viewed preschool series, with 45% of moms watching with their preschoolers. Here’s a clip of the special to get you ready:

Jake and the Never Land Pirates Tidbits

The main characters of the show are Jake, Cubby and Izzy (two boys and a girl) who are pirates in Never Land. They do what pirates do, search for treasure, but they have to beware of  Captain Hook, Smee, and Tick-Tock the Crocodile. Captain Hook is really mean and likes to steal from Jake and his crew. But the crew are pirates and they use team work, problem solving and physical ability to get their stuff back. When they solve their pirate problem, they get gold dubloons.  The Never Land Pirate Band is a big part of the show too.  Bones and Sharky are always ready with some toe tapping tunes.

Proof That We’re Fans

I received a package of Disney Junior and Jake and the Never Land Pirates themed items valued at $100 from Team Mom to assist me with this post. I’ll be sharing them with young friends who can make use of them.

For more inspiring photos, check out:  The Bonafide Life, Better in Bulk, Shanamama, From Dates to Diapers, Not Your Momblog, The Divine Miss Mommy, Colorado Moms, Rajean Blomquist, Brain Foggles, Lil Kid Things, The Centsible Life, Rachel Ferruci, Resourceful Mommy and Zensible Mama and link your own photo stories.

Besides money to travel, Mouse-Aid gives away gift cards, admission tickets to Disney World, scooter rentals, bottles of water, and gifts.  Money is also raised by members who purchase Mouse-Aid products, such as T-Shirts and coolers. There’s a forum on Mouse-Aid, where members can cheer up other “members going through a difficult time or illness, even with a small gesture or card.” There are meet ups at Walt Disney World and other sites as well to help keep members connected, offer support and brain storm for ideas. This helps keep the community strong.

This month, September is Mouse-Aid’s third anniversary. There are currently 15 – 20 members who are regular visitors to the forum and more who visit less frequently. Besides the forum, the site includes articles written by people who have some type of health condition or are parents of children with a medical condition. On the main page, you’ll find a “Library” of articles for specific subjects such as Travel with a Disabled Child and Grief and Loss.

Beth, one of the founders, promotes the Mouse-Aid on Facebook. She met Kyle and his wife who had a son, Hayden, with a terminal condition. Kyle couldn’t find an organization to help them get Hayden to Disney World. He was too young (about a year old), but had a prognosis of 6 – 9 months. Although Kyle was dealing with the very painful news about his son, he went to work with his family and some local businesses to raise money for Hayden to visit Disney World. It was a success and was a trip that created memories for the entire family. Hayden was able to visit Disney World but passed away at almost 3 years old.

Beth recognized the need for detailed information on attractions, hotels, parks, transportation and more and financial help for people of all ages with medical and special needs. Also, families who want to return to Disney World after the loss of a family member need guidance and coping skills, so Mouse-Aid was started.

Become a member of Mouse-Aid, a sponsor, or purchase a shirt to help raise money for this nonprofit. Share the information with people you know that need some type of assistance to attend Disney World because of a medical or mental health condition. The application can be filled out online.

For more inspiring photographs, head over to The Bona Fide Life, Better in Bulk, Shanamama, From Dates to Diapers, Not Your Momblog, The Divine Miss Mommy , High Impact Mom, BrainFoggles and Zensible Mama and link your own photo stories!

For more inspiring photographs, head over to The Bona Fide Life, Better in Bulk, Shanamama, From Dates to Diapers, Not Your Momblog, The Divine Miss Mommy , High Impact Mom, BrainFoggles and Zensible Mama and link your own photo stories!

Tips For Special Needs Children At Disney World

1. Hotel rooms on Disney property have a variety of accommodations for all of their guests. Need a wheelchair accessible bathroom, rubber sheets,  a room  without chemicals or scents? Fill out the Special Needs Reservation Request Form while making your online reservation or  even after you have that completed. It must be filled out and emailed within 30 days of your reservation. The earlier the better.
2. Guest Assistance Passes are available for children with special needs, even if that need is invisible (autism, narcolepsy, arthritis, etc.). Also known as a GAC, this card will enable your child to be seated while waiting in line for an attraction or to use a special entrance that may allow no waiting or a shorter wait. You can also speak to cast members at each attraction about your needs to see if your child can be helped in other ways. Some children get more time or alone time with characters, seating near an exit or seating in the front row.  The Guest Assistance Passes are available at each park’s Guest Relations where you can explain what you will need help with. These needs may be added to the card to save you time at the attractions, but always ask for help at any time in the parks.
3. Medical care is available at each park as well. The First Aid Centers can be used for emergencies, but always contact a Cast Member if your emergency is life-threatening, or if your child has been seriously injured. They also provide over the counter medications, bandages and other items. You can store medication there, especially anything that needs to be refrigerated, and use an area for medical procedures such as tube feeding, or a quiet place for your child to calm down, etc. Baby Centers are also available, but use First Aid for older children. Instant contact can be made with EMT’s if needed as well.
4. Special diets can be accommodated at all restaurants in the parks and hotels. It’s best to call in advance if possible. You can bring in any type of food you need too.
5. Wheelchair as Stroller Stickers can be used if necessary. These can be a time saver if your medical stroller does not look like it is a medical device. This allows your child to remain in his stroller even when attractions don’t allow strollers. Note: not all attractions are equipped for strollers, wheelchairs or ECV’s. Those attractions are noted in the Guests With Disabilities Guides for each park, which can be downloaded. These guides are also available at each park.
6. A hotel room on Disney property can make it much easier for children with special needs to enjoy the parks. If your child would fare better after a nap or a break from the parks, being able to get to your room more easily than to a hotel off site, can make your time at Disney much brighter. You still need to use transportation, such as a bus, monorail or boat to get to your room, but it can be a lot faster than going to your car and driving to your hotel off site. Also, if you decide to stay at your hotel for the rest of the day, you still have the Disney atmosphere, with themed restaurants, pools, shops and arcades. At some resorts you can see and even hear the fireworks from Magic Kingdom or EPCOT.
7. Disney provides accommodations for children with hearing and visual disabilities, besides mobility issues. Service animals are always welcome at all areas of Disney World.
8. Expect to make changes in your plans. Visiting Disney World with the though of being flexible will make you and your child a lot happier. It’s great to plan by learning about Disney in advance and even making some reservations for meals. But, watch and listen to your child’s cues if she is starting to feel tired, unwell or overwhelmed. Disney Cast Members can be very helpful in times like this. Allow them to give your child a sticker or to wave at her with a Mickey Mouse hand! But, if it’s time to leave, take a break, or to get out of the heat, go for it. You will have happy memories when your child is happy.

We’ve traveled to Disney World hundreds of times. I am disabled and use an ECV (or a scooter), get a Guest Assistance Card and have needed to leave the parks suddenly. I’ve had to visit First Aid and have blood work done at a lab outside the park. Now that my daughter has sever medical issues, we use my experiences and tailor them to her. It’s worked for us. I hope my tips help you prepare and take that magical trip!

With a special needs child, you may feel that going on a trip to Disney Word will be overwhelming, but Disney makes it as easy as possible. Often times, you just need to ask someone and you’ll get the help you need and more.

Resource: PassPorter’s Walt Disney World for Your Special Needs: The Take-Along Travel Guide and Planner! (Passporter Walt Disney World) (See all Travel Guides)

Affiliate link included.

I can tell you that it’s really, horribly hot and I probably won’t be able to visit the parks during the day. I’m still going through a big Myasthenia Gravis flare up. I hope to get out during the evening though. We have dinner reservations that I’m looking forward to – Via Napoli in EPCOT, the 50′s Prime Time Cafe in Hollywood Studios and Yak and Yeti in Animal Kingdom. We’re also going to the Disney Vacation Club Vacation with Character.

Old Key West

We’re staying at one of our favorite resorts – Old Key West, which is peaceful and quiet. We’re close to the Hospitality House and main pool. Today we had lunch for the first time at The Turf Club Bar in Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. We will be back! The food was fabulous and the service impeccable. I had the Roasted and Stuffed Mushrooms (an appetizer) which not only looked great, they tasted even better. And the sweet tea is some of the best I’ve had anywhere.

You know that I’ll be sharing photos and some reviews of the restaurants in the days to come. Let me know if you have any questions about Disney World or Old Key West where we’re staying and I’ll be on the look out for you.

Phineas and Ferb Across the 2nd Dimension Summer Activities

• Watch for the movies debut on August 5th at 8 pm ET/PT on the Disney Channel and on August 13 at 10 am ET/PT on Disney XD
• Virtual Viewing Party for the movie on August 5th at 8 pm EST and 8 pm PST. (2 parties for each coast)
• Perry the Platy-bus tour began on July 11 in New York City and will go across the country with stops at San Diego’s Comic Con International (July 21-24) and the Disney D23 Expo in Anaheim (August 19-21). You can follow the tour schedule and see if it’s coming to a city near you. Free admission!
• Take Two With Phineas and Ferb hits the Disney Channel and Disney XD this month. This is a series of two minute interviews with Phineas and Ferb and celebrities such as David Beckham, Howie Mandel, Miss Piggy and Shaun White.
• Phineas and Ferb: We’re Making a Movie interactive attraction at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s California Adventures

Phineas and Ferb Across the 2nd Dimension Products

• The soundtrack will be available August 12th
• The Wii game will be available August 2nd
• Other video games
• Books and a magazine (see above)
• Lots of toys, including Gabble Heads (see above)
• T-shirts and other apparel (see above)

I guarantee that my daughter and I will watch the upcoming movie, Phineas and Ferb the 2nd Dimension. Will you?

I received the special Phineas and Ferb package shown above from Team Mom along with the information about the movie used in this post. All opinions are my own.

For every purchase or download of African Cats, Disneynature will make a donation to the African Wildlife Foundation with a minimum contribution of $3o,000.

African Cats takes viewers deep into the breathtaking African savanna to witness the heart-stopping rivalry between two lion prides and the epic journey of one brave cheetah family.  Shot over the course of two and a half years using state-of-the-art camera equipment, African Cats captures the awe-inspiring beauty of one of the wildest places on Earth as it tells the dramatic and often intimate stories of Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion clan.

You can preorder African Cats which will be released on October 4th. Remember that you’ll be helping the African Wildlife Foundation.

Information provided by Disney Movies. Affiliate link included.

Pirates of the Caribbean movies are a fan favorite. And now the fourth film tells the story of Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) finding himself on an unexpected journey to the fabled Fountain of Youth when a woman from his past (Penélope Cruz) forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane).

I’m excited to see this film not just because of Johnny Depp (swoon), but because of the action and comedy I’ve come to expect from all of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

Giveaway – One Pirates Of The Caribbean Shirt in adult sizes of S, M, L, XL, bandanna in black and temporary tattoo (2 per winner)

Rules

1. Contest starts now and ends May 27th midnight EST.
2. Open to adults 18 and over within the USA
3. One submission per household (not entry).
4. Winner will be chosen by Random.org.
5. Winner have 2 days to claim prize via email.

How To Enter

For One Entry For Each Below: (please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Leave a comment about what you like about the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.
2. Use the Facebook Like Button under this post. Leave a comment that you did so.
3. Follow ConnieFoggles on Twitter. Please leave a comment that you did along with your Twitter ID.
4. Tweet this exactly. You may tweet this daily: (leave a link to your tweet)

#Win @DisneyPirates Prize Pack @ConnieFoggles http://bit.ly/ijTK2S PL RT

I was not compensated for this post, but am happy to share the news about the opening of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and the giftpack with my readers.