Disney's Planes Party Ideas

Love the movie Planes in my house and here are a few simple ideas for throwing a themed party.

Menu

Baked Propellers (mini ziti) and Cheese

Spinach and Artichoke Cropduster Dip

El Chubacabra in a Blanket (Hot Dogs)

Ripslinger Pizza

Snack Size Chips and Pretzels

Juices and Soft Drinks in Small Clear Cups

Decorations and Favors

I used a lot of my son's toys to decorate the table and food area.  I also used my Disney Movie Rewards to download some free posters.  Then printed at home!  Hung some paper airplanes from the ceiling and we were ready for takeoff!   

For the Favors we did a Baggage Claim Area.  Purchased a few lunch boxes from a local discount store and filled with crayons shaped line planes, coloring books and a paper airplane.  I was able to get those from a online Party Store.

Cupcakes

These were a combination of several online ideas merged into one cupcake.  

You will need:

Cupcakes with Blue Icing, piped high

Light Blue M&M's

Eye Candy

Oreos

Orange Candy Melts

Edible Paper or Black Licorice

1.  Order Cupcakes from Bakery (yes I cheated, don't tell Pinterest)

2.  Cut edible paper into Propeller shapes or use Black Licorice

3.  Dip Oreo with fork in melted colored chocolate and shake until 

smooth, place on wax paper

4.  Place Eyes, Nose and Propellers 

5.  Once hardened, place Oreo topper on cupcake

Mickey Mom Tip:  I did the same thing with marshmallows on a stick.  Same orange melt and decorations and placed them on piece of foam covered in maps.  These I brought these to my son's school because of so many gluten and other food allergies and they were a big hit.  Such a hit, that I didn't get a picture!

Maria aka Mickey Mom is a mom to two boys who loves throwing birthday parties!  Visit her Facebook Page

Friday Freebie-Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

Another Free Disney Printable with so many uses.  Print and cut out the Olaf's pieces for a fun time for little ones.  Increase the image size and make a big cutout for a party decoration.  Laminate the pieces or print on card stock for long lasting fun.

Maria is a Travel Planner for Snapshot Getaways, please contact her at maria@snapshotgetaways.com to plan your next vacation and like her Facebook page for updates!

Friday Freebie-Frozen Holiday Card

Creating your own holiday card, Frozen style has never been easier.  It's also fun to play around!  Disney provides you with multiple backgrounds, characters and props to choose from to make your own card.  Then print at home on card stock or regular paper.  Here is a link to get started:

Frozen Holiday Card Creator

Maria is a Travel Planner with Snapshot Getaways and specializes in Disney Travel.  Follow her Facebook Page or email her at maria@snapshotgetaways.com

Wordless Wednesday: Thomas Boys Take On Disneyland Small World

Amanda Hansel is a self proclaimed Disney nerd who has 2 boys. She is also a travel agent with Snapshot Getaways. You can find her on Facebook and on Twitter. She would love to hear from you or chat about Disney with you.

Friday Freebie: Handmade Paper at Innoventions

If you're looking for a place to cool off, perhaps find a place to sit and relax while the kids explore some fun hands activities (even walk away with a FREE souvenir) then Innoventions East is the perfect place! The big draw here is Sum of All Thrills, but after your kiddo has created and tested their coaster don't forget to stop by Environmentality Corner.

Kids of all ages will have the opportunity to make their own piece of paper from pulp to dry rack. When it's complete they can even stamp it with a Disney character. And it's theirs to keep, absolutely free. 

Hope is ready to help you find more off the beaten path fun on your next vacation. Contact her at Hope@SnapshotGetaways.com or find her on Facebook. 

A 7 Year Old's Review of 7D

Photo Courtesy of Disney Wiki

My son Andrew wanted to give you a review of his new favorite show on Disney Jr. and Disney XD. The 7D!  These are his own words, typed by me because a 7 year old types REALLY slow
-Maria

The show is about the 7D's who work in a mine.  A "D" is a dwarf who lives in a dwarf kingdom works for the dwarf queen. The "D's" are:

• Doc-He is like the main "D" and he is good at making inventions for the queen.  Because they mostly work for the queen.
• Grumpy-He may not look that grumpy, but if you listen to his voice he does sound really grumpy.  Plus some of his actions are grumpy.
• Dopey-He can not speak, but he whistles and Doc translates for the rest of the "D".
• Sleepy-He likes to sleep day and night and when he speaks he falls asleep.  He grabs for jewels in the mine than when he is awake. 
• Bashful-He likes to hide and whenever someone tries to take off his hat he runs to find something to cover up his head.
• Happy-He likes to sing songs and whenever he sings songs the animals come.
• Sneezy-He sneezes a lot and during the Fall his sneezes blow the leaves away like a leaf blower.

The show is about the witches who are called "Glooms" always trying to make spells so they can become the queen of Jollywood (the name of the kingdom).  The 7D's try to stop them.  It can be mostly funny and about 2% scary.  My favorite episode is called the 8th "D" and it's about Dopey bringing critters home.  Doc says "no more critters" but the ones that are there can stay, but no new ones.  Then Dopey goes out to the woods and he hears a baby elephant crying because there was a porcupine on his foot.  The elephant followed Dopey home and when he got home the elephant went in the house with him.  Then when he saw Doc. running by (without his glasses) he quickly dressed the elephant like a lampshade.  Doc couldn't see very well so he thought it was a lamp.  Dopey took the elephant upstairs to his room and dressed him in "D" clothes.  Grumpy came up and he said "it smells like a circus in here".  Dopey whistled that "this is my new friend prmfffhhh" (insert elephant noise here).  All the "D's" found out he was an elephant so he to go.      

Andrew Huff is in 2nd Grade and lives in Philadelphia, PA.  He has loved to go to Disney since he was 2 years old.  His mom can help you plan your trip so you should email her at maria@snapshotgetaways.com.

Top 5 Nap Spots at Hollywood Studios

Continuing our series on the Top 5 Nap Spots for little ones we head to Hollywood…

If you are at Hollywood Studios for the day and your Fast Pass for Toy Story Mania isn’t until 4pm, where do you take your little ones for a quick snooze?  With its lack of shade and noisy performances, it’s not the most conducive for sleep.  But even Hollywood Studios has some hiding places for peace and quiet.

1. Streets of America-Find a back alley (which are more shaded) and park the stroller, or simply wander the streets until your little one is down.  Avoid the Mater and McQueen, they make noise!
2. Echo Lake-While featuring some of the noisiest attractions, Echo Lake is abound with quiet shaded areas and quiet benches.  It’s also centrally located for the rest of the family.
3. Walt Disney:  One Man’s Dream-An indoor self-guided tour of Walt’s artifacts and memorabilia.  Indoor, Low Lighting, Air-Conditioned.  What else does your little one need?  There is also a movie, which may or may not do the trick.
4. Studio Catering Company-Covered patio with dining tables and chairs.  Honestly, it’s hardly ever open and you are right near bathrooms and Honey I Shrunk the Kids.
5. Take a Boat Ride-The same Friendship Boats that leave Epcot, make a stop at Hollywood Studios.  Therefore you can ride the boat with your child in their stroller as stops are made at Epcot, Boardwalk Resort, The Swan and Dolphin, Beach and Yacht Club.  There is also a walking path which if the weather isn’t miserable  makes a great option.

These are just some of my suggestions for Nap Spots at Hollywood Studios.  Any places you’ve found in Hollywood Studios for a snooze?  Please share with our readers in the Comments section of this article.

Maria is a travel planner with Snapshot Getaways.  You can follow her on her Facebook Page or email maria@snapshotgetaways.com to plan your next trip!

Top 5 Nap Spots in Epcot

In continuing my Favorite Nap Spot series, next stop is Epcot.  Due to its size, Epcot has many places to park the stroller and cajole the little ones to sleep.

1. World Showcase-Yup, the whole thing!  Place your little one in the stroller and start walking.  Maybe even detour with a soothing boat ride across the lake to Italy.  Yes, you will be surrounded by people, but keeping the stroller moving always works for us.  Avoid the musical performances at the American Pavilion.
2. Take a Boat Ride-Exit Epcot near the International Gateway (between UK and France pavilions)and continue along the path to the resort boats.  You can ride the boats to the Boardwalk, Swan and Dolphin, Beach and Yacht Club resorts.  Stay on the boat or get off for a quiet spot away from it all.  You do not need to take you child out of the strollers so that is a bonus!
3. Go to the United Kingdom-Behind the shops you will find Gardens and a Hedge Maze. Grab a snack and head over to find a quiet spot. It’s centrally located to food, restrooms and other activities for family members.
4. American Adventure-Dark and Air-Conditioned.  Enough Said!
5. Visit Morocco-One of Epcot’s overlooked treasures.  Near the art exhibit there are some cool spots to sit and have little one take a rest as well.  Because it’s so overlooked, it can be very quiet and restful!

Epcot has so many beautiful nooks to find some rest for your little ones.  And your feet!  Like all Disney parks, there is a Baby Care Center for a rocking chair and some air conditioning.  However, some days a trip back to the resort is in order.  You know your kids best, so gauge their moods so everyone has a great day!

Maria is a Travel Planner with Snapshot Getaways and loves traveling with her children.  Although, usually she wants the nap!  Follow her Facebook Page or email maria@snapshotgetaways.com to plan your next trip!

Wordless Wednesday-Naps of Disney World

In accordance with our "Nap In the Park" series of articles, here are some of our favorite kiddos (and one of us) taking naps in Walt Disney World!