Attending the D23 Treasures of the Walt Disney Archive Exhibit Opening Day in Chicago!

Even though we were 10 minutes too late for the press conference and I missed seeing Mickey Mouse by a matter of minutes, the experience today was unbelievable.

We were very first admitted today for the first showing of the Walt Disney Archive Exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.  I had not been to this museum since I was kid on a school field trip.  I know my kids went as grade-schoolers, but I was not a chaperon for those trips.

The minute we walked in to the small hallway they had set up, they took our picture in front of a green screen.  They said we could pick up our pictures at the exit of the exhibit.  Immediately after the got our picture taken, there was a reporter and camera man from the local ABC affiliate who asked if they could interview us.  My husband said, "she is the Disney nut, you want to talk to her!"  HA!  I told the lady nut, is putting it mildly.  Anyway, she asked my name, and if we were at the museum today specifically for the Disney exhibit, and I answered with a resounding yes!  She asked how long I had been a fan of Disney.  I told her since I was a very young child, watching The Wonderful World of Disney on TV and seeing movies like Mary Poppins and Jungle Book.  I was hooked.  And that all turned in to my love of everything Disney, including Disney parks, and the cruise line.

The exhibit was fascinating!  I was overwhelmed with emotions as I walked through looking at a lot of history I already knew, but it was so wonderful seeing things up close and personal, even if behind glass.
Seeing Walt's desk made me stop and stare for I don't really know how long.

The costumes, the artifacts, the film clips, and brought tears to my eyes.  I probably could have spent hours in there, but we left after about an hour and a half, which is a lot more time than others took.  I could not pull myself away from certain areas.  I was like a kid in a candy store!

Please enjoy the pictures I have posted below.  If you are local, please try to get to this event.  Here is the link for the museum and how you can order tickets as well.
http://www.msichicago.org/whats-here/exhibits/treasures-of-the-walt-disney-archives/

Cinderella Castle in Legos!

Tuxedo worn by Tom Hanks for the film Saving Mr. Banks that will be out at Christmas, 2013!!

These are only a small selection of the 200+ photos I took.  If you are friends with me on Facebook, I have them all posted in an album.  Please feel free to take a look!

Oh, how quickly a year can pass!

We all have our busy lives with family, work, church,and organizations we belong to right?  We all know how quickly time can pass.  I used to think my Mom was crazy when she said "don't wish your life away."  That answer was in response to me, impatiently wanting to turn 21.  Wow, was Mom ever right!  Time has passed all too quickly, and this last year was no exception.  Last week Paul and I looked back at our fabulous trip we took last October.  Staying at Walt Disney World for 5 days, and then off on our Disney Cruise aboard the Disney Dream.  What a special time and experience we had. 

Today, it has been one year since we sailed out of Port Canaveral on our floating home for the next 4 nights.  What a beautiful ship she is!  Here are just a few of the special moments aboard this glorious vessel!

                                                            





Here we are with Paul's favorite, Donald.  They share a birthday you know!  June 9th!







Here is Paul with Clayton, our Cruise Director

Here we are at our very special celebration dinner at Palo!

Celebrating Paul's one year anniversary for his victory over cancer! 

Here we are with Mr. Smee and Captain Hook, on "Pirates in the Caribbean" night!  How fun!

Getting an autograph from Captain Henry!!  Super nice man who had an accent like my Grandpa Olson used to have!

   

Our private photo session that DCL arranged for us to help us our "cancer free" celebration be even more special.  This is why Disney Cruise Line is WAY above all the others!!  This totally made our entire trip MaGiCaL!

Now, of course these are just a few of the 100's of photos I took, but these are some of the highlights from on board.  Now, here is to hoping we can go on another Disney cruise someday.........ya never know!  ;-)

Throwback Thursday!

HI all!  This week in Throwback Thursday, we go WAY back in the Way Back Machine to 1976!  Yes, I am old!!  

1976 was my very first trip to Walt Disney World as a senior in high school.

My parents asked me what I wanted as a graduation gift.  At the time, our senior class was working on a trip for us.  I did not want a graduation party.  It just did not matter to me.  I really wanted to go on this trip, so my parents agreed that I could go, and they were also buying my my own luggage so I could have it for a long time, and use it on this trip.  

The trip consisted of staying at a hotel in Tampa called the Causeway North, I am pretty sure.  We got to go to Sea World, Busch Gardens, Tarpon Springs and of course Walt Disney World, which of course was only Magic Kingdom.

 Can you believe these pictures taken from the Monorail in '76?  Nothing was around at all! 

 

Getting to ride on the Monorail was so thrilling to me, and I know I have mentioned this before, but my first walk into the Magic Kingdom was totally life changing for me.  It was a feeling like nothing else I have ever had.  It was that "I belong here" kind of feeling.

During this trip, there was a special parade called America on Parade.   This Bicentennial parade ran from June 6, 1975-September 6, 1976 and was nearly two years in development.  Floats reflected things that were uniquely American and told the story of America's history. The parade ran at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland in California.  It was both the daytime and nighttime parade during this time period.

The parade focused on historical events, American innovations and favorite leisure activities. This led to some rather bizarre floats, such as the giant sandwich and the giant box of popcorn. Other floats included an 18-foot American Eagle, a 20-foot high rocking chair, and an 18-foot turkey.

Think back to your first visit to Walt Disney World, or any Disney location for that matter.  I bet you have some special memories as well.  Please feel free to share them in the comment section below.

See you next week for another Throwback Thursday!

Throwback Thursday!

This weeks trip in the Way Back Machine, is just back to May.  When I first arrived at Magic Kingdom, which was my first stop, it had been raining a little so Main Street was a little wet.  It did not stop the marching band from greeting me as I arrived though!! 

It's memories like this that you just don't forget!  EVER!

Next week, we will be taking a trip WAY WAY back.......to 1976!!

Todays Disney photo of the day from Joe Diebold

Todays Disney photo of the day from Moments of the Magic by Joe Diebold- since this is the last photograph before we go one vacation to Disney - from wishes - always a beautiful way to end the day at the Magic Kingdom.

 

 Wishing Joe and Chrissy a great trip to WDW!!!

Todays Disney photo of the day from Joe Diebold

Todays  Disney  photo of the day from Moments of the Magic by Joe Diebold - Muppets 3D - no matter now many times we see it , it never gets old.