DVC – Why the Numbers Don’t Add Up for Me

by Mark J. (NDD#102) | Published: Wednesday, February 15, 2012

I recently received an offer from Disney.  They would send me a free $25 gift card if I would call the number they gave me and listen to a 10-minute presentation on the Disney Vacation Club.  Never one to pass up anything free, I took them up on this offer.

I’ve looked at DVC before.  I really do like the concept of owning a little piece of Disney World.  And with us going there every year, it sounds like it might save us money in the long run.  But every time I’ve considered buying into DVC, I’ve never been able to see the cost savings.  At the time I received my offer, they were offering discounts of up to $20 per point purchased.  If there was ever a time to buy into it, this was it.

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Contributed by Mark J
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Contributed by: Mark Jeffries (NDD#102) Mark is the DDL Finance Blogger.
Posted in Finance, Lifestyle | Tagged , , , ,
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Disney Bathroom Items at Target

by Elantrice H. (NDI#132) | Published: Wednesday, February 15, 2012

I have come to learn that Target has a lot of Disney items for the home.  I like to take at least a weekly walk-through at my local Target to discover any new items.  I have been hearing from other Disney enthusiasts about new Disney items for the bathroom.  My Target has the following:

Mickey Mouse shower curtain $19.99

Mickey Mouse shower curtain hooks $9.99

(Also saw Cars shower curtain hooks)

Mickey Mouse hand towel $7.99

Mickey Mouse bath towel $9.99

Mickey Mouse bath rug $19.99

Mickey Mouse soap pump $9.99

Photo Courtesy of Elantrice H.

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Contributed by Elantrice H
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Contributed by: Elantrice Hughley (NDI#132) Elantrice is the DDL Shopping Blogger.
Posted in Gifts, Shopping, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , ,
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The Good Ad

by NDD243 | @TheDisneyMBA | Published: Monday, February 13, 2012

Even though I’m a Disney fanatic, I can objectively say that The Walt Disney Company consistently develops some of the best advertising campaigns on television.  From a technical standpoint, they could be used by any college-level marketing class as a road map for success in the industry.

While the ads they use across all business units (e.g. movies, consumer products, etc.) are tremendously effective, I think some of the best Disney commercials are the ones that promote their vacation destinations (e.g. the Walt Disney World Resort, the Disneyland Resort, the Disney Cruise Line, etc.).  In those commercials, they understand how to create an emotional trigger without having a corny sales pitch.

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Contributed by Derek H. @TheDisneyMBA
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Posted in Business, Career, Vacation | Tagged , , , ,
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ABC Brings Interactive Activities Online for Castle Fans

by JL Knopp (NDM#1) | @jlknopp1 | Published: Monday, February 13, 2012
Happy Valentine’s Day out there, Disney fans.  I hope some of you have been lucky enough to see the LOVE addition to the nighttime castle show inside the Magic Kingdom.  From what I understand, this will continue to run through April when a new summer themed addition will take its place.  I love the idea of having something so interactive that changes multiple times a year within in the parks.  I must admit that when I saw the show during the initial testing of the projectors I wasn’t entirely sold, but with image tweaks and a better story, I won’t miss it anytime I’m within the Magic Kingdom.
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Contributed by JL Knopp (NDM#1) @jlknopp1
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Contributed by: JL Knopp (NDM#1) JL is the creator of The Disney Driven Life. She is also a blogger for Savvy Auntie and Touring Plans as well as a contributing writer for The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World.
Posted in Disney Company, News | Tagged , ,
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Dream #9 – The Disney Film Project

by Dean R. (NDD#228) | @http://www.twitter.com/dreamersempire | Published: Sunday, February 12, 2012

There is a common thread amongst the people I’ve interviewed who are pursuing Disney; they tend to be involved with other Disney pursuits as well. Such is the case for Todd Perlmutter, co-host of the Disney Film Project Podcast along with wife, and Briana and Ryan who both are contributing bloggers here at the DDL. Each week they take a different Disney movie, watch it, and record a show about it, and tell secrets and background about it as well.

“It’s a lot of fun to do and very important to give back to the Disney community” says Todd. “I’m also a blogger and occasional developer for TouringPlans.com. Writing is something I really love to do, and writing about Disney makes it that much better.  I also help keep the plumbing going at The Disney Driven Life as their resident tech guy.  My official title there is Chief Technical Officer, but I’m a lot friendlier than that makes me sound.”

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Contributed by Dean R @http://www.twitter.com/dreamersempire
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Contributed by: Dean Rice (NDD#228) Dean is the DDL Dreamers Blogger. He is also the creator of Dreamers Empire.
Posted in Celebrities, Disney Company, Disney Driven Life, Disney Reviews, Events, History, Movies, News, Rumors | Tagged , , ,
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Lots To Do In Line

by James D. (NDD#152) | @TheMousePlanner | Published: Thursday, February 9, 2012
Last year in February, I was taken by surprise when I walked up to the Haunted Mansion.  The tombstones blocked from view by ugly pieces of plywood.  When I heard that Disney was going to be creating an interactive queue for the Haunted Mansion, a la The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh or Space Mountain, I’m sure that my cadaverous pallor betrayed an aura of foreboding, almost as though I sensed a disquieting metamorphosis.
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Contributed by James D @TheMousePlanner
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Contributed by: James Dolan (NDD#152) James is the DDL Travel Tips Blogger. He is also the creator of Mouse Planning.
Posted in Disney Reviews, Hidden Treasures, Literature, Media, Technology, Travel Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , , ,
2 Comments

Modern Family

by JL Knopp (NDM#1) | @jlknopp1 | Published: Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Over 100 million people can’t be wrong, so it’s official. Sunday’s Super Bowl between the New York Giants and New England Patriots is the most watched TV show in U.S. history (estimated at 111.3 million people).

Now that the big game is behind us, it’s time to celebrate the season in which networks beg for our attention with new episodes from our favorite shows. That’s right!  It’s SWEEPS!  And ABC is no different.  They want your eyeballs on both the network and online.  This month they are hoping to get just that from fans of one of ABCs favorite families, Modern Family. 

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Contributed by JL Knopp (NDM#1) @jlknopp1
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Contributed by: JL Knopp (NDM#1) JL is the creator of The Disney Driven Life. She is also a blogger for Savvy Auntie and Touring Plans as well as a contributing writer for The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World.
Posted in Disney Company, News | Tagged , ,
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Disney Home Goods at Target

by Elantrice H. (NDI#132) | Published: Monday, February 6, 2012

On a weekly shopping trip to Target, I discovered new Disney items in the home section.  I was very excited about this find and wanted to share the news with others.  The price point was $19.95.  The items observed were as follows:

  • Wall hangings
  • Lamp shades and bases (sold separately)
  • Serving tray
  • Frames
  • Mickey bank
  • Jewelry tree
  • Jewelry box
  • Earring stand
  • Mirror

I purchased the jewelry tree and I am satisfied with it.  It holds my necklaces, bracelets and earrings that have a long post or hoops.  I did not choose the earring stand because I wanted the flexibility to place more than just earrings on something.

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Contributed by Elantrice H
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Contributed by: Elantrice Hughley (NDI#132) Elantrice is the DDL Shopping Blogger.
Posted in Gifts, Lifestyle, Shopping, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , ,
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A Real Disney Legend – Marc Davis

by Bill I. (NDH#35) | Published: Monday, February 6, 2012

Walt Disney was noted for his many quotes – one famous line he quipped, “We allow no geniuses around our Studio.” Walt himself was one of the 20th century’s greatest. His many talents included voice actor, entertainer, film producer, director, animator and most important, visionary.  Many of the hundreds of talented artists, story men and writers considered it an honor just to work with this “genius”

But Walt was never a man to give accolades freely, even to his most trusted and valued artists. And any veteran at the Disney Studios knew never to embellish his or her ideas on any project no matter how brilliant it might have seemed. All waited for Walt to give it the nod, then it would be incorporated into the plans. But even if the word “genius” was not bandied about the studio, the Disney Studios over the years produced a stellar list of artists that, even if Walt did not praise them personally, history accords them their due honors. One such a man was Imagineer, artist and animator, Marc Davis.

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Contributed by Bill Iadonisi
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Posted in Disney Company | Tagged , , , , , , , ,
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Disney Driven Life interviews Tim Devine

by Bill I. (NDH#35) | Published: Monday, February 6, 2012

There are more pictures taken at the Walt Disney World parks and resorts worldwide than at any other vacation spot in the world. Millions of pictures a year are snapped at the “Happiest Place on Earth” and this is not counting the pictures taken by Disney’s own Photopass photographers’. With the advent of digital photography, only a little more than 30 years after the invention of the original CCD sensor, pictures that were once only the domain of professional photographers equipped with high-end camera gear are now possible for the vacationer with a simple point-and-shoot digital camera. No one knows this more than master lens man Tim Devine.

Tim, who is a staple in the Disney Community, has been taking professional pictures of Walt Disney World  since 2004 and is the owner and webmaster of “Themagicinpixels” website, dedicated to amateur and professional photographers alike. In addition to being a place for all things photography, Tim’s site has amassed thousands of stunning pictures…The center subject, Walt Disney World. But before we look into Tim’s site in detail, the DisneyDrivenLife was graciously granted an interview with this talented young man, so without further ado, here is Tim Devine…

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Contributed by Bill Iadonisi
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Posted in Disney Company | Tagged , , , , ,
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My Newest Journey

by Hannah N. (NDT#23) | Published: Sunday, February 5, 2012

Photo courtesy of: NDT23

I have a confession: I begun a new journey in my life. It’s not ending world hunger or saving the polar bears. It’s not even figuring out how to stop autocorrect from being so annoying! No, this journey is much smaller, but it’s still important to me. It has one thousand steps. All of them are tiny, but I have spent about five hours working on my journey and have probably gone a little more than one hundred steps.

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Contributed by Hannah N
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Contributed by: Hannah N. (NDT#23) Hannah is the DDL Teens’ Viewpoint Blogger.
Posted in Gifts, Lifestyle, Teens | Tagged , , , ,
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February DDL Riddle

by Sherri J. (NDM#237) | Published: Sunday, February 5, 2012

Photo Credit: Disney

“True that he’s no Prince Charming

But there’s something in him that I simply didn’t see.”-Belle

Ahh…love is in the air! This is the month of Cupid, Valentines and roses. Disney has its share of love stories and one of the sweetest is Beauty and the Beast. The riddle this month deals with Belle and the Beast.

What did the Beast give Belle so she would always have a way to look back and remember him?

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Contributed by Sherri J.
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Contributed by: Sherri Jeffries (NDM#237) Sherri is the DDL Riddler.
Posted in Disney Driven Life, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Riddles | Tagged , , , , , ,
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January DDL Riddle Winner

by Sherri J. (NDM#237) | Published: Sunday, February 5, 2012

Congratulations to Marisa S., our January riddle winner. Marisa knew that Pongo, from 101 Dalmations made a brief appearance in Oliver and Company. Other Disney dogs that appear in the movie briefly are Peg, Jock and Trusty from Lady and the Tramp. If you look closely during the song Why Should I Worry, you will see these lovable Disney dogs in the background.

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Contributed by Sherri J.
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Contributed by: Sherri Jeffries (NDM#237) Sherri is the DDL Riddler.
Posted in Disney Driven Life, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Riddles | Tagged , , , , , , , , ,
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NEUROTIC DISNEY KIDS 100-199

by Jackie G. (NDM#30) | @jjzmgailey | Published: Saturday, February 4, 2012


Keiron P. in Delaware (NDK#100)
Devon P. in Delaware (NDK#101)

 

Contributed by Jackie Gailey (NDM#30) @jjzmgailey
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Posted in Community, NDP Community | Tagged
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My Yard Goes Disney

by JL Knopp (NDM#1) | @jlknopp1 | Published: Thursday, February 2, 2012

A Mickey shaped pool. A backyard safari adventure. A pirates life for you. Sure all of this can be found within the Walt Disney World Resort, but what if you could walk into your own backyard and find the same kind of magic day after day?

Well, friends, it looks like HGTV and Disney are ready to spread a little more pixie dust around the country as they will soon be filming another season of My Yard Goes Disney. And why shouldn’t they pick you?

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Contributed by JL Knopp (NDM#1) @jlknopp1
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Contributed by: JL Knopp (NDM#1) JL is the creator of The Disney Driven Life. She is also a blogger for Savvy Auntie and Touring Plans as well as a contributing writer for The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World.
Posted in Disney Company, Events, News | Tagged , , , , , , , , ,
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Career Advice from a Rabbit

by NDD243 | @TheDisneyMBA | Published: Monday, January 30, 2012

I can’t believe it’s almost been 25 years since the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit was released.  It was funny, it was edgy, and some people would argue that it spurred a renewed interest in animated films.

Despite all of the accolades, there’s one legacy from that film that really interests me: “Bump the Lamp.”

You may recall a one-minute scene in the film where the characters Eddie Valiant and Roger Rabbit struggle to break free from the handcuffs that were keeping them attached at the wrists.  As they struggled to saw off the handcuffs, an overhead lamp keeps getting bumped by the characters’ heads.  No big deal, right?

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Contributed by Derek H. @TheDisneyMBA
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Posted in Business, Career | Tagged ,
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Dream #8 – Life is a Journey

by Dean R. (NDD#228) | @http://www.twitter.com/dreamersempire | Published: Monday, January 30, 2012

With a website address that contains TheEnemyIsGood, a lot of people ask Connie M. which enemy is that? Connie laughs and points out how her blog started with a typo, she meant to nab “The Enemy is Food.” But with her new blog formally titled “Life is a Journey” in place, Connie was ready to blog, and embrace what she loved.

“The blog originally was started as a way for me to make a food diary but I gave up that idea when I realized that I am a sensory person and loved the sight, smell and taste of food. So…instead of trying to lose weight by dieting, I embraced my love of food but developed a new respect for it,” Connie said. “Slowly, I began to write less and less about food and now only occasionally include a photo of something I am enjoying on one of my little exploratory trips around Southern California. Or Disneyland!”

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Contributed by Dean R @http://www.twitter.com/dreamersempire
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Contributed by: Dean Rice (NDD#228) Dean is the DDL Dreamers Blogger. He is also the creator of Dreamers Empire.
Posted in Children, D23, Dining Tips, Disney Reviews, Food, News, Parents, Park Photos, Photography, Recipes, Restaurants, Rumors, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , ,
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Giving the Gift of Stock

by Elantrice H. (NDI#132) | Published: Monday, January 30, 2012

Courtesy of oneshare.com

 

As some of you know I was blessed with a healthy nephew this past November.  With Christmas around the corner, I wanted to get him something that would be different.  He would be growing out of clothes like crazy and not too much he could do with toys at a month old.  His routine is mostly eat, sleep, and poop.  I wanted his gift to have a Disney theme of course.  You are never too young to be introduced to Disney.

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Contributed by Elantrice H
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Contributed by: Elantrice Hughley (NDI#132) Elantrice is the DDL Shopping Blogger.
Posted in Finance, Gifts, Shopping | Tagged ,
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Brian Wilson: “In the Key of Disney” Review

by mouselounge | @http://www.twitter.com/mouselounge | Published: Sunday, January 29, 2012

Photo Credit: www.AlbumoftheYear.org

When the Beach Boys performed in the studio, there was an ineffable quality to the blend of voices that made their sound unique. Far more than the sum of its parts, the band left a trail of hit records and an indelible mark in pop music history.

The artist behind such early Beach Boys classics as, “I’ll Get Around” and “Surfin’ Safari”, to the far more mature and complex, “God Only Knows” is Brian Wilson. In today’s music culture, the word, “genius” is overused and has become somewhat diluted. Unfortunate when you consider only the full power of that label aptly describes Brian Wilson’s vocal arrangements.

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Contributed by Gary Chambers @http://www.twitter.com/mouselounge
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Posted in Music | Tagged , , ,
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Disney’s Three Caballeros

by Bill I. (NDH#35) | Published: Friday, January 27, 2012

At the end of the 1930s, the Disney Studios fantastic successes with Mickey Mouse and the classic animated Movie, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” began to wane. War clouds were gathering over Europe and the kind of comic relief Mickey and the Silly Symphonies gave the depression-weary country was lost over the impeding fear of a global war. After the war started in September, 1939, the mood was even sourer. In addition, the release of Pinocchio on February 2, 1940 hoped to be as successful as Snow White, was not. The long anticipated “Fantasia” released on November, 13, 1940 was also not an initial success. The Disney Studios also over-expanded in European markets, now closed due to the war.

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Contributed by Bill Iadonisi
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Posted in Disney Company | Tagged , , , , ,
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