Johnny: I wish I had a Laughing Place.
Ginny: Me, too.
Uncle Remus: What makes you think you ain’t? Course you got a
Laughing Place.
Johnny: Really, Uncle Remus?
Ginny: Really?
Uncle Remus: Everybodys got one. The trouble is, most folks won’t
take time to go look for it.
Johnny, Ginny: Where’s mine?
Uncle Remus: Well, now, that I can’t exactly say. Cause where tis
for one mightn’t be where tis for another.
Johnny: Come on, Ginny. Let’s start looking
A laughing place, a place to unwind….we all need one . A place that makes us feel good and can always puts a smile on our face. Neurotic Disney people unquestionably consider that place to be Disney itself. Since we can’t be in the parks as much as we would like to be , the next best thing is recreating a little Disney magic around our homes. I like to create what I call little Disney nooks. I place Disney things that make me happy in strategic places so I will see them throughout the day. I hate doing dishes, but having Jac and Gus peeking at me from a tea cup on my kitchen window sill, makes the job go quickly. Much to my family’s horror, it also sometimes causes me to belt out songs from Cinderella. While my family’s thinking about Mickey shaped ear plugs, I’m thinking about a farway magical kingdom, and not the pile of pots and pans in front of me .
At the end of a long day, my kids are tucked in, the house is quiet, and I sit in my favorite chair, turn off the lights, and light up my lantern . I love this lantern because it’s the color of Cinderella’s castle and just the right size for my Tinkerbell to climb into. The house becomes bathed in a warm flickering light. It is so peaceful and magical. It brings me back to the feeling I had on my last visit while sitting on the balcony at the Contemporary late at night, watching the castle change colors.
Winnie the Pooh stands guard in front of a light-up topiary on a end table, in my living room. He takes me back in time reminding me of my first visit as a child years ago to the Crystal Palace.
Try taking one of your favorite Disney characters and pairing it with items that will make the magic come alive for you. For instance, take an Aladdin figure and place it next to an old brass lamp or an arrangement of brass candle sticks. Sprinkle some jewels and gold coins around , and now you’re in Agrabah. Are you there yet? No? Well, place a tea light inside that old lamp , prop the lid open and … POOF! Genie himself may come and grant all your wishes. Think like a imagineer. Create family memories with displays you can change out using souvenirs and memorabila from your past trips. Take those fastpasses from Thunder Mountain that you didn’t get to use, and frame them in a shadow box with some old toy trains .
If the Haunted Mansion is your family’s favorite ride, celebrate Halloween all year long. Decorate a shelf with ghosts and goblins and don’t forget to add a picture of your family standing next to poor old “Fred” who’s holding the rock that fell on his head. Don’t know what to do with that ship in a bottle your husband brought home from a garage sale? Place it near a treasure chest, compass, and a bottle of rum, and now you’re sailing the seas with Capt’n Jack Sparrow .
Creating Disney nooks are a wonderful way to evoke the special feelings you get while visiting the parks without ever leaving home. So listen to old Uncle Remus. Go find your laughing place, and soon you will be singing zip-a-dee-doo-dah, just like Br’er Rabbit .
Contributed by: Michelle Barclay (NDM#377) Michelle is the DDL Interior Designer, Seasons, and Holidays Blogger.
Michelle was born and grew up in central Florida .Visiting the parks frequently as a child created magicial memories for her that have made a huge impact on her life to this day.
Now a homeschooling mom and wife living in Pennsylvania with three kids of her own she loves recreating the same wonderful feelings and experiences for her own family and friends through Disney themed decor and celebrations .
When visiting the parks Michelle enjoys taking in the details around her and incorporating them into her next project .
She plans to relocate soon back near the mouse and spend many wonderful evenings with her family eating Mickey bars and watching the sunset behind the castle.
I’d love to create some Disney nooks around the house. I have a lot of Disney stuff around the house, but nothing too deliberate or themed. Thanks for the great ideas!
I suppose my Laughing Place is my office at home. Over-flowing with Disney items, it is the place for me to unwind and be transported away for a moment or two.