Category Archives: Disney Collectibles

Disney Vintage Vinyl – Cinderella

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IMG_2518Dipping once again into Joseph’s vast collection of Disneyana, today I’ve chosen another album.  This delightful treasure from 1959 is the “Music from the Original Motion Picture Sound Track” for Walt Disney’s Cinderella.  “Featuring members of the original cast including Ilene Woods, Don Barclay, and Verna Felton.  Songs by Mack David, Al Hoffman, and Jerry Livingston.  Background music by Oliver Wallace and Paul J. Smith”.

Nine songs make up this LP – including my two favorite Cinderella songs:  “The Work Song”  (Jaq and Gus and the Mice) and “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo” sung by Verna Felton as Fairy God Mother.

Let’s talk about Verna Felton (July 20, 1890 – December 14, 1966 – yes – that is one day before the date Walt Disney passed away) for a minute.  Mrs. Felton enjoyed a long career (began performing publically at age 10) – first on stage and radio- before moving on to film.  She was well known (and in demand) for her distinctive voice and no-nonsense attitude.

IMG_2519You may have known this already, but I was surprised to find out just how many other Disney roles that Verna Felton also voiced beside Fairy Godmother in 1951:  Dumbo – 1941 (Elephant Matriarch),  Alice in Wonderland – 1951 (Voice of Queen of Hearts.  Sings “Who’s Been Painting My Roses Red”),  Lady and the Tramp – 1955 (Voice of Aunt Sarah.  Sings “Rock-a-Bye Baby”), Sleeping Beauty -1959 (voices of Flora and Queen Leah), and The Jungle Book – released after Mrs. Felton passed away, 1967 (Winifred the Elephant, sings “Colonel Hathi’s March”).

Okay – back to the record.  From the album cover’s reverse side:  “…Walt Disney has brought to life the beautiful Cinderella, her wicked step-mother and sisters plus that very funny and forgetful Good Fairy.  It is with the Good Fairy’s magical words “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo”, plus the talented brushes of the Disney artists, that we are able to travel at last into the dream world of Cinderella…”

Song List (Side One, songs 1-5 / Side Two, songs 6-9):

  1. Cinderella
  2. A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes (Ilene Woods)
  3. Oh Sing Sweet Nightingale (Ilene Woods)
  4. The Work Song (Jaq and Gus)
  5. A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes (Mouse Chorus)
  6. Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo (Verna Felton)
  7. Cinderella Arrives at the Ball (Orchestra)
  8. So This is Love (Ilene Woods)
  9. Finale (Orchestra and Chorus)

If you just have to have a copy of your very own – try eBay and Etsy.  Prices range from $5-$17.

 

Do You Have a Disney Lucky Charm?

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IMG_2100Do you have a Disney Lucky Charm?  Whether you’re superstitious or not – I cannot be the only person who has woven a love for Disney into everyday life by occasionally (or everyday) carrying around a “lucky” Disney talisman or favorite Disney item of some sort.

Maybe a pressed penny from the Magic Kingdom has found its way into your pocket.  Perhaps a certain Donald Duck sweatshirt seems to help your team win when you wear it.  Maybe you’ve adorned your ride with a Nemo antenna topper or a Tinker Bell window decal.  Are you keeping time with a Mickey Mouse watch?  Could be you even have a candle that smells just like the Karamelle-Kuch!  Cup o’ morning java in a Goofy mug?  Personally, I’ve been known to tuck a particularly favored Disney pin under the lapel of my suit before making an IMG_2512important presentation at work.

Even though, to the non-Disney people around us, they might seem like common souvenirs – silly even.  These objects are powerful symbols to us!  They represent all the happiness and magic – the wonderful moments we’ve experienced on a Disney vacation.  Perfect memories waiting for us to revisit anytime we like.  For me, they also act as motivation…day-to-day life throws an unexpected challenge?  I can make it!  I’ve been ridiculously happy and I will be again!  I’m going to Disney World!  Why do we have countdown clocks and calendars we start using hundreds of days in advance of our next Disney vacation?

IMG_2511In case of emergency, break plastic.  I have a Donald Duck Pez Dispenser.  Even though I got it as a Fish Extender gift 2-and-a-half years ago, it’s still in the wrapper.  I carry it in my lunch bag everyday, but I hope I never have to open it.  I’m saving it for an emergency.   What kind of emergency?  The kind of dire – I’m-a-woman-on-the-edge – sort of moment.  You know – stressed, tired, sad, frustrated, and angry all at the same time – you’re at your wit’s end and feel like the world will never be right again.  That’s the moment I’m waiting for!  So far, so good – but if you ever see me flipping back Donald’s head and taking a bite of candy – turn around and RUN!

What are your most meaningful Disney objects?  I’d love to see pictures and have the stories and memories that go along with them.  Please share and I’ll post your special Disney lucky charm right here at Living a Disney Life. 

Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions – Disney Style

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Happy New Year Disney Fans!  I’m thankful for all the new friends I’ve made this year and appreciate every one of you for choosing to stop by here and join me in my Disney life.  To ring in the New Year properly, I think it calls for a declaration.  Ladies and Gentlemen of the Earhat-wearing variety….I give to you my Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions – Disney Style:      

General Dis Pics 12.26 0151.  See These Movies:

  • Muppets Most Wanted (3/21/14) – Been a huge fan my whole life – this is a can’t-be-missed movie for me!  The unresolved romance between Kermit and Piggy keeps me coming back for more.
  • Captain America:  The Winter Soldier (4/4/14) – I’m diggin’ all the Marvel movies and I think the Cap’s aces.
  • Million Dollar Arm (5/16/14) – I am just a girl who cannot resist a good baseball movie.
  • Maleficent (5/30/14) – Looks darkly intriguing – I think we will love to hate her!
  • Into the Woods (12/25/14) – Have heard so much about this show – can’t wait to see it!

2.  Book a Cruise – I’ve got a place-holder (aka “dummy”) cruise burning a hole in my pocket.  Since August when we re-booked onboard (while sailing on the Magic in the Mediterranean) – We are anxiously waiting to DSCN0685see what the rest of 2015’s sailings look like before making a final decision.  Wishing for Baltic (tie in to Frozen).

3.  Attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – I have wanted to do this forever.  2014 is the year!

4.  Buy a Fancy New Earhat – sounds easy enough, but I have the most difficult time deciding on one – I always walk away with a Disney baseball cap instead.  Not this year.  No, sir.

5.  Eat This Food – I’m up for passing up old favorites and trying out some new places in 2014.  I’m thinking about these:

  • Be Our Guest – I know, right?  Everyone’s clamoring to get in there – I’ll be lucky to score a visit, but I’ve heard so much great stuff about it.  I’m at least resolving to try my best to get in!
  • Flying Fish – I’ve never eaten here.  Chime in if you think I should ditch this plan in favor of something else.
  • 1900 Park Fare – For a character meal it has always been Chef Mickey’s but now that we have “adult” children, I thought Lady Tremaine and the Steps might be a bunch of fun.
  • Hollywood Brown Derby – We have never eaten here and have always heard great things.  IMG_2382Even if we just sit in the new outdoor patio lounge – I’d like to give it a go.

6.  Find and Trade a Pin to Complete This Set!  I love pin trading and in 2014 I’m gonna be in-it-to-win-it!  Yeah, Baby!  Watch out flying Orange Bird – you are mine!

7.  Ride the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train – Ugh.  Feels like the Fantasyland expansion has been going on forever!  I am riding this ride, dadgummit – get out of my way.

8.  Try These Recipes:  (You may have seen my other posts on cooking Disney food here and here and here)  I like to cook – why not make it Disney food?  Thanks to AllEars.Net for the recipes.

9.  Try a Dole Whip:  They say confession is good for the soul – so now you know my darkest Disney Secret (one of them anyway)…I hid it way down here at #9 so maybe no one will notice.  I have never eaten a single bite of Dole Whip in my life.  Don’t judge me.

10.  Take Better Disney Pictures!  To my shame, my Disney pictures are mediocre at best.  The great computer crash of 2009 cost me dearly and I just need to learn to be a better photographer overall.  I buy really small cameras because they’re easy to carry.  I’m not sure if I’ll actually dish out more cash on yet another camera, but I’ll do what I can to make the most of what I’ve got.  Promise.

Well – that wraps up my top 10 resolutions for 2014!  What about you?  Whatcha got?  Did any of these make it to your list?  If starting a rigorous exercise program or going on a diet seem too strenuous for you, join me on my 2014 Disney resolution journey and we’ll conquer the World together. 

Wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Pixie-Dusted New Year….Lisa

What Disney Gifts did Santa Bring?

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IMG_2453We Disney fans have got to be, without a doubt, the easiest people in the World to buy gifts for – if it’s Disney, we love it!  So, the very best thing about having Christmas behind me?  I now get to enjoy the new Disney “toys” I found under our Christmas tree!

Confession time:  While I was shopping Disney for The Fam, I did (I hope I’m not the only one who does this) buy myself a little something.  Couldn’t help it – I love Mulan and the ornament was too cute to pass up.

My own purchase aside, I’ve got to say, I’m completely thrilled with the variety and thoughtfulness of this year’s Disney gifts.

Here are some of my most favorite:

IMG_2439The Haunted Mansion bottle stopper.  Perfect for me since I love wine almost as much as I love Disney – Thanks, Megan!

Tea and cookies, anyone?  If you happen to already have Mickey Mouse dinnerware and an “awning red” kitchen, then a tea-for-one set and matching cookie jar are perfect gifts, no?

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Raymond continued Megan’s theme with some additional Disney kitchen items (mixing bowls and salad plates).  Plus he booked a trip to Disney World for us all to take this spring – can’t wait!

IMG_2435I have been hinting for quite a while that it would be super cool to start collecting those new Disney shoe ornaments.  Have you heard about them?  The Disney Parks Blog as a great write-up about them with fab pics here.  Anyway, someone (sweet Megan) finally took pity on me and got my collection kicked off with a perfect shoe – Tink’s –   Check out the wings!

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Finally, my very wonderful and thoughtful friend, Phyllis, took the time to make me a Living a Disney Life scrapbook.  She wanted me to have a memento of how I turned my Disney obsession and a little free time into my very own blog.  Posts and pages printed and adorably embellished with colorful Disney bling.  Thanks, Philly!

What Disney gifts did Santa bring you?

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