Bringing some Musical Magic to Neumann U!

So I have been working for Neumann Radio, my university's radio station, for about a year and half now and have not done much on the radio itself, mainly because of nerves and lack of ideas for a show. Finally though, after much planning and deliberation, I have decided to make my debut on the radio waves!

(Almost) Every Monday at 4pm EST, give a listen to media.neumann.edu and you can hear me, Jess Clawson, spinning your favorite Disney movie tunes, park music and trivia on Imagine The Magic. I will be playing a lot of park music, since that is what is really dear to my heart, but I will also be playing soundtracks from popular Disney movies and maybe some remixes as well. I will also be having a "This Week in Disney History" section, where I will talk about major events that happened that week in Disney's past as well as any major information that is to happen that coming week.

I am very excited about being able to share my love of Disney with my fellow students and all who will tune in to Neumann radio and listen! If you are interested in listening to my show, tune in at 4pm EST on Mondays to Neumann Radio and imagine the magic with me!!ITM Logo created by Chris Reid

To request any songs or to send your feedback, you can leave me a message on this blog or contact me in one of the following ways:
On Twitter: www.twitter.com/lady_aurora
Email to: lady_aurora_yensid@hotmail.com

To keep track of everything on Neumann Radio:
Follow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/neumannradio
Email: radio@neumann.edu
Become a fan on Facebook - Neumann Radio
Talk to us during the shows on AIM, Yahoo!, MSN and Meebo messaging services: SN- NeumannRadio
You can even call into the studio during the shows!- (610) 361-5485

Positive signs in my Health Dept.

After months of doctors and medication switches and tests, my Rheumatoid arthritis seems to finally becoming stable. I went to my last visit with the child Rheumatologist yesterday and after him and the resident nurse gave me a once over, they seemed to be in agreement that the Enbrel is working wonders and that my body is acting well to it! They also think that I no longer need the steroids, so starting this morning I am slowly weening myself off of them! I will be completely pill free in 5 weeks! I am really excited about this because this will be the first time I have not had to take pills in over 5 years!

On the dizzy-spell homefront, I have made an appointment with the Ear, Nose and Throat doctor that the Neurologist told me to see for next friday. Hopefully this doctor will be able to find out what is with the vertigo like feelings. More on that problem next week.

World of Disney with a Big Apple Twist!

Shopping is the favorite pastime of many people, myself included. This comes into effect even more so when the shopping is Disney related! When I am down in Walt Disney World, there are some stores that I just cannot walk out of without buying something. One of these stores is the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney; there is just so much stuff in that store that even the smallest of Disney fans could find something in that store that appeals to them! And while Chris and I roamed the streets of New York City, it was to my delight (and to my wallet's despair) that we stumbled upon the World of Disney store on 5th avenue!

This store is 3 floors of Disney magic and wow was there so much to see!! Chris and I were in the store for 20 minutes and did not get more than 10 feet away from the door! There is so much to see- from specialty pins to the trademark "I *heart* NY" shirts with a Disney twist! They sell the snacks that you can find all over the property, including Mickey shaped pretzels and delicious shortbread cookies!

Walking up to the second floor, you are greeted by Disney music and movies; lots of different selections from both movies and actual park merchandise. This floor also had different stuffed animals, toys, games, and the ever-popular Mr. Potato Head area, which included some unique New York (say that 5 times fast) accessories- the Statue of Liberty Torch and crown for instance.

Moving up to the 3rd floor brought Chris and I to what would become our favorite section of the store. This floor was filled with pieces of artwork and statues of all kinds! It was like a mini Art of Disney store! There were posters, paintings, statues large and small and even some music boxes that had beautiful scenes from classic Disney films.

We definitely spent a good chunk of time in this store and, if you are a Disney fan and plan on checking this store out, make sure you plan a good amount of time for it because there is really a lot to see here! For your Disney fix away from the world, World of Disney NYC is the place to be!

Check out the World of Disney website here.

Lion King on Broadway- A Must See!

I am a huge Disney fan-obviously- so when I walked into the Minskoff Theater to see The Lion King on broadway on August 19th, I knew I would be enjoying the show. I just didn't know how amazing it would be!!!!

The theater itself is fantastic, as is the view of Times Square from the lobby! After looking around a little, Chris and I sat down in our seats, which were really good and settled down to watch the show.

Some of my favorite parts would be at the beginning where some of the 'animals' walked up the sides of the theater onto the stage- including a huge elephant!, the stampede scene that had amazing set design and technical aspects, and when Mufasa appears to Simba in the stars!

The technical parts of this show alone are a must see, they have done some amazing things with the theater to really create a unique experience! All of the actors were amazing and the costumes were so intricate! I have never seen anything so cool!! If you are looking for a show to see in NYC, or in its other locations around the world, I would definitely give this show a look! Make sure to purchase your tickets in advance though, the shows seem to be mostly sold out and you will most likely not find this show on the discount tickets boards.

For information about the show and to purchase tickets see the Official Lion King on Broadway Website.

I will leave you for now with the view from the Lion King lobby looking out on Times Square.

Fantasyland Overhaul!

I have seen way to much information on this and news like this is not what I usually put up on my blog, but this is just waaaay too huge and interesting to ignore!

It looks as though Disney is looking at doing a major overhaul of the Fantasyland area of Magic Kingdom. The supposed plans expands the size of Fantasyland to about 3 times its current size, including taking over the majority of Mickey's Toontown Fair.

The plans include rides themed around several princesses, including Aurora, Ariel and Cinderella as well as a play area and meet-and-greet associated with Pixie Hollow. New food areas are also being added; one that seems to be much talked about is a Gaston related Table Service.

Some of the current rides will be staying, including the Carousel, Winnie the Pooh and Snow White. Dumbo will also be staying, but moving from its current location behind the Carousel to around the current location of Mickey's House. Dumbo will also be getting major additions to it, including a second ride area and an interactive queue.

Several small mercantiles also look to be in the plans, one including a book store that could possibly be themed around the book seller in Beauty and the Beast.

Below is what is believed to be blueprints for the new overhaul:
I would like to state, once again, that these plans are only supposed!! There has been no official announcement about this complete overhaul!

Why the buzz about it then? Well there have been a few "unofficial" leaks about work being done in the area, including some whispers from cast members that mention construction work being done behind the scenes of the park, where cast members used to be able to go but have since been blocked off. Could this be the beginning of a new Fantasyland???

Image provided by http://www.magicchatlive.com/showthread.php?tid=680. Visit this site for further discussion on this topic along with a very interesting picture of the overlay of the park, showing an aerial view of the current areas and then the proposed blueprints on top.

Final Notice: This Has Not Been Confirmed Officially By Disney! This Is Merely A Rumor!

(Though, word around is that official word on this overhaul will be coinciding with the D23 Expo!!)

Awesome D23 Gift!!!

It is my official opinion that D23 is definitely worth the money!!! With all of the amazing things that came in my official D23 package that I got last week, I thought it was. But the package that came in the mail on the 6th made it even moreso!

Inside a small tube, there was a letter, a Certificate of Authenticity and this poster:This was the gift from the Walt Disney Studios Archives, with an official seal and all! It was a huge poster and, though I am keeping it safe in the tube now, it will definitely be hanging on the wall in my home one day! It is just such a treasure! If you were second guessing getting D23, I would highly recommend it!

D23 Has Arrived!!!!!!!

So last Thursday, I received the packet I have been waiting for since Chris Reid announced the big surprise a few weeks ago. A thin, white box with my name on it arrived at my house with the label D23 on it! As I promised I would, here are the pictures of what I received in that box!

Upon opening the box, this envelope met my eyes...

Beat the heat??

This was the Walt Disney Archive gift I received- A replica of a fan that was handed out to visitors to Disneyland in 1955! The artwork on the fan is gorgeous!!!

The package of goodies, with the welcome letter on top!

Another welcome letter from Bob Iger. Yea, that's right, D23 member are on first name basis with Bob!

My certificate!!! The artwork is amazing!

The summer issue of Disney Twenty-Three

I think this is a window sticker for my car...too bad i don't have a car....

My membership card!

And I'll end this with a picture of me with my certificate and magazine!

Centralized Fastpass Distribution- A promising addition?

Recently a new way to receive Fastpass for rides in Animal Kingdom was implemented - a centralized Fastpass distribution system. This means that instead of running all the way around the park to get to Expedition Everest and get a Fastpass, you can just go to one convenient location and not only get the Fastpasses for Everest that you want, but you can also get the ones for Primeval Whirl that the less thrill-seeking members of your party might want.

This idea of a "one-stop shop" for all of your Fastpass needs is a great concept, but some seem to be finding some glitches in the system. For instance, you are not able to see what time you are signing up for Fastpasses for prior to receiving them, but this I feel will be remedied once a more permanent home for the Fastpass distributions is created. Other concerns include long lines for Fastpass machines and lack of movement of people around the park. The truth to these fears will be revealed as the testing continues in Animal Kingdom.

Feel free to leave your comments on this page and let me know what your opinion on this new system is. Is this a good idea? Will this be the start of a new era at the parks? Or will this be a complete disaster? Let me know what you think and stay tuned for more details as the testing continues.

Fairytale Wedding? Dress the part!

So in keeping with the romance theme as introduced by the welcoming of www.disdates.com, I thought I would post about something that is usually needed after your fairytale romance is found and you have set the wedding day. One of the most important pieces of the wedding, especially to the bride, is her wedding dress. A bride's wedding day is the day for her to be living the life of an actual princess and the perfect dress is what helps her to look the part.

Taking this princess idea to the next level is Kristie Kelly, the exclusive wedding gown designer for Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings. She had created many gorgeous designs for both brides and bridesmaids dresses that were inspired by several of the Disney Princesses, including Sleeping Beauty, Princess Jasmine, Giselle, Ariel, Cinderella, Belle, and Snow White. The designs are said to "...capture[s] the unique spirit and beauty of each Disney Princess".

And while she does work closely with the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings group, her beautiful designs are not strictly available to those lucky couples getting married on property. You are able to buy these dresses in many stores all over the country and around the world. This is just another way for the Disney magic to be added to your special day!

To see examples of the dresses and to find stores near you that sell these gorgeous creations, visit Kelly's website at www.disneybridal.com.

For information on Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings, visit Disney's Fairy Tale Wedding's Official Website.

Want to add some of that Disney magic to your wedding? Whether it is just a small elegant napkin, a wedding favor or the wedding cake, visit Disneyfairytales.com for all of your Disney wedding needs.

*ADDITION* Amanda Rose had written an article about a very special package that is offered at Cinderella's Royal Table for all of the guys (or girls) out there who have found their true love and wish to propose in an extra special way! See the full details at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1714781/cinderellas_royal_table_engagment_package.html?cat=16 and follow Amanda Rose on Twitter to see lots of her other awesome articles at http://twitter.com/AmandaMRose.