who.what.Ren: May 2015

I haven't posted on the blog in awhile, but it's for a good reason! (or at least that is what I am telling myself to feel better about that fact).

I've been quite busy working on a project that I can't wait to show you when it is finished!

Seeing as May is almost over, I wanted to get one more quick post out there in the world. Eight weeks ago, I started an Instagram account for my Disney photography! I take a lot of pictures when I visit the parks, you would think it was my first time there, and not like I've been going all my life AND ahem.. worked there... haha.

If you've been a follower of my blog for a bit, you'll know that I share photos here from my trips upon returning home, but those are just a fraction of the pictures I've taken!

I follow accounts on Instagram that post Disney pictures because it makes me very happy! I wanted another way to share my photos that would hopefully bring a little bit of Disney magic to people's feeds.

Why not, right? A little dose of Disney on a regular basis? Sign me up!

The account is @thefantasticaldream. The name is taken from Dream Along with Mickey! I would LOVE it if you went and followed that account, and if you do, I hope it adds a little positivity to your life (because pictures of Disney characters can do that, for the record :D)

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I hope you've had a great month! I cannot believe how fast this year is flying by! Make the most of every moment you can :)

x Lauren

Welcome back to another post of weeks from my Disney Happiness Project! I had some catching up to do on this blog, but look, guys! We are almost halfway through the year-long project! That. Is. Exciting! If you have any suggestions of Disney "artifacts" I can focus on in this second half, please send them my way! But for now...

Week 20:

Another thing that took me way too long to do was see Big Hero 6. I actually watched it on an airplane, which made the flight much more enjoyable! I felt out of the loop for a long time with all the references people made, so I'm glad to be in on the jokes and special fist-bumps now :)

I knew Baymax would be awesome, and it's true... now that I've seen the film, I want a Baymax of my own! If for nothing else, just to give me a daily hug! I do appreciate his comforting words of wisdom as well. Too lovable!

I found the story really interesting and entertaining! I managed to avoid spoilers before seeing it, which is always a score, especially when you're later to the game like I was. If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor, and go watch it- and then, let me know that you've seen it! Baymax brings happiness into life, and the film in general, but especially Tadashi's storyline, teaches us that no matter how many tries it may take, our dreams can be achieved. That, my friends is motivating.

Week 21:

My days are always happy when I can spend them in the place where dreams come true! Walt Disney World is like home to me, I explained that more in this post recapping my recent trip to the resort! I won't reexplain it all for the sake of not being super redundant, but look at that post if you haven't seen it, because I loved writing about my Disney side, and why Disney visits never get old. Trips to Disney property make me happy for the time I'm there, but it lasts far beyond that week or so!

To see more pictures from my trip, click here for:

The Boardwalk

Magic Kingdom

Animal Kingdom & Epcot

Week 22:

I've considered making this post for a long time because Finding Nemo: The Musical really is something that makes me happy every time I see it. It is one of my absolute favorite shows on Disney property, and I cannot say enough good things about it. I can't even estimate how many times I've seen it, from years before my program, to the months I lived down in FL on my program, to now my visits since then!

It is a production that I could easily and proudly recreate for you in its entirety! I listen to the soundtrack all the time in my car, and it makes every drive fun!

"Just Keep Swimming" is a message that is good for everybody to hear, and one of my favorite themes from the show, that I now wear as a reminder in necklace-form. My phone case for those you haven't seen is green with "P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sydney, NSW" printed the same way it is written in both the film and the musical (pictured below). I am a proud fan of Nemo. There are so many good takeaways from the story, that I could talk about it for awhile!

On my recent trip to WDW, I finally met the cast of the show following the best performance of the musical I have seen, and I've seen it a lot so that means something, haha! I used to work at Animal Kingdom, the Disney park that hosts this musical, and over a year ago, I met Tom, a performer in the show! I had been invited to come meet the cast after a show anytime during my program! Unfortunately, I never made it happen because Tom's and my days off overlapped! I've stayed in contact with him though, and on my trip, a dream of mine finally came true!

The show means so much to me, and this moment with the cast was incredible! I loved getting to chat with a few of the cast members before leaving them to do another phenomenal performance! The mom and son pictured with us were sitting in front of us in the theater, and it was their very first visit to Disney, and first time seeing the show! When they accepted my invitation to come meet some cast members after, I was excited to share the magical moment with them!

The show makes me smile. The cast members create such a positive environment, and I couldn't be more thrilled to support them all! "Sometimes things look bad, then poof! The moment is gone! And what do we do? We just keep swimming on!" It has taken awhile for the "poof" moment to happen for me, but any chance I get a glimpse of that is encouraging, and makes me grateful for the story.

This picture shows more of the shimmer on the paper!

To see the pictures with the cast on their own, look at the bottom of this post here (You may have already seen it, and if that is the case, kudos to you!)

AND if you want to see pictures of the musical itself, I posted a few from my trip in December, which you can see here :)

Week 23:

I'm just going to start off by saying that I have never been a huge fan of the animated film, Cinderella. I know, GASP! I call myself a Disney fan?? (well yes, haha, I do!) I appreciate the film, and the context within which it was made. I have always found the story inspiring and the poster-child for "Dreams Come True." I love the lyric, "Have faith in your dreams and someday your rainbow will come smiling through!" because it doesn't hide the fact that some lives have dark moments where light seems out of reach and impossible, but it isn't. I remember and mentioned in a blog post from 2013 that I cried during that line in Dream Along with Mickey.

I loved watching Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella growing up, and now love the musical that was on Broadway (albeit not Disney). I've always loved the idea of a live-action Cinderella, so when Disney announced, and then released Cinderella this March, I was so excited. Leading up to it, I was so looking forward to it, and I was not disappointed when I saw it in theaters. I will be buying it the day it comes out in stores! It is a magical, inspirational, spectacle of joy. PLEASE see it if you haven't already, and are able! Even just the trailer makes me happy! The music is gorgeous!

It is one of my favorite films now- so beautiful!