Big Hero 6, WDW, Nemo, & Cinderella | Disney Happiness Project

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!

This page has sparkle all over it, and I love it!

I hope you are having a week filled with happy moments!
x Lauren

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Tarzan, Dumbo, Broadway, and a Nanny | Disney Happiness Project

If you aren't familiar with my Disney Happiness Project, or even if you are, you might be stumbled by the title of this post! It does seem quite random!

It is time to catch-up the weeks from February and March! (and now that we're through with April, add that to the list!) So let's get started!



Week 16:

I don't use Spotify for much, but one of my playlists that I love listening to is one of music from Tarzan the Broadway Musical. The musical wasn't long-lived on Broadway, and in fact, I haven't even seen it, but I do appreciate the music!

I've always loved music from the film, but the expanded soundtrack from the musical is quite fun! When making the page for my book, I ended up writing so many song lyrics that I loved. Some are quite familiar, but others are unique to the stage show. Here are just a few of them:

Put your faith in what you most believe in.

With every ending comes a new beginning.

You've got to hold on.

Oh, I've been waiting for this moment. Oh, it seems like all my life. Here I am- my head is spinning because I'm finally living the life that I dreamed. it seems I've been waiting forever.

Struggling along for years and years... now it's all coming together.

For once I'm happy to be me.

Week 17:

I love Dumbo! I have a Dumbo pillow-pet, and a Tsum Tsum! Haha! If that does not show I'm a fan, I don't know what does :)

There was a day not too long ago where I found myself with some time to kill. Netflix was in front of me, and a moment later, I was watching Dumbo! I had just over 90 minutes to watch something, which was perfect for this movie! 

I had not seen the film since I was much younger, so it was nice to see it for the first time in a long time, and remember its themes that I love a lot! (Cue the Timothy Mouse quote on the page in the picture below) 

Week 18: 

I have always loved Broadway musicals, and I've been blessed to see a good number of productions! I've seen 4 Disney musicals on Broadway, and loved every minute of each of them. ABC aired their special, Backstage with Disney on Broadway: Celebrating 20 Years, back in December, but I didn't get to see it when it originally aired!

Live theater has always interested me. The TV special, reignited my love for it all! Disney on Broadway productions have that extra dose of magic that makes them stand out. They have that special something that I love and is part of the reason why I love Disney so much. The ABC special let me experience the magic of Disney on Broadway from the comfort of my own home. Whether in the theater, or at home, it makes me happy! 

Week 19:

Speaking of Disney musicals I've seen, one of them that I've seen twice is Mary Poppins. Talk about a good example of a feel-good musical that celebrates the everyday magic in possibilities. It reminds you to spend your time in things that matter, and never lose sight of hopes and dreams. Things may seem messy at times, in fact, they may BE extremely messy, trust me when I say that I relate to this idea, but they can be turned around the next moment without warning. Anything can happen if you let it.

When I was in High School, I participated in the Fine Arts program quite a bit throughout my 4 years, and now I go back to celebrate the work of current students and teachers. It makes me so proud to witness a production that impacts people in a great number of ways. Mary Poppins means so much to me and I walked away after seeing my former school's performances with a different appreciation for it. New themes and lessons applicable to my life now emerged and were presented in such a relative fashion. 

You couldn't wipe the smile off my face while watching the musical if you tried. Seriously, I wish I could go frolicking in the park, fly a kite, and tap dance on rooftops! Okay, that sounds like the best day ever!

Life is out there waiting so go and get it.

Go and chase your dreams, you won't regret it.

What has made you happy this week? Disney or not, I want to know!

x Lauren

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Blogs, Aladdin, & "Keep Moving Forward" | Disney Happiness Project

Week 13:

Every time I turn my computer on, and open my Internet browser, there are a few websites I instinctively type in their own respective tabs right away. In no particular order, you will find: Pinterest, YouTube, my friend's Tumblr page, and last, but certainly not least, www.blogs.disney.com. 

There are a few official Disney blogs, and I am obsessed with each one of them. There is Oh My  Disney, Disney Insider, Disney Playlist, and Disney Style.

I am not exaggerating when I say that I look at these blogs every single day. I love reading lifestyle posts that are Disney related, and I take every quiz that is available to me to test my Disney knowledge, or find out things like, which Disney heroine I am (The answer is Mulan, just so you know. Find out yours here!).

I love the fact that the blogs are fun-loving and uplifting. Some days, it is my time spent scrolling through the various blogs that is my little dose of Disney for the day. It is enough though to remind me why I love Disney and continue to make it quite a huge part of my life. 

I would LOVE to get to work on any of the Disney blogs one day. Until then, I will keep chugging along here with my own Disney related posts :)

Week 14: 

Recently, I was able to watch Aladdin for a little bit. I saw a good portion of the movie, and it reminded me of my love for it. First off, Aladdin is one of my favorite characters, and I was reminded while watching the opening marketplace scene that he is one of my favorite princes as well. This is important news to share, I know, haha! (for the record, my two favorites are Flynn Rider and Aladdin, and then tied for second would be Eric and Phillip, probably :D)

The reason I love the movie so much is because of Aladdin and the Genie. I am quite the fan of both of their personalities, and their friendship together. I mean, Aladdin is poor and yet sometimes gives his (stolen) food to those who need it more. Also, he gives up his last wish for the Genie. He is a pretty good guy! And the Genie is the Genie, super lovable! Seeing just a few scenes of the movie was enough to make me smile this week. (Jafar is also my favorite Disney villain, just saying!)

Week 15: 

A simple quote was enough to boost my mood this week! It also is one that I have come across and read many times! It is a quote from the movie, Meet the Robinsons, which is by far one of the most underrated Disney films, if you ask me. It is said by Lewis, but was ultimately inspired by something Walt Disney said many years before, and I'm sure I have probably shared on this blog before!

In the movie, Lewis says, "You just focused on the bad stuff when all you had to do was, let go of the past and keep moving forward."

What a good reminder!! It is all about perspective! We need to take responsibility for our own lives. We are going to mess our own lives up and view it as turning out so badly if we only focus on the bad stuff! I know this is easier said than done. I am a great example of this. I am the first person to throw a pity-party for myself, but it is because I let the negatives overwhelm the positives. I am glad this quote came across my Twitter feed this week, because it brought the positives back to the forefront of my mind!

What did you love in the month of January? Any exciting plans for February? 

Also, do you have any suggestions of something Disney that I can incorporate in a future week's post? I would love to hear any ideas you have! 

Focus on the good stuff!
x Lauren

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Plot Twist!

This post wasn't originally planned for now, but I have to be honest, I finished a post, and really didn't like it. It felt super forced, and usually when things are forced, they turn out pretty crappy. I didn't want to publish something I didn't care for, so I'm putting it on the back burner and will perhaps revisit it in the future.

If you have been following my Disney Happiness Project, you might be confused as to where Weeks 13 and 14 are, as far as blog posts go. Well, I've been really thinking about the project, and my blog in general, and have some new ideas about how they are going to work. I can do that because they are both mine.. muah ha ha!! 

With that disclaimer out of the way... here we go! :)

First off, my project is not going anywhere! It is a year-long project, and no way am I throwing in the towel at the Week 15 mark! I have decided though that I am not going to throw posts together as a chore, but rather when I feel inspired to share.

I put unnecessary pressure on myself when it came to creating posts, and the truth is, some weeks are just blah weeks, and the last thing I feel like doing is rushing to get a post ready just so that I can publish it "on time." That is not fun. 

I love my blog and have loved working on it for close to a year and a half now. I don't want to lose the enjoyment I personally get out of writing posts I love and feel good about sharing.

After all, this is JUST a blog. I am not leading a revolution or creating the cure to human ailments, and coming up with solutions to the world's problems. Since it is my little space on the Internet, I get to come up with how I use it. Score! So... with that said, I think it is time for a plot twist!

When I started my blog in 2013, I wrote mostly about events and thoughts I had leading up to my time spent with Disney. There were 2, maybe 3 posts that were not explicitly related to Disney somehow, depending on how you look at it.

2014 was FULL of Disney related posts. Obviously, this was the year I spent the majority of  my time down in Florida with Disney. When I moved back to Illinois, I wrote a few posts about thoughts I had related to finding joy and feeling encouraged in life, or of everyday things like my trip to the zoo--just random bits of my life beyond Disney. I was convinced, though, that people only cared about my posts when I was in Florida at Disney where things were bright and colorful, and when my life was the stuff dreams are made of! 

I can't promise you all that my life will be on the same level of excitement and general eventfulness as it was during those months spent in Florida, but I still want to share it with you. I want to do this because in documenting it, I am processing things that I am going through and I will get the chance to stop and appreciate the life I have that I know I regularly take for granted.

From my Instagram. This fun pop-up book was found in a quaint, little bookstore! I wanted to share a picture with this post, and this is my latest, but if you want to get deeper, you can see it as that I am starting a new chapter of this blog :) ooh yeah! 

I put myself in a box (figuratively speaking, of course) when I had the mindset that every post must somehow have a connection to Disney. I don't like the feeling of confinement, especially when it comes to something I control, so that is why I am making a change now.

who.what.Ren will now include bits of my life that, wait for it... may not have a Disney connection. Gasp! What? That's right, you heard me :)

Disney will always be a huge part of my life, that is not changing. It is still a huge slice in the pie-chart that is Lauren, don't you fear, but I'm going to delve into those other slices and share from those now too! 

You will still get my monthly post of how Disney makes my life more positive and makes me happy each week of that month, as explained earlier!

I would love to see this space become a place where I post and share, but you feel free to comment and start a dialogue with me as well! Don't be shy! Sometimes it is just nice to hear another voice and be reminded that although this is my life I'm writing about most times, I am not in it alone!

Thank you for being a part of this journey!
x Lauren

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Life's A Happy Song | Disney Happiness Project

Now, I know that Week 11's Disney artifact, if you will, was a song, but get ready because Week 12 was feeling quite musical as well. 

The reason music has been pretty present lately is because I drive around playing either music from my phone or from one of those old-fashioned CDs. Do you know what I'm talking about? Ah..the good old days. Jokes! 

I have a few Disney CDs that I alternate between while I play DJ on the road. "Now That's What I Call Disney, Volume 3" has been played on most drives lately. Track 4 of that CD is "Life's a Happy Song" from The Muppets. 

Confession time! I have not seen the movie, and the first few times I played through the CD, I skipped over the song simply because I didn't recognize it. Well, some happy accident happened when it played out and I was introduced to the 4 minutes and 29 seconds of joy. The song begins with the most cheerful chime-like opening that sounds like a smile. Just those first few moments are enough to make me happy.

Now, since I have not seen the movie, I have no knowledge of the song's context, and the the significance it has to the overall story, but I do know that I like it!

Just picture me driving down the highway, belting along to a choir of ensemble cast members and Muppet. The synchronized choreography and facial expressions are show choir worthy. That happens on a daily basis, the only difference is that the car is empty except for me, and the town folk and Muppet are just heard through the speakers, but still, it is magical.

Of course, I can't leave you without giving you the chance to hear it for yourself, so I included the video at the bottom of this post! You might want to listen to it a few times, which I completely understand and even encourage! 

I hope that if you feel so inclined to, you will invest in the song yourself and singalong in the car on your drives! It is quite fun, I do admit! 

I have been loving a bunch of new music lately, and if you want to hear some of my non-Disney favorites right now too, let me know! 

What have you been listening to lately?
Let me know! I am always looking for some good suggestions!
x Lauren

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A Bit of Catch Up | Disney Happiness Project

Last month, I ended up making 10 posts on the blog! I actually just stopped writing for a second to go double-check that fact because that is crazy to me!

Because I made so many posts, half of which were dedicated to pictures from my trip to Walt Disney World alone, I didn't want to overwhelm the month with my usual weekly posts for my Disney Happiness Project. (That, and I became a bit lazy in December and procrastinated, but hey! The project lives on!)

Weeks 9 and 10 may seem like a cop-out since they are both devoted to my Disney trip that took place the week before, but let me explain! I spent the entire month poured over the photos I took on my trip whether it was preparing them for printing, or going through them again for each blog post, and then putting some of them in the cards I sent out to friends for Christmas. I spent the whole month immersed in my trip and reliving every moment! It brought me so much happiness throughout all of December, so I think it is fair that I took a few weeks to document it for my project.

Now, since I already shared pictures from my trip in other posts, and wrote a bit of explanation for each day, these pages from my book will look quite familiar to you! With that exciting disclaimer, I will just leave those pictures here for you.... and if you keep reading past the pictures to see Week 11, you'll see some content new to this blog!

One thing that I've loved during Week 11 is the song, "When You Wish Upon a Star." It's a Disney classic. I don't have loads to say about why it made me happy this week, but it did! I listen to the Cliff Edwards rendition, as he voiced Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio. It just sounds like nostalgia.

Another reason the song makes me happy is because it is a big part of "Wishes Nighttime Spectacular"at Magic Kingdom. "Wishes" is a firework show that I memorized the soundtrack to years ago, and ever since, watch when I visit and sing along to (I do my best to be quiet and not bothersome to those around me, don't worry! I do also conduct the fireworks, as I know when they will go off, and feel like someone should properly cue them, haha!).

I'm not going to lie, the year has been off to a rough start, but the point of my project all along has been to seek out the positive, even when times and circumstances seem overwhelmingly negative. Little things like looking at pictures from my trips and time spent at Disney or a song I listened to during the week can really help.

I leave you now with the lyrics of "When You Wish Upon a Star." Feel free to be inspired.
x Lauren

When you wish upon a star

Makes no difference who you are

Anything your heart desires

Will come to you

If your heart is in your dream

No request is too extreme

When you wish upon a star

Like dreamers do

Fate is kind

She brings to those who love

The sweet fulfillment of

Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue

Fate steps in and pulls you through

When you wish upon a star

Your dream comes true

Like a bolt out of the blue

Fate steps in and pulls you through

When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true

From Pinterest

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Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party | Disney Happiness Project

I spent this last week at my favorite place in the entire world. I assume you know where I’m referring to, but just in case you aren’t familiar with me or my blog yet I’ll fill you in… it’s Walt Disney World :)

I know that I am incredible blessed to say I’ve gone to Walt Disney World even once in my lifetime, let alone as many times as I have, and that isn’t lost on me! I feel so grateful for every opportunity I’ve been given or worked toward, and this trip was one of those for me!

I will be posting pictures from my trip here on the blog soon because I feel like people don’t really post full albums on Facebook anymore, and I want to share them somehow! If you have a better idea though, please let me know!!

There are so many aspects of my trip that I could write about this week because I truly loved my entire week and everything made me so ridiculously happy, but I am choosing to focus on Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for now!

This is the first year I’ve attended this ticketed event, and I had so much fun! I clearly love Disney, and I LOVE Christmas, so the extra expense was well worth it to me.

I was lucky that my former roommate from when I lived down in Florida working at Disney myself was able to join me! Mags (Maggie) and I set out with a to-do list and strategy to get it all done and accomplished a lot, which made me quite the happy camper!

Big things to us were character meet & greets, Celebrate the Season (the castle show), Holiday Wishes-Celebrate The Spirit of The Season (fireworks!), and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime parade on Main Street with snow!! Other important things were getting our fair share of cookies, hot cocoa, apple slices, and juice, and visiting friends that were working during the party! My priorities were in-check!

Other people went for the attractions because of minimal wait-times, but no sir, not us! We went for the full Christmas experience! To each his own! There is no right or wrong way to do MVMCP, but I think it’s safe to say we did it right, haha!

Spending time with my good friend I hadn’t seen in months, the Christmas songs playing in the background all night, my favorite characters in seasonal costumes, and Disney’s snow covering Main Street all contributed to quite the memorable night!

WDW is my happy place, and the Christmas party is one big happy moment that I will gladly look back on and relive for a long time. I would highly recommend MVMCP to everyone, and I hope to attend another one in future years because it was one of the best ways to celebrate my favorite time of year and prepare for the big day that is just around the corner now! (eek!! YAY CHRISTMAS!)

I will be posting other pictures from my trip soon, including pictures from two days of the filming for Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration, this year’s annual Christmas day parade that will air on Christmas day!! If you’re interested in a little behind-the-scenes look of that, check back here soon! :)

For now, I am going to leave a bunch of my party photos here for you!

First off, some characters!

I am obsessed with these guys! Dopey told me to sit by him, and I did because he is my favorite (which he loved to hear), despite Grumpy telling me to go to the back. Haha, thanks Grumps.

Rapunzel and Flynn Rider talked to us about what was in our satchels, and then after some asking and Flynn checking to be sure no guards followed us, he showed us what was in his... Rapunzel's crown!

The perfect fit for the Lost Princess :)

Then, Prince Charming hijacked our chat looking for his missing cuff links, but Flynn assured him that the last thing he stole was Rapunzel's heart. Cue the entire room of girls going, "awwww!"

Abu was fixing my hair with his spit. Thanks Abu! I'm glad you've got my back... and my hair!

Next, here's one of my favorite pictures that I took while watching the Parade down Main Street. It is of these winter-loving sisters! You've gotta love them!

Speaking of Main Street and winter, here is one of my pictures of the snow-covered beauty!

I am a sucker for a good castle show, and I was very excited to see one celebrating the holidays! I also was looking forward to seeing Frosty dance on stage, and he did not disappoint, let me tell you :)

And I'll leave you with one final picture of Holiday Wishes for good measure! 

Like I said before, Christmas is right around the corner, and I cannot wait! Looking back over my pictures from MVMCP makes me so happy and ready to celebrate the holiday season! I hope you are enjoying the season, and having a blessed time, and I hope that my pictures possibly put you in more of a Christmas-y mood :)

x Lauren

One more thing! This song, "Christmas is Coming" performed by R5 was playing while Mags and I waited for the Parade to come down Main Street, and I went home and bought the song, because I'm loving it! If you want some good recommendations on Christmas songs sung by Disney Channel stars, I'm your girl! I know the good ones for sure, haha!

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