I’m Going to Disneyland! Without the Kids! (June Cleaver Would Not Approve)

I grew up in Southern California. It was a great place to enjoy childhood, what with easy access to beaches, practically year round sunshine and Disneyland. I have tons of great memories of visiting Disneyland starting when I was five (when, much to my parents horror, I apparently spent most of my time pointing at costumed characters and other features and declaring them fake) and up through when I left for college. I remember often asking to go to Disneyland when I was little and my mom (and other moms) answering that it was a little too far away for more than an annual visit.

Fast forward thirty plus years to me taking my boys, three years and seven months, to Disneyland for the first time and realizing that it was just 45 minutes away.  With that revelation, and the amazing time we had, we quickly became annual pass holders and return often. We average four times per year as a family, but sometimes I’ll take each boy separately. We go for Halloweentime, Christmas, and usually birthdays. We’ve taken a Disney cruise two years in a row, my younger son has been Mickey Mouse for Halloween (I was Minnie) and his room has a Mickey theme. We each have Mickey ears embroidered with our names. So, um, we’re fans. (By the way, Mom, the gig is up: Not only do I know that Disneyland is close to home but also that Rice Krispie Treats are NOT hard to make. Oh, the lies.)

So how excited was I to have the opportunity to join with Disney for an In Home Bloggers Event? Beyond. Next week I’ll be getting a behind the scenes look at some of their new releases for enjoyment in your home.  Disney films were a big part of my childhood and a big part of my boys too. I’m going to get to preview the following films and report back to you:

Finding Nemo: 3D

I can barely imagine how awesome this will be. The film holds a special place in my heart as I called my oldest son “Squishy” when he was a baby (oh, ok, and now), just like Dory called her  jellyfish. Like her and the jellyfish, I did not realize either how an infant could also nearly kill you despite his soft, cute and seemingly harmless exterior.

Finding Nemo: 3D will be in theaters on September 14, pretty much perfect timing to celebrate back to school and the inevitable heat with some classic Disney in the theater. The Blu-Ray + DVD Combo Pack will be available December 4 (hello, holiday gift giving!).

Cinderella: Diamond Edition

Cinderella is my favorite of all the classic Disney princesses. What little girl didn’t dream of having a group of charming, modestly dressed rodents to help her clean her room, a Fairy Godmother to fix obvious social wrongs and being the star of the royal ball? I sure did! She wore the gown I loved best too, and I envied her perfect blonde updo and headband.

Of course as a mom, I can also totally relate to being left to clean the house while everyone else goes off to have fun. Not that I’m bitter. So that’s good. Though I also relate to the evil stepsisters as I have gigantic feet and can never fit into any cute shoe, glass slipper or otherwise. The Cinderella:Diamond Edition will be availble on Blu-Ray + DVD Combo Pack on October 2nd (the perfect time to inspire you or your kids to dress up for Halloween as one of these timeless characters).

Secret of the Wings

Tinker Bell has a sister! Who knew? As a mom of boys I’m a bit out of the Disney Fairies loop but Peter Pan has been a big player in our house for years. It’s one of my favorite Disney classics and my boys too. My little guy was Smee this year in his preschool play and it’s always the first ride we hit at Disneyland.

Plus in my adulthood I’ve discovered that Tinker Bell has quite a bit of feistiness and edge to her that I overlooked as a child. I’d take Cinderella on a spa day, but I’d hit town with Tink and her fairy friends. Secret of the Wings will be available on Blu-Ray 3D, Blu-Ray + DVD Combo Pack and HD Digital Download on October 23rd.

In addition to getting to go to screenings of all these fab films, Disney has some amazing opportunities in store for our group of 20 or so bloggers. I’m going to get to interview Crush from Finding Nemo. I have no idea how that is going to work and I cannot wait to find out. I’m going to meet the daughter of the woman who inspired the Fairy Godmother character in Disney’s Cinderella, Mary Alice O’Connor. I get to go play in the brand new Carsland and experience the Radiator Springs Racers. There will be a tour of the Toon Studios and the Animation Research Library with interview opportunities with animators and directors. There is a Tinker Bell meet and greet. Seriously! But I think the event I am most excited about is a visit to Sephora’s Cinderella Transformation Lounge. I’m not exactly sure what they’re going to do to me but it happens to fall on my birthday and I would love to experience some princess magic on my 38th. I’m definitely on the look out for Prince Charming so maybe this will be chance. Or, I’d settle for mice that turn in to white stallions. I’m not picky.

You can live vicariously through my Disney fun next week Wednesday the 22nd through August 25 by following me both on @NotJune and @ModernMom. I’ll be updating my adventures on my Facebook fan page and on my personal page. You can follow everyone on our trip via the Twitter hashtag #DisneyInHomeBloggers.

We’ll also be Tweeting with #FindingNemo3D, #DisneyFairies and #Cinderella. Now I just have to go channel my mom and lie to my kids about Disneyland. Only this time it’s not that it’s too far, it’s that it’s without them. I may need some Pixie Dust to pull this off. See you at the Happiest Place on Earth! I’ll be the one giggling like a child, but without one.