For the love of Belle - Beauty and the Beast in 3D

When my daughter, Amy Kikita was young, she was completely enamored with The Little Mermaid, as probably most 7 year olds were at the time. Ariel was spunky for a princess and went after what she wanted. I think she identified with those qualities.

Years later, Disney gave us Beauty and the Beast and when it was available on VHS, we promptly procured a copy and our sweet Lucy had found that Belle was a princess who had qualities she could admire.

My mom calls Lucy, "La Bella Lucy." And our Master Teacher throughout our homeschool years always called her "Lucy Belle." Coincidence?

I think not.

We had seen the stage show, Beauty and the Beast last year, but last week I was invited by Disney Pictures to the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood to experience Disney's Beauty and the Beast in 3D and I couldn't have stopped Lucy from joining me if I had wanted to. She was out-of-her-skin excited with the prospect of finally seeing the drama played out on the big screen. Not to mention that we just both happen to love being on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

Check out the look on her face. Can't you just see her excitement?

Because it was Disney, and because it was at the El Capitan, we were treated to an amazing organist who played every song from the movie as we all took our places. (Totally made me happy.)

Then, Belle and the Beast came out to dance and welcome the audience along with canon blasts of rose petals. (Oh, yes!)

We got to don our 3D glasses, which I'm starting to kind of like. (I know. Shut up.)

And were treated to the new Disney short Tangled Ever After - The Rings, which was absolutely hysterical. Here's a preview:

When the movie began, we quietly sang along to each familiar song and even though we knew the movie by heart, decided that it was absolutely worth seeing it on the big screen. (The Tangled Ever After short was seriously laugh-out-loud funny. Almost worth the price of admission, but that's not important right now.)

And because I'm a big, sentimental uber-geek, I sat there thinking how cool it was to be sitting with a fully grown-up Miss Lucy Belle and enjoying that piece of her childhood as it came to life before us. And, okay...I might have wiped away a tear or two. (But I'll deny it if you tell anyone.)

I encourage you, if you've only seen the small screen version of Beauty and the Beast, or haven't seen it in all its glory, to find a theater playing Beauty and the Beast in 3D in your own town. It's playing in selected theaters opening this coming weekend, January 13th and runs through February 2nd. I swear you don't want to miss it.

And then, because the story is set in France....we ate crepes...

...and we lived happily ever after. ;-)

Did you see Beauty and the Beast back in the day? Are you planning on seeing it again this time around? Tell me.

{Disclosure: Disney Pictures invited us to the pre-screening of Beauty and the Beast 3D. The opinions about the show are my own and the crepes were delicious, but that's not important right now.}

Fabulous Summer Fun - Disney Style

Last week I was privileged to be a part of the kick-off for some really amazing summer fun at the Disneyland Resort.

I feel sooo accidentally cool to be considered part of the "new media."

We got to preview the new Little Mermaid ride, Ariel's Undersea Adventure which was as cute and clever as you may imagine.

Sitting two clamshells behind me was the much-more-beautiful-in-person-than-on-Dancing-With-The-Stars, Christian de la Fuente. (Google him if you must.)

And much to my everlasting delight, there was a four song set, led by Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel. Yes, The Little Mermaid herself sang 'Part of Your World.' I cried. I did. (I know. Shut up.)

I loved everything about the day including that I got to share it with these beautiful Blog Friends.

Left to right: Liz from Disneylandia al Dia, Sandrini from Soy Fashionista, Me, Ana from Spanglish Baby.

There was the fabulous new parade called Mickey's Soundsational Parade which I loved, but let me tell you why:

• There was a flash mob. (Disney + Flash Mob = Genius.)
• The floats were super-amazingly colorful, the music totally fun and happy.
• Everything that I love about Disney parades were rolled into this one.
• Dancing Chimney Sweeps! ;-)

And then there was the new Star Tours - The Adventure Continues. It's now in 3D so you feel like you are RIGHT THERE. Truly as much fun as you imagine.

(Note to self: Skip the corn dog the next time you ride this. =D)

Just when I thought the day couldn't get any better, there was a wonderful poolside party with gourmet food from the Disney chefs, music and mermaids. Mermaids, people! (I always wanted to be a mermaid, but that's not important right now.)

The chefs prepared some of the new fare that's going to be offered at the new Paradise Garden Grill. They totally had me at "chimichurri."

We were taken on tours of the new Disneyland Hotel Signature Suites. I was torn between the Adventureland Suite and the Mickey Mouse Penthouse. (I have to admit that the MM Penthouse won because of the Red Leather Mickey Chairs.) Yes, it's quite the Mouse Pad.  Get it? Mouse Pad? *cracks up at her own joke*

Here's a video recap of my enchanting, beautiful, delicious, amazing, and magical day. And yes, there are live mermaids. It's as if all of my wishes had come true.

What a Perfectly Perfect Disney Day.

Thanks, Disney!

Are you planning on visiting any of the Disney parks this summer? Tell me.

[DISCLAIMER: I was invited by Disney Promotions to come and preview the new attractions and taste the food. I was not compensated, nor was anything required of me. The opinions of how fun and fabulous everything was are my own.]