' I can sense you there, like a friend I've always known' - I'M MAKING A COMEBACK!

 

' I can sense you there, like a friend I've always known' - Elsa, Frozen 2

Ok, so am I trying this again...Yes I am. Have I tried this multiple times in the last month...Yes I have 😅

Let hope I can keep this going! 

I made this blog back in 2013 when I had left school with anxiety/school phobia, with no medical diagnosis. Now I'm aged 22, nearly 23 (next month!) with an autism diagnosis many years later, still struggling. So, I've decided that this blog is making a comeback, yeah like a band, it's making that near 10 year comeback!

Right. Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start as Julie Andrews says...I'd like to say ALOT has changed but that would be a lie. I'm still at home, not doing much with my life and I'm not the most content happiest person but I'm surviving and that's good enough for me.

To catch you up on my journey and say hi to everyone whose reading whether your from 2013 era or just found me now, randomly searching.

In 2019, I wrote two blogs expressing myself, which I have now drafted due to them being an 'in the moment' expression. But they explained that I had moved out into a independent living flat and was trying to live on my own with support workers help. That completely failed. I won't say anymore as frankly I don't want to & it upsets me to type and think about. Long story short...I'm back at home. 

Ah but where is home, that's another story as in 2020 my family moved from Kent, UK to Norfolk, UK, which was a crazy journey...especially with that thing we all hate at the moment to talk about COVID! 

OMG COVID, how could I forget to mention that. Life got and still is very weird. Luckily I haven't experienced Covid yet & it didn't affect me in the way it did most people with jobs, schools etc.

Anyway, sadly due to Covid I haven't been to a Disney Parks to experience some magic in what feels like FOREVER, two years actually (last trip in November 2019, just before it kicked off!) Luckily I did manage to get on two of the Magic at Sea Disney Cruises last year in September, which were the perfect piece of magic needed. I have Disneyland Paris booked for my birthday next month so wish with me & fingers crossed I'll finally see that beautiful castle again!

Over the time I've been not blogging my interests have bloomed and changed except my love of Disney, that will always stay! You may remember as I think I was still blogging at this point, I did make a Youtube channel for my own My Little Pony videos that I make called PMVS. I have little breaks on there when creativity lulls, but I love making them so much still. I now have little over 89.9K subscribers with some videos over 1Million views!! I can't believe that, seriously, so thank you if you've come from my YouTube to read my post 😇

Have I missed anything, probably but I'm going to save that for another post! 

I have some ideas of posts in my mind that I just need to work out on here, so let's hope I can keep my little comeback going...even if it's slowly.

I've really enjoyed expressing and typing all this out today. It was SOOO needed as I was having so much brain fog today. So thank you if you got this far in reading as none of this is planned (my blog is never planned lol!) so is just being typed as I'm thinking. There was probably tons of mistakes in this post and I haven't read it again...too hungry for dinner lol!

I'm going to shut up now and go have some dinner so thank you again, if everyone reads this. 

I really appreciate it.

TTFN - ta-ta for now!

Gina 💖

BIG NEWS UPDATE!

It's been a busy few weeks but I'm back and I'm ready to tell you all some pretty BIG news!

 Let's start with Youtube. Over the past weekend I started a brand new Youtube channel. I love all my obsessions and felt the need to share them with you other than on my social media and of course on here. After making a few videos I know I still prefer to type but I'm giving it a try and I'm excited. 

My channel will feature mostly Disney but also toy reviews & openings and my other favourites like My Little Pony & Barbie etc.

I'd be really grateful if you subscribed to me!

Time for my second piece of news, which only happened on Saturday..I booked to go back to Disneyland Paris! Yes I am going in August but I've been feeling really down lately and I needed this trip sooner as I need to escape and feel some magic. So..I'm going next Friday 12th May! Excited is an understatement! I'm so excited to see all the 25th anniversary stuff and take so many photos. I'm still deciding whether I should vlog or not, as I love taking photos more, but we will see! 

As I'm going to Disneyland Paris, I've decided to make some DLP Mystery Boxes. They will include all different merchandise from Disneyland Paris and it's only for a Limited time. They are £39.99 and available on my website now for order till Wednesday 10th! 

That's all my news for now but some pretty big news if I do say so myself! 

I'll be back soon with another post but as always keep checking my social media!

Belle Limited Edition Doll Review

Since watching the new Beauty and the Beast movie, I've been obsessed. So when I walked into my local Disney Store yesterday and found that they had the new Belle Limited Edition doll, I knew she had to be mine. My local store never gets Limited Edition dolls so I was so surprised. I'd seen her online and thought she looked pretty but had just bought some other Limited Edition dolls for my birthday so could't get her. When I saw her yesterday, she was honestly so much better in person! 

From her dress to her necklace to her ear piece, the detail is just outstanding. Her hair is beautiful, tied at the back with a lovely gold garland. One of my favourite things about the Limited Edition dolls are the eyelashes. I love the extension and grace about her. This is my first doll of an actual person as I normally find them kind of creepy but she just captures Belle so well that I don't even see her as Emma Watson.

Her detail and dress is actually what caught me the most. I love the dress so much from the beautiful pattern to the gentle gems placed in all the right places. I'm not much of fan of the smaller doll of this Belle as I just don't think the detail is there so if you are a fan of Belle or the movie and can splurge to £100 for this beautiful doll then you should, as I just think the detail & quality is better..and so it should be for £100! 

I can't really sing the praises of this doll anymore than I have, I love her so much and I think others will too. I'll leave you with some pictures of this wonderful doll.

Never Grow Up Mystery Boxes

Wow it's been a while! I recently moved and lost wifi for 3 weeks on my computer so I couldn't blog about this amazing adventure I'm going on! I've only gone and started a business! 

What kind of business you wonder...?

Mystery Boxes! 

I've seen people on instagram selling them for a while and thought I'm gunna give that a try. I love shopping and buying for other people so why not spread some magic while doing it?! I'm making all kinds of mystery boxes from Disney to Barbie to My Little Pony to Marvel! I'm even making custom boxes so if I'm not making something you want, I can try my best to make one for you. 

Each box is handpicked by me with loads of magic & thought. I try my best to find awesome new things to excite you when you open your surprise. Boxes start at £25.99 and I can ship worldwide!

You can like my facebook page here.

Like my Instagram here.

Make sure to visit my website here.

Hope you can join me on this journey! 

Beauty and the Beast Movie Review

Yesterday I got to finally see Beauty and the Beast in cinemas with my family and I was so breath taken that I had to actually sleep for hours after I seen it as it was such an overwhelming enjoyable experience! I knew I had to do a review and this is totally SPOILER FREE!

Like most Disney fans, this was a big deal when it was announced back in 2014 and I actually can't believe it's now out in cinemas. I remember being so excited and now I've seen it I'm more than satisfied with the end result. Beauty and the Beast is one of my favourite movies, easily in my Top 5 as I love everything about it from the plot to the characters to the music so my expectations were extremely high. 

Firstly I want to say that the casting was spot on. So many people had doubts over Emma Watson being Belle but she is a perfect Belle. She gives us the amazing personality of Belle from the kind & caring side to her feisty & brave side. She proves that Belle is one of the of the most head-strong women of the Disney franchise and reminded me why I love her. Beast was actually who I was most worried about as from the trailers he looked darker than the animated version but Dan Stevens did such a great job at making that balance of kind & dark Beast. He made me fall in love with Beast all over again throughout the movie just like in the original.

Gaston is one of my favourite Disney characters as he just makes me laugh so I was worried I wouldn't like him as much in this version but Luke Evans was perfect. He just embraced the whole character and made you love him but then doubt yourself at the end. And let's face it, he has the looks for Gaston easily! I was really interested when they cast Josh Gad as Lefou as to me that was casting at his best but I've only ever seen him in Frozen so I'd never seen him act, but he was amazing. He used the comic timing perfectly!

The enchanted objects were so hard to cast as they are so memorable and special but I loved them all from Ewan McGregor as Lumiere to Emma Thompson as Mrs Potts! Honestly, when I first saw pictures of Lumiere & Cogsworth I was worried as I didn't personally like them but they have grown on me and really fit the film well. You couldn't help but love them just like all the other characters. 

I also loved the casting of Maurice in the movie as in the original he annoys me alot and I don't really care for him but I felt emotion to Maurice in this version, which made the movie different for me.

I can't write this review without mentioning the amazing music and songs throughout. I love musicals and they had to keep the music in this one or it wouldn't have been the same for me. I loved all the old classics from Belle to Tale as Old as Time but my favourite had to be Gaston. It was perfect! Josh Gad & Luke Evans just had the perfect partnership and you could see their friendship just burst out. I also loved the new songs, but again my favourite had to be Evermore. Wow that song was just perfection! I've listened to it so many times already! 

The costumes and scenery were also just on point. It really took you into the movie and let you escape life for 2 hours! It was pure magic and I loved every minute. I can't wait to see it again..and again..and again..It was just perfect in my opinion. If you thinking about it, just go! I totally recommend it so much. 

Have you seen it yet? Are you planning to?

What did you think?

My Disneyland Paris Bucketlist

I'm getting so excited for my Disneyland Paris trip in August and I loved doing a Disneyland Paris post last time, so I've decided to continue with my Disneyland Paris theme and start writing a Bucketlist! 

I've been to Disneyland Paris 3 times now but there are still LOADS of things I loved to do so why not write them down to see if I can do them. There's quite a few so let's get going..

1. Be one of the last ones in the park

2. Eat at Auberge De Cendrillon with the princesses

3. Go to an Inventions Brunch on a Sunday afternoon

4. See the parade from the window on Walts on Main Street

5. Have a Glowtini

6. Watch the Forest of Enchantment 

 7. Meet every princess possible

 

8. Go and experience Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show for dinner

9. Eat at Annette's Diner in the Disney Village

10. Go up in the Panoramagique Balloon

11. Stay in all the on-site hotels

12. Meet Captain Hook

13. Eat at The Blue Lagoon

14. Visit in all seasons

That's my bucketlist for now, I bet there are LOADS of things I've missed!

Do you have a bucketlist or anything you really want to do at a Disney park?

I'm so REALLY excited for the new Beauty and the Beast movie! 

My family book last night to go and see it when it's out here and I can't wait!!

Are you excited or have you booked yet?

My Top 10 Tips for Disneyland Paris

Since the 25th anniversary is just around the corner for Disneyland Paris, I thought I'd share my Top 10 Tips. I've been to Disneyland Paris 3 times now and I'm going again this year for the celebration so I'm pretty knowledgeable about the whole experience. These are pretty basic tips, but some that people forget or if your a first timer this will be perfect! 

1. Stay in a Disney Hotel

Now this one isn't necessary but I have stayed off and on site and found last year when I stayed in a Disney hotel that is was much easier, you also feel more part of the magic in my opinion. The shuttle buses run more frequently and after the park closes too, which is great as you don't have to queue for ages for a taxi (done that..it wasn't fun!). You can also enjoy Extra Magic Hours in the morning, which I'll talk about in abit. 

2. Photopass & Fastpass

In 2014, Disneyland Paris included Photopass+, which lets you have your photo taken by cast members during selected character meets & areas and you also get all the ride photos that are taken. You can get it cheaper before you go or pay more when you get there, if you forget or can't book beforehand. Everyone with their ticket gets a fastpass. At selected rides you can register a time to come back so you don't have to wait forever to ride. But be careful as you can only use your fastpass on one ride at a time!

3. Early Magic Hours

If your staying in a Disney hotel you will have access to Early Magic Hours. These selected times depend on when your staying but usually are the first two hours before the park opens! During Early Magic Hours, selected lands & rides will be open & you can meet classic characters like Mickey & Minnie on Main Street. 

4. 60 Day Restaurant Booking

60 days before you stay you can book up certain restaurants to make sure you go where you want to. If you interested in Character Dining, I would recommend booking before you go as these experiences get booked very quickly & are very busy! You can also book the show Buffalo Bill's Wild West, 3 months in advance which I would also recommend if your using a food plan and can't book before that.

5. Get the App

Disneyland Paris has it very own app that tells you all you need to know including the most important thing wait times! Instead of walking all the way to your favourite ride for the wait to be over 60 mins that you can't wait, look at the app and it should tell you how long it is. 

6. Check Social Media for Advice & Help

This might seem weird but there are tons of groups on facebook to help you with your planning and holiday. Some of my favourites are: Disneyland Paris for Brits, Disneyland Paris Group for Brits Est2015 and The Magic of Disneyland Paris. Everyone is super helpful in asking any questions you might have & people also share their journeys so you can see pictures and trip reports on some of the best things! Another helpful page is ED92 on facebook or twitter, this amazing page tells you all the Disneyland Paris news and where and if characters are out unplanned! 

7. Priority & Easy Access Card

This won't apply to everyone but since this helps me I thought I share it. If you have a disability of some kind, whether physical, mental or even pregnant you could be entitled for an Easy Access or Priority Card. I can't share too much on this and I don't know a great deal but I know that twice that I have been there since being diagnosed with autism that I have got a Green card that has helped so much! There are two types of of cards, Easy Access for guests with a temporary illness & Priority for guests who are registered disabled. 

In order to try and get these passes you must have a disability card, European disabled parking badge, other official documents issued in your country of residence, war disability card, a medical certificate (original copy) in either French or English, issued less than three months previously and signed and stamped by the doctor, certifying that the person has a permanent disability.

 I have used a pass for the past 2 times I've been and it helps so much, being able to get on rides quicker, seeing characters sooner or getting a time to come back instead of queueing and getting restless.  

There is ALOT of other information about helpers, carers & conditions on the website here, if your interested in this.

8. Disney Express Luggage Service

If your staying in a Disney Hotel & travelling by Eurostar , this is another perk! You can pay for your bags to be carried from the station to your hotel so you can go and enjoy the parks straight away! I used this last time I went and it was so easy. All you have to do is take your bags to the Disney Express Counter in the station and then go and enjoy the parks! 

Again there is more information here.

9. Meal Plans & Food Vouchers

Again if your booking with a Disney Hotel you have the choice to pay for a Meal Plan. This means you can choose from 4 different levels, which pays for different restaurants. You pay for your meal plan with booking and when you get there you get these vouchers that can be used at selected restaurants depending on what level you chose. It means you can dine at different restaurants without worrying about meal budget during your stay as it's all paid for unless you need to top up. 

Meal plans are changing on the 29th March though so if your interested or have booked a meal plan and are confused that a look at this on the website.

10. Be Early for Parades & Shows & Characters

One of my favourite things at Disneyland Paris are the shows, parades & character meets but you do have to remember to be pretty early. People can start queueing or sitting on the pavements waiting for characters and parades way before they start. I would recommend if you want a good view to be ready to wait a while in one spot. I remember when I saw Dreams for the first time I wanted to stand near the front so we waiting in our spot on the pavement for nearly an hour or more! It's always worth it though in the end, believe me! 

Those are all my tips but I'd be happy to answer any questions you have :) 

Hope this helps someone!