Feeling the Magic

Well, hello everyone! It's been quite some time since I posted here, though I've been trying to get new works up whenever possible As you might have noticed, I've been in quite the full Halloween mode for a while now! As it's my favorite time of year, I always start on the Halloween themed sketches pretty early. But this year, working at Magic Kingdom and being in the middle of our Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at least twice a week has really kicked it up a notch!! There is nothing more amazing than hearing the "Ghost Host" announcing the impending party, and then the (obnoxious polka) circus music shut off, to be replaced by a (limited) Halloween/Villains mix instead Music with words!!

Then the lines get shorter, fast pass shuts down, and a quiet and fun night is had by all <3 But seriously, the costumes!! Starting a few hours before the party, party-goers start to arrive in their finest costumes and get a few rides in before the rush to get everything done (because at a special event, the last thing you should be doing is riding rides! SEE THE PARADE, THE FIREWORKS, THE CASTLE SHOW, MEET CHARACTERS IN LIMITED EDITION COSTUMES!! Oh my goodness, it just never ends! Not to mention the endless free candy that you can collect, which also takes time.

Alas, we have but 10 days left of Halloween season here ta Disney World, and while I'm sad to see things winding down and getting un-spooky, I have to admit that I'm pretty ready for the (also two month long) Christmas season ^_____^ The lights are all up on the castle, and over the next week or so, all the trees will come out of storage! Overnight, all the decorations everywhere will magically materialize, and it's the most wonderful thing I've ever seen!! garlands and wreaths and candy canes and christmas trees and twinkle lights and everything else you could imagine. Every night, just as the sun goes down, the castle gets magically "iced over" (the lights come on slowly from bottom to top) and it's simply breathtaking from main street <3 I can't even handle it!!

So, needless to say I'm quite excited, and I apologize if I'm too busy to check in or upload new works for a while. There's just so much to do! Hotel hopping to see all the beautiful themed trees, stopping by the gingerbread store at the Grand Floridian a few (hundred) times, getting this year's brand new ornament collection from the Christmas Store at Downtown Disney, buying gifts for my family at Cast Connection...speaking of which, I'M GOING HOME THIS YEAR!! I'll get to spend about 3 whole days with my family for the holidays this year, and I'm pretty pumped. It'll be cold as all get out (two and a half years in FL and lack of ability to create your own body heat can have that affect on you!), but it'll be worth it <3 My parents are counting down the days, and even my little brother is getting excited to see me Christmas presents, family meal, and maybe even snow- won't that be a nice change??

But the holidays mean so much more than even that classic perfection, here at WDW. First off, our HOLIDAY BOOKLETS have arrived, with all of our coupons and special tickets and the like. Which will be absolutely fantastic, and I can't wait to explore more of this magical place again. Also, our four month long special holiday discounts starts NOW and it's incredible! 40% off all merch locations until mid Feb, meaning we can finally splurge on all those goodies we've had our eyes on, and get all those presents our family and friends wanted, not to mention spoiling ourselves and our homes! And holidays mean BUSY, BUSY, BUSY, which means hopefully lots of hours and lots of overtime and lots of money! Some weeks will be slower (first two weeks of Nov and Dec, last two weeks of Jan), but the busy weeks will hopefully incur a good deal of overtime and holiday pay

There's just SO MUCH to look forward to and experience and I can't contain my excitement!! I'll be going to my first Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party this year with friends (just like I did with the Not So Scary Halloween Party!!), which is bound to be magical <3 I'll have a little Christmas party with my closest friends here, and probably play Secret Santa, and I can't explain how wonderful it will be to have these moments with those I love! I hope everyone else is having a wonderful night and that you all find little magical moments to celebrate and appreciate the holidays as well. Warmest wishes! (from the beautiful almost-fall weather in FL, where it's been magically 75ish lately!)

Also, can we talk about winter clothes for a sec?? I'm SO ready for sweater dresses, leggings, and knee high furry boots!! I've got a collection of cute disney scarves all ready to be worn and some fantastic peacoats from a dear friend, and I'm just ready to rock this winter wear!! Bring on the 50s-60s, ya'll!