Disneyland

A few of the many reasons why I love Disneyland so very much...

- that feeling I get when I finally come back and walk through the tunnels onto Main Street again
- when I take my first breath of Disneyland air. It just has this amazing, happy place smell!
- standing in the 'snow' before or after the fireworks during the Christmas Season. This one is new but easily one of my very, very favorite Disney things now
- the smell of main street (especially in front of Gibson Girl!)
- sitting in the Hungry Bear beside the Rivers of America and having lunch
- the feeling, the environment and the yummy food at the Blue Bayou
- Disneyland coffee
- it makes me feel like I don't have a care in the world. Just complete and utter happiness through and through
- riding Indiana Jones
- walking through Adventureland. This part of the park makes my inner tropical girl very happy!
- Fantasmic!
- shopping for more Disney merchandise to bring home
- taking pictures with characters
- taking pictures. Let's face it, it's my dream photoshoot location!
- the nostalgia I feel
- the muscle memory I've developed. I could navigate the park with my eyes closed, it just feels so fluid and natural now!
- watching the fireworks
- seeing something new for the first time (can't wait to see Ariel's Undersea Adventure and Cars Land!)
- walking past the light outside the Main Street Fire Station/ Walt's Apartment. It was turned on the day Walt died and has never been off since. It's a cool vibe just being near it knowing what it means
- The smell of the water on Splash Mountain or Pirates. I know it's just recycled water, but to me it's one of those smells that just screams Disney
- visiting the Blue Ribbon Bakery
- having Gumbo in New Orleans Square
- New Orleans Square at night all lit up and gorgeous
- Main Street and Sleeping Beauty castle at night
- Fantasyland at night
- Basically just Disneyland at night in general!
- seeing the sub lagoon. It was closed for my entire childhood (except my very first visit but I was so much shorter then I really don't remember seeing it at all and I never rode it) and when it finally reopened in 2007 it was the most beautiful sight! So gorgeous with all it's beautifully colored plant life (artificial but still) and those bright yellow subs against the bright blue water - heavenly!
- walking down main street, at night (especially during the christmas season with the decorations) and the lights twinkling away...it gives me shivers it's so beautiful
- Paradise Pier. Everything about it from it's beauty, the view, the music, the rides (screamin', midway mania). Everything. I adore it. One of my favorite locations in both parks.
- Hearing the screams coming from Tower of Terror as each elevator of guests drops
- listening to the instrumental version of california girls as you walk into California Adventure. If they don't keep that song once the park is done it's new transformation I'll be so sad! I'll have to bust out my iPod and listen to it on my way in myself! Not a fan of the song, but the instrumental is cute and always reminds me of this park
- Breakfast with Lilo & Stitch at the PCH Grill

I can't wait to see this in person. It's so beautiful!

Hello Beautiful!

Not long now and this lovely beauty will be mine! Hopefully within the next week!

Disney just announced some new details about the Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship that we will be taking on our honeymoon. I am so excited about the gorgeous atrium and even more excited that the bronze statue on this ship will be Minnie!

Oh my gosh I want this soooo bad!!!!

First Dance Song Options

So far these are the songs I am contemplating for our first dance. It'll be interesting to see if this changes or stays the same within the next year!

1. Kiss Me or Not by Julia Sheer & Caroline County

I wasn't a fan of the original version of this song at all but Justin really loves it right now. I follow Julia Sheer's YouTube and often download her songs from iTunes because I love her voice and her cover songs. She's a fairly unknown artist but a YouTube hit. As soon as I heard her version (above) I thought this could easily be a song that Justin would go for as well. It's got a bit of country vibe to it (and that's totally his thing) but not so much that I hate it. I think it's important for the song to represent both people and it definitely descibes our first kiss perfectly so that's why this one is a definite contender. I also think this version has a really romantic vibe which is cool.

2. So Close by Jon McLaughlin

Ever since I saw Enchanted this has been my favorite song handsdown. I could listen to it all day. I've always envisioned this song being played at my wedding so if it doesn't end up as the first dance it will definitely be played at some point during the night. The piano melody is so stunning it moves me like nothing else, and Jon's voice just adds to that. In addition to the fact that the song is from a Disney movie and from one of my favorite movie scenes basically ever - that definitely makes it a contender. The drawbacks? It doesn't really showcase Justin's tastes at all, and the words aren't quite fitting.

Awwww

My girl is a major cutie



Ashley & Justin's Honeymoon To-Do List

Some things are taken from my 'Things to do in my lifetime' list, but others are just for this trip. I'll be adding to this all the time I'm sure! We of course will be doing much more than what is on this list, but this is for me to collect our must-dos so that I can print it, take it with us and make sure we absolutely get to all of these things!


Disney Cruise
- Relax on the balcony and watch the sun set
- Ride the Aquaduck
- Eat at the Animator's Palate
- Eat at the Royal Palace
- Enjoy a relaxing drink at Waves
- Have a couples spa treatment at Senses
- Hold a sea turtle at Boatswain's Adventure Marine Park on Grand Cayman
- Relax at Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman
- Castaway Cay
- Cozumel
- Costa Maya


Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom
- Eat at Tony's Town Square
- Have lunch or dinner with the princesses at Cinderella's Royal Table inside Cinderella's Castle
- Watch Mickey's Philharmagic
- Ride Pirates of the Caribbean
- Ride Splash Mountain
- Meet Mickey and Minnie at Town Square Theatre
- Watch Celebrate A Dream Come True
- Watch Wishes multiple times from various locations
- Take a romantic boat tour on Bay Lake

Animal Kingdom
- Ride Expedition Everest many, many times
- Ride Kali River Rapids
- Kilamajaro Safaris
- Meet characters in their super cute safari outfits

Epcot
- Eat at the Coral Reef Restaurant
- Ride Test Track
- Visit all countries in the World Showcase
- Ride The Seas with Nemo and Friends (little known fact about me - most days since my first trip to WDW in 2007 I've had the theme song from this ride 'Big Blue World' stuck in my head and I can't find it to download anywhere!)
- Buy yummy imported tea at The Tea Caddy in the UK Pavillion
- Ride Mission: Space

Hollywood Studios
- Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
- Lights, Motors, Action! (this one is for Justin of course)
- Ride Rock N Roller Coaster
- Toy Story Mania
- Voyage of the Little Mermaid
- See Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage (random fact #2, this is the first thing I ever remember doing at Disneyland. You may think I messed up just there because this is a Disney World list but you are mistaken. Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage began at Disneyland in the 1990s and was moved to Disney World before I was able to return to Disneyland and see it again. I remember being heartbroken but thank goodness it is not gone completely. When I saw it again in 2007 I felt like I was 6 all over again. I miss this show)
- Watch Fantasmic (the WDW version is cheap and really sucks compared to the Disneyland version that I adore so much, but it's worth seeing during any trip to the world anyway)

Typhoon Lagoon
- Take a relaxing tube ride down Castaway Creek
- Take Surf Lessons
- Ride Gang Plank Falls
- Lounge on the white sandy beach
- Enjoy the Surf Pool
- Ride the Crush N Gusher

Blizzard Beach
- Relax on Cross Country Creek
- Race each other down the Downhill Double Dipper
- Lounge in Melt Away Bay
- Ride on Teamboat Springs

Downtown Disney
- Play at Disney Quest
- Shop and explore!

Misc
- Play Mini Golf at one or both courses
- Explore Disney's Boardwalk in both day and night
- Explore our hotel (Disney's Art of Animation Resort) and the various themed buildings

Universal Studios CityWalk
- NBA Store
- Nascar Cafe

Disneyland
- photo shoot
- Cars Land
- Ariel's Undersea Adventure

While I was trying to read tonight, Halle made it clear that she would rather I spend my time cuddling.

I think we may have found our save the dates! This cute little fridge magnet from etsy comes in green as well and is super cute! It's the first one I've come across that I definitely felt reflected my style (and Justin doesn't have much opinion as far as save the dates go) so I think we will be going with these!

My favorite line in my Steven Tyler book is the very first one. It may also be one of my favorite quotes ever.

On saturday Justin's stepmom and I worked on putting my birthday gift into my garden. It's a timed watering system that I can set to water for whenever I want and for however long I like. It's the coolest thing and soo handy!

Yum! I could really go for a white mocha right now...