Disney Enchanted Tales: New Disney Princess App for Mobile

When Disney Interactive requests your presence at a Royal Tea Party at the Disney Creative Campus, you put on your fancy ears and jump at the chance. What a magical way to learn all about the newest kingdom-building game, Disney Enchanted Tales which happens to be available for download on your mobile device now. Yay!

We're always excited when a new Disney game launches and this one is no different. Being able to play out some of our favorite Princess stories with Disney characters that we know and love including Belle, Gaston, Anna, Elsa, Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, etc. Yassssss! Just look at these faces, aren't they adorable? New characters, outfits and memorable story moments from additional cherished Disney classic tales will be unlocked as players complete story-based missions. So the game will continue to grow and change with players.

In this enchanting and whimsical game, you can create custom kingdoms using familiar landmarks and buildings from “Beauty and The Beast,” “Frozen” and “Tangled. You can expand and build out your kingdoms by completing tasks and quests. The quicker you do that, the faster you can earn new iconic landmarks, such as Belle’s Bookstore, The Beast’s Castle, Elsa’s Ice Palace, Rapunzel’s Tower and more.

We've been having a ball playing and are already on level 7. My daughter Kaia is still really enjoying playing the game. We are actually having a lot of fun building it together and customizing our space. There's so much to do and build, it's constantly prompting players to try new things for coins, stars and diamonds. You're going to want as many of those three items as you can get. It's how you can expand your fairytale land to unlock more characters and stories.

Here are some of our actual screenshots from while were playing:

Warning: Like many other Disney Mobile Apps, you may find yourself becoming addicted. I'm looking at you Disney Emoji Blitz.

Disclosure: We were invited to an event to learn about the game and get a chance to play it to help further this review. We received a bag of goodies, but no other compensation was provided. The opinions on this blog are 100% magical and 100% the Disney Sisters only. 

Club Penguin Helps Millions of Kids Give Back 'Coins For Change'

Want to hear a heartwarming story about kids helping other kids in the ultimate gamer give-back? Yeah, we thought you might. The holiday season has come and gone but not without a really important contribution made by Club Penguin players like your kids (and maybe even you!) We were so super excited to hear that real world change happened this past month, to the tune of One Million Dollars USD all thanks to Disney and Club Penguin!

How did it work? 

Club Penguin hosted a Coins for Change drive this December, where kids were encouraged to donate the virtual coins that they earned playing games on the site. Players from 193 countries participated in Coins for Change this year, donating more than 21 billion virtual coins! So while these millions of players were gaming and having fun, they were also doing good and making a difference at the same time. High fives all around!

How much of a difference did they actually make? 

A huge difference! Club Penguin will be providing funds to build schools, playgrounds and libraries, and to protect endangered animals and their habitats. Funding the following projects because everyone deserves a safe place to play, learn, and grow:

1. Schools (Ethiopia, Nicaragua, China):
Through partnerships with organizations such as Free The Children and imagine1day , Club Penguin funds the construction of schools and classrooms, helping children get an education.

2. Libraries and Reading Spaces (Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, India):
Club Penguin works with Free The Children and Partners in the Horn of Africa to provide books, training and information. These libraries supplement the basic education program by encouraging kids to read and learn on their own.

3. Playgrounds (U.S., UK, Haiti, Afghanistan, Argentina):
With KaBOOM!, Club Penguin is building playgrounds and supplying Imagination playgrounds around the world. With Playground Builders, Club Penguin constructs playgrounds for children affected by war. These efforts provide jobs and bring money into local economies.

4. Animal Homes for more than ten different species (Argentina, India, Nepal, Russia, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe):
With organizations such as the Global Penguin Society, Wildlife Conservation Network and Rare, Club Penguin directly supports the protection and conservation of over ten animal species. Our partners use science management, field research and community education to help promote and protect endangered animals.

Through programs like Coins for Change, Club Penguin has contributed more than $12 million USD since 2007 to projects around the world, further raising social consciousness, inspiring and activating the 200 million players who take part in the online community.

Way to go Club Penguin Players! You Nailed It!

(Images used with permission from Disney/Club Penguin.)
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Disney Gift Guide: Video Game Edition @DisneyGames

Disney Gift Guide: Video Game Edition

Tis the season for gaming! If you have any gamers on your list, you don't want to miss our picks for the Top 7 Disney Video Games this year! We're pretty sure that you've seen these titles on some Christmas/Hanukkah lists in your house. From Disney Fantasia to Disney Infinity 2.0, whether you prefer the Xbox, Play Station or Nintendo 3DS - there's plenty of fun gaming to be had with these top 7 Disney picks! Because it's all fun and games people...

Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved (Kinect, Xbox 360, Xbox One)

A breakthrough musical motion video game inspired by Disney's classic animated film "Fantasia." In the game, players enter the magical realms of Fantasia, selected by the legendary sorcerer Yen Sid, to hone their musical and magical prowess as his new apprentice. "Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved" takes players on an interactive and immersive motion-controlled journey through worlds of music and magic.

Featuring over 30 tracks – including contemporary hits, classic rock, classical music, and more – “Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved” transports players to a breathtaking world where music and magic combine to transform extraordinary interactive landscapes in entirely new and creative ways. Players will be introduced to Yen Sid’s previous apprentice, Scout, via the game’s narrative, who will guide the player as they perform, transform and create music to restore order to the world.

Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes 2.0 Edition (PS3 / PS4 / WiiU / Xbox One / Xbox 360 / PC)

Disney Infinity just got super powered! Conquer a game universe where you have endless opportunities to create stories and action adventures featuring all-new Super Heroes, characters and powers! Join Earth's mightiest heroes to stop Loki and his army of Frost Giants before they freeze Manhattan - and the world!








Disney Magical World (Nintendo 3DS)
A new life awaits you in the magical world of Disney! Meet and interact with over 60 of your favorite Disney characters while exploring the worlds of Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Aladdin, and Winnie the Pooh. When you can manage your own cafe filled with Disney magic and set off on ghost-hunting quests, your life becomes the adventure.

Go customization crazy! Build new furniture to decorate your cafe with, and your own personal room above it. Put together hundreds of Disney-themed outfits with collectable clothes and accessories for your avatar. You can even plant and harvest crops, learn new greetings, and collect Disney character cards. Or, collect magic wands and battle through ghost-filled forests and dungeons. In other words, with Disney Magical World game the magic never has to end!



Frozen: Olaf's Quest (Nintendo 3DS)

Everyday is a snow day with this side scrolling adventure game and stars Olaf, the carefree snowman, in all new story. Following the events of the film this original adventure throws the focus to Olaf, the happy-go-lucky snowman, as he tries to hold himself together through all the perilous situations he stumbles into. An Icy (and Dicey) Adventure - Players must guide Olaf across 60 imaginative levels inspired by the mythical kingdom of Arendelle, navigating stimulating but accessible challenges, icy hazards and encountering mischievous natives while discovering hidden collectibles and unlockable accessories along the way.



Disney Planes Fire and Rescue (Wii / WiiU / Nintendo 3DS / Nintendo DS)

Earn your wings in all 12 Fire & Rescue story missions. Practice your skills in 30 training academy missions. Show off your teamwork with Dusty and his friends ? use different character's abilities to help battle wildfires. Switch between 8 different playable characters from the film, including Dusty, Dipper, Avalanche, and many more.












Big Hero 6: Battle in the Bay (Nintendo 3DS / Nintendo DS)

The Big Hero 6 team is targeted a dangerous gangster named Yama and his legion of out of control fighting robots! Fight alongside Baymax and send robot's flying across the screen as Hiro with his electro-mag gauntlets! Zoom through levels at top speed as Go Go! Slice and dice as Wasabi with his plasma blades! Smash and burn as Fred in his Kaiju monster super suit!

Just Dance 2015 (Xbox One / Xbox 360 / PS3 / PS4)

We know this isn't a Disney video game, but it features some Disney songs like the classic, "Let It Go" from Frozen, so we wanted to include it. Just Dance 2015 is the latest, most awesome-filled version of the world's #1 dance game! Bringing new moves and game modes to over 40 top tracks, Just Dance 2015 features hit songs like "Let It Go" from Disney's Frozen, "Maps" by Maroon 5, "Bang Bang" by Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj plus other favorites like "Walk This Way" by Run DMC & Aerosmith."

What Disney video games are your kids asking for this holiday? Which ones are you planning on buying? Better yet, which Disney games do you want to play yourself?

SEASON'S GAMINGS!

Disclosure: We were not compensated for this post We were sent Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved for review purposes. The opinions shared on this blog are 100% magical and 100% ours only.

Disney Club Penguin gets FROZEN!

Do you want to build a snowman puffle?

Disney Club Penguin is bringing the magic of "Disney’s Frozen" to Club Penguin Island from August 21 - September 3. 

During the Frozen Party, members will be able to dress up like their favorite characters from the film, including Olaf, Sven, Anna, Elsa and Kristoff. Players will start the party by searching for Elsa’s magic snowflakes that are hidden around the island. Once members complete the snowflake quest, they will earn the ability to transform into Olaf or Marshmallow and freeze objects around the island. While players are searching for the snowflakes, Elsa will be constructing her Ice Palace on Club Penguin Island for players to explore. Once the Ice Palace is complete, players will be able to hear a special performance of “Let It Go” when they visit.

During the Frozen Party, Club Penguin and “Disney’s Frozen” fans can:

·         Choose from a number of member-only costumes to dress their penguin characters in, including Olaf, Sven, Anna, Elsa and Kristoff themed outfits

·         Search for seven magic snowflakes that will give members special powers to freeze items around the island. All players can thaw frozen objects by using the heart emote

·         All players can visit Elsa’s Ice Palace igloo to hear a special instrumental performance of “Let it Go,” as well as decorate their own free Ice Palace themed igloo

·         Members will also be able to transform themselves into Marshmallow or Olaf or even create their own snowman Puffle

The Frozen Party will be the first party available on the Club Penguin app since it launched, a key milestone in expanding the online experience available via the app.

Disney Infinity 2.0 Marvel Super Heroes: FULL Event Coverage *VIDEOS* #DisneyInfinity

On April 30, 2014 we attended the LIVE Press Event at the Arclight Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, CA. Here is our coverage of the FULL Press Conference. We have put the videos in order from start to finish. We hope you enjoy our coverage of the major announcement from Disney Infinity and Marvel revealing their new partnership in Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Heroes.

Watch as the details of the next chapter of Disney Infinity are REVEALED...

Video #1: 

Video Introduction by Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury, Avengers)

Media Event hosted by Clark Gregg (Agent Phil Coulson on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)

Opening by Disney Interactive President, Jimmy Pitaro. He explains the success that Disney Interactive has had with Disney Infinity so far and what's to come with 2.0. 

Video #2:

Listen as Joe Quesada (Chief Creative Officer, Marvel) explains more in depth about the partnership between Disney Infinity and Marvel. More info presented by Brian Michael Bendis (Writer, Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes) as he discusses his involvement in the game.

Video #3:

Presentation by John Blackburn (Vice President & General Manager, Disney Infinity)

and John Vignocchi (Executive Producer, Disney Infinity) introduce all of the elements of Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Heroes. This segment includes discussion on what the Starter Pack includes, Platforms, and FAQs answered! Example: Will all 1.0 elements will be compatible with 2.0? Find out this answer and more during this video.

Video #4: 

This segment John Blackburn and John Vignocchi discus Playsets, Environments, Special Skills and Combat, Character Locomotion, Attributes and Skill Tree, of the Marvel characters.

Video #5

Closing Commentary with John Blackburn and John Vignocchi of Disney Infinity. This segment includes discussion on Usability, Structured Play, Game Creation, Power Discs and ends with a top secret message from Nick Fury about E3! Make sure you watch it through til the very end!

For more info visit www.disney.com/Infinity and youtube.com/disneyinfinity.

Join the Disney Infinity Facebook Community (Facebook.com/disneyinfinity) 

Google+ community (https://plus.google.com/+DisneyInfinity), 

Follow Disney Infinity on Twitter (twitter.com/disneyinfinity) 

and  on Instagram (instagram.com/disneyinfinity).

9 Disney Apps You Should Have: Exploring the Magic of Mobile #DisneyApps

While we were checking in for Disney Social Media Moms upon arrival at the Disneyland Hotel, there were booths set up along the conference floor. We were interested in seeing all of them, but our kids made a beeline for one in particular - the Disney Interactive booth! There were iPads fully loaded with some of our favorite apps, and with new ones that we don't have yet. It sure came in handy while we spent a few hours walking from booth to booth hearing from some of the conference sponsors. The kids stayed busy, happy and mesmerized by the awesome Disney mobile games. They chilled out with Frozen Apps and embraced their inner artist with the Doc Mcstuffins App. We already have some of these Disney Apps on our iPhones and iPads, but have since downloaded even more and our kids couldn't be happier. Especially with Spring Break, they have been enjoying even more screen time then usual.

Here's a list including nine Disney Apps that you, (and you kids) will want to have!

Which are your favorite?

Disneynature Explore - Free

Now available for free on the Apple App Store, the app features five animal adventures— brown bear, monarch butterfly, chimpanzee, African lion and loggerhead sea turtle—each with four unique challenges.
Download DISNEYNATURE EXPLORE APP.

Doc McStuffins: Paint and Play - $4.99

Let your imagination and creativity take over as you paint everything in Doc McStuffins's check-up room—even Doc and Lambie—and then watch it all come to life in 3D! And when Lambie and Marvin get boo-boos, you can help Doc fix them so they're ready to play again.

Download DOC MCSTUFFINS APP.

Frozen: Storybook Deluxe - $6.99

• Experience two sides of the new Frozen film story with Anna and Elsa –
two sisters with very different points of view!

• Interactive play: create your own “ice craft” snow globes, and re-create
Frozen scenes with frosty drawing tools.

• Flip your device to read, hear, and see the different perspectives from Anna and Elsa.

•Laugh out loud as your enjoy tappable animation, film quotes, and a few surprises.
Download FROZEN STORYBOOK DELUXE.

Disney Movies Anywhere

Stream your Disney, Pixar and Marvel digital movie collection at home or on-the-go, browse and buy from an extensive catalogue of titles, access exclusive content, get exciting rewards and MORE! Signup and connect your iTunes account today to get Disney*Pixar’s The Incredibles for free!
Download DISNEY MOVIES ANYWHERE APP.

Disney Animated - $9.99

Discover how Walt Disney Animation Studio films are brought to life. Dozens of top animators, artists, technicians, and designers contributed to making Disney Animated an unprecedented hands-on experience. Disney Animated, presented in English, captures the original storytelling of all Disney animated feature films, allowing you to browse never before seen concept art, visual effects and more. This App is only currently available for use on iPads.
Download DISNEY ANIMATED APP.

Disney Memories HD - Free

Create and share your own Disney Memories- an official app from Disney!

•Use this FREE app to decorate your photos with Disney magic

•Pose with some of your favorite Disney characters

•Add a Disney Parks themed filter, frame, or sticker 

•Easily share your photos with friends and family via email, Facebook, or Twitter

•Set themed alarm clocks and see your favorite Disney Pals come to life with audio and video greetings!
Download DISNEY MEMORIES APP.

Disneyland Explorer - Free

Take a spin around The Happiest App on Earth—An Official App from Disney!

• Discover the Magic as you swipe your way through Disneyland® Resort in California

• Explore over 130 attractions, characters, and entertainment

• Enjoy 16 classic attractions like never before with exciting activities

• Share exclusive digital postcards and your very own character drawings

• All this and more, still FREE!
Download DISNEYLAND EXPLORER APP.

Frozen: Free Fall - Free

Get ready for an epic puzzle matching adventure in the Kingdom of Arendelle, inspired by the newest Disney animated film, Frozen! Join Anna, Elsa, and more of your favorite characters on a journey to slide and match 195 icy puzzles for free!
Download FROZEN FREE FALL APP.

Disney Club Penguin

EXPLORE the island with friends in the Town, Puffle Park, Lighthouse, University & more

ADOPT up to 40 pet puffles including the dog and cat!* PLAY games to earn virtual coins PERSONALIZE a penguin with the latest clothes & items* CUSTOMIZE a unique igloo with furniture items* CHAT*around the island with friends on the Club Penguin app* LIKE friends’ igloos to let ‘em know they’re cool SHOP for styles, igloos & furniture in the Club Penguin app catalog* SPEND virtual coins to get new items & outfits* SYNC items & coins to use between the app & a clubpenguin.com account* WATCH the newest videos & get sneak peeks on the What’s New Blog.
Download CLUB PENGUIN APP.

(Images © Disney Interactive. / Photo courtesy of Josh Hallett of @hyku.)

Full Disclosure: We were invited to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. The Disneyland Resort offered a discounted rate for all attendees and their families. This is a once in a lifetime experience and we are grateful to Disney for allowing us to participate. We'll be sharing unique things seen and heard throughout the Celebration. Please keep in mind these our own personal thoughts and opinions, not those of the Walt Disney Company.

An Epic Love Story for Valentine's Day #BlankandBow

Happy Valentine's Day!

To here more about #BlankandBow click HERE.

You can enjoy Blank: A Vinylmation Love Story for free on Google Play for a limited time only.

Disney Infinity: Summer of Endless Fun Tour

DISNEY INFINITY "SUMMER OF ENDLESS FUN" TOUR KICKS OFF with a CELEBRATION IN THE DOWNTOWN DISNEY DISTRICT

Disney Fans Invited to Play Anticipated Video Game Before it Launches Next Month

The Disney Infinity "Summer of Endless Fun" multi-city tour is kicking off in the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, Calif on Sunday, July 7 from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. For the first time, fans will have the exclusive opportunity to play Disney Infinity, an all-new video game that unlocks the freedom to create stories and play experiences starring some of the most beloved characters from the Walt Disney Company and Pixar Animation Studios. 

The event is free to the public and will include hands-on demos with Disney Infinity, which features the innovative Toy Box mode that truly brings every kids' imaginations to life. 

WHAT:            

Disney Infinity, Disney Interactive's biggest and most ambitious video game to date, is embarking on a multi-city "Summer of Endless Fun" tour to showcase the most anticipated game of the year.

Activities include: game demos, surprise guests, photo opportunities, giveaways, contests, entertainment provided by Radio Disney's Ernie D and more! Additional information about the tour can be found here -

http://bit.ly/1d0oLzH

WHERE:           

Downtown Disney District (by ESPN Zone)

1313 S Harbor Blvd.

Anaheim, Calif. 92802

WHEN:            

Sunday, July 7, 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.

DISNEY INFINITY “SUMMER OF ENDLESS FUN” SCHEDULE AND LOCATIONS

July 7: Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, Calif.

July 13-14: Taste of Chicago in Chicago, Ill.

July 18-20: Gaslamp Quarter during San Diego Comic-Con, San Diego, Calif.

July 19-21: Revere Beach National Festival in Boston, Mass.

July 26-28: Coast Guard Festival in Detroit, Mich.

August 10-11: Prince William County Fair in Richmond, Va.

August 17: Nintendo World Store in New York City, N.Y.

August 18: Times Square in New York City, N.Y.

ABOUT DISNEY INFINITY

Disney Infinity is an all-new game platform that gives players the freedom to create stories and play experiences featuring characters from The Walt Disney Company and Pixar Animation Studios. Players can place real-world toy versions of beloved Disney characters onto a device called the Disney Infinity Base and transport them into the virtual game worlds of Monsters

University, the Incredibles, Pirates of the Caribbean, Cars and The Lone Ranger, as well as into a giant Toy Box. 

Disney Infinity Game Announced: VIDEOS

Earlier this week we shared the breaking news of the Disney Infinity video game with you through photos across our Facebook Page, Twitter, and Instagram. We also talked about it on the blog To Disney Infinity and Beyond: The Big Game Reveal. We now have the entire 45 minutes press event on video available on our YouTube channel, you can also watch it below.

Warning: After watching these videos- you may want to buy this game immediately, however it is not being released until June. Please watch responsibly! 

Enjoy!

 John Pleasants Co-President, Disney Interactive and John Lasseter

 Introduce Disney Infinity.

John Blackburn Vice President & General Manager, Avalanche Software 

Explains Disney Infinity Part 1 

John Blackburn Vice President & General Manager, Avalanche Software 

Explains Disney Infinity Part 2

John Blackburn Vice President & General Manager, Avalanche Software 

Explains Disney Infinity Part 3

John Blackburn Vice President & General Manager, Avalanche Software explains 

Explains Disney Infinity Part 4

John Blackburn Vice President & General Manager, Avalanche Software explains 

Explains Disney Infinity Part 5

John Pleasants, John Blackburn and John Lasseter show another video
and sneak peek into the video game. 

Press Event for Disney Infinity took place at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, CA on January 15, 2013.

Disclaimer: We were invited to the Big Reveal Event at the El Capitan Theater as members of the press. All thoughts are 100% Magical and 100% those of the Disney Sisters only.

To Disney Infinity and Beyond: The Big Game Reveal

What happens when you pair up Disney collectible figurines with a video game and add in your imagination? Disney Infinity happens, that's what. It's the latest interactive gaming platform from Disney and it's creating quite a buzz in the gaming community.

Yesterday we attended the Disney Infinity Press Release Event with the three Johns. LOL. John Lasseter along with two other VIPs, John Pleasants, Co-President of Disney Interactive and John Blackburn, the Studio Vice President and General Manager of Avalanche Software, announced the newest game from Disney Interactive to the media. Disney Infinity will be available on all platforms from Xbox 360 to PS3 to WiiU and is Multi-player with two different "Play Modes" to the game:

Play Sets

Explore new adventures with your favorite characters inside of their worlds.

• Sail the High Seas in Pirates of the Caribbean, where you can design your own ship and pick your crew mates.
• Go To Monster College in Monsters University where you can play with your favorite Monsters, Mike Wazowsi and Sulley as they "battle" their cross town rival school.
• Become "Incredible" and save Metroville from being destroyed by Syndrome and other Super Villians.

Toy Box

Pick all your favorite characters and tell your own story in a mash-up Disney/Pixar world that you build and create.

• Endless ways to play, with endless possibilities.
• Mix characters, create your own worlds and experience unlimited play. 
• No rules, just you and your own virtual world.

How It Works:

Three character figures Sulley, Mr. Incredible and Captain Jack Sparrow come in the "Starter Pack" which also includes an Infinity base, interactive/landmark piece and power tokens/discs. Each piece works together to bring both Disney and Pixar fans a unique experience. But this game is not just for gamers. They are introducing out a lot of different elements for collectors including the figures and tokens. With the success of vinylmations we're sure that these will be the "next big thing" flying off of the shelves. How much does Disney Infinity cost? Retail $74.99

Sitting in the legendary El Capitan Theater we were completely blown away, and are still trying to gather our thoughts about all of the concepts and infinite possibilities of Disney Infinity. (It was A LOT to take in!)  Over the next few months leading up to the launch in June we will be covering much more on Disney Infinity, including video coverage and interviews from the event COMING SOON!!!!

Now you tell us... Are You "IN"?

Disclaimer: We were invited to the Big Reveal Event at the El Capitan Theater as members of the press. All thoughts are 100% Magical and 100% those of the Disney Sisters only.

Epic Mickey's Warren Spector meets Ortensia at Disneyland

Have you ever wondered who Oswald's the Lucky Rabbit's girlfriend is? Her name is Ortensia, and in case you didn't know. . . she's a cat!  Fans of Disney Epic Mickey and Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two are very familiar with her. We shared with you about Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse - The Power of Two and our day with Warren Spector and other Video Game royalty.....

Now let us introduce Courtney from Northern California. We had the pleasure of meeting her at Mickey's Halloween Party on the same night we were at the the Epic Mickey 2 Media Event.  A chance meeting that brought two very special Disney fans together, at a very magical place. We loved seeing it unfold right before our eyes. It made our night that much more special. That's the power of Disney. It brings people together who may never have met otherwise, and bonds them together forever with a love for something bigger than themselves. Something that was all started by a mouse.

When things like it happen, we like to call it DISNEY MAGIC! Here's her story:

What made you choose Ortensia for your Halloween costume? 

I had looked at doing Ortensia for a little while, but it wasn't really a serious idea until I finally went onto Facebook and asked friends and family what I should do for Halloween. Option after option came up, but nothing really came across saying, "You can do this, and it'll be amazing!" Ortensia kept coming back to me and in the end, I was extremely passionate about making her come to life!

Tell us about your magical meeting on that special night.

When my family and I got to Disneyland for Mickey's Halloween Party, I knew that the people who would recognize Ortensia would be few and far between. I carried around a small Oswald plush in hopes of some recognition. I even had a few people at the park gate ask me if I was Dot from the Animaniacs or Betty Boop. So when a gentleman came up to our group outside the Main Street Mad Hatter shop and asked if I was Ortensia, I was absolutely ecstatic! Someone had recognized me! And so quickly too! He said, "I saw you across the street and I had to come over. Now, don't freak out, but the creator of Epic Mickey is here in the park tonight and I'd like to introduce you to him". I'm pretty sure my jaw dropped. I said, "Warren Spector? Warren Spector is at Disneyland tonight?" He grins and replies, "Oh, you know of him. Well, that's good". What an understatement. I love following the YouTube videos for both Epic Mickey games and I watch them regularly. I love getting to see the passion that goes into games like this. So Warren Spector's a celebrity to me.

The liaison brings my family and I over to the entrance of the Mad Hatter shop, and out comes Warren Spector with a small touring group and a camera crew. What a once in a lifetime opportunity! He was so taken aback, but I'm fairly sure he was just as excited about seeing me as I was seeing him. I can imagine it's extremely exciting to see one of your creations come to life, especially one you might have thought was overlooked. Oswald himself is only just beginning to come back into the limelight, with little or no mention of Ortensia (or at least until she starts playing a larger role in Epic Mickey 2, which I'm hoping she will).

We shook hands, were introduced, and he asked about my interest in the Epic Mickey franchise, why Ortensia, what do I like about the characters, am I looking forward to the new Epic Mickey 2 game, etc  He wanted some pictures together (so did I!), and almost laughingly asked if someone could take a few pictures with his own cell phone, too. After a few pictures, I also had the opportunity to meet Paul Weaver, another creative mind from Junction Point! What an honor to meet two such great men!

Can you share about the special gift Warren gave you?

After his questions, Warren Spector looked down to his left lapel and took of a pin off of his own shirt. It was a pin with both the faces of Mickey and Oswald together, looking very determined. He wished for me to have it as a token of our meeting and as a thank you to dressing up as one of the characters from his game. It was amazing enough to just meet the man, but to get a gift as well! I honestly didn't know what to say. I found out later, from a very helpful lady, that this pin was not something that I could find around Disneyland in one of the pin shops. This was Warren Spector's personal pin and was one of a kind! I really know my jaw dropped then! I was, and still am, blown away by his generosity and kind nature.

I had the opportunity to be at Disneyland for the next week following and I wore that pin on my collar proudly. And I'm glad to say that when people ask about it, it gives me the opportunity to tell them about Oswald and the Epic Mickey games and encourage a few more gamers to become just as passionate about the games and the characters as I am.

Once I go back home, I intend to treat it like the treasure it is. I'm going to get a display frame with a picture of Warren Spector and myself and display the pin in a place of respect. This experience was too amazing to just have the memories stored on a hard drive and a jewelry box.

 How has the magic of Disney touched your life? 

Disney has played a tremendous role in my life. The movie nights at home, late night trips to the double feature at the drive-in theaters on my Little Mermaid sleeping bag, the hours of sing-a-longs and dress ups, those few trips to Disneyland and the great memories with it. Disney's inspired a lot of my personal costuming and the ideas keep coming. Not to mention sharing my passion for Disney with my husband and in-laws. I even had the chance to bring a little bit of home-made Disney into my wedding. My husband gave me a crystal rose and dome from Beauty and the Beast as a wedding gift. Beauty and the Beast has been a kind of theme throughout our entire relationship.

But you break everything down and Disney is just one word: Family. The memories, the good times, the love, the passion - it's all connected with family. And I intend to share the Disney Connection with my future children. I hope they can truly believe that they are Princes and Princesses, making a wish upon a star means dreams really do come true, Disneyland runs on magic and laughter, and that there's nothing wrong with suddenly bursting out into song and dance and grinning all the while.

Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two comes out in stores November 18th, 2012.

Disclosure: We were invited to the Epic Mickey 2 Media Preview Event. All opinions are 100% magical and 100% those of the Disney Sisters only.