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Lauren

Lauren Staniszewski is just another audiophile, running crazy, Disney-loving, social-media hungry blogger. By day, she serves as a music teacher & professional musician, but by night, can be found online constantly reading, writing, and tweeting about Disney. Hooked on the magic since the Millennium Celebration in 2000, she feeds her Disney addiction by maintaining her blog, Living the Magical Life & talking with other Disney addicts on Twitter (@TIx2GR).

Getting to know Disney Music Maker Russell Brower

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Probably not all too shocking for those who know me: I am a bit of an audiophile. Specifically, I enjoy listening to music from the Disney Parks; after all, they are some of the few places on Earth where your life has beautiful background music wherever you go! From the moment you step into the park until the moment you leave, you are surrounded by some amazing scores and sounds that magically morph as you stroll from one location to the next. After all, Disney is known for the details, and the music composed for the parks is no different. As much thought goes into the themes, instrumentation, and timbres as can be said for details in the architecture, technology, and storytelling goes into the attractions. Unfortunately, many of the musicians who imagineer these aural attractions remain relatively unknown to the majority of park guests. Well, that’s where I’m about to step in.

One of my blogging goals has always been to explore those composers who help create the music, and I decided to start with what is perhaps my favorite pieces of park music: the Future World/Innoventions Area Loop heard in EPCOT. Whether crossing from Mission: Space over to Soarin’, Spaceship Earth over by the Fountain of Nations, or simply stopping to enjoy a Mickey bar and soak in the ambiance of Future World, this is my go-to track whenever I’m looking to take a mental trip back to my happy place. I figured if I was going to start my exploration of the musicians who create the “magic” via background music, it was going to be here, with this loop composed by Russell Brower. The amazing thing is once I discovered Mr. Brower was on Twitter, he was gracious enough to share a bit of his story as well as the story behind this awesome music!

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A Breakfast Visit to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

On a recent visit to The Happiest Place on Earth, my dear friend Kristin and I decided to visit the newly opened Art of Animation Resort to check things out as well as try their some of their unique breakfast offerings. Kristin and I, along with my husband, will be staying at DAAR in January over Marathon Weekend, so we definitely wanted to explore a bit and see what it would have in store for us as guests!

Upon pulling into the parking area, you are already able to get a sense that this resort is not quite as kitschy as any of the other value resorts. Most of the decoration/color is left to two dimensions instead of three, giving the building a very sleek, clean look while still being bright and colorful. The basic layout of the main building is the same as POP! Century: the main areas are located in the same places; the front desk, gift store, food court, arcade, etc. It might feel empty in comparison to many props and shadow boxes that adorn POP! Century, except there is so much color around you that it never feels undecorated; it just feels clean. Shapely lines and curves are everywhere, making you feel as though you’ve stepped right on to the animator’s desk. The front desk sparkles with color while the backlit storyboard sketches that decorate the Ink & Paint Shop entrance positively glow.

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New Disney Parks Dooney & Bourke Designs Coming Soon

Some exciting news for Disney Dooney & Bourke fans was announced on the Disney Parks Blog today! Three new designs will be released on July 14th at TrenD in Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World: the much anticipated Retro design for the Walt Disney World… Read More »New Disney Parks Dooney & Bourke Designs Coming Soon

runDisney Commemorative Necklace is Fun Memorabilia

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One of the newest memorabilia developments to come from runDisney has been the commemorative necklace. For those wondering how these new collectibles came to be, they were first offered for the inaugural Tinkerbell Half-Marathon this past year at Disneyland in January, then again for the… Read More »runDisney Commemorative Necklace is Fun Memorabilia

Disneyland sets New 2012 Half-Marathon Course

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Earlier this week, runDisney made another exciting announcement, this time revealing the course for the Disneyland Half Marathon to be held on September 2, 2012. Although the majority of the course remains unchanged from years previous, there is an exciting new turn early on that… Read More »Disneyland sets New 2012 Half-Marathon Course

Alex & Ani Designer Bracelets Come to Disney

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Alex & Ani is the latest designer to join the ranks of other popular designers such as Dooney & Bourke, Chamilia, and Harveys who have partnered with Disney to create specialty products available at Disney Parks and the Disney Store. For those unfamiliar with Alex… Read More »Alex & Ani Designer Bracelets Come to Disney

Walt Disney World Marathon to Celebrate 20th Event with New Course

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As soon as WDW Marathon weekend 2012 came to a close, runDisney has been hinting that the Walt Disney World Marathon in 2013 will have some big surprises in store for those ready to “go the distance” and tackle the 26.2 mile race on its… Read More »Walt Disney World Marathon to Celebrate 20th Event with New Course