Looking for magical holiday tree ideas? So was I, so I spoke with Cindy Braak, Creative Designer at Disney Floral & Gifts, to get some tips. If you’re like me, we have lots of ornaments, bows, lights and “stuff”…but how do we put it all together so it warms the heart and creates special memories? Here’s what Cindy shared with me.

First, come up with a theme or story you want to tell with your tree. It could reflect a hobby, memories of family or memories from your favorite magical place (I wonder where that would be…hmmmm). Once designed, it reveals those things close to your heart. For me it’s all about Disney, draped in all things magical and enchanting. Surprised?

Next, she said to find an inspirational piece. It could be your first Disney ornament, your child’s favorite plush or family photos. Then, answer the question of why that is an inspirational piece to you – this will create your story. Once you know what story you want to tell, then look for a tree.

Now that you know what story you want to tell with your tree, you can share it in a number of ways. For example, at Disney Floral & Gifts we created a story with our Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Tree beginning with a holiday card.

Then accents were chosen to add to the theme. Since this is a nostalgic Disney Christmas tree designed to create memories, you’ll notice some familiar pieces that when combined, help to feature the story such as cranberry and popcorn garland and Mickey ornaments that move.

Personalization creates an endearing opportunity to acknowledge special loved ones. Children always remember their ornaments and love to place them in a special place on the tree, creating another memory.

Tiny woolen stockings holding peppermint candies are an extra special touch because children can enjoy a treat right off the tree – another memory. So consider an edible option for your tree as well.

And now for the topper. It’s the coup de gras of the theme and captures the essence of your story. We tend to think of the topper as a particular ornament or star, but she said we can use just about anything – from ribbons, decorative twigs, plush from a certain location that you find magical (wink), and in our case, we used a personalized Mickey Santa hat.

So what do you do about final accents and perhaps skirting? With our Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Tree, Mickey took a ball of yarn as the final garland and laced it around the tree, leaving the rest of the ball at the base of the tree so we can finish it with our family. So as you’re on the final design stretch, consider creating a family memory by celebrating with loved ones as they help you place the finishing touches on your tree. Have snacks available and share the story of why it’s so special.

We’d love to share our tree with you, so if you’re interested in our Christmas tree story there are three types of holiday-themed trees that you can have delivered to your Walt Disney World resort room. They can also be shipped anywhere in the 48 continental U.S. Just call a Dream Maker at 407-WDW-GIFT. You can also view them on our website, Disneyflorist.com.

Tagged: Holidays, WDW

Filed: Hotels & Resorts, Walt Disney World Resort

Guess who visited Disney Floral & Gifts this morning! Yep, Tinker Bell! (So for those that may not believe in fairies, this photo is for you… and it doesn’t look like she’s camera shy).

We had just finished making a surprise gift for someone when she appeared. Tink asked a few questions to learn more about the guest, then added a bit of pixie dust and together we created a Disney moment. You know the type of moment I’m referring to. The type when Disney surprises you with something you didn’t see coming and warms your heart. It’s great stuff… a magical moment. If you’d like to learn a secret about how Disney creates magical moments, here’s a tip: Do something sweet and unexpected for someone, something from the heart.

Want to try out this concept? Here’s your opportunity: How about we set you up to create a Disney moment for someone else. First, think of an individual who could use a bit of magic, then simply post a comment to encourage, inspire, thank or recognize them. And here’s the best part – forward the story with your comment to them. Often times when we make a step to be Disney for someone else, something very special happens. You create a moment for them and for yourself.

Tagged: WDW

Filed: Walt Disney World Resort

Where will you find Mickey Mouse this Halloween season? If you’re here at Walt Disney World Resort, you just might spot him at any one of our parks, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and character dining locations. But what if you’re not coming to the parks this fall? Each year, kids dress up for the holiday and many times we, as parents, look for new costuming ideas to make this Halloween better than the last. And for all of us who love Disney, we especially like to find a way to include something exclusive or uniquely magical to make the occasion special. (Yes, I said magical). So here’s a clever trick-or-treat basket idea that just may set your loved one apart from the crowd.

It’s a Mickey’s Pumpkin Treats basket; there’s also a Minnie’s Pumpkin Treats basket as well. What’s so clever about these pumpkins? They feature a unique shape and design to let everyone know you are holding a Disney exclusive. It lights up and has treats and gifts inside as well. These baskets can be delivered on Walt Disney World Resort property or shipped anywhere within the 48 U.S. states, and they can be personalized.

Of course I couldn’t share this without coming up with some type of memory making tip for you. So how about a card message to go with this gift such as, “Since you weren’t able to come to my house for Halloween, I wanted to go to yours! Take me with you trick or treating! Love, Your Disney Pal.”

And while I’m thinking of it, I would love to hear how you are going to “imagineer” a Disney Halloween for your family this year.

Tagged: Halloween, WDW

Filed: Walt Disney World Resort

If you’re a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) member, you love how Disney creates great family memories and that’s one of the reasons why you became a member. You wanted to experience the magic as much as possible and pass the legacy on to those you love. For those of us in our “mature years” (wink wink), we watched “The Wonderful World of Disney” on our black-and-white TV sets on Sunday nights. Remember? And we’d also keep an eye on the local paper for the latest Disney movie at the local theater.

Back then, Walt Disney World Resort was just a dream and videos, DVDs and the Internet didn’t exist. But for me, as a kid growing up in Medina, Ohio, a weekly TV show and those great Disney movies – shared with my family – provided such great experiences and memories that it left indelible impressions on my heart.

Now, years later, I have the best job in the world. As the Manager of Dream Making I spend my day making dreams come true for you. At Disney Floral & Gifts when we had the opportunity to create something special for DVC Members; we opened the storybook and enjoyed writing the chapters of this new experience. A few weeks ago, I shared that I had a special secret for you. Today, I’m tickled pink to share that we’ve just released a DVC family memory-making experience that will hopefully leave an indelible impression on your heart.

Today we announce the premiere of our new DVC Welcome celebration, which creates an experience that feels like Mickey, Minnie and Pluto have come to your room to create a personalized welcome just for you. A “welcome home” sash hangs from your resort room door that provides the opportunity for personalization of the year you became a member. When you open the door, there are Mickey footprints that lead to a large Mickey and Pluto plush. You’ll also discover cookies Minnie Mouse baked for your family, a personalized matted illustration of Mickey and more. The price for this family experience is $295.

So here’s to creating family memories just for you. Hopefully this experience will warm your heart – much like “The Wonderful World of Disney” did for us – to provide you with cherished memories you’ll be able to recall for years to come.

Tagged: DVC

Filed: Disney Vacation Club

Who could resist a Pirate Adventure prepared for you in your Walt Disney World resort room by none other than Captain Jack Sparrow?

As many of you know, I am all things “princess” but when I saw this new experience I temporarily set aside my tiara to join in this “Rrrrdventure.”

Here’s the inside scoop. The story behind this experience is that our beloved captain was chased by a band of pirates and ducked into your resort room to hide his treasure. The Pirate Code states the treasure shall be yours if you can solve the riddles he left behind and find the key to unlock his treasure chest. Then the treasure chest will be yours to do with what you will. But what kicks this experience up a notch are the authentic pieces used to tell the story. Take a look at this room.

Here is some of what you’ll find. When you walk into the room, you’ll discover this motion-sensitive “screaming skull” that lights up (and yes, parents, you can turn the sound off). The skull is sitting next to the letter from Captain Jack and his quill used to pen the note.

There’s a tattered and distressed jolly roger and a great sword, which is attached to a sash so it’s adjustable. And yes, I did try it on even though it didn’t match my outfit.

There’s also a pirate disguise, which includes a beaded goatee as well. (That, I did not try on).

Take a look at the pirate duffel bag in the foreground and the fish net in the background. The stage was fully set for the adventure!

And what happens when you put three pirates together? We caught our team in the moment. The youngest son was trying to capture the treasure chest Dad is holding.

Can you imagine your family doing the same thing?

Needless to say, I’m officially “hooked.” Who knows – maybe in a future post you might see me dolled up as Captain Jack with the goatee. What do you think?

If you want to learn more, click on to this “Me Pirate Adventure” link. It’s available for order now with delivery to your resort room starting Monday, October 21. What say you to that? Savvy?

Tagged: WDW

Filed: Hotels & Resorts, Walt Disney World Resort

As your Dream Maker, I’ve been keeping a special secret about a new gifting experience just for Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members. And that’s been challenging because this secret is so cool that I can’t wait to share it with you.

DVC members will soon be able to experience an exclusive DVC Welcome Celebration personalized and prepared just for them at their favorite Walt Disney World resort. Take a look at the photo above. When this little one stood in the doorway, he gave us the reaction we live for as parents that tells us we just made a dream come true – his jaw dropped, he gasped and said, “Wow!”

Without giving away too many details, I think you’ll be able to glean a few from the photo above. See the sash on the door? It reads “Welcome Home” on one side and “Member Since” (and the year you became a DVC member) on the other. You can even bring it back to your Disney resort each time you visit to let everyone know you’re a member. And those magical footprints on the floor? They can also serve as computer mouse pads.

Alright, I’m sharing too much. For the full picture, visit www.disneyflorist.com at the end of August for more details on this in-room celebration and perhaps a few others … especially with Halloween coming up!

Tagged: DVC, WDW

Filed: Disney Vacation Club, Hotels & Resorts, Walt Disney World Resort

Last fall, guests at the Walt Disney World Resort chose Mickey’s “Spooktacular” In-Room Celebration as one of their favorite offerings from Disney Floral & Gifts. This experience begins when guests return to their resort room to find that Mickey Mouse has surprised them by placing a sash with Halloween accents and cobwebs on their room’s door. Once inside, they find a not-so-scary personalized Halloween celebration waiting for them.

This over-the-top celebration was so popular last year that it sold out before Halloween. Many guests said they enjoyed it because there was something in the experience that appealed to family members of all ages. They also felt like Mickey and Minnie had come to their room for a personalized “spooktacular” surprise just for them.

If you’re coming to Walt Disney World this fall, now’s the time to book this exclusive experience. It costs $375 and can be set up in any Walt Disney World resort room. You can book your Mickey’s Spooktacular Celebration here or call a Dream Maker at 407-WDW-GIFT.

Tagged: WDW

Filed: Hotels & Resorts, Walt Disney World Resort