Mouse Extra

If you are an avid collector of things about Disney history, you’ll have to excuse me on this posting.  You probably already have this item.  But if you don’t, I can not offer a suggestion for what a Disney addict would want from Santa without recommending the incredible DVD Walt – The Man Behind the Myth.

This documentary is the best available about Walt Disney.  If you have been to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and have seen the One Man’s Dream exhibit you will absolutely adore this film.  It follows the life of Walt from childhood, through his groundbreaking animated films, to the making of his dream Disneyland, right to his death.  It is touching, informative, and even inspirational.  Dick Van Dyke does a masterful job with narration and you get to see interview footage from many Disney legends as they tell of their time with this American icon.

Honestly, I have seen this film so many times that my wife is starting to think there is something wrong with me.  (And she may be on to something.)  But it is just so enjoyable to watch that I can’t help but put it in the DVD player every time I either need to put a smile on my face or I just want something fun to watch.  If even a casual Disney fan asks me for recommendations I also mention this DVD.  If you like Disney, you will be happy you have this DVD.

To me, nothing spells out Christmas more than family, egg nog, and a rousing game of Bingo - Disney style. If you have little ones then this game is a lot of fun for all. Bingo, a relatively easy game for preschoolers to understand, is combined with Disney characters in this DVD version. Every once in awhile, you even get a movie clip from a Disney classic.

For little ones, its easy to spot Belle or Goofy on the TV and find the corresponding board pieces, so there is little frustration for kids who may have a harder time with other board games or even non-Disney Bingo. Its also quite easy to let the tykes win.

Today’s Wishlist suggestion is from Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra.

I’ll admit I was somewhat asleep at the wheel over the last few weeks with regards to the new magazine Celebrations.  Yeah, I heard Lou Mongello’s shameless plugs on his WDW Radio podcast and I read some good things on various blogs and message boards.  But it wasn’t until fellow Mouse Extra writer Mike mentioned it to me that I really took notice.

After reading the premiere issue, I can tell you that if you are a Disney World fanatic this is nothing short of a must-have.  Many of you are familiar with the magazine’s two editors, Tim Foster and Lou Mongello.  And you already know the high standard of quality these guys have set in their previous products.  But this magazine goes beyond expectations.  It is absolutely beautiful.

In all fairness, I was not expecting something this impressive.  I figured it was their first shot at this and it may take a few issues to really get going.  But the Celebrations team hit the ground running.  It is so well presented and so readable that I expect most people will hold onto these for years to come as keepsakes. 

It really is the kind of thing that I have been hoping Disney World would produce for years.  As a DVC member and Annual Passholder, I receive magazines from Disney all the time, but they are all disappointing and simply thrown away after a quick read.  But Celebrations is the kind of magazine you will read cover to cover and peruse the pictures over and over.

Disney fans, call Santa now!  You want this magazine under your tree on Christmas.  Believe me, you will be happy you did.