Disney Bound: Aladdin's Iago

To celebrate the upcoming Aladdin live-action movie (2019), I met some friends at the Morocco Pavilion at Epcot for an Aladdin themed Disney Bound!

Genie, Aladdin, Jasmine, Jafar and Iago
(Photo by Ashlyn Sanchez Photography in Orlando)

(Photo by Ashlyn Sanchez Photography in Orlando)

(Photo by Ashlyn Sanchez Photography in Orlando)

(Photo by Ashlyn Sanchez Photography in Orlando)

(Photo by Ashlyn Sanchez Photography in Orlando)

(Photo by Ashlyn Sanchez Photography in Orlando)

In case you haven't figured it out, I decided to bound at Jafar's sidekick, Iago, the wacky red parrot. 

(Photo by Ashlyn Sanchez Photography in Orlando)

Gilbert Gottfried voiced Iago in the original cartoon, but in the 2019 Live Action, Alan Tudyk has signed on to voice Iago.

Red dress: Shein + Yellow beads: Charming Charlie

Parrot earrings: Target Style

And of course, I needed a matching Tervis!

As an alternative, you can use beads from Extras By O (via Etsy).

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I am working on a Disney Bound for the upcoming #AladdinLiveAction. 🎥 Are you going to see the movie? Personally, I am most excited to see @willsmith as Genie! . . . . . Red dress: @shein Beads: @extras_by_o Yellow flats: @amazonfashion . . . . . . . #aladdin #aladdinbound #disneybounding #aladdinmovie #aladdin2019 #DisneyOOTD #RedParrot #AladdinParrot #AladdinRedParrot #MoroccoPavilion #jasmine #disneyfriends #disneygroupbound #iago #iagoaladdin #flatlay #disneystyle #WaltDisneyWorld #Disney

A post shared by Jen | Yellow Beads Blog (@yellowbeadsandme) on May 14, 2019 at 7:07am PDT

So what do you think of our bound?

Apollo 11 Crew Will Be Honored by Rocket Mortgage and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans, the nation's largest mortgage lender, and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex today announced a new partnership to create a one-of-a-kind bronze statue honoring the legendary crewmembers of the spaceflight that landed the first two people on the Moon. The statue will depict Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, and will be the focal point of the new Moon Tree Garden, which will be located outside of the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans, the nation’s largest mortgage lender, and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex announced a new partnership in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission

The seven-foot-tall bronze statue, set upon a four-foot-tall concrete base, is a gift to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex from Rocket Mortgage. The impressive display is being created by renowned sculptor George Lundeen of Lundeen Sculpture in Loveland, Colo. Its base will feature an engraving which honors the Apollo 11 crew and all those who made their historic spaceflight possible. The statue is expected to be installed at the visitor complex this summer and officially introduced during the Apollo 11 anniversary celebration in July.

"Rocket Mortgage is proud to be a part of this significant milestone honoring these brave pioneers that journeyed to the great unknown and forever reshaped world history," said Jay Farner, CEO of Quicken Loans. "Like many new technologies launched in our country over the past half-century, the development of Rocket Mortgage took inspiration from the Apollo 11 mission and the entire Apollo program. NASA's accomplishment of putting a man on the moon showed our country and the world that once seemingly 'impossible' barriers can be broken and to not settle for anything less than complete success."

The detailed statue will be the centerpiece of the new Moon Tree Garden at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. The garden includes 12 Moon Trees that were provided by Rosemary Roosa, daughter of veteran Apollo 14 astronaut Stuart Roosa, and president and chief executive officer of the nonprofit Moon Tree Foundation. The foundation was created in honor of Roosa's father, who took various tree seeds on his space mission. The seeds, which have all orbited the Moon, were later germinated and planted around the world to share the story of the mission. Since then, the Moon Tree Foundation continues to fulfill its mission by planting second-generation "Moon Trees" all over the world. The 12 trees in the Moon Tree Garden will represent each crewed Apollo mission to the Moon.

"We are grateful to Rocket Mortgage for bringing this commemorative statue to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex as we prepare to mark one of the most important anniversaries in the history of the United States space program," said Therrin Protze, chief operating officer of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. "The dynamic statue is indeed the perfect tribute to these early pioneers who forever changed the history of space and interplanetary travel."

Other changes at the Apollo/Saturn V Center will include dramatic projection mapping set against the side of the majestic Saturn V Moon rocket, the focal point of the experience. The addition of a 1969 period living room and bar will replicate what it was like to watch the Moon landing at home. There will also be updates to the Lunar Module 9 and Touch the Moon exhibits, a new Fisher Space Pen legacy display, and the ability to get a closer look at the Command Service Module-119.

There are a number of events that will take place throughout the summer to mark the Apollo 50th anniversary: the July 15 opening of the reimagined Apollo/Saturn V Center, a July 16 "flashback" celebration at which visitors will be able to view original footage of the lift-off, a July 20 extravaganza to mark the 50th anniversary of the lunar landing and a final welcome home event on July 24 to commemorate the day the Apollo 11 astronauts returned to Earth.

It’s a Season of Plenty this Fall at Walt Disney World Resort

New nighttime shows, the longest foodie festival in Disney history, and a galaxy far, far away among many highlights in 2019

 As the calendar turns the page into fall later this year, the curtain will lift on an exciting time for Walt Disney World Resort. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be brand new at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, while Magic Kingdom Park will unveil a new fireworks show as part of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will run for a record number of days, and the park will wave a fond farewell to “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” before ushering in a new nighttime spectacular, “Epcot Forever.” These enticing options and more are all part of a season of fun where guests are invited to “fall into magic.”

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New Fireworks Show for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park

A new Halloween-themed fireworks show debuts this year during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. This new show will feature state-of-the-art projection effects, lasers, lighting and dazzling fireworks that come together to tell a not-so-scary story about how anything can happen on Halloween night. The show will take guests along for a trick-or-treating adventure, where four friends – Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy – find themselves drawn into a mysterious haunted house.

Held for a record 36 select nights from Aug. 16-Nov. 1, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a specially ticketed event that captures the spirit of the season with spooky décor, lighting and music parkwide, along with returning favorites such as “Mickey’s Boo to You Parade,” the “Hocus Pocus Villains Spelltacular” castle stage show and trick-or-treating throughout the park. Also returning for this year’s party will be special attraction experiences for Mad Tea Party, Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain. Children are encouraged to dress in costume and enjoy the spirit of Halloween with their families. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a ticketed, after-hours special event. Tickets start at $79. Book through Disneyworld.com or the Disney Reservations Center at (407) 827-7350.

DID YOU KNOW … The Headless Horseman will appear prior to “Mickey’s Boo to You Parade.”

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Record Number of Days Set for Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

The Epcot celebration of cuisine, music and more takes place Aug. 29-Nov. 23 – a record 87 days. During this foodie festival, the park will brim with marketplaces, culinary demonstrations, beverage seminars, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, specialty merchandise and much more. In some fun for the whole family, Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak will send guests on an adventure searching for Remy in a savory scavenger hunt around the festival. Eat to the Beat concerts will bring a lineup of pop, rock, R&B, country, Christian, swing and Latin artists, with three shows every night of the festival through Nov. 19. Families will find a play area for kids and an international flair – including kid-approved menu items – at many of the 30-plus Global Marketplaces.

DID YOU KNOW … This year’s festival will offer 249 Eat to the Beat concerts.

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Last Call for “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” as “Epcot Forever” Debuts Oct. 1

For nearly 20 years, the nighttime spectacular “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” has brought each day at Epcot to a thrilling close. Guests have marveled as World Showcase lagoon came to life with fireworks, fountains and lasers paying homage to the joyful story of humanity and the remarkable achievements of our time. The show’s final night will be Sept. 30, to make way for an all-new, limited-time spectacular, “Epcot Forever,” debuting Oct. 1. This new show will be a celebration of the past, present and future of Epcot, built around the magical soundtrack guests have come to know and love at the park. The new show will feature fireworks, lasers and choreographed special-effect kites accompanied by a stirring collection of songs celebrating Epcot.

DID YOU KNOW … “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” has entertained millions of guests since it debuted in October 1999.

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Bounce into Fall at Disney Springs with NBA Experience and Special Seasonal Offerings

Basketball is officially “in season” this fall, after NBA Experience holds a championship-worthy grand opening Aug. 12 at Disney Springs. When guests step into this re-creation of a modern NBA arena, they’ll feel what it’s like to be a basketball superstar. The one-of-a-kind destination features 13 unique interactive and hands-on experiences where Disney magic merges with the thrills of the NBA and WNBA.

NBA Experience is part of the ever-evolving Disney Springs area. Also new is Jaleo, offering the very best of Spanish cuisine and design seen through the creative lens of renowned Chef José Andrés. Jaleo (which means “revelry” in Spanish) treats diners to an extensive tapas menu, reflecting the rich regional diversity of traditional and contemporary Spanish cuisine, complemented by sangrias and a premier selection of Spanish wines. Just off the main entrance is Pepe by José Andrés, the first brick-and-mortar location of the chef’s wildly popular Spanish food truck.

Jaleo is one of six restaurants at Disney Springs featuring James Beard Award-winning chefs, and dining venues throughout the district will offer sample-sized fall food and drinks. With the help of a printed guide, guests can make their way through Disney Springs and sample all the flavors of the season from select locations.

The fall season is also a great time to enjoy entertainment and shopping at Disney Springs. Colorful backdrops will make great seasonal photos for the entire family, while new fall looks will be available in shops throughout the shopping district, including Halloween costumes for kids and clothing for adults featuring their favorite Disney characters.

DID YOU KNOW … NBA Experience will span 44,000 square feet of basketball action and fun.

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Make the Jump to Lightspeed in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

On the heels of its Aug. 29 opening, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge offers Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests the chance this fall to live their own Star Wars stories. The action takes place on Batuu, a far-flung planet populated by scoundrels and adventurers. While visiting the land, guests can stop for a drink at Oga’s Cantina or discover rare artifacts at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, among other immersive Star Wars experiences. The groundbreaking attraction Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run gives guests control of the iconic spacecraft as the ship hurtles through space on a smuggling mission. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, a second attraction opening later in 2019, will put guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance.

DID YOU KNOW … Guests will play one of three unique and critical roles in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – pilots, gunners or flight engineers – providing multiple ways to experience the attraction.

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Disney Skyliner Takes Flight this Fall

A new mode of transportation will float through the air around Walt Disney World this fall when Disney Skyliner, a state-of-the-art gondola system, begins gliding guests across the sky in custom cabins. Disney Skyliner will conveniently connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, as well as the 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s Riviera Resort (planned to open in mid-December). Select gondolas will have iconic Disney characters incorporated into their exterior designs to give the appearance that a Disney pal is riding along with guests. Disney Skyliner will offer a new way to experience Walt Disney World with amazing views only available from the sky.

DID YOU KNOW … Several Disney Skyliner gondolas will be adorned with graphics based on Disney films, attractions or characters.

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Thousands Book Plane Tickets to Orlando Just to Stay at the New Great Escape Parkside Mansion

Thousands of people from around the world have already booked stays, often years in advance, at this brand new rentable game-themed mansion in the Orlando, Florida area.

The Great Escape Parkside is a 15 bedroom estate on 10 privately gated acres with larger-than-life games pouring from the walls of every room, closet, and corridor. One bedroom pulls you into a realistic Ms. Pac-Man maze while another is a one-of-a-kind 360 degree Twister board and still another has hundreds of giant foam Legos covering the floor.

The secluded property also features the world's only "billiard table swimming pool" complete with a huge lazy river serving as the pool table's "bumpers."  There's even a hot tub that looks like a cube of billiard chalk resting on the ledge.

Other over-the-top themed amenities include a fast waterslide, "human bowling," "human whack-a-mole," two escape rooms, an actual laser maze, a movie theater, the world's largest printed maze, a karaoke stage, and a skeeball carnival midway arcade.

Building upon the viral success of its sister property, the 13 bedroom Great Escape Lakeside, the new Parkside mansion has its own over-the-top attractions….from a giant 6' tall Scrabble board to life-sized chess, an escape room…and even an actual high-tech laser maze, the rental offers something for everyone… and as such, has become a tourist magnet for travelers from around the world.

Boasting a capacity to sleep up to 54, The Great Escape Parkside's clientele is predominately family reunions and company retreats. Summer 2019 and Summer 2020 are sold out but there is a waiting list for cancellations.