When you are summoned by the Mouse, MICKEY MOUSE, you put on your A-game. There is no better way to have a fun day than to say the words Disney around a group of children. When I first received word that I had been selected to participate as a #disneyside host I was eager to break the news to my kids. I had thought they would be happy. but I had no idea just how over the top excited they would be. As the weeks passed I heard more and more conversation around the upcoming party…questions swirled around: What kind of party would it be? Would we have games? What type of food would we serve? How many children would come? Should we pick just one Disney Theme? Could they help plan it?
Then there were the calls from the guests: Should they bring food? Could the children dress in any Disney Themed costume? Could the parents dress too? Above all EVERYONE of every age (ranging from 2-67 years) was excited.
We wanted to celebrate all of Disney, so every possible theme was on the table, and we incorporated concepts from various movies by creatively branding our food, games, decor and creating a special music play list. I focused on food (four recipes provided below), my daughter on games and my son helping us both. Everyone pitched in from brainstorming the music list to making something creative to eat and even adding treats to the already abundant goodie bags. From start to finish it was fun!
One idea I would have like to have offered the girls was a magical hair styling station. My friend and fellow blogger Avanti Morocha did a great post on hair inspired by the movie Frozen. I encourage you to watch it, although she speaks in Spanish on the video, her captions are in English.
While planning our party I came across some other great themed links that I wanted to share with you because this post just might be your ‘Go-To Guide On How To Host A Disney Shindig’.
Goodie Bags
The #DisneySide folks really did it right, aside from inspiring each host via a group Facebook page, they allowed for multiple interpretations of what the ultimate party would be. Then they managed to ensure that there were take home gifts to give to each family.
– Filled with HP Photo Cards
– Mickey Stickers
– Donald Tattoos
– Crasins
– Disney and ESPN Bumper stickers
– Disney Bracelet
– Minnie Mouse Pen
– Mickey’s Hand Sugar Cookies and Stripped straws
– Minnie Jelly Bellies
Games & Activities
-Arial’s Treasure Grotto
-Pixie Dust Face Painting
-Pin the Tail on Pluto
-Daisy Duck’s Cupcake Palooza Decorating Station
-The Evil Queen’s Poison Apple Bob
And for the adults….
-Guess the number of Disney Movies represented (posters, music, food, games) — and we even had a Disney Play List for the iPod (see bottom of post for list of songs)
Minnie’s White Chocolate Raspberry Bark
White Raspberry Bark Ingredients
1 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup red-colored white chocolate chips
1/4 cup Disney sprinkles
4 drops raspberry flavoring
White Raspberry Bark Directions
Line cookie sheet with wax paper.
Place white chocolate chips in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) for approximately 30 seconds; stir. Continue microwaving at MEDIUM in 15 second intervals, stirring after each heating, until chips are melted and smooth when stirred. Set aside. Repeat melting procedure with red chocolate chips.
Pour melted chocolate onto prepared cookie sheet; spread with a spatula to about 1/2-inch thickness. Drop melted red white chips by teaspoonfuls onto melted chocolate; swirl with knife for marbled effect. Gently tap cookie sheet on counter top to even out thickness. Before chocolate dries, add sprinkles over surface. Repeat tapping cookie sheet on counter until candy is desired thickness.
Refrigerate approximately 30 minutes or until firm. Break into pieces. Store in cool, dry place. Can be made 3 days ahead of time.
Chocolate Sugar Cookie Recipe (Pioneer Woman’s Recipe- Modified)
Chocolate Sugar Cookie Ingredients
2 sticks salted butter, slightly softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
2 tsps vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3/4 tsp salt
Chocolate Sugar Cookie Directions
In a large bowl, ream the butter with the powdered sugar. Add the egg and vanilla and mix to combine. Add the flour, cocoa powder and salt, and mix together until the dough comes together. Place plastic wrap on the surface of the dough and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheets with baking mats or parchment paper.
Roll out the cookie dough and cut out the cookies using a Disney inspired cookie cutters, re-rolling the scraps in order to use as much of the dough as possible. Place the cookies onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 7 – 9 minutes, in batches if necessary, being careful not to burn. Cookies will remain the same general size and shape after they bake.
Remove from the oven and place the cookies on a cooling rack. Allow them to cool completely.
Vanilla-Almond Sugar Cookie Ingredients
3 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup sugar
2 sticks salted butter, cold & cut into chunks
1 egg
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
Vanilla-Almond Cookie Instructions
Preheat oven to 350.
Combine the flour and baking powder, set aside. Cream the sugar and butter. Add the egg and extracts and mix. Gradually add the flour mixture and beat just until combined, scraping down the bowl, especially the bottom.
The dough will be crumbly, so knead it together with your hands as you scoop it out of the bowl for rolling.
Roll on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch to 3/8-inch thick, and cut into Disney inspired shapes. Place on parchment lined baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes. Let sit a few minutes on the sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack.
Lost Boy’s Ants on a Log
Ants on a Log Ingredients
celery
organic peanut butter
raisins
Ants on a Log Directions
Clean celery in cold water and using a knife or carrot peeler, remove as many strings as possible. Cut into 3-inch pieces. Stuff celery well with peanut butter, top with raisins.
Note: for those that are sensitive allergies, another option is to stuff the celery with cream cheese and top with raisins.
Mickey’s Western Bean Salad
Salad Ingredients
1 (10.5 oz) can black beans, drained
1 cup frozen or canned corn, drained/
1 red pepper, roasted and chopped into small pieces
1/4 cup red onion, chopped finely
3/4 tsp ground cumin
1/2 a lime, juiced
1 TBS olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Salad Directions
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Let stand at least 15 minutes for flavors to combine, then toss and serve. If using frozen corn will no need to refrigerate as it will keep the rest of the salad cool!
Disclosure: I received free party supplies, goody bag fillers and other products to host a #DisneySide @Home Celebration. The views and opinions and fun I had expressed here are my own.
