It's a Beary Good Weekend to Take the Family to the Movies!

Following in the tradition of the Disney’s storied True-Life Adventure films, and just in time for Earth Day comes this year’s 5^th installment in the Disneynature series, “Bears” now playing in theaters everywhere. 

This heart warming documentary brings to the screen the touching story of Scout, Sky and Amber as Disney does what Disney does best and that is assign human characteristics and distinct personalities to each member of the animal family.  

Add in a script narrated by John C. Reilly and a musical score that remains with you long after you leave the theater and you have the makings of a perfect family outing.  This is more than a tale about the bears of Alaska. This is a story that all parents share about the strength and determination it takes to raise a family.  They say that the first year of parenting is the toughest. And if you happen to be a bear trying to parent your cubs in the harsh yet beautiful Alaskan wilderness, the stakes are even higher.

In an epic story of breathtaking scale, Disneynature’s new True Life Adventure “Bears” showcases a year in the life of a bear family as two impressionable young cubs are taught life’s most important lessons. Set against a majestic Alaskan backdrop teeming with life, their journey begins as winter comes to an end and the bears emerge from hibernation to face the bitter cold. The world outside is exciting—but risky—as the cubs’ playful descent down the mountain carries with it a looming threat of avalanches. As the season changes from spring to summer, the brown bears must work hard to find food—ultimately feasting at a plentiful salmon run—while staying safe from rival male bears and predators, including an ever-present wolf. “Bears” captures the fast-moving action and suspense of life in one of the planet’s last great wildernesses—Alaska!

Directed by Alastair Fothergill (“Earth,” “African Cats” and “Chimpanzee”) and Keith Scholey (“African Cats”), and narrated by John C. Reilly, “Bears” arrives in theaters April 18, 2014, to celebrate Earth Day.

We were lucky enough to be treated to an advanced screening of “Bears” last weekend during the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration and I can say that this is the best offering to date as evidenced on the faces of young and old alike leaving the theater. This G-rated movie although aimed at young families, is perfect for the nature lover in all of us and because I know you are all wondering, without giving away too much of the plot, parents can rest assured that everyone will leave the theater with a huge smile glued to your face. It was the perfect way to enjoy the afternoon as a family.  The best part if you see “Bears” the week of April 18 and Disneynature will make a contribution to the National Park Foundation! 

Get social and share in the fun of this charming and heart warming movie now:

Website and Mobile Site: Disney.com/Bears

Like on Facebook: Facebook.com/Disneynature

Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/Disneynature

To celebrate the release of the film on April 18, Adventures By Disney is giving your family the chance to take your own incredible journey through Wyoming’s great “wide open,” including Yellowstone National Park! Discover more about the 7 Day/6 Night vacation and enter for your chance to win.

Here’s some other fun ways you can help contribute to the National Park Foundation:

Disney Store

The Disney Store will contribute $1 to the NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION for every BEARS plush purchased between March 10th and May 11th.

Club Penguin

For every bear costume unlocked in-game, Club Penguin will donate $1 USD to help the National Parks. Use this code: BEARCUBS

Alex Woo

Free shipping with every Bears purchase, and Alex Woo will donate 20 percent of the proceeds to benefit the National Park Foundation

DODO case

DODO case introduces a limited edition collection of iPad Air, iPad Mini and iPhone 5/5S cases featuring a custom Bears design.

Treat the family to “Bears” this weekend and make a difference because in the end, aren’t we all part of one family sharing this magnificent earth?

Gayle is a lifelong educator by day and avid blogger by night and is the owner and cofounder of the Disney Gals, one of the most popular Disney blogs around! Proud mommy to 5, Grammy to 4 she is blessed to share her life with amazing family and friends who encourage her to chase her dreams no matter where they may lead.  When not in the classroom, she can be found following her son as he dances his way through life, or working with young performers in free nationally recognized after school children’s theater program that she founded 13 years ago. On any given day you will find Gayle skipping her way through life with a giggle and a smile knowing that today is meant to be lived and enjoyed. To learn more about Gayle, click here.

Disney On The Road Dates and Cities Announced!

There's still time to apply!

Want to be a part of one of the most amazing events of the year? Now’s your chance!    Today, Disney released the dates and cities selected for this year’s Disney on the Road series. Started as a way to bring a one day version of the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration to more people, here’s your opportunity to come together with some of the most talented writers from across the country , interact and  hear from speakers that will surely change your life and be with others who share your love and passion for writing. Last year I was lucky enough to be a part of the Disney on the Road event when it came to San Francisco.  I can honestly say it changed my life.  To find out more about my experience at Disney on the Road when it came to San Francisco last year, click here  

Now here’s your chance to be a part of the magic when it comes to a city near you:  For those that didn’t see the announcement this morning, or would like more information, here’s part of this morning's release from the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration : 

                                   Disney SMMC “On-the-Road”

“The Happiest Place on Earth” is bringing a little Disney magic to your city! The Disney Social Media Moms Celebration is one of the most coveted events of the year, filled with magical moments, valuable learning and unforgettable memories. If you haven’t had the chance to experience this great event, you’re in luck because the team behind this legendary conference are taking the show on the road and sprinkling some pixie dust along the way! 2014 dates and locations to be announced.   

During this delightful event, the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration “On-the-Road” will:

▪       Highlight a dynamic line-up of motivational speakers, who will empower you to take your business to the next level

▪       Deliver educational content focused on business growth

▪       Create an exciting networking forum with influencers in your community

We are proud to announce the 2014 Disney “On-The-Road” dates and details.

Chicago, IL – June 17th

The Hyatt Lodge at McDonald’s Campus

2815 Jorie Blvd. | Oak Brook, IL 60523

Time: 7:30 am – 12:30pm

Philadelphia, PA – June 19th

Crowne Plaza Valley Forge

260 Mall Boulevard | King of Prussia, PA 19406 

Time: 7:30 am – 12:30pm

Phoenix, AZ – June 25th

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

7575 E. Princess Drive | Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Time: 7:30 am – 12:30pm

Space is limited – Register Today

We look forward to seeing you this summer!  Do not wait-register today !  

Follow all the excitement on Twitter – #DisneyOntheRoad

If have any questions, please contact Valika@bsmmedia.com.

*Please note that all events and locations are subject to change.

See you On The Road!

Gayle is a lifelong educator by day and avid blogger by night and is the owner and cofounder of the Disney Gals, one of the most popular Disney blogs around! Proud mommy to 5, Grammy to 4 she is blessed to share her life with amazing family and friends who encourage her to chase her dreams no matter where they may lead.  When not in the classroom, she can be found following her son as he dances his way through life, or working with young performers in free nationally recognized after school children’s theater program that she founded 13 years ago. On any given day you will find Gayle skipping her way through life with a giggle and a smile knowing that today is meant to be lived and enjoyed. To learn more about Gayle, click here.

How Does $1 Million Sound To You? Here's Your Chance!

A HOT ARM COULD LEAD TO A COOL MILLION!

DISNEY’S MILLION DOLLAR ARM PITCHING CONTEST OFFERS A CHANCE TO WIN $1 MILLION 

Contestants Can Test Their Fastball Skills at

Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, Calif., ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World^® Resort in Florida or The Tribeca Family Festival in New YorkNine Finalists Will Advance to the Final Contest Held atDisney’s “Million Dollar Arm” World Premiere in Hollywood, California

It’s springtime.  Blossoms are blooming and the sound of children playing baseball fills the air. Spring also means it’s time for America’s favourite pastime. That’s right it’s baseball season. Time for peanuts, popcorn and Cracker Jacks and maybe, just maybe $1 million dollars if you have what it takes. 

Disney is giving amateur baseball pitchers in the nation a chance to compete for a $1 million prize in the Million Dollar Arm Pitching Contest. The Million Dollar Arm Pitching Contest is being held to celebrate the opening of Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm,” an incredible true story about two young men who went from never throwing a baseball to getting a Major League tryout. 

Amateur baseball pitchers—male or female, who are legal United States residents at least 18 years of age or older—are invited to qualify to compete in the preliminary rounds of the Million Dollar Arm Pitching Contest at either Walt Disney World^® Resort in Florida, Disneyland^® Resort in California or at the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day at the Tribeca Family Festival in New York City. The three contestants from each location who throw the fastest pitches will advance to the finals and have a chance to compete for a $1 million prize at the world premiere of Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm” in Hollywood, California. Official rules are available on Disney.com’s “Million Dollar Arm” homepage at http://disney.com/PitchingContest.

Presented by SUBWAY® restaurants, the three qualifying events will take place on April 25 and 26, from 7 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., at both Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, Calif. and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World^® and on April 26 only, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day during the Tribeca Family Festival in New York City. Contestants will throw three pitches, each tracked by a radar gun, in an attempt to throw the fastest pitch. All participants will receive tickets for themselves and a guest to see an advance screening of Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm” at an AMC Theatres location later that evening. 

Nine finalists chosen during these qualifying events will have a chance to compete for the $1 million prize at the world premiere of Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm.” The top three eligible pitchers with the fastest pitches from each qualifying round location will be flown with his or her guest to the final contest, which will take place at the world premiere of Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm” in Hollywood, Calif., on May 6.  Each of these finalists will throw three pitches on Hollywood Boulevard. Any eligible finalist who throws one 100 mph strike (out of three pitches) will become a potential winner of the $1 million grand prize.

The nine finalists and their guests will be VIPs at the film’s premiere along with stars, filmmakers, major league players, coaches, scouts and celebrities.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Subject to Official Rules available at event or at http://disney.com/PitchingContest.

And in between cheering on your favorite team, be sure to keep up with all the latest goings on of Disney’s “Million Dollar Arm” opening in theaters nationwide this May.  

Like MILLION DOLLAR ARM on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MillionDollarArm

Follow MILLION DOLLAR ARM on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DisneyPictures

Gayle is a lifelong educator by day and avid blogger by night and is the owner and cofounder of the Disney Gals, one of the most popular Disney blogs around! Proud mommy to 5, Grammy to 4 she is blessed to share her life with amazing family and friends who encourage her to chase her dreams no matter where they may lead.  When not in the classroom, she can be found following her son as he dances his way through life, or working with young performers in free nationally recognized after school children’s theater program that she founded 13 years ago. On any given day you will find Gayle skipping her way through life with a giggle and a smile knowing that today is meant to be lived and enjoyed. To learn more about Gayle, click here.

Give A Book Today!

Give Children the Future-Give the Gift of Reading

Saturday morning we were treated to a very special and all important message-that of children's literacy and the need for books in this country. We live in one of the richest countries in the world, but more often than not, children do not have access to books. Even more important, fewer and fewer children are being read to, or see their parents reading. Every educator including myself will tell you that YOU are your child's first and foremost teacher.  Teachers can and do make an impact, but the real change and the things that change a child's life forever come from you. Enter Disney Junior's "Give A Book, Get A Book" Program.

DISNEY JUNIOR'S GIVE A BOOK, GET A BOOK TO DONATE UP TO ONE MILLION BOOKS TO U.S. COMMUNITIES IN NEED

Photo Credit Josh Hallett

LeVar Burton, David Arquette, Tim Gunn and Ariel Winter Help Unveil Nationwide Program During the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at Disneyland Resort

Disney and First Book will provide for the donation of up to one million books to U.S. communities in need and will present families with free digital books from Disney Publishing Worldwide, through a new program announced today, Disney Junior's Give a Book, Get a Book. Storytelling is the foundation of the initiative designed to inspire parents and caregivers to spend time each day sharing stories that help develop the critical thinking, vocabulary and language skills a preschooler needs. The program includes a redemption code offering a free Disney Digital book and a way for families to experience giving back by donating books to the community of their choice. Disney Junior’s Give a Book, Get a Book, also includes public service announcements, free storytime events at Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Disney Store locations, and interactive Radio Disney events.

The program was announced today by Nancy Kanter, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide and First Book Board Member, Dr. Martha Bernadett during the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at the Disneyland Resort.

Ms. Kanter said, "With each and every one of our Disney Junior series, we let a child experience the magic and learning that comes with a story well told, and deepen the emotional connection and sense of wonder and adventure that have defined storytelling at the Disney company for generations." She continued, "The Give a Book, Get a Book program is a way for families to share stories and enter the world of giving in a simple yet effective way."

Photo Credit Josh Hallett

Coinciding with the program announcement today, lifelong children's literacy advocate LeVar Burton, Cofounder and Curator-in-Chief of the award-winning Reading Rainbow app, spoke about the importance of building literacy and of storytelling in the digital age. Disney Junior stars Ariel Winter and Tim Gunn (of "Sofia the First") and David Arquette (of "Jake and the Never Land Pirates") also participated in a storybook reading for event attendees and their families. Genevieve Goings (of Disney Junior's "Choo Choo Soul"), who hosts the Give a Book, Get a Book public service announcements on Disney Channel, emceed the event."There are few things more powerful than stories to connect children to the world and help them imagine what they can become," said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book. "Yet, books and stories are in short supply for kids in need. That's why we're proud to be joining forces with our friends at Disney to put brand new books into the hands of children who so desperately need them."

"Through the donation of 30 million books over the last 15 years, Disney Publishing Worldwide's collaboration with First Book has brought the magic of reading and storytelling to millions of children, unleashing their imaginations and opening their worlds," said Andrew B. Sugerman, Executive Vice President, Disney Publishing Worldwide. "We're thrilled to expand this program with Disney Junior's Give a Book, Get a Book."

Families can now take advantage of an all-new website, GiveaBookGetaBook.com, featuring tools and resources for parents and caregivers that promote the value of storytelling and offer interactive activities. Beginning April 21 in Disney Store locations and later this summer at other nationwide retailers, there are two ways to Give a Book, Get a Book. For a limited time, with the purchase of any specially-marked Disney Junior book or product, receipts or packaging will include a redemption code allowing kids and families to direct the donation of a book to First Book in the region of their choice and to access a free Disney Digital Book to share as a family. Additionally, Give a Book, Get a Book bookmarks with redemption codes will be distributed to visitors at participating public libraries and Radio Disney events throughout the summer. With the help of families across the United States, Disney and First Book will donate up to one million books through this program.

Also starting April 21, Disney Store locations will provide an enhanced interactive "Storytime Powered by Give a Book, Get a Book" featuring two new stories from Disney Junior favorites, "Sofia the First" and "Jake and the Never Land Pirates." In addition to the in-store readings, Disney Store locations will host special storytime events at Boys & Girls Clubs of America in multiple markets across the U.S. Children at these events will be given a free book along with a redemption code bookmark.

Disney Junior Disney Junior reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary. It invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7. Disney Junior's series blend Disney's unparalleled storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills. In the U.S., Disney Junior is a daily programming block on Disney Channel and a 24-hour channel. There are 34 Disney Junior channels in 25 languages around the world.

Disney Publishing Worldwide Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world's largest publisher of children's books and magazines with over 700 million products sold each year. DPW consists of an extensive worldwide licensing structure as well as vertically integrated publishing imprints, including Disney Book Group in the U.S. and Disney Libri in Italy. DPW publishes a range of children's magazines globally, as well as Disney kids magazines in the U.S. Disney English is DPW's English language learning business, which includes Disney English learning centers in China and a worldwide retail- licensing program. DPW's digital products include bestselling eBook titles as well as original apps. Headquartered in Glendale, California, DPW publishes books, magazines,

and digital products in 85 countries in 75 languages. For more information visit

www.disneypublishing.com.

Reading opens the world to a child-what will you do to bring that world to the life of a child?  Give the gift of reading to a child and open up the future.

Gayle is a lifelong educator by day and avid blogger by night and is the owner and cofounder of the Disney Gals, one of the most popular Disney blogs around! Proud mommy to 5, Grammy to 4 she is blessed to share her life with amazing family and friends who encourage her to chase her dreams no matter where they may lead.  When not in the classroom, she can be found following her son as he dances his way through life, or working with young performers in free nationally recognized after school children’s theater program that she founded 13 years ago. On any given day you will find Gayle skipping her way through life with a giggle and a smile knowing that today is meant to be lived and enjoyed. To learn more about Gayle, click here.