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Elizabeth Van Tassel

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Five Lessons Disney’s The Mandalorian Teaches About Creating Epic Characters

Dec 4, 2019

Like much of the country, I have fallen for the two main characters in Disney’s The Mandalorian series on the new Disney Plus service. On a recent visit to The Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland, I got to really consider Baby Yoda, or The Child, and the Mandalorian himself as characters. We even spotted some Easter Eggs or items in the park which you won’t want to miss and so keep reading :). And if you haven’t watched yet ++spoiler alert++ so I recommend watching before reading further. How did we become so connected with so few words? I’m not the… 

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Author Elizabeth Van Tassel in front of the Millenium Falcon from Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland

Story comes to life at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland

Jun 23, 2019

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland When I was a tween the original Star Wars debuted and we stood in line in the hot sun for two hours to see it opening weekend, then stayed for three showings with my father and brother. It was so magical. I remember my younger brother playing with the action figures under the Christmas tree. We were all drawn into the story. As a college student, I competed nationally one summer for a marketing/public relations internship with Lucasfilm and got to see the amazing ranch in my hometown of Marin, California. It was thrilling…. 

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Disneyland’s display of Aladdin’s magic

May 22, 2019

Amidst all the fun, in a quiet corner at Disneyland near the Lincoln exhibit, I stumbled into some of the props and original concept art for the upcoming Aladdin movie, which releases this Friday in theaters. Staring Marwan Kenzari, Mena Massoud, Will Smith as the Genie, Billy Magnussen, and Naomi Scott as Jasmine, the live-action movie is a remake of the animated one by Disney, where young Aladdin embarks on a magical adventure after finding a lamp with a very funny, wish-granting genie inside. We were able to get so close to the carpet! I love the rich hues and… 

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New Frozen Musical Medley at Hyperion Theater

Nov 8, 2016

As part of living a beautiful life, it’s important to seek out uplifting moments for the whole family, especially with all of the turmoil going on in the world. Come find some refreshment and truly “let it go” watching captured moments of Disney’s production of Frozen at the Hyperion Theater in California Adventure. You can see the long version soon on Geek Central Blog, too! Sign up for my blog posts and be entered in the November giveaway!  

Get Ready For A Sparkling September

Aug 18, 2016

September is our kick-off month for three blog themes to encourage, embolden, and inspire you, and some sparkle not to miss at Disneyland before the end of their 60th Anniversary Diamond Days celebration. Late August Note: As a gemologist, I’m always on the lookout for something beautiful to see. Pictured above is some sparkle not to miss at Disneyland before the 60th anniversary is over on September 5, 2016. Make sure to stop by The Disney Gallery right as you enter Disneyland to view this spectacular castle and some other gorgeous gems with Swarovski crystals. There are also fascinating paintings… 

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Design Your Own Land

May 12, 2016

Recently my son had an interesting history assignment: Design your own land and put elements of it in a box to share with the class. The whole class considered all kinds of variables, like transportation, government, systems, food, fun, family activities and more. You were allowed to choose a favorite land and enhance it. My son Jonathan chose Tomorrowland, like in the Disney movie. But he stepped it up a notch. Junk food became healthy. People invented things for the betterment of everyone’s life, nothing bad happened. Music had lots of applications. It made me think, what if I could… 

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Wandering in Tomorrowland

May 5, 2016

  We were walking through Disneyland and began to notice ladies and gentlemen dressed in period clothing. They looked very nice. Suddenly, I glanced all around and it was like being on the movie set for Tomorrowland with lots of hats, heels, and poofy skirts, too. We had inadvertently visited during Dapper Days and it was like taking a time-warp back to the 1950s or 60s. Here’s some of the best photos! By now we really felt immersed in a story, a new one melding Disney and a snapshot of time. It was beautiful! Now, there was a dark side…. 

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Enjoy Some Wonder This May

Apr 28, 2016

Photo: Charlotte Bird With May just around the corner, I thought it was time for some wonder on display! Faeries remind me of the simplicity of childhood, and also keeping open to wonder in life. I was a lot like this little girl growing up, looking for the stars winking in the sky, waiting for something amazing to happen, or wishing all my stuffed animals would come alive at night. One May tradition I want to try this year is leaving flower bouquets on neighbors or friends’ doors. Precious! Photo: lfvaustin.blogspot.com Host a Faerie party! Some gardens and locations have… 

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Relevant and Relatable?

Nov 12, 2014

How do you enter into your kids’ worlds so you stay close during the topsy-turvy times of puberty? Recently I was helping my son with homework, teaching him to make a list of what he had to do, then checking off each point. He nodded, smiled at me, then went to the bottom and penciled in “fun.” “Mom, after all the work, we get to have fun, right?” That moment struck a cord in me, as I watched his braces-filled smile and remembered these moments only come once. “You bet!” I replied. So in the busy hum of every week,… 

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