New Disney Fan Magazines 新しいディズニーファン雑誌

I was recently able to purchase the most recent issues of Disney Fan! I got the January issue, and the February issue.

                                               

Usually I purchase these online, at YesAsia, but with the Australian dollar as it has been, it has actually been cheaper to buy them at Kinokuniya as I see them. 

The January issue contains a vintage art calendar, but I probably won't use it. I already have my planner that I like to use (though I will need to import another one soon- look out for a post on my planners in the future).

I really enjoy reading these magazines. As my Japanese skill progresses, I find that I can read more and more, which is very exciting. And, since I love Disney so much, I truly want to be able to read them- it can be hard to stay motivated when you are studying another language.

Also, because Japan markets Disney towards young women, and not just children, these magazines are very interesting, and not too childish. If you ever get the chance, I think you should have a look at them!

最近、私は新しいディズニーファンを買えました。一月と二月号を買いました。

通常、オンラインショップのイエスアジアで雑誌を買います。でも、今オーストラリアのドラは弱いだから、きのくにやを買いました。

一月号の中にカレンダーがあります。使いません予定です。スケージェルをもう使っています。将来、私のスケージェルについて書くつもりです。

私の日本語が上手になるから、ディズニーファンを読みやすいになっています。ディズニーファンは子供らしくないので、読むのがとても楽しみます。

みなさんもディズニーファンを読むことがありますか？

A Package From YesAsia! イエスアジアのパッケージ！

Today I received a package from YesAsia, and inside were three Disney Fan magazines that I ordered! I wanted to make a post about these ones, as they are very special, and I am very excited to have them.
今日、イエスアジアからパッケージをもらいました。とても得ですから、ポストを書きたかった。

One of them is a standard Disney Fan Issue, with Ariel on the front cover. 
これは８月互です。前にアリエルがいます。

One of them is the 300th issue of Disney Fan magazine, and it is their 25th anniversary! 
これは３００互です。ディズニーファン雑誌は２５周年ですね！

Inside this magazine was a special photo book, and it is so pretty!
雑誌の中にスペシャルフォトブックがありました。とてもきれいだと思います。

And the other is a special edition, dedicated to Disneyland, California's Diamond Celebration! 
これは、ディズニーランドのダイアモンドセレブレーションについてスペシャル互です。

It contains a fold out map of the parks at California, and extra post cards (they all come with post cards).
中にマップとスペシャルポストカードがあります。

I cannot wait to read them all!
私は全部を読みたいです。

ベッキー。
Becky.

Disney Fan Magazine

My most recent Disney Fan order

The Disney Fan Magazine is a Japanese magazine dedicated to all things Disney, and has been in print since the early 90's. This magazine contains information about Tokyo Disney Resort, the overseas parks, Disney history and films as well.

The magazine also reveals new shows, menus, attraction and goods too! Very often this magazine comes with a poster and postcards to pull out. Sometimes it also comes with stickers, pull out maps and guide books.

Sometimes there will be special guide books released by Disney Fan, such as the Disney Wedding guide book (which I have finally ordered, and which should be arriving in two weeks-perhaps I can do a post about it), the Fun with Kids guide book, yearly guide books to Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, and so on.

Disneyland and DisneySea Perfect Guide Books

This magazine is in Japanese of course, and aimed primarily at young women. I quite enjoy that it is a Disney magazine aimed at an older audience. All of the other Disney magazines I have come across have been written for kids, so aside from posters, there is little for me to gain by reading them.

The first Disney Fan magazine I bought was the January 2013 issue. I bought it from Kinokuniya in Sydney. I could barely understand any of the writing, but I still really enjoyed looking at it. The pages are, for the most part, glossy and full colour. The magazine is filled with gorgeous pictures!

When I was in Japan earlier this year, I bought another issue (a lot cheaper in Japan too), and since then, I have been buying them online! At the moment, I am buying them from YesAsia, as they do a good offer with free shipping! Check them out if you are interested in buying them too : )

When I look at these magazines, I feel so happy. They remind me of my honeymoon. And, if you are like me and are studying Japanese, these magazines are perfect for practice. When I bought my first one, I could barely read it. I am still no where near fluent, but I am understanding a lot more than I used to. Reading them keeps me motivated to keep trying!

Which has prompted me to consider doing a 'Learn Disney with Mickey and Friends' segment. So, if you are interested, please keep an eye out for that!

Becky.

Meeting Bill Farmer!

Earlier this year, in September, I was lucky enough to be able to attend Sydney Oz Comic-con. The entire purpose of my attendance? To meet Bill Farmer, the voice of Goofy.

I decided to cosplay as Goofy, as I figured it would be a simple and comfortable cosplay. So, I made a Goofy hat headband, and wore an orange turtleneck, black vest and blue pants. And, I wore my hair up in double pony tails, with black ribbons tied around them to be his ears.

My day started early. My mum, sister and I arrived at the venue at about 7:30am, to wait to get in at 9am. Then, once we were in, my sister and I headed straight over to the token booth. She bought lots of tokens, for lots of different celebrities that were there, but I only bought one. A photo token for Bill Farmer.

Before the time slot for this photo though, he had an autograph session. So, I went and lined up with the item I wanted him to sign- my Goofy signature from Tokyo Disney Resort! He was wearing a t-shirt with Goofy snorkling on it, and over the top was an open Disney themed Hawaiian shirt. 

He loved my cosplay! He said that in the Goofy voice. And, we had a small conversation about Disneybounding. His wife asked to take my photo, and of course I agreed! Bill Farmer was very excited to be signing a Goofy signature!

My Goofy and Bill Farmer signatures

After getting his signature, I also got a signature from Jim Cummings, AKA Winnie the Pooh. He told me to stay as sweet as honey.

This might sound weird, but after that entire experience I was deliriously happy. My mum and sister just thought that the whole thing was adorable. I have difficulty visually expressing excitement and happiness sometimes, so I think that they were just happy to see me smiling like an idiot.

There were a few hours between signatures and the photograph, so my sister (when she wasn't getting her own photos and signatures), mum and I wandered around the dealer's floor for the purpose of spending ridiculous amounts of money. This was easily achieved.

My purchases for the day- a Sorcerer Mickey plushie, Disney Traditions figure, Cheshire Cat and comic, 'Mickey Mouse Outwits the Phantom Blot'

Then came photo time! I lined up, still really excited, and when it was my turn, Bill Farmer remembered me! I suppose because I was dressed up as his character. While I was getting my photo taken, his wife took photos of us together too. I felt so happy and flattered that they appreciated my effort so much.

Bill Farmer, he was so nice!

All in all, the day was exhausting and amazing, all at once!

Becky.

My Disney Story

I thought that maybe I could tell you all a little bit about my Disney history.

I have loved Disney since, and this is going to sound cliché, before I can remember. I always loved the movies. And, when I was five years old, I got the opportunity to visit Disneyland, California with my family!

My Dad and I in my Disney Nursery

I remember a lot about the trip, despite how young I was. My favourite memory though would be of meeting Mickey Mouse. I loved him very much, and I was the only one out of my siblings and I who wasn't scared of him. So, up I went, and gave him a big eskimo kiss (you know, when you rub your noses together?). 

When we were there, it was Christmas time, so there were special decorations and costumes and parades. It was very cold, but I was having too much fun to notice I think.

Throughout my childhood and teen years I continued to love Disney. But, not as much as I do now. I went through a lot of difficulty during this time. I was bullied and ostracised at school, and developed depression. Watching Disney movies always cheered me up.

I met my husband when I was 16. Life started to look up. I was still struggling with my depression, but he made it so much easier.

One birthday, because I enjoyed Disney so much, Luke bought me Kingdom Hearts. I had a lot of fun playing it, and I think that this is about the time my love of Disney really started to grow. I even managed to win a game of trivia for my group thanks to a question about Donald Duck.

Luke as the Mad Hatter, and me as Alice, at our wedding

Luke and I got married on the 5th of October, 2013. We had an Alice in Wonderland themed wedding (I would have loved to have a wedding at Disney, but living in Australia, that is quite difficult). It was beautiful, and a lot of fun. Our celebrant even wore rabbit ears (as she was the White Rabbit).

In February, 2014, Luke and I went to Tokyo for two weeks for our honeymoon. I study Japanese language and culture, and really wanted to visit. Four days out of that two weeks, we were at Tokyo Disney Resort (alas, we could not afford to stay on property). I had an amazing time there. I think, that if I had known more Japanese, I probably could have made some good friends there!

While watching the Electrical Lights Parade on our first night at Disneyland, we managed to get a spot to sit right at the front, outside the Gag Factory, at the end of the parade route. We got the perfect view! But, the girl next to me was amazing! She was sitting on a Disney mat, she had a Disney lanyard on her massive camera, she had Disney straps and plushies all over her bag, and she had one of those light up Mickey wands. When she wasn't taking photos and waving at her favourite characters, she was clapping along to the entire parade! I think we probably have a lot in common!

We were there in Winter, and it was freezing. But, just like when I was a kid, I was having way too much fun to even notice (though, I did have to wear long johns and extra thick socks in my ugg boots). While we were at Tokyo Disney Resort, they were celebrating their 30th anniversary too! So, we got to see lots of exclusive decorations, costumes, menus and merchandise! It was really exciting.

Back in Australia, by my 24th birthday I was diagnosed with arrhythmia, fibromyalgia, scoliosis, Shermann's disease, and hypermobility. I had suffered from these for years, but finally learned what was going on. 

Luke is very supportive of me, as is my family, but on days when I just need a little bit extra to get by, Disney provides it for me. 

I will make more posts in the future about my Disney trips, and also about meeting Bill Farmer at Sydney Comic Con this year! I hope that you continue to experience the Disney magic!!!

Becky.

Welcome to Stitch's Place!!!

Welcome! Please, won't you become... one of us!

Hello everybody and welcome to Stitch's Place!

This is a blog dedicated to all things Disney, written by a Disney fan in Australia.

Being in Australia, it can be difficult sometimes to experience the Disney magic everyday, but I do the best that I can with what I have.

I often purchase new Disney merchandise, which I will share with everyone here. And, if I hear any news that I find exciting, well of course I will share it with you : )

My favourite Disney character is probably Mickey Mouse. But, I love Stitch, and managed to acquire a ridiculous amount of Stitch plushies. That is where my social media sites got their name from!

If you are interested in seeing more, then please check out the Facebook group Stitch's Place, and the Tumblr stitchs-place.

Becky.