A few months ago, we took our baby girl to see the movie Tangled. I was still pregnant at the time, and it’s the last movie we’ve seen at a movie theater and will remain so for a few more months since baby boy is too young to go. Our girl was excited to see the movie as she’d been seeing the commercials for a while, and like most girls her age, she LOVES princesses. Naturally, she wanted to see Disney’s latest princess movie; their 50th animated film I later found out!

We all really enjoyed the movie and laughed thoroughly, as there are many funny moments in the movie. Even my husband laughed, particularly at Maximus’ antics with Flynn Rider. Rapunzel’s strong will and energy was also contagious and appreciated by my daughter, who is also strong and energetic.

I actually asked my daughter, “Why do you like the movie Tangled?” Her answer: “It’s funny and even though Flynn Rider is a thief, he finds someone that loves him [Rapunzel] and they get married.” The girl has recently become obsessed with all things love and marriage.

Incidentally, the movie’s executive producer, John Lasseter, incorporated a special moment from his own marriage into the movie. Here’s how he explains it:

One of my favorite sequences in the movie is the one we developed with the floating lanterns. Personally, these sequences are very special to me. Why? Well, let me tell you a little story… My wife and I headed to Bora Bora, Tahiti, for our 20th wedding anniversary. The Head Of Food Service at the resort we were staying at was an Italian guy, but he married an Indonesian woman and he had lived in Indonesia for years. He said to us, “I have something special for you.” And on our 20th anniversary, he brought out a lantern. He had us sign a little note to each other, which we taped to the top of the lantern, and then he lit it. It was dusk, we were on the beach and it was very romantic. The guy then said, “Kiss and let it go.” So we let it go and that beautiful lantern floated up into the Tahitian sky and drifted off into the distance.

It was beautiful. We had dinner on the beach that night and we watched the lantern float away for about two hours until it was a tiny, little speck in the sky. It looked like a star up there. It was one of the most magical things that has ever happened to me, so when we started talking about doing something special for Tangled, I mentioned this story to the team. We got on the internet and we discovered that there are festivals in Southeast Asia where thousands of these lanterns light up the sky. We’d never seen anything quite like it, so it became an inspiration for the movie.

If you wish, you can read more from John Lasseter, in this Q&A interview I was provided. [PDF] (Note: These are not questions I personally asked him.)

Also, check out this slide show featuring the concept sketches and drawings for Mother Gothel:

Tangled is due to be released on DVD/Blu-Ray on March 29. And, you have a chance at sharing the story of Rapunzel with your family by entering to win your own copy of Tangled below!

Giveaway

Enter for your chance to win a TANGLED DVD/Blu-Ray Combo pack.

How to Enter

Required entry: If you’d like to enter this contest, simply leave a comment below telling us what you liked best about this movie (if you’ve seen it) or what you think you’ll like based on the previews! You can view a trailer and find out more info about the movie here.

Extra entries (optional):

Each of the following will count as 1 extra entry. You’ll need to leave a separate comment for each entry.

1. Follow @modernmami on twitter.
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All entries must be in by Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 11:59 pm EST. You must have a valid U.S. address to enter. Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry. The winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be notified via email. (Please be sure to provide a valid email address with your entry.) Winner will have 48 hours to respond and claim prize, otherwise a new winner will be chosen. DVD/Blu-ray combo provided may be a different version than pictured.

Disclosure: I received information and product in order to facilitate this review/giveaway. No compensation received. As always, all opinions and thoughts are my own.

Photos provided

Recently, my family and I attended the latest Disney on Ice show, Celebrations! This opportunity was provided to us by Jennifer Bisbee of Bisbee and Company. You may remember there was a contest.

We invited my husband’s coworker to come along with her daughter so that our daughter could have a playmate around her age instead of just mom and dad. Even though we are the most fun parents in the world. Right as we walked into the arena, I nearly ran into the big table full of souvenirs. Nothing better than a huge Tinkerbell flashy light-up thingy staring my daughter right in the face.

Somehow we made it past the flash, twirl, and sparkles and into our seats. Our view was really nice. Thanks Jennifer!

The show’s theme was celebrations which meant all types of parties and holidays were, well, celebrated. Some of those featured were:

• Halloween with the Disney Villains
• Valentine’s Day Royal Ball with the Disney Princesses
• Brazilian Carnivale parade
• Hawaiian luau party
• and a Japanese Cherry Blossom festival

My husband and I really liked the Halloween segment which featured Jack Skellington. There was also the Fantasia-inspired brooms’ dance in which the brooms were neon – an awesome visual effect in the dark. And both equally as hard to get shots of! Man, Jack Skellington was fast!

Baby girl loved all parts of the show. While the princesses were extra special for her and our 4 year old guest, they really had a great time all throughout. They enjoyed the music and songs, twirling ice skaters, and of course the many Disney characters. Even Cruella De Vil got some love from my daughter’s friend, who apparently has a special thing for the villain.

Two things I didn’t like about the show, but that definitely don’t make or break it:

1. During the Disney Princesses ball, the fairy godmother said, “You can’t be a princess without a prince!” Which fit the context since they were looking for Mickey at the time, but still sends the wrong message to impressionable 3 year olds. Because you can in fact be a princess with no prince around. At least I think so.
2. Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen, from the not-yet-released The Princess and the Frog were to be the big highlight of the show. It was one of the most stressed points in the press release. And yet, when Princess Tiana came out on the ice, there was no introduction. She came out just like any other princess and you could tell the whole arena was like “Who is that?” She barely got a clap. For her being a new princess and the movie currently being promoted, I think a simple “Introducing Princess Tiana!” would have been good.

Regardless, the show was really fun. And the girls had a great time, which is what truly matters. The husband even enjoyed himself – and not the fake “I’m being a good daddy!” excitement, but the “I actually had a good time” type.

Have you had a chance to catch a Disney on Ice show? What was your favorite part?