Eloise Inspires The Plaza Hotel

Fanciful Friday is here at last!

Books inspire so many people in so many ways: costumes, movies, amusement parks, and television shows.  If you are not familiar with the Eloise books, you should be.  The stories are darling.  Eloise is a six-year-old girl who lives in the "room on the tippy-top floor" of the New York landmark Plaza Hotel with her nanny, her puppy, and her turtle.  Eloise has inspired made for television movies and an animated series.  Recently, Betsey Johnson found inspiration in Kay Thompson's pint-size resident of the Plaza Hotel.  Obviously drawing from Hilary Knight's beautiful illustrations, Betsey Johnson took her first professional stab at interior designs.  From the picture featured in Elle Decor's article, she hit a home run!  A whimsical night in this fabulous suite at the Plaza Hotel starts at $995.00, but it is free to view Eloise's famous portrait in the hotel lobby!

Here is the picture from the Elle Decor website provided courtesy of the Plaza Hotel.

Please do check out the article!  It is too cute!  Elle Decor: A Pint-Size Plaza Suite

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2010 by Bob Sehlinger with Len Testa

This Book Keeper LOVES travel books!  This love most likely stems from a strong desire to learn from someone else's mistake, rather than my own.  When my husband and I set out to take our nieces to WDW, I knew immediately that I would be making a visit to the bookstore.  I was not prepared for the vast amount of options.  Luckily, a friend (and fellow book club member) had just returned from a trip to WDW.  She recommended The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2010.  

I purchased the book two months before taking our trip.  It was the perfect amount of time to work through the 850 pages.  Of course, not every page was applicable to our family or the purpose of our trip.  I truly enjoyed reading about all the new rides and shows not in existence during my childhood.  I used the tips to plan all of our meals, which saved a ton of money (we did not opt for the Disney Dining Plan).  The biggest benefit of the books?  The touring plans!!!  The touring plans were invaluable to our trip!!!  I would recommend that anyone taking a trip to WDW purchase the book if only to gain access to these touring plans.  I would also suggest that readers pay attention to the unofficial tips set apart from the main text (these tips are printed in blue and can be found in the margins).

Thank You Unofficial Guide!  You were amazing!  Thank you, Laura, for recommending this priceless gem of information!

Stay tuned:  I will post pictures of some of the shows and rides we were able to enjoy with the help of this book.