"Inside Out" Sneak Peek Coming To Epcot!

Inside Out, Disney•Pixar's newest film coming to theaters is the story of a girl named Riley... or, rather, what is going on inside of Riley's head. And, let me tell you, from the looks of the cast of characters like Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger, it's going to be a good one! But don't take my word for it - check it out for yourself... and you don't even have to wait until its theatrical release on June 19, 2015.  Coming to Epcot on May 30, 2015 is a special advance look at a sequence from the film, complete with an exclusive introduction from the filmmakers and the special in-theater effects that guests have come to know and love from the Imagination Pavilion Theater in Epcot's Future World. Currently, this theater is hosting an exclusive preview of the film, Tomorrowland. Prior to that it had been showing Michael Jackson's Captain Eo. This venue has also been host to Disney's Honey, I Shrunk The Audience.

Want to enjoy more from the world of Inside Out? Check out the Inside Out Emotion Garden at Epcot's International Flower & Garden Festival, going on now until May 17, 2015.

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New Cinderella Experiences Coming To Hollywood Studios

Cinderella's Golden Coach in a special, New Years' Eve pre-parade.

If you are a reader of this blog, you know that Wandering Oaken's at Disney's Hollywood Studios is now closed. As is often the case, as we say Goodbye to one attraction, we welcome in a new one. Beginning January 17, 2015, Guests to Hollywood Studios will be able to enjoy a sneak peak of Disney's new, live action film, Cinderella. This preview will be taking place at the ABC Sound Studio. Then, beginning on February 1, 2015, Cinderella's golden coach, direct from the movie itself, will be on display on the Streets of America. These, limited time, experience will be available until March 21 and April 11, 2015, respectively.

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Disney's Christmas Day Parade TV Special Gets Frozen (Plus Show Taping Dates!)

Disney's Christmas Day Parade
is an annual tradition
that dates back 31 years!

Princess Anna, Queen Elsa and Gang are continuing to leave their mark at the Disney Parks, as this year's Christmas Day Parade gets Frozen. Aptly titled Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration, here's what the ABC Television Network (owned by the Walt Disney Company) has to say about it's upcoming special:

"Music, magic and merriment come together when Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida present the 31st annual Christmas Day parade and TV special. The star-studded sounds of the season include some of today's top musical talents lending their voices to celebrate the holidays. And, from fairy tales to classic Christmas carols, Disney friends and holiday characters spread joy and good tidings through Disneyland Park in California and the Magic Kingdom Park in Florida. This year promises some extra Frozen fun with fanciful floats and colorful cavalcades as Santa Claus himself along with his reindeer, wind their holly jolly way down Main Street, USA."

The special is scheduled to air at 10:00am-12:00pm EST. However, the event is not live. It is currently scheduled to be taped from December 6-9, 2014. All guests are invited to attend the taping along with their park admission for the day. Keep in mind, however, the parade does not run straight through, from start to finish. Floats may stop and be restarted, performers may repeat their routines a number of times... Though it is a fabulous opportunity to check out, first hand, all of the work and time that goes into shooting a television special! It may also prove to be a fantastic day to visit other Magic Kingdom attractions, since so many other guest will be watching the parade taping.

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"Toy Story 2" Movie & Snack Night

As it turns out, counting down the 100 Days To Disney is a very busy and tasty undertaking! Recently, we decided to add one of Disney's most successful movie franchises into the mix. The sequels in this series are so fantastic, actually, that we didn't even watch the original as a part of our Movie and Snack Night but, rather, the second movie in the series - simply because we wanted to see more than just the first set of characters. Okay, enough beating around the bush, let's talk about:

Toy Story 2

This is the first movie on our list that is not part of Disney's official Animated Feature collection. That's because the Toy Story movies are actually Pixar Animation Studios films. While Pixar is now owned by the Walt Disney Company (they weren't at the time to Toy Story 2's release), they continue to keep their animation studios relatively separate, though they are both run by Chief Creative Officer, John Lasseter. Toy Story 2 was released in 1999, and continues the story of Andy's toys - Buzz, Woody, and the gang. This sequel introduces us to new friends, Jessie the cowgirl and her horse (technically Woody's horse, I suppose), Bullseye.

Posing with Buzz & Woody
at Hollywood Studios

Toy Story characters and attractions can be found all around the Disney Parks, making this movie  a great one to watch before a trip to Disney World! In the Magic Kingdom, Woody and Jessie love meeting with guests next to the Splash Mountain queue in Fronteirland. And, when I say "next to the queue," I totally mean it. You're not going to be able to find the line for this meet without going underneath the overpass that separates the Splash Mountain line area from the rest of the park. It's the one that also has a small playground for little ones under there. Just head through and look to your left - you'll find it! Buzz Lightyear meets with his loyal fans in Tomorrowland, right next to his own ride - Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. This attraction gives you the chance to blast away at the Evil Emperor Zurg and his minions! The Toy Story fun doesn't stop when you leave Magic Kingdom. At Hollywood Studios, you can enjoy the ever-popular ride, Toy Story Midway Mania. This attraction is a carnival-themed, 3D, interactive adventure for the whole family. Just across the way from this one is a great opportunity to meet best friends, Buzz and Woody, together in front of a super fun, Andy's Bed backdrop. There are also some fantastic photo opportunities along the line for this meet, so that's a good time, too! Looking for a place to rest your head that is also Toy Story themed? Disney's All-Star Movies Resort has a whole section featuring many many larger than life statues of the lots of our Toy Story favs, including Green Army Men, Buzz, Woody, Bo Peep, and more!

Since we picked Toy Story 2, we had to go with a snack right out of the movie itself: Cheese Puffs! If Toy Story series too, after all! If you remember, Al, from Al's Toy Barn, can be seen with his orange cheese-coated hand dangling over a upside-down bowl and a minefield of cheese puffs all over the floor, below, as he sleeps on the couch with Woody's torn arm in his pocket. If you've ever had cheese puffs,  you know that they can make you awfully thirsty. And, so, we added some lemonade to tonight's snack. To keep with our theming, we dropped some food coloring in, to turn the lemonade green, and taped on some alien eyes for good measure. The three-eyed, green aliens are some of the heroes of the series and it was nice to give credit where credit is due!

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"The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh" Movie & Snack Night

As we make our way further along our 100 Days To Disney countdown, we decided to pair a classic movie with a delicious snack, borrowed straight from Walt Disney World itself! You'll see which tasty treat and understand why it goes so well once we talk about the movie and why it's a great one to prepare your family for Disney:

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

The 22nd Animated Feature for the Walt Disney Company, this 1977 film is actually a compilation of many different adventures starring Winnie the Pooh. Hence the title, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. The three animated shorts (all based on the original Winnie the Pooh stories, written by A.A. Milne and illustrated by E.H. Shepard) are Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree (in which Pooh attempts to get honey from a tree inhabited by bees, and featuring the sequence in which Pooh gets stuck in Rabbit's front door), Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day (in which a storm floods the Hundred Acre Wood and Piglet must be rescued), and Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too! (in which Rabbit tries to un-bounce Tigger).

This is such a perfect movie to watch before a trip to Disney World because Pooh and Friends can be found in all sorts of places at the Walt Disney World Resort. The most obvious, perhaps, is on the ride, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. This ride became a part of Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom in 1999, when it took the place of the Mr. Toad's Wild Ride attraction. Winnie the Pooh is a slow moving ride that takes you on a trip through scenes from the Pooh Bear movie, while riding in a honeypot. It also features a super fun, interactive queue, to keep little ones busy while they're waiting in line. Just outside of the Pooh ride, you can actually meet Winnie the Pooh and Tigger (other friends, such as Piglet and Rabbit, also appear from time to time), take pictures, and all of that good stuff. The Hundred Acre Wood Friends are also available for a Character Dining experience at the Crystal Palace, also located in the Magic Kingdom. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this one isn't just Pooh and Tigger. Piglet and Eeyore are also on hand. And, in our many experiences here, the characters happen to be super fun at this location - possibly the most fun of all the Character Dinings on the Disney property. They are just overall fun, sill, and goofy... the last time that we were there, Tigger grabbed our autograph book and started having a conversation with us by writing his end of it down on the pages. Talk about feeling like the characters make time for you! Pooh and Tigger have another dining that they like to participate in. This one is over at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian Resort - the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast, also featuring fellow United Kingdom friends, Alice in Wonderland; the Mad Hatter; and Mary Poppins. Winnie the Pooh (and Tigger too!) are also available to meet with you at Epcot's World Showcase, in the United Kingdom.

Everyone knows that bears love honey and no bear loves honey more than Pooh Bear. That's why this movie's snack absolutely had to feature something with honey. And, where better to look for something that will remind us of our Hundred Acre Wood Friends then in Disney's wooded Resort, Fort Wilderness? The Trail's End restaurant at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground serves a delicious Sticky Bun Sundae that we decided to replicate for our Winnie the Pooh snack. Since the sundae's at Trail's End are served in mason jars, we decided to go ahead and use mason jars for ours, as well. 16 oz. jars were the perfect size for our family. Here's how we put them together, from bottom to top:

• Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream
• Caramel Syrup
• Little Debbie's Honey Bun (warmed up in the microwave for 10-15 seconds)
• Another scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream
• Whipped Cream
• Some more Caramel Syrup on top

Technically, Trail's End adds some chopped pecans on top of the sundae, but my family opted to skip them. With nuts or without, they are the perfect fix for a rumbly in your tumbly!

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"Alice In Wonderland" Movie & Snack Night

Still counting down the days until my family heads to Disney World and, this week, to pass the time, it wasn't the movie that the kids were begging for as much as the snack. When I tell you what the snack was, you'll probably find it really silly - there's nothing to it. But, let's start with the movie:

Alice in Wonderland

Disney's 13th Animated Feature,  Alice in Wonderland was based on the books, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," and "Through The Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There" written by Lewis Carroll in 1865 and 1871 respectively. The books, and the movie alike, follow the story of a girl named Alice and the many characters whom she encounters along her travels there - the White Rabbit, the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter & the Dormouse, and Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum, just to name just a few. A curious girl, always looking for an adventure, Alice shrinks, grows, has conversations with flowers, and escapes from a deck of playing cards - all while hunting down the mysterious White Rabbit who seems to be "late for a very important date."

Alice - or, more properly put, the Mad Hatter - has a ride of her own, right along the outside edge of Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom. The Mad Tea Party is inspired by the the scene of the same name in Alice in Wonderland, and has guests sit in oversized tea cups that go spinning around and around. A wheel in the center of each teacup allows guests to spin their individual cups even faster. And, right in the center of the attraction, you'll find the sleepy old dormouse, popping up and down out of a teapot. There's also a really cool topiary of Alice, the White Rabbit, and the Mad Hatter in that area, as well. Just outside of the ride, next to the topiary, is your opportunity to meet Alice, often along with the White Rabbit, at the Magic Kingdom. If you are lucky enough to be one of the first guests of the day to enjoy the Mad Tea Party, you might even get to ride with the two characters! If you ask me, Alice is one of the most fun characters to meet at Disney World. She is just so silly and nonsensical, she is aways good for a laugh or two... or more! And, most people must agree with me because, for a non-Princess and a non-Fab 5 member, she is really available to talk, take pictures, and sign autographs in quite a few places. In addition to her Magic Kingdom location, Alice also heads over to the United Kingdom in Epcot's World Showcase to meet with guests. Want to meet and eat? You can join Alice at the Grand Floridian Resort's 1900 Park Fare restaurant for the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast. Here, Alice is joined by the Mad Hatter, as well as Mary Poppins, Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger too! The Wonderland Tea Party is also available at the Grand Floridian. Kids, ages 4-10, are invited to this hour long party, hosted by Alice and her Wonderland Friends. Kiddos get to make cupcakes and then eat them, along with some delicious tea that tastes suspiciously like juice. They will also get to listen to a story as well as make flower bouquets.

So, what was that snack that had my own children begging my wife and I to pick Alice in Wonderland for our movie night? It was a tea party of our own, with Graham Crackers and Nutella to eat and Iced Tea to drink. Before our Disney World trip last year, no one in my house had ever tried Nutella and I wasn't sure that they would like it at all. But, needless to say it was a big hit and a favorite snack of theirs now. This repeat tea party was the best one yet!

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Phineas And Ferb Meet Star Wars In Just A Few Weeks

©Disney

Last summer, we saw Disney Channel heroes, Phineas and Ferb, team up with heroes from the Marvel Universe to save the world. This summer - July 26, 2014 to be exact - the stars of summer will find themselves living next door to Luke Skywalker on Tatooine, where they will find the plans to blow up the evil Empire's Death Star. Making appearances in the show will be Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2. The good guys, of course, will have to help stop Darth Enshmirtz from blowing up the Rebellion with his Sithinator. And, from what I hear, Agent P might just find himself frozen in carbonite and Ferb... might turn to the Dark Side.

You don't need to wait until that Disney Channel air date to watch the latest and greatest, however. The Disney Channel WATCH app will actually have the episode available to enjoy beginning as early as July 19, 2014!

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Top 10 Movies To (re)Watch Before You Visit The Magic Kingdom

When my family is 100 Days away from our vacation to the Most Magical Place on Earth, we like to brush up on our Disney. Of course, we watch all sorts of Disney movies and tv shows all year long, but no matter how much we have seen, it always seems like there at least a few movies that we haven't had a chance to check out in a long time. And, with some of our kids being relatively young, they sometimes forget. In the Disney Parks, we have found that the more fresh our kiddos' memories of where they have seen a particular character or movie scene before, the more they enjoy a particular in-park experience. Here is our Top 10 list of movies that you're going to want to make sure that your kiddos are familiar with before heading to the Magic Kingdom.

10. Mickey Mouse Cartoon Shorts
I know - not technically a movie. But, Mickey and the Gang are all over the Magic Kingdom in the form of rides, shows, meet and greets, and then some. So, you'll definitely want to make sure that your kiddos are ready for all the fun! The attraction where you'll be able to find Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy is Mickey's PhilharMagic, though it is predominantly focused on Donald. The Barnstormer is a roller-coaster for Guests 35" and taller, starring none other than The Great Goofini. It's a very chill ride for kids who are just starting to work up their roller coaster nerve - a great "starter-coaster" without big bumps, drops, turns, etc. Mickey and Friends can also be found in all of the parks parades, the Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It! Street Party, and the Dream Along with Mickey Castle Show. And, of course, there are opportunities throughout the Magic Kingdom to meet Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto - and Mickey will actually speak to you at his location, so that is a meet and greet that you won't want to miss! You can find the Cartoon Shorts on this Mickey Video app. You can also check out the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show on Disney Junior. As for that "not technically a movie" thing, you can actually find  Donald in Disney Animated Classics such as Saludos Amigos, The Three Caballeros, Fun and Fancy Free, and Melody Time. Mickey and Goofy are in Fun and Fancy Free, as well. Mickey, himself, is also in the Sorcerer's Apprentice segment of Fantasia and Fantasia 2000.

9. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs / Sleeping Beauty
If your kiddos are 38" or taller, then Snow White is the movie to check out here. The reason being that  the Magic Kingdom's newest attraction, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, just opened this past spring, completing the New Fantasyland expansion. It's a family-friendly roller coaster that is placed right between The Barnstormer and Big Thunder Mountain in terms of thrill level, and it's designed especially for Guests who are, you guessed it, at least 38" tall. The cool part about this ride is that, in addition to being a roller coaster, it also has several sections during which the ride slows down to take you through famous scenes from the film with super high tech animatronics. Snow White is available to meet with Guests on Main Street, USA . You can also experience Snow and her friends during the parades and the Wishes! fireworks show.

Not yet 38" tall? Then, perhaps, Sleeping Beauty is the flick to watch. Magic Kingdom's newest parade, The Festival of Fantasy, features Maleficent in enormous fire breathing dragon form, with Prince Philip on hand to fight her as well as her Raven dancers. Princess Aurora's fairy friends, Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, are in the parade, as well. Aurora is also available to meet with Guests, right by Main Street's City Hall.

8. Aladdin
Aladdin and Jasmine are some of the most charismatic characters around, though they couldn't have done it without the help of their friend, the Magic Carpet. You and your little ones can hop aboard your own carpet in the Adventureland ride, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, flying up, down and around in a fun-for-all-ages attraction. Aladdin and Jasmine meet with Guests right behind their ride. The two also make an appearance in Mickey's PhilharMagic, and a certain blue genie can been found in the Movie It, Shake It, Celebrate It! Street Party as well as in the Wishes! fireworks show.

7. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
A classic movie, based on a classic book, there is always good reason to watch The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and follow the fun that a "bear of very little brain" who always has "a rumbly in [his] tumbly" can have. When at the Magic Kingdom, you can follow those adventures in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride. Guests ride, in honeypots, through scenes from the movie, bouncing with Tigger, watching Pooh fall asleep and begin to dream about heffalumps and woozles, etc. This attraction actually took the place of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in 1999 and features an interactive queue, with plenty of fun activities to keep kiddos busy while they wait in line. Want to meet with Pooh and Tigger (and occasionally other Hundred Acre Wood friends)? You can do just that, right next to the ride queue. Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore are also available in a fantastic Character Dining, located in the Magic Kingdom's Crystal Palace.

6. Toy Story
This is the movie that confirmed what we already knew - that our toys totally do come alive when we are out of the room! The trilogy of Toy Story movies is Disney•Pixar storytelling at its best, creating a world of characters that we simple adore and are always willing to find out more about. You can meet some of the stars of the movie at Magic Kingdom - Woody and Jessie, near the Splash Mountain queue and Buzz, near his ride. Buzz' ride, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, has Guests take aim at the minions of evil emperor Zurg, riding along in a space ship that they can rotate up to 360º while blasting "Zs" with their ion blasters and racking up a higher and higher score. Woody and Jessie also dance with Guests in the Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It! Street Party.

5. Dumbo
The classic story of the elephant that can fly is also a classic ride at Disney World. And, it was the first completed New Fantasyland attraction. Now, it stands in the Storybook Circus section of Fantasyland as two identical rides - one for Guests using FastPass and one for those using the Standby queue. This ride is super unique because the queue features a circus-themed, indoor play area. Guests are given a pager and encouraged to go play until that pager lights up and vibrates, signaling that it's their turn to ride! Just past the Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride is the Casey Jr. Splash 'N' Soak Station - a small water play area, where kids can get soaked by the famous circus train from Dumbo. Dumbo is also represented in Magic Kingdom's parades.

4. Peter Pan
The boy who never wanted to grow up and taught us how to fly happens to be one of the most fun characters to meet at Disney World and he, along with Wendy, are available to chat, take pictures, and sign autographs right next to his ride. You can even ask if you can "crow" along with him - he's always up for some hootin' and hollerin'! His ride, Peter Pan's Flight, is similar in structure to The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and will take you through the story of Peter Pan, though not in a honeypot, but in a flying pirate ship! Making an special, guest appearance in this attraction is a certain Little Mermaid that I'll be mentioning in #3. Peter also makes a brief appearance in Mickey's PhilharMagic, is front and center for a portion of the Dream Along with Mickey Castle Show, and shows up in the Magic Kingdom parades. His fairy friend, Tinkerbell, is also available to meet Guests and she even kicks off the nighttime fireworks by flying through the air over the Magic Kingdom!

3. The Little Mermaid
What can I say? This movie holds a special place in my heart, since it was the first that I was allowed to see in the movie theater, without my parents (they dropped my brother and I off and picked us up when it was over). In addition to Ariel's musical appearance in Mickey's PhilharMagic and Sebastian's cameo in the Street Party, there is now an entire section of New Fantasyland dedicated to The Little Mermaid, thanks to the recent expansion.  You can journey past a wrecked ship and into Price Eric's Castle, heading under the sea, to ride through scenes from the movie in the new Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid attraction. Ariel, in mermaid form, is also happy to chat and take pictures with you in her secret grotto. Plus, if you're hungry, Price Eric's Village Market has some delicious and nutritious snack options!

2. Beauty and the Beast
Hands down, the Beauty and the Beast portion of New Fantasyland is my favorite! You can meet Gaston, just outside his tavern - one of the most fun characters to meet, for sure. Then, go ahead inside the pub and grab yourself an enormous cinnamon roll and some delicious LeFou's Brew! Hungry for more than just a snack? High atop a craggy cliff sits The Beast's Castle, and you can actually head inside for a quick service lunch or a table service dinner. Guests can dine in the Ballroom or The West Wing for both lunch and dinner. The Rose Room is also opened for lunch (it serves as a food staging area at dinner time). Dinner guests can meet The Beast himself after their meal. While I love eating in castle, my favorite part of this new area, and probably the entire Magic Kingdom, is the Enchanted Tales with Belle experience. Guests head into Maurice's (Belle papa) cottage, where Cast Members will direct them to a Magical Mirror, given to Belle by The Beast. That mirror will magically transport you up to Belle's library in The Beast's Castle, where Belle will be on hand to act out her story, along with audience members' help! And, of course, Belle and her friends makes several other appearances around the park - Lumiere is in Mickey's PhilharMagic and the Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It! Street Party, while Belle rides along with her princess friends during the all new Festival of Fantasy Parade.

And, the Number 1 movie to make sure that you and/or your kiddos remember before visiting the Magic Kingdom is...

1. Cinderella
I mean, how can it not be!? Cinderella Castle is one of the most photographed spots in the entire world, and it is truly amazing! Plus, did you know that you can make reservations to meet Cinderella and eat upstairs in the castle, along with some of her other princess friends, like Aurora, Ariel and Jasmine? Not to worry, though; Cinderella is also available to chat with Guests without a dining reservation at Princess Fairytale Hall. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a fabulous location where Guests can get made up with sparkles, makeup, hairstyles, dresses, and then some - just in case they find themselves running late for their own ball. Prince Charming's Regal Carrousel is also smack dab in the middle of Fantasyland and, although it is just a carrousel, there is definitely something special about it - especially early in the morning, when Cinderella's step-sisters like to ride. After their trip on the horses, Anastasia and Drizella meet up with Cinderella's step-mother, Lady Tremaine, for pictures, autographs, and (un)pleasant conversation with Guests. You can even meet the Fairy Godmother at the Magic Kingdom! Cinderella can also be found in the park's parades and the Dream Along with Mickey castle show.

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"The Three Caballeros" Movie & Snack Night

As we count down the days until our Disney Vacation, starting at Day 100, my family enjoys watching a weekly Disney movie that we haven't seen in a while - one that is also represented in some way at Disney World. We have found that keeping the movies fresh in our minds adds even more to the Disney fun on vacation. Along with the movie, it's always a great time to include a themed snack - nothing too fancy... we do have 4 kids and, suffice it to say, we often find ourselves a little limited for time, money, and, well, energy! This week's movie was one of my daughter's favorites:

The Three Caballeros

Released in 1944, The Three Caballeros was The Walt Disney Company's 7th Animated Feature. The movie stars Donald Duck, who happens to be celebrating his birthday, and receives three gifts from his friends in Latin America. The opening of each gift leads to several short segments, featuring tons of information (as well as plenty of humor) about the many beautiful areas of Central and South America and their cultures. We are also introduced to an old friend of Donald's, José Carioca, and are on hand when Donald makes a new friend in Panchito. Together, Donald, José, and Panchito form The Three Cabelleros and enjoy singing, dancing, games, and good times with one another.

The Three Caballeros can be found at several locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. They are a water squirting statue in the center of the Calypso Pool at Disney's All-Star Music Resort; Disney's Coronado Springs Resort gift shop, Panchito's Gifts and Sundries, is designed with a Three Caballeros theme; And, most famously perhaps, The Three Caballeros can also be found at Epcot's World Showcase, in the Mexico Pavilion, starring in their own attraction: The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. This boat ride follows José Carioca and Panchito as they search for Donald throughout the streets and landscapes of Mexico, hoping to reunite with him before the concert that they are schedule to perform that evening. Donald Duck, dressed in his Mexican best, is also available to meet, just outside the Mexico Pavilion.

And, so, when it came time to watch the movie, we thought that we'd stick with the Latin American theme and decided to enjoy The Three Caballeros with some delicious and crispy Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips, with Salsa and Sour Cream for dipping! A fun night for sure, and one fun day closer to Disney World.

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10 Things We Can Learn From Disney Mothers

Always be nice to your stepchildren -

you never know when they might marry a prince.

~ Lady Tremaine ~

If you let your child try for themselves,

they just might fly.

~ Mrs. Jumbo ~

Sometimes, children come from unexpected places.

~ Kala ~

Be sure to support your child's life decisions...

or she might turn you into a bear.

~ Queen Elinor ~

Betrothal works.

~ Sarabi ~

Be sure to embrace your child's special abilities,

or she might freeze the kingdom.

~ The Queen of Arendelle ~

Never allowing your child out eventually backfires.

~ Mother Gothel ~

Always do a trial run with the babysitter.

~ Mrs. Incredible ~

If you can't say somethin' nice,

don't say nothin' at all.

~ Thumper's Mom ~

Don't worry when your child's toys are missing - 

they will turn up.

~ Andy's Mom ~

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Star Wars Books To Be Released, Leading Up To New Movie

©Publisher's Weekly

With the latest film in the Star Wars Saga, Episode VII, slated to be released in December 2015, Disney-Lucasfilm Press has announced a series of books to catch fans and fans-to-be up on the story thus far. The new series will begin in October 2014 with The Adventures of Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight, a children's picture book that will delve into Episodes IV-VI. Individual books, detailing the happenings in Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, will be released in April, July, and October 2015 respectively.

Prior to this series, six titles related to the new, Disney XD, Star Wars Rebels animated TV series, will be released, beginning in August 2014.

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Get An Olaf Plush Doll From Disney's Frozen!

How would you like to get your hands on a plush doll of one of Disney's cutest and most endearing characters ever!? Then, what if I told you he pulled apart, just like in the movie? Then what if I told you that it would only cost you $9.95, including shipping? I'm not trying to be all "sell-y," I'm just super excited about the doll that I just ordered for my daughter's 3rd birthday.

Is there a catch? Only a little one. You have to own Frozen. But, let's face it - you either already do, or are planning on it anyway, if you want the doll. If you have the DVD or BluRay, you're going to head to the Disney Movie Rewards website and type in the Magic Code included with your movie. If you have, or want, the digital version, head to the Disney Movies Anywhere website (you can also just download the Disney Movies Anywhere app). You'll be able to buy the movie on iTunes straight from there, or just link your copy (and unlock the Olaf Offer), if you already have it!

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Frozen's "Let It Go," In 25 Different Languages

Here's something really neat for all of the fans of Disney's "Frozen" out there. And, let's face it, if you've seen the Walt Disney Company's latest animated feature, the chances are really good that you're a fan. In celebration of the international phenomenon's recent nomination for Best Song at this year's Academy Awards, Walt Disney Studios has released the full "Let It Go," sequence... in 25 different languages. The 2014 Oscars, by the way, will be airing, live, on ABC on March 2 at 7pm. And now, without further adieu, "Let It Go":

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Toy Story Coming Back To TV For Christmas 2014!

This past year, we were treated to a Halloween television special, starring our Toy Story friends in "Toy Story of Terror." This year, Buzz, Woody, and the gang will be back once again, though not for Halloween. "Toy Story That Time Forgot," a new 30-minute TV special, will air during the Christmas season on ABC. It  will focus on a post-Christmas playdate during which the toys meet up with a gang of action figures that are said to be "dangerously delusional."

There is currently no specific release day. So, be sure to stay tuned!

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Disney's "Frozen" Coming To Broadway?

Bob Iger, has experienced his "proudest moment as CEO of the Walt Disney Company," with the release of this fall's blockbuster animated feature, Frozen. Iger is so pleased with the quality of the movie as well as the overwhelming positive audience response that he has mentioned several plans that are in the works. For example, Disney is now in discussions to create a stage version of the musical comedy adventure, though no time frame has been specified. Iger remarked, "We're not demanding speed... We're demanding excellence." Says Iger in regard to the success of their latest movie, "If you think long term about what Disney is and the success and the vitality of the brand, this is a very, very important event.

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Read the Disney "Frozen" Screenplay!

Anna and Elsa from Disney's upcoming film, Frozen, are now available to meet Guests at both the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts! The movie itself, however, isn't set to be released until the end of November. For those who are heading to Disney before they have had a chance to see Frozen, there is now a way to get yourself fully versed on Anna and Elsa's adventures! Disney has released the screenplay! You can find it at the Walt Disney Studios Awards website. Happy reading!!

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Little Mermaid Annual Passholder Only Party!

Great news for Disneyland Annual Passholders! You've been invited to the celebration of the Blu-ray release of The Little Mermaid Diamond Edition! Annual Passholders only will be given access to Disney California Adventure park for 3 hours after its closing, from 8pm-11pm, on both September 5 and September 19 of this year. Registration and wristband distribution will begin at Noon on the days of the event and space is limited. Registered guests can also receive a Little Mermaid gift as they leave the park for the night!

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Phineas and Ferb Meets Marvel and then Star Wars!

We all know that Disney is not a company who leaves well enough alone. But this is a good thing. We love Disney for their constant innovation. So, when Disney bought Marvel and, then again, when they acquired LucasFilm, we knew that amazing things would happen. And they are happening, in the form of Phineas and Ferb!

Phineas and Ferb fans, get ready. In just a few weeks, Spider-Man, Thor, Iron Man, and Hulk will arrive in Danville after their powers are taken by the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz. Phineas, Ferb, and Agent P will need to act fast to help the super heroes and stop villains such as Red Skull, Whiplash, and Venom in "Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel."

Then, next year, we will see our young Disney heroes spending the summer living next door to Luke Skywalker on Tatooine. They will have to help Luke and the Rebel Alliance blow up the Death Star while taking on foes such as Darth Enshmirtz and his evil Sith-inator! Word has it that Agent P might even find himself frozen in carbonite and Ferb may just turn to the Dark Side!

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Everything My Daughter Needs To Know She Can Learn From A Disney Princess - Mulan

Mulan is the "warrior princess." She is the one typically seen as strong and willing to fight for what she believes in and not "waiting to be rescued." When I read Peggy Ornstein's book she even talked about how miserable Mulan was in the matchmaker dress and how upsetting it is that the only place you can meet her (Epcot in China) she is wearing that, since that isn't who she wants to be at all. The funny thing about all of that is as far as I can tell people don't understand Mulan at all. Mulan doesn't fit in. She doesn't seem to be excelling at the life she has. She is smart and yet in her world she has no real outlet for that. She is expected to be quiet (in public - her parents don't seem to treat her that way), refined and to make a good match to bring honor to her family. When she is getting dressed and ready to meet the matchmaker I did not see her as unhappy that she was doing this but nervous that she would be unsuccessful. She seems to feel that she is not good at anything. When her father is called to war, more than anything she seems to feel that just in being a girl she has failed her father again - why can't she at least be a boy who could keep him from dying?

So, what can my daughter learn from Mulan? Well, first and foremost my daughter can learn that fitting in is not always the most important thing. In the end Mulan saves all of China because she finds something that she is good at and she excels at it. She is good at being a warrior. She is smart and she uses her brain to outthink the opponents. She sees the opportunity in the mountain to cause the avalanche that takes out almost all of the Huns. She fools them by getting the other soldiers to be concubines and then she takes out Shan Yu by using some physics to calculate where that firework will take him out. The emperor says it best: "The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all."

My daughter can learn that no matter what problem is presented to her there is always a solution that can be worked out if she thinks about it long enough. When the soldiers are faced with retrieving the arrow none of them can do it. Including Mulan. When Mulan is faced with being sent home because she is not strong enough to be in the army she spends the entire night trying to figure out how to climb that pole. In the end she does. Not because she is strong but because she is smart. She finally figures out how to hold those weights so that they help her, not hinder her, as she climbs the pole. My daughter can learn to keep trying to puzzle out the answer to any problem - no matter how big it seems. 

My daughter can also that she has worth just by being herself. When Mulan comes home she hands her father the emperor's crest telling him it is to "bring honor to the family." He tells her that "the greatest privilege and honor is having you for a daughter." As a parent I want my daughter to know that I am always proud of her. She does not have to fit into some random mold that someone else has decided would make her the "perfect daughter." She just has to be herself and try her best. I will always be proud of who she is. 

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