Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors

Funko

There's a new Marvel animated film coming to DisneyXD in September. Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors is the story of a group of powered teens who become a team of heroes. The team consists of: Ms. Marvel, Squirrel Girl, Patriot, America Chavez, Inferno, Quake (voiced by Chloe Bennett, Quake on Agents of Shield), and Ghost-spider (voiced by Dove Cameron, Ruby on Agents of Shield).

Here's the official synopsis from Marvel:

When a threat no one could have expected bears down on the Marvel Universe, this ragtag, untrained band of teens have no choice but to rise together and prove to the world that sometimes the difference between a “hero” and “misfit” is just in the name.

 And here's Dove Cameron singing the theme song "Born Ready."

Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors debuts on Both the Disney Channel and DisneyXD on September 30.

Big Robot, Little Problem - A Marvel Funko Short

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It's Ant-Man vs an Ultron-possessed Hulk Buster in this short from Marvel and Funko.

Photo of the Week

Sometimes, it's the little things that make me happy. Like when the screen says goodbye just to me on "it's a small world."

Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Nightmare Before Christmas with Vynl from Funko

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Funko is releasing a ton of new Nightmare Before Christmas collectibles this fall to celebrate the film's 25th Anniversary. These Vynl. figures are some of the cutest. There are three sets: Oogie Boogie and the Behemoth,

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Lock and Shock, those devilish minions of Oogie Boogie along with their partner-in-crime

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Barrel, who is packaged with the overly happy Mayor of Halloween Town. These adorable collectibles should arrive in stores in mid-October.

This Hocus Pocus Merchandise is "Spelltacular"

Disney

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of Hocus Pocus. To celebrate, Disney World has some awesome new merchadise that will be perfect for a night of frolic! Fans of both the movie and the "Villain Spelltacular" show at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will enjoy the new artwork on a t-shirt and a Passholder exclusive tote bag. The light-up ornament and the cauldron mug are a great way to remember the fun.

Disney

There are also three new t-shirts that look like the Sanderson Sisters' outfits. The only difficulty would be deciding which sister to be: Sarah, Winifred, or Mary. The final item is a jersey with Sarah's iconic phrase "Amuck, amuck, amuck" on the back. All of these collectibles are available exclusively at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, which runs from August 17 to October 31.

Quote of the Week

Disney

You can't tell what's in a monster's heart just by looking at 'em. I mean, sometimes, some of the slimiest, raunchiest, ugliest little monsters turn out to be the nicest.

- Aggie Cromwell, Halloweentown

The Menus at This Year's EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Look Amazing

The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival kicks off again next week for 11 weeks of fun, food, and frolic. From August 30 to November 12, you can eat your way around the world at the Global Marketplaces found throughout the park.

Here's the key to the menus:
V = Vegetarian
GF = Gluten Friendly
* = One of my favorites, I definitely recommend trying this one.

Thailand

• Marinated Chicken with Peanut Sauce and Stir-fried Vegetables
• Seared Shrimp and Scallop Cake with Cold Noodle Salad
• Red Hot Spicy Thai Curry Beef with Steamed Rice

Australia

• Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bush Shrimp with Pineapple, Pepper, Onion, and Snap Peas (GF)
• Grilled Lamb Chop with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies (GF, *)
• Lamington: Yellow Cake Dipped in Chocolate and Shredded Coconut (V, *)

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Hawai'i

• Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour Dole Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise
• Grilled Tuna Tataki with Seaweed Salad, Pickled Cucumbers, and Wasabi Cream
• Teriyaki-glazed Spam Hash with Potatoes, Peppers, Onions, and Spicy Mayonnaise
• Passion Fruit Cheesecake with Toasted Macadamia Nuts (V, *)

Islands of the Caribbean

• Ropa Vieja Empanada with Tomato Aïoli
• Jerk Spiced Chicken Lollipop with Roasted Sweet Plantain Salad and Mango Chutney Yogurt
• Quesito: Puff Pastry with Sweetened Cream Cheese and Guava Sauce (V)

Greece

• Loaded Greek “Nachos”: Pita Chips, Meatless Sausage Crumbles, and Vegan Tzatziki (V)
• Taste of Greece: Chicken Souvlaki, Feta Cheese Dip with Warm Pita, and Lamb Sausage with a Dill Tomato Ragu
• Spanakopita: Greek Spinach Pie (V)
• Bougatsa: Warm Phyllo Dough Strudel with Sweet Vanilla Custard, Lemon Honey Syrup and Cinnamon (V)

India

• Warm Indian Bread with Pickled Garlic, Mango Salsa and Coriander Pesto Dips (V)
• Madras Red Curry with Roasted Cauliflower, Baby Carrots, Chickpeas, and Basmati Rice (V, GF)
• Korma Chicken with Cucumber Tomato Salad, Almonds, Cashews, and Warm Naan Bread
• Mango Lassi (Non-Alcoholic)

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Germany

• Schinkennudeln: Pasta Gratin with Ham, Onions and Cheese (*)
• Roast Bratwurst in a Pretzel Roll (*)
• Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce (V, *)

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Spain

• Charcuterie in a Cone with a selection of imported Spanish Meats, Cheeses, and Olives with an Herb Vinaigrette
• Spanish-style Paella with Chorizo and Roasted Chicken
• Seafood Salad with Shrimp, Bay Scallops, Mussels, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, White Balsamic Vinegar, and Smoked Paprika (GF)

Africa

• Berbere-style Beef Tenderloin Tips with Onions, Jalapeños, Tomato, and Pap (GF)
• Spicy Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew with Vegan Yogurt and Quinoa (V)

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Hops & Barley

• New England Lobster Roll: Warm Lobster with Fresh Herb Mayonnaise and Griddled Roll
• New Brunswick Slider: Slow-braised Beef Brisket “Pot Roast Style” with Horseradish Cream Crispy Fried Onions on a Potato Roll with Pickled Vegetables on the side
• Freshly Baked Carrot Cake and Cream Cheese Icing (V, *)

Belgium

• Beer-braised Beef served with Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes
• Belgian Waffle with Warm Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Cream (V, *)
• Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream (V, *)

Brazil

• Moqueca: Brazilian Seafood Stew featuring Scallops, Shrimp and White Fish with Coconut-lime Sauce and Steamed Rice
• Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Tomato and Onions (GF)
• Pão de Queijo: Brazilian Cheese Bread (GF, V, *)

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New Zealand

• Steamed Green Lip Mussels with Garlic Butter and Toasted Breadcrumbs
• Lamb Meatball with Spicy Tomato Chutney
• Seared Venison Sausage with Kumara Purée and Wild Mushroom Marsala Sauce

Ireland

• Roasted Irish Sausage with Colcannon Potatoes and Onion Gravy
• Warm Irish Cheddar Cheese and Stout Dip with Irish Brown Bread (V, *)
• Warm Chocolate Pudding with Irish Cream Liqueur Custard (*)

Canada

• Canadian Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Soup served with a Pretzel Roll (*)
• “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle-Butter Sauce (GF, *)

The Almond Orchard

• Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Pulled Chicken, Toasted Blue Diamond Almonds and Parmesan Cheese served with Nut Thins Crackers
• Fire-roasted Tomato Hummus topped with Blue Diamond Lightly Salted Roasted Almonds and served with Blue Diamond Artisan Nut Thins Multi-seeds Crackers
• Banana Almond Soft-serve Sundae with Fresh Berries and Chocolate Almond Streusel (V)
• Almond Breeze Strawberry Smoothie (Non-Alcoholic)

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The Cheese Studio

• Braised Beef “Stroganoff” with Tiny Egg Noodles, Wild Mushroom, and Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese Sauce
• Cheese Trio: Profiterole topped with Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese and Orange Apricot Jam; Smoked Salmon Pinwheel with Boursin Shallot and Chive Cheese and Everything Seasoning; Strawberry Macaron with Boursin Pepper Cheese
• Maple Bourbon Boursin Cheesecake with Maple Bourbon Cream, Caramel, and Pecan Crunch (V)

Flavors from Fire

• Piggy Wings: Roasted Pork Wings with Korean BBQ Sauce and Sesame Seeds (*)
• Smoked Corned Beef with Warm Crispy Potatoes, Pickled Onions, and Blonde Ale Beer Fondue featuring BelGioioso Romano and American Grana Cheeses
• Charred Chimichurri Skirt Steak on a Smoked Corn Cake with Pickled Vegetable Slaw and Cilantro Aïoli
• Chocolate Picante: Dark Chocolate Mousse with Cayenne Pepper, Chili Powder, and Mango

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The Chocolate Studio

• Liquid Nitro Chocolate-Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey-Caramel (GF, *)
• Sweet Dark Chocolate Raspberry Torte with Whipped Cream (V)
• Twinings Pumpkin Spice Chai Tea and Chocolate Shake (non-alcoholic) (*)

The Wine & Dine Studio

• Seared Scallops, Truffled Celery Root Purée, Brussels Sprouts, and Wild Mushrooms featuring Melissa’s Produce
• Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Vinaigrette, Parmesan Cheese, and Pumpkin Seeds (V)
• Trio of Artisan Cheese featuring La Bottega di BelGioioso Cheeses (V) - Crescenza-Stracchino, CreamyGorg Gorgonzola Dolce, Artigiano Vino Rosso

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Earth Eats

• The Steakhouse Blended Burger: Blended Beef and Wild Mushroom Slider with Brie Cheese Fondue, Arugula, Truffle and Blue Cheese Potato Chip on a Brioche Bun
• The Impossible Burger Slider with Wasabi Cream and Spicy Asian Slaw on a Sesame Seed Bun (V)

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Active Eats

• Loaded Mac ‘n’ Cheese with Nueske’s Pepper Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, Peppers, and Green Onions
• Spice-crusted Verlasso Salmon with Warm Lentil Power Salad, Crushed Avocado, and Sherry Vinegar (GF)
• Active Eats Energy Bar Bites: A mixture of Chocolate, Nuts, Dried Fruit and Dates (V)

Coastal Eats

• Lump Crab Cake with Napa Cabbage Slaw and Avocado-lemongrass Cream
• Baked Shrimp Scampi Dip with Sourdough Baguette (*)
• Seared Scallops with Roasted Corn and Butterbean Succotash and Chili-chipotle Butter Sauce

Light Lab

• Phosphorescent Phreeze (non-alcoholic)
• InfraRED (non-alcoholic)
• UltraVIOLET (non-alcoholic)

Shimmering Sips Mimosa Bar

• Chocolate Croissant: Flaky Croissant stuffed with Chocolate
• Almond Croissant: Flaky Croissant topped with Toasted Almonds
• Jumbo Blueberry Muffin with Streusel Topping
• Cheese Danish with Sweet Icing
• Frozen Apple Pie (non-alcoholic)

The Festival Center Wine Shop

• Charcuterie Plate: Chefs Selection of Artisanal Meats and Accompaniments
• La Bottega di BelGioioso Cheese Plate: Crescenza-Stracchino, CreamyGorg Gorgonzola Dolce, and Artigiano Vino Rosso Cheeses
• Bloody Mary Seafood Cocktail: Shrimp, Bay Scallops, Mussels, Olive Salad and Crisp Lettuce in a Bloody Mary Vinaigrette

The Chocolate Experience: From Bean to Bar

• Ghirardelli Drinking Chocolate (Non-Alcoholic)

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Refreshment Port

• Beef Brisket Poutine: French Fries with Beef Brisket, Beer Cheese Sauce, and Poutine Gravy topped with Crispy Onions
• Sweet Potato Poutine: Sweet Potato Fries with Caramel Sauce, Mini Marshmallows, and Pecans (V)
• Pineapple Soft-Serve Ice Cream (V, *)

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Taste Track

• Croissant Doughnut tossed in Cinnamon Sugar
• Croissant Doughnut with Chocolate and Marshmallows
• Croissant Doughnut with Chocolate Hazelnut Cream
• Croissant Doughnut with Sprinkles
• Gelato (Chocolate, Hazelnut, White Chocolate Raspberry or Vanilla Bean)
• Pancake Milkshake

Japan

• Teriyaki Chicken Bun: Steamed bun filled with Chicken, Vegetables, and a Sweet Teriyaki Sauce
• Beef Nigiri topped with Shrimp Sauce and Diced Pickled Jalapeños (GF)
• Spicy Roll: Tuna and Salmon topped with Volcano Sauce

Morocco

• Kefta Pocket: Seasoned Ground Beef in a Pita Pocket
• Hummus Fries with Cucumber, Tomato, Onions and Tzatziki Sauce (V)
• Chocolate Baklava: Rolled Phyllo Dough with Toasted Almonds and Dark Chocolate Sauce

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Mexico

• Short Rib Tostada: Corn Tortilla topped with Short Ribs, Black Beans, Salsa Verde, and Spring Onion
• Shrimp Quesadilla: Corn Tortilla with Shrimp and Oaxaca Cheese and topped with Spicy Guajillo Sauce and Sesame Seeds
• Coconut Rice Pudding served with Mango Coulis (GF, V)

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China

• Xi’an Pancake with Beef
• Chicken Dumplings with Chinese Slaw
• Beijing Roasted Duck Bao Bun with Hoisin Sauce (*)
• Black Pepper Shrimp with Garlic Noodle
• Mango Bubble Tea with Assam Black Tea and Milk (non-alcoholic)(*)

France

• Croissant aux Escargots: Escargot Croissant with Garlic and Parsley
• Carbonade de Boeuf, Purée de Pommes de Terre: Beer-braised Beef with Bacon, Onion and Mashed Potatoes
• Crème Brûlée à la Confiture de Framboises: Crème Brûlée with House-made Raspberry Jam (V, GF)

Italy

• Fritto Misto: Crispy Shrimp, Zucchini, and Sweet Potatoes with a Spicy Sauce
• Pollo Alla Cacciatora: Braised Chicken Thigh, Mushrooms, Tomatoes, and Parmesan Polenta
• Mezzi Rigatoni: Vodka Sauce, Crispy Pancetta, and Parmesan Cheese
• Cannoli: Cannoli filled with Sweet Ricotta, Chocolate and Candied Fruit

Funnel Cake Stand

• Maple Bacon Funnel Cake topped with Candied Bacon

Whew! That's quite the list and I can't wait to try a lot of new dishes as well as revisiting old favorites. What items are you most looking forward to tasting?

Funko's Nightmare Before Christmas POP! Pez Are Spooky Fun

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Can you believe it's been 25 years since the Nightmare Before Christmas first arrived in theaters? To celebrate this classic film, Funko has created a remarkable array of collectibles, including five POP! Pez. Seen above, Jack Skellington wears his familiar grin.

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Or, if you'd prefer, there's Jack's Pumpkin King head to protect your candy.

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Jack's clever love Sally makes a very sweet POP! Pez.

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The Vampire Teddy looks ecstatically happy to be a POP! Pez.

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And, of course, there's Oogie Boogie, and he even glows in the dark! These Nightmare Before Christmas POP! Pez will arrive in stores in October.

It's Cap vs Red Skull in this Funko Movie Moment

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Funko's latest POPVinyl Movie Moment collectible features a clash between Captain America and his archenemy Red Skull. I rather like these little vignettes from some of my favorite films. I have the Cantina scene from Star Wars with Han Solo and Greedo, but I'll definitely be on the lookout for this new set.

Photo of the Week

Mickey pumpkin wreaths line Main Street in the Magic Kingdom.

Submarine Showdown - A Marvel Funko Short

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Captain America must once again take on the Red Skull in this Marvel Funko Short.

Halloween Treats in the Magic Kingdom

Disney

The Magic Kingdom really tends to go over the top when it comes to Halloween. They have got some amazing sounding treats coming to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, but there are also several spooky treats that will be available every day from now until Halloween.

At the Main Street Bakery -
Not-So-Poison Apple Cupcake (seen above): a spiced apple cupcake with pecan crunch and buttercream

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Halloween Cinnamon Roll: a Mickey-shaped cinnamon roll with icing and chocolate spider web

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At Casey's Corner - Minnie Witch Brownie: a decadent brownie topped with a white chocolate Minnie Mouse

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At Storybook Treats - Maleficent Dessert: lime soft-serve in a black waffle cone topped with purple sugar and chocolate horns

At Auntie Gravity's Galactic Goodies -

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Candy Corn Ice Cream: candy corn flavored soft-serve in a cone or a sundae

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Candy Corn Milkshake: candy corn flavored milkshake topped with cotton candy and a Mickey-shaped marshmallow

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At Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn, starting October 1 - Worms and Dirt: a gluten-friendly dessert made with chocolate pudding, cake crumbs, gummy worms, and a chocolate headstone (I tried this one last year and it was delicious!)

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At Sleepy Hollow, starting October 1 - Zero Waffle Sundae: pumpkin waffles, vanilla ice cream, sprinkles, and caramel drizzle

Quote of the Week

Disney

Being normal is vastly overrated.

- Aggie Cromwell, Halloweentown

Halloween Treats at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Disney

The Magic Kingdom has an incredible assortment of spooky treats that will be making their way into the park this Halloween. These delightfully frightful desserts and snacks, including several gluten-friendly options, will be available exclusively at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. The party runs on select nights from August 17 - October 31.

At the Main Street Bakery - Pumpkin Cheesecake: a gluten-friendly treat with vanilla pecan cake, pumpkin cheesecake, caramel glaze, and chocolate Mickey pumpkin

At Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe -

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Hades Nachos: black bean nacho chips with fiery buffalo chicken and your choice of toppings

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Worms & Dirt: another gluten-friendly dessert made with chocolate pudding, cake crumbs, gummy worms, and a chocolate headstone (I tried this one last year and it was delicious!)

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At the Cider House (Golden Oak Outpost) - try the Apple Cider, Warm Caramel-Stuffed Pretzel, and Cinnamon Donuts

At Sleepy Hollow -

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Zero Waffle Sundae: pumpkin waffles, vanilla ice cream, sprinkles, and caramel drizzle

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Jack Skellington Cake Push Pop: layers of chocolate cake, vanilla buttercream, white and dark chocolate pearl, dark chocolate curls, and a white chocolate Jack

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At Liberty Square Market - Madame Leota Dessert: a vanilla tart she'll filled with toasted marshmallow pastry creme, crispy pearls, chocolate, and a hard candy Leota

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At Aloha Isle - Hitchhiking Ghosts Dessert: a cream puff filled with cookies and cream mousse, topped with chocolate ghosts

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At Gaston's Tavern - Oogie Boogie Meringue: a gluten-friendly pomegranate-cherry gelee with gummy worms and a glow-in-the-dark meringue

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And finally, at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe Muenster Smash Burger: a burger on a black bun with Muenster cheese, tots, and Sriracha aioli