André Gide Quote

Photo by Ottoline Morrell

"Art begins with resistance - at the point where resistance is overcome. No human masterpiece has ever been created without great labor."

- André Gide, Poétique

Chester and Hester's Dinosaur Treasures

Chester and Hester's Dino-rama in Animal Kingdom was so delightfully kitsch. It was exactly what you'd expect of a retro dinosaur park, especially Chester and Hester's Dinosaur Treasures. The converted gas station had over the top decor, and even reused signs by painting over them. Can you imagine a time when gas was 28.9 cents a gallon? DinoLand USA has disappeared to make way for Tropical Americas, and while it's fun to look back at what was, I can't wait to see what comes next.

Toy Story 5 On DisneyPlus

All images: Pixar

The toys are back! Toy Story 5 is headed to DisneyPlus. This time around, Jessie is in charge and she and the toys have a new nemesis: Lilypad, Bonnie's new tablet. 

Here's the official synopsis from Pixar:

The toys are back in Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5,” and this time it’s Toy meets Tech. Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the gang's jobs are challenged when they're introduced to what kids are obsessed with today....electronics!

Toy Story 5 arrives on DisneyPlus on September 23rd.

There's Something Magical About Wildwood

LAIKA

LAIKA's Wildwood just looks better and better. The latest trailer gives us a glimpse of what Prue McKeel is up against in her quest to rescue her brother. 

Here's the official synopsis from LAIKA:

Courage is the greatest power. 

From the makers of Coraline, Wildwood is a sweeping, darkly magical adventure about Prue, a young girl who journeys into a hidden forest to rescue her younger brother. Along the way she encounters warring factions, extraordinary creatures, and a world unlike anything she's ever known.

Wildwood arrives in theaters on October 23rd.

The Mandalorian and Grogu On DisneyPlus

All images: Lucasfilm

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is coming to DisneyPlus next week. I enjoyed the continuing adventures of Din Djarin and his little green child and can't wait to watch it again.

Here's the official synopsis from Lucasfilm:

The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu (as himself).

The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives on DisneyPlus on September 2nd.

All three seasons of the series are available now on DisneyPlus.

Ahsoka Season 2

All images: Lucasfilm

The first trailer for season 2 of Star Wars: Ahsoka has arrived and it looks amazing. In this season, Ahsoka must decide if she is a Jedi... or not. Fortunately, she'll have a little help from some friends from Star Wars Rebels: Hera, Sabine, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper, and the ghost of her master, Anakin Skywalker.

Lucasfilm has not released an official synopsis yet, but we do know who the cast will be: 

• Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano
• Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren
• Eman Esfandi as Ezra Bridger
• Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Hera Syndulla
• Lars Mikkelsen as Grand Admiral Thrawn
• Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker
• Ivanna Sakhno as Shin Hati
• Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll

Season 2 of Ahsoka arrives on DisneyPlus on January 20, 2027.

Wednesday Quote

Netflix

"To paraphrase Agatha Christie, one coincidence is just a coincidence, two are a clue and and three are proof."

- Wednesday Addams, Wednesday

Beware Of Hitchhiking Ghosts!

It was so fun to see the Hitchhiking Ghosts from the Haunted Mansion during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2024. They could be found in Frontierland "practicing their terror with ghoulish delight"!

VisionQuest

All images: Marvel

The first trailer for Marvel's VisionQuest has arrived and it looks fascinating. After the events of WandaVision and Agatha All Along, Vision is a bit lost, wondering what and more importantly who, he is.

Here's the official synopsis from Marvel: 

When VisionQuest begins, Vision, rebooted and having escaped from those who sought to weaponize him, has been in hiding. Searching for new meaning, he consults the AI personas embedded in his programming, including F.R.I.D.A.Y., E.D.I.T.H., J.A.R.V.I.S., and the infamous Ultron. His discreet existence ends when a bounty placed on his head thrusts him on the run with Thomas Shepard, a mysterious boy who may be Vision’s son, reincarnate. As Vision evades capture, he must confront his nature, resist Ultron's influence, and unravel the enigma that is his young companion if he’s to survive.

VisionQuest stars Paul Bettany, James Spader, Ruaridh Mollica, Todd Stashwick, T’Nia Miller, Lauren Morais, Orla Brady, Diane Morgan, Polly Frame, Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, with Emily Hampshire, and James D’Arcy.

VisionQuest arrives on DisneyPlus on October 14th.

Wildwood Trailer And Poster

All images: LAIKA

The first full trailer for LAIKA's Wildwood has arrived and it looks amazing. This trailer gives us a glimpse of the antagonist of the story, Alexandra, and her origins.

Here's the official synopsis from LAIKA:

How far would you go for those you love?

From the makers of "Coraline", "Wildwood" is a sweeping, darkly magical adventure about Prue, a young girl who journeys into a hidden forest to rescue her younger brother. Along the way she encounters warring factions, extraordinary creatures, and a world unlike anything she's ever known.

Wildwood arrives in theaters on October 23rd.

Avengers: Doomsday Special Look

Marvel

The latest trailer for Avengers: Doomsday was released at last week's D23 Convention. As with all Avengers movies, this one is looking epic.

Here's the official synopsis from Marvel: 

"Avengers: Doomsday" follows beloved heroes from three distinct universes as they’re set on a deadly collision course and face an existential threat unlike anything they’ve ever encountered.

Avengers: Doomsday arrives in theaters on December 18th.

Din Djarin And Grogu's Story Rebuilt

LEGO/Lucasfilm

The latest LEGO Star Wars special looks absolutely hilarious. This retelling of the tale of Din Djarin and Grogu's adventures will features characters from all three seasons of The Mandalorian. 

LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian arrives on DisneyPlus on September 2nd.

Percy Jackson Must Face A Titan's Curse

Disney

The teaser trailer for the next season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians looks epic. Percy is back for another quest, but this time, he must rescue Annabeth, whom he relies on more than anyone else.

Here's the official synopsis from Disney: 

If Percy Jackson learned anything after completing two epic quests with Annabeth Chase, it’s that he would be lost without her. So when Annabeth is captured by the forces of Kronos, Percy must embark on a perilous journey to rescue her. He must free a goddess in chains, confront the Titan’s curse, and avoid triggering the fall of Olympus. With Grover by his side, Percy must join some unlikely questmates to confront a prophecy with dire consequences.

Season 3 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians arrives on DisneyPlus on November 20th.

Seasons 1 & 2 are available now.

Jim Henson Quote

Jim Henson Company

"When I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who made a difference in this world. My hope is to leave the world a little better for having been there."

- Jim Henson,

It's Not Easy Being Green: And Other Things To Consider

Spaceship Earth

I love to see Spaceship Earth all a twinkle. It really lights up the night in EPCOT.

Everything You've Witched For

All images: Warner Bros

The Owens sisters are returning for more magic and mischief. There are three generations of Owens sisters: the Aunts, Frances and Jet, Sally and Gillian, and Sally's daughters, Kylie and Antonia. All of the Owens women have been impacted by the family curse that dooms any man who dares to love an Owens woman. It seemed the curse had been broken at the end of the first film, but had it? I can't wait to find out! 

Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Practical Magic 2.

Here's the official synopsis from Warner Bros: 

"Practical Magic 2" returns to a world steeped in moonlit mischief and powerful ancestral magic, as the Owens sisters must confront the dark curse that threatens to unravel their family once and for all in a must-see cinematic event of fun, magic and mayhem.

Starring along with Bullock and Kidman in "Practical Magic 2" are Joey King, Lee Pace, Maisie Williams, Xolo Maridueña, Solly McLeod, with Dianne Wiest, and Stockard Channing.

Practical Magic 2 arrives in theaters on September 10th.

The Toys Are Back

All images: Pixar

The Toy Story gang are back for another adventure. This time, its Toys versus Tech. Their nemesis is a tablet named Lilypad that Bonnie just can't get enough of.

Toy Story 5 is headed to Digital this month and Blu-ray next month. Both versions will include an array of bonus features including:

• The Toys Are Back in Town
• Casting Playtime
• 50 Buzzes and The Great Escape
• The Lost Toys
• Gag Reel
• Deleted Scenes
• Introduction
• First Meet
• Failed Rescue
• Playtime
• Goodbye Charlie
• Reunion

The Digital version will also include:

• “I Knew It, I Knew You” Music Video
• “I Knew It, I Knew You” Lyric Video

Toy Story 5 arrives on Digital on August 18th. 

It arrives on Blu-ray on September 22nd.

"Wellerman" - Postmodern Jukebox

Postmodern Jukebox

Postmodern Jukebox puts such a fun twist on familiar songs. This ragtime version of the sea shanty "Wellerman" is delightful.

Trust The Process

All images: AppleTV

Season 4 of Ted Lasso has arrived and it looks amazing! Ted is back at Richmond, but this time, he's coaching women's football.

Here's the official synopsis from AppleTV: 

Ted Lasso follows an American football coach hired to manage a British soccer team - despite having no experience.

In season four, Ted returns to Richmond, taking on his biggest challenge yet: coaching a second division women’s football team. Throughout the course of the season, Ted and the team learn to leap before they look, taking chances they never thought they would.

Season four marks the return of fan favorites including Emmy Award winner Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Emmy Award winner Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt and Jeremy Swift, alongside new additions Tanya Reynolds, Jude Mack, Faye Marsay, Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey, Abbie Hern and Grant Feely.

Episodes 1 & 2 of Ted Lasso Season 4 are available now on AppleTV.

New episodes will debut each Tuesday.

Ted Lasso Quote

Apple

"It will all work out. Now, it may not work out how you think it will or how you hope it does, but believe me, it will all work out. Exactly as it's supposed to."

- Ted, Ted Lasso

Pain & Panic At MNSSHP

So many unexpected characters appear in the Boo To You Parade at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. In 2024, Pain and Panic from Disney's Hercules were on a float with a skeleton band.

LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian

LEGO/Lucasfilm

LEGO's latest Star Wars animated special will focus on Din Djarin and Grogu. With stories and characters from all three seasons of The Mandalorian, the special will be action-packed and full of laughs. LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian will debut on August 15th at the D23 Expo before heading to DisneyPlus on September 2nd.

The Voices Of The Voices Of Liberty

Disney

One of my favorite performances at EPCOT is the Voices of Liberty in the American Adventure. The sound of this a capella choir singing under the rotunda is incredible. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the choir, its beginnings, and the performance they planned for the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Disney Worldbuilders Trailer & Poster

All images: Disney

Have you ever wondered how your favorite movie becomes a land in a Disney Park? In this documentary, Leslie Iwerks takes us behind-the-scenes with the filmmakers who created the stories that have become part of our world.

Here's the official synopsis from Disney: 

In Disney Worldbuilders, a new feature-length documentary from filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, some of Disney’s most influential storytellers reflect on the memories, moments and creative breakthroughs that shaped their work, tracing how those stories come to life at Disney’s theme parks around the globe.

Their conversations reveal a creative practice that moves in every direction — where a story can inspire a place, and a place can then inspire the next story. It's a way of creating that dates back to Walt himself— a creative tradition that continues to shape every new story Disney tells.

Audiences have always experienced Disney as one connected universe. Disney Worldbuilders pulls back the curtain on the creative minds behind it, with candid conversations featuring Bob Iger, James Cameron, Jon Favreau, Kevin Feige, Jennifer Lee, Pete Docter, Dave Filoni, Jared Bush and Josh D’Amaro. Together they reveal how stories like "Avatar", "Star Wars", the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Pixar, and the worlds of "Frozen" and "Zootopia", become real places you never want to leave. 

Disney Worldbuilders arrives on DisneyPlus on August 20th.

E. B. White Quote

"Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder."

- E. B. White, Charlotte's Web

Spaceship Earth - The Renaissance

Spaceship Earth in Disney World is such an interesting ride. It's a journey through the history of human communication inside EPCOT's geosphere. My favorite section is the Renaissance. It's filled with painters, sculptors, and sleeping monks. This artist is painting a still life of fruit, wine, and cheese.