Olaf Draws!

An exciting new experience is coming to Hollywood Studios in Disney World this summer. The current home of Star Wars: Launch Bay is going back to its roots as a home to art and animation. The revamped building will be topped by Mickey's sorcerer hat in a nod to the Roy E. Disney Animation Building in California. From special character Meet & Greets, to an art gallery that comes to life, and a playground indpired by Mary Blair's vision of Alice in Wonderland, there will be magic around every corner in "The Magic of Disney Animation". But the part I'm looking forward to most involves a certain talking snowman. 

Olaf Draws! will feature everyone's favorite magical snowman as an all-new Audio-Animatronics figure. Olaf invites guests into a space inspired by a scene in Once Upon A Studio where he took a little time to try out an Animator's desk. There will be sleigh-themed tables for kids and animator-style desks for the young at heart. And, with a little help from some legendary Disney Animation artists, Olaf and his new friends will learn to draw a Disney character. 

Pre-recorded artist videos will guide guests through the process of drawing classic and modern Disney characters. Sketching classes include:

• Mickey Mouse with Dan Abraham, director (Once Upon A Studio, Baymax!)
• Minnie Mouse, with Hyun Min Lee, animator (Frozen 2, The Princess and the Frog)
• Donald Duck, with Austin Traylor, animator (Once Upon A Studio, Moana 2)
• Genie, with Eric Goldberg, animator (Aladdin, Hercules)
• Moana, with Samantha Vilfort, story artist (Encanto, Zootopia 2)
• Stitch, with Fawn Veerasunthorn, director and head of story (Wish, Raya and the Last Dragon)
• Olaf, with Trent Correy, director (Once Upon A Studio, Frozen 3)
• Ursula, with Michael Woodside, animator (Big Hero 6, Encanto)
• Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde, with Byron Howard director, (Zootopia, Zootopia 2)

There's a lot to look forward to in "The Magic of Disney Animation". I can't wait to check it out when it opens in late summer.

The Magic of Disney Animation

Disney

"The Magic of Disney Animation" in Hollywood Studios looks amazing. I'm so glad they brought back the theme of a working animation studio, but with an all-new look. Disney has released two walk through videos of this reimagined space. The first shows every room that makes up the building. 

The second features Imagineers pointing out Easter Eggs and talking about the inspiration for each space.

"The Magic of Disney Animation" opens on September 14th.

The Magic Of Disney Animation Grand Opening

Disney

To celebrate the grand opening of "The Magic of Disney Animation" in Hollywood Studios, Disney gathered 60 characters from Disney World to recreate a very special photo. Inspired by the Once Upon A Studio short, the characters gathered in the courtyard for a magical moment.

"The Magic of Disney Animation" is now open.

Magic of Disney Animation Closing

All images: Disney

I was sad to hear that Disney has announced that it is closing the Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios on July 12. While I know that this closing will make space for additional new attractions (fingers crossed for more Pixar or Star Wars!), I will miss the Animation Academy.

I have only stopped in to learn to draw characters a few times, but it's always packed and well worth the wait. While rumors abound about what will take the place of the building, nothing has been announced about whether or not the Animation Academy will move to a new location or simply be ended. I hope Disney reopens it in a new, larger location with better seating, but only time will tell. Perhaps we'll learn more during the D23 convention in August.

In the meantime,  there are quite a few videos on the Disney Parks youtube channel that will teach you how to draw Disney characters. Here's a video to help you learn to draw Joy from Inside Out.

Halloween Is Coming To Disney World!

Disney

After Disney cancelled this year's Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, I wondered if there would be any Halloween in the parks this year. Fortunately for us, it looks like there will be Halloween treats and decor throughout all four parks. I can't wait! Here are a few of the treats you can expect to find beginning September 8.

Magic Kingdom

Disney

Main Street Bakery

• Mickey Cinnamon Roll - Mickey-shaped cinnamon roll drizzled with orange and white icing

Disney

Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café

• Cinnamon Donuts Served in a Hitchhiking Ghost Novelty container 
• Hades Nachos - Black bean nacho chips with “fiery” buffalo chicken, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, salsa, and jalapeño 
• Orange and Black Sugar Churros (also available at Churro Carts)

Liberty Square Market

• Constance’s For Better or For Worse Wedding Cake - Citrus cake with raspberry Bavarian cream, whipped cream flowers, and a chocolate axe 

Disney

Sleepy Hollow

• Pumpkin Spiced Waffle Sundae - Pumpkin spice-flavored waffled topped with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and sprinkles
• Madame Leota Sipper

Disney

Storybook Treats

• Poor Unfortunate Souls Float- Cream cheese soft-serve, black raspberry syrup, and Coke

Disney

Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies 

• Pumpkin Spice Milkshake  Topped with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, sprinkles, and a Mickey-shaped marshmallow straw
• Pumpkin Spice Soft-Serve Sundae - Topped with whipped cream, caramel, and sprinkles

Disney

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café

• Mickey Monster Mash Burger - Burger with Meunster cheese, potato barrels, bacon, and sriracha aïoli

Sunshine Tree Terrace 

• Headless Horseman Rides Again - Strawberry DOLE Whip with Fanta Strawberry and a Headless Horseman Novelty Straw

Pinocchio Village House

• Not So Poison Apple Cupcake - A spiced apple cupcake with pecan crunch buttercream themed after a poison apple 

Quick-Service Restaurants

• Oogie Boogie Dice Novelty Glow Cubes
• Jack Skellington Sipper (Also available at Outdoor Vending Locations)
• Hitchhiking Ghost Sipper

Disney

Popcorn Carts

• Oogie Boogie Premium Popcorn Bucket
• Mickey Pumpkin Premium Popcorn Bucket
• Halloween Base Popcorn Bucket 
• Hitchhiking Ghost Premium Popcorn Bucket (Available at Liberty Square Popcorn Cart)

Disney

In the Magic Kingdom, even more fun starts on September 15. The cavalcade of characters will feature Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and their pals decked out in their Halloween finery. Chip and Dale will be sporting their costumes over in Frontierland. Other dressed up Disney characters will be riding the horse-drawn trolley down Main Street, U.S.A.

And for the first time outside of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, guests of all ages are invited to join in the costume fun. Adults and children alike can wear their spookiest, Disney-ist, family friendly costume to the Magic Kingdom from September 15 to October 31. Be sure to check out Disney's Costume Guidelines before planning your outfit.

EPCOT

Disney

Canada Popcorn Cart and Fife & Drum

• Oogie Boogie Premium Popcorn Bucket

Eats at EPCOT and Mission Space Popcorn Cart

• Green Cauldron Premium Popcorn Bucket 

Disney

All Popcorn Locations

• Halloween Base Popcorn Bucket

Sunshine Seasons and Regal Eagle Smokehouse 

• Tire Pumpkin Novelty Straw

Disney

The following treats will only be available on Halloween Day.

Sunshine Seasons

• Halloween Cupcake - Choice of vanilla or chocolate cupcake with buttercream and a Mickey Pumpkin garnish 

Coral Reef Restaurant

• Nemo & Squirt’s Noggin Concoction - Chocolate brownie stuffed with a chocolate chip cookie topped with white chocolate-covered pretzels and a Mickey Pumpkin Garnish 

Traveler’s Café and Garden Grill

• Halloween Sugar Cookie - Sugar cookie topped with Halloween Sprinkles 

Desserts & Champagne Marketplace

• Liquid Nitro Cake Pop - Liquid nitro chocolate cake pop with Halloween sprinkles 

Animal Kingdom

Disney

Flame Tree Barbecue

• Scar Cupcake (Also available at Creature Comforts and Restaurantosaurus) - Red velvet cupcake with toasted marshmallow filling, chocolate marshmallow frosting, chocolate pebbles, white chocolate flames, and an edible icing image

Disney

• Spooky Apple Punch Specialty Beverage (Non-Alcoholic) (Also available at Isle of Java) - Sprite with Monin Apple Syrup poured over ice, garnished with a rocky candy apple straw, a gummy worm, a Novelty Poison Apple Glow Cube, and a sugar lime rim

Disney

• Rotten Apple Punch Specialty Beverage (Alcoholic) - Angry Orchard and Fireball Cinnamon Whisky over ice, garnished with a rocky candy apple straw, a Novelty Poison Apple Glow Cube, and gummy worms 

Trek Snacks

• Tire Pumpkin Novelty Straw (Also available at Tamu Tamu, Restaurantosaurus, TriloBites, and Outdoor Vending Ice Cream Carts)  
• Purple Cauldron Premium Popcorn Bucket
• Halloween Base Popcorn Bucket

Hollywood Studios

Disney

Trolley Car Café

• Poison Candied Apple - Apple and caramel mousse covered in red glaze with a crunchy candy base

Disney

PizzeRizzo

• Pumpkin Cheesecake Cannoli - Pumpkin cheesecake mixed with a hazelnut praline crunch in a cannoli shell 
• Tire Pumpkin Novelty Straw (Also available at Rosie’s All-American Café, Backlot Express, and Anaheim Produce) 

Disney

Rosie's All-American Café

• Pumpkin Tiramisu - Layers of cream mascarpone and spiced pumpkin cake

Disney

• Frozen Apple Cider (Non-Alcoholic) (Also available at Backlot Express and PizzeRizzo) – Served with a Novelty Poison Apple Glow Cube 
• Frozen Apple Cider with Crown Royal Regal Apple (Alcoholic) (Also available at Backlot Express and PizzeRizzo) – Served with a Novelty Poison Apple Glow Cube

Disney

Backlot Express

• Box of Bones Chocolate Éclair- Chocolate éclair with dark chocolate mousse and white chocolate bones  

Anaheim Produce

• Orange Cauldron Premium Popcorn Bucket (Also available at Hollywood Popcorn and Animation Popcorn) 

Which treat would you try first?

A New Encanto Trailer Is Here!

Disney

A new trailer for Disney's animated film Encanto has arrived and it looks like an amazing and beautiful adventure. Every member of the Madrigal family has been given the gift of magic, except for Mirabel. But when the magic begins to fail, it's up to Mirabel to save them all.

Here's the official synopsis from Disney: 

Walt Disney Animation Studios' upcoming feature film “Encanto” tells the tale of the Madrigals, an extraordinary family who live in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto. Each child has been blessed with a magic gift unique to them—each child except Mirabel. But when the family’s home is threatened, Mirabel may be their only hope. 

Encanto arrives in theaters on November 21.

Welcome To Casa Madrigal

All images: Disney

The first trailer for Disney's Encanto has arrived and it looks truly magical. 

Here's the official synopsis from Disney:

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto,” is the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal—every child except one, Mirabel. But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family’s last hope.

The all-new original film features the voice of Stephanie Beatriz as Mirabel, an ordinary 15-year-old who’s struggling to find her place in her family. “Mirabel is a really funny, loving character who also deeply yearns for something more,” says Beatriz. “She’s also not afraid to stand up for what she knows is right—something I love and relate to very much.

Encanto arrives in theaters this November.

World of Color - ONE

Disney

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of The Walt Disney Company. To celebrate, a lot of new merchandise, foods, and experiences are coming to the Disney Parks. One such experience, "World of Color - ONE", will be making its debut on January 27. Here's a sneak peek of this new nighttime spectacular coming to Disney's California Adventure.

Here's the description of the show from Disney:

“World of Color – ONE” celebrates how a single action, like a drop of water, creates a ripple that can grow into a wave of change. You’ll discover how it only takes one action to make an impact on the people in our lives and the world around us, just as one man – Walt Disney – started the wave that has continued to grow and inspire people around the globe for 100 years.

The show will feature music and characters that are "wavemakers" from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Avengers, and Star Wars. This the first time characters from all four will appear in one show in Disneyland. The show is set to an all-new score and features a song called "Start a Wave." Mist screens and over 1200 fountains will bring the show to life and MagicBand+ effects will add to the magic and color.

Disney hopes the finale will leave guests feeling uplifted and as they walk away to make their own ripples, that they will remember how, when we come together, many drops can become an ocean.

Celebrate Soulfully At Disney World

All images: Disney 

For the month of February, Disney World recognizes Black History Month by inviting guests to Celebrate Soulfully. And what is the most important element of any celebration? The food, of course! Here are the sweets and treats you can find throughout Disney World to help you Celebrate Soulfully. 

Magic Kingdom

Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies

• Bananas Foster Shake: Banana milk shake layered with caramelized banana sauce and topped with whipped cream 🍪

Cinderella’s Royal Table

• Crab-topped Catch of the Day: Roasted pumpkin-smoked gouda grits, braised greens, and brown butter-Meyer lemon emulsion

The Crystal Palace

• Chicken and Andouille Gumbo: Chicken, andouille sausage, and okra in a traditional gumbo base 🍪

Golden Oak Outpost

• Tiana’s Famous Beignets: Light, sweet, and fluffy beignets with strawberry dipping sauce

Main Street Bakery

• Tiana’s Petit Cake: Vanilla chiffon cake, lemon Chantilly, and fresh strawberries topped with a fondant flower and a Tiana chocolate piece 🍪

Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe

• Fried Green Tomato BLT Sandwich: Fried green tomato sandwich with lettuce, bacon, and bacon-pimento spread served with house-made chips 🍪
• Sweet Potato Pie topped with toasted marshmallow cream and candied pecans

Pinocchio Village Haus

• Peach Cobbler: Cinnamon panna cotta, peach cobbler, brown sugar streusel, and whipped cream with a Tiana chocolate piece 🍪

Plaza Ice Cream Parlor

• Butter Pecan Praline Sundae: Butter pecan ice cream topped with praline sauce, spiced pecans, and whipped cream 🍪

The Plaza Restaurant

• Chicken and Andouille Gumbo: Chicken, andouille sausage, okra, and rice in a traditional gumbo base 🍪
• Tiana’s Petit Cake: Vanilla chiffon cake, lemon Chantilly, and fresh strawberries topped with a fondant flower and a Tiana chocolate piece 🍪

Animal Kingdom

Dino-Bite Snacks

• Peach Cobbler Mini Cake: Vanilla cake, cinnamon-caramel-peach filling, and oat streusel topping served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream 🍪

Flame Tree Barbecue

• Creole Smoked Sausage Sandwich: Creole smoked sausage on a roll with piccadilly relish and stewed black-eyed peas

Pizzafari

• Celebrate Soulfully Cupcake: Vanilla cake with bananas foster jam filling, vanilla buttercream, Joe Gardner half note white chocolate décor, and multicolored crispy pearls

Restaurantosaurus

• Celebrate Soulfully Cupcake: Vanilla cake with bananas foster jam filling, vanilla buttercream, Joe Gardner half note white chocolate décor, and multicolored crispy pearls

Tiffins Restaurant

• Shrimp and Grits: South African Mealie Pap with roasted corn and goat cheese, peri-peri shrimp, and green tomato-apple chutney
• The Ginger Whiskey: A cocktail featuring Uncle Nearest 1856 Whiskey with notes of ginger and brown sugar

Dawa Bar, Restaurantosaurus Lounge, and Thirsty River Bar

• Pineapple Mint Julep

Hollywood Studios

ABC Commissary

• Gumbo: Chicken, andouille sausage, okra, and seasonings simmered in chicken stock served over rice

Hollywood & Vine

• Poulet Mariné Au Four (Baked Marinated Chicken): Baked chicken marinated in assorted spices served with red peppers, green peppers, and onions

Hollywood Scoops

• Mardi Gras Milk Shake: Cinnamon-vanilla milk shake topped with a Mardi Gras king cake doughnut

Woody’s Lunch Box

• Sweet Potato Lunch Box Tart with cinnamon-brown sugar icing, toasted marshmallows, and pecans

EPCOT

Coral Reef Restaurant

• Shrimp and Grits: Cajun-grilled shrimp, seared grit cake, andouille hash, and Cajun emulsion

Fife and Drum

• Half Note Float: Frozen Fanta Wild Cherry, Minute Maid Lemonade, and Fanta Blue Raspberry Slushy with vanilla ice cream and half note white chocolate

Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue

• Banana Pudding

Disney Springs

The Ganachery

• Cookie Butter Ganache Square: Cookie butter ganache enrobed in dark 65% chocolate 🍪
• Soulfully Pralines: Pecan pralines covered in dark 65% chocolate

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar

• Griot and Pikliz: Fried pork shoulder marinated in a blend called “epis” with Scotch bonnet, bell peppers, and spices, served with fried plantains and “pikliz,” a pickled cabbage slaw 🍪

The Polite Pig

• Pork Belly Diri Kolepwanwa: Sweet and spicy pork belly, diri kolepwanwa (rice and black beans), and onion jalepeño slaw

Vivoli il Gelato

• Black Girl Magic Float: Float with vanilla gelato and Black Girl Magic wine from the McBride Sisters Wine Company

Disney World Resorts

All-Star Resorts

Food Courts

• Banana Pudding Cheesecake: Banana cheesecake with vanilla pudding and vanilla wafer crust
• Country Fried Pork Steak with Herbed Gravy: Fried pork loin with herb cream sauce, fried cabbage sautéed with smoked sausage, and roasted marble potato salad 🍪

Art of Animation

Landscape of Flavors

• Country Fried Pork Steak with Herbed Gravy: Fried pork loin with herb cream sauce, fried cabbage sautéed with smoked sausage, and roasted marble potato salad 🍪
• Mini Red Velvet Cake: Red velvet cake with cream cheese buttercream 🍪

Caribbean Beach Resort

Centertown Market

• Country Fried Pork Steak with Herbed Gravy: Fried pork loin with herb cream sauce, fried cabbage sautéed with smoked sausage, and roasted marble potato salad 🍪
• Mini Red Velvet Cake: Red velvet cake with cream cheese buttercream 🍪

Pop Century

Everything POP Shopping & Dining

• Country Fried Pork Steak with Herbed Gravy: Fried pork loin with herb cream sauce, fried cabbage sautéed with smoked sausage, and roasted marble potato salad 🍪
• Mini Red Velvet Cake: Red velvet cake with cream cheese buttercream 🍪

Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Scat Cat’s Club – Lounge

• Berry Beignet: Mixed berry compote, house-made Uncle Nearest Whiskey caramel sauce, and powdered sugar served with a pipette of Uncle Nearest Whiskey

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory

• Country Fried Pork Steak with Herbed Gravy: Fried pork loin with herb cream sauce, fried cabbage sautéed with smoked sausage, and roasted marble potato salad 🍪
• Mini Red Velvet Cake: Red velvet cake with cream cheese buttercream 🍪

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Riverside Mill Food Court

• Country Fried Pork Steak with Herbed Gravy: Fried pork loin with herb cream sauce, fried cabbage sautéed with smoked sausage, and roasted marble potato salad 🍪
• Mini Red Velvet Cake: Red velvet cake with cream cheese buttercream 🍪

Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

The Artist’s Palette

• Soulful Sunday Pork Cutlet: Smoked pork chop, collard greens, black-eyed peas, and house-made sweet cornbread 🍪
• Traditional Pound Cake: Homemade vanilla pound cake

🍪 - New

Disney World Trip

So we took another trip to Disney World last weekend. We bought annual passes again, and we had a blast! Luckily, we were able to visit the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival for the first time. The gardens were beautiful and the food was fantastic. My favorite was the candied strawberries from the China Pavilion. They were SO good!

We also visited the Magic Kingdom. We rode the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train just as the park was closing the night we arrived. It was only the second time we'd ridden it, and it was a lot of fun. We also found a few new popcorn buckets. I love the new shaped buckets. We got Cinderella's Carriage and a Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Cart. Both have moving wheels, the Carriage has an awesome soft strap for easier carrying, while the Mine Cart sways, just like on the ride. It was dreadfully hot last weekend, so I also discovered a ton of new shady places to rest. I'll be sure to share them soon.

photo courtesy of Disney

Our final day was spent at Hollywood Studios. I love the way it looks without the Sorcerer 's Hat. However, the view was somewhat obscured by the stage they'd already set up in anticipation of Star Wars Weekends. There were also several photo spot backdrops ready for costumed characters from Star Wars. We took advantage of the fact that they were empty and snapped a few photos. It was hot that day as well, so we took the time to see a preview for Cinderella as well as a drawing class in the Animation Academy. We drew Minnie Mouse and mine turned out fairly well (which was nice, because my Tinker Bell from a few years ago had a strangely misshapen head.) We also watched the Indiana Jones Stunt show because I'm not sure how much longer it will be there. We ate at Backlot Express for the first time. I'm rather surprised we'd missed it; the food really isn't too bad.

The only disappointing part of the trip was when we discovered that you can no longer trade vinylmation in the parks. I don't know whether Disney plans to phase out the collectible entirely or whether they simply plan to make series you'd actually want to collect all of (like the new Frozen set or Avengers), but you won't be able to trade them in the park. Pin trading, on the other hand, continues unchanged.

At the beginning and end of this trip, we stopped at Character Warehouse at the Premium Outlets in Orlando. They had some fantastic deals! All of the Beautifully Disney makeup was marked way down. What was originally $24.95-$36.95 was now $3.99.and all of the nail polish, which were $11.95 each, were now 99¢. The best deal, in my opinion, was on the Vera Bradley bags. They've stopped selling the original blue pattern, so they had a few totes and hipsters left at the outlet store. I really wanted the hipster when it first debuted,  but I couldn't justify spending $75 on a purse. However, $19.99 was a great price, so I bought one. I was also able to find some of the Indiana Jones vinylmation for $3.99 each. And I lucked out and got exactly what I wanted: Indy, Marion, Sala, and the Golden Idol mystery figure from Raiders of the Lost Ark. As a huge Indiana Jones fan, I was ecstatic!

In all, it was a great three day trip. We had a chance to visit the theme park we love, ride a few of our favorite rides, see a beautiful festival from our Disney bucket list, and enjoy time together as a family. And isn't that what the magic of Disney is all about?

Bring Home The Magic Of Wish

Disney

Disney's Wish is heading to Digital next week on January 23rd. It will also be available on DVD and Blu-ray on March 12th. I can't wait to finally see it!

These releases will also include an All-New Documentary, Deleted Scenes, Outtakes, a Deleted Song AND a Sing-Along Version With On-Screen Lyrics.

Heres the official synopsis from Disney: 

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish” is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico—to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen. Wish features the voices of Ariana DeBose as Asha, Chris Pine as Magnifico, and Alan Tudyk as Asha’s favorite goat, Valentino.

It All Began With A Wish

Disney

Disney's Wish looks wonderful. And the new songs are delightful.

Here's the official synopsis from Disney: 

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish” is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico —to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.

Wish arrives in theaters on November 22nd.