Casey's Corner

On a recent trip,  I stopped in Casey's Corner for a hotdog. I had no intention of buying anything else because I find the hotdogs to be rather pricey,  but then I saw their new souvenir travel mug. I couldn't resist getting one for my dad.  The mug has a removable sleeve that is faux leather. It has embroidered baseball stitching and an image of Casey at the Bat. The mug costs $8.99 and comes with a cup of Odwalla lemonade slush. Yum!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

A Little Music for Christmas Eve

PBS

How about a little music to finish wrapping presents by? I do love listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, especially at Christmas. And I've loved Alfie Boe since I saw him in a Les Miserables special on PBS. So I thought I'd share this special with you.

It's Christmas Eve Eve!

Disney

As Eloise would say, "Wake up! Wake up! It's Christmas Eve Eve!"

Quote of the Week

Disney

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, 

and try to keep it all the year. 

I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. 

The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.

 I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!"

- Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Photo of the Week

Looks like Chewie is ready for Christmas. Are you?

Meet my Family Short

Disney

This "what makes a family" short from the Disney Channel is so cute. I love the way they show that families are all different, and yet all the same. 

Christmas Tsum Tsum at Target

Disney

Christmas Tsum Tsum have invaded Target. I believe they are the 2014 Christmas collection, but they're so cute! There are eight characters available: Mickey and Minnie in Santa hats, Pluto dressed as a present, Goofy as a Christmas tree, Donald and Daisy in snowflake scarves, and Chip and Dale with reindeer antlers.  If you missed them last year, be sure to check your local Target. You may even find that they're on sale. Recently, it was buy three get one free, which saves you $5. Not too shabby. 

Star Wars Day

Today is going to be Star Wars day in our house. We won't be heading to the theater to see The Force Awakens just yet, but we plan to watch at least our favorite three Star Wars movies (that would be four, five, and six) We might rewatch the Mythbusters Star Wars specials that are still on the dvr, and we'll probably have some blue milk and Wookie cookies as a snack. It should be a lot of fun!

Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them Trailer

WB

Coming next November, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, another tale from the world of Harry Potter. This movie follows the adventures of Newt Scamander, author of the book Fantastic Beasts, some seventy years before Harry entered Hogwarts.

Dapper Dans Christmas in Killarney

Disney

The Dapper Dans on Main Street singing Christmas in Killarney, one of my favorite Christmas songs.

Quote of the Week

Disney

"There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say," returned the nephew. " Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round - apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that - as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!"      - Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

From All of Us to All of You

Disney

This was the intro to my favorite Christmas video growing up. We watched it several times every year.

Elf on the Shelf

If your family has an elf on the shelf, you probably know how difficult it can be to come up with new ideas for your elf. I've gathered together hundreds of great ideas on my Elf on the Shelf Pinterest board. I especially like the printable Darth Vader mask and glow stick lightsaber. I think it would be a great way to celebrate the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Sabrina Carpenter Home for the Holidays

Disney

I just love Sabrina Carpenter of Girl Meets World. She's so adorable and she sure can sing!

Frozen as Told by Emoji

Disney

Have you seen the Frozen As Told by Emoji short? It is so cute and funny!

And don't forget Frozen Fever As Told By Emoji as well. It may be very short, but it's still hilarious.

Happy Hanukkah

Disney

Happy Hanukkah!

Tonight is the fifth night of Hanukkah. If you want to include a little Disney in your celebration, look no further. The Disney Family website has several fun Printables especially for Hanukkah. My favorite is the Mickey and Friends dreidel. It even explains how to play the game. There's also a Menorah centerpiece that is very festive and adorable set of place cards to decorate your holiday table. There is a set of gift tags featuring several different characters. Finally, there is a very cute Mickey candy box to fill with Hanukkah gelt.

A Visit from St. Nicholas

Disney

I've always been fond of this old animated short from Disney. While I miss seeing the full short, I really like Alfred Molina reading the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas", and the clips of other Disney Christmas shorts that have been interspersed to help tell the story.

Quote of the Week

Jim Henson Company

It is required of every man, 

that the spirit within him should walk abroad 

among his fellow-men, and travel far and wide; 

and, if that spirit goes not forth in life, 

it is condemned to do so after death.

-Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

The Christmas Chronicles

Tarcher Perigee

A few years ago, I picked up a copy of the Christmas Chronicles, as told to Jeff Guinn. The Chronicles contain three separate books: The Autobiography of Santa Claus, How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas, and The Great Santa Search. As soon as I started reading them, I realized that these could easily become my new favorite Christmas tales.

The Autobiography of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas' birth in Lycia in 280 AD. He goes on to tell how he got started giving gifts in the dead of night and how he became a bishop. Eventually, he discovered that he had become immortal. He decidesdto use this unexpected gift to continue helping others. Along the way, he meets many friends, who join him in his work, and become immortal themselves. While a few of his companions are unknown to history, many, such as Attila the Hun, King Arthur, and even Leonardo da Vinci, had quite a well known impact. Over the centuries, Nicholas and his friends evolve, along with the Christmas holidays, into the Santa Claus we know and love today.

How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas is the saddest of the three stories. It takes place during a very dark time in England, the reign of Oliver Cromwell. It was at that time, in the 1640s, that the British Parliament outlawed the celebration of Christmas. Santa's wife, Layla, with a bit of help from his good friend Arthur (known to us as King Arthur of Camelot), worked behind the scenes to help bring the magic and hope of Christmas back to the unhappy people of England.

The final story, The Great Santa Search, takes readers on an entertaining trip through the history of Christmas in America. When the story arrives in the present day, Santa is faced with an unexpected challenge: a reality television show has declared that they will search for the real Santa. This makes Santa and his companions fear that the search may destroy the magic of Christmas. In the end, everyone involved learns some unexpected lessons about who Santa Claus really is.

I really enjoyed these well written and entertaining Christmas stories. This year, I'm sharing them with Bean as part of our Christmas preparations. I hope you'll share these stories with your family as well. You'll be glad you did.

Pentatonix Carol of the Bells

Pentatonix

I love this video of my favorite a cappella group, Pentatonix, singing one of my favorite Christmas carols.

Agent P Christmas Ornament

Disney

Our house is full of Phineas and Ferb fans, so it seems appropriate to add some Perry the Platypus to our Christmas decor. Just follow the link to print, cut, and fold your own adorable Agent P wrapped in Christmas lights from Disney Family. And while you're there, be sure to check out all the other Christmas Printables. There are several ornaments to make, including a Mickey toy soldier, Wayne from Prep and Landing, and even Cinderella Castle.

Disney Christmas Pinterest Board

There are many amazing Disney Christmas ideas out there. I've collected a few of my favorites on a Disney Christmas Pinterest board. Which idea inspires you the most?

Voices of Liberty at Christmas

Disney

Have you ever stopped by the American Adventure Pavilion at EPCOT to listen to the Voices of Liberty? These a cappella singers always put on an amazing show, but it's especially beautiful at Christmas. The group, dressed in their winter finest, sing Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs several times each day in December.

Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol

BBC

This may be my new favorite episode of Doctor Who. It's a beautiful, although very sad, retelling of A Christmas Carol, with a typical Doctor Who twist. Bean and I loved it!

Quote of the Week

Hallmark

Old Marley was as dead as a doornail.

Mind! I don't mean to say that, of my own knowledge, what there is particularly dead about a doornail. I might have been inclined, myself, to regard a coffin-nail as the deadest piece of ironmongery in the trade. But the wisdom of our ancestors is in the simile; and my unhallowed hands shall not disturb it, or the Country's done for. You will therefore permit me to repeat, emphatically, that Marley was as dead as a doornail.

- Charles Dickens

A Christmas Carol is my favorite Christmas story, and this silly quote is one of my favorites. I'll be sharing other quotes from A Christmas Carol throughout the month.

O Tannenbaum Tsum Tsum Short

Disney

Christmas tree decorating Tsum Tsums. So cute!

*Unfortunately, Disney has removed this video from YouTube.

Chip and Dale Thanksgiving Fun

The Disney Parks Blog shared the most adorable Chip and Dale Thanksgiving placemats recently. There are two pictures to print: one is Chip and Dale in a cornucopia to color and the other has games and puzzles to solve. Too cute! So if you looking for something fun for the kids to do while they wait for dinner, head over to the Disney Parks Blog.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Captain America: Civil War Trailer

Marvel

Ooooooooohhhhh!!!

Captain America: Civil War arrives in theaters on May 6.

Miles from Tomorrowland

Disney

Bean and I love Miles from Tomorrowland on Disney Junior. Miles and his sister Loretta travel the galaxy with their parents, Captain Phoebe Callisto and Engineer Leo Callisto. Along with their robo-ostrich Merc, they solve problems and have amazing adventures while working missions for the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. (The TTA is run by Admirals Watson and Crick, named for the scientists who discovered the chemical composition of DNA. That's just one of many little scientific in-jokes for the parents who are watching.) It's a really cute show that does a great job of explaining basic science concepts so that kids will understand them.

I love the show overall, but I especially like the guest stars. Disney does a great job of choosing a character that perfectly represents a specific person. 

The most recent episode featured the voice talents of Alton Brown, host of Cutthroat Kitchen among other shows on Food Network, as a chef named Lysander Floovox. It also featured a scientist named Professor Rubicon who is voiced by the legendary Bill Nye, the Science Guy. Other guest stars have included Wil Wheaton (Wesley Crusher, Star Trek: TNG) as Commander S'Leet, Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker, Star Wars) as Gadfly Garnet, and George Takei (Hikaru Sulu, Star Trek) as Spectrix. It's a sci-fi nerd's dream come true!

Disney's 25 Days of Christmas Schedule

With Thanksgiving nearly upon us, I guess it's time to consider Christmas. And that means it's nearly time for ABC Family's 25 days of Christmas. This year's lineup includes two Jim Henson specials that have been remastered: "The Bells of Fraggle Rock" and "Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas". And on December 13th and 14th, you can watch a marathon of the Toy Story movies: 1, 2, & 3 plus the Toy Story That Time Forgot. They're also showing a special behind the scenes look at the new Shadowhunters television series based on the Mortal Instruments books by Cassandra Clare. (Yay!!)  Here's what else you can look forward to seeing.

December 1st
7:00-9:30am The Preacher's Wife
11:00am-1:00pm Disney's A Christmas Carol
1:00-2:30pm Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas
2:30-3:30pm The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
3:30-4:00pm Frosty's Winter Wonderland
4:00-6:00pm Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July
6:00-7:00pm The Year Without a Santa Claus
7:00-9:00pm The Polar Express
9:00pm-12:00am Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
12:00-1:00am The Year Without a Santa Claus
1:00-2:00am Rudolph's Shiny New Year

December 2
7:00-9:00am The Christmas Shoes
9:00-9:30am Frosty's Winter Wonderland
11:00am-12:30pm Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas
12:30-1:30pm A Miser Brothers Christmas
1:30-2:30pm Jack Frost
2:30-3:30 Rudolph's Shiny New Year
6:00-8:45pm Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
8:45-11:00pm The Santa Clause
12:00-2:00am Snow - an ABC Family original movie

December 3
7:00-9:00am Christmas in Boston
9:00-9:30am Mickey's Christmas Carol
1:45-4:00pm I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
4:00-6:00pm Jack Frost
6:00-8:15pm The Santa Clause
8:15-11:00 Fred Claus
12:00-2:00am Snow 2: Brain Freeze

December 4
7:00-9:00am Meet the Santa's
9:00-9:30am The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow (one of my favorite old Rankin Bass cartoons, it's narrated by Angela Lansbury.)
11:00am-12:00pm Rudolph's Shiny New Year
12:00-2:00pm Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July
2:00-4:00pm Jack Frost
4:00-6:00pm I'll Be Home for Christmas
6:00-7:00pm Santa Claus is Coming to Town
7:00-9:30pm Fred Claus
9:30-11:50pm Elf
11:50pm-2:00am Prancer

December 5
7:00-8:00am Rudolph's Shiny New Year
8:00-10:00am Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July
10:00am-12:15pm I'll Be Home for Christmas
12:15-3:00pm Prancer
3:00-4:00pm The Year Without a Santa Claus
4:00-5:00pm Santa Claus is Coming to Town
5:00-7:15pm The Polar Express
7:15-9:30pm Elf
9:30pm-12:30am Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
12:30-2:00am Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

December 6
7:00-9:00am A Very Brady Christmas
9:00-11:00am Home Alone: The Holiday Heist
11:00am-12:00pm The Year Without a Santa Claus
12:00-12:30pm The Little Drummer Boy
12:30-2:30pm Disney's A Christmas Carol
2:30-4:45pm The Polar Express
4:45-6:30pm Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
6:30-9:30pm Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
9:30-10:00pm Beyond the Shadows: The Making of Shadowhunters
10:00pm-12:00am National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

December 7
7:00-9:00am Home Alone: The Holiday Heist
9:00-9:30am The Little Drummer Boy
11:00am-1:00pm Three Days - ABC Family original movie
1:00-4:00pm Love Actually
4:00-6:30pm Fred Claus
6:30-8:45pm National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
8:45-11:00pm The Santa Clause
12:00-2:00am The Mistle-Tones - ABC Family original musical, I really liked this movie, which stars Tia Mowery and Tori Spelling.

December 8
7:00-9:30am Fred Claus
11:00am-1:00pm Secret Santa
1:00-3:00pm The Mistle-Tones
3:00-4:00pm Pinocchio's Christmas
4:00-6:00pm Disney's A Christmas Carol
6:00-6:30pm Frosty's Winter Wonderland
6:30-8:45pm The Santa Clause
8:45-11:00pm The Polar Express
12:00-2:00am Snowglobe - ABC Family original movie

December 9
7:00-9:00am 12 Dates of Christmas - ABC Family original movie
9:00-9:30am The Little Drummer Boy Book II
11:00am-12:00pm Pinocchio's Christmas
12:10-2:20pm Prancer
2:20-4:30pm Snowglobe
4:30-6:00pm Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas
6:00-6:30pm Mickey's Christmas Carol
6:30-8:45pm The Polar Express
8:45-11:00pm Elf
12:00-1:00am The Year Without a Santa Claus
1:00-2:00 Rudolph's Shiny New Year

December 10
7:00-9:30am Prancer
11:00-11:30am Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey
11:30am-12:00pm Frosty's Winter Wonderland
12:00-2:00pm Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July
2:00-2:30pm Mickey's Christmas Carol
2:30-4:00pm Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas
4:00-4:30pm The Little Drummer Boy
4:30-5:30pm Rudolph's Shiny New Year
5:30-6:30pm The Year Without a Santa Claus
6:30-8:45pm Elf
8:45-11:00pm National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
12:00-2:00am Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe - ABC Family original movie

December 11
7:00-9:00am Desperately Seeking Santa - ABC Family original movie
9:00-9:30am Frosty's Winter Wonderland
11:00am-1:00pm Holiday in Handcuffs - ABC Family original movie
1:00-4:00pm The Family Man
4:00-6:45pm Fred Claus
6:45-9:00pm National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
9:00pm-12:00am Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
12:00-1:00am Santa Claus is Coming to Town
1:00-2:00am The Year Without a Santa Claus


December 12
7:00-8:00am Jack Frost
8:00-9:45am Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas
9:45-11:30am Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas
11:30am-12:15pm The Bells of Fraggle Rock
12:15-1:20pm Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas
1:20-2:30pm The Year Without a Santa Claus
2:30-3:30pm Santa Claus is Coming to Town
3:30-4:00pm Frosty's Winter Wonderland
4:00-6:00pm Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July
6:00-9:00pm Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
9:00-11:15pm Elf
11:15pm-2:00am Fred Claus

December 13
7:00-8:45am Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas
8:45-10:25am Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas
10:25-11:05am The Bells of Fraggle Rock
11:05am-12:10pm Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas
12:10-2:15pm Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July 
2:15-4:30pm Elf
4:30pm-12:00am Toy Story Marathon

December 14
7:00-9:00am Mr. St. Nick
9:00-9:30am 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
11:00-11:30am Frosty's Winter Wonderland
2:00-8:45pm Toy Story Marathon
8:45-11:00pm The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
12:00-2:00am Snow

December 15
11:00am-1:00pm Desperately Seeking Santa
1:00-3:00pm Santa Baby - ABC Family original movie
3:00-5:00pm Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe
5:00-6:00pm Santa Claus is Coming to Town
6:00-8:15pm The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
8:15-10:30pm Elf
10:30-11:00pm The Little Drummer Boy
12:00-2:00am Snow 2: Brain Freeze

December 16
7:00-9:00am Three Days
9:00-9:30am The Little Drummer Boy
11:00am-2:00pm The Family Man
2:00-4:00pm Christmas in Boston
4:00-5:00pm Santa Claus is Coming to Town
5:00-6:00pm The Year Without a Santa Claus
6:00-8:15pm Elf
8:15-10:30pm The Polar Express
10:30-11:00pm Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey
12:00-2:00am Desperately Seeking Santa

December 17
7:00-10:15am The Family Man
10:15am-1:30pm Love Actually
1:30-4:15pm The Preacher's Wife
4:15-6:30pm Snow
6:30-8:45pm The Polar Express
8:45-11:00pm Disney's A Christmas Carol
12:00-2:00am Holidaze - ABC Family original movie

December 18
7:00-9:45am The Preacher's Wife
9:45am-12:00pm Christmas Cupid - ABC Family original movie
12:00-2:00pm The Mistle-Tones
2:00-4:15pm Snow 2: Brain Freeze
4:15-6:30pm Disney's A Christmas Carol
6:30-7:00pm.Disney's Prep and Landing
7:00-7:30pm Disney's Prep and Landing: Naughty vs. Nice
7:30-9:45pm The Santa Clause
9:45pm-12:00am The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
12:00-2:00am Three Days

December 19
7:00-9:30am Prancer
9:30-10:30am Rudolph's Shiny New Year
10:30am-12:30pm Jack Frost
12:30-2:30pm Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July
2:30-3:00pm Frosty's Winter Wonderland
3:00-4:00pm The Year Without a Santa Claus
4:05-5:15pm Santa Claus is Coming to Town
5:15-7:30pm The Santa Clause
7:30-9:45pm The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
9:45pm-12:00am National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
12:00-2:00am Holiday in Handcuffs

December 20
7:00-8:00am Rudolph's Shiny New Year
8:00-10:00am Jack Frost
10:00am-12:45pm Prancer
12:45-3:00pm Disney's A Christmas Carol
3:00-4:45pm Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
4:45-7:00pm The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
7:00-9:15pm National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
9:15-11:30pm Elf
11:30pm-12:00am Mickey's Christmas Carol

December 21
7:00-9:00am Prancer
9:00-11:15am Disney's A Christmas Carol
11:15am-1:00pm Tim's Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
1:00-2:00pm Rudolph's Shiny New Year
2:00-2:30pm Frosty's Winter Wonderland
2:30-4:30pm The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
4:30-6:30pm Snowglobe
6:30-8:45pm Elf
8:45-11:00pm The Santa Clause
12:00-2:00am Jack Frost

December 22
7:00-8:00am Rudolph's Shiny New Year
8:00-10:00am 12 Dates of Christmas
10:00am-12:00pm Holidaze
12:00-2:15pm Christmas Cupid
2:15-4:30pm Jack Frost
4:30-5:30pm The Year Without a Santa Claus
5:30-6:30pm Santa Claus is Coming to Town
6:30-8:45pm The Santa Clause
8:45-11:00pm The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
12:00-2:00am Holiday in Handcuffs

December 23
7:00-9:00am The Mistle-Tones
9:00-11:00am Holiday in Handcuffs
11:00am-1:00pm Santa Baby
1:00-3:15pm Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe
3:15-4:15pm Santa Claus is Coming to Town
4:15-6:30pm Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July
6:30-7:00pm Frosty's Winter Wonderland
7:00-7:30pm Mickey's Christmas Carol
7:30-9:45pm The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
9:45pm-12:00am National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
12:00-2:00am Home Alone: The Holiday Heist

December 24
7:00-9:00am Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July
9:00-9:30 The Little Drummer Boy
11:00am-1:00pm Home Alone: The Holiday Heist
1:00-3:15pm Prancer
3:15-5:00pm Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
5:00-5:30pm Disney's Prep and Landing
5:30-6:00pm Disney's Prep and Landing: Naughty vs. Nice
6:00-6:30pm Toy Story That Time Forgot
6:30-8:45pm National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
8:45-11:00pm Elf
12:00-2:00am The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

December 25
7:00-9:00am Prancer
11:00-11:30am Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey
11:30am-12:30pm Santa Claus is Coming to Town
12:30-2:15pm Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
2:15-4:30pm The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
4:30-5:00pm Toy Story That Time Forgot
5:00-7:15pm Elf
7:15-11:00pm Harry Potter and the Sorcerer 's Stone
12:00-1:00am Santa Claus is Coming to Town
1:00-2:00am The Year Without a Santa Claus

You can find additional information on the ABC Family 25 Days of Christmas official website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Star Wars in the Kitchen

I was in Target yesterday, when I stumbled across these R2-D2 kitchen accessories.  The timer is very cool, but I really like the salt and pepper shakers. What a cool way to add a little Star Wars to your kitchen.

Happy Birthday Mickey!

Mickey turns 87 today. Happy Birthday, Mickey!

Star Wars Treats at Disneyland

Disneyland recently opened its new Star Wars: Seasons of the Force. Along with galleries for both the Light and Dark Sides and the Space Mountain revamp Hyperspace Mountain, they've added a few new treats and collectible treat containers.

I especially like the Tie Fighter popcorn bucket. It's huge and yet totally awesome.

The other collectible is a BB-8 sipper cup. I really hope they show up in Disney World when the new Star Wars attractions open this December! I totally need them for my ridiculous collection! Photos courtesy of Disney

Subway Star Wars Kids Meals

It seems that Subway has new bags for their kids meals. With artwork inspired by the Force Awakens, each bag also contains a glowstick lightsaber with a handle that you decorate with a sticker. They're kinda cool! There are 8 different bags available: a blueprint of the Millennium Falcon, BB-8, two Stormtrooper bags, Kylo Ren, and two with everybody. My favorite is the Millennium Falcon bag, how about you?

Finding Dory Trailer

Pixar

Oh my gosh! Dory remembered something!

Finding Dory arrives in theaters on June 17, 2016.

Star Wars Land Update

Disney had some major announcements yesterday regarding Star Wars and it's presence at Hollywood Studios. It seems that there are many new experiences that will be opening in the coming months, starting December 1. The Star Wars Launch Bay will be a sneak peek behind the scenes of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. There will be special exhibits, merchandise, and the chance to meet Chewbacca and Darth Vader.

Star Tours will be adding a new adventure to its line-up. For the first few months, everyone will experience the new adventure. Afterward, it will be part of the random adventures we can see now. Disney shared a quick glimpse of this new adventure. I can't wait to see it in the park!

Another new experience is Star Wars: Path of the Jedi. Featuring scenes from all of the films, this will give new fans a chance to explore the galaxy many of us know and love. Finally, the Jedi Training experience for kids will receive a makeover and a new home. Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple will take younglings to the site of an ancient Jedi temple where they will face off against Darth Vader and the Seventh Sister. Bean is going to love it!

Unfortunately, with all these new experiences comes the loss of an old one. While construction is underway on the new 14-acre Star Wars Land, Star Wars Weekends have come to an end. While we'll now be able to experience a galaxy far, far away every day, I will miss this special event. I'm glad we had the chance to see it one last time this year. Which experience are you most looking forward to?

Disney World at Christmastime

Have you ever visited Disney World during Christmastime? It's a wonderful time to visit. All of the parks are decked out in their holiday finest and there are many special shows and events that are only available at this time of year. One of my favorites is the Holidays Around the World. Storytellers from every country in EPCOT share tales of the holiday traditions of their homelands. They are fascinating, fun, and very informative. And at Hollywood Studios, you can see the final year of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. It's a beautiful, yet over the top display of Christmas lights. In the Magic Kingdom, the Jungle Cruise gets a holiday makeover at this time of year, and there's also Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on select nights. It seems even at Disney World, it's the most wonderful time of the year.

Alice Through the Looking Glass Trailer

Disney

The time has come to return to Wonderland. Alice must save the Hatter! Bean and I are super excited to see what happens. (And Bean totally wants the "present" Time gives to the Red Queen.) 

Alice Through the Looking Glass arrives in theaters on May 27, 2016. To learn more about Alice's latest adventure, follow the official Facebook page.

Alice Through the Looking Glass Sneak Peek 4

Disney

And now one final sneak peek of Alice Through the Looking Glass before the official trailer debuts later today. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the original Alice in Wonderland book, so it's only fitting that a new Alice movie is in the works. Too bad we'll have to wait until next May to see the finished product.

Alice Through the Looking Glass Sneak Peek 3

Disney

Oooohhhhh... the Red Queen is back!

Alice Through the Looking Glass arrives in theaters on May 27.

Alice Through the Looking Glass Sneak Peeks

Disney

Have you seen the two incredibly short glimpses Disney has released of Alice Through the Looking Glass? They're very brief, but tantalizing.

It's time to go back...