Disney Egg-Stravaganza

Have you ever participated in one of Disney's special scavenger hunts? It can be a lot of fun! You purchase a map and make your way around the park searching for specific items. When you find one, you add a sticker to the map. Once you've found all the items, you return with the map to where you purchased it to receive a prize, and you get to keep the map, too. We participated in the search for Remy during the Food and Wine Festival last fall. It was a blast looking for the little guy! And when we finished, we got to pick out a pin with one of the Remys on it. So cute!

Are you ready to join in the search? This March 2-27, you can search for special hidden eggs as part of the Egg-Stravaganza at EPCOT in Florida, and Disneyland, California Adventure, and Downtown Disney in California. Maps and stickers are available for $5.95 at select locations. After finding all of the eggs, don't forget to return with your map and claim your prize. I've heard that the prizes are special eggs and that this year, you can choose which one you receive. Maps do sell out quickly, so be sure to get yours early, and start hunting for eggs!

Pete's Dragon Teaser Trailer

Disney

The new Pete's Dragon sure looks different from the old one. While I love the kitschy nature of the original, the remake has an amazing cast (Bryce Dallas Howard and Robert Redford) and Elliot looks fantastic.

Pete's Dragon arrives in theaters on August 12.

New Star Wars Nighttime Spectacular Coming to Hollywood Studios

Photo courtesy of Disney

Disney announced yesterday that several new Star Wars experiences will be coming to Hollywood Studios this spring. From a new stage show and procession to an even more elaborate fireworks display, it sounds like Star Wars fans will have a lot to look forward to. Here's what the Disney Parks Blog had to say.

"The Force will officially awaken at the park April 4, with the debut of the brand new Star Wars stage show, "Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away. " The new show will play out iconic moments from the film saga on Center Stage (in front of the Chinese Theater), and will feature appearances from Star Wars characters like Kylo Ren, Chewbacca, Darth Vader and Darth Maul. 

Also starting April 4, Captain Phasma will begin leading a platoon of First Order stormtroopers on a march from Star Wars Launch Bay to Center Stage multiple times each day.

And starting this summer, fans won’t want to miss the grand debut of of a new Star Wars fireworks show, "Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular." This new nightly show is the next generation of the current Star Wars-inspired fireworks show. The show will combine fireworks, pyrotechnics, special effects and video projections that will turn the nearby Chinese Theater and other buildings into the twin suns of Tatooine, a field of battle droids, the trench of the Death Star, Starkiller Base and other Star Wars destinations. The show will be punctuated with a tower of fire and spotlight beams, creating massive lightsabers in the sky. This new show will be the most elaborate fireworks display to take place in the history of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 

And don’t forget about the other recent Star Wars additions that have debuted at the park. The Star Tours  - The Adventures Continue attraction now features new characters and planets from the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens film. Star Wars Launch Bay offers families an up-close look at replica props, models, costumes and more from the films, plus the chance to encounter with someone from Rebel Alliance or the Dark Side. And young Padawans can put their bravery to the test at Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple, which now features the character of the Seventh Sister from the Disney XD series Star Wars Rebels."

It all sounds fairly epic. I can't wait to see the new fireworks because the current ones are already fantastic. What are you most looking forward to?

Alice Through the Looking Glass Poster and Trailer

Disney

Have you seen the latest trailer for Alice Through the Looking Glass? It looks like it will be just as good, if not better, than Alice in Wonderland. I can't wait!

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

Photo of the Week

The Han Solo and Princess Leia POPVinyls from Star Wars: The Force Awakens are so cute! I love the way they made them look older.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

Finding Dory Posters

Have you seen the latest Finding Dory posters?

I just love them! Especially the one with the jellyfish.

Although the mantra rays and anemone are cool too.

Which one is your favorite?

Hotel Transylvania 2

Sony

I finally had the chance to see Hotel Transylvania 2 when it came out on Blu-ray  recently. It's  so adorable! I just loved it, maybe even more than the first one. Caution: Spoilers Ahead!

Hotel Transylvania 2 picks up right where the first film left off. Johnny and Mavis get married, and a year later, they're expecting a baby. Their little boy, Dennis (or Denisovitch as Papa Drac calls him), is the spitting image of his dad, from his curly red hair to his lack of vampire fangs. Fearing that Mavis may leave him all alone if her son is only human, Dracula decides to take matters into his own hands and prove that Dennis is a monster after all.

While Mavis and Johnny check out  Johnny's hometown in California (Mavis absolutely adores Slurpees!), Dracula, Murray, Wayne, Griffin, Frank, and Blobby set out to help "late fanger" Dennis become a real vampire. Of course, hilarity ensues as each group tries to find their place in the world.

In the end, this movie was about loving someone for who they are and not what you want them to be. Also, we all have a place where we belong, although it can be hard to see it. Bean and I loved this movie and will probably watch it often. While I loved the movie, if your kids are scared of monsters, you may want to preview Hotel Transylvania 2 before watching it together. Some of the monsters and situations may be a little frightening for small children.

Captain America: Civil War Trailer

Marvel

Marvel released a new Captain America: Civil War teaser trailer just in time for the Super Bowl. It's short, but a great look at who is on each side of the war. It looks like Cap, Bucky Barnes, Falcon, Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch and Ant-Man are on one side, while Iron Man, War Machine, Black Widow, Vision, and Black Panther are on the other. Which side are you on?

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

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Lionsgate

I watched Pride and Prejudice and Zombies yesterday, and was surprised to find that I loved it! I haven't read the book, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was actually quite brilliant.  I was amazed at how plausible it was to add zombies to a well-loved piece of classic literature. Without giving anything  away, I can tell you that they kept all the best parts of the original story: the Bennett sisters, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and even Pastor Collins and Lady Catherine. All of the relationship elements of the original are in this retelling, there just also happens to be a zombie plague.

I especially liked the costumes, which were an intriguing take on Regency dresses. (A long slit down the side of the skirt allowed for quick access to weapons hidden beneath without really changing the recognizable shape of the gown. Very clever!) I truly enjoyed the film and will definitely be adding it to my library once it's available on Blu-ray.

Star Wars Tsum Tsum

Are you ready for your favorite Star Wars characters to invade the world of Tsum Tsum? They arrive in our galaxy on Tuesday, February 16th at the Disney Store.  The collection includes: Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, R2-D2, C-3PO, Yoda, and Wicket for the Light Side, and Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Jabba the Hut, and a Stormtrooper for the Dark Side. They're so cute that it's difficult to choose a favorite, but I think I like Wicket the best. Which side will you choose?

Zootopia Trailer

Disney

Zootopia looks very unique, but interesting. I hope it's as funny as the trailers.

Zootopia arrives in theaters on March 4.