Happy Halloween

Ghosts and goblins

Spooks galore

Scary witches 

at your door

Jack-o-lanterns 

shining bright

Wishing you

A haunting night

- anonymous

Haunted Mansion Butler Costume

Disney

Are you looking for a last minute costume for Halloween? Well, the Disney Parks Blog has a great tutorial for creating a Haunted Mansion butler's costume with ready made clothing you may be able to find at a thrift store.

Disney Pumpkin Carving Patterns

Cast Member pumpkins at Disney Springs

It's time to start carving those pumpkins for Halloween. Do you need a Disney inspired pattern to get you started? Or perhaps you prefer to decorate your pumpkin with paint and accessories. Well, if you need a few new ideas, be sure to check out my Disney Halloween Pinterest Board.

Bewitching Minnie Apple How-to

Disney

Are you looking for a Disney treat to make this Halloween? How about a bewitching Minnie Mouse candy apple just like the ones available from Trolley Treats in Disney California Adventure? Just follow the video to create your own spooky sweet treats.

Pumpkin Chai Milkshake Recipe from the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival

Twinings has a fantastic Pumpkin Chai Tea & Caramel Milkshake at the Ireland booth at this year's EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. And they shared the recipe with guests to the booth. The tea is available from the Tea Caddy in EPCOT's UK Pavilion as well as other tea retailers.

Twinings Pumpkin Chai Tea and Caramel Milkshake

• 16 oz vanilla ice cream 
• 3 oz boiled water 
• 2 Twinings Pumpkin Spice Chai Tea Bags
• 2 Tbsp caramel syrup

Yield: 2 servings

Pour freshly boiled water into a heatproof container. Steep 2 teabags for 3 minutes, or until desired strength. Remove teabag and discard. Chill tea.

In a blender, add ice cream, chilled tea, and caramel syrup. Blend until smooth and creamy. Serve in a glass with a straw.

For an adult twist: Add 2 oz of caramel vodka into the blended mixture or pour over the top as a floater.

At the Food and Wine Festival, they topped the milkshake with crushed 'Nilla Wafers. They add a fun crunch to the milkshake.

Photo of the Week

Vampire Mickey Popcorn Bucket

I really like the looks of the figural popcorn buckets sold in Disney Parks. However, they are so large that I don't usually buy them. Afterall, there's only so many places to display or store such things, and our shelf is full of Star Wars buckets. But this year, after searching three parks, I finally found the Vampire Mickey popcorn bucket. Bean insisted that we had to have him. He's a very cute vampire, with glowing eyes, fangs, and hands, and you open his head to get at the popcorn, which is a bit zombie, but funny. He also has a long carrying strap which make him easy to haul around the parks. In all, a perfect bucket for eating popcorn while watching Halloween movies.

Quote of the Week

When witches go riding,

And black cats are seen,

The moon laughs and whispers,

'Tis near Halloween. 
- Author Unknown

Donald Duck's Trick or Treat Short

Disney

I love this old Donald Duck Halloween cartoon from the 50s. And it has Witch Hazel, who is my favorite Disney Witch.

The Cadaver Dans

Disney

When you go to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, be sure to take time to listen to the Cadaver Dans. They're fantastically fun and suitably spooky.

Photo of the Week

Hollywood Tower Hotel

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 Poster and Teaser Trailer

Marvel

Marvel released the first poster and teaser trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 yesterday. It's short, but hilarious at the end. I love the idea of Drax consoling Star Lord about Gamora. And baby Groot is too cute!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 arrives in theaters on May, 2017.

13 Nights of Halloween Schedule

Freeform's 13 Nights of Halloween starts tonight. The schedule is filled with favorite Halloween films, such as Hocus Pocus, The Corpse Bride, and Sleepy Hollow. Which one are you most looking forward to?

Wednesday, October 19
5:30 PM The Nightmare Before Christmas
7 PM R.L. Stine's Monsterville: Cabinet of Souls
9 PM Hocus Pocus
12 AM Corpse Bride

Thursday, October 20
3:30 PM The Nightmare Before Christmas
5 PM Hocus Pocus
7 PM The Addams Family
9 PM Addams Family Values
12 AM The Final Girls

Friday, October 21
4:30 PM The Addams Family
6:30 PM Addams Family Values
8:30 PM Sleepy Hollow
12 AM Frankenweenie

Saturday, October 22
7 AM Spooky Buddies
9:10 AM ParaNorman
11:20 AM Sleepy Hollow
2 PM The Goonies
4:40 PM Scooby Doo
6:50 PM Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed
9 PM Monsters University
11:30 PM Toy Story of TERROR!
12 AM Corpse Bride

Sunday, October 23
7:30 AM The Goonies
10:10 AM R.L. Stine's Monsterville: Cabinet of Souls
12:20 PM Scooby Doo
2:30 PM Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed
4:40 PM Matilda
6:50 PM Toy Story of TERROR!
7:30 PM Monsters University
9:50 PM Hocus Pocus

Monday, October 24
7 AM Practical Magic
3 PM Matilda
5 PM The Addams Family
7 PM Addams Family Values
9 PM Hocus Pocus
12 AM Scooby Doo

Tuesday, October 25
7 AM Death Becomes Her
4 PM The Addams Family
6 PM Addams Family Values
12 AM Halloweentown

Wednesday, October 26
4 PM The Sorcerer 's Apprentice
6 PM Dark Shadows
8:30 PM Sleepy Hollow
12 AM Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge

Thursday, October 27
4 PM The Goonies
6:30 PM Sleepy Hollow
9 PM Hocus Pocus
12 AM Halloweentown High

Friday, October 28
12 PM The Goonies
2:30 PM Hocus Pocus
4:30 PM The Hunger Games
7:30 PM The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
12 AM Return to Halloweentown

Saturday, October 29
7 AM The Nightmare Before Christmas
8:35 AM Corpse Bride
10:35 The Hunger Games
1:45 PM The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
5:15 PM The Addams Family
7:20 PM Addams Family Values
9:25 PM Hocus Pocus
11:30 PM Sleepy Hollow

Sunday, October 30
7 AM Corpse Bride
9 AM Spooky Buddies
11:05 AM Scooby Doo
1:10 PM Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed
3:15 PM The Addams Family
5:20 PM Addams Family Values
7:25 PM Hocus Pocus
9:30 PM Sleepy Hollow

Monday, October 31
7 AM The Goonies
11 AM ParaNorman
1 PM Scooby Doo
3 PM Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed
5 PM The Addams Family
7 PM Addams Family Values
9 PM Hocus Pocus
12 AM Hocus Pocus

Star Wars: Attack of the Clones Tsum Tsum

This Tsum Tsum Tuesday, Disney will release additional characters from the Star Wars Universe. The set of seven characters includes: Padme Amidala, Anakin Skywalker, County Dooku, Jango Fett, Mace Windu, Aayala Secura, and Plo Koon. The Tsums are available from the Disney Store and online at DisneyStore.com.

Quote of the Week

Just gather 'round
and I'll elucidate

what goes on outside

when it gets late.

Long about midnight,
The ghosts and banshees,
They get together
for their nightly jamboree.

There's things with horns
and saucer eyes
some with fangs
about this size.

Some are fat.
And some are thin.
And some don't even
wear their skin!

Oh, I'm telling you, brother,

it's a frightful sight
to see what goes on
Halloween night.

- "The Headless Horseman",

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,
As narrated by Bing Crosby

Elena of Avalor A Day to Remember

Disney

Tonight is the premiere of a very special episode of Elena of Avalor on the Disney Channel. The episode, called "A Day to Remember," celebrates El Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. The holiday, which is celebrated in Mexico and other areas of Latin America, honors the memory of loved ones who have died. In this episode, Elena and her sister Isabel celebrate their first holiday without their parents, and struggle to come to terms with the bittersweet memories of their lives.

Elena of Avalor "A Day to Remember" airs at 7:00 PM Eastern on the Disney Channel. 

New Rogue One Trailer and Poster

Lucasfilm

Wow! Talk about everything being connected! This story just looks better and better.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story arrives in theaters on December 16.

EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Magic Shot

Photo courtesy of Disney

I love the Disney PhotoPass Magic Shots. They're a fun way to add a little character to your Disney Parks photos. This year, there's a special Magic Shot that's only available at the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. Featuring Chef Remy, from the Pixar film Ratatouille, this Magic Shot is available throughout the World Showcase or at the entrance of the park in front of Spaceship Earth.

Doctor Strange TV Spot

Marvel

It's time for another Doctor Strange trailer. It looks better and better!

Doctor Strange arrives in theaters on November 4, 2016.

Ghost Bride Makeup Tutorial

Disney

Here's another fun Disney makeup tutorial for Halloween. This week's makeup was inspired by the Ghost Bride of the Haunted Mansion. She'd make a perfect companion for the Hitchhiking Ghost.

Boo For You Halloween Schedule

Disney Junior on the Disney Channel has a lineup of episodes, new and old, to get you in the Halloween spirit. A special Elena of Avalor celebrates Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). And every Halloween episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse will make an appearance. Here's the schedule:

Tuesday, October 11
9:30 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Minnie's Masquerade"
12:30 PM Sheriff Callie's Wild West "The Great Halloween Robbery, The Ghost of the Scary Prairie"

Wednesday, October 12
10:30 AM Sheriff Callie's Wild West "The Great Halloween Robbery, The Ghost of the Scary Prairie"
11:00 AM Doc McStuffins "Hallie Halloween"

Thursday, October 13
8:30 AM The Lion Guard "Beware the Zimwi"
10:30 AM Sofia the First"Ghostly Gala"

Friday, October 14
8:00 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Mickey's Monster Musical"
11:00 AM Doc McStuffins "Boo-Hoo to You, It's Glow Time"
11:30 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Minnie's Masquerade"
12:00 PM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Mickey's Treat"
12:30 PM Sofia the First "Cauldronation Day"

Sunday, October 16
7:00 AM Doc McStuffins "Hallie Halloween"
7:30 AM Sofia the First "The Little Witch"
8:00 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Minnie's Masquerade"
7:00 PM Elena of Avalor "A Day to Remember"

Tuesday, October 18
9:00 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Mickey's Monster Musical"
11:00 AM Elena of Avalor "A Day to Remember"
12:30 PM Sofia the First "Ghostly Gala"

Wednesday, October 19
6:30 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Mickey's Monster Musical"
10:30 AM Sofia the First "Princess Butterfly"
11:30 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Minnie's Masquerade"
12:00 PM Spookley the Square Pumpkin

Thursday, October 20
6:30 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Mickey's Treat"
11:00 AM Doc McStuffins "Hallie Halloween"
7:00 PM Toy Story of TERROR!
8:30 PM Elena of Avalor "A Day to Remember"

Friday, October 21
8:00 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Minnie's Masquerade"
8:30 AM The Lion Guard "Beware the Zimwi"
9:30 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Mickey's Monster Musical"
10:30 AM Doc McStuffins "Hallie Halloween"
11:00 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Mickey's Treat"
11:30 AM Spookley the Square Pumpkin
12:30 PM Sofia the First "Ghostly Gala"
2:00 PM Toy Story of TERROR!

Saturday, October 22
6:00 AM Sheriff Callie's Wild West "The Great Halloween Robbery, The Ghost of the Scary Prairie"
6:30 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Mickey's Monster Musical"
7:30 AM The Lion Guard "Beware the Zimwi"
8:00 AM Doc McStuffins "Hallie Halloween"
8:30 AM Sofia the First "Ghostly Gala"

Sunday, October 23
7:00 AM Doc McStuffins "Boo-Hoo to You, It's Glow Time"
7:30 AM Sofia the First "Princess Butterfly"
8:30 AM The Lion Guard "Beware the Zimwi"
9:00 AM Elena of Avalor "A Day to Remember"

Monday, October 24
6:00 AM Spookley the Square Pumpkin
7:00 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Minnie's Masquerade"
10:30 AM Sofia the First "Princess Butterfly"

11:00 AM Doc McStuffins "Hallie Halloween"
11:30 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Mickey's Treat"
12:30 PM Sofia the First "Cauldronation"
1:00 PM Spooky Buddies

Tuesday, October 25
6:00 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Mickey's Treat"
9:00 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Mickey's Monster Musical"
11:00 AM Elena of Avalor "A Day to Remember"
12:30 PM Sofia the First "Princess Butterfly"

Wednesday, October 26
8:00 AM Spookley the Square Pumpkin
9:00 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Mickey's Monster Musical"
10:30 AM Sofia the First "Ghostly Gala"
11:00 AM Doc McStuffins "Hallie Halloween"
11:30 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse"Mickey's Monster Musical"

Thursday, October 27
6:00 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Mickey's Monster Musical"
7:00 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Mickey's Treat"
10:30 AM Sofia the First "Princess Butterfly"
11:00 AM Doc McStuffins "Boo-Hoo to You, It's Glow Time"
11:30 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Minnie's Masquerade"
12:30 PM Sofia the First "Ghostly Gala"

Friday, October 28
6:30 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Mickey's Treat"
7:30 AM The Lion Guard "Beware the Zimwi"
9:30 AM Sofia the First "Cauldronation Day"
10:00 AM Spookley the Square Pumpkin
11:00 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Mickey's Monster Musical"
12:00 PM Doc McStuffins "Hallie Halloween"
12:30 PM Sofia the First "Princess Butterfly"
7:30 PM Elena of Avalor "A Day to Remember"

Monday, October 31
6:00 AM Spookley the Square Pumpkin
7:00 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Mickey's Treat"
7:30 AM Sofia the First "Cauldronation Day"
8:00 AM Sofia the First "Princess Butterfly"
8:30 AM The Lion Guard "Beware the Zimwi"
9:00 AM Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Mickey's Monster Musical"
10:00 AM Sheriff Callie's Wild West "The Great Halloween Robbery, The Ghost of the Scary Prairie"
10:30 AM Doc McStuffins "Hallie Halloween"
11:00 AM Doc McStuffins "Boo-Hoo to You, It's Glow Time"
12:00 PM Sofia the First "Ghostly Gala"

Quote of the Week

Double, double, toil and trouble.

Fire burn and cauldron bubble.

Eye of needle, tongue of shoe,

Hand of clock that points at two...

This is the real thing, you know,

Right out of Shakespeare.

- Witch Hazel, Trick or Treat

Disney Channel Monstober

The Disney Channel is celebrating Monstober once again. This year there will be special episodes of your favorite shows, a new movie called The Swap, and several short videos, premiering nightly as part of "Monstober Theater," including monstrous transformations, makeup tutorials, and "Zombodies" animated shorts.

Here's a look at the schedule:

Sunday, October 9
6:10 PM Monsters University
8:00 PM Ghost Patrol - a new animated special Gabi, Spence, and Spooky the dog are the "Ghost Patrol," supernatural pest control who've never seen a real ghost. When they are called to investigate Heist Manor, they may find more than they bargained for.

Monday, October 10
10:00 AM Monsters University
5:00 PM Bizaardvark "Halloweenvark"
5:30 PM K.C. Undercover "Virtual Insanity"
6:00 PM Best Friends Whenever "Night of the Were-Diesel"
6:30 PM Bunk'd "Camp Kiki-slasher"
7:00 PM The Swap

Thursday, October 13
6:00 AM Spookley the Square Pumpkin

Friday, October 14
8:00 PM Liv and Maddie: Cali Style "Scare-A-Rooney"
8:30 PM Girl Meets World "Girl Meets World of Terror 3"
9:00 PM Invisible Sister

Saturday, October 15
1:00 AM My Babysitter's a Vampire
12:00 PM My Babysitter's a Vampire
8:00 PM Toy Story 3
9:50 Lab Rats: Elite Force "Sheep-Shifting"

Sunday, October 16
12:00 AM Mostly Ghostly: Have You Met My Ghoulfriend?
12:00 PM Mostly Ghostly: Have You Met My Ghoulfriend?
5:10 PM Toy Story 3
7:00 PM Elena of Avalor "A Day to Remember"

Monday, October 17
5:00 PM The Lodge "The New Girl"

Wednesday, October 19
12:00 PM Spookley the Square Pumpkin
5:30 PM Twitches
7:10 PM Twitches Too

Thursday, October 20
7:00 PM Toy Story of Terror
7:30 PM Ghost Patrol
8:00 PM Elena of Avalor "A Day to Remember"

Friday, October 21
11:30 AM Spookley the Square Pumpkin
2:00 PM Toy Story of Terror
2:30 PM Ghost Patrol
8:00 PM Descendants & Descendants: Wicked World "Slumber Party"

Saturday, October 22
12:00 PM Girl VS Monster

Saturday, October 29
8:00 PM R.L. Stine's Monsterville: Cabinet of Souls
When a travelling Hall of Horrors arrives in Danville, a group of high school friends can't wait to be spooked. The monsters are lifelike and Dr Hysteria and his assistant Lilith really know how to scare. But when the kids discover a haunted cabinet that traps souls, it's up to them to stop the mayhem before they're trapped forever. Starring Dove Cameron and Ryan McCartan of Liv and Maddie.

Adventureland Tsum Tsum

Photos courtesy of Disney

The latest Disney Parks Tsum Tsum feature characters inspired by Adventureland. The set of seven Tsums includes a Jungle Cruise Skipper, Pirates of the Caribbean Parrot, Orange Bird, Jungle Cruise hippo, and a tiki and two birds from the Tiki Room.

Disney had a bit of fun photographing the Tsums in their native habitats. The Adventureland-themed set will be available at select locations at Disneyland and Disney World on October 11. It will alsobe available from the Disney Parks online store and the Shop Disney Parks app. 

This little blue bird Tsum Tsum is from a collection that will arrive in Parks in early 2017. You'll have a "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" time stacking this new set. It looks like the next set may feature characters inspired by Frontierland.

Halloween Movies to Get You in the Spirit

It's that time of year again. Time to dust off the Halloween movies and have some spooky fun. Are you looking for a few good films to get you in the Halloween spirit? Here are a few of my family's favorites to get you started.

Halloween Movies for Kids Part 1
Halloween Movies for Kids Part 2
Halloween Movies for Kids Part 3
More Halloween Movies for Kids
Even More Halloween Movies for Kids
Halloween Movies: The Classics
Mr. Boogedy and Bride of Boogedy
Invisible Sister

Muppet Tsum Tsums

This week's Tsum Tsum Tuesday featured characters from the Muppets. The set of seven Tsums includes: the Swedish Chef, Animal, Rowlf, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear, and of course Kermit and Miss Piggy. They are available at the Disney Store and online at DisneyStore.com.

Indiana Jones POPVinyl

Photos courtesy of Disney

I'm horribly addicted to POPVinyl figures. They have a tendency to take over the shelves in front of my movie collection, sometimes to the point where you have to remove several before you can get to a particular film. A recent series from Disney may make my collection even bigger.

Disney and Funko, have worked together to create a line of Parks Exclusive POP! figures. The first set in the series featured the Hitchhiking Ghosts as well as the Hatbox Ghost from the Haunted Mansion. The figure released in July was Indiana Jones holding a machete. It was inspired by Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. The latest figure, which is also part of the POP! Rides series, features Indiana Jones in his rugged troop transport from the Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland.

This set will retail for $40. And if past releases are any indication, it will likely sell out immediately.  This figure will only be available from the Disney Parks online store. Starting October 7, visit DisneyStore.com/IndianaFunko to order.

Quote of the Week

I put a spell on you

And now you're mine

You can't stop the things I do

I ain't lyin'

It's been three hundred years

Right down to the day

Now the witch is back

And there's hell to pay

I put a spell on you

And now you're mine!

- Winifred Sanderson, 

Hocus Pocus 

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Teaser Trailer

Disney

It's finally here - the first teaser trailer for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales! Too bad we'll have to wait until May 2017 to see the film.

Magic Kingdom's 45th Anniversary

Disney

Yesterday marked the Magic Kingdom's 45th anniversary. To celebrate, Disney presented a stage show featuring 45 characters and a live performance of "When You Wish Upon a Star." 

A special limited time celebration cupcake featuring the anniversary logo and Mickey ears could be found at several locations. And a crazy hotdog, called the 45th Anniversary Celebration Dog, covered in potatoes, cheddar cheese, bacon, onion straws, and chipotle-ranch drizzle was available at Casey's Corner. 

Merchandise celebrating this milestone can be found throughout the parks during the coming year. There are several different shirts for the whole family, and even lounge pants covered in attraction logos.

Souvenirs include a pennant with candy in the handle, pens, antenna toppers, keychain, a light-up ornament, and even a 1000 piece puzzle.

Mugs, tumblers, and shot glasses featuring the 45th anniversary logo, as well as a copper coin in an acrylic display, a silver plated coin in a box, and a photo frame featuring many attraction logos will also be available. 

Dooney and Burke collectors will love the new handbags. The pattern pairs Mickey with other attraction icons such as Madame Leota, a Tiki Room bird, and Dumbo.

And pin lovers can find several new designs to collect and trade, including a commemorative pin for Passholder.

A new mystery pin set of eight different pins, two randomly selected pins per box, will also feature ride logos.

And the new Passholder perks are incredible. Starting today, guests who purchase a new annual pass will receive 13 months for the price of 12. Passholder will also receive 20% off the price of food and non-alcoholic drinks at 45 park and resort hotel restaurants for the next year. This includes restaurants like Jiko and the Jungle Skipper Canteen as well as quick service locations like D-luxe Burger. Passholders will recieve 10% off at additional select table-service reastaurants. On top of the dining discounts, the merchandise discount is also being raised to 20% off at Disney owned-and-operated locations. That can save you quite a bit, making a trip to Disney World a little more affordable.

So here's to 45 years of magic at Walt Disney World. I can't wait to see what other celebration magic is in store.

Star Wars Rebels POPVinyl

Photos courtesy of Funko

If you're a fan of Star Wars Rebels on DisneyXD, this is the collectible for you. Funko has created an awesome set of POPVinyl featuring the entire crew of the Ghost. Ezra Bridger, a young Jedi in training, holds the lightsaber he made for himself.

Kanan Jarrus, his mentor, is one of the last remaining Jedi, so he also carries a lightsaber.

Hera Syndulla, Captain and pilot of the Ghost, is a Twi'lek rebel who leads with strength and grace.

Sabine Wren is a Mandalorian explosives expert, and also quite the artist.

Garazeb "Zeb" Orrelios, once a member of the Lasat Honor Guard, acts as the muscle for the Ghosts crew.

Chopper is the loyal, yet ornery, droid who helps the crew keep the Ghost in working order. There are also two special exclusive figures.

Ahsoka Tano, a Togruta, Jedi and former Padawan of Anakin Skywalker, helped the Rebels in season 2. Her figure is only available at Hot Topic.

A Sabine wearing her Mandalorian helmet is only available at Walgreens. This set won't be available until November, but they're so cool that you'll want them all.