Quote of the Week

Pixar

I think, with a little bit of magic in your life, you can do almost anything. - Ian Lightfoot, Onward

Photo of the Week

Avatar - Flight of Passage has the most fascinating and detailed queue.

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes

Disney

The Dapper Dans of the Magic Kingdom are back to share their Voices From Home once again. This time, they're singing the classic Cinderella song, "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes."

Mariachi Cobre Sing "Remember Me"

Disney

Mariachi Cobre, the vibrant musicians from EPCOT's Mexico Pavilion, are the latest musical group to share their Voices From Home. Here, they perform "Remember Me" from Pixar's animated film Coco.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake Recipe From 50s Prime Time

Disney

50s Prime Time Cafe at Hollywood Studios is one of my favourite restaurants in the park. The decor is kitsch and the food is classic. And the cast members are absolutely hysterical, with a crazy sense of humor. So if you're missing the fun of 50s Prime Time, try this recipe for the Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake. But remember, eat all your veggies first, and keep your elbows off the table, Scooter!

Peanut Butter and Jelly Milk Shake

• 2 Tbsp peanut butter
• 2 Tbsp jelly (strawberry or grape) or 2 cups sliced strawberries
• 2 cups vanilla ice cream
• 1/4 cup milk

Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth. Add additional peanut butter or jelly to taste.

The Voices of Liberty Sing America the Beautiful

Disney

The Voices of Liberty are one of my favorite performers at Disney World. Their voices blend together in the most beautiful a capella harmonies. As the parks are still closed, they have shared another Voices From Home video. This time it's my favorite song to listen to in the American Adventure Pavilion's rotunda, "America the Beautiful."

Memorial Day

"As we set today aside to honor and thank our veterans, let us be mindful that we should do this every day of the year and not just one."

- Beth Pennington

Quote of the Week

RKO Pictures

I don’t know what lies around the bend, but I’m going to believe that the best does.

- Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables

Photo of the Week

There's a great, big, beautiful tomorrow 

Shining at the end of every day 

There's a great, big, beautiful tomorrow 

Just a dream away!

The Skeleton Dance

Disney

We've reached the end of our week of Halfway To Halloween fun. That means it must be time for my favorite Disney Halloween short: "The Skeleton Dance."

The New Haunted Mansion Collection Is Frightfully Fun

All images: Disney

Disney has created a frightfully fun new collection inspired by the Haunted Mansion. The ghoulish gear, which was introduced as part of the Halfway To Halloween fun, feature a delightful all-over print of the spooky wallpaper design. These Minnie Mouse ears have a large velvet bow and a small Haunted Mansion logo.

The ball cap features an embroidered "Ghost Host" logo with a coffin in the "O".

The spirit jersey features "Haunted Mansion" printed on the front and either "Disneyland Resort" or "Walt Disney World" on the back.

Loungefly has also created some fun new bags, perfect for the ghost host on the go. First up is a backpack inspired by the maid costume worn by cast members.

This cross-body bag was inspired by the Doom Buggies. It features Phineas, Ezra, and Gus, everyone's favorite Hitchhiking Ghosts.

Finally, this card case features a delightful interpretation of the Haunted Mansion logo. All of these items should be available in the Parks (fingers crossed they'll be open again before too long!) and from shopDisney later this year.

It's A Virtual Not So Spooky Spectacular!

Continuing with the Halfway to Halloween celebrations, here's a virtual viewing of last year's Not So Spooky Spectacular. Hosted by Jack Skellington and featuring a wonderful array of spooky music, the show ends with the best fireworks in Disney World. (This video has since been removed.)

These Haunted Mansion POPVinyl Figures Are Ghoulishly Delightful

All images: Disney/Funko

"When hinges creak in doorless chambers, and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls. Whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still — that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight! Welcome, foolish mortals, to the Haunted Mansion."

This Halloween, Disney and Funko are adding to the already wonderful collection of Haunted Mansion POPVinyl figures. This new collection, part of the Halfway To Halloween fun, will be available exclusively from the Disney Parks and shopDisney. First up is a Cast Member Maid with a "Haunted Mansion Line Starts Here" sign. I wonder what she's named her bat?

"Our tour begins here in this gallery, where you see paintings of some of our guests as they appeared in their corruptible, mortal state. Your cadaverous pallor betrays an aura of foreboding, almost as though you sense a disquieting metamorphosis. Is this haunted room actually stretching? Or is it your imagination — hmm?" 

There are four new figures from the Stretching Room Portraits, or rather two figures with chase variants. The first is the wife of "Dear Beloved George" sitting atop his grave and the chase is the stretched version with the whole tombstone. The second is the gentlemen in his boxers and the chase is the stretched version showing he's standing atop a keg of dynamite. 

"The happy haunts have received your sympathetic vibrations and are beginning to materialize. They’re assembling for a swinging wake, and they’ll be expecting me…"

The final POPVinyl figure is the translucent Organist from the Ballroom. I can't wait to add these Haunted Mansion POPVinyl figures to my collection!

Grim Grinning Ghosts Stay Home And Socialize

Disney

Disneyland's Dapper Dans are back once again to share their Voices From Home. This time, they're singing "Grim Grinning Ghosts" from the Haunted Mansion. It's the perfect way to kick off a week of halfway to Halloween fun!

Quote of the Week

Disney

Keep your chin up. Someday there will be happiness again.

- Robin Hood, Disney's Robin Hood

Photo of the Week

And just like that, we're halfway to Halloween. I love the Not So Spooky Spectacular at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, especially the dancing skeletons!

All Aboard For A Virtual Ride Through Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain is one of the best rollercoasters in Disney World. After traveling through the village of Serka Zong, board the Anandapur Railway for your journey through the Forbidden Mountains on the way to Everest. But beware the Yeti!

I love these "Ride & Learn" videos from Disney. They're a great way to learn a few fun facts about a favorite ride while reliving some of the excitement of being in the parks. I wonder which ride they'll take on next?

"I Am With You" Is The Sweetest At Home With Olaf Yet

Disney

I've loved the At Home With Olaf shorts. They're a bright ray of sunshine in an otherwise gloomy situation. The latest short features a new song, written at home, by the amazing team that wrote the songs for the Frozen films, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. "I Am With You" is such a sweet song, and the short is made up of new scenes of Olaf mixed with clips from many of Disney and Pixar's wonderful animated films.

Hamilton Is Coming to DisneyPlus!

Hamilton is coming to Disney+ on July 3, 2020, a full year before it's planned theatrical debut! In June 2016, during the original run of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway musical Hamilton, cameras captured every angle of the incredible performances over 3 nights. After filming, a lengthy post production process stitched the shots together to provide viewers with the best seat in the house. The remarkable cast included:

• Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton
• Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr
• Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler
• Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson
• Christopher Jackson as George Washington
• Jonathan Groff as King George
• Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton
• Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds

Surprise! The original Broadway production of Hamilton, filmed LIVE onstage at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, is now coming exclusively to @DisneyPlus this July 3rd. Shout it to the rooftops! #Hamilfilm pic.twitter.com/Uha1RBo6NB

— Disney (@Disney) May 12, 2020

“No other artistic work in the last decade has had the cultural impact of ‘Hamilton’—an inspiring and captivating tale told and performed in a powerfully creative way. In light of the extraordinary challenges facing our world, this story about leadership, tenacity, hope, love and the power of people to unite against the forces of adversity is both relevant and impactful,” said Bob Iger, Disney’s executive chairman. “We are thrilled to bring this phenomenon to Disney+ on the eve of Independence Day, and we have the brilliant Lin-Manuel Miranda and the team behind ‘Hamilton’ to thank for allowing us to do so more than a year before planned.”

I was fortunate enough to see a production of Hamilton in London this past January. It was fantastic! I can't wait to see it with the original cast.

The Wonderful World Of Disney Is Returning To ABC

Disney

Being under quarantine has brought us some amazingly unexpected entertainment. From the Disney Family Singalongs to cast members sharing their Voices From Home, there's been a wonderful dose of Disney nearly every week. And now, one of my favorite childhood shows from Disney is returning to television. Beginning on Wednesday, May 20, The Wonderful World of Disney will be back to share Disney, Pixar, and Marvel movies every week from 8-10PM Eastern.

Here's the lineup:

• May 20 - Moana
• May 27 - Thor: The Dark World
• June 3 - UP
• June 10 - Big Hero 6

Although I've seen them all many times, I'm looking forward to seeing them again as part of The Wonderful World of Disney.

"Zero To Hero" Is The Perfect Song To Singalong To

Disney

If you missed last night's Disney Family Singalong: Volume II, not to worry, it will soon be available on Disney+ alongside the first volume. Both are a fantastic collection of performances by an amazing array of talent and I'm sure I'll be watching it again and again.

In the meantime, here's "Zero to Hero" from Hercules featuring Keke Palmer and several dancers from Dancing With The Stars. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Disney

Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.

- Marion C. Garretty

Happy Mother's Day!

Photo of the Week

Well, it finally happened: even the cat is practicing social distancing!

Are You Ready for More Disney Family Singalong Fun?

Disney

The first Disney Family Singalong was a wonderful night of musical fun. It was so fun, that they've decided to do it again. The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II airs this Sunday at 7PM Eastern time. Ryan Seacrest is returning to host the event, which features quite the musical lineup, including an appearance by the Muppets.

Here are the songs so you'll be ready to sing along!

• "A Whole New World" - Idina Menzel & Ben Platt
• "Almost There" - Chloe x Halle & Anika Noni Rose
• "Baby Mine" - Katy Perry
• "Beauty & the Beast" - John Legend & Jennifer Hudson
• "Hakuna Matata" - Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Donald Glover & Walter Russell III
• "Part of Your World" - Halsey
• "Poor Unfortunate Souls" - Rebel Wilson
• "Remember Me" - Miguel & Christina Aguilera
• "Step in Time" & "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" - Derek Hough, Julianne Hough, & Hayley Erbert
• "Try Everything" - Shakira
• "When I Am Older" - Josh Gad
• "You'll Be in My Heart" - Disney on Broadway Stars
• "Your Mother & Mine" - Sabrina Carpenter & Lang Lang
• "Zero to Hero" - Keke Palmer and the Dancing With the Stars Pros
• ... and even more surprise performances!

The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II will be available to stream on Disney+ sometime after it airs.

Olaf Discovers A Marvelous Use For Ice In This At Home With Olaf Short

Disney

I love watching these At Home With Olaf shorts. They're so very cheerful! In this one, Olaf discovers a marvelous new use for ice. It sure looks like fun!

The Voices of Liberty Share Their Voices From Home

Disney

The Voices of Liberty are one of my favorite musical groups at Disney World. These a capella singers' voices usually soar to incredible heights in the rotunda of the American Adventure Pavilion in EPCOT. With the Parks closed, they are sharing their Voices From Home with a medley of "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story and "Friend Like Me" from Aladdin.

I love all of the Voices From Home vieos. They always bring a smile to my face, and I hope they do the same for you.

Blast Off For A Virtual Trip On Rise of the Resistance

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is one of the most incredible rides at any Disney park. It's an amazingly detailed journey where guests join the Rebellion, get captured by the First Order, and are swept up in a daring escape. Disney has released a virtual ride through filled with fun facts. (Which has since been removed.)

Happy Star Wars Day!

Lucasfilm

Once again, it's May the Fourth, Star Wars Day to fans of the franchise. Appropriately, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker makes it's way onto DisneyPlus today. So, pour yourself a glass of blue milk and settle in to relive the Skywalker Saga once more.

May the Force be with you, always!

Quote of the Week

Lucasfilm

In a dark place we find ourselves, and a little more knowledge lights our way.

- Yoda, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

Photo of the Week

There's so much to explore in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Hollywood Studios.

It's Time For A Virtual Ride On Slinky Dog Dash!

Right this way, "honorary toys", to the fastest ride in Toy Story Land! Hop aboard Slinky Dog as he navigates his way through the Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Andy built in his backyard. Along the way, keep an eye out for hidden Pixar references throughout the ride.