Learn How To Draw Little Green Men From Toy Story

Pixar

I love the Little Green Men from the Toy Story movies. They are ridiculously cute! I can't wait to learn how to draw them with this video from Pixar.

Scurry Through Ratatouille: The Adventure At Disneyland Paris

Ratatouille: The Adventure is such a fun ride. You shrink down to the size of Remy, load into a ratmobile, and scurry through Chef Gusteau's kitchen. This "Ride & Learn" video from Disneyland Paris offers a virtual glimpse into this adorable ride, which will hopefully be opening at EPCOT later this year.

Christmas In July

Before July ends, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite Disney Christmas photos from last year. I've been to Disney World at Christmas several times over the years and I always enjoy the over the top decorations and millions of twinkly lights. My favorite Christmas decorations are the retro ones at Hollywood Studios. They're so cute!

And the oversized Hamm cookie and Little Green Men ornaments in Toy Storyland are hilariously adorable. 

EPCOT always has an amazing tree and decorations in the World Showcase. And the Candlelight Processional is incredible! I'm so glad I finally had the chance to see it.

I always look forward to seeing the toy soldiers at the Magic Kingdom. 

And I loved the kitschy crazy decor at Jock Lindsey's Hanger Bar. It's so ridiculous!

Christmas at Disney World is definitely full of magic.

It's "Music Time" With Olaf

Disney

Olaf puts on a whole new spin on the one man band in this At Home With Olaf short.

Pentatonix's "Dreams" Is Magical

Pentatonix

I'm really enjoying Pentatonix new album, At Home. The album was created entirely from home during quarantine and features six new tracks and music videos. The latest video is for "Dreams", a song originally written and performed by The Cranberries. It's absolutely magical.

Quote of the Week

Getty Images

Every generation leaves behind a legacy. What that legacy will be is determined by the people of that generation. What legacy do you want to leave behind?

- John Lewis, Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America

Photo of the Week

Is it just me, or does it look like this boiler is staring at us? The queue for Tower of Terror in Disneyland Paris is delightfully frightful.

The Voices Of Liberty's Version Of Oh, Susanna Is Charming

I love listening to the Voices of Liberty in the American Adventure Pavilion at EPCOT. Sitting on the floor of the rotunda and listening to them sing is truly magical. In 2017, I recorded them singing the American classic, "Oh, Susanna." Their performance was absolutely delightful.

Users, Proceed To The Grid For A Virtual Ride On TRON Lightcycle Power Run

Disney

I love the TRON movies, both the original and TRON: Legacy, so I was very excited when a TRON inspired roller coaster arrived in Shanghai Disney Resort. And now, TRON Lightcycle Power Run is coming to the Magic Kingdom at Disney World as well. I can't wait!

In the meantime, check out this fact-filled virtual trip on Disney's fastest roller coaster. Users, proceed to the grid for a lightcycle battle.

Fried Pickle Recipe from Disneyland's Carnation Cafe

Disney

I love fried pickles! There's just something about a dilly, vinegary pickle coated with crispy breading that simply makes me happy. I had never even heard of fried pickles before I moved to Georgia, but they quickly became a favorite. I usually have them at the Georgia Renaissance Festival, but it has been delayed until fall this year, so I've been missing this unusual snack. Disney recently shared a recipe for the fried pickles at the Carnation Cafe in Disneyland and I can't wait to try it. Personally, I like them with dilly ranch dressing, but at Disneyland, they serve them with a zesty house sauce.

Fried Pickles from Carnation Café 
Makes 1 dozen

• 2 cups canola oil
• 1/2 cup flour
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 16-ounce jar of dill pickle spears, about 12 pickles, cut in half widthwise, if necessary

Pour oil into large skillet and heat to 365°F. Place flour in shallow dish. Whisk eggs until smooth in a separate shallow dish. Mix panko and Parmesan cheese together in third shallow dish. Lightly dredge each pickle spear in flour, then egg, then bread crumb mixture. Place breaded pickle on tray and repeat steps until all pickles are breaded. Carefully place breaded pickles in skillet and fry until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels. Serve immediately with zesty house sauce.

Zesty House Sauce

• 1 1/2 tsp Sriracha sauce
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 1 1/2 tsp lime juice
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/8 tsp coarse salt
• 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a small mixing bowl, whisking well. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

Let's Learn How To Draw Stitch

Disney

We're rather obsessed with Lilo and Stitch at our house, so I thought it might be fun to learn to draw our favorite cute and fluffy alien. Disney has a ton of helpful How-To Draw videos, including this one of Stitch.

So, how did your Stitch drawing turn out?

The Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival Menus Look Delicious

This year's EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival may look a little different, but there are still a lot of taste adventures to explore. This year will see the Festival run for longer than ever beginning July 15 and ending sometime this fall. Here's the menu for the Taste of EPCOT.

Hawai’i - Showcase Plaza

• Kālua Pork Slider with Sweet-and-Sour DOLE Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise
• Teriyaki-glazed Spam Hash with Potatoes, Peppers, Onions, and Spicy Mayonnaise 

The Citrus Blossom - Showcase Plaza

• Lobster Tail with Meyer Lemon Emulsion and Grilled Lemon 🍚
• Crispy Citrus Chicken with Orange Aïoli and Baby Greens 🍚
• Orange Cream Shake in a Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper Cup

Shimmering Sips - Showcase Plaza

• Shimmering Strawberry Soft-Serve in a Waffle Cone
• Banana Bread with Mixed Berry Compote 🌱

Islands of the Caribbean - Showcase Plaza

• Ropa Vieja Empanada with Tomato Aïoli 
• Jerk-spiced Chicken with Roasted Sweet Plantain Salad and Mango Chutney Yogurt 🍚
• Flancocho: Passion Fruit Cake with Coconut Flan 

Earth Eats - Near Mexico

• Impossible Farmhouse Meatball with Lentil Bread, Spinach, Marinated Vegetables, and Creamy Herb Dressing 🌱
• The Impossible Burger Slider with Wasabi Cream and Spicy Asian Slaw on a Sesame Seed Bun 🌱
• Chocolate Pudding Terrarium with Avocado Cream, Matcha Crumble, and Baby Herbs 🌱🍚
• Bloomin’ Blueberry Lemon and Ginger Tea Featuring Twinings of London

Mexico

• Ribeye Taco: Ribeye Steak with Ranchera Salsa in a Corn Tortilla topped with Onions, Chives, and a Lime Wedge 
• Pork Tostada: Fried Corn Tortilla topped with Chipotle Black Beans, Roasted Pork, Fresh Salsa Verde, Onions, and Cilantro 

China

• Chicken Dumplings with Chinese Slaw Mongolian
• Beef Bao Bun 

Disney

Refreshment Outpost - African Outpost

• Frozen Slushy Coca-Cola or Minute Maid Lemonade in a Souvenir Spike the Bee Sipper Cup

Africa

• Spicy Kenyan Vegan Corn and White Beans with Pigeon Peas, Quinoa & Ancient Grains Medley, and Kachumbari Slaw 🌱
• Piri Piri Skewered Shrimp with Citrus-Scented Couscous 

Germany

• Schinkennudeln: Pasta Gratin with Ham, Onions, and Cheese
• Roast Bratwurst in a Prop & Peller Pretzel Roll
• Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce 

Italy

• Margherita: Rustic Italian Flatbread with Tomato Sauce and Mozzarella Cheese
• La Classica: Cheese Tortellini with Ricotta, Provolone, Fontina, Parmesan, Vodka Sauce, and Crispy Bacon
• Cannoli Siciliani: Crisp Pastry Filled with Sweet Ricotta, Chocolate, and Candied Orange 

Hops & Barley - American Adventure Pavilion

• New England Lobster Roll: Warm Lobster with Fresh Herb Mayonnaise and Griddled Roll
• Southern Seafood Boil: Shrimp, Mussels, Crawfish, Potatoes, Corn, and Andouille Sausage
• Freshly Baked Carrot Cake and Cream Cheese Icing 

Funnel Cakes - American Adventure Pavilion

• Street Corn Funnel Cake topped with Roasted Corn, Cotija Cheese, Cilantro and Cumin Crema dusted with Paprika 

Japan

• Tempura Donburi: Two Pieces of Tempura Shrimp and Kakiage Vegetable Tempura with Tentsuyu Dipping Sauce served over Sushi Rice 
• Frothy Ramen: Chilled Noodles in a Dashi Broth topped with Egg White Froth 
• Chirashi Sushi Flowerpot: Fresh-cut Salmon, Salmon Roe, and Spinach served over Sushi Rice with Furikake and topped with Poke Sauce 

Morocco

• Beef Kefta Pocket with Caramelized Onions, Garlic, and Spicy Tomato Concassée 
• Spicy Hummus Fries with Cucumber, Tomatoes, Onions, Tzatziki, and Chipotle Sauce 
• Chocolate Baklava: Rolled Phyllo Dough with Toasted Almonds and Dark Chocolate Sauce 

Brazil - Between Morocco and France

• Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Tomato, and Onions 🍚
• Pão De Queijo: Brazilian Cheese Bread 🍚

France

• Tarte aux Oignons Caramelises Et Chévre: Goat Cheese Tart with Caramelized Onions on a Flaky Pastry Crust 
• Canard Confit À L’orange: Braised Duck Confit À L’orange with Mashed Sweet Potatoes 
• Tarte Tropezienne, Coulis Framboise: Brioche Cake Filled with Light Pastry Cream and Raspberry Coulis 

Mac & Cheese - World Showplace

• Gourmet Macaroni and Cheese with Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese topped with Herbed Panko
• Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese with Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese Sauce topped with Carrots, Celery, and Blue Cheese Crumbles
• Lobster Macaroni and Cheese with Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese Sauce and Lobster Cream topped with Herbed Panko
• Macaroni and Cheese with House-made Italian Sausage and Peppers 🌱

Appleseed Orchard - World Showplace

• Charcuterie and Cheese Plate featuring Burton’s Maplewood Farm Applejack Brandy Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
• Caramel-Apple Popcorn  
• Frozen Apple Pie

Desserts & Champagne - World Showplace

• Liquid Nitro Chocolate Cake Pops 
• Liquid Nitro Chocolate Cake Pops with Crumbled Twix
• Liquid Nitro Chocolate Cake Pops with Crushed M&M’s
• Frozen S’mores

Wine & Dine Featuring Festival Favorites - World Showplace

• Kielbasa and Potato Pierogi with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream, Poland
• Seafood Fisherman’s Pie, Ireland
• Spanakopita, Greece 

Canada

• Canadian Cheddar and Bacon Soup served with a Prop & Peller Pretzel Roll 
• “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle-Butter Sauce 🍚

Refreshment Port

• DOLE Whip® Pineapple 🌱

🌱 - Plant Based
🍚 - Gluten Friendly

Quote of the Week

Photo by Joan Marcus

Let me tell you what I wish I'd known
When I was young and dreamed of glory
You have no control
Who lives, who dies, who tells your story

- George Washington, Hamilton

Photo of the Week

I'm so glad that the Appleseed Orchard booth has returned to this year's Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival. It was my favorite booth last year, due in large part to the Frozen Apple Pie and the Charcuterie Board, and the Caramel-Apple Popcorn was delightful, too.

When Will My Life Begin? - A Tangled Singalong

Disney

Maybe it's just me, but I now understand why Rapunzel worked so hard to keep busy while she was locked in the tower. It keeps all of the days from completely running together.

Even More Hocus Pocus POPVinyl? Yes, Please!

Funko

I love Funko's Hocus Pocus POPVinyl figures. Every year, they come up with new poses for the Sanderson sisters that reflect a scene in the movie. The first set featured the sisters with their broom, mop, and vacuum, after their magical brooms had been purloined. The second set was Mary with a remote and bowl of Cheetos, Sarah with a spider, and Winifred casting a spell. But this year's set tops them all because this year, the sisters fly.

Each cloaked sister is perched on her makeshift broom, caught in mid-flight. The set of three is available exclusively at Books-A-Million, but the individual POPVinyl figures will be available from several retailers.

There's at least one more Hocus Pocus POPVinyl figure this year, and this time, its a new character. Billy Butcherson will be available exclusively from Spirit Halloween stores. It's about time they've chosen someone new. I hope they eventually make Binx, Dani, Max, and Allison as well.

In the meantime, there will be three new POP Pez this year, too. Sarah, Mary, and Winifred Sanderson look adorable as Pez dispensers! The Pez are also a Spirit Halloween store exclusive. All of these new Hocus Pocus collectibles should be released in late August or early September, but are available for pre-order now.

Go With The Flow-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Finding Nemo: The Musical is my favorite live performance at Disney World. I don't know when it will be returning to Animal Kingdom, but until then, here's one of my favorits songs, "Go With The Flow."

Olaf Takes Collecting To A Whole New Level

Disney

The At Home With Olaf shorts are so cute! They always make me smile. In this short, Olaf comes up with a creative approach to collecting.

James Corden + The Muppets = Awesome!

CBS

When James Corden is feeling a little down, he knows exactly who to call to cheer him up: the Muppets! Here, James, The Late, Late Show band, and a plethora of Muppets take on The Beetles classic "With a Little Help From My Friends" over video chat. The results are awesome!

Quote of the Week

Marvel

The world is full of evil, lies, pain, and death and you can’t hide from it. You can only face it. The question is, when you do, how do you respond? Who do you become?

- Phil Coulson, Agents of SHIELD

Photo of the Week

I love the queue for Flight of Passage in Pandora: The World of Avatar. It's so detailed. The native, bioluminescent plants have moved into the bunkers and buildings left by the Resources Development Administration, which form the indoor queue.

Time Travel Tips From The Agents of SHIELD

Marvel

Season 7 of Agents of SHIELD is definitely my favorite. The constant jumps through time, the fantastic costumes, and pop culture references are amazing! In between all of the era hopping, the cast took a minute to share their time travel tips.

It may be the final season, but they are definitely going out on top. Marvel's Agents of SHIELD airs Wednesdays at 10PM ET.

Pentatonix' New "Home" Medley Is Perfect

Pentatonix

Pentatonix is one of my favorite musical groups. They blend five a capella voices together in incredible harmonies. Their latest album, At Home, is fantastic. My favorite song is "Home", which is a medley made up of more than a dozen songs about home, skillfully blended together.

Amazing, right? And just in case you're curious, here are the 13 songs that make up the medley:

1. “Break My Heart” by Dua Lipa
2. “My House” by Flo Rida
3. “Our House” by Madness
4. “Our House” by Crosby, Stills & Nash
5. “Work from Home” by Fifth Harmony and Ty Dolla $ign
6. “House Party” by Sam Hunt
7. “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
8. “Home” by Phillip Phillips
9. “Take Me Home” by Pentatonix
10. “Home” by Michael Bublé
11. “Home” by Daughtry
12. “Mama, I’m Coming Home” by Ozzy Osbourne
13. “Home Sweet Home” by Mötley Crüe

This Jungle Cruise POPVinyl Is Awesome

Funko

It's time for another Disney ride to get the Funko POPVinyl treatment. This time, it's a Jungle Cruise Skipper stearing his way Niles and Niles down river on the Congo Queen. So cool! This POPVinyl figure will be available exclusively from shopDisney beginning this Saturday, July 11th.

Phineas And Ferb: Candace Against the Universe Is Coming Soon

Disney

Phineas and Ferb are headed to DisneyPlus with an all-new movie. In Phineas and Ferb: Candace Against the Universe, the fun loving stepbrothers must rescue their sister when she's captured by aliens. Fans of the series can expect many familiar voices and characters, multiple easter eggs, catchy new songs, and of course a bit of Agent P and Dr. Doofenshmirtz. I can't wait!

Phineas and Ferb: Candace Against the Universe premieres on DisneyPlus on August 28.

Heigh-Hooooo!!! Take A Virtual Ride On The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Disney

I love the virtual ride videos from Disney. It's not quite as good as being there, but they are fun, fact-filled trips on some of my favorite rides. The latest virtual ride is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Photo of the Week

My cousin sent me this adorable Hula Stitch diamond painting kit last fall. I finally got around to finishing it this week. It's so cute and fun to do that I'm ordering another one!

Happy Independence Day

The Fourth of July may look a little different this year, but it's still a day to celebrate the birth of our nation.

“America is a tune. It must be sung together.” – Gerald Stanley Lee

If you're missing watching the big fireworks displays, be sure to check out this video of the Independence Day fireworks in the Magic Kingdom in 2019.

Happy Independence Day!

Hamilton Is Now On DisneyPlus!

Disney

The day we've been waiting for has finally arrived! Hamilton, as performed by the original cast, is now on DisneyPlus. I can't wait to see it again!

Here's the official synopsis of the film from Disney:

“Hamilton” is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, “Hamilton” has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre—a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education. Filmed at The Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in June of 2016, the film transports its audience into the world of the Broadway show in a uniquely intimate way.

Life Is Beautiful In Pixar's Soul Trailer

Pixar

Soul, the next film from Pixar, looks most intriguing. In the latest trailer, we see the main character, Joe Gardner, experiencing many of the things that make life wonderful.

Here's the official synopsis from Pixar:

What is it that makes you...YOU? This November, Pixar Animation Studios’ all-new feature film “Soul” introduces Joe Gardner (voice of Jamie Foxx) – a middle-school band teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime to play at the best jazz club in town. But one small misstep takes him from the streets of New York City to The Great Before – a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities, quirks and interests before they go to Earth. Determined to return to his life, Joe teams up with a precocious soul, 22 (voice of Tina Fey), who has never understood the appeal of the human experience. As Joe desperately tries to show 22 what’s great about living, he may just discover the answers to some of life’s most important questions. 

Soul arrives in theaters on November 20, 2020.