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Monday, August 31, 2020

Christina Aguilera Revisits "Reflection"

Disney
In 1998, Christina Aguilera released her first single, "Reflection", as part of the original Mulan soundtrack. Just in time for the DisneyPlus release of the new live-action Mulan, she has revisited the song with a new music video.


Disney's Mulan arrives on DisneyPlus this Friday, though with a $29.99 price tag. If you'd prefer to wait for the movie to become part of the regular DisneyPlus lineup, it's scheduled for release on December 4.

Sunday, August 30, 2020

Quote of the Week

Marvel
The world has changed, and none of us can go back. All we can do is our best, and sometimes, the best that we can do, is to start over.

- Peggy Carter, Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Friday, August 28, 2020

Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe Has Arrived!

Disney
Today's the day Phineas and Ferb fans have been waiting for since the series ended five years ago. Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe has arrived on DisneyPlus!


I can't wait to see more of the Flynn-Fletcher kids' shenanigans!

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

These Phineas and Ferb Clips Are Hilarious

Disney
It's nearly time for the latest Phineas and Ferb movie! That means there's just enough time for a share a few clips. I expect it's going to be another hilarious adventure.


It looks like Candace is still out to bust her brothers, with the usual results.


Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe arrives on DisneyPlus this Friday, August 28.

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

This Gourmet Mac & Cheese Recipe From The EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Looks Delicious

Disney
This year's Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival may be a little smaller than usual, but it sounds just as delicious as always. While you're dreaming of wandering around the World Showcase, nibbling as you go, why not try making one of this year's new dishes at home. This recipe for Gourmet Macaroni and Cheese, straight from the chefs at Disney, looks wonderful. 

Gourmet Macaroni and Cheese with Boursin® Garlic & Fine Herbs Cheese topped with Herbed Panko

Serves 6-8

Toasted Panko: 
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup panko
  • Coarse salt, to taste
Melt butter in small saucepan over medium heat. Add panko and stir until combined. Toast in pan for 3-5 minutes until golden brown. Remove from heat; salt to taste. Set aside.

Gourmet Macaroni and Cheese:
  • 1 (16 oz) box cavatappi pasta or elbow macaroni
  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 3/4 cup flour
  • 8 cups whole milk
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp mustard powder
  • 1/2 pound white cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 pound yellow cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 3 (5.2 oz) Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs cheese wheels, divided
  • Coarse salt, to taste
  • White pepper, to taste
Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain well. Set aside keeping warm.

Melt butter in 5-quart saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring constantly, until a blonde roux, approximately 4 minutes. Add milk, garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard powder and bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes, until thickened.

Fold in both shredded cheddar cheeses and two Boursin cheese wheels. Blend with immersion blender until cheese has melted and smooth. Season to taste with salt and white pepper.  

Add hot, cooked pasta with cheese sauce and mix until combined. Divide evenly into 6-8 bowls. Crumble remaining Boursin cheese wheel over each bowl and top with toasted panko. Serve immediately.

Monday, August 24, 2020

Learn to Draw an Adventureland-Inspired Treehouse

Disney
I love Disney's "Learn To Draw" videos. It's so fun to try your hand at drawing a favorite character at home. This time, instead of a character, you can learn to draw a treehouse scene inspired by Adventureland attractions like the Enchanted Tiki Room, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Jungle Cruise.

Sunday, August 23, 2020

Friday, August 21, 2020

The Final Mulan Trailer Is Here

Disney
With Mulan coming to DisneyPlus soon, Disney has released one final trailer for the film. It really does look incredible!



And, starting today, guests at Hollywood Studios will have the chance to see a sneak peek of the film in the Walt Disney Presents theater. Outside the theater, the witch's costume that was used in the movie and a reproduction warrior costume and sword will be on display. For even more Mulan fun, download and print an activity book created in partnership with with Disney's Animals, Science, and Environment team.

Thursday, August 20, 2020

Slide Through the Aquaduck in This Ride & Learn Video

Disney
I haven't yet had the chance to take a Disney Cruise, but it's definitely on my bucket list. And when I finally do, I'm looking forward to sliding around the ship on the Aquaduck, the world's first water coaster at sea. Check out this splashy ride in the latest "Ride & Learn" video from Disney.


The Aquaduck can be found on both the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Mulan Is Coming to DisneyPlus

Disney
After months of delays, Disney's live-action Mulan is finally being released. On September 4, Mulan will arrive on DisneyPlus, but there's a catch. To watch Mulan, you'll need to purchase Premiere Access for an additional $29.99 on top of a regular DisneyPlus subscription. This will allow you to watch Mulan as many times as you like, but only for as long as you maintain your DisneyPlus subscription.


Honestly, as much as I'd like to see it, or any new movie, I think I'll wait until it's available on Blu-ray.

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Phineas And Ferb Are Back, Or At Least They Will Be Soon

Disney
Phineas and Ferb are ready with an all-new song from their upcoming movie. They have taken to the stage to let everyone know "We're Back!"


It looks like it's going to be another hilarious adventure for the Flynn-Fletcher kids and their friends. Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe arrives on DisneyPlus on August 28.

Monday, August 17, 2020

Sunday, August 16, 2020

Quote of the Week

Marvel
Coulson: This is what we were fighting for.
Daisy: Family.

Agents of SHIELD

Friday, August 14, 2020

Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup Recipe


One of my favorite dishes at the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup. The soup, which is offered year round at Le Cellier Steakhouse, is delicious, especially when served with a warm pretzel. If you'd like to make this wonderful soup at home, try this recipe from the chefs at Disney World.

Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup
Serves 10

1/2 pound of bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium red onion, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
3 celery ribs, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
4 Tbsp butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups chicken stock
4 cups milk
1 pound white cheddar cheese, grated
1 Tbsp Tabasco sauce
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Coarse salt, freshly ground pepper to taste
1/2 cup warm Canadian golden lager or any pale lager-style beer
Chopped scallions or chives, for garnish

In a 4- or 5-quart Dutch oven, cook bacon, stirring, over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add red onion, celery, and butter and sauté until onion has softened, about 5 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 4 minutes over medium heat.

Whisk in chicken stock and bring to boil for 1 minute. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add milk and continue to simmer for 15 minutes. Do not boil after milk is added.

Remove from heat and add cheese, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Blend with immersion blender until cheese is melted and soup is smooth. Stir in warm beer. If the soup is too thick, thin with some warm milk.

Serve the soup hot, garnished with chopped scallions or chives.

Thursday, August 13, 2020

Discover the Secrets of the Mystic Manor

Disney
Disney's latest "Ride & Learn" video takes us on a journey through the Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland. This ride looks delightfully playful. Not as spooky as the Phantom Manor in Disneyland Paris, nor as classic as the Haunted Mansion, but it appears to have a charm all its own.

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

These LEGO Iron Man Portraits Are Marvelous!

LEGO
The latest LEGO set for adults is incredible: a portrait of Iron Man made entirely of LEGO studs. The portrait, which is a fun pointillism style similar to DiamondDotz, can be hung on the wall as artwork when completed.

LEGO
LEGO has even made a specially curated soundtrack to listen to while creating your design. The 3167 pieces can be used to creat one of three different images at a time.

LEGO
For the truly die hard fan, three sets can be combined into a single epic portrait, albeit a very expensive one as each set retails for $119.99. This LEGO portrait may be quite the investment, in both time and money, but the result is pretty incredible!

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

All At Once - The Pixar Singers

Pixar
The Pixar Singers, an a capella group made up of Pixar employees, have recorded a song called "All At Once" to help raise our spirits during these troubled times. The song was written by Julia Cho and Barney Jones, and is dedicated to the frontline workers and their families.

Monday, August 10, 2020

It's National S'mores Day!


Today is National S'mores Day. It's the perfect day to indulge in an ooey, gooey, marshmallowy treat. You can find many over-the-top s'mores desserts at both Disneyland and Disney World. One of my favorites is the S'mores French Toast Sandwich from Woody's Lunch Box in Toy Story Land. But if you're looking to recreate a bit of Disney S'mores fun at home, why not try making the S'mores Gelato Shake from D-Luxe Burger in Disney Springs? It sounds amazing!

Disney
S’mores Gelato Shake 
  • 12 oz vanilla gelato 
  • 1/2 oz dark chocolate sauce 
  • 1 oz toasted marshmallow syrup 
  • 1 tsp crushed graham crackers 
  • Whipped cream, to garnish 
  • Mini marshmallows, to garnish 
  • Graham cracker, to garnish 
  • Dark chocolate sauce, to garnish 
Directions 
Blend vanilla gelato, dark chocolate sauce, toasted marshmallow syrup, and crushed graham crackers until smooth. Serve in tall glass. Garnish with whipped cream, mini marshmallows, graham cracker, and a drizzle of dark chocolate sauce. 

Sunday, August 9, 2020

Quote of the Week

Studio Ghibli

All right, first: don’t panic!
Second: don’t panic!
And third: did I mention not to panic? 

- Jiji, Kiki's Delivery Service

Saturday, August 8, 2020

Friday, August 7, 2020

Thursday, August 6, 2020

The Trailer For Phineas and Ferb: Candace Against the Universe Has Arrived

Disney
Are you ready for more Phineas and Ferb shenanigans? The inventive brothers are back for more fun in a new movie coming to DisneyPlus. Along for the ride are Isabella, Baljeet, Buford, Perry the platypus, and Dr. Doofenshmirtz, all working together to rescue Candace, and maybe Vanessa, too. It should be great!


Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe arrives on DisneyPlus on August 28.

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Try The Grey Stuff, It's Delicious

Disney
One of the most memorable lines from "Be Our Guest" in Beauty and the Beast is: "Try the grey stuff, it's delicious! Don't believe me, ask the dishes!" And if you've ever dined at Be Our Guest in the Magic Kingdom, you know you have to order the "Grey Stuff." It's a fascinating concoction of Oreos and mousse, that is surprisingly good. If you'd like to try your hand at making the "Grey Stuff" at home, here's a recipe from Disney.

The Grey Stuff
Makes 12

1 1/2 cups cold whole milk
1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
15 chocolate sandwich cookies
1 (8 ounce) container whipped topping, thawed
3 tablespoons instant chocolate pudding mix
12 scalloped sugar cookies
Edible sugar pearls

Pour milk into large mixing bowl. Add instant vanilla pudding mix and whisk for 2 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened. Place in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours, until firm. Place chocolate sandwich cookies in food processor and pulse until puréed.  Fold puréed cookies into pudding mix. Stir until fully mixed. Add whipped topping and instant chocolate pudding.  Stir until fully mixed. Place in refrigerator and chill for one hour. Spoon grey stuff into piping bag fitted with desired tip. Pipe grey stuff onto cookies. Top with sugar pearls.

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Learn To Draw Wall-E

Pixar
I love Disney and Pixar's Learn To Draw videos. They're a fun way to experience a little Disney magic at home. This video will teach you to draw Wall-E, the adorable, trash-compacting robot.

Monday, August 3, 2020

Such A Beautiful Day


It looks like Candace is trying to sing away her annoyance with her brothers in this song from the new Phineas and Ferb movie.



Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe arrives on DisneyPlus on August 28.

Sunday, August 2, 2020

Quote of the Week

MGM
Fezzik: Why are you wearing a mask? Were you burned by acid or something like that?

Westley: No, it's just that they're terribly comfortable. I think everyone will be wearing them in the future.

- The Princess Bride