Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary Commercial

Disney

Can you believe Walt Disney World is celebrating 50 years of magic this fall? Starting October 1, guests can expect to find surprises around every corner as part of the 18-month long celebration. 

Quote of the Week

New Line Cinema

Don't adventures ever have an end? I suppose not. Someone else always has to carry on the story.

- Bilbo Baggins, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Photo of the Week

The view of Big Thunder Mountain from the cemetery of the Phantom Manor in Disneyland Paris is quite stunning.

This Jungle Cruise Is Quite The Adventure

Disney

Disney's Jungle Cruise is looking better and better. Where the first trailer was filled with all of the delightful campiness of the rides, this new trailer is all about the grand adventure.

Here's the official synopsis from Disney: 

Inspired by the famous Disneyland theme park ride, Disney’s “Jungle Cruise” is an adventure-filled, rollicking thrill-ride down the Amazon with wisecracking skipper Frank Wolff (Dwayne Johnson) and intrepid researcher Dr. Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt). Lily travels from London, England to the Amazon jungle and enlists Frank’s questionable services to guide her downriver on La Quila—his ramshackle-but-charming boat. Lily is determined to uncover an ancient tree with unparalleled healing abilities—possessing the power to change the future of medicine. Thrust on this epic quest together, the unlikely duo encounters innumerable dangers and supernatural forces, all lurking in the deceptive beauty of the lush rainforest. But as the secrets of the lost tree unfold, the stakes reach even higher for Lily and Frank and their fate—and mankind’s—hangs in the balance.

Jungle Cruise arrives in theaters and on DisneyPlus Premiere Access on July 30.

The Mysterious Benedict Society

Disney

A new series is coming to DisneyPlus this June. Based on Trenton Lee Stewart's book series, The Mysterious Benedict Society follows four clever orphans as they try to save the world. 

Here's the official synopsis from Disney: 

After winning a scholarship competition, four gifted orphans are recruited by the mysterious Mr. Benedict for a dangerous mission to see the world from a global crisis known as The Emergency. Reynie, Sticky, Kate, and Constance must infiltrate the mysterious L.I.V.E. Institute to discover the truth behind the crisis. When the headmaster, the sophisticated Dr. Curtain appears to be behind this worldwide panic, the kids of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” must devise a plan to defeat him.

The Mysterious Benedict Society arrives on DisneyPlus on June 25.

Apple Crumble Tart Recipe

Disney

This year, the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival will be the longest festival ever! It will run from July 15 to November 20 and will be filled with fantastic food. Here's a sneak peek of one of this year's new desserts: Apple Crumble Tart. And the best part is, you can make it at home with this recipe from the chefs at Disney. 

Apple Crumble Tart

Makes 8

Tart Dough:

5 Tbsp butter, softened

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1 egg

1 cup all-purpose flour 

Cream butter, sugar, and salt in bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment until fluffy. Add egg and mix until smooth. Add flour and mix on medium speed until combined.

Evenly divide dough into 8 balls. Roll each ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes. 

Apple Filling:

3 Tbsp butter

3 Tbsp packed brown sugar 

1/2 tsp cinnamon 

2 large granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced (2 cups)

2 tsp cornstarch 

2 Tbsp water

Heat butter in medium skillet over medium-low heat until melted. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, and apples and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, until apples begin to soften. Combine cornstarch and water in small bowl. Add to apple mixture and cook for 3 minutes, until sauce around apples thickens. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. 

Crumble:

2/3 cup all-purpose flour 

1/2 cup packed brown sugar 

1/2 tsp cinnamon 

1/4 tsp salt 

5 Tbsp cold butter, cubed

Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and butter in food processor. Pulse until pea-sized crumbs form. Set aside. 

To make tarts:

Preheat oven to 350°F. 

Remove dough from refrigerator. Roll each ball into 1/8-inch thick circle and press into 3-inch tart pans, trimming excess dough from edges. Pierce the bottom of each tart with fork several times. Place 4-inch square of parchment paper on top of each tart and fill with pie weights or beans. Place tart pans on large baking sheet.

Bake tart shells for 15 minutes. Carefully remove pie weights or beans and parchment paper and bake an additional 5 minutes. 

Place 1/4 cup apple pie filling in each tart and top with 3 Tbsp of the crumble topping. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until crumble is golden brown. Cool before serving. 

Eternals Looks Marvelous

Marvel

The first teaser trailer for Marvel's Eternals has arrived and it looks amazing!

Eternals arrives in theaters on November 5, 2021.

Loki In 30 Seconds

Marvel

Do you need to catch up on all of Loki's antics before the series starts? Perhaps you don't have time to watch all six movies Loki appears in:

• Thor
• Avengers
• Thor: The Dark World 
• Thor: Ragnarok
• Avengers: Infinity War 
• Avengers: Endgame

Well, here's Tom Hiddleston to fill you in on the highlights, in 30 seconds.

Marvel's Loki arrives on DisneyPlus on June 9. New episodes will be released every Wednesday. 

Quote of the Week

Vincent van Gogh, Irises

Normality is a paved road:

It’s comfortable to walk,

but no flowers grow on it.

- Vincent Van Gogh

Photo of the Week

"Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes!?" is one of the more memorable quotes from Raiders of the Lost Ark. So, of course, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril in Disneyland Paris is covered in snakes.

These Are The Mandalorian POPVinyl You're Looking For

All images: Funko 

Funko's latest Mandalorian collection is fantastic. The POPVinyl figures include:

• Bo-Katan Kryze and an unmasked chase
• Grogu with his blue cookies
• Boba Fett
• Din Djarin unmasked and holding Grogu
• Ahsoka Tano
• Dark Trooper

These figures are currently available for pre-order from Amazon, Target and GameStop.

Three additional figures can be found exclusively at specific retailers:

• Grogu with a butterfly at GameStop
• Ahsoka in a hood at Amazon
• Grogu being attacked by the chowder squid at Target

The figures should be released  October. 

Miss Minutes Means Business In This Loki Clip

Marvel

So, it turns out Miss Minutes is not just an adorable animated clock mascot for the Time Variance Authority. She means business! In this clip, it looks like Loki had better mind his Ps and Qs.

Marvel's Loki arrives on DisneyPlus on June 9.

Who Has A Plan In This Black Widow Clip?

Marvel

In this new clip from Marvel's Black Widow, it looks like Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova are developing a sisterly bond. At least, they argue like siblings.

Black Widow arrives in theaters and on DisneyPlus Premiere Access on July 9.

Hotel Transylvania: Transformania

Sony

It looks like Johnny is up to his usual crazy antics in the latest story from the Hotel Transylvania. After nearly a decade as part of the Dracula family, Johnny still feels a little out of place among the monsters. So he decides to remedy the situation, with unexpected, and hilarious, results. 

Hotel Transylvania: Transformania arrives in theaters on July 23.

Introducing Agent Mobius

Marvel

Ready for another glimpse of Marvel's Loki? It looks like Owen Wilson's Agent Mobius is going to be hilarious. 

Loki arrives on DisneyPlus on June 9.

Quote of the Week

Andy Warhol

The idea is not to live forever,

it is to create something that will.

- Andy Warhol

Photo of the Week

I love all of the little references sprinkled throughout Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. These Meiloorun Fruit can be found in the entrance of Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. In Star Wars Rebels, the fruit are the favorite snack of Hera Syndulla. 

New Loki Poster

Marvel

With Loki arriving in less than a month, Marvel has released a fun new poster. It features Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Owen Wilson as Mobius M. Mobius, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Judge Ravonna Renslayer, Wunmi Mosaku as Hunter B-15, and an animated clock called Miss Minutes. Miss Minutes is the mascot of the TVA, the Time Variance Authority, the group responsible for arresting Loki. Intrigued yet? Loki arrives on DisneyPlus on June 9.

Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe From Disney

Disney

This recipe from the ABC Commissary in Disney’s Hollywood Studios sounds like a delicious twist on a grilled cheese sandwich. 

Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Buffalo Chicken Filling:

1 cup whipped cream cheese

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup buffalo hot sauce, plus more, to taste

2 cups shredded chicken

Combine cream cheese, Monterey jack cheese, and cheddar cheese in a large bowl. Beat with a hand mixer on medium speed until combined. Add hot sauce and beat until incorporated. Add chicken and beat for 30 seconds. Add additional buffalo hot sauce, if desired. Refrigerate until ready to use.

To make four Sandwiches:

8 large slices sourdough bread

8 slices non-smoked provolone cheese

Buffalo chicken filling

8 tablespoons mayonnaise

Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Place 4 slices of sourdough bread on a large cutting board and top each with a slice of provolone cheese. Evenly divide buffalo chicken filling among the 4 sandwiches. Top with remaining slices of provolone and bread. Spread 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on both sides of each sandwich. Cook on preheated skillet for 1-2 minutes per side, until desired doneness.

The Final Black Widow Posters Are Here

All images: Marvel

After so many delays, it looks like Marvel's Black Widow is really going to be released on July 9. (Third times the charm, right?) To celebrate, Marvel has created one final set of character posters. But this time, we get a glimpse of a few extra characters. Above is Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff.

Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova

Rachel Weisz as Melina

David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov

The mysterious Taskmaster

O-T Fagbenle as Rick Mason

Black Widow arrives in theaters and on DisneyPlus Premiere Access on July 9, 2021.

The Muppets Take On The Haunted Mansion

Disney

A new Muppets special is coming to DisneyPlus this October. Muppets Haunted Mansion will put a Muppety spin on one of my favorite Disney stories. I'm guessing it will be hilarious!

In the Heights Is Incredible!

All images: Warner Brothers

I had the chance to watch In The Heights yesterday and all I can say is WOW! The movie is incredible: the music, the story, everything was fantastic. I will definitely be adding it to my collection. 

In The Heights, with music and lyrics by the fabulous Lin-Manuel Miranda, takes place in Washington Heights, New York. 

It's the story of a community, a family, and the events of one intense week that just happened to fall during a heatwave. 

Above all, it's a story about chasing your dreams. Each of the main characters has a dream they are hoping to fulfill. Usnavi wants to return home to the Dominican Republic. 

Vanessa dreams of being a fashion designer. Nina just wants to figure out her place in the world and her father wants her to get a good education. 

But as everyone discovers, the path to fulfilling your dreams may lead to something unexpected. The cast is incredible, and incredibly talented. The musical numbers are simply fantastic. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and might just discover we're all more alike than we admit. And be sure to keep a look out for a familiar face or two or three from Hamilton.

Here's the official synopsis from Warner Brothers: 

The hydrants are open(ing). This summer, we’ll be back to dancing in the street together with #InTheHeightsMovie​. In theaters and streaming exclusively on @HBOMax June 11. 

The creator of “Hamilton” and the director of “Crazy Rich Asians” invite you to a cinematic event, where the streets are made of music and little dreams become big... “In the Heights.” 

Lights up on Washington Heights...The scent of a cafecito caliente hangs in the air just outside of the 181st Street subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies this vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is the likeable, magnetic bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), who saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes, imagines and sings about a better life. 

“In the Heights” fuses Lin-Manuel Miranda’s kinetic music and lyrics with director Jon M. Chu’s lively and authentic eye for storytelling to capture a world very much of its place, but universal in its experience.

I really enjoyed this movie and look forward to seeing it again and again. In The Heights arrives in theaters on June 11.

Happy Mother's Day

A mother is the one who fills your heart in the first place.

- Amy Tan

Happy Mother's Day

Photo of the Week

Can you believe we're halfway to Halloween already? I love the Not So Spooky Spectacular fireworks at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. I hope they bring it back next year.

Cruella's Story Isn't Black and White

All images: Disney

Disney has released a flood of Cruella teasers this week. And there's a fun set of character posters, too. It looks like one wild ride through the mind of a demented fashion genius. 

Cruella really knows how to light up a room...

and annoy the Baroness.

Even as a child, she had her own style.

Anita seems to know her well.

And it looks like she met Jasper

and Horace pretty early, too.

They like to make trouble almost as much as she does.

If nothing else, the costumes are absolutely wicked.

Cruella arrives in theaters and on DisneyPlus Premiere Access on May 28.

Loki Is Up To His Old Tricks

Marvel

It appears the God of Mischief is at it again. This time though, it works to our benefit. The release date for Marvel's Loki has been bumped forward two days to Wednesday, June 9. 

New episodes will also arrive on Wednesdays, leaving Fridays free for, I don't know, maybe going to the movies, perhaps to finally see Black Widow?

Loki arrives on DisneyPlus on June 11 9, 2021.

Marvel Celebrates The Movies

Marvel

In an amazing video released earlier this week, Marvel Studios celebrates the movies that make up the Marvel Cinematic Universe, both those that have already been released and those that will be coming to theaters in the next three years. With a voice over by the late great Stan Lee, it's a fantastic journey through what makes these movies amazing: their ability to bring us together.

And then there's the lineup of what's to come:

Black Widow

July 9, 2021

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

September 3, 2021

Eternals

November 5, 2021

Spider-Man: No Way Home

December 7, 2021

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

March 25, 2022

Thor: Love and Thunder

May 6, 2022

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

July 8, 2022

The Marvels

November 11, 2022

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania

February 17, 2023

Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3

May 5, 2023

I can't wait!

Happy Star Wars Day!

Zi Xu

Today is May the 4th, or as fans know it, Star Wars Day. Traditionally, it's the day when new artwork, toys, collectibles, trailers, and even shows celebrating the Star Wars universe make their debut. This year, you can expect to see new LEGO sets, incredible new art on the landing pages for Star Wars movies and series on DisneyPlus, the premiere of The Bad Batch, new clothing and collectibles from shopDisney, Amazon, and other retailers, and much more. I can't wait to see what's new!

May the Fourth be with you, always.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Looks Fantastic

All images: Lucasfilm

Lucasfilm's latest journey into the Star Wars universe travels back to a group first introduced in The Clone Wars. Star Wars: The Bad Batch are a unique group of clone soldiers who definitely do things their own way.

Here's the official synopsis from Disney and Lucasfilm:

“Star Wars: The Bad Batch” follows the elite and experimental clones of the Bad Batch (first introduced in “The Clone Wars”) as they find their way in a rapidly changing galaxy in the immediate aftermath of the Clone War. Members of Bad Batch—a unique squad of clones who vary genetically from their brothers in the Clone Army—each possess a singular exceptional skill that makes them extraordinarily effective soldiers and a formidable crew.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch arrives on DisneyPlus on May the 4th. New episodes will be released every Friday beginning on May 7.

Quote of the Week

Marvel

The only power I have is that I believe we can do better.

- Sam Wilson, Marvel's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

Photo of the Week

I love all of the different "it's a small world" rides at the various Disney parks. This photo is from the America section in Disneyland Paris.