Living With The Land is one of my favorite rides at EPCOT. I love seeing all of the new plants and planting techniques. And it's always fun to search for hidden Mickeys, or Minnies.
The official trailer for Wickedhas arrived, and it looks amazing. I can't wait to see how Elphaba and Glinda become the characters we're all familiar with from The Wizard of Oz.
While you're waiting to see this epic musical on the big screen, you might consider applying to Shiz University, the same school that Elphaba and Glinda attend. Applications are being considered now.
Wicked (Part One) arrives in theaters on November 27th. Part Two arrives on November 26, 2025.
The Rings of Power Season 2: Sauron has returned. Cast out by Galadriel, without army or ally, the rising Dark Lord must now rely on his own cunning to rebuild his strength and oversee the creation of the Rings of Power, which will allow him to bind all the peoples of Middle-earth to his sinister will. Building on Season 1’s epic scope and ambition, Season 2 of Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power plunges even its most beloved and vulnerable characters into a rising tide of darkness, challenging each to find their place in a world that is increasingly on the brink of calamity. Elves and dwarves, orcs and men, wizards and Harfoots… as friendships are strained and kingdoms begin to fracture, the forces of good will struggle ever more valiantly to hold on to what matters to them most of all… each other.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 arrives on Amazon Prime Video on August 29th. New episodes will debut each Thursday. Season 1 is available now.
When I saw the cast reveal trailer for season 2 of Wednesday, I knew it was time to sit down and watch season one. I'm only halfway through and I absolutely love it! It's so delightfully dark, and hilarious, and full of mystery. I can't wait for season 2!
Season 1 of Wednesday is available now on Netflix. Season 2 won't arrive until sometime next year.
Star Wars: The Acolytelooks more amazing with each clip. I can't wait to watch this new glimpse into what came before the Star Wars stories we know and love.
The first two episodes of Star Wars: The Acolyte arrive on DisneyPlus on June 4th. New episodes will debut each Tuesday.
Well, there's one more thing I can check off my bucket list. Last night, I finally had the chance to see the Northern Lights, and in my own backyard, no less. It might not have been as spectacular as it can be up north, but it was an unexpected delight.
What better way to end Halfway to Halloween week than with a bit of music. This Dance Party version of "Grim Grinning Ghosts" from the end of last year's delightful Haunted Mansionstrikes just the right note to head into the weekend.
Need a little more ghostly fun? Haunted Mansion is available on DisneyPlus.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empirehas now arrived on Digital. That means you can enjoy the latest adventures of the Spengler family and their ghost busting pals from the comfort of your own home. And if you haven't had the chance to watch it yet (like me), here's a sneak peek of the first seven minutes.
And, in case you missed it, here's the official synopsis from Sony:
In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the Spengler family returns to where it all started -- the iconic New York City firehouse -- to team up with the original Ghostbusters, who've developed a top-secret research lab to take busting ghosts to the next level. But when the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an army of ghosts that casts a death chill upon the city, Ghostbusters new and old must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a second Ice Age.
The new trailer forStar Wars: The Acolytelooks incredible. In the series, which takes place approximately 100 years prior to the events of the Skywalker Saga, a Master and his former Padawan investigate a number of mysterious crimes against the Jedi. What they uncover is most unexpected.
"No one is safe from the truth."
The first two episodes of Star Wars: The Acolyte arrive on DisneyPlus on June 4th. New episodes will debut each Tuesday.
Have you tried the Grapefruit Cake at the Brown Derby in Hollywood Studios? It's so good! If you can't make it to the park, but are craving this delightful dessert, you're in luck: here's the recipe from Disney.
Grapefruit Cake with Cream Cheese Icing - The Hollywood Brown Derby
Serves 8
Grapefruit Cake
1 1/2 cups sifted cake flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 large eggs, separated
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
3 Tbsp grapefruit juice
1/2 tsp finely grated lemon zest
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9 X 2-inch round cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper and lightly butter the paper and sides.
Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk egg yolks, oil, water, grapefruit juice, and lemon zest until smooth in a medium bowl. Whisk in the flour mixture.
Beat the egg whites and the cream of tartar just to stiff peaks with an electric or stand mixture. Gently fold the egg whites into the yolk mixture with a rubber spatula until just blended. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cake springs back when touched lightly in the center. Invert the cake, still in the pan, and cool on a wire rack.
Run a spatula or a table knife around the edge of the cake and carefully remove from the pan.
Cream Cheese Icing
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
Beat cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on high speed until light and fluffy. Add the lemon juice and the lemon zest. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and beat until well blended. Keep covered until ready to frost cake.
Topping
1 can (16 ounces) grapefruit sections, drained well
Grapefruit syrup
To Serve:
Halve cake horizontally with a serrated knife.
Spread 1/3 to 1/2 cup frosting over top of first layer to with about 1/4 inch of edge. Top with several grapefruit sections.
Place second cake layer, rounded side up, on frosted first layer. Frost top and sides with remaining icing. Garnish with remaining grapefruit sections and desired amount of grapefruit syrup.
Today is the first day of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. And that means a ton of fun sweets and treats will be arriving throughout Disney World. Which one are you planning to try first?
Orange-Sesame Tempura Shrimp with Orange-Chile Sauce
Hanami - Flower & Garden Festival
Frushi: Strawberry, pineapple, and lychee wrapped in coconut rice and pink soy wrap served with whipped cream, drizzled raspberry sauce, and toasted coconut
Steam Bun filled with vegetables and plant-based soy meat 🍚
Ramen Cup: Ramen salad shaken in a cup with fresh vegetables, grilled chicken, and dashi broth with chili oil and yuzu 🍚Watermelon-Strawberry Lemonade 🍚🧋
Orange Blossom Brewing Co. Cherry Blossom Green Tea Pilsner 🍚
Ichigo Breeze Cocktail: Sake with Strawberry and Watermelon 🍚
Ozeki Pineapple Nigori Sake 🍚
Lotus House - Flower & Garden Festival
Spicy Mala Chicken Skewer with creamy peanut sauce
House-made Cheesy Crab Wontons
Pan-fried Vegetable Dumplings
Mango Bubble Tea 🧋
Brew Hub Honey Jasmine Lager Draft Beer
Dragon Dynasty: Baijiu spirit, light rum, dragon fruit syrup, piña colada mix, and soda water 🍚
Lucky Peach: Peach whiskey, oolong tea, honey, lemon juice, and soda water 🍚
Tropical Moon: Vodka, triple sec, passion fruit syrup, soda water, and white boba pearls
Trowel & Trellis - Flower & Garden Festival
Soy-glazed Sticky Ribs: Soy-glazed sticky ribs with green onions and peanuts
Year of the Dragon Chocolate Piñata: Dark chocolate shell filled with dark chocolate-covered candied orange peel and five-spice marshmallows
Morimoto Asia
Adobo Tacos: St. Louis pork adobo, taco shell, guacamole, tomato, lime, and micro cilantro
Splitsville Luxury Lanes
Golden Spider Roll: Tempura fried softshell crab, cucumber and avocado wrapped in soy paper and sushi rice, topped with diced mango, honey wasabi, eel sauce, and micro greens
STK Steakhouse Orlando
Fish & Poi: Tuna poke, kukui nuts, and poi chili sauce
Tako Poke: Octopus, Maui onions, cucumber, kimchi garlic sauce, and sesame seeds
Loco Moco Meatloaf: With smoked sticky rice, lomi tomatoes, sunny side up egg, and smoked Maui onion demi glace
Vivoli Il Gelato
Ube Tiramisu: Ube cream with coconut-soaked ladyfingers
Disney Resorts
Animal Kingdom Lodge - Sanaa
Samosas: Potato and pea samosas with tamarind and mango chutney
Zanzibari Vegetable Curry: Seasonal vegetables with fragrant rice
Zanzibari Vegetable Curry with Chicken: Seasonal vegetables with fragrant rice
Various Food Courts - All-Star Resorts, Landscape of Flavors at Art of Animation, Centertown Market at Caribbean Beach, Everything POP at Pop Century, Riverside Mill at Port Orleans – Riverside, Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Port Orleans – French Quarter
Pork Sisig with Noodles: Citrus-roasted pork with lo mein noodles, onions, peppers, chiles, and ginger-butter sauce 🍚
Various Food Courts - All-Star Resorts, Landscape of Flavors at Art of Animation, Centertown Market & Spyglass Grill at Caribbean Beach, Everything POP at Pop Century, Riverside Mill at Port Orleans – Riverside, Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Port Orleans – French Quarter
Moana Chocolate-Coconut Pie: Coconut and chocolate custard, graham cracker crust, Chantilly cream, toasted macadamia nuts, and Moana fondant décor
The first trailer and poster for a new story from the Pride Lands have arrived. Mufasa: The Lion Kingtells the tale of Mufasa's rise from orphan to King.
“Mufasa: The Lion King” enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny—their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.
The film has an all-star roster of talent bringing new and fan-favorite characters to life:
Aaron Pierre as Mufasa
Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, a lion prince with a bright future who accepts Mufasa into his family as a brother
Tiffany Boone as Sarabi
Kagiso Lediga as Young Rafiki
Preston Nyman as Zazu
Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, a formidable lion with big plans for his pride
Thandiwe Newton as Taka’s mother, Eshe
Lennie James as Taka’s father, Obasi
Anika Noni Rose as Mufasa’s mother, Afia
Keith David as Mufasa’s father, Masego
John Kani as Rafiki
Seth Rogen as Pumbaa
Billy Eichner as Timon
Donald Glover as Simba
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala
Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara
With songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Mufasa: The Lion King arrives in theaters on December 20th.
I love Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT. It is my favorite roller coaster at any Disney Park. This Xandarian Nova Corps Star Blaster is docked in front of the ride building.
The new animatronic characters for Tiana's Bayou Adventure are amazing. They are so smooth and realistic. Recently, Jennifer Lewis, the voice of Mama Odie, had her first look at the animatronic character. Her excitement is contagious!
Tiana's Bayou Adventure opens this summer in Disney World and later this year in Disneyland.
The trailer for Jim Henson Idea Manhas arrived and it looks amazing. Most of us grew up watching a Jim Henson production: from Sesame Street and The Muppets, to Labyrinthor Dark Crystal, there was something for everyone. I can't wait to watch this DisneyPlus special that goes behind the scenes of Jim's creative life.
"Jim Henson Idea Man" takes us into the mind of this singular creative visionary, from his early years puppeteering on local television to the worldwide success of Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and beyond. Featuring unprecedented access to Jim's personal archives, filmmaker Ron Howard brings us a fascinating and insightful look at a complex man whose boundless imagination inspired the world.
Jim Henson Idea Man arrives on DisneyPlus on May 31st.
Star Wars Day is just around the corner and that means a few new special themed treats will begin appearing at Disney World. Most of these delicious delights will be available from May 4-31.
Hollywood Studios
ABC Commissary, Backlot Express, PizzeRizzo, and Rosie’s All-American Café
Jettison Juice: Minute Maid Lemonade and watermelon served with a glow cube 🧋
Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
Mossberry Biscuit: Biscuit topped with ube and matcha icing, ube micro sponge cake, sprinkles, and dehydrated blueberries 💥
Dockside Diner
Princess of Alderaan Shake: Salted caramel shake topped with whipped cream, edible glitter, and mini cinnamon rolls
Milk Stand
Polystarch Puffbread: Croissants topped with blue and green milk craquelin served with yuzu-passion fruit-coconut dipping sauce 💥
Rosie’s All-American Cafe
Mustafarian Puff: Red cream puff with cookies ‘n cream custard filling topped with chocolate cream cookie crumbs
Oasis Canteen, Sunshine Day Bar, Tune-In Lounge, and The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge
Cosmic Rum Punch: Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Bacardí Superior Rum, pineapple juice, Minute Maid Lemonade, grenadine, and a glow cube
Anaheim Produce, Grand Avenue, Market (May 4-5)
Lightsaber Churro with chocolate sauce
Churro Cart
Lightsaber Churro with chocolate sauce
Disney Springs
Amorette’s Patisserie (May 1-6)
Stormtrooper Petit Cake: Layers of chocolate chiffon, vanilla bean mousse, dark chocolate ganache, and cherries 💥
The Ganachery
Death Star Ganache Square: Ruby chocolate with 65% dark chocolate 💥
Rebellion Ganache Square: White chocolate blended with dragon fruit enrobed in dark 65% chocolate 💥
A new trailer for Deadpool & Wolverinehas arrived and it is wild. Fair warning, there is a lot of swearing and violence in this trailer, but it's Deadpool, so it's not really a surprise.
Deadpool & Wolverine arrives in theaters on July 26.
