Olaf Draws!

An exciting new experience is coming to Hollywood Studios in Disney World this summer. The current home of Star Wars: Launch Bay is going back to its roots as a home to art and animation. The revamped building will be topped by Mickey's sorcerer hat in a nod to the Roy E. Disney Animation Building in California. From special character Meet & Greets, to an art gallery that comes to life, and a playground indpired by Mary Blair's vision of Alice in Wonderland, there will be magic around every corner in "The Magic of Disney Animation". But the part I'm looking forward to most involves a certain talking snowman. 

Olaf Draws! will feature everyone's favorite magical snowman as an all-new Audio-Animatronics figure. Olaf invites guests into a space inspired by a scene in Once Upon A Studio where he took a little time to try out an Animator's desk. There will be sleigh-themed tables for kids and animator-style desks for the young at heart. And, with a little help from some legendary Disney Animation artists, Olaf and his new friends will learn to draw a Disney character. 

Pre-recorded artist videos will guide guests through the process of drawing classic and modern Disney characters. Sketching classes include:

• Mickey Mouse with Dan Abraham, director (Once Upon A Studio, Baymax!)
• Minnie Mouse, with Hyun Min Lee, animator (Frozen 2, The Princess and the Frog)
• Donald Duck, with Austin Traylor, animator (Once Upon A Studio, Moana 2)
• Genie, with Eric Goldberg, animator (Aladdin, Hercules)
• Moana, with Samantha Vilfort, story artist (Encanto, Zootopia 2)
• Stitch, with Fawn Veerasunthorn, director and head of story (Wish, Raya and the Last Dragon)
• Olaf, with Trent Correy, director (Once Upon A Studio, Frozen 3)
• Ursula, with Michael Woodside, animator (Big Hero 6, Encanto)
• Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde, with Byron Howard director, (Zootopia, Zootopia 2)

There's a lot to look forward to in "The Magic of Disney Animation". I can't wait to check it out when it opens in late summer.

Bruni Art

I always look forward to the Chalk Full of Character art at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. You never know who you're going to see. In 2024, Bruni was hanging out in the fireplace of the Norway Pavilion. 

We Call It Imagineering Episode 7

Disney

The We Call It Imagineering series is an amazing glimpse behind the magic with Disney Imagineers. The latest episode focuses on the various robotic creations Imagineers have developed for the Parks. Each one is incredible, but that giggly walking Olaf is absolutely amazing!

All 7 episodes of We Call It Imagineering are available on YouTube.

Olaf's Holiday Tradition Expedition

There are so many scavenger hunts throughout the year (and the park) at EPCOT. At Christmastime, it's Olaf's Holiday Tradition Expedition. It's so fun to search for the Frozen snowman who likes warm hugs and discover which holiday traditions he has collected from around the world. In 2023, Olaf had Yule Logs in the France Pavilion. 

LEGO Frozen: Operation Puffins

All images: LEGO/Disney

The next LEGO Disney Princess special returns to Arendelle for an all new adventure. In LEGO Disney Frozen: Operation Puffins, Anna and Elsa, alongside Olaf, Kristoff, and Sven, must save their kingdom from Duke Weselton and his band of mischievous puffins.

Here's the official synopsis from LEGO:

After the events of Frozen, Anna and Elsa want to start fresh in Arendelle, and make the castle feel a bit more comfortable. While they struggle to break free of the bounds of tradition, the Duke of Weselton has other plans for their beloved home alongside a flock of menacing puffins. 

LEGO Disney Frozen: Operation Puffins arrives on DisneyPlus on October 24.

Frozen: The Musical on DisneyPlus

Disney

Frozen: The Musical is headed to DisneyPlus. I love having the chance to see Broadway musicals at home. It's great for those of us who can't afford the travel and tickets to see them live on stage.

Frozen: The Musical arrives on DisneyPlus on June 20th.

Snowgies!

EPCOT is Chalk Full of Character during the Festival of the Arts. There are hidden chalk art characters throughout the World Showcase. These Snowgies from Frozen were part of the 2024 Festival. So cute!

In Summer...

Disney

Bees'll buzz,

kids'll blow dandelion fuzz

And I'll be doing whatever snow does

in summer

- Olaf, Frozen

Elsa in Frozen Ever After

I love the Frozen Ever After ride at Disney World. It's a delightful boat ride full of music and magic with lots of scenes of favorite characters from Frozen. This scene is Elsa singing "Let It Go" in her ice palace.

It's That Time of Year!

Disney

I love the songs from Olaf's Frozen Adventure. Watching Olaf search for holiday traditions has now become one of my favorite holiday traditions.

Let's "Ring In The Season"!

Disney

I absolutely adore Olaf's Frozen Adventure. It's so sweet how Olaf tries to help Anna and Elsa discover their special holiday tradition, while learning that all holiday traditions are special. In this song from the beginning of the short, Anna and Elsa are preparing to "Ring in the Season" with the Yule Bell.

When We're Together

Disney

Olaf's Frozen Adventure is such an adorable Christmas short. It's one of my favorites. And it has wonderful music, such as this song, "When We're Together."

Disney Pumpkin Carving Ideas

Disney

If you're looking for a bit of inspiration for your Halloween pumpkin carving this year, look no further. I love carving pumpkins and am always on the lookout for a fun new design. There are far too many to choose from, but you can find a few hundred of my favorite Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars designs on Pinterest.

And if you need even more inspiration, you can always carve a pumpkin like Olaf.

Olaf Presents - Coming Soon To DisneyPlus

All images: Disney

Everyone's favorite snowman is back with a new series coming this November to DisneyPlus. Olaf will be entertaining the citizens of Arendelle with his delightfully zany take on five beloved Disney movies. 

Doesn't it look hilarious? Here's the official synopsis from Disney:

Olaf steps into the spotlight and goes from snowman to showman as he takes on the roles of producer, actor, costumer and set builder for his unique “retelling” of five favorite Disney animated tales in “Olaf Presents,” a series of new animated shorts from Walt Disney Animation Studios. The charismatic and versatile Olaf demonstrates his theatrical flair, taking on such iconic roles as a mermaid, a genie, a lion king (and most of the parts in between), as he entertains Arendelle with his delightful abbreviated versions of these beloved tales.

Olaf Presents arrives on DisneyPlus on November 12.

At Home With Olaf - Candy

Disney

It's been almost a year since Disney released the first At Home With Olaf short. I've watched them a dozen times and they're still hilarious! In this dort, Olaf has discovered a jar of candy way up on the shelf. His ability to get it down seems to be about as good as mine usually is.

Sven's Carrot Delight Recipe

Disney

If the winter weather is getting you down, why not try a summertime drink from Castaway Cay. Sven's Carrot Delight is a fun mix of carrot juice and pog juice with a bit of  ice cream and coconut cream. I can't wait to try it. 

Sven’s Carrot Delight

3 oz. Odwalla carrot juice

3 oz. vanilla ice cream or drink mix

1.5 oz. coconut cream

.75 oz. passion fruit juice

.75 oz. orange juice

.75 oz. guava juice

Ice

Blend all ingredients together and enjoy!

Photo of the Week

I love Marshmallow and all the Snowgies in Frozen Ever After at EPCOT. 

It's That Time Of Year

Disney

I love this song from Olaf’s Frozen Adventure. It's so cute!

So, what are your favorite traditions at "That Time of Year"? Mine is putting up the tree and remembering the story behind every ornament. 

Christmas At Hollywood Studios

The Christmas fun kicks off at Hollywood Studios today. From merry motorcades filled with characters in their holiday finery, to glittery retro decorations, to a flurry of festive treats it should be a magical season. Santa will be riding down Hollywood Boulevard in a red convertible filled with presents. 

The Frozen Sing-Along will finish each performance with a festive finale featuring Olaf and favorite holiday songs. The holiday projections on the Hollywood Tower Hotel return this year, transforming the tower into a Toy Story toy hotel, Mickey's Christmas Carol inspired village, snowy scene in Arendelle, and a Muppets gingerbread creation.

Disney

Here are a few of the treats you can find throughout the park from November 6 - January 4:

• Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate (PizzeRizzo, ABC Commissary, Backlot Express,  Rosie’s All-American Cafe) – Frozen salted caramel hot chocolate topped with marshmallows, green sugar, and a chocolate drizzle served with a souvenir Mickey Glow
• Mickey’s Holiday Cookie (ABC Commissary, Rosie’s All-American Cafe) – Vanilla butter cookie enrobed with white chocolate and sugar snowflakes
• Holiday Whoopie Pie (Trolley Car Cafe, Backlot Express) – Red velvet whoopie pie filled with a classic cream cheese filling
• Olaf’s Snow Flurry (Rosie’s All-American Cafe) – Yellow cupcake with vanilla buttercream, snow flurry sugar, and Olaf Glow

Disney

For a special treat, Minnie Mouse will be hosting her Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine. And Santa Goofy will join Minnie and her pals for this delightful dinner party filled with holiday cheer. 

Once Upon A Snowman Looks Adorably Heartwarming

All images: Disney

Disney has returned to the Frozen world of Arendelle with an all-new short starring everyone's favorite snowman, Olaf. Once Upon a Snowman, which arrived on DisneyPlus today, is the untold story of what happened to Olaf between his magical creation by Elsa and his first meeting with Anna, Kristoff, and Sven. Apparently, he had a bit of an identity crisis. 

Doesn't it look absolutely adorable? I can't wait to see it!