Trick or Treating at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Today I'm over at Tips from the Disney Diva talking about Trick or Treating at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.

New Fantasyland website

Disney

Are you looking forward to the new Fantasyland expansion at Walt Disney World? If so, Disney has released a new minisite to tease and tantalize with hints about all of the wonder that will soon be revealed. Both the website and a new trailer tell of a land under a curse, where you can be the hero that breaks the spell and reveals all. To be that hero, you simply need to add your email address to be informed when the curse has been broken.

The Fantasyland expansion includes Storybook Circus, where Dumbo flies and the Casey Junior train can be found, Under the Sea: The Journey of the Little Mermaid, a new Little Mermaid clamshell ride similar to Nemo at EPCOT, Belle's Village, which features Gaston's Tavern, Maurice's Workshop for Storytime with Belle, and the Be Our Guest Restaurant, based on the Beast's castle. All of these areas are scheduled to open on December 6, 2012, with a Passholder preview on November 19, 2012. Sometime in 2013, a Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride will also be added.

I'm really excited to see the new Fantasyland, although I'll probably have to wait until sometime next year. The photos and videos of the behind the scenes work that Disney has released have been amazing! Every detail is being carefully attended to and the Be Our Guest Restaurant is just beautiful. I've always wanted to go inside the Beast's castle, and now I will get a chance to do just that. What are you looking forward to the most?

Columbia Harbour House Review

I'm over at Tips from the Disney Diva today talking about a great place to eat at the Magic Kingdom: Columbia Harbour House.

Sleepy Hollow Dining Review

I'm over at Tips from the Disney Diva today talking about one of my favorite places to eat at the Magic Kingdom: Sleepy Hollow.

Disney Nature Chimpanzee

Disney

Bean and I watched Disney Nature's Chimpanzee today as part of her homeschool unit on African animals. This is one of the most sensitive and beautiful nature films that I have ever seen. Narrated by Tim Allen, Chimpanzee tells the story of Oscar, a young chimpanzee and his family group. The film covers their heartache and triumphs as they live amongst the wilds of a rainforest in Africa.

The relationship between Oscar and his mother, Isha, is beautiful. Bean was amazed at how much chimpanzee children are like human children. They play, get in trouble, don't like bedtime, and love their mothers. Much like humans, chimpanzees learn how to survive by watching their family members go about their daily lives; gathering food, making and using tools, finding places to sleep, and protecting each other. By the end of the film, you will have a greater understanding of these amazing creatures.

Disney has created a fantastic Educator's Guide with activities, games, and educational sheets to help teach children more about chimpanzees. The guide has activities for several different age levels and would be a great supplement to keep kids talking about chimpanzees and the natural world. The guide can be downloaded from Disney's Chimpanzee website here. At the Chimpanzee website, you will also find a photo gallery, video clips, and more. Disney also has links to the Blu-ray, DVD, Chimpanzee Book that offers a behind the scenes look at the making of the film, and even 13" Oscar plush. When you purchase the Oscar plush, a $1 donation will be made to the Jane Goodall Institute to help them protect chimpanzee habitats, educate schoolchildren, and care for orphaned chimpanzees.

This film is by turns happy and sad. I won't spoil the story, but be aware that there are attacks by rival groups, and even some deaths, that my be hard for young children to understand. I would recommend previewing Chimpanzee before sharing it with young children, but I think this film is a wonderful way to help introduce children to the wonders of the natural world.

No talking during the movie!

Disney/Pixar

AMC theaters have teamed up with Disney and Pixar for their new policy trailer about using cell phones during movies. I love this new trailer!

I really don't like it when people talk on their cell phones or text constantly during movies; it's so rude! I think this Finding Nemo trailer has the perfect solution.

Flame Tree BBQ

I'm over at Tips from the Disney Diva today talking about one of my favorite places to eat at Disney World: Flame Tree BBQ. And I've included a recipe for you to try at home. Please stop by and let me know what you think.