Looking for a fun holiday activity for the family? Disney has released a new Kidcot holiday coloring sheet and family-friendly recipe!
From a Disney Cast Member;
With the holidays approaching, I wanted to share some stay-at-home fun activities that will be perfect for any family get-together!
For starters, you may know that at EPCOT, kids are invited to join Mickey and friends on an adventure around World Showcase. Each of the countries has a Kidcot Fun Stop presented by Ziploc Brand, a place where kids can collect a special traveler’s card that features a special fact about that country and a corresponding coloring sheet.
Today, we are bringing one of our favorite Kidcot Fun Stops right into your home!
Did you know that in Germany, if you want to find a bakery, you just have to look for a pretzel hanging above the shop door – the emblem of the bakers guild? From the looks of this coloring activity, it looks like Chip & Dale have found their new favorite treat that is famous in Germany – you guessed it, a pretzel!
Speaking of bakeries, we also have a special treat you can make at home!
From the pastry chefs over at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, this recipe is one of my favorites for two reasons – it’s EASY to make, and it combines two of my favorite things – chocolate and peanut butter!
If you have been following our #DisneyMagicMoments recipes, you know that Ava, a 13-year-old junior chef and daughter of Disney photographer Matt Stroshane, has been making “how-to” videos for some of these recipes in her home kitchen with the help of her personal sous chefs (mom and dad) and official taste tester (her 11-year-old brother, Adam). Check out the recipe and Ava’s video below.
No-Bake Granola Treats from Disney’s Contemporary Resort Bakery Makes 12 (2×2-inch) treats
Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
1 1/2 cups granola
1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
Directions:
Melt marshmallows and butter in medium saucepan over low heat. Add peanut butter, stirring to combine. Remove from heat. Stir in granola.
Spoon mixture into 8×8-inch baking dish. Lightly press mixture into pan.
Sprinkle top of mixture with chocolate chips, lightly pressing the chocolate chips into mixture.
Set aside at room temperature to cool for 30 minutes. Cut into 12 pieces.
Store treats in an airtight container at room temperature.
Cook’s Note: This recipe can easily be doubled if you like thicker treats!
Note: Always use caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents.Please supervise children who are helping or nearby.This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens.The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version.
Just in time for the new year, the all-new Disney Parks Reigning Cats and Dogs Collection is bringing some paw-some products to Walt Disney World Resort, Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort and online at shopDisney.com! This new collection celebrates everyone’s favorite four-legged friends and is the first-ever collection from Disney Parks for pet owners and pets alike with apparel, accessories and more! Check out the details and images below as shared by DisneyParksBlog.
Designs feature some of everyone’s favorite Disney dogs including Pongo and Perdita from “One Hundred and One Dalmatians,” Dug from “Up,” Max from “The Little Mermaid,” Lady and the Tramp from “Lady and the Tramp” and of course, Pluto! Designs also feature some favorite Disney cats including Thomas O’Malley and Marie from “The Aristocats,” Dinah and Cheshire Cat from “Alice in Wonderland,” Lucifer from “Cinderella,” Mochi from “Big Hero 6,” and even Yzma in cat-form from “The Emperor’s New Groove!”
Hold your ap-paws and without further ado, check out some of the items hitting shelves and shopDisney.com in the new year:
First up, your chic canine companion will rock these fur-bulous looks; from an adorable raincoat and bandanas for days to a dashing dress and paw-sitively perfect sweater, there’s something for every furry friend!
Once you dress up your pup, finish that paw-fect look with a matching collar and leash combo along with the most dog-gone adorable food and water bowl set.
Want to raise the woof and match your fur-iend? You’re in luck! The assortment of apparel from humans includes leggings, dresses and even shirts as well as the latest mini backpack by Loungefly and ador-ear-ble Dalmatian headband. Get ready to un-leash your inner Fido!
Make your home the ulti-mutt dog heaven with homeware including towels, mugs, magnets, notebook and even a spatula and cookie cutter combo featuring Dug from “Up!”
For those of you who are paw-ssionate about your feline friends, you’ll love these purr-fect products for you and your little furball! From another mini backpack by Loungefly featuring your favorite Aristocats to a headband inspired by Marie and everything inbetween, you’ll match your fluffy friend in style!
Your kooky kitty will love these new off-fur-ings featuring a fluffy cast of characters on a new toy, food and water bowl and even a collar with a detachable bell.
Bring some purr-ty felines into your kitty-chen with homeware including towels, mugs, magnets, notebook and a spatula and cookie cutter combo.
As you can tell, we are gearing up for a pretty meow-gical year and I’m paws-itive that you’ll sniff out the best new products for your favorite Fidos and felines as well as yourselves with the fetch, new Disney Parks Reigning Cats and Dogs Collection! Keep an eye out for select products featured above with more coming soon, beginning on Dec. 28 to Walt Disney World Resort, Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort and online at shopDisney.com.
Since Disney’s Port Orleans Resort is one of the resorts to remain closed during Walt Disney World’s phased reopening, many Disney Cast Members have been let go from their positions. One iconic Disney “character” was Port Orleans entertainer, Yehaa Bob Jackson. As we previously shared, after 23 years with Walt Disney World, Bob was let go. But… this doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy his tunes! That’s right, Yehaa Bob will host a virtual New Year’s Eve party so we can tune in.
As shared via Bob Jackson’s Facebook page: “Join us right here tomorrow night (Dec. 31) at 11pm EST for a virtual NYE party! We’re saving you a front-row seat. C’mon, and join us!!”
While it might not be the same as experiencing Yehaa Bob Jackson at River Roost Lounge, we’ll take what we can get! Anyone else planning on pouring a drink and finishing out 2020 with Bob?
Disneyland recently shared a special virtual viewing of the all-new “Magic Happens” parade.
From a Disney Cast Member;
We know Disney fans are searching for ways to bring magic and joy into their everyday lives and we’ve loved seeing some of you recreate your favorite Disney Parks experiences in your very own living rooms! In fact, you’ve inspired us to share #DisneyMagicMoments for you and your family, to enjoy at home.
Today, while we are temporarily closed, we wanted to bring magic directly to everyone at home with a special virtual viewing of the all-new “Magic Happens” parade, which recently debuted at Disneyland park! This daytime spectacular celebrates the awe-inspiring moments of magic that are at the heart of so many Disney stories. We hope you’ll gather with family at home to watch this stunning moment of magic:
“Magic Happens” features nine newly designed floats, highlighting magic from classic Walt Disney Animation Studios tales, such as “The Sword in the Stone,” “Cinderella” and “Sleeping Beauty,” to more recent stories, including “Frozen 2,” “Moana” and “The Princess and the Frog,” as well as Disney and Pixar’s “Coco.”
The new floats were created as pieces of moving art, with their lines and aesthetic design telling a story along the parade route, while also evoking a sense of magic. The stories seen in “Magic Happens” are rooted in iconic Disney lore, but the soundtrack, costume design, and choreography are heavily influenced by today’s contemporary designers. Be sure to listen up for the energetic musical score and new songs, co-composed by singer-songwriter, Todrick Hall.
October 1st, 2021 will be Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary and we are super excited for all that will be coming in 2021 to bring in the celebration. Although there is still a lot that is unknown, there are many restaurants, rides and entertainment that we can’t wait to experience in 2021. We have what you need to know about the 50th right now.
1. Get Park Reservations
As of right now, guests wanting to celebrate the 50th need to have a park reservation. Currently, Walt Disney World is using their park reservation system to help monitor crowds. Once guests have an active ticket, they are able to make their park reservations through the My Disney Experience site. This is super important as currently the parks are still at 35% capacity limiting how many park reservations are available. We are hopeful that by October 2021 we might see the parks back to more normal; however, it is super important to have those reservations just in case.
2. Expect Crowds
No matter what the park capacity is by fall of 2021 you can expect crowds to be high. So many fans are going to want to celebrate the magic which will guarantee larger than normal crowds. Make sure to think about this when making plans. Get those park reservations and dining reservations made when the time comes to ensure you get into the places that you want to experience. Also, make sure to have an overall plan when heading into the parks. This will allow you to be ahead of the crowd and have a magical experience.
3. Opening Up of Resorts
Walt Disney World is slowly opening their resorts up and we are excited that by the 50th anniversary most resorts will be back open and welcoming guests to the magic. Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort will open March 22nd, Disney’s Beach Club Resort will be opened starting May 30th and Wilderness Lodge will be opening back up June 6th. Disney announced that Disney’s Polynesian would remain closed until summer 2021 as it undergoes refurbishment. This resort will be getting updated rooms and a new look as they bring in Moana touches throughout the resort. We are so excited to see this resort once it opens back up.
4. New Rides
With the anticipation of the 50th Anniversary, Disney has been preparing by creating and designing brand-new state-of-the-art rides. Although we haven’t seen specific premier dates, we are hopeful some of these new rides will welcome guests in 2021 either before or during the anniversary celebration.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure: In EPCOT, many are excited for the new trackless ride featuring Remy. This ride will shrink guests to the size of a rat as they travel through the kitchen of Gusto’s. This ride was scheduled to open in summer of 2020; however, when the parks closed this got pushed back. We are hopeful we will see this ride start to welcome guests soon.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Comic Rewind: Also, in EPCOT, guests will find the new ride in Future World featuring Guardians of the Galaxy. This ride will be the first to have a reverse launch and ride vehicles that move and rotate guests so they are constantly facing the action. This is sure to bring fun and thrills to EPCOT.
TRON: In Magic Kingdom, guests have been watching as TRON has been built over the last few years. This amazing coaster is highly anticipated and we can’t wait to experience it here in the US hopefully during the anniversary celebrations.
Thrills and excitement is sure to come with these rides and we are hopeful that we will be able to enjoy them for the 50th anniversary.
5. Opening of New Restaurants
One of the best parts of a Disney vacation is the outstanding meals. We are thrilled to have new options coming in 2021 hopefully in time for the 50th anniversary. In EPCOT we are hopeful that both Space 220 as well as the new creperie will be opened. These two dining experiences are sure to offer great dining options as well as unique dining experiences. Space 220 will take guests high above the Earth for views that are truly out of this world. In Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we are looking forward to the opening of Woody’s Roundup Rodeo. Located in Toy Story Land, this restaurant shrinks guests to the size of a toy and allows them to enjoy dining in a “family style” environment. Although we don’t know a lot about the menus for these dining restaurants, we are excited to see what they bring in time for the 50th celebrations.
6. Magic Treats
You know that along with the 50th anniversary will come amazingly themed treats throughout the parks. Disney has become known for the amazing treats that are a work of art and we can only imagine what is being created for the 50th. A new cupcake is a must, but we wait in anticipation for the announcement of the other treats that we know will be showing up to celebrate this magical event.
7. More Merchandise
What would be a celebration without new merchandise to purchase in honor of the anniversary? Ears, pins, spirit jersey and so much more we anticipate will be released featuring ways to celebrate the 50th anniversary. We saw this in Disneyland for the 60th and it was beyond magical. We can’t wait to see what creative and amazing designs are released. Make sure to start saving now.
8. Evening Show
Already we are starting to see progress when it comes to EPCOT’s new nighttime show HarmonioUS. This new nighttime spectacle will most likely be out in 2021 once shows are safe for guests and cast members. We can’t wait to see the fireworks, projections, laser and more that will bring this new evening show to life in 2021.
9. EPCOT
Something we are looking forward to in 2021 and for the 50th anniversary is the new reimagined EPCOT. If you have been to EPCOT over the past few months, you are well aware of the crazy construction that is taking place throughout Future World. We are super excited to see the new reimagined neighborhoods will bring. We have started to see more art work and visions as the newest reveal showed us the statue of Walt himself that will be placed in the World Celebration neighborhood as part of the Dreamers Point. This is just one feature that we are excited to see premier during 2021 and for the 50th.
Even though we don’t know the specifics yet around Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary, we are sure excited to celebrate with new rides, restaurants, merchandise and more. Make sure to stay tuned for more on this historic celebration as we get closer to October.
