There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow...

 ...just a dream away. 

It's been a long time since I talked about Disney, even though I had started a few posts to recap some past trips to both Disney World and Disneyland. I don't know if I'll ever complete those because most of them were to discuss certain rides when they were still relatively new and now they really aren't. So I'll probably scrap them. 

For now, I want to write about a recent change coming to Walt Disney World. While I haven't talked about some of the other changes (The Muppets 3D ending, Dinosaur closing to be turned into an Indiana Jones ride, the Rock-N-Roller Coaster's retheming), I do have some things to discuss about this one. 

The Carousel of Progress.

The classic ride closed July 6th, and will undergo a complete transformation. So I would like to talk about the Carousel of Progress that was and the Carousel of Progress that will be. 

Summer Movie Round Up

Hard to believe it’s already September! It feels like it was just Memorial Day and here we are, getting ready for spooky season and then the holidays.

But before we speed toward 2024, let’s pause and reflect on this past summer.

Namely, the movies.

It was a good summer for movies. I started at least three reviews but never had the time to finish them. So I’ve decided to just do a round up of my thoughts about each movie.

Here we go!

(Beware possible spoilers under the cut).

Cinderella: Bibbity-Bobbity-Boo!

Yes, I know this came out in 2015. So yes, I know I’m really behind in seeing it. But it’s now on Disney+ and I’m not really going anywhere just yet. So I put it on and finally got to see it.

And now you get to hear my thoughts about it because…well…it’s my blog and that’s what I do. So grab your best pair of glass slippers, settle onto your pumpkin and gather your mice friends for the live-action version of Cinderella!

A dream is a wish your heart makes when you’re fast SPOILERS!

Phineas and Ferb: Candace Against the Universe

Hey, Ferb, I know what we’re going to do today!

I love Phineas and Ferb – my whole family does. My dad loves the main characters while my mom absolutely adores both Doofenshmirtz and Perry the Platypus. One year for Christmas, I gave them P&F mugs I found in the Disney store and then another year, I gave my mom a plush Doof she keeps in her office.

The kids in her program aren’t too sure what to make of it.

So I was pumped when it was announced that a new Phineas and Ferb movie was going to premiere on Disney+ and even more excited when it got a release date – August 28th! I pulled up Disney+ on my TV and clicked on it, eager to watch a brand new adventure with all my favorite characters.

Curse you, Perry the SPOILERS!

Once Upon a Time is Coming to Disney+!

You can read about it here!

Of course, the show isn’t a stranger to streaming services as it’s been on Netflix for years – each season was usually released some time after it aired. But this is still exciting news.

Why?

Because I think Disney+ will be the better home for Once Upon a Time than Netflix. Netflix has so many offerings and I feel like it’s less likely you’ll stumble upon Once Upon a Time and decide to watch it given everything on Netflix. That’s more of a show you purposefully have to go looking for if you’re going to watch it.

While Disney+ does have a lot of content too, it’s very narrow and specific. Once Upon a Time has always appealed to Disney lovers and so it’ll reach new audiences who maybe didn’t give it a chance the first time or are more willing to watch something that’s complete rather than something that’s ongoing. Or maybe they were too young when it was on and now they are discovering it for the first time.

Whatever the reason may be, it will be easier for them to find it on Disney+ and for it to be recommended to them.

I’m also glad because I was always surprised that Once Upon a Time never became syndicated. I guess it’s a bit harder to pitch this show as it does have an ongoing storyline and you can’t just jump into an episode without feeling lost, unlike Law and Order or CSI. But I still think it could’ve worked and would’ve helped in expanding the fandom (though we Oncers are still pretty big and mighty). This is probably the best option.

And since I have Disney+, I promise to finally finish my recaps for all the episodes. So stay tuned for those!

What do you think about Once Upon a Time moving to Disney+? Sound off in the comments below!

Into the Unknown: The Making of Frozen II (Or How the Sausage is Made)

I loved Frozen II. The fact that Disney made it available on Disney+ after most of us went into lockdowns and shut downs helped me get through those early days of this pandemic. It was comforting and something to entertain me.


Disney released a six part documentary that gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the last nine months or so of production on Frozen II. And I must say, I was very intrigued by the process and all the decisions that went into making the movie.

I’m going to warn of SPOILERS for both the movie and this documentary, which I encourage everyone who loved the movie or loves movies to watch.

Noelle: A Merry Misadventure

I’m sure you’ve realized this by now, but if you’re new to this blog: I am a Disney addict.


So, hell yes I got Disney+.


I’m still exploring it. I have a lot of old Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOM) on my Watchlist, so get prepared for those. And I have a planned So Weird binge watch. But for now, I’ve watched Endgame yet again and I’m in the middle of watching the recording of the Newsies stage musical.

However, I also took some time to watch Noelle, an original Christmas movie made for the platform. So let’s spread some holiday cheer and enjoy this sweet if wacky movie.

Ho ho SPOILERS!

Disney Vacation Thoughts: Addendum

This is a continuation of my post here because I remembered I forgot about this on my commute home Thursday evening.

Disney needs to update their hotel rooms. And that surprises me. Usually Disney is on the forefront of the service industry so it’s weird to find them behind on this front. What are they behind on?

Technology.

Beauty and the Beast: Evermore

I was five years old when Disney released “Beauty and the Beast” in 1991. I remember being in the movie theater with my dad and one of my best friends from school, watching the movie. It became my favorite movie right then and there, with Belle being my favorite Disney princess. My dad always credited her for the fact I’m a bookworm, but I always credit my parents for that since they read to me every night and took me to the library often. But Belle always reminded me that there wasn’t anything wrong about being a bookworm or being considered odd. It also reminded me to value a person for who they are, not how they looked. And to never shun someone for being odd.

At first, I was skeptical about them redoing Beauty and the Beast as a live action movie. Naturally, I was worried they would screw everything up. But soon I heard Alan Menken was once again composing, Tim Rice signed on to write lyrics and finally, the cast was announced. It was so top-notch, I got excited.

I decided to go see the movie for my birthday, which was two weeks after it opened. I put on my Belle t-shirt and my Beauty and the Beast watch necklace. (Which needs a new battery). Then we headed down to the theater and watched the movie.

SPOILERS as old as time…

Zootopia: A Buddy Cop Film with Animals

When I saw Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a scene from this film was played among the coming attractions. It was well-received and the entire theater was laughing. I knew it would be a big hit.
I was right.

For my birthday, I went on a Disney Cruise. And as is customary, Disney was playing its latest movies in the theaters. My parents finally got to see Star Wars and then on my birthday, we all went to see Zootopia in 3-D in the Walt Disney Theater.

And it was amazing.

Beware SPOILERS!

We are introduced to the set up of Zootopia via a school play. Long ago, animals were divided into predator and prey. But over centuries, they evolved until they were bipedal and could talk. Predators suppressed their savage instincts and began to live peacefully with predators. And the crown jewel of their civilization is Zootopia, a place where animals can be whatever they want.

And Judy Hopps (Della Saba) wants to be the first rabbit police officer.

Nostalgia Nook: Pocahontas

Twenty years ago this week, Pocahontas opened in theaters. It had large shoes to feel, being the Disney movie that followed The Lion King.  Expectations were high. And while Pocahontas had a decent showing, it wasn’t the same megahit as the movies before it. It also pissed off a lot of historians.

And now we’re going to take a look at it.

Can you paint with all the colors of the SPOILER!

Nostalgia Nook: Hercules

Fun story time! My dad worked at ABC during the Disney takeover and for a few years after. In 1997, Disney celebrated its renovation of the historical New Amsterdam theater by having a special event. My dad managed to get tickets but was unable to take off to go himself. So my mother, sister, aunt, cousin and I went. Disney characters put on a little show, celebrating and dancing in the aisle. My sister, who was almost five, was a bit confused as she thought the Disney characters all lived in Disney World. My mother told her they were visiting us in New York for the party. After the party, they lowered a screen and showed us Disney’s latest movie—Hercules!

From zero to SPOILERS!

Nostalgia Nook: “Luck of the Irish”

Time for a Disney Channel Original Movie or DCOM! I should probably do more of these. But in honor of St. Patrick’s Day (which is why this is delayed to then), I present this original movie!

A pot of gold and SPOILERS!

Nostalgia Nook: The Lovers Part III

We press on with our month of love with an iconic couple who aren’t human. They’re mice!

I’m sure that was a dead giveaway, even if you didn’t read the preview last week. Yes, we’re discussing Minnie and Mickey Mouse this week.

Hey there, hi there, ho there…SPOILERS!

The story of how Mickey Mouse came to be is legendary. For those who don’t know, here’s a rundown: Walt Disney had just lost his cartoon character Oswald the Lucky Rabbit due to contractual wording. He was on a train, heading home to an uncertain future. And he started doodling. He created a little mouse he wanted to name “Mortimer.” But his wife Lillian convinced him to call the mouse “Mickey” and a star was born!

Mickey delighted audiences worldwide. And he gained friends. Donald Duck. Goofy. He gained enemies. Like Peg Leg Pete. Yes, he started out as a villain. And Mickey got a love interest—Minnie Mouse. He tried to woo her though he faced competition from Mortimer Mouse (seems Walt never gave up his penchant for the name). But Mickey ultimately emerged the victor, especially as Mortimer was a bit on the slimy side and Mickey is our hero.

Minnie and Mickey have lasted over the years, supporting each other. How many people have gotten married with Groom!Mickey and Bride!Minnie cake toppers? Or worn those hats in the parks? Or seen something like “I’ll be the Mickey to your Minnie”?

Why do we like this couple so much? Perhaps it is because Mickey is the Everyman in mouse form. And Minnie is an Everywoman. They are perfect together! And they give us hope, much like Cory and Topanga from last week. They are two halves of a whole. Mickey has been her knight in shining armor. He’s been her shoulder to lean on. Isn’t that what we want?

So I hope you’ve found the Mickey to your Minnie (or vice versa). Or that you will.

Next week: Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy

Frozen: A Story of Sisterly Love…And a Lot of Snow

For its 53rd animated movie, Disney Studios looked to Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Snow Queen.” And then rewrote everything to make it more awesome than it already was.

So bundle up against the cold and SPOILERS!

Nostalgia Nook: Kim Possible

Disney is known for its Princesses at the movies. But it has had its share of kickass heroines in its animated shows. And I think one of the more popular ones has been Kim Possible!

Call me, beep me, SPOILERS!

Nostalgia Nook: Disney Adventures

When I was younger, I received four magazines: Highlights, American Girl, Nickelodeon and Disney Adventures. Of course I had a magazine put out by Disney—why wouldn’t I?

So let’s discuss it, shall we?

Disney Adventures came out monthly. And I loved to read it. It was my People magazine. News about different stars filled the pages. Stories about movies, TV shows and music were all presented to a tween/teen audience. Comics filled the back pages starring our favorite Disney characters.

Nostalgia Nook: Squanto A Warrior’s Tale

Thanksgiving is my father’s favorite holiday. He feels it’s overlooked and not overblown. I like it was well. Everyone comes over and there’s a lot of food. Turkey, potatoes, rice, pies, etc. We talk, laugh, play games, and collapse in a turkey coma. Yet, there aren’t many Thanksgiving movies.
Besides the Peanuts Thanksgiving specials, the only other one that comes to mind is “Squanto, A Warrior’s Tale.” It aired on the Magical World of Disney during the 90s. I remember Michael Eisner introducing it while wearing this awful sweatshirt.

Warning, a cornucopia of SPOILERS!

Best Disney Romances: Results!

Check them out on my tumblr. The Top 10 will be revealed over the next few days...

Nostalgia Nook: Recess

I have a question: Do Saturday morning cartoons still exist? Or are they a dying breed because stations like Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and Disney have animated shows throughout the week? That there is no need to wake up, get a bowl of cereal and plop down in front of the TV after a long week at school? Because if not, I feel bad for any possible offspring I may have.

Because I grew up with Saturday morning cartoons. And I loved them! Especially after ABC relaunched their Saturday morning lineup as “One Saturday Morning.” One of my favorite shows was “Recess.”

So, wait for the bell and watch the SPOILERS!