Downtown Disney: What's Coming Next

There have been several incarnations of Downtown Disney over the years--and dozens of rumored changes that never come to pass. But Disney has finally announced their official development plans for that area. Disney Springs will be a long-term project, with construction to begin next month, but completion expected in 2016 (really not as far away as it sounds!). The turn-of-the-century theming appeals to me, and if the concept art is accurate, I think it will be a lovely change for this area that hasn't quite found its personality since its Pleasure Island days. What do you think?

all photos ©Disney Co.

Hidden Mickey Monday

I'm an office supply geek (could have something to do with homeschooling), so I just loved this Hidden Mickey from OfficeMax!

Friday Photo

We did a little homeschool art with a Disney theme--pinatas! We used Mickey-shaped balloons, covered them in papier mache, and then painted them to look like Mickey. Now, we just need to have a fiesta so we can fill 'em and smash 'em! (Or maybe not...it might be too sad to break them.)



 

 

Club Penguin EP Review

Are your kids fans of Club Penguin? Apparently, they're not alone, since CP is the #1 virtual world for kids! If your kiddos just can't get enough, they're in luck, because CP has just released its first-ever collection of the hit singles they know and love from the website--along with a never-before-released bonus track.

Since I'm not an expert on Club Penguin, I deferred to my girls (ages 6 and 9) for their opinion. They both gave the EP and enthusiastic thumbs-up! My girls love the title track, "The Party Starts Now," and following close behind on their favorites list were "Puffle Party (Gotta Have a Wingman)" and "Cool in the Cold."

As any good parent should, I listened (and consulted the lyric sheet) with a critical ear (and eye) for anything objectionable and troubling and can happily report that I found nothing. While kid pop may not be your cup of tea, parents, you can at least rest easy with regard to its content. The worst thing I could find was use of the word "skivvies"--and that's just pirate talk!

You can purchase The Party Starts Now by clicking below, and your children can visit Club Penguin to play and explore for free or sign up for a subscription membership that provides access to additional features for a fee.

Wreck-It Ralph Release and Coupon

Wreck-It Ralph releases today! There is a coupon available for $7 off the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack from Scott's Shared Values. If you're not already a member, you can sign up for free to get the deal. You also need to be a member of Disney Movie Rewards (also free to sign up--and you earn reward points for free stuff by buying Disney music/movies or seeing them in the theatre) to print the coupon.

 

Hidden Mickey Monday

 

 

Friday Photo

We have exciting plans tonight--we're going to see Peter Pan, starring former Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby. It's hard to believe that at 60 years old Rigby is still flying high as the boy who won't grow up! (I'm optimistic, if a little skeptical, about how that will translate.) In honor of our plans, I've posted one of our favorite family photos with one of the girls' favorite characters.