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Chic Minnie Disney Dooney & Bourke Designs

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Another new Disney Dooney & Bourke design has appeared, this time it’s all about Minnie Mouse and she’s CHIC! The Chic Minnie collection has only two bags available that we can see now, a Tres Chic Crossbody Bag and a Tres Chic Shopper Tote. They are covered in a stylized Minnie Mouse Parisian design, with some Mickey too. French phrases and landmarks adorn the white background with pops of red, black, yellow, and blue. These would make a perfect accessory to a Disney’s Riviera Resort photo shoot! Let’s see the designs below:

 

Disney Dooney & Bourke chic minnie crossbody front
Tres Chic Minnie Crossbody front – $198

 

Disney Dooney chic minnie crossbody back
Tres Chic Minnie Crossbody back – $198

 

Disney Dooney chic minnie shopper tote front
Tres Chic Minnie shopper tote front – $268
Disney Dooney chic minnie shopper tote back
Tres Chic Minnie shopper tote front – $268

 

Which is your favorite style? Will you be adding the Chic Minnie designs to your Disney Dooney & Bourke collection?

These styles have been spotted around the Disney Parks as well, so if you plan to visit soon, you may pick one up there. Be sure to check out the Epcot Food & Wine Festival 2020 merchandise while you are there and see the Food & Wine Disney Dooney & Bourke designs for 2020 too!

Select Disney Dooney & Bourke handbags are available at Shop Disney– including an adorable Jungle Book Dooney design which came out in July and we love! There’s also a cool Geometric Mickey design, if you’re looking for a more subtle Disney connection.

If you’re looking for a particular bag and can’t find it on ShopDisney, try the Merchandise Hotline. The number for Walt Disney World Resort is 407-363-6200 or 407-828-1451. They may be able to help you out. Be sure to have as much info about the pattern name and bag style as you can.

Disclosure: *ShopDisney.com links are affiliate links, which means it costs you nothing extra to click or buy, but if you do, I get a small commission. Thanks for reading!

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Gaylord Palms Goblins & Giggles Weekends Begin Soon

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As you may know if you have been following Zannaland for a while, or subscribed to our YouTube channel – we LOVE Gaylord Palms Resort! It’s such an amazing getaway, it’s THE perfect place for a “staycation.” There is so much to see and do within the resort, you have no reason to leave! Now, to celebrate the spooky season coming upon us soon (I know all of 2020 has been pretty spooky, but you might as well have some FUN with it, right?) Gaylord Palms is presenting Goblins and Giggles Getaway Weekends!

Gaylord Palms exterior Goblins

What are Goblins and Giggles Getaway Weekends you ask? Let me explain. This Fall, guests are invited to experience spooktacular weekends September 11 through October 31, 2020. Throughout the season, in addition to their amazing holiday experiences, Gaylord Palms creates fun family weekends that really give you a reason to getaway, relax, and have fun. These weekend themed events are such great fun and Gaylord Palms Resort is so huge, a scavenger hunt is really a hunt! There are so many places to explore and discover: pools, a water park, dining, live alligators, saltwater fish, and so much more. Here’s the breakdown of the Gaylord Palms Goblins & Giggles Weekends:

Gaylord Palms Goblins and Giggles logo

Goblins & Giggles Getaway Weekends offers a wide array of family-friendly activities from spooky animal encounters and a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt to wicked pool fun and a meet and greet with Spookley the Square Pumpkin.

Most of the activities take place Friday through Sunday.

• In celebration of Goblins & Giggles, the resort is offering a special package starting at $189.

The package includes overnight accommodations, a Hide and Seek Scavenger Hunt booklet and tickets to the new Castillo de San Marcos ALIVE! Ghost Experience. The package excludes resort fee and parking.

Weekend events and activities include:

  • NEW! Castillo de San Marcos ALIVE! Ghost Experience features live storytellers who recount real-life ghost stories for all who are brave enough to listen. Guests will explore the fort’s stone walls and encounter the spirits who remain trapped within. Includes an imaginative walkthrough experience transporting visitors of all ages through a world of Halloween Jack-o-Lantern fun.
  • NEW! The resort’s haunted hideaway SpookEasy offers spine-chilling craft cocktails and a spooky collection of terrifying, ghostly artwork procured by owner’s past. *This haunt is PG-13 due to graphic spooky activities inside.*
  • NEW! Meet and Greet with Spookley the Square Pumpkin at a fun photo op. One day in the pumpkin patch, the strangest little pumpkin hatched. Spookley the Pumpkin was different. All the other pumpkins teased him, until Spookley proved that being different can save the day.
  • Spooky Animal Encounters provides guests with the opportunity to conquer their fears by getting up-close to live animals and learn about common myths surrounding some of the world’s most misunderstood creatures.
  • Guests, young and young at heart, can explore the resort during a Trick-or-Treat Expedition, with stops throughout the resort for some deliciously spooky treats.
  •  Seth the Sea Turtle, Ava the Alligator and everyone’s favorite Adventure Kid Sophie explore Florida’s creepier flora and fauna during Adventure Kids: A Spooky Celebration.
  • Families can hang out poolside with the Halloween host with the most Jack O’ Lantern for some Wicked Awesome Pool Fun in the Sun.
  • Spend the evening at Moonlight Movies watching family-friendly movies on the resort’s pool screen at Cypress Springs Water Park.

Gaylord Palms Goblins and Giggles Gaylord Palms Goblins and Giggles

Daily activities include:

  • The Hide and Seek Scavenger Hunt featuring Spookley the Square Pumpkin. Spookley found eight spooktacular hiding spots at the resort for his game of Halloween Hide & Seek. Guests solve puzzles to find each clue’s missing word and then use the clues to find Spookley.
  • The Wildlife Rescue Experience guides guests throughout the resort to track down endangered species and help ensure that they are monitored for their protection. The virtual adventure highlights  indigenous animals from Florida and, with the magic of  augmented reality,  brings them to life before the participants’ eyes.
  • From the comfort of their guest room, families can enjoy two interactive Halloween videos: Bedtime Stories with Morgana, a treat-making witch from Spooksville, and Monster Mash Bash with Vlad the Vampire.
  • The Phantom of the Atrium Light Display is a haunting masterpiece filled with mystery, mischief and, of course, magic in the St. Augustine atrium sky.

Gaylord Palms Goblins and Giggles character

 

What About Pools?!

Guests can relax and unwind at Cypress Springs Water Park & Resort Pools, which feature a zero-entry swimming pool, multi-level water playground, racing slides, a drop slide and a FlowRider surf simulator.

The pool experience has been upgraded to implement new cleanliness and social distancing measures. Gaylord Palms has done this while balancing the aquatic experience guests have come to love.

In addition to spaced seating, guests can rent a private cabana for the day including shaded seating, a flat-screen television, refrigerator, and snacks. Premium guaranteed pool seating is also available for purchase.

Gaylord Palms Goblins and Giggles interior

In accordance with Marriott’s “Commitment to Clean” practices, the resort provides enhanced cleaning technology.

This includes:

  • hospital-grade disinfectants
  • attendants dedicated to sanitizing frequently throughout the day
  • social distancing protocols
  • hundreds of new cleaning processes
  • all to take care of guests while they enjoy the resort’s amenities.

This sounds like such a FUN event! With so many Halloween events being canceled this year, it would be such a fun family getaway to make some wonderful memories. Sign me up! 

For more information on Gaylord Palms Goblins & Giggles events and overnight room packages, visit GaylordPalms.com. Let ’em know Zannaland sent you! 😉
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Fall 2020 Decorations Coming Soon to Disney’s Magic Kingdom

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When will the Fall decorations appear on Main Street, U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom? This was one of our first “Speculation Station” segments on our Up the Waterfall LIVE! show (Thursdays at 8p on Facebook and YouTube!) and now I can’t even remember what my guess was, but if you guessed September 15th, you win!

Fall 2020 decor Magic Kingdom

Autumn at Magic Kingdom is always one of our favorite times of the year. The Fall season is very different this year, with the cancellation of the usual Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, due to Covid-19. However, the return of the classic Halloween Mickey pumpkin lamp decorations is somehow comforting. This season, we will see those happy jack-o-lanterns against the new Cinderella Castle Royal Makeover as a backdrop. In addition to decor, Disney has just announced that there will be some new surprises. We are happy to see Disney going above and beyond. According to Disney:

…There will be some bewitching surprises this year, including a special Halloween-themed cavalcade with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and pals wearing their favorite Halloween costumes. Guests may even spot those rascally chipmunks, Chip ‘n’ Dale, in costume over in Frontierland, and look for other Disney character friends dressed up and riding the horse-drawn trolley down Main Street, U.S.A.

And speaking of costumes, you will want to get yours ready! To bring some Halloween party fun into the park this year, for the first time guests of all ages can wear their funniest, Disney-ist, most creative costumes during Magic Kingdom regular operating hours from Sept. 15 to Oct. 31. As an important reminder, costume masks are not permitted for adults; only children younger than 14 years old are permitted to wear costume masks. In addition, all guests are required to wear approved face coverings during their visit.

Autumn at Walt Disney World Resort wouldn’t be complete without our popular fall treats, such as the famous Pumpkin-spiced Waffle Sundae at Magic Kingdom. Check back soon for our official Foodie Guide to Fall at Walt Disney World, which will contain all of the yummy details.

Fall 2020 treats Magic Kingdom

Festive Halloween-themed merchandise will be available in select locations around the park. Featured items include a new spirit jersey, Loungefly backpack and candy-swirl Minnie Mouse headband, along with a selection of apparel inspired by Disney Villains and more. *NOTE – be sure to be following Zannaland on Instagram! We’ll be giving away some sweet & spooky ears in the coming weeks! 

And be sure to capture special moments with Disney PhotoPass! Photographers will be available throughout the park for themed photo opps. But beware – happy haunts may materialize in the pictures!

We are very excited to see Fall and Halloween returning to the Magic Kingdom (even if we are still observing from afar). What’s your favorite part of autumn in Magic Kingdom? Stay tuned for more news on the ever-changing new Disney park updates.

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2020 Epcot Food & Wine Festival Merchandise Preview

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Along with the newest Disney Dooney & Bourke 2020 Epcot Food & Wine Festival bags, some new merchandise was revealed today. Lucky for purple-hearted people like me, this include LOTS of Figment designs! This was from a media preview today, so I don’t have all the pricing, but this gives you an idea of what your “must-haves” may be for this upcoming Festival, which starts September 1, 2020.

I really love almost all of the designs, and it’s usually hit or miss for me. The designs, and the styles of merchandise really seem to check off all the boxes. Scroll through the gallery below and see what your favorites are. You can enlarge any photo by clicking on it. Thanks to Brooke G. McDonald on instagram for her photos from the event today.

 

Any favorites? I don’t know if I can pull them off, but I kind of love those leggings!! I will definitely have to pick up quite a few Figment items. At the very least the long-sleeve shirt. Well enough about ruining my wallet, share your picks with me in the comments below or let me know on social media! You can follow me here:

FOLLOW THE ZANNALAND FAMILY ON SOCIAL MEDIA, WATCH OUR VIDEOS, VLOGS AND PODCAST TOO: 

We thank you for your support and for sharing the love! 

 

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2020 Disney Dooney & Bourke Epcot Food & Wine Festival Designs

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Hey there folks! Remember when I used to post all the latest and greatest Disney Dooney & Bourke bag designs? So much has happened since I was able to keep up with that and it’s gone from a handful of designs to seemingly hundreds, with new purses for each festival, new film, character and more! I am going to return to my roots here and make every attempt to keep up with these latest and greatest designs. Of course, there are now so many other partnerships now as well, Coach, Vera Bradley, Loungefly, etc. and I’ll do my best to keep up with those too. That said, let’s jump right back into it with the very newest Disney Dooney & Bourke designs for the 2020 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival!2020 Epcot Food & Wine Dooney & Bourke

Right now, EPCOT has reopened with limited hours, and a sort of mix of the Flower and Garden and Food and Wine food booths, called the Taste of Epcot. The Food and Wine Festival is returning, and will begin on September 1, 2020. With it of course comes new Festival merchandise items! We’ll have those in a separate Epcot Food & Wine Festival Merchandise post.

This Festival will of course be very different, with the global pandemic of Covid-19 still in play. Mask and social distancing requirements, and Park Pass reservations needed to even get into EPCOT in the first place. We will leave it up to you to decide when the time is right to return to the parks. I will say some of my family members and friends have returned and been very impressed with the safety measures in play. It really does depend on the guests, the number of guests, and the cast members ability to enforce the rules, so your mileage may vary.

Disney Dooney & Bourke 2020 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival designs will appear later in September. We’ll keep you posted as soon as we see they have arrived, along with pricing. Here are the three designs we now know about, with thanks to Brooke G. McDonald on instagram and Chip & Co. for the use of their photos (click to enlarge any photo):

Don’t forget to check shopDisney.com for sales of select current released Disney Dooney & Bourke purses and peruse Zannaland’s Disney Dooney & Bourke page with the original lineup of handbag photos and info.

Merchandise Hotline number for Walt Disney World Resort: 407-363-6200 or 407-828-1451.

*DisneyStore.com links are affiliate links. That means it costs you nothing extra to click or buy but if you do, I get a small commission. Thanks for reading!

 

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Howard – A Documentary

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The 1980’s were a transformative time not only personally, but as a Disney fan as well. My interests of course changed as I grew. I went from being obsessed with Strawberry Shortcake and Barbie dolls, to being obsessed with movies like Annie and E.T. In the animation realm, I was more into The Last Unicorn and The Secret of NIMH. I guess I felt Disney animation wasn’t for me anymore, and as a result, I still haven’t seen The Great Mouse Detective.

In non-movie terms, I was newly discovering EPCOT Center in 1983 and falling in love with Figment and Walt Disney World in general. I left my interest in animated Disney movies behind, and it seems like I was not alone in that feeling, based on the numbers those early 80’s films pulled in.

By my sophomore year in high school, I had been in 5 different schools in 3 different states in 5 years (my parents liked to move around). I was firmly ensconced in the “theatre kid” life as a coping mechanism. I watched and listened to musicals, I was in drama club and several school productions and competitions.  At my 5th and last school, I arrived in the middle of sophomore year, wondering if I could yet again make a new set of friends and start over. It was their production of Little Shop of Horrors that pushed me to audition for the next show. I was (and still am) absolutely in love with Little Shop, “Somewhere That’s Green” and “Suddenly, Seymour” are two of the best written and most pure musical numbers of all time.

Before the days of wikipedia (or me paying attention perhaps), I had no idea that the brilliant minds behind one of my favorite shows were working on something that would put Disney animation back on the map and change it forever. The Little Mermaid appeared on the horizon and looked and sounded unlike anything I’d seen before. It was the perfect time for this brand new relatable princess, with a soundtrack that told the story of the entire movie, with memorable, sing-along-to songs, to completely win me over.

I was also particularly obsessed with Phantom of the Opera and the Beauty and the Beast television series, as well as Labyrinth. I was fully embracing the villain-turned-good-guy storyline. (Okay, maybe Jareth in Labyrinth wasn’t ever a good guy, but come on, it was David Bowie…what’s a teenage girl supposed to think?) I distinctly remember Beauty and the Beast coming out at just the right time in my 17-year-old life and being so captivating that it was an instant classic. Again, I wasn’t alone.

What these new films managed to do was combine my love of Disney, musicals, and animation, as well as really cement my Disney fandom, even if I mostly kept it to myself at that point. Sure, Disney parks were full of animated movie references and attractions, but they were all at least 20 years old by then. These compelling tales gave life to various shows, parades, and attractions, while this new generation of fans felt at home with their new-found favorites represented in the parks. We didn’t realize it at the time, but this was the second golden age of Disney animation – the renaissance, if you will. And really, we have Howard Ashman to thank for that.
Howard documentary

All of this personal backstory leads me to Howard, Don Hahn’s latest documentary chronicling the life and times of Howard Ashman. Even casual fans have heard of the Ashman and Menken duo, and seen the dedication on Beauty and the Beast: “To our friend, Howard, who gave a mermaid her voice and a beast his soul, we will be forever grateful. Howard Ashman 1950–1991.” But who is the man behind that dedication? What is his story? Die-hard fans have heard some bits and pieces from those who were there, but what Howard does is tell us where that man came from, and how his life was tragically cut short.

We recently discussed Don Hahn’s previous look at this time period, Waking Sleeping Beauty, on our Up the Waterfall podcast. I wanted to revisit it as a precursor to this new film, as it really sets the stage for when and how Howard came into the Disney realm. More than just that, we are treated to first-hand accounts of his childhood from the mouths of his sister and mother. Stories of his work ethic and dreams from his close friends. Tales from Disney and former Disney colleagues of the process of coming to Disney, and creating the stories that would soon live on forever. Heartbreaking memories from his partner, Bill. Howard is truly a love letter to all fans of Disney certainly, but also to those who are filled with creative spirit; a love letter to those with a dream.

More than just a dry documentary with talking heads and old still photos, Howard is crafted to draw you in and make you feel as if you are a part of the story. As Howard’s sister shares a moment in time when Howard created a whole other world for her from cowboy and Indian figures and whatever else lay about the room, the memory is recreated before you on screen. You hear his sister’s wistful remembrance and know how important this point on a timeline is, in explaining who Howard Ashman became.

Particularly poignant is the scene when Howard and Alan Menken were invited to speak at the 92nd Street Y in New York. We hear the event’s audio, we see the crowd in the audience, but we look at empty chairs on the stage. Knowing that right before this is when Howard learned of his HIV diagnosis makes the scene that much more powerful. You hear the difference in Howard’s voice, the weary uncertainty of what his future holds.

Beyond his time at Disney, Howard truly takes you on the journey of Howard Ashman’s life. From his childhood antics to children’s theatre performances in Baltimore, through his varied education and bold moves to open a theatre in derelict New York City of the 70’s – and make a success of it. He built a black box theatre from nothing, and put on some amazing shows, including, of course, Little Shop of Horrors. That success led to a failure, when he worked with Marvin Hamlisch to create Smile, which made it to Broadway, but was a flop. It was on the coattails of that failed dream, that his story led him to Disney.

Howard Ashman and Paige O'hara

We also aren’t shielded from his personal life, which does play an important role. Don Hahn created this film back in 2018, without “Disneyfying” and it is now being shared on Disney+ as it was envisioned by the director. Howard Ashman’s past comes into play, his diagnosis is shared, and of course, the tragic end of his life is covered. We share in Howard’s fears of sharing his HIV news with colleagues, we hear his worry about sending in his demo tape of “Belle” for Beauty and the Beast. Rumors of Howard representing himself as “The Beast” due to his diagnosis are quelled. All in all, it is a fully fleshed out story and one that you won’t want to miss.

Howard AshmanHoward premieres August 7 on Disney+, which if you haven’t yet subscribed to, this is certainly reason enough to go for it. There are a handful of true gems within this Disney+ platform, Howard and Waking Sleeping Beauty among them. On a recent press call with Don, I asked if we could look forward to any “extras” or “bonus features” from the cutting room floor with the Howard release. Don said that in revisiting the film, he did find so much more content and he hopes to someday release them, perhaps as a webseries. So fingers crossed that all gets the green light.

On a personal note, I am truly grateful that we have people like Don who not only were there when this history played out, but have the incredible talent to share these gifts of knowledge and understanding with us all. People often ask “why Disney?” “why are you so into it, it’s just for kids” but stories like this one prove that behind every fairy tale is a lot of hard work, a lot of heartbreak, and almost always, the answer to the “reason why” we love what we love. Thank you, Don, and thank you, Howard.

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A Time to Escape, and a Time to Act

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Too often, we hear about Disney as “an escape.” Whether Disney animated films, Parks and Resorts, or Disney Cruise Line, they often go hand in hand with staying full of “magic” and “pixie dust.” As a result, many folks in my position, running a Disney-themed site, blog, vlog, or social account of some sort, have felt that they shouldn’t “discuss politics” or engage in discussion about any serious issues.

The fandom has had its own divides over the years: those who love everything Disney does with no critiques vs. those who long for the earlier days of better attractions, less marketing, and less IP-based updates. More recently, the real world began to creep in, as a global pandemic affected even pixie dust. Those who are for a slower, more calculated re-opening, mask requirements for safety, and additional precautions, vs. those who want everything they always got from a Disney vacation, with no changes or new actions on their part. That discussion started to become political. This was mainly because as with everything in the last handful of years, opinions of what should and shouldn’t be a focus or a “freedom” tend to run down party lines, and many look to our current President as an example – if he isn’t wearing a mask, why should I?

Like many, I shied away from sharing my thoughts on things. I tried to stay neutral, I didn’t want to rock any boats or upset anyone who might be reading and have a different opinion. Part of why I’ve struggled so much (internally) with my site as of late, is I feel like I am lost in a sea of influencers looking for how they can convert their readers/listeners/viewers/followers into dollar signs. I’ve never felt like that was me. I’ve only ever wanted to share my silly thoughts and experiences with the Disney community. But that is getting away from the point of this post.

This is very much not about me and my inability to play the blogging-as-a-business game. My purpose in that backstory was to say that all that time, I worried SO much about what people would think. I can’t have a controversial opinion, what if it upsets someone? I can’t discuss my thoughts on that, it might get political and offend someone or alienate my audience. And certainly, I don’t want anyone to not read/listen/view my site because they disagree with my thoughts as a person and human being! But that ended on May 25th. And I am ashamed and embarrassed that it took me that long to realize that. We are now beyond “opinion” – we are at an impasse of right and wrong and human rights.

black lives matter
image @laurajaneillustrations

If you get offended by any opinions I have, relating to basic human dignity and preservation, I will not at all miss you when you leave this site to never return. If you remove and block me from any and all social media channels, I will not post counting the number that have unfollowed me, or mourn your loss. Because quite simply, there could be nothing that mattered less in this time than caring about losing views or taking away your magic and pixie dust. If you think differently, I urge you to ask yourself why and truly think about the root of your feelings. Human injustice is not partisan, or it shouldn’t be. Things have gone on too long, and must change. I cannot remain silent any longer. I cannot pretend this doesn’t exist and share a photo of the castle and leave it to someone else. Yes, Disney is an escape. But we need to live in a world where we shouldn’t feel like that escape means we live in the dark the rest of the time. 

We can no longer sit idly by, and I certainly won’t, as people of color literally fight for their lives and the ability to exist in this country without fear of being killed, attacked, denigrated, or treated as less than equal, for simply the color of their skin. I have never known that injustice, that inequality, that discrimination. I’ve seen many discussions recently where some white people get very upset because “they aren’t privileged, they grew up poor/with struggles/had a hard life” and that couldn’t be further from an understanding of what white privilege means. My children and I have the privilege to not think twice before we leave the house, drive our car, walk into a store, or any countless number of basic activities. I do not have to have a talk with my sons about how they must try to act to increase their chances of not being murdered just for how they look. Systemic racism is a disease in our country, and we are the cure. Only together can we change the status quo and what we will no longer accept as the norm. Black Lives Matter. Black. Lives. Matter.

For some reason, those three words upsets some people. They parrot back, “ALL lives matter!” Well, no one said they didn’t. Not once. Do you think people who say Black Lives Matter want all other lives to be treated poorly? No. The point is that they want Black lives to be just as important as all other non-BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) lives in this country have been for centuries. It’s not a difficult ask. Please, do not get caught up on worrying that if lives suddenly matter, you as a non-person of color will suddenly be less-than. The irony to me is that those shouting all lives matter from the rooftops, are doing so because they don’t want to be treated badly, they don’t want to be ignored, or experience “racism” or discrimination. Now think about what that is saying. That is exactly how BIPOC have been living in this country since the first boat arrived. Imagine that. All lives do matter, and once we can all experience the same freedoms and lack of discrimination, they will.

black lives matter
image by @ohhappydani on instagram

 

Additionally, people with law enforcement families or friends chant “Blue Lives Matter.” It is mind-boggling to me that this is even an argument people are trying to use. A person of color cannot clock out of their shift, take off their badge, hang up their uniform, and call it a day. Blue lives are a job title. A profession. Not a life you are born into and can’t walk away from. As with all professions, some are more dedicated than others. Does this mean all police are bad people? No, but if even one is, it is too much, and they should not be in a position to inflict their control and misplaced power over another human being. If you or someone you love is a police officer, I would hope you would want the same justice and removal of those who are giving your profession a bad name. Why wouldn’t you want a justice system that lives up to its very definition? This movement isn’t about good cops. It’s about bad ones and stopping them from doing more harm.

That is all I am going to comment about what should and could be, because as a white middle-aged mom, mine is not the voice that needs to be heard right now. I will be listening. I urge you to listen. Let us learn together. Let us be open to knowing and understanding that not all of our stories are the same. Our hearts and our hopes should be the same, but until we stop and listen, we will never know and never learn.

black lives matter
image @radicalchilddesigns on instagram

 

There have been many links, petitions, and protests shared over the past week and I hope they will continue. I am sharing some here in hopes we can achieve more understanding, build community, and affect change in our country. Until we stop shouting “but what about…” and can be allies, listening to others’ stories, and others’ truths, there can be no peace.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.

Let’s all be a light, together. 

Anti-Racism Resources

If you want to make a change from the ground up, fill out your Census form and to register to vote! Both of these can shape local funding and who is selected to run local government which is so important for how our local communities run.
Are there hate groups in your area? Open your eyes to what is happening in your backyard:
Since many anti-racist books are selling out, here are some other anti-racism books you can read.
Thank you to friend Becky Staudt for the above links.

Online Resources:

Being an Ally, Dear White People

Trailhead Equity Ally Learnings

From Curious to Courageous

The King Center – Online Nonviolent Protest

The Need for Stronger White Allies

Your Kids Aren’t Too Young to Talk About Race Resource Roundup

Living in Minneapolis While Black

Thank you to Ryan P. Wilson (frequent guest author and friend) for the above links)

This document is intended to serve as a resource to white people and parents to deepen our anti-racism work. If you haven’t engaged in anti-racism work in the past, start now. Feel free to circulate this document on social media and with your friends, family, and colleagues.

Here is a shorter link: bit.ly/ANTIRACISMRESOURCES

To take immediate action to fight for Breonna Taylor, please visit FightForBreonna.org.

Resources for white parents to raise anti-racist children:

 

Articles to read:

 

Videos to watch:

 

Podcasts to subscribe to:

 

Books to read:

 

Films and TV series to watch:

  • 13th (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix
  • American Son (Kenny Leon) — Netflix
  • Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975 — Available to rent
  • Blindspotting (Carlos López Estrada) — Hulu with Cinemax or available to rent
  • Clemency (Chinonye Chukwu) — Available to rent
  • Dear White People (Justin Simien) — Netflix
  • Fruitvale Station (Ryan Coogler) — Available to rent
  • I Am Not Your Negro (James Baldwin doc) — Available to rent or on Kanopy
  • If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins) — Hulu
  • Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton) — Available to rent for free in June in the U.S.
  • King In The Wilderness  — HBO
  • See You Yesterday (Stefon Bristol) — Netflix
  • Selma (Ava DuVernay) — Available to rent
  • The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution — Available to rent
  • The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.) — Hulu with Cinemax
  • When They See Us (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix

 

Organizations to follow on social media:

 

More anti-racism resources to check out:

Document compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker, Alyssa Klein in May 2020.

Campaign Zero

  • Campaign Zero – Donate to the effort to end police violence in America. This is a baby step, but change needs to start somewhere.
  • Talking About Race – National Museum of African American History and Culture. 
  • Black Table Arts – Minneapolis / St. Paul, Minnesota – Gathering Black communities through the arts, working towards better Black futures.  
  • BEAM – Black Emotion and Mental Health Collective – BEAM is a training, movement-building and grant-making organization dedicated to the healing, wellness and liberation of Black and marginalized communities. 
  • The Four Bodies –  A holistic toolkit for coping with racial trauma.

If you can donate, I urge you to do so too. BlackLivesMatter.com. If you can attend a peaceful protest in your area and affect change in numbers, I encourage that as well. Thank you for reading, now let’s listen, together. 

blm protest orlando

 

 

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Disney Closes All US Stores In COVID-19 Response

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In response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic, Disney previously announced the closure of all its parks worldwide, effective as of today, March 16th. This morning, Disney has provided a new update on the operations of more of its properties.

In a statement from the Walt Disney World website, Disney writes,

In line with state and federal guidance, in an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our guests and cast members we are proceeding with the closure of all Disney stores in North America, beginning March 17. Guests continue to visit shopDisney.com.

Disney will also be closing all of its owned and operated locations at Downtown Disney in Anaheim and Disney Springs in Orlando, beginning March 17. Individual tenants will make decisions on whether to continue or adjust operations.

Additionally, Disney owned and operated hotels at Walt Disney World Resort and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort will close at 5pm on Friday, March 20. This will give Guests the ability to make other arrangements.

We will continue to monitor the situation and maintain regular contact with the appropriate officials and health experts.

This tells us that all first-party Disney locations at Disney Springs and Downtown Disney will close, including World of Disney, Marketplace Co-Op, and the newly opened NBA Experience. This also includes all first-party Disney stores around the country.

Few third-party locations have provided details on their continuing operating hours. Some larger tenants, like AMC Theaters have announced their policy for their stores nation-wide. We suggest doing your own research into locations you may need to visit during this time.

We will continue to post updates on the operations of the parks as they are announced.

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All Disney Parks Close in Wake of CoronaVirus Concerns

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In an unprecedented move, ALL Disney Parks will be closing as of Sunday, with Disney Cruise Line suspending departures as of Saturday. This has not happened since the attacks of 9|11, but we knew this announcement had to be coming soon, the risks were just too great to remain open and provide a breeding ground for this spreading virus. Without being able to control guests arriving from other areas and other risk factors, it would be irresponsible to stay open for business. This is of course a difficult bit a news to bear, as so many folks from all over the world plan months and years in advance to make a yearly, or even once-in-a-lifetime visits to this resort.

Disney Parks Corona Virus

If you currently have plans and a booked hotel vacation to any of these parks or destinations, we’d advise contacting your travel agent or whomever you booked with. Wait times will be long, and patience is a must in situations like this. The cast members or employees answering these calls can only do so much, and only have as much information as they are given. We hope Disney releases more information as to plans, and future solutions to these unplanned closures. We will update this post as we hear more official news.

Disneyland Corona Virus

Until then, here is an article from Variety.com, detailing the current closures as of the posting time of this article:

Disney is temporarily shuttering Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Paris, beginning this Sunday and lasting through the end of the month, due to the coronavirus pandemic. It follows the news that Disneyland California and Universal Studios Hollywood are temporarily closing starting March 14 as well.

The announcement means all Disney parks worldwide will be closed by next week.

The Disney Cruise Line is also suspending all new departures beginning Saturday through the end of March. The Walt Disney Company will pay its cast members during that closure period.

The hotels at Disney World and Disneyland Paris will remain open until further notice, as will the retail and dining complexes, Disney Springs at Walt Disney World and Disney Village at Disneyland Paris.

Universal Studios Hollywood expects to reopen on March 28, while Disneyland foresees opening its doors again at the end of the month.

“The health and safety of our team members and guests is always our top priority,” said a Universal Studios spokesperson. “Out of an abundance of caution and in response to the guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health, Universal Studios Hollywood will temporarily close beginning Saturday, March 14. The theme park anticipates reopening on March 28 as we continue to monitor the situation. We will provide timely updates as conditions evolve.”

Disneyland Resort hotels will remain open until March 16 so guests can make necessary travel accommodations. Universal CityWalk remains open, as does Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

It’s only the fourth time in history that Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., has fully suspended operations. The other instances were the Sept. 11 attacks, the morning after John F. Kennedy’s assassination and the Northridge earthquake.

“While there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at Disneyland Resort, after carefully reviewing the guidelines of the Governor of California’s executive order and in the best interest of our guests and employees, we are proceeding with the closure of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, beginning the morning of March 14 through the end of the month,” Disney said in a statement. “The Hotels of Disneyland Resort will remain open until Monday, March 16 to give guests the ability to make necessary travel arrangements; Downtown Disney will remain open. We will monitor the ongoing situation and follow the advice and guidance of federal and state officials and health agencies. Disney will continue to pay cast members during this time.”

The company added, “Disneyland Resort will work with guests who wish to change or cancel their visits, and will provide refunds to those who have hotel bookings during this closure period.”

Disney was slow to close doors to its theme parks, despite cancellations of major entertainment industry events like South by Southwest and Coachella. The NBA suspended its season Wednesday night after a player tested positive for coronavirus.

But the theme park closure seemed inevitable after California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday called for gatherings with more than 250 people to be canceled or delayed in an effort to halt the transmission of the virus, though Disneyland and other theme parks were exempted from that guidance. Officials have also been encouraging “social distancing” of six feet per person.

Disney closed its parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong in January, and has also temporarily shuttered its parks in Tokyo as well. The Shanghai Disney Resort will reopen some shopping, dining and entertainment options on Monday, but the main theme park will remain shut. Disney reported that it could lose $280 million in revenues due to closures in Shanghai and Hong Kong alone.

Disney heiress Abigail Disney, who has been critical of low wages for theme park employees, wrote Thursday on Twitter, “This is heartbreaking, but it’s the right thing to do. I just hope they honor their obligations to their employees.”

In a newly issued press release on Thursday afternoon, Newsom indicated that more theme park closures would be coming soon.

“Late last night, California put out a new policy on mass gatherings and engaged in deep conversations with Disney and other companies about how to meet it,” he said. “Using that policy, Disney made the right call in the interest of public health and agreed to shut down their California parks. Expect more announcements like this shortly.”

Per the California Dept. of Public Health on Wednesday, the new guidance is as follows through the month of March:

The California Department of Public Health finds the following:
  • Large gatherings that include 250 people or more should be postponed or canceled.
    • This includes gatherings such as concerts, conferences, and professional, college, and school sporting events.
  • Smaller gatherings held in venues that do not allow social distancing of six feet per person should be postponed or canceled.
    • This includes gatherings in crowded auditoriums, rooms or other venues.
  • Gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should be limited to no more than 10 people.
    • This includes gatherings such as those at retirement facilities, assisted living facilities, developmental homes, and support groups for people with health conditions.
  • A “gathering” is any event or convening that brings together people in a single room or single space at the same time, such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, cafeteria, or any other indoor or outdoor space.
This applies to all non-essential professional, social, and community gatherings regardless of their sponsor.

Knott’s Berry Farm closed early Thursday due to inclement weather but otherwise remains open for business. A spokesperson said it is “aware of the new guidance issued by the State of California last night,” and “is open today as we understand and evaluate what this means for our park, our guests and our associates.”

Representatives for Legoland and SeaWorld San Diego, both theme parks located in California, did not respond to request for comment.

Again, we advise contacting your booking provider if you had booked plans to any of these destinations. We will update as we learn more. Stay safe!

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Pym Test Kitchen Menu Must-Haves at Avengers Campus

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In addition to our earlier announcement about the Avengers Campus Opening Date, we also have some SUPER news to share about the menu items at Pym Test Kitchen. Some of these dishes are really unique and we hope they turn out as good as they look in these preview photos! Here’s all the scoop, originally posted on Marvel.com

Avengers Campus brings together Earth’s Mightiest Heroes for the common good, and they’re calling all recruits to join the action: Team up with the Avengers and their allies; sling webs with Spider-Man and become part of a bigger universe. Kids and guests of all ages will find their powers as they unite with family and friends to take an active role alongside some of their favorite heroes, with a chance to live out their own heroic story. So at some point, you’re going to want to refuel. Thankfully, you won’t have to go far after your latest mission because Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure Park at the Disneyland Resort includes multiple spots to stop and grab some delicious food, drinks, and even something sweet before it’s time to assemble again.
Pym Test Kitchen

The brand new land, opening on July 18, 2020, features one new quick-service restaurant for you and your family of heroes to taste-test inventive food and drinks, a tasting lab with alcoholic beverages, a shawarma cart

(yes, you read that right), and a new treats stand located by Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission — BREAKOUT!

We recently got to try some of the brand new food and beverage offerings coming to Avengers Campus, and it all looks good enough to eat — and share on social media. So after helping Spider-Man catch those pesky Spider-Bots and in between heroic encounters with the Avengers and their allies, here’s where you need to go to fuel up:

PYM TEST KITCHEN

“Super Heroes don’t normally open restaurants,” Jillian Pagan, Staff Writer, Walt Disney Imagineering explained during an early media day for Avengers Campus. But, that’s exactly what the Pyms have done.

“They would use their technology to help the world, right?” Pagan continued. “So that’s the story of our Pym Test Kitchen. In our story they are using their shrinking and growing technology to create new innovations in food science because, of course, you can feed many more people if you can run, say a normal-sized pretzel through this quantum tunnel machine, hit it with some Pym Particles, and make it grow to a giant size.”

“We’re here at Pym Test Kitchen, where we are shrinking problems and growing solutions,” John State, Culinary Director at the Disneyland Resort, explains. “Just imagine the guests walking through, pulling the handle of that door, walking into a laboratory, becoming part of the experience of Pym Technology.”

It’s one thing to talk about the Quantum tunnel, and it’s another thing to actually see it in action — The Pym Test Kitchen features one that will shrink and grow food right in front of your eyes!

There will be plenty of options for everyone, including plant-based options along with kid-sized items and taste for kids. Here’s a sampling of what you’ll be able to find inside, and mobile order will be available via the Disneyland app.

Experiment No. IP42: Quantum Pretzel

Feast your eyes on a giant pretzel that has been enlarged by the quantum tunnel and comes with a mustard sauce and a beer cheese dipping sauce (featuring California IPA, sharp cheddar, mozzarella, a hint of mustard).

Quantum Pretzel

Experiment No. EE10: PYM-ini

Looking to indulge in a giant panini? You can with the appropriately titled PYM-ini. The full sandwich is two feet long, and 9 inches wide after it comes out of the Quantum tunnel — and while it can be ordered family style, it can also be done in individual slices, too.

PYM-ini

The PYM-ini features toasted focaccia with salami, rosemary ham, provolone, sun-dried tomato mayonnaise and arugula with marinara dipping sauce. There’s also a version for little Avengers, the Teeny Pym-ini, which is ham, provolone cheese, a touch of mayonnaise, and focaccia.

Experiment No. EE746: PB³ Superb Sandwich

The PB³ Superb Sandwich features peanut butter, banana, smoked bacon and strawberry jelly with a banana smoothie shot and vegetable dusted potato bites.

PB³ Superb Sandwich

For kids, there’s a deconstructed version, which includes peanut butter (served in a Petri dish), strawberry jelly, a little paddle to spread it, and two slices of the Pym  bread, fruit and a Dasani water or a Lowfat Milk.

Experiment No. EE90: Not So Little Chicken Sandwich

What happens when you shrink a bun but grow a chicken breast? That’s the Not So Little Chicken Sandwich, with a fried chicken breast topped with teriyaki and red chili sauces, pickled cabbage slaw and crispy vegetable dusted potato bites.

Not So Little Chicken Sandwich
I may be vegan, but this gigantic chicken sandwich with a tiny bun is hysterical…

There’s also a shrunken chicken sandwich, the Subatomic Sandwich for kids. It doesn’t have any sauce on it, leaving kids to customize it their own way at the condiment station.

Experiment No. EE45: Impossible™ Spoonful

For those looking for a plant-based option, the Impossible Spoonful features large and micro plant-based Impossible™ meat-balls, served in a super-sized spoon with a tiny fork, and two different sizes of pasta. They’ll be an option for kids, too, where the sauce will be on the milder side.

Impossible™ Spoonful

PYM TASTING LAB

Adjacent to the Pym Test Kitchen, an oversized beer can overhead signals that grown-up beverages are available at Pym Tasting Lab. Guests may order a craft beer, ranging from a blood orange hefeweizen to an amber lager. These are poured from a reverse draft system where, thanks to the food scientists, the glass fills from the bottom up. Those thirsting for a beer cocktail will have four to choose from, along with bite-sized snacks.

Pym Tasting Lab Beverages

If you’re looking to try everything on the menu, there will also be beer flights available, along with souvenir Pym beaker cups.

X-Periment, Molecular Meltdown, Honey Buzz and Particle Fizz

X-Periment: Patron Silver Tequila, Lime Juice, Habanero, and Mango Syrup, garnished with Mango flavored Popping Pearls.
Molecular Meltdown: Garage Brewing Marshmallow Milk Stout with Vanilla Ice Cream and topped with Mini Marshmallows.
Honey Buzz: Plymouth Gin, Lemon Juice, Honey Premium Syrup, Elysian Space Dust, IPA and a Honey edible Straw.

PARTICLE FIZZ: Endless Summer, Hard Seltzer with Cherry flavored Pearls.

The Regulator

The RegulatorPatron Silver Tequila, Lime Juice, Habanero, and Mango Syrup, Golden Road Mango Cart Wheat Ale, garnished with Mango flavored Popping Pearls.

Snack Molecules

To complement any beverage selection, guests can also nosh on these Snack Molecules featuring popped sorghum with mini pretzels and honey roasted peanuts.

Snack Molecules

Proton PB&J Punch and Pingo Doce

Pym Test Kitchen Beverages

The kid-friendly Proton PB&J features Odwalla® lemonade with flavors of strawberry and peanut butter, while Pingo Doce, the distinctly green beverage from Avengers lore, is a park-exclusive beverage featuring the flavors of lime, vanilla, and maybe some Gamma radiation.

SHAWARMA PALACE

After the Battle of New York, the Avengers fell in love with shawarma. So, it only makes sense for there to be a shawarma cart at Avengers Campus.

The cart will feature two items. New York’s Tastiest, which is a classic shawarma spiced chicken, with garlic sauce, a warm wrap and a dipping sauce featuring tahini, lemon, garlic, and a pickled vegetable.

There’s also the Impossible™ Victory Falafel. Falafel, Kalamata olives, mint, garlic sauce, hummus, crispy cauliflower, and a tofu dipping sauce. [We’re very excited for this along with the impossible meatball!]

TERRAN TREATS

Taneleer Tivan — also known as The Collector — is always looking for ways to lure more guests towards his towering building of collections. So what are guests constantly searching out? Sweet treats. Located over by Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission — BREAKOUT! here’s what you’ll find Taneleer serving, but everything might not be what it seems.

Sweet Spiral Ration

Why just have a churro when you can have a churro from The Collector? The Sweet Spiral Ration Churros will include unique, rotating flavors (and colors).

Sweet Spiral Ration

Cosmic Cream Orb

For a hand-held snack on the go, try the Cosmic Cream Orb. A crispy cream puff with whipped raspberry cheesecake mousse — and while you see it in a purple hue here, it might not always be that color.

Cosmic Cream Orb

 

We’re beyond excited to see these in person soon and test them out ourselves! The new Avengers Campus sounds like it’ll be quite the immersive area with all of these new additions including the new Web-Slingers: A Spiderman Adventure attraction. What are you most exited to experience at Avengers Campus? Stay tuned here for more news to come!

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