Cinderella

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Cinderella, released in 1950, is based on the fairy tale by Charles Perrault. The classic wicked stepmother story, Cinderella is made to work as a servant for her stepsisters and stepmother. With the help of her Fairy Godmother, Cinderella can attend the ball and meet the Prince. A live action version of the film was released by Disney in 2015.

Cinderella will meet guests and sign autographs at Royal Hall in Disneyland and Princess Fairytale Hall in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World.

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Also in Disney World, guests can dine with Cinderella and other princesses at Cinderella’s Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom or at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian Hotel. Other characters may include Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine and the stepsisters.

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Meal Ideas:  

Cinderella’s Royal Banquet

Restaurant Ideas:

  • Mozart’s Coffee: Located on Lake Austin, this coffee-house has live music and a European atmosphere. They also have an amazing assortment of dessert and lunch items.  3825 Lake Austin Blvd. Austin 78703

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Cars

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The Cars movie franchise began in 2006, and now includes 3 films, a television series and spin-offs. The franchise focuses on anthropomorphic race car Lightning McQueen, his adventures in professional racing, and his friends in Radiator Springs.

Guests in Disney World can stay in the Cars suites at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

 

Disneyland California Adventure has created Cars Land, an immersive section of the theme park dedicated to Cars and Radiator Springs. Rides include Radiator Springs Racers, Luigi’s Rollickin Roadsters, and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree. Guests can shop at Ramone’s House of Body Art and Sarge’s Surplus Hut. Finally, dining is available at Flo’s V8 Cafe.

Meal Ideas:

  • Mater’s Stop Light Sandwiches
  • Pit Stop Snacks
  • Leaning Tower of Tires: mini chocolate doughnuts
  • Mater’s Motor Oil Sundaes: Vanilla ice cream with hot fudge topping

Restaurant Ideas:

  • Top Notch: An Austin favorite since the early 70’s and a great place for classic burgers and classic cars! 7525 Burnet Road Austin, 78757

Local Attractions/Experiences: 

Austin's Park and Pizza 2 (9-6-15)

  • Circuit of the Americas: See real race cars in action at the Circuit of the Americas! October 20, 21, 22. 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, Austin, TX 78617

Activities: 

Hercules

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Hercules, Disney’s 35th animated film, centers on the Greek myth of Hercules and his trials. Released in 1997, this film showcases Hercules developing his strengths while attempting to defeat Hades, god of the Underworld.

Guests to Disney Parks can meet both Hercules and his co-star Megara, but sightings of these characters are extremely rare.

Meal Ideas:

Restaurant Ideas: 

  • Phoenicia: Not only does this Mediterranean deli sell fresh ready-made meals, but they are also a grocery store!

Local Attractions/Experiences:

  • Austin Mediterranean Festival: Dancing, shopping and amazing Mediterranean food! Located at St. Elias Orthodox Church 408 E. 11th, Austin TX. September 29th and 30th. Friday 6 – 11 and Saturday Noon – 11 pm. Free Admission Saturday, Noon to 4:00 p.m!
  • Greek pottery at the Blanton Museum of Art: 200 E. MLK Jr. Blvd.Austin, 78712

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  • Umlauf Sculpture Garden: This lovely sculpture garden has incredible modern art as well as a classical garden. 605 Robert E. Lee Rd., Austin 7870

Activities/Crafts:

  • Hercules Lightning Bolt Pillow
  • Hercules-inspired Friendship Bracelets
  • Make your own Olympic medals (wide width ribbon, cardboard circles, tin foil)
  • Backyard Mount Olympus Course: an obstacle course that coordinates with the personalities of the Gods; hammer a cardboard lightning bolt for Zeus, Discus throw with a frisbee for Hercules, primping in front of a mirror for Aphrodite, running through hula hoops with a messenger bag for Hermes, etc.

 

Images: By Wiseworm at zh.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons

The Little Mermaid

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The Little Mermaid, released in 1989, began the new “Disney Renaissance” of animated features. Based loosely on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, the film tells the story of a mermaid princess who falls in love with a human prince and signs away her voice for a chance to see him again.

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Ariel can be seen in her grotto located in the Magic Kingdom. She is happy to take pictures with guests and give autographs.

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If guests want to be immersed in the film, they can stay in one of the many Little Mermaid rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

Under the Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid ride is located in Fantasyland, in the Magic Kingdom. In Disneyland, guests can ride The Little Mermaid-Ariel’s Under the Sea Adventure. Visitors can ride King Triton’s Carousel located in Disney California Adventure, followed by a princess character meal at Ariel’s Grotto restaurant.

Finally, both Ariel and Prince Eric can be seen daily in parades down Main Street in both Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom.

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Local Attractions/Experiences: 

  • Mermaid Aqua Faire and Parade: Located in nearby San Marcos, the downtown Mermaid Promenade cuts right through San Marcos and is immediately followed by the Mermaid Aqua Faire in San Marcos Plaza Park! Takes place on Saturday, September 16th 10am-7pm.
  • Take a dip in a local swimming site:

– Krause Springs

– Hamilton Pool

– Deep Eddy

– Barton Springs Pool

Activities: 

 

The Aristocats

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The Aristocats, the 20th Disney animated film, is a story revolving around a family of aristocratic cats. The film follows their adventures while an alley cat helps them after their butler kidnapped the cats in order to gain his mistress’s fortune, which was intended to go to them.

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Guests to Disney Parks can meet Marie, the only daughter in the Aristocat family, so pictures and autographs.

Meal Ideas:

Restaurant Ideas:

  • Blue Cat Cafe: A vegan cafe and with rescue cats available for adoption! They have a delicious menu and the cats wandering around the cafe are lovely to watch and will engage with customers. Blue Cat Cafe also sells merchandise and cat accessories with proceeds going toward their adoptable pets. 95 Navasota St., Austin 78702

Local Attractions/Experiences:

  • The Amazing Acrocats: Check their website frequently to see when these amazing circus cats will be  coming back to town!
  • Volunteer at a local animal shelter to give lonely animals some love and attention

Activities:

  • Painting night: Explore different styles of painting (French impressionism a la Monet, put on jazz music and let the music guide your modern art!)
  • Create a clay Eiffel tower
  • Plant a pot of catnip for your favorite feline, in an Aristocat Flower Pot
  • Marie Felt Ears
  • Printable Marie Cat Mask
  • Marie Inspired No Sew Tutu

 

Image: HumMelissa_Glee in Flickr Creative Commons

Wreck-It Ralph

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Wreck-It-Ralph, released in 2012, tells the story of the “villain” Ralph trying to become a hero and in the process, jumping between arcade games causing chaos! A sequel has been announced, Ralph Breaks the Internet, to be released sometime in 2018.

Ralph and Vanellope are not major fixtures in the Disney parks, but guests can see them in the Disney World Halloween parade and occasional meet and greets.

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Image: By The Conmunity – Pop Culture Geek from Los Angeles, CA, USA [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

The Muppets

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The Muppets had an extensive presence in movies and television before their relationship with Disney. After some small appearances in Sesame Street they were given their own show. Their films include The Muppet Movie (1979), The Great Muppet Caper (1981), and The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984), The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), Muppet Treasure Island (1996),  Muppets from Space (1999), The Muppets (2011) and Muppets Most Wanted (2014).

There are many opportunities to interact with the Muppets at Disney World. In Hollywood Studios, guests can visit Muppet Vision 3D, a combination live action and theater attraction, located in Muppet Courtyard. Guests can then grab a bite to eat at the new restaurant run by Rizzo the rat, PizzeRizzo.

A new Muppet experience is available in the Magic Kingdom in Liberty Square. Great Moments in American History is the Muppet take on the Revolutionary War.

Meal Ideas: 

Local Attractions/Experiences: 

  • Muppet Art Show: An exhibition of Muppet themed art by 10 Disney Fine artists. Saturday June 24-Sunday July 23. Art on 5th 3005 South Lamar Suite C 110 B Austin, 78704

Activities/Crafts:

Image: Loren Javier in Flickr Creative Commons