Ratatouille

austindisneydaysLeave a comment

 

3285282289_ee873b6fbb_b

Ratatouille, released in 2007, is the 8th film collaboration between Disney and Pixar. This is the story of Remy the rat, who loves to cook, and his work with human busboy Linguini in Gusteau’s Restaurant. Guests visiting Epcot can eat at Les Chefs de France and may see Remy himself as he visits from table to table.

Visitors to Disneyland Paris can experience Ratatouille: The Adventure, a dark ride based on the film.

Meal Ideas:

Restaurant Ideas:

Local Attractions/Experiences:

  • French Legation Museum: Austin’s Oldest Home and former residence of French diplomat Alphonse Dubois. Open for tours and special events and currently maintained by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. 802 San Marcos Street Austin, TX 78702

french-legation-museum-1-8-23-15

  • Blue Baker Tour: Get a behind the scenes look at what it takes to be a baker! Includes a factory tour and hands on instruction. 10000 Research Blvd., Austin 78759
  • Wine and Cheese Art Festival: Features local artists, live music, food and drinks. *FREE* Saturday, June 17th 6-8:30 pm. 302 Bagdad, Bldg 2, Round Rock, Texas

Activities/Crafts:

Image: Cedric in Flickr Creative Commons

Dumbo

austindisneydaysLeave a comment

hk_disneyland_%e5%b0%8f%e9%a3%9b%e8%b1%a1_dumbo_the_flying_elephant_oct-2013_kiddie_plane_ride

Dumbo, released in 1941, was the 4th animated film from Walt Disney Studios. This is the story of how Dumbo can learn to fly with his giant ears, and his relationship with his mother Mrs. Jumbo and friend Timothy Mouse.

Guests to Disney parks can ride Dumbo the Flying Elephant. IMG_1546

Meal Ideas:

Restaurant Ideas:

Local Attractions/Experiences:

  • Circus 1903: A circus spectacular with puppets! At the Long Center June 6-8. 701 W. Riverside Dr., Austin TX
  • Take a trapeze class at the Circus of Hope: 13317 Fitzhugh Rd., Austin TX 78737
  • Visit the Big Top Candy Shop for a small taste of the circus, plus some amazing candy! 1706 South Congress, Austin TX

candy-store

Activities/Crafts:

  • Pin the feather on Dumbo’s trunk, Pin Timothy on Dumbo’s hat
    Family Circus (each family member has to perform a trick or act,
    don’t forget a Ring Leader! Maybe you can train your dog or cat
    to jump through a hoop!)living room circus (sit & spin, painters tape “tight rope” on the floor, hula hoop “rings” for dancing & “clowning” around)
  • Dumbo Papercraft
  • Dumbo Coloring Page
  • Dumbo Felt Ears

Cover Image: By Hoifosuhetaizhu (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

Alice in Wonderland

austindisneydaysLeave a comment

alice_in_wonderland_1951

Based on the 1865 novel by Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson), the 1951 film Alice in Wonderland shows young Alice as she follows the white rabbit through Wonderland and encounters many nonsense creatures and situations.

img_2482

Visitors to the Magic Kingdom can ride teacups at the Mad Tea Party in both Disneyland and Disney World. Disneyland also has the dark ride Alice in Wonderland that follows the story line from the film.

Characters like the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, Alice and the Red Queen meet near the Mad tea Party ride. The Mad Hatter is also available to meet at 1900 Park Fare, a character breakfast in the Grand Floridian Resort.

Meal Ideas:

  • Tea sandwiches
  • Drink Me Juice: tape signs on juice boxes that say “Drink Me”
  • Cookies: break and bake sugar cookies, use gel frosting to write “Eat
    Me”
  • Cheshire cat smiles (slices of melon)
  • Mini Raspberry Cinnamon Treats
  • Queen of Hearts’ Tarts
  • Very Merry Unbirthday cake!

Local Attractions/Experiences:

Activities/Crafts: 

Image: By Walt Disney (Original Trailer (1951)) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Tangled

austindisneydaysLeave a comment

16767633756_41b6cbb436_k

Tangled, based on the story of Rapunzel and her golden hair, has the honor of being the 50th Disney animated feature. This is the story of Rapunzel’s kidnapping as a baby and subsequent imprisonment in her tower by Mother Gothel. Disney’s version of Rapunzel is loosely based on the tale by the Brothers Grimm. Rapunzel is discovered by dashing thief Flynn Rider and they leave her tower to search for the floating lanterns on Rapunzel’s birthday.

IMG_1367

Guests are able to meet Rapunzel in Fairytale Hall, and see Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, and the Snuggly Duckling Gang in the daily Festival of Fantasy Parade at the Magic Kingdom.

Meal Ideas:

Local Attractions/Experiences:

  • Disney on Ice Dream Big Princess! This show features multiple princesses including Rapunzel as they follow their dreams! Located at the HEB Cedar Park Center from May 10-14, 2017.

Activities/Crafts: 

Image: Luis Brizzante in Flickr Creative Commons

Star Wars

austindisneydaysLeave a comment

img_1045

May the Fourth be with you! Star Wars is an iconic franchise, and is now a deeply ingrained part of Disney Parks. Star Wars Land is currently being built in both Disneyland and Disney World, Hollywood Studios.

img_1220

In Hollywood Studios, guests can visit Star Wars Launch Bay for character interactions, shopping and browsing movie props.

IMG_1510

Additionally, there are multiple Stormtrooper marches throughout the park and a stage show. IMG_1268

Meal Ideas:

 

Local Attractions/Experiences:

  • Visit the Windsor Park Branch of the Austin Public Library for Revenge of the Fifth! There will be a costume contest, snacks, trivia, games, prizes and so much more! Friday May 5th from 6-8;30 pm. Windsor Park Branch: 5833 Westminster Dr.

Activities: 

  • Make Space art: Fill a spray bottle with diluted white paint and spray on black construction paper. Pour colored paint into paper plates, then dip a balloon (blown up and tied) in the paint. Make “planets” by pressing the painted end of the balloon on the space paper.
  • Make a pool noodle Lightsaber
  • AT-ST Marionette
  • Asteroid Hunt: Wrap treasures in foil and hide. Kids go on a treasure hunt to find them.
  • Galaxy Maze
  • Admiral Ackbar Puppet
  • Pin the light saber on Yoda
  • Star Wars Bingo
  • R2D2 and C3PO Coloring Page

Darby O’Gill and the Little People

austindisneydaysLeave a comment

darby_o_gill_and_the_little_people

Darby O’Gill and the Little People was released in 1959 and is based on 2 books by Herminie Templeton Kavanagh : Darby O’Gill and the Good People and The Ashes of Old Wishes And Other Darby O’Gill Tales. While the movie has no specific presence in Disney Parks, guest can see a glimpse of Ireland in the classic ride It’s a Small World located in both Disneyland and Disney World: The Magic Kingdom.

Meal Ideas:

  • Rainbow Roll-ups: Steak rolled up with provolone and spinach
  • Corned Beef Brisket
  • Pot O’ Gold Biscuits
  • Rainbow fruit plate
  • Emerald Isle Pie: Mint Chocolate Chip Pie
  • Shamrock Drop Cookies

Restaurant Ideas:

Local Attractions/Experiences:

  • St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: A celebration of all things Irish with music, dancing, and Irish culture. Friday March 17th, 1pm-8pm at Pioneer Farms. 10621 Pioneer Farms Dr., Austin, 78754
  • Irish Dance Center: Offers lessons for all ages and skill level. Also offers a free trial lesson and summer camps for kids! 12400 Amherst Dr. Suite 112, Austin, 78727
  • Gaelic League of Austin: Offers language lessons in Gaelic at varying skill levels.
  • Things Celtic: Located in central Austin, Things Celtic has jewelry, kilts and accessories for all. 1806 W. 35th Street Austin, 78703

Activities/Crafts:

Image: Reynold Brown [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

 

Mary Poppins

austindisneydaysLeave a comment

king_arthur_carrousel_mary_poppins_on_jingles

Based on the children’s novels by P.L. Travers, Mary Poppins was released by Disney in 1964 with a sequel expected to be released in 2018. Mary Poppins, a nanny, livens up the Banks’ household with her imagination and adventure, leaving it a happier place. The creation of the film  and often difficult relationship between Walt Disney and P.L. Travers was showcased in the film Saving Mr. Banks. Mary Poppins, Bert, and often a penguin friend have meet and greets in the Magic Kingdom on main street in both Disney Parks. Mary also meets in Epcot United Kingdom Pavilion in the English gardens.

Meal Ideas:

  • English tea and crumpets (with a spoonful of sugar if you like)
  • Uncle Albert’s light-as-a-feather finger sandwiches
  • Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious cake

Restaurant Ideas:

Local Attractions/Experiences:

  • Go fly a kite at the Zilker Kite Festival, held March 5th from 10am-5pm in Zilker Park: 2100 Barton Springs, Austin  FREE  

Activities/Crafts: 

Image: By Disney-Grandpa http://www.flickr.com/photos/8674970@N04/ modified by Dr. Disney Wizard http://www.flickr.com/photos/disneywizard/ [CC BY-SA 3.0 us (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/us/deed.en) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons