Wonder Park tells the story of a magnificent amusement park where the imagination of a wildly creative girl named June comes alive.
Wonder Park is scheduled for release March 15, 2019. Check out the teaser:
Author: Francine Brokaw
Take advantage of Disney’s Magical Express when visiting WDW
When going to Walt Disney World, the best way to experience little extras is to stay at one of the resorts on the property. They offer additional park hours for guests as well as plenty of fun within the resorts. Getting to and from a Walt Disney World resort is easy and convenient with the Magical Express.
When you make your reservation at one of the many (and different) resorts at WDW, make sure you add the complimentary Magical Express to your plans. They will mail you luggage tags that identify your bags as going to a specific WDW resort. Once you land at Orlando, you have two choices. You can either collect your luggage yourself and take them to the Magical Express gateway, or you can simply go directly to the Magical Express and let the airport staff collect your bags and send them to your resort.
If you don’t collect your own bags, your luggage will eventually make their way to your hotel room while you are out enjoying the parks. Although, if you arrive later in the evening, you would probably benefit from collecting your own luggage as sometimes it takes several hours for your bags to make it to your resort.
Once you are on the Magical Express, sit back and let the driver take you to your resort without all the hassles of dealing with a taxi or the city traffic. Sit back, watch the video, and soon you’ll be registering at your resort, ready to take in all the sights and sounds of Walt Disney World.
When you are ready to return home, the folks at the Magical Express will print your boarding pass and take your luggage. All you have to do is to board the bus and in about a half hour you’ll be at the airport. Your luggage will arrive separately but will be tagged to your flight so they will fly with you. To make sure you make it to your flight on time and to assure your luggage makes it onto your flight (because they go by a separate truck), your reservations on the Magical Express are usually set for three hours before your flight time. But there are plenty of stores and restaurants at the Orlando airport to occupy your time if you have some last minute gifts to purchase.
Whatever you do, when you stay at a WDW resort, by all means take advantage of the Magical Express.
About the Author
Roy Brokaw writes about interesting things to do and places to see. He is also an accomplished travel photographer.
What’s new and coming to Walt Disney World? Plenty!
Walt Disney World is continually growing and evolving. So, what’s in store for the near future? The construction has begun on several projects that will add convenience, fun, and enjoyment for guests.
First, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is adding a new 15-story tower. The tower will have additional dining areas, including a rooftop restaurant where guests will be able to see plenty of WDW far and wide. And at night some of the fireworks displays from different theme parks will be visible from the restaurant.
“For many of our guests, magical memories begin at one of our 27-themed resorts each and every day,” said Josh D’Amaro, senior vice president of Walt Disney World Resort Operations. “At Walt Disney World Resort, we continue to expand our portfolio and invest in new resort developments that allow even more guests to be immersed in all that a Disney resort has to offer.”
Additionally, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is adding a new waterfront dining area and new shopping experience.
There is also a new resort being built in WDW. Disney Riviera Resort will also include a rooftop restaurant with nighttime views of EPCOT and Disney Hollywood Studios. Disney Riviera Resort is also a Disney Vacation Club property, adding another option to the many resorts available to DVC members. This is the 15th property for members.
Toy Story Land just opened in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This 11-acre land is filled with plenty of fun as the guests become toys in Andy’s back yard. With three attractions – Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, and Toy Story Mania – plus Woody’s Lunch Box restaurant along with other activities and intricate details throughout the land (including Andy’s shoeprints), this is a fun place for all the fans of Woody, Buzz, and the entire gang.
Opening in late fall of 2019 is the new Star Wars land where guests will be completely immersed in the Star Wars galaxy. It is described as “one of the most ambitious projects” tackled by the Imagineers at Disney. Guests will be transported to the Black Spire Outpost, just as they have been to Pandora in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. With the geographic formations and all the sights and sounds of the planet Batuu, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be a completely new experience.
To go along with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will also be a new Star Wars themed resort where guests will be able to continue their interplanetary experience after leaving the park.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios next year (2019) will be the first ride-through attraction with Mickey and Minnie. “Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway” transports humans inside the cartoon world. Don’t ask me how they are going to do this. I cannot explain it, but I can say that it looks like it will be an incredible and fun experience with the visual effects.
And speaking of Minnie, the Minnie Van service at WDW just started transporting guests around the property. If you don’t want to wait for a complimentary Disney Transport bus or a monorail or a boat on any of the property’s waterways, you can call for a Minnie Van. These adorable red and white vehicles can be ordered through Lyft on your Smart Phone and serve as your personal transportation throughout WDW. Sometimes you want to go from one resort to another, and if you have spent any time at WDW you know that can be a daunting experience. Now all you have to do is to call for a Minnie Van to take you wherever you want to go.
And while we’re on the subject of transportation, the new Skyliner is a transportation system (like the old skybuckets) that provide a fun view of the land below while transporting guests from Disney’s Art of Animation, Pop Century, Disney Riviera, and Caribbean Beach resorts to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at EPCOT. Disney’s Skyliner skyway transportation buckets are just one more way of getting around WDW.
And finally, the Play Disney Parks app was just released. “Play Disney Parks represents the next step in how we use innovative digital technology to enhance the guest experience in our parks,” said Vivek Sharma, Senior Vice President of Digital Guest Experience and eCommerce for Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products. “The app is designed to help guests immerse themselves in the Disney stories they know and love in a whole new way.”
The Play Disney Parks app is available for both WDW and Disneyland Resorts. There are games to play, quests to conquer inside the parks, and plenty to occupy your time while waiting for your next attraction. Plus there are special effects that will undoubtedly raise the level of fun for the shows in the parks and special magic as guests travel through the parks.
With the opening of Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure in Disneyland Resort, Florida and California have many new experiences for Disney fans and plenty just around the corner, or as Pocahontas says, “just around the river bend.” 2018 and 2019 are years of major growth at the Disney parks. Enjoy the magic.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw writes about travel, products, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.
Follow her on Twitter
‘Tender Comrade’ on DVD
Ginger Rogers stars in Tender Comrade, a World War II drama about a group of housewives who bond together while their husbands are off fighting. These “war widows” pool their salaries, move out of their single apartments, and find a house where they can live comfortably while waiting for their husbands to return. By day they work at the war factory, and by night they maintain as normal a life as they can.
Rogers is Jo, the self-proclaimed leader of their little democracy. During the film there are flashbacks with Jo and her husband Chris (Robert Ryan) that fills in the history of their lives and her personality. She is always peppy and upbeat and often says things that she probably shouldn’t. But that’s Jo. She’s loyal and friendly, and has a good head on her shoulders.
Rogers is amazing in this film. She doesn’t dance or sing. She just acts, and her acting is top notch. She was not nominated for an award for her performance in this film, however she should have been. She gives an unforgettable performance.
The women keep up their morale as the days go by and the news from overseas gets grim. But they are hopeful their lives will soon return to normal and their husbands will once again be home.
This 1943 film (in black and white) caused a stir for the House Un-American Activities Committee. First, it was written by Dalton Trumbo (a blacklisted writer) and directed by Edward Dmytryk, one of the Hollywood Ten who was arrested by the House Un-American Activities Committee.
Tender Comrade is a sensitive drama portrayed in a sympathetic way by all the actors: Ruth Hussey, Patricia Collinge, Mady Christians, and Kim Hunter. Pop this DVD into your player and grab some tissues!
Tender Comrade is part of the Warner Archive Collection and can be purchased from their website or online retailers where DVDs and Blu-rays are sold.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.
Follow her on Twitter
HALO telescoping flashlights
Have you ever dropped something under the couch and couldn’t see it? I have. Actually, I have dropped things many times but it’s just too dark and too tight to see under the couch. With the HALO Telescoping Flashlight, it’s easy to adjust the light to shine under couches or behind objects to locate items.
Not only is it easy to locate lost items, this telescoping flashlight is also helpful when working on cars. There are countless instances in which a thin flashlight comes in handy.
But these are not only thin flashlights. There have magnetic ends to pick up screws or pins that have fallen out of reach. How cool is that?
The telescoping aspect is just one of the many great things about these lights. They also bend so you can see around corners and into small areas. The also include a built-in ring to hang up the light for storage or for hands-free use.
The lights also can be set as strobes and in SOS mode so if you’re out in the dark, you can be seen and locate assistance.
And these lights are bright! There are 30 LED bulbs in each flashlight. The light can be set to white light, red, or flashing red.
There are two telescoping flashlights in each set. Keep one at home and one in your car. And when you’re thinking of a useful gift for a college student or someone going off on a trip, think about these HALO telescoping flashlights. They come in bronze, red, platinum, and blue. When you order you get two of the same color. Remember – it’s never too early to think about holiday gifts.
About the Reviewer
Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.
Follow her on Twitter
Toy Story Land opens at Walt Disney World
It seems like there is always something new and exciting coming to WDW. As Walt himself said, “Disneyland [and Walt Disney World] will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” And there is a lot of imagination- from the Disney Imagineers and little Andy.
Bob Chapek, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products said, “The opening of Toy Story Land is a big step in the evolution of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as we transform it from a place that took guests behind the scenes into one that puts them at the center of the action. We’re thrilled to invite guests to visit Andy’s backyard and to experience what it’s like to play right alongside their favorite Toy Story characters – all thanks to the amazing partnership between our Imagineers and the storytellers at Pixar.”
Located on 11 acres in Disney Hollywood Studios is the latest and greatest addition to WDW. Toy Story Land is not like anything else. It is where guests become the toys. Guests enter Andy’s backyard and are instantly transformed to the size of his toys. The attention to detail is amazing. You can even see some of Andy’s footprints as you walk through the backyard. They look like giant footprints, but remember you are a toy now, so Andy is quite a bit larger than you are.
Three main attractions are part of this land. First there is the Slinky Dog Dash, which is a small coaster that Andy has assembled with his various toys. Slinky takes riders on a fun roller coaster ride and at night it is a completely different experience. Lights on the track either chase Slinky Dog or he chases them. It’s definitely an imaginative ride.
The second attraction is the Alien Swirling Saucers that take guests on a fun spinning adventure around “the claw.” If you have experienced Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree in Disney California Adventure, this is similar to the Alien Saucers. On a personal note, I really like this ride. It is not really jerky and it’s filled with bright colors and fun music as the aliens race around in the little rocket ships while “the claw” looms above. “This is a world created by a boy’s imagination,” said Dave Fisher, Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Story Editor. “Andy has brought out all his space toys – it’s a really fun and high-energy attraction.” Andy is a creative little boy, and assembled some ingenious activities for his toys to enjoy. And, as a toy, guests enjoy them too.
The third attraction is Toy Story Mania, an interactive ride that lets guests test their skill as they travel from one “game” to another, all the while shooting at objects that pop up in front of them. Guests are actually riding through a shooting gallery, while wearing 3D glasses to see the fun as they stop at one spot after another.
And while you are in Toy Story Land, check out the food at Woody’s Lunch Box where there are new delicacies as well as traditional treats.
Roger Gould, the creative director of theme parks for Pixar Animation Studios, said, “Everyone at Pixar is thrilled to see the Toy Story films coming to life so spectacularly in Toy Story Land. Watching our stories and characters leap off the screen into the fun and whimsical world of Toy Story Land is a joy for all of us at the studio. Naturally, we love animation and we love the Disney Parks, so it’s amazing to collaborate with our partners at Walt Disney Imagineering to create this enormous immersive world. And just as each Toy Story film expands the world of our favorite toy friends, our land gave us loads of opportunities to invent and open up the world with new fun and surprises. We’re delighted to join Disney in the fun and invite guests to explore Andy’s backyard – full of their favorite toys – ’cause Andy’s away and it’s time to play!
Throughout the land, the green army men are on patrol making sure Andy stays away. After all, if Andy were to come into his backyard, all the toys would have to go back to being still, silent, and just toys. So the green army men are constantly patrolling.
While you are walking around make sure you pay attention to everything. The details here are amazing, like benches made of Popsicle sticks and other things throughout the land. Andy has done everything possible to make sure his backyard is a fun place for all his toys to play. Way to go, Andy!
Whether you’re a Woody fan, a Buzz fan, a fan of Potato Head, Jessie, the three eyed aliens, or any of Andy’s other toys, you’re sure to enjoy being among them all, and being one of them while you’re in Andy’s back yard.
About the Reviewer
Francine Brokaw writes about travel, products, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.
Follow her on Twitter
Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure
Guests to Disney California Adventure are in for a real treat. A new area – Pixar Pier – has recently opened and there are several new areas that will be opening soon. So, what has been reimagined at this waterfront region of the resort? Plenty.
First of all, the Incredicoaster is not only a fun ride, but it also tells a story as guests travel through tubes and along the tracks. Incidentally, this is the fastest ride in the entirety of the Disneyland Resort! As guests get ready to board the ride, they realize little Jack-Jack and Edna Mode are not tall enough to ride the coaster. So Edna stays behind to keep a watchful eye on the little baby. But, as we all know by now, Jack-Jack has plenty of powers and soon escapes Edna’s watchful eyes and is off on a journey of his own, with his family close behind. As guests ride the coaster, they see all the family members trying to catch up with little Jack-Jack. So not only is this a fun and fast coaster, it also tells the story of this adorable little baby who is full of mischief.
The Ferris wheel is also reimagined with each bucket decorated with a different Pixar character. This Pixar Pal- Around has several swinging gondolas that not only take guests on a high flying adventure above the land, but also on a swinging adventure. The wheel tops out at 150 feet high. This is only one of two Ferris wheels in the country that includes both regular gondolas that go around in a circle, but also has sliding gondolas that swing and sway with special movement as the wheel is spinning.
There are plenty of new places to grab some food while you’re visiting the pier. If you’re in the mood for chicken or a turkey leg, visit the Poultry Palace. Or if you are a bit more adventurous, try the spicy hot dogs at Anger’s Angry Dogs. If you recall in Toy Story, Buzz has a “Spanish” mode, and at Senor Buzz Churros, you can munch on either sweet and colorful churros or spicy ones that taste like red hots. We cannot forget about those of us with a sweet tooth. Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats offers plenty of tasty goodies. Try the lemon soft ice cream with white chocolate on top.
The midway is a fun place for families to join together and play some games between eating and riding the attractions. There are several games that will test your skills, and yes, there are some fun prizes to win.
There is no shortage of Pixar items to purchase. Imagine all the Pixar characters we have fallen in love with through the years. They are together in this wonderful location inspired by the films and characters of Pixar.
Next year a new area of the pier will open, featuring Jessie’s Critter Carousel. Personally, I cannot wait to see what she has put together for us.
Dining in style has never been so much fun as in the Lamplight Lounge at the front of the pier. This is a great place to sit down, watch the activities outside, and enjoy some great food. Specialty drinks (both for adults and kids) as well as some wonderful selections of food will be enjoyed in this restaurant but the food isn’t everything here. When you’re there, look around. Everywhere you look are special Pixar touches. 
Can you spot Ellie and Carl’s mailbox on the wall? While they have a nice variety of main course and lite bite selections, there is only one dessert – their donuts. These are delicious and come with both a warm chocolate and a raspberry dipping sauce. Can you say “delicious?” That’s exactly what they are!
Pixar Pier is just one more fun addition to Disney California Adventure.
About the Reviewer
Francine Brokaw writes about travel, products, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.
Follow her on Twitter
The Walt Disney Ambassadors
The folks at Disney want to bring magic and enjoyment to everyone, especially those outside of the parks. For many people, it’s not easy for them to get to a Disney theme park. Many kids are stuck in hospitals and could use some of the Disney magic to help them through their ordeals. That is where the Disney Ambassadors come into play.
I recently met with Brandon who is an Ambassador for Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. He is just finishing up his two-year term, which is a little bittersweet for him because he loves his job so much. Brandon has been a cast member at Disney for many years and was thrilled when he was selected to be an official Ambassador. Being a Disney Ambassador means bringing the love, magic, and fun of Disney “outside of the castle walls.”
So, how does one get selected to be an official Disney Ambassador? First you must be a cast member for at least two years (although Brandon says that might change). Those who apply go through a series of interviews, write essays, and go through media assessments to see if they have what it takes to be an Ambassador. There are 1-2 Ambassadors per Disney resort.
The Ambassadors serve for two-year periods, and even though he is almost finished with his official capacity, Brandon insists he will continue to spread the Disney love and happiness to children and families wherever he goes. He wants that special feeling we all have when we visit a Disney park to infect others outside of the resorts.
Walt Disney began the program ten years after opening Disneyland. He realized he couldn’t be everywhere and needed special people to represent his vision. That is how the Disney Ambassadors came to be.
“I’m happy I have had a personal impact on so many people,” said Brandon. He has definitely been a model Ambassador and exactly what Walt Disney had in mind when he created the program. Along with Mickey, Minnie, and other characters, Brandon travels to hospitals to bring a touch of Disney magic to the patients. Perhaps Tinker Bell has also included some pixie dust.
Brandon was in the entertainment area of the cast, however any cast member in any area is welcome to apply. They simply need the desire to spread the love and have a positive impact on the public, and go outside of the parks to bring some Disney magic to children and families everywhere.
For Brandon and his fellow WDW Ambassador Ken, their time is just about over but new Ambassadors will be selected soon. Even though they will no longer be official Ambassadors, they will always hold a special place in the Disney family.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.
Follow her on Twitter
Crescent Lake at Walt Disney World is a unique area
There are several lakes on the Walt Disney World property and Crescent Lake is just one. This is a unique location connecting three popular WDW resorts with EPCOT and Disney Hollywood Studios.
The Yacht Club resort is a magical place to stay. It’s situated next to the Beach Club resort and directly across the lake from the Boardwalk resort. Boat service is offered from one side of the lake to the other, so it’s easy for guests to visit the different resorts and take advantage of the various restaurants and fun associated with each specific resort. They are all built with the old charm of the spirit of coastal resort living and harken back to the days of summers spent at ocean side communities.
What also makes these three WDW resorts special is their proximity to both EPCOT and Disney Hollywood Studio. Both of these theme parks are accessible via the waterway (although at the time we were there the boat to Disney Hollywood was under construction to reinforce the bridges), and they can easily be accessed via short walks. The walk to EPCOT from the resorts is an easy one and takes a mere 20 minutes. You’ll enter EPCOT in the back in the International Gateway, not far from Great Britain. It’s an easy walk – actually a restful stroll – from the Yacht Club (or Beach Club or Boardwalk) to EPCOT.
Walking to Disney Hollywood Studios is a bit farther, so if you prefer to take the boat, that might be a good idea. After all, once you enter the park, there is still a lot of walking to do to see all the attractions and take advantage of everything there is inside the theme park.
Of course, to access any other area of WDW, each resort offers complimentary bus service so traveling to The Magic Kingdom from the Yacht Club Resort is no big deal. Simply catch the appropriate bus and leave the driving to them.
There are new resorts being built at WDW as well as the Skyliner that will soon connect several resorts with various parks. There is always construction and new and improved – as well as helpful – things coming to Walt Disney World. It never stops growing and every time guests visit, there is always something new to see and explore.
This time Toy Story Land opened in Disney Hollywood Studios (a short distance from Crescent Lake resorts). Next will be Star Wars, the Skyliner, and new resorts with more fun from the amazing Imagineers.
If your main goal is to experience EPCOT and Disney Hollywood Studios, consider one of the three resorts on Crescent Lake for easy access to the two theme parks.
About the Author
Roy Brokaw writes about interesting things to do and places to see. He is also an accomplished travel photographer.
Movez game GIVEAWAY
Movez is a fun, interactive game for kids 3-93 ! Roll the dice, pick a card then either find it, act it, or do it before the time runs out! It combines charades, a scavenger hunt and exercise in one fun, fast paced game that the whole family will love!
Only $19.95
Available online and at www.kensonparenting.com
We have some games to giveaway!
To be eligible to win a copy of GAMEZ, email us at [email protected] with “Gamez Giveaway” in the title. Please supply your name, address, phone number and email address (so we can let you know if you are a winner).
The deadline for this giveaway is July 15, 2018.
Movez is the game that gets kids moving!