Image from Disney Insider

I don’t know what to think about the movie Maleficent. She is my favorite Disney villain because she is really evil. In Sleeping Beauty she causes major havoc because of a small slight. This always worked for me. Prince Phillip is good and noble and Maleficent is mean and evil. I like knowing where the lines are drawn.

Now my favorite villain is getting her own movie and we’ll learn how she became evil, mean, wicked, bad, and nasty (thank you, Smothers Brothers for the adjectives.) Angelina Jolie is playing Maleficent and I am sure she will to do an amazing job.

But I am torn. I liked Maleficent being a villain. I don’t need to know how she became one. Plus, unless they are changing the basic story we know she doesn’t live in the end. So either they are changing the end or this is going to be hard to watch. Or maybe we feel her inevitable death is justified. I just don’t know what I think about all this.

There have been other movies where the bad guy takes the lead role. Wicked may be the most popular, but Star Wars Episodes I, II, and III basically tell the story of the fall of Anakin Skywalker and the rise of Darth Vader. I haven’t seen or read Wicked but I really hated the first three Star Wars movies.

If you would like to watch the trailer for Maleficent click here. I loved the trailer and thought everyone was playing their roles perfectly. However, I learned nothing about how the story is going to be told so I still don’t know what to think. It is not coming out until May 2014 so I’ll have time to learn more. I wish Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather (she was always my favorite) could give me a hint before then.  Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: Is Maleficent your favorite Disney villain? Unlike a lot of  Disney villians that only come to the parks occasionally you can see Maleficent most nights at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. She is the live-action villain in Fantasmic! that Mickey Mouse has to battle at the end of the show. My favorite part of Fantasmic! is when she turns from human to dragon. It is really impressive. I am glad the good guys win.

Okay, so my Mickey sketch looks a lot like this.

Can you draw? Whenever anyone ever asked me that I always said, no. I told them I couldn’t even draw good stick figures. I wasn’t being modest. I thought it was true. I was terrible at drawing. So imagine my surprise when I learned to sketch at The Magic of Disney Animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While it was true that my Mickey Mouse wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t horrible either. I learned that I may not be able to draw, but I could sketch something that made me happy.

In honor of Mickey Mouse’s birthday, he is 85 years old today, I encourage everyone to try sketching Mickey Mouse. To help you do this well click on this video from spoonful.com and get a lesson from the experts. The nice part about learning from a video instead of being there in person is you can watch the animator over and over until you understand what he is doing. The goal here is not to draw the best looking Mickey Mouse ever. It is to sketch a Mickey Mouse face that makes you happy. I think if you are being creative but you are not happy then you are doing it wrong. And Mickey’s birthday is definitely a day to be happy. Happiness squared.

Goofy Craft: Once you have sketched Mickey Mouse don’t put your creation in a drawer. Turn it into a birthday card, or a place mat, or put it in your Disney scrapbook. If you see it a lot you’ll be encouraged to do more, and the more you sketch the better you’ll get. Remember this, if I, a non-drawer, can sketch, than you can do it, too.

Image from www.spoonful.com

Goofy. Pluto. Zero. Lady and the Tramp. Walt Disney obviously loved dogs since he created so many memorable canine characters. Why not celebrate Disney dogs during the dog days of summer? Spoonful.com has cool crafts and recipes that will have you howling with delight.

Cupcakes are all the rage and spoonful.com has two different types with dog themes. If you are looking for some fun try the dalmation cupcakes. If you want something a little sweeter serve the spaghetti and meatball cupcakes inspired by Lady and the Tramp.  Either will be drool worthy.

Crafts are always a fun thing to do at a party and everyone will have something neat to bring home. These items are much more appealing than a cheap plastic party favor. I like doorknob signs and kids can choose between Goofy and the dogs from Up. With these craft ideas there is something for everyone.

So why not have a party to celebrate the end of summer or the start of a new school year. Dogs makes a fun theme and everyone has a favorite Disney dog. Surprise! Mine is Goofy. I bet you’d never guess. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: It is not hard to make spaghetti and meatball cupcakes but it does take time. If you want to enjoy the cupcake without doing any of the work then have a meal at Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The spaghetti and meatball cupcake is one of the dessert items available. These cupcakes are big so you might want to share.

The trailer for the newest Thor movie has been released and now I can’t wait for this movie. Click here to see the trailer thanks to The Disney Blog. I was talking about Thor with a friend who knows ten thousand time more stuff about Marvel than I do and he said this movie was going to be successful because it was about one bad guy trying to destroy the universe. Because it has such a straightforward plot more time can be spend on character development and amazingly witty dialogue. If the trailer is any hint, the dialogue is going to be the best part of this movie. If you saw The Avengers you know what I mean.

So take a break this Friday and check out the trailer for Thor: The Dark World. Then go watch the first Thor movie and The Avengers so you are caught up on the plot. Or do it because they are fun movies and it’s a great way to spend the weekend. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: There is some debate as to whether the Marvel characters should come to the Disney Parks. I don’t think I want them walking down Main Street, U.S.A., but it would be cool to have them in Disney California Adventure or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Of course Iron Man has infiltrated Disneyland’s Tomorrowland and that worked out well. Now you can see Captain America on the cruise ship the Disney Magic. I think this is a great idea although I would worry that some supervillian would be visiting the ship, too. Nothing good ever happens in the movies when that happens.

No one who knows me would say I am an adult. Well, I guess I am an adult because of my age, but I am definitely not grown-up. So how can I write a series on adult things to do in the Disney parks? I know a lot of adults and if I was visiting the parks with them I would recommend these ideas. The fun part is that the five ideas I have listed work for both grown-ups and those of us who never grew up.  My short list works for those adults who don’t want anything Mickey Mouse. Why would they go to a Disney park, you ask? Because the parks are for everyone. Today we’ll visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is another park that I would say has a lot of adult appeal. There are attractions for families and children but they are off in their own sections and are easy to avoid it you are looking for grown-up fun. My favorite restaurant is in this park so I always make a point of visiting during my trip. I admit I skip some of the more adult attractions but I know so many people who love them that I feel safe recommending them here.

5 fun activities that adults can enjoy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

1) Have a meal at The Hollywood Brown Derby. There are no bad meals at the Hollywood Brown Derby and the atmosphere takes you back to Hollywood in the 1920s. I recommend the combo option that includes an appetizer, main dish, and dessert. If you have a hard time choosing dessert I suggest you try the grapefruit cake. It tastes like you’re eating dessert for breakfast, really light and fresh. I never miss a chance to enjoy a slice.

2) Hit the rides on Sunset Boulevard. Sunset Boulevard has great shops and two awesome rides for adults. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a must ride for anyone who likes to be scared out of their wits while being randomly dropped from 13 stories. It is not just the elevator ride that freaks people out, but the psychological mind games the show plays before they drop you. I have taken the plunge and I think I’ll take the stairs next time. For a ride a little less scary but just as thrilling check out the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Staring Aerosmith. This dark ride combines great music with a super-fast coaster that has you twisting and turning through the streets of L.A. You’ll hardly have a chance to catch your breath before the ride is over. Cool.

3) Check out Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show. There are several live shows at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but the most impressive one involves multiple stunt cars, jet skis and fire. Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show takes you behind the scenes and shows you how exciting the car scenes you see in movies truly are.

4) Take a walk down the Streets of America. How would you like to have your picture taken on the streets of New York, walk a few feet and then be standing in San Francisco? Visit the Streets of America and you’ll get some awesome pictures and learn how forced perspective works. This area is often overlooked unless the Osborn Spectacle of Lights is happening but its a nice place to get some family photos.

5) Visit the Writer’s Stop. On the corner of the Streets of America is a small store. The Writer’s Stop has everything a book and coffee lover could need. I like this store because it is a nice place to pause during a busy day. Puruse the books and enjoy a coffee and a treat. I recommend the iced carrot cake cookies. They are delicious.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a park full of diverse attractions, from thrill rides to fine dining. If I was traveling with a group of adults I’d make sure we spent time at this park, and maybe make plans to eat here more than once. The dining choices are some of the best in any park. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: There are lots of adult activities on property that are not require a park ticket. You can go golfing on a variety of courses, go fishing with a guide, and go boating on many of the park’s lakes as well as dozens of other pastimes. If you want the ultimate thrill you can drive an exotic car at the Walt Disney World Speedway. How often to you get the chance to ride in a car that cost six figures? It would be a Tony Stark moment.

Image from www.spoonful.com

I don’t know what the weather is like where you are, but here in Washington it is raining. Not only that but it has been raining for over a week. I like the rain, but summer is supposed to be here. I want to go outside and have fun, not sit inside and wonder when it is going to stop raining.

There are four things I like to do to beat boredom and cabin fever. I like to read, watch movies, bake something, and do crafts. I am always looking for new recipes and new craft ideas on the Internet and I often turn to spoonful.com.

I must have been in a crazy mood today because I think these 25 Muppet crafts and recipes are just what I need to beat the rainy days blues. From amazing cake pops to fun jewelry, I found some great ideas to help turn a gray weekend into a wacky weekend. There are even invitations if you would like to throw a Muppet party. Make some treats, invite everyone to make a craft, and watch one of the various Muppet movies that have been made over the years. I am fond of The Great Muppet Caper.

So have a great weekend and be sure to do something wacky. If I was really wacky I would be at Disneyland (where it isn’t raining), but I’ll settle for some fun times with the Muppets. Happiness squared.

Goofy Joke: (Everyone loves Statler and Waldorf, the old guys in the box seats. They are really funny in the attraction Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney California Adventure. It’s hard to find things funny out of context, but this made me laugh and I hope it makes you laugh, too.)

WALDORF: What’s all the commotion about?
STATLER: Waldorf, the bunny ran away!
WALDORF: Well, you know what that makes him -
BOTH: Smarter than us!

Image from Disney Parks on Facebook

Star Wars and Disney goes together like chicken and waffles. They are each one of a kind, but I rarely think of one without thinking of the other. For Star Wars and Disney this is because Star Tours has been one of my favorite rides since I was a teenager. So I am never surprised to hear about special Star Wars events happening at the Disney parks. However, this newest one has me as excited as a trip to the Endor moon.

This Saturday is May 4 and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be hosting “May the Fourth Be With You”, a special Star Wars themed event. On this day only adults can fulfill their dream and join their children in the Jedi Training Academy. I bet a lot of dads will be dragging their children through the park yelling, “Go faster, I want to sign up before it fills up!” I love watching the Jedi Training Academy shows and I’m sure it will be even funnier with the parents trying to battle Darth Vader, the nemesis of their childhood.

If you like to ride Star Tours (me! me!) then you don’t want to miss it during May the Fourth Be With You. On Saturday Star Wars characters will be riding along with you. You may be sitting next to Chewbacca, or Boba Fett. Better fasten your seat belts.

If you miss the characters at Star Tours you can still catch them throughout the park. They will be around for meet and greets which I think is amazing. I would love to have my picture taken with any of the Star Wars characters.

For a full list of everything happening on Saturday check out the blog post at touringplans.com.

This Limited Time Magic Event will be galactic fun, with everything from cool merchandise to evening Star Wars-themed fireworks. As always I wish I lived closer to the parks. Here is my advice for those who are going. Expect crowds. Arrive early. Don’t plan to ride every ride. Instead, slow down and enjoy the special events and may the fourth be with you. Happiness Squared.

Goofy Tip: Disneyland is also celebrating “May the Fourth Be With You,” but on a much smaller scale. I have noticed that many of this year’s special events are happening on both coasts. So if you hear about an event check with your nearest park or touringplans.com to see if anything is happening at near you.

Now I am not saying you should be on a diet while visiting the Disney parks. I certainly don’t think about calories while on vacation. However, I do hate that super-full feeling, and being queasy can really disrupt your trip, so I don’t recommend eating everything that is not nailed down.

But how can you enjoy a humongous, tasty, fanciful cupcake and still have room for all the other delicious things you want to enjoy? Having been in this dilemma more times than I can count I can help you out. That way you can have your cupcake and eat it too.

5 ways to enjoy a Disney cupcake guilt-free:

1) Share with a friend. This is the most fun way and it means you can try out lots of different treats. One Disney cupcake can easily be shared by four friends. If you bought two different ones you would have a lovely variety that everyone will enjoy.

2) Substitute it for a meal. Instead of grabbing a burger and fries head to one the the lovely bakeries at the parks and enjoy a cupcake. This may seem like an indulgence, but one time won’t hurt. You can eat lots of fruit and vegetables when you get home.

3) Take it home. I did not make up this idea. It is often mentioned by other Disney blogs during a discussion of the Disney dining plan. Apparently it is common to have snack points left over. They recommend you buy snacks to enjoy at home. Cupcakes are great because they are portable and hold up to some jostling. However, if this is your plan I suggest bringing some Tupperware from home. The cardboard boxes provided by Disney don’t protect a cupcake longer than a few hours.

4) Take a picture of it. Perhaps you really can’t eat anything else but you want to remember how wonderful that cupcake looked. Well, a picture may be worth a thousand words but it is also zero calories. I take pictures of a lot of the desserts in the Disney parks, whether I am eating them or not. They are works of art.

5) Forget it, just eat it. Okay, truth time. This is what I do most of the time, and while it is tasty, I often wish I had picked options 1 through 4. If you are going to eat the entire cupcake no matter what, than I suggest you dump the guilt off the edge of the Tower of Terror and enjoy every bite.

There are a ton of great food options at the Disney parks. The cupcakes are amazing, but I am often tempted by everything from breakfast pastries to awesome Mickey Mouse cookies. Whatever treat you choose these ideas can help you get the maximum guilt-free enjoyment out of your treat. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: It is hard to list all the cupcakes that are available because a lot of them are only around for a limited time. However, if you or your kids want a fun cupcake that is always available than head over to Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and order a Spaghetti and Meatball cupcake. This fun treat may look like pasta but it tastes awesome. Be sure to take a picture because it will be gone in a flash.

Image from Disney Parks Blog

December 6, 2012 was a red-letter day for Walt Disney World. Three parks had grand-opening celebrations for new attractions, and while some were larger than others, they all showed how the  Imagineers never stop trying to improve your Disney experience.

Test Track Presented by Chevrolet in Epcot reopened after a major remodeling. This ride, which used to explain how auto manufacturers kept passengers safe in the 20th century, now shows Guests how they are improving the cars of the future. With a new queue, new cars, new storyline, and new post-show this attraction has changed everything but the name (and that changed a little, too.) I can’t wait to check it out.

The Legend of Jack Sparrow opened in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I think the best part of this walk-through attraction is the amount time you get to interact with Jack Sparrow and other pirates. As you learn if you’ve got what it takes to become a pirate you’ll think you had stepped into the movie, something I have always wanted to do. Now I need to decide, do I visit Epcot first, or Disney’s Hollywood Studios?

And the answer is neither. The next time I visit Walt Disney World (let it be soon) I’ll be heading straight for the Magic Kingdom because the New Fantasyland is officially open. I’ll be making dinner reservations at the Be Our Guest Restaurant and I’ll eagerly try out the non-queue at the new Dumbo ride (it is now inside a Big Top and has two Dumbo attractions running at the same time.) I’ll enjoy LeFou’s Brew, a new signature drink, and get my souvenir Gaston mug. And I’ll be walking around and admiring the new world that the Imagineers have created.

So much is going on at Walt Disney World that I can’t wait to go back. Anyone want to come with me? It should take about 10 days to see everything that is new and revisit all my old favorites. I think I’ll start planning my trip today. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: The new Fantasyland expansion is the largest improvement made to any Disney park ever. Two new castles were added along with new attractions and restaurants. This is going to be a wildly popular area for a long time. To get the most out of your experience do some research before you arrive. By knowing what is available and how the various lines (or non-lines) work you will have a magical, not a confusing, time.

Image from Disney Parks Blog

It is rare that Disney can surprise Guests with a new attraction. Due to visible construction and a desire to build anticipation it is pretty obvious when something new is being designed. So when I first heard the news that a Jack Sparrow attraction was being added to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and was going to open December 6, 2012 I was hopeful, yet skeptical.

However, the Disney Parks Blog just did a small post about it so it much be true. No one is saying much right now, but it appears a cool new pirate attraction is about be revealed.

From the little bit I have read it seems that Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow will be an interactive walk-through attraction. You’ll have the chance to prove you are worthy to sail with Jack Sparrow and see various pirate scenes come to life.

I think it sounds thrilling and I expect there will be big crowds at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this winter. There are so many awesome attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios already that I don’t need another reason to go, but the next time I am there this attraction will be at the top of my list.  Arrrgh!!! Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: Do you love mermaids? Did you think the mermaids in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides were the best part of the movie? Well, the mermaids have now arrived at the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at the Magic Kingdom. Keep a sharp eye out for them, but be cautious of their good looks and haunting song, or else you’ll end up in Davy Jones’s Locker!