It’s not the holidays without Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas.” Get into the holiday spirit with timeless holiday classics like “Home Alone.” Tonight on Freeform it’s a double-feature! First watch “Home Alone” at 6:45p/5:45c followed by “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” at 9:15p/8:15c. So tuck in, don’t oversleep, and spend the evening with Kevin McCallister and bumbling bandits Harry and Marv.
“You’d better come out and stop me!” – Kevin’s
Kitchen Sink Sundae
Whether you are huddled with family or home alone, we’ve got the perfect treat that’s sure to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. During tonight’s double-feature presentation, we invite you to try this Kevin McCallister-inspired dessert that is literally overflowing with deliciousness. This fun and easy recipe comes direct from the kitchens at Disney Parks!
To learn more about Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas” programming click the link below.
One of the most exciting parts of my job as a Disney Parks photographer is capturing images of a new attraction before it opens to the public, and when I get to work with one of my favorite franchises like Star Wars, it’s even better. On the flip side, one of the most challenging parts of my job is figuring out how to convey the emotion of a new attraction through still photos. I’ve found if I focus on the things that stand out most to me in the moment – stretch out with my feelings, you might say – it usually works out for the best.
Today marks one year since the debut of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s a Star Wars adventure of massive proportions, where you blast off Batuu with the Resistance, only to be captured by the First Order and make a daring escape. This one-year anniversary got me thinking back to the time just prior to the attraction’s grand opening when I spent an entire day inside Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, taking literally thousands of pictures.
I was all over Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance that day, and one of the best parts was the hour I took inside the First Order Star Destroyer hangar. There’s a garrison of 50 First Order Stormtroopers in there – quite an intimidating display – and I wanted to convey the awe I knew guests would feel as they enter the huge room. I used wide-angle lenses to capture the scope of the garrison and the hangar, then swapped in telephoto lenses to investigate all the little details of the seemingly overwhelming number of Stormtroopers. After settling on an interesting angle, I would sometimes have to wait for a Stormtrooper to strike just the right pose or for a passing Star Destroyer to be in just the right spot in the background. With a Disney Imagineer by my side, I was even able to walk among the Stormtroopers, finding new perspectives I knew I’d never get the chance to capture again once the attraction opened to the public.
My favorite photo from that morning, though, was taken from the center of the hangar, where guests now walk every day. I got down flat on my stomach, holding my camera as low as possible to increase the Stormtroopers’ reflections in the shiny black floor. Shooting from such an extreme angle, I could make them appear taller in the frame and even more intimidating, while still able to see through them and out into space beyond. By changing my own certain point of view that was just slightly different from that of a guest, I emphasized some of the attraction’s key storytelling details and, hopefully as you look at the photo now, conveyed the feelings I had facing off with all those Stormtroopers!
Trade your glass slippers for running shoes and get ready to move with magic with all-new runDisney merchandise coming soon to shopDisney.com! Whether you’re participating in an upcoming at-home runDisney event or just want to add a little extra magic to your workout gear, take a look at some of our favorites from the new collection:
This magical collection, coming soon to shopDisney.com, features both runDisney logo performance apparel with art highlighting the classic Disney characters. From athletic tank tops for training to long-sleeve shirts and sweatshirts perfect for those winter miles, there’s something for everyone to don their runDisney style.
Need a little motivation for your workouts? Check out our cross-training workouts paired with some of your favorite Disney animated films that you can now stream on Disney+:
One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort is gazing at the elaborate store window displays, especially along Main Street, U.S.A., in Magic Kingdom Park and World of Disney at Disney Springs.
For our merchandise presentation team, the holiday season is the culmination of almost a year of work – they start planning for the holidays in January! They start with the concept phase, talking with the product and merchandise development team that gives them a glimpse of what the next season will bring. Then in summertime, they start working on the details of the design from ornaments, ribbons and everything that will be used to create their magic. Talk about Christmas in July, right?
As soon as Halloween ends, the teams start to work on the actual install of the window displays. At that point, they can finally share with our guests what they have worked on for the whole year.
Installing these window displays is no small task. There are around 30 windows on Main Street, U.S.A., and each one receives unique décor and theming. At the Emporium, for example, the team retells the story of the shop’s original proprietor, Osium Osh Popham, by re-creating how the windows would have looked at the turn of the 20th century.
At Disney Springs, the team ensures all of the displays continue the story of World of Disney, which is an artists’ loft. They “merried” the product and décor to the theming of the store, as well.
Check out this video to see how cast members bring these windows to life!
Next time you are on Main Street U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom Park or at World of Disney at Disney Springs, make sure to look inside the windows to see the holiday season come to life!
Welcome, Adventurers! I hope you have enjoyed traveling “around the world” with our collection of at-home virtual trips inspired by beloved Adventures by Disney destinations.
Today we’re taking you to the storied land of pyramids and pharaohs, where many have traveled to experience the mystery and wonder of this ancient civilization. Next stop: Egypt!
Gather your family together to virtually explore this remarkable destination.
1. Play like an Egyptian
When it comes to Egypt, there are so many stories to share. It is a destination that has fascinated historians, archeologists and explorers for centuries. On an Adventures by Disney guided group tour or Private Adventure to Egypt, you will experience this amazing destination and learn so much about the people, places and culture. But rather than simply sharing some of the highlights, why not give you a chance to test your knowledge? We’ve put together a matching game in which you and your family pair each subject with its corresponding description. Think you can get a perfect score? Print out the game and answer sheet to get started.
2. Taste the flavors of Egypt
On day six of our Adventures by Disney itinerary in Egypt, families learn how to cook traditional dishes using fresh, local ingredients. Well today, get ready to enjoy the flavors of Egypt in your own kitchen with this delicious Ginger Carrot Soup recipe. This savory dish, from our friends at Disney Family, is the perfect addition to your at-home Egyptian adventure.
3. Take your next meeting to Egypt
Display your love for travel during your next video conference with these Adventures by Disney virtual backgrounds. Guests visit the pyramids and Sphinx of Giza (left) and the Luxor temple (right) on both our Adventures by Disney guided group itinerary and Private Adventure to Egypt. Just marvel at the grandeur of these iconic monuments! How the ancient Egyptians built these impressive structures remains somewhat of a mystery to this day.
To use the backgrounds, right-click on the images and save them to your computer. Be sure to check out the terms of use before downloading. Then, follow the conferencing platform’s instructions to add some Adventures by Disney magic to your video conferencing.
4. Become a “seasoned” traveler
On every Adventures by Disney trip, guests are immersed in the culture and experiences that make up the heart of each destination. And in Egypt, the traditional “souks,” or marketplaces, are a big part of everyday life. On the Egypt itinerary, adventurers will visit Khan el-Khalili, a famous marketplace established in the 14th century. There, you’ll find all sorts of goods and products – including herbs and spices.
So, let’s bring a small taste of this adventure to you with a sampling of spices you might find when exploring the marketplaces of Egypt. For this activity, gather together the below list of spices and display them in separate bowls. Take turns with your family members exploring the properties of each spice as you read its description (listed below). Do you taste the strong bite of the ginger? How about the sweetness of the cinnamon? Which one is most fragrant?
After trying them all, make a meal combining your favorite flavors. May we suggest the Ginger Carrot Soup? (See above recipe.)
Ginger: Refreshing, spicy, pungent, sweet and warm. Ginger is considered a “hot-tasting” spice and is used for many things, including herbal medicine, baked goods, condiments, beverages, candies and even pickled ginger.
Cinnamon: Sweet, spicy and warm with a woody fragrance. Used in both sweet and savory dishes. In ancient times, cinnamon was a highly sought-after and valuable spice. Did you know that Egyptians used cinnamon – along with other spices – in the embalming process due to its antibacterial properties?
Coriander: Warm, nutty and spicy with a distinctive citrus flavor. Some uses for this spice include condiments, desserts, stews, marinades and meat dishes. Coriander leaves are popular garnishes.
Cardamom: Intense sweet flavor and aromatic. Cardamom seeds are often used for cooking, but this spice is also commonly used to flavor coffee. If using whole cardamom pods, break open the pods and grind the seeds to taste this spice.
Cumin: Earthy, spicy and strongly aromatic. Cumin is one of the ancient Mediterranean spices. The seeds can be used whole or ground, and popular uses include kabobs, couscous, stews, breads and sauces.
Turmeric: Aromatic and bitter. This spice is believed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is commonly used in curry and rice dishes. With its bold color, this spice serves as a natural coloring agent.
Expert at-home traveler tip! Enjoy your meal along with some freshly brewed mint or hibiscus tea – two popular beverages in Egypt.
For more Adventures at Home, be sure to check out our collection of virtual trips and at-home activities. Travel to Greece, the land of powerful gods and extraordinary heroes; explore the majestic natural wonders of Iceland; discover the wilderness and rich culture of Alaska; learn about time-honored traditions in Ireland; join a safari to South Africa or experience the beauty of Montana and Yellowstone National Park.
Stay tuned to Disney Parks Blog for even more #DisneyMagicMoments and experience the magic of Disney wherever you may be.
