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Ralph Breaks the Internet | Oh My Disney | The reunion you didn’t know you were dreaming of!

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I am part of the Ralph Breaks The Internet Event press tour. This post is a Disney partnered post. All opinions are my own.

Did you know Walt Disney was so pleased after the success of Snow White in 1937 that he took his earnings from that film and built his very own animation studio in Burbank California? This is where Disney still does most of their animation work. I had chills walking around the lot, thinking to myself, “This is where Walt Disney’s dreams came true.”

Blogger Press Event at the Walt Disney Animation Studio

This past July I had the privilege of being invited to the Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California for the #RalphBreaksTheInternetEvent. If I wasn’t already pumped for this movie, the press event definitely sealed the deal!

“Ralph Breaks the Internet contains animation technology that has never been done before! ” – Rich Moore, Film Director

I was able to interview the marvelous people who helped create this film Wreck it Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks the Internet. Director Rich Moore, Director/Writer Phil Johnston and Producer Clark Spencer make up the collective team that brought us the original Wreck it Ralph, back in 2012. The first movie was so hilarious, I’m sure this next one will be too. I asked the directors, “What scene in the new Ralph Breaks the Internet have you watched over and over and STILL makes you laugh?” They responded that there is a scene in which Ralph procures a virus in the dark net area. Rich Moore says it cracks him up every time! I will be thinking of him when I finally see this scene in the new movie, Wreck it Ralph 2. It was a blast chatting with the 3 of  them. You gotta read more about My Interview with the Directors of Ralph Breaks the Internet. 

RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET – Internet deep web environment visual development by Ryan Lang (Visual Development Artist) ©Disney. All Rights Reserved.

Speaking of that dark web scene, I also spoke with Matthias Lechner who is the Art Director for Walt Disney Studios. Matthias told me that the scene he is most proud of is the virus area or “dark web”. He wouldn’t reveal too much about it – but he says it’s a virtual masterpiece!

Nothing impressed me more than talking with the visual development artists! Cory Loftis was one of them, he told me that he worked on the original Wreck it Ralph movie and said when comparing the films, the animation complexity has risen tremendously. Everything is more detailed and unique. Josie Trinidad who is the Co-Head of Story echoed this message. She said, “Ralph breaks the Internet is ground breaking storytelling.” Don’t miss out on my post about the fascinating animation process in my article “Wreck it Ralph 2 | How it’s Made“. It has inside scoops from the heads of story and directors of animation themselves!

Wreck it Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks the Internet Storyline 

This movie is a sequel to the original “Wreck it Ralph”. The story opens where the old one left off. Ralph is breaking things while Penelope is racing in her own game. The two are best friends and life is good. Until….

A kid breaks the steering wheel of Penelope’s game. The arcade owner suggests that because the manufacturer is out of business its time to unplug the game and retire it. Penelope feels like she has lost her game and now she is homeless! Kids at the arcade find a replacement steering wheel part on Ebay! (of course they do. lol!) But it costs more than her game Sugar Rush generates in a whole year! The arcade owner declares it too expensive. And this is where the story really begins to take off.

Video game bad guy Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) navigate the vast and dynamic world wide web in search of a replacement part to save Vanellope’s game, Sugar Rush.

The voice cast is full of some of your favorite actors including: Gal Gadot, Taraji P Henson, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Alan Tudyk, Ali Wong, Ed O’Neill and more! 

We were treated to a clip of one of the opening scenes. I love how they depict the journey to the internet and the many expansive websites/location of the internet! It seems to me that they have captured the exact visual real life equivalent of each site, like google and eBay. Get ready to see the familiar internet names that you know, amazon, tinder, facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, etc – depicted as neighborhoods within the metotropilis that is THE INTERNET! But the most exciting and long awaited “neighborhood” featured within this movie is “Oh My Disney Dot Com” realm. 

Oh My Disney Dot Com 

I’m sure you all have heard of and visited ohmydisney.com. Wait till you see how the creators, writers and animators have chosen to bring this website TO LIFE in Wreck it Ralph 2! It’s better than I could have imagined, Disney is so innovative.

In the movie, Vanellope is wandering the internet and finds herself at Oh My Disney dot com. She pops into a room filled with ALL the Disney Princesses you’ve ever seen waltzing around Disney Parks or waving to you from a parade float! What is better than seeing all the Disney Princesses all together in one room? Maybe seeing them redressed in casual wear?

In the princess scenes, there is a lot of tongue-in-cheek humor that will make you laugh out loud. They poke fun and pay homage to the princesses original movies. It makes you love these characters even more because you are seeing them in a “backstage” kind of way. Aurora is humorously dozing off, Belle is constantly reading, Pocahontas always has magical wind in her hair, Rapunzel sits in a chair made of her own hair, and so on and so on! They accentuate the quirks in each princesses personality and it turned out to be some of the most comical dialogue! (For example Merida is going off on a rant, but no one can understand her accent because she is “from the other network” lol. get it? She’s the only Pixar princess!)

ROYAL REUNION – In “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2,”

This past September, Disney Studios BROKE THE INTERNET with the epic trailer that revealed the reunion of these 14 Disney princesses!  It all takes place in the Oh My Disney dot com neighborhood! This is where everything Disney related lives! This includes all Disney, Star Wars, Pixar, Muppets & Marvel related content! I know, I’m freaking out too! I can’t wait to see the whole movie. (I did see some sneaks peeks of Princess personality clashes, Storm Troopers, Novelty Tees, and Marvel heroes – But I’ve already said too much! You gotta see this movie for yourself! It’s gonna be Legend-dary!

Who is responsible for this grand slam?

Who can we thank for the Oh My Disney dot com realm and the EPIC Princess scenes? I got to interview the fantastic mastermind, Pamela Ribon who is also the co-writer of Ralph Breaks the Internet AND the voice of Snow White for the film. She had the original idea for the princess scenes years ago, it all started simply as a “nerd dream” (her words). But to quote Pam, “Nerd dreams often become nerd realities!”

Pamela Ribon has always been creative writer. She started as one of the originally mom bloggers, back in the 90s. She wrote for TV shows, and eventually her talent let her to the top – Disney Animation Studios! One day she pitched her brilliant idea of gathering all the princesses and having Disney poke a little fun at itself. She wasn’t sure if the filmmakers would embrace it, it was risky, but she pushed forward.

Pamela Ribon @pamelaribon attends the Ralph Breaks the Internet Premiere

I admire Pamela for her bravery and belief in her work. After she pitched the idea to the Disney filmmakers they responded with, “Do you think we could do this?” Pamela confidently responded, “There’s only one thing to do. Write it. Board it. Put it in the screening and one of two things is going to happen: The whole world will laugh and think it’s brilliant and then it’s in the movie, or they won’t find it as funny as we do—but we’ll have put our best foot forward.” Well, the story evolved, everyone LOVED it and the scene was already a hit before the movie hit theaters!

SELFIE! – In “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” Vanellope von Schweetz hits the internet where she encounters and then befriends the Disney princesses. Filmmakers invited the original voice talent to return to the studio to help bring their characters to life, including Sarah Silverman (Vanellope in “Ralph Breaks the Internet”), Auli‘i Cravalho (“Moana”), Kristen Bell (Anna in “Frozen”), Idina Menzel (Elsa in “Frozen”), Kelly MacDonald (Merida in “Brave”), Mandy Moore (Rapunzel in “Tangled”), Anika Noni Rose (Tiana in “The Princess and the Frog”), Ming-Na Wen (“Mulan”), Irene Bedard (“Pocahontas”), Linda Larkin (Jasmine in “Aladdin”), Paige O’Hara (Belle in “Beauty and the Beast”), and Jodi Benson (Ariel in “The Little Mermaid”). ©2018 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

“Vanellope is technically a princess, but hasn’t really been included among Disney royalty,” says Ribon. She will be after this movie! Thanks Pamela, for believing in this funny idea and sharing it with all of us.  The Princess scenes in Oh My Disney dot com are what I’m looking forward to the most in Ralph Breaks the Internet!

BTW if you wanna have some fun, go to OhMyDisney and take the “Which Wreck-it Ralph Character Are You?” Quiz.
I was Fix-It Felix! Which makes total sense, I’m a fixer!

Mark you calendars, everyone! Wreck-It Ralph 2:  Ralph Breaks the Internet is coming to our theaters November 21st, 2018! It will be rated PG, so bring the whole family after you eat too much turkey on Thanksgiving! 

Like WRECK-IT RALPH on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WreckItRalph/

Follow WRECK-IT RALPH on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wreckitralph

Follow WRECK-IT RALPH on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wreckitralph/

xo

Everything You and Your Baby Need to Know about Diapers in Disney

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I’ve been one of those moms who meticulously planned every detail of my Disney Family Vacation. Only to find that midday, as I frantically searched every pocket in my stroller, I had run out of Diapers. Where can I buy Diapers in Disney? I run up to the nearest cast member I can find, being careful to hold my stinky baby in the opposite direction and ask, “Excuse me, I..” Without hesitation she smiles and points, “The Baby Care is on the left. They’ll have everything you need.” Wow was she right! Where can you buy Diapers in Disney? At the Baby Care Center located in every Disney Park! 

The Baby Care Centers at Walt Disney World and Disneyland are a great resource for families with babies and toddlers. There is one located in each of the theme parks. In addition to providing a convenient place to feed and change your baby, they are fully staffed and offer a variety of amenities that make life much easier. There are full-size changing tables, high chairs, a kitchen and a shop with baby food, formula, bottles, pacifiers, diapers, wipes, medicines and other essentials for purchase.

Where to Buy Diapers in Disney

Hopefully you won’t find yourself in a desperate poopy diaper situation inside a Disney Park, but if you do – I’ve got you covered. In each park there is a “Baby Care Center” located somewhat near the entrance or center of the park. In this Baby Care Center is a little store you can buy a variety of baby items. They sell baby food, all kinds of formula, bottles, pacifiers, all sizes of Diapers, wipes, over the counter medications and any other baby essential you could think of! This is invaluable if you forget an item, run out of an item, or you don’t want to lug around a bunch of things. Just pop into the Baby Care Center and grab what you need.

If you are staying at a Disney Resort, you may also purchase diapers  and all sorts of baby products at the gift shops located adjacent to the Lobby. Here you will also find extra clothes in case your baby has a big accident and needs a new outfit. Did your baby already loose that pacifier? Did you forget the sunscreen for the pool? Don’t worry, Disney has everything you need.

Where to Change your Baby’s Diaper in Disney

If you already have what you need, and don’t need to visit the shop, explore the rest of the Baby Care Center. This place is such a hidden gem, I cannot believe I didn’t know about it. After asking around, I realized so many other mommas didn’t either! This place is an excellent resource for families. It is the perfect place to change and feed your baby. The Baby Care Centers are fully  staffed and can help show you where everything is.

There is a changing room where there are rows and rows of changing tables. They are clean and far apart so you can also change your baby with a little privacy. Another room is set up as a “feeding room” with high chairs and counters. Beside the feeding room is usually a small kitchen for you to prep a bottle or meal for your baby. Thankfully, Disney is supportive of breastfeeding mothers and has an area where you can sit in a comfy rocking chair and nurse your baby. It is usually dimly lit and quieter than the other rooms.

At the entrance of the Baby Care Center there is usually a playroom where the rest of the family or kids can wait and play. There will be a few toys, couches and a classic Disney movie playing on a screen. I do also want to make special mention of this room because it is a great place to escape all the stimulation (lights and noise) that comes with a Disney park visit. If your child has any sensory issues and need a place to relax, I suggest you find the Baby Care Center and take a break.

Potty Training in Disney

If your baby is all grown up and in training pants/pull-ups, the Baby Care Center is still the place for you. The shop also sells pull-ups/training underwear. If you child goes to the Potty successfully, ask one of the cast members for a sticker as a reward! They will love it!

Potty Training Tips:

  • Remember to cover the sensor on those automatic flush toilets to prevent the toilet from flushing before your child is finished. The flushing noise is so loud and you don’t need any sort of discouragement in the potty training process.
  • The Baby Care Center is equipped with tiny toilet. If your little one can hold it, try stopping by using those instead of the big people toilets.
  • Think about packing a travel potty seat that you can wipe out at any time. Gimars Upgrade has a great one that is made of silicone and folds flat. It comes with a sanitary travel case. You can use it on planes, in any public bathroom and on your memorable Disney vacation. The seat comes in blue, pink and yellow.

 

Don’t let potty training hold you back from any adventure. Plan that Disney trip, get on that plane, and go explore this planet! Each stage in parenting is difficult but it is all part of the journey your family is living. You will never get to relive these difficult days, so find the good.

For all the mommas with kids ages 5 and under, I want to share a Toddler Guide to Walt Disney World with YOU. I want you to have the most fun with your kiddos when you visit Walt Disney World. I’ve outlined everything that is age appropriate for your little ones. Go ahead, click and scroll through my Toddler Guide to Walt Disney World.

The One Thing Every Mom Forgets to Plan

I would be remised if I didn’t mention to you all the ultimate resource. There is one thing that every Disney traveler seems to forget to plan for. What do you do when someone in your family falls ill? Do what I do and call The Medical Concierge at 1(855)-932-5252. They are a group of physicians and nurses that can help you with anything from a chipped tooth, to IV fluids, breathing treatments or wound care. The Medical Concierge doctors will come to your hotel, resort or vacation home to provide medical assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! They bring the care to you, they deliver any medications you might need, and follow up with you afterwards. The Medical Concierge works closely with Disney Resorts and all neighboring hotels. While Medical Concierge works mostly in non-emergency situations, they can also help you plan your vacation ahead of time for someone who already has medical needs. For example if you need dialysis set up, or medical equipment when you are visiting the Orlando area. Keep the number handy, you never know when you or someone else might need it.

Don’t forget to hop on over to my Bringing Food Into Disney Guide

Relax, take it slow, and have fun!
If you have any questions for me or suggestions, I’d love to hear them. Please comment below. I look forward to hearing from you. Have a magical day! Make the most of your Disney trip!
xo

Disney’s Christopher Robin is out on Blu-ray

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*I am part of the #ChristopherRobinEvent press tour. This post is a Disney partnered post. All opinions are my own

“Christopher Robin is heart warming. It’s familiar, but completely reimagined.” – megforit.com Official Film Review

I’m sure you all have seen the commercials and trailers. Hopefully you saw Disney’s Christopher Robin at your local movie theater. This movie is on elf the best family friendly movies on the year! The message and quality of the film make it a “must see!”. Wanna read my no-spoiler review?
I don’t want to give away the whole movie but I can share a little smackerel.
FULL MOVIE REVIEW

Piglet, Pooh, Rabbit, Roo, Kanga, Tigger and Eeyore in Disney’s live-action adventure CHRISTOPHER ROBIN.

When will Christopher Robin Blu-Ray be Released?

I have good news, the Blu-ray dvd will be released November 6th, 2018. This is just in time for the holidays! The beautiful live-action film is available digitally on “Movies Anywhere” and on Blu-ray / DVD along with some incurable behind-the-scenes extras+ bonus features!

Christopher Robin’s Blu-ray and Digital HD bonus features:

  • A Movie Is Made for Pooh – Filmmakers and cast share their passion for this story in a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie.
  • Pooh Finds His Voice – Discover what it’s like to voice Winnie the Pooh, from voice actors Sterling Holloway to Jim Cummings.
  • Pooh and Walt Become Friends – How did Walt Disney and Pooh meet? Take a journey through time to explore the legacy of Walt’s first encounter with Pooh.
  • Pooh and Friends Come to Life – See how Winnie the Pooh and Friends were brought to life as walking and talking stuffed animals in this magical live-action world.
  • We Were Very Young – Meet the actual, original teddy bear who, along with his best friends, has inspired so much love worldwide for almost a century.
  • An exclusive digital bonus feature explores the actual teddy bear, given to Christopher Robin Milne 98 years ago. This is the bear that inspired the original Pooh stories.

The bonus features are fascinating. I love to hear behind the scenes from the creators of a movie. There are also features that explain Walt Disneys connection and that is something I am always fascinated with. Walt Disney is one of the biggest inspirations to me and so many other people.

What is this movie about?

The Christopher Robin movie storyline will have you laughing and crying on a journey through the spectrum of emotions that everyone can relate to. The idea that no one wants to be forgotten, all of us want to be loved, and we all get a bit too consumed with work at times. This movie explores the idea of Christopher Robin all grown up.

After a few flashbacks, the movie really begins as we see Christopher is wrapped up in a stressful career. He continually choses work over his family and sternness over whimsy. His life is collapsing around him because he has lost sight of what is important. He has forgotten the wisdom of the 100 acre wood. He broke his promise. He forgot Pooh. (Do you feel your tender heartstrings being pulled? Oh, it gets even better!)

A series of adventures ensue as Christopher Robin saves his friends and in return his friends end up saving him. Pooh and the gang help Christopher Robin remember the loving and playful boy who is still inside.

Madeline Robin (Bronte Carmichael), Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor), Evelyn Robin (Hayley Atwell), Eeyore, Piglet and Tigger in Disney’s live-action adventure CHRISTOPHER ROBIN.

The actors were so well casted! Each one contributes such familiarity to this story. Ewan McGregor plays Christopher Robin in a way that he was always meant to be played. He seems to balance the depth of the overworked adult and then contrast it with the fun father who reconnects with his childhood. Ewan McGregor always adds whimsy to the screen and I am so happy director Marc Forster asked him to be part of this project.

The director also brought in actress Hayley Atwell to play Christopher Robins wife. She is a strong character that never wavers despite her husband losing himself. She stays strong as a woman, wife and mother to little Madelyn. Madelyn is played by Bronte Carmichael. Bronte delivers the lines in such a sweet way, you don’t want her to get hurt or be sad. She adds some invaluable empathy to this movie. 

Thankfully, beloved character actor, Jim Cummings is back as Pooh! Jim Cummings voice just melts the room! You can feel the entire theater audience get goosebumps. He also does the voice of Tigger in this film!

My connection to Christopher Robin

I first learned about this movie at the February 2018 Disney Social Media Mom’s Celebration conference. Kristen Durr (co-producer) brought us a sneak preview clip of the movie Christopher Robin. I cried. It takes a bit to bring me to tears, but I’m a sucker for the “we all have to grow up” dilemma. 

In the summer of 2018, I was invited by Disney to walk the red carpet at the DISNEY’S CHRISTOPHER ROBIN premiere and attend the press junket where I interviewed talent from the film!

I had the honor and privilege of interviewing the hard working & thoughtful director Marc Forester. I met Jim Cummings the voice of Pooh & Tigger too! I totally fan-girled my favorite actor Ewan McGregor while I talked to him about his favorite lines in the movie. You gotta read that interview! I also had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Bronte Carmichael, who plays Christopher Robin’s daughter Madeline. Lastly, please don’t forget to read my interview with Hayley Atwell (who plays “Evelyn Robin”) for a unique take on the message of the film.

Marc Forster Director of Chirstopher Robin

Hayley Atwell is Evelyn Robin

Jim Cummings is the voice of Winnie the Pooh and Tigger in the film Christopher Robin

Ewan McGregor plays Christopher Robin

Bronte Carmichael plays Christopher Robins Daughter, Madeline.

Fun Secret Movie Trivia

  • Much of the filming of the Hundred Acre Wood scenes took place at Ashdown Forest, which was the original inspiration for the setting, as well as Windsor Great Park.
  • Young Christopher Robin’s outfit is based on the one he wore in the original Ernest Shepard illustrations.
  • Dustin Hoffman, Chris O’Dowd, Alan Tudyk, Andy Richter, Stephen Root and Martin Short were all considered for the voice of Tigger.
  • A red balloon also plays an important role in Winnie the Pooh (2011), which was the last time Pooh and his friends appeared on the big screen prior to this movie.
  • Richard M. Sherman has been confirmed to write three original songs for the film after having done so with his late brother Robert B. Sherman in many of the preceding Disney’s Winnie the Pooh feature films, including The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977), The Tigger Movie (2000), and also most of the theatrical shorts and one direct-to-video Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving (1999). It has been confirmed that the title song “Winnie The Pooh” from The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977) will be used in this film and so will the other two original songs “Up, Down, Touch the Ground” and “The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers”.
  • This is Nick Mohammed’s (voice of piglet) first Disney movie role in 2018. His next one is The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018).

Great Gift for the Holiday Season

Because this movie is so family friendly, it makes for a great gift for all members of the family. You kids, your spouse, your parents, they will all enjoy receiving this Blu-ray. I personally remember my parents reading Pooh stories to me, and I have continue to read these stories of lovable characters to my own children. I encourage you to watch the film and purchase the Blu-ray for the bonus features to learn an appreciation for the Pooh stories. They stand the test of time!

You can visit your local Disney store or ShopDisney.com to purchase your own Christopher Robin Blu-ray / DVD

FYI Disney’s Christopher Robin runs for approximately 104 minutes and it is rated PG in U.S. (bonus material not rated), G in CE and G in CF. The disc offers a variety of languages and subtitles, including Spanish, Latin Spanish, French.

To borrow that famous line from the Great Movie Ride, “I’ll see you – at the movies!”

xo

 

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