Countdown to 'Beauty and the Beast' #15

Magical Monday- Mickey's PhilharMagic at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

When trying to keep up with the hustle and bustle of Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, it is easy for smaller attractions to take a back seat to the park's E-Ticket attractions. However, if you are a fan of Disney animated films, especially those released in the 90s, then Mickey's PhilharMagic is a must-see during your visit to the happiest place on earth!

Opening in October 2003, Mickey's PhilharMagic is located just behind Cinderella's castle in the Fantasyland area of Magic Kingdom. The 4D attraction features classic Disney characters, like Mickey and Donald, as well as characters from Aladdin, Fantasia, The Lion King, Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast. In the Beauty and the Beast sequence, Donald Duck takes Belle's place as the castle's hungry visitor, complete with a performance of "Be Our Guest" from Lumiere.


Throwback Thursday: “I have spent a lot of time considering the emotional life of crockery.”

Emma Thompson is no stranger to stepping into Angela Lansbury's shoes. Not only has Emma Thompson worked with the legendary actress on 2005's Nanny McPhee, but she also played Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd in 2014, a role originated by Lansbury in 1979 on Broadway. As Mrs. Potts in the live-action Beauty and the Beast, Emma Thompson is once more stepping into one of Angela Lansbury's iconic roles and I'm sure we can all agree it will be marvelous!

Thompson spoke with Vulture last fall about Beauty and the Beast and following in Lansbury's footsteps:

“Imagine walking once more into Angela’s shoes!” Thompson mused. So, how did she inhabit Lansbury’s famous teapot? “I think I just had to make her as warm and round and scouting as possible,” Thompson said, adding with a laugh, “I have spent a lot of time considering the emotional life of crockery.”

Watch: Emma Thompson honors Angela Lansbury at the 2013 Governors Awards

Countdown to 'Beauty and the Beast' #8

Magical Monday- Gaston's Tavern at the Magic Kingdom

When the New Fantasyland expansion opened in December 2012, a large portion of the area was dedicated to Beauty and the Beast with Enchanted Tales with Belle, Be Our Guest restaurant, and Gaston's Tavern. Guests walking up to the tavern are first greeted by a fountain, which is a tribute to Gaston and gift to the village people (from Gaston himself). The restaurant itself, which serves quick-service snacks, lived up to the song and uses antlers in all its decorating, including a grand chandelier and the frame of Gaston's portrait. Gaston's Tavern also features a signature drink called LeFou's Brew (YUMMY!) that comes in one of two souvenir cups (you can never have too many!).

Check out the official Disney menu and a walk through of the tavern below.


Watchful Wednesday- Tamara Drewe (Luke Evans)

Based on the comic by Posy Simmonds, Tamara Drewe is a modern re-telling of Thomas Hardy's classic novel, Far from the Madding Crowd starring Gemma Arterton as the titular character. Directed by Academy Award nominee Stephen Frears (The Queen), the film also stars Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper, Tamsin Greig, and Roger Allam.

Countdown to 'Beauty and the Beast' #4

Magical Monday- Enchanted Tales with Belle at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

"Take me back to the day Belle and Beast fell in love!" If you are a fan of Beauty and the Beast, then New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom park is probably at the top of your Disney wish list. From the Be Our Guest restaurant to Gaston's Tavern, the area of Belle's Village is an immersive experience for any Disney guest. Also located in the village is Enchanted Tales with Belle, where guests can visit Maurice's cottage and travel through a magic mirror to the Beast's castle. The interactive show, which officially opened on December 6, 2012, allows kids and adults to take part in a retelling of Belle and Beast's story narrated by Lumiere and complete with an appearance by Belle herself.

Although the attraction itself is entertaining, you will not begrudge some of the wait time, if only to have the chance to explore Maurice's cottage. Here you can see several nods to the animated classic, as well as some charming new touches to Belle's story. One of my favorites is the painting of Belle and her mother hanging in the living room. I also love the wood carving of Belle and Beast tucked away on a high shelf in Maurice's workshop, which is actually a small scale model for the large music box in the Rose Gallery room of the Be Our Guest restaurant.

Countdown to 'Beauty and the Beast' #1

With Beauty and the Beast less than a year away from release, the blog will be celebrating each week leading up to the film's release. Although each day of the week will have a designated type of post, not all will be included on a weekly basis. Below you will find a list and description of the blog's weekly countdown posts.

Countdown to Beauty and the Beast:
Magical Mondays- Find out where you can find Beauty and the Beast at the Walt Disney World Resort
Trivia Tuesdays- Beauty and the Beast trivia, from animation to the stage and back to the big screen
Watchful Wednesdays- Movie recommendations featuring the cast and crew of Beauty and the Beast
Throwback Thursdays- Take a look back at the history of Beauty and the Beast and the best news from the past year
Weekend Round-Up- What's new in Beauty and the Beast news