Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Merchandise Revealed

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September 9, 2016

With the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival starting in just a few days, Disney Parks Blog has given us a peek at the fabulous Food & Wine Festival Merchandise that will be available this year.

Something many of us look forward to seeing each year, is the new Dooney & Bourke collection for the annual festival. This year’s design was inspired by the many dining options available during the Food & Wine Festival. Each of the bags are adorned with a specially designed leather hang tag.

New limited edition pins are released each year for the Food & Wine Festival. The pins always have a lovely take on different kiosks and the theme of the festival.

I’m excited that there is a Yzma and Kronk pin this year, you never see many things for the Emperor’s New Groove. I’m also loving the sushi pin featuring Mickey, Donald, Minnie and Goofy.

Another beautiful new edition is the Chef Mickey Pandora Charm coming for the festival. He’s beautifully sculpted and pairs perfectly with the monorail charm.

A really fun an exciting item coming is something I’ve seen at many Food & Wine festivals and always wished the Epcot one had! The wine holder plate makes moving about the festival easy, as it holds your drink on your plate so you have a hand free to nosh while you stroll.

Other fabulous merchandise including more Figment themed items will be available. New art for the “Taste Your Way Around the World” program will also be available. This collection incorporates nods to the early days of Epcot. Disney Design Group artist Richard Terpstra incorporated vintage iconography and symbols from Epcot into several of his designs.

What do you think of this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Merchandise offerings?

Spectacular Disney Park Map Hair Bows That Dazzle

By

Danielle

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September 9, 2016

My friend Melissa showed me the CUTEST bows today, her and I are both of the belief that there is no age restriction on hair bows. The unique thing about these, is they are actually Disney Park Map hair bows! They are made by designer MagicFanBoutique on Etsy.

These are unique hair bows created out of park maps from Disney Parks. They have an actual part of the paper maps that have been laminated for durability and waterproofing. They are then combined with ribbon and handcrafted into a unique hair bow. It has a epoxy covered center which is also part of a map.This is not a official or licensed Disney product. The bows clip on, and the designer shows so many cute ideas for them. You can clip them onto an Ear Hat or onto an Ears Headband for an extra disney flair. I love that this designer has Park Map bows for both Disneyland, Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney World, so you can find a bow for you favorite park!

Check out all of the park bows and more below:

Which of these unique Disney Park Map Bows is your favorite?

A Guide to Frightfully Delicious Eats During Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 9, 2016

Today is the first official day of Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort! Take a look at the complete list of Halloween-themed goodies that guests can find throughout Disneyland and Resort Hotels from September 9 – October 31, 2016:

Disneyland Park

Blue Bayou Restaurant

Mickey’s Halloween Party Dining Package – Prix fixe menu including your choice of starter, entrée and dessert, in addition to reserved viewing for the new “Frightfully Fun Parade”

Café Orleans

Grilled Flat Iron Steak – Served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, haricots vert, peppercorn cognac sauce
Butterscotch Beignets

Carnation Café

Blackened Spicy Chicken Sandwich

French Market Restaurant

Cookies & Cream Mousse Coffin Cake
Butterscotch Beignets

Golden Horseshoe

Ice Cream Nachos

Hungry Bear Restaurant

Pulled Pork Dog – Served on a toasted roll topped and with barbecue pulled pork and citrus slaw, pickled jalapeños and fresh cilantr
Apple Pie Funnel Cake

Jolly Holiday Bakery Café

Bat Mickey Cookie
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pumpkin Muffin
Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pie
Maple Creme Brulee
Spiced Bundt Cake
Caramel Eclair
Holiday Brownie
S’mores Bar
Chocolate Hazelnut Mickey-Shaped French Macaron
Corn Chowder Soup
Pumpkin Spice Latte

Market House

Bat Mickey Cookie

Maurice’s Treats

Pumpkin Twist

Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante

Pork Tamale & Cheese Enchilada
Pumpkin Flan

Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port

Supernova Pizza Special – A delicious slice topped with pastrami with mustard oil, Mozzarella, battered pickle chips and finished with a horseradish-mustard sauce
•Spider Parfait

River Belle Terrace

Loaded Bites – Seasoned potatoes topped with beef brisket, creamy pimento cheese and spicy barbecue sauce

Stage Door Café

Bat Mickey Cookie

Village Haus Restaurant

Barbecue Pulled Pork Flatbread – Topped with Mozzarella, roasted corn, pickled onions and parsley

Disney California Adventure Park

Award Wieners

Bat Mickey Cookie

Bayside Brews

Karl Strauss Oktoberfest Beer

Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta

Bat Mickey Cookie
Anti-Vampire Chicken Pizza – With roasted garlic sauce, marinated chicken, smoked Gouda, Mozzarella, roasted red peppers and a tomato-harissa sauce drizzle
Pumpkin Cheesecake

Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge

Poison Apple-Tini

Cozy Cone Motel

Pumpkin Twist

Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café

Bat Mickey Cookie

Flo’s V8 Café

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie

Mortimer’s Market

Pumpkin-Shaped Bread

Pacific Wharf Café

Bat Mickey Cookie
Pumpkin-Shaped Bread
Pumpkin Raisin Bread Pudding
Bacon Cheddar Ale Soup
Karl Strauss Oktoberfest Beer

Paradise Pier Ice Cream Co.

Vanilla and Orange Soft-Serve Ice Cream

Schmoozies

Caramel Apple Smoothie – With pieces of apple, caramel and ice cream

Smokejumpers Grill

Bat Mickey Cookie
“Cobweb Style” topping of Swiss cheese, grilled onions and mushrooms

Disneyland Hotel

The Coffee House

Pumpkin Spice Latte
Caramel Apple Cider
Pumpkin Muffin

Steakhouse 55

Poison Apple-tini

Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar

Hitchhiking Ghost Tiki Mug with specialty drink, This Chilling Challenge (Limit two mugs per guest)

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

Hearthstone Lounge

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Holiday Cart in Hearthstone Lounge

Cake Pops
Hot Cocoa (available with or without rum)
Hot Cider (available with or without rum)
Pumpkin Hot Cocoa

White Water Snacks

Bat Mickey Cookie
Pumpkin Muffin
Spiced Bundt Cake

Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel

Disney’s PCH Grill

Seasonal Halloween desserts on buffet

Surfside Lounge

Bat Mickey Cookie
Pumpkin Muffin
Pumpkin Spice Latte

Gourmet Candy, Available at Candy Kitchens Throughout Disneyland Resort (Trolley Treats in Disney California Adventure park, Candy Palace and Hunny Spot in Disneyland park, Marceline’s Confectionary in Downtown Disney District)

Gourmet Apples
Cake Pops
Marshmallow Wands
Mickey-Shaped Crisped Rice Treats
Cupcakes
Fudge

Throughout Disneyland Resort

Candy Corn Cotton Candy
Poison Apple Stein – Served with fruit, beverages or ice cream sundae
Vampire Mickey Popcorn Bucket
Zero Popcorn Bucket
Halloween Hot Mug

Contact me, Laura Bourget, to start planning your Walt Disney World adventure. I am a Travel Agent with MickeyTravels, along with a Writer for Chip and Company, and would love to help book and plan your next magical vacation. Email [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to get started!

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

The Walt Disney Studios: A Lot to Remember Disney Editions

By

Danielle

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September 9, 2016

Go Inside Disney’s dream factory with The Walt Disney Studios: A Lot to Remember (Disney Editions) hardcover book, which is now available. This deluxe book features a heavily illustrated history of the Walt Disney film studio. Co-written by the director of the Walt Disney Archives Rebecca Cline and Steven B. CLark, founder of D:23 the Official Disney Fan Club.

The Walt Disney Studios: A Lot to Remember brings readers back to 19223, when two enterprising brothers named Walt and Roy Disney decided to go into the movie business together, establishing the Disney Brothers Studio in Los Angeles, CA. Since then, Walt Disney Studios has released hundreds of groundbreaking and entertaining shorts as well as full-length feature films in both animation and live-action garnering countless awards, accolades, and aficionados the world over. Walt was never a man to rest on his laurels, the Disney Studio continues to surpass itself, innovating new technology, pioneering new techniques, and gleaning higher box-office returns with every passing decade.

Abundantly illustrated with behind-the-scenes photographs and artwork from the studios ninety-plus years of productions, The Walt Disney Studios: A Lot to Remember celebrates Walt Disney’s dream factory, which has always been and continues to be the heard of the Walt DIsney Company. From Pinocchio and Fantasia, World War II propaganda films to the Disneyland TV show, Bedknobs and Broomsticks to Pirates of the Caribbean, some of the company’s most monumental and iconic creations have been brought to life at the Studio. So park your car in the Zorro lot, take a stroll down MIckey Avenue, and get ready for an insider tour …this is the Walt Disney Studios like it’s never been seen before.

When I opened the box containing this breathtaking book, I was very impressed. The book is quite large, and the pages are just beautifully bound. I was fascinated by the amount of history is tucked within these pages. This isn’t just a collection of internet tales, myth or legends, but more of an in depth journey back in time. What intrigued me most, was so many photographs I had never even seen before! Pictures of character models and inspirations, like the live model for Cruella DeVil!

Even though I’ve had the book all morning, I still find something new and interesting every time I flip through the pages. A behind the scenes peek at Bedknobs and Broomsticks brought a few tears to my eyes as I relived the nostalgia of one of my favorite childhood movies. Seeing what went in to creating the magic of my beloved movie gave me an even deeper appreciation for it. “Bobbing along…” is now echoing softly in my mind.

This book can’t even be called a book, but rather a treasure. It is truly a collector’s item any Disney lover should read and admire. From how the Disney brothers got started, to all of their fantastic feats, and the magic they created all within beautiful illustrations and photographs. My final smirk came when I realized the play on words the title of the book held. Not only is it a lot of Disney history to remember, but it is also a studio lot worth remembering as well.

The Walt Disney Studios: A Lot to Remember is on sale now, and retails for $60.00. You can find it for sale on Amazon.com now, with a discount currently.

Do you collect Disney Coffee Table style books, would this be perfect for your collection?

New Additions to Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion Holiday for 2016

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 9, 2016

The Haunted Mansion Holiday opens today at Disneyland, and Disney Parks Blog has given us a inside look at the new Sally figure in the Graveyard scene as well as this year’s Gingerbread House. The Haunted Mansion gets a Nightmare Before Christmas themed makeover each Fall for Halloweentime, and this year they’ve included some new features! Here is the new Sally:

Also the all-new 2016 Gingerbread House is spectacularly eerie and spooky as well:

There’s so much to experience during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, now through October 31, including 17 nights of Mickey’s Halloween Party, seasonal favorite like Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, a special celebration of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ and more!

Contact me today to book your Disneyland Vacation and to take advantage of my FREE vacation planning services! I specialize in Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Aulani resort in Hawaii, as well as Adventures by Disney. Contact me today at [email protected] for a free quote, or you can find me on my Facebook page here.

Photos: Disney Parks Blog

The American Red Cross and Disney team up to teach children disaster preparation

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 9, 2016

AMERICAN RED CROSS LOGO — American Red Cross. (PRNewsFoto/American Red Cross)

American Red Cross. (PRNewsFoto/American Red Cross)

September is National Preparedness Month and the American Red Cross is celebrating the significant impact of its signature disaster preparedness program for youth –The Pillowcase Project – which has reached more than 500,000 students nationwide, resulting in six lives saved.

The program, which is taught to 3^rd – 5^th graders in schools, after-school programs and summer camps, teaches students how to create their own emergency supply kit by packing essential items in a pillowcase for easy transport during an emergency. Students also have the opportunity to decorate and personalize their pillowcases. The program is sponsored by The Walt Disney Company.

“Understanding the unique needs of children is an important part of disaster preparedness planning,” said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. “Thanks to tremendous support from The Walt Disney Company over the past three years, The Pillowcase Project has grown significantly, enabling us to provide children nationwide with the necessary tools to remain safe during an emergency. We are extremely grateful for Disney’s commitment to this vital effort.”

The Pillowcase Project curriculum is structured by three core principles: Learn, Practice and Share. Students learn about hazards, how to prepare for emergencies, enhance coping skills, practice what they have learned and share their knowledge with friends and family. The program emphasizes the importance of developing an emergency communications plan, fire evacuation plan and emergency contact cards.

“It is vital to provide kids, families and communities with tools that make it simple to plan ahead for the unexpected,” said Kevin Callahan, vice president of community and engagement, Corporate Citizenship at Disney. “We are proud to work with the American Red Cross to inspire youth nationwide to take family preparedness action and help ease kids’ fears about emergencies.”

The Pillowcase Project was created in New Orleans, and was inspired by the story of local university students carrying their belongings in pillowcases during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Disney has helped the Red Cross expand the program nationwide by sponsoring The Pillowcase Project since 2013.

The Red Cross and The Walt Disney Company Encourage Disaster Preparedness:

In addition to The Pillowcase Project, the Red Cross worked with Disney to develop the Mickey and Friends Disaster Preparedness Activity Book, which has been distributed to more than 300,000 youth nationwide. The book teaches kids and families how to prepare for and respond to a wide range of disasters and emergencies through interactive games and activities. The book is available to download in English and Spanish.

Disney also sponsored the creation of Monster Guard – the first mobile app created by the Red Cross designed specifically for kids. The app complements The Pillowcase Project, and is a game where children role-play as various monster characters and engage in interactive training episodes for hazards such as home fires, floods and hurricanes. Since the launch of the app inOctober 2014, there have been more than 50,000 downloads.

Other Disney contributions to the Red Cross include the donation of over 300,000 Mickey Mouse plush dolls distributed to kids during disaster-relief operations and hundreds of hours of volunteer service through the Disney VoluntEARS program.

Disney is also part of a group of leading companies that are members of the Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). As an ADGP member, Disney helps to ensure the Red Cross is ready to immediately respond when a disaster strikes.

For information about The Pillowcase Project in your area, contact your local Red Cross chapter.

Meet Creative Characters, Fun Friends, Happy Haunts, & Ghoulish Ghosts at Mickey’s No So Scary Halloween Party

By

Lisette R

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September 9, 2016

Part of the fun to be had at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) is meeting Creative Characters, Fun Friends, Happy Haunts, and Ghoulish Ghosts. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party takes place at the Magic Kingdom Park, select nights in September and October, at the Walt Disney World Resort. Appropriate costumes are allowed for both children and adults during this special-ticket-event.

See the Costume Guidelines here.

When you meet some Creative Characters, you will really begin to notice the festive aura of the evening ahead. People are more than willing to show off their creativity. Ask questions about how they prepared their costumes. You will be amazed at how some folks come up with ideas for building their own costumes. We all have some level of creativity and it is really interesting to meet new people and share in a bit of creative conversation.

Some of us are not quite as creative as others. With that being said, when you make eye contact with one, two, and then three gentlemen wearing exactly the same friendship shirt that you are, you just have to stop and say”Hello New Fun Friends!” Of course what would New Fun Friends be like without a picture to remember that moment by? We had a good laugh and introduced ourselves. These three gentlemen were in the same boat as I was having similar time constraints with regards to costume creativity.

Seeing Happy Haunts, and Not-So-Happy Haunts, is part of your experience during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. As you enter, and exit the Magic Kingdom, be sure to notice the Happy Mickey Ghost, as well as some other interesting displays. (Don’t want to ruin the fun with too many spoilers after all.) The evening is about fun and spooks. I challenge you to stop by the Haunted Mansion to meet some of the Not-So-Happy Haunts. Good luck attempting to get a smile out of these hauntingly interesting characters.

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Beware of Ghoulish Hitchhiking Ghosts! You may not see these guys right away, but I can assure you they are there. Disney PhotoPass Ghoulish Ghosts Magic Shots are available at a variety of locations around the park. Be sure to check them out for some spooky fun Ghoulish Ghosts meet-ups. Download the My Disney Experience App prior to the event so you can check your Magic Shots to be sure they uploaded. Some of mine did not upload and I did not realize, until I got home, that they were not there. Happy Hauntings!

Are you hoping to meet Creative Characters and Fun Friends, or Happy Haunts and Ghoulish Ghosts at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party?

Please leave your comments in the box below.

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my official review here.

Disney’s Night of Joy Tickets Still Available for September 9th and 10th

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 9, 2016

Disney’s Night of Joy will be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex this Friday, September 9th and Saturday, September 10th. Tickets to the event are still available and include options that allow guests the opportunity to maximize their time in the parks before enjoying the concerts.

Below are ticket details:

A single-night, concert only ticket for Friday, September 9 – $39 plus tax (in advance); $45 the day of the show (if available).

A single-night concert and one-day Disney theme park ticket (valid for one of the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks) for Saturday, September 10 – $99 plus tax (in advance); $114 plus tax the day of the show (if available). *

A two-night concert ticket (which includes both nights’ concerts and one-day Disney theme park ticket (valid for one of the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks) – $119 plus tax (in advance).*

* The one-day Disney theme park ticket is valid only on Saturday, September 10th.

Transportation to ESPN Complex will be available from all four theme parks as well as Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and Disney’s Pop Century Resort from 4:30pm until 9pm. Transportation from the ESPN Complex to all Walt Disney World Resort Hotels will run throughout the event. Guests not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel but attending Disney Night of Joy are encouraged to use their own personal transportation when traveling to and from the ESPN Complex.

Join Mark Daniels from Inside Disney Parks for a little tour of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and hear what guests can expect from this year’s Night of Joy.

The two night celebration of fellowship and fun includes Contemporary Christian Music with 18 top performers and groups:

Friday, September 9 – MercyMe, Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, Francesca Battistelli, Crowder, Matthew West, Stars Go Dim, Zealand Worship, OBB

Saturday, September 10 – Newsboys, for KING & COUNTRY, Young & Free, Switchfoot, RED, Thousand Foot Krutch, Timmons, VERIDIA, Derek Minor

There we also be an artist Q&A session during the Fan Fest in Jostens’ Center at the Complex. The groups below will be performing on Saturday night at the following times, in addition to Friday night:

MercyMe – 7:05 p.m.
Newsboys – 9:15 p.m.
Francesca Battistelli / Matthew West – 10 p.m.

Guests can learn more about the enchanting new Disney film, in association with ESPN Films, “Queen of Katwee” while playing a game of life-size chess. The film hits theaters on September 23rd.

Contact me, Laura Bourget, to start planning your Walt Disney World adventure. I am a Travel Agent with MickeyTravels along with a writer for Chip and Company and would love to help book and plan your next magical vacation. Email [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to get started!

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Disney Enchanted Tales Game Now Available For Mobile Devices

By

Danielle

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September 8, 2016

Today Disney announced that the Disney Enchanted Tales Game, a new kingdom-building game, is now available for mobile devices. This new kingdom-building game invites players to build their own magical realms alongside Belle from “Beauty and the Beast,” Elsa from “Frozen” and Rapunzel from “Tangled”

In the game, players will be able to create their own custom kingdoms. You can create your kingdom using familiar landmarks and buildings from “Beauty and The Beast,” “Frozen” and “Tangled,”! You’ll also be able to interact with beloved Disney characters including Belle, Gaston, Anna, Prince Hans, Rapunzel, Flynn Rider and many more.

The Disney Enchanted Tales Game lets players expand and build out their kingdoms by completing tasks and quests in order to earn new iconic landmarks, such as Belle’s Bookstore, The Beast’s Castle, Elsa’s Ice Palace, Rapunzel’s Tower and more. New characters, outfits and memorable story moments from additional cherished Disney classic tales will be unlocked as players complete story-based missions.

To keep things exciting future updates will introduce more characters, landmarks and items on a regular basis.

Check out the dazzlingly and enchanting trailer below!

This looks like an exciting new game that brings you even deeper into the Disney Magic! Disney Enchanted Tales is free-to-play game that also has in-app purchases. It’s available now for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Disney/Pixar’s Finding Dory on Digital HD Oct 25 & DVD Blu-ray Nov 15

By

Danielle

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September 8, 2016

Dive deep into the kelp with Dory and Friends when Finding Dory Comes to Digital HD and DVD & Blu Ray this fall. You can FIND Dory in Digital HD Oct 25 and the DVD and Blu-ray Nov 15.

The summer blockbuster hit, Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory,” swims home just in time for the holidays on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA) on Oct. 25 and on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand on Nov. 15. Viewers can watch Dory’s hilarious and heartwarming quest to find her family and continue the underwater adventure with hours of immersive bonus features.

The film’s swimmingly fintastic bonus offerings include “Piper,” the theatrical short film starring an adorable sandpiper hatchling; an all-new mini short featuring interviews with Dory’s pals from the Marine Life Institute; a behind-the-scenes look at the most challenging character Pixar has ever created; never-before-seen deleted scenes, including a digital exclusive featuring the Tank Gang from “Finding Nemo” who make it their mission to get Marlin and Nemo to the Marine Life Institute; and much, much more.

Make sure to check out the video below for Finding Dory Easter Eggs!

You can Pre-order Finding Dory Here today!

Get Spooky on the High Seas with Disney Halloween Cruise Magnets

By

Danielle

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September 8, 2016

Will you be setting sail with the Disney Cruise Line Halloween on the High Seas? If so, don’t forget to get frightastic decorations like these Disney Halloween Cruise Magnets by GulfBreezeProduction on Etsy.

Dress up your stateroom door with a ghoulishly adorable Minnie Witch Magnet or Skeleton Mickey Magnet. These Disney Halloween Cruise magnet sets are perfect for cruising during your favorite holiday! Of course Halloween on the High Seas isn’t the only Disney Cruise you may like, so they have many other magnets available in fabulous themes.

Hope you have a Hauntingly fun cruise!

Add a Little Character to Your Dinner Routine with a Pixar Slow Cooker

By

Danielle

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September 8, 2016

Has your regular week night dinner routine got you bored? Who wants a boring slow cooker when you can have a Pixar themed one!!?

As a busy mom I know when you’re extra busy it’s nice to have your dinner ready and waiting. Slow cooker meals are definitely the best for that. With back to school, and also cooler weather on the horizon a slow cooked cozy meal really hits the spot. The 7-quart capacity will serve the whole family and the Pixar theme adds a touch of whimsy to your kitchen. I love the stylized renditions of popular characters in the “color block” designs.

If you’re ready to get your weeknight dinner animated you can get this fun slow cooker at Amazon for only $35.00 with free prime shipping! That’s an even better deal than when it first went on sale at JC Penny’s!

Click here to order yours while supplies last!

What would be your first home cooked meal in your new Pixar Slow cooker?