Over the past few months Disney has needed to pivot, releasing movies such as Artemis Fowl and Hamilton straight to Disney+ instead of theaters. Today, the new trailer for the upcoming film Disney’s The One and Only Ivan was debuted by the streaming service. The One and Only Ivan will stream exclusively on Disney+ on Aug. 14.
Ivan is a 400 pound silverback gorilla that has grown up in the circus. He has few memories of the jungle where he was captured, but when a baby elephant named Ruby arrives, it touches something deep within him. Ruby is recently separated from her family in the wild, which causes him to question his life, where he comes from and where he ultimately wants to be.
The heartwarming adventure is based on Katherine Applegate’s Newbery Award winning book. It comes to the screen in an impressive hybrid of live-action and CGI.
The film stars Sam Rockwell as the voice of Ivan; Angelina Jolie as the voice of Stella; Danny DeVito as the voice of Bob the dog; Helen Mirren as the voice of Snickers the poodle; Brooklynn Prince as the voice of Ruby; Ramon Rodriquez as the mall employee George; Ariana Greenblatt as George’s daughter Julia; Chaka Khan as the voice of Henrietta the chicken; Mike White as the voice of Frankie the seal; Ron Funches as the voice of Murphy the rabbit; Phillipa Soo as the voice of Thelma the parrot; and Bryan Cranston as Mack, the mall’s owner.
One of Disney’s hottest attractions is getting an update! This week, the parks announced that Splash Mountain would undergo a transformation into a new Tiana-themed ride at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Released in 2009, The Princess and the Frog was the first musical to feature a black princess, and it’s time for the leading lady to get her own ride. While still under development, Imagineers have released that the attraction will pick up after the final kiss, and will follow Princess Tiana and Louis on an adventure as they prepare for their first Mardi Gras performance, showcasing music from the film.
photo: Courtesy of Disney
In a Disney blog post, the company states “The new concept is inclusive – one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by, and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year.” The ride will be set in the Louisiana Bayou with a working title of New Adventures with Princess Tiana.
The reimagining of the attraction will mean that the Splash Mountain moniker will be retired forever, along with Br’er Rabbit and other animal icons. The attraction’s theme was originally derived from the musical, Song of the South, a controversial film with racist imagery that is not even available on Disney+.
While the timing of these changes couldn’t be more fitting given the recent protests across the United States, Disney has actually considered revamping the ride for over five years. “It’s important that our guests see themselves in the experiences we create,” says Carmen Smith, Creative Development and Inclusive Strategies Executive.
Portland is known for being “weird,” but let’s be honest…the whole great state of Oregon has some interesting oddities about it. With COVID-19 restrictions limiting travel and outdoor options, families are looking for innovative ways to kick cabin fever. Fortunately, road trip season upon us so why not hop in the car for a treasure hunt-like adventure? These neat road-side attractions will clear away COVID duldrums and give your kids unique quests to look forward to. Scroll down to find out where you can witness these strange attractions.
Since 1971, a 17-ft. caveman statue has been guarding the entrance to Grant’s Pass. The Neanderthal was constructed by International Fiberglass to celebrate both the Oregon Caves National Monument and a unique local men's group called the Oregon Cavemen. Members of this club, which officially formed in 1922, would ceremoniously march down Main Street sporting wigs, fake teeth, animal furs, and spiked clubs--all in the name of promoting the nearby caverns. While this wild procession is long gone, kids can still get a kick out of the giant statue and its lingering influence. (The local high school football team? The Cavemen, of course.)
Prehistoric Gardens opened in 1955 and was created by E.V. “Ernie” Nelson, an artist, sculptor, entrepreneur, and dinosaur fan. He put in three years of research (including a trip to NYC’s Smithsonian) before making each of the 23 life-size creatures—including the 86 feet long and 46 feet tall Brachiosaurs. The park is located in the middle of the Oregon rainforest and while it may not have the flash of the blockbuster Jurassic Park, it does have a nice stroller-accessible path and a lot of dino-charm. Admission varies but tykes 2 & under are free.
Find It: 4303 Sardine Creek Rd., Gold Hill, Oregon
Open from March-October, the Oregon Vortex is a spherical field of force (half above the ground and half below) that causes a lot of wackiness: balls roll uphill, brooms stand on end, and people appear to shrink. Located on the same property, The House of Mystery was built in 1904, slid off its foundation at an angle in 1911, and has been at a tilt ever since. Thanks to the late John Lister, a geologist, mining engineer and physicist, both sites are open to the public. Skeptics are welcome but prepare for a lot of kid curiosity!
Dogs have always been a favorite family pet. In 1923 when the Braizer family lost Bobbie the family collie during a cross-country summer road trip they were Broken-hearted. The family headed home to Silverton, OR certain they would never see him again. Six months later, on February 15, 1924, a tired and bedraggled Bobbie arrived on their doorstep. He traveled 2,551 miles on foot, across mountains and rivers to return to his clan and instantly became a celebrity. He even received the keys to the city, a jewel studded collar, and a feature in Ripley’s Believe It or Not. His statue, replica dog house and 70-ft. mural can be found in downtown Silverton.
FInd It: 21250 SW Tualatin Valley Hwy., Aloha, Oregon
In October of 1962 a storm blew through the Pacific Northwest and toppled and damaged a fiberglass Texaco Big Friend statue in Aloha. The owner brought it to a man named Ed Harvey who was skilled at fiberglass repair. The owner never returned for it and after years of laying abandoned Harvey had an idea. One of his favorite Jimmy Stewart films had a giant invisible rabbit named Harvey in it and rabbits bring good luck, so he decided to put a rabbit head on Big Friend's body and installed it in front of his shop. It's been drawing attention ever since!
This tiny park was created in 1946 by WWII vet Dick Fagan. The weed-riddled hole in the ground was initially intended it to hold a light pole, but when the pole never showed up Fagan, who was a columnist for the Oregon Journal, planted flowers it and named it Mills Ends: the name of his column in the paper. It is located in the median strip of SW Naito Parkway and is two feet wide and takes up 452 square inches. In 1971 the Guiness Book of Records granted it the grand status of "the smallest park in the world." In 1948 Mill Ends Park was dedicated as a park for leprechauns on St. Patrick’s Day. Fagan wrote stories about the events that supposedly took take place at the park until his death in 1969.
Find It: Intersection of N. Interstate Ave. and N. Denver Ave., Portland, Oregon
This 31-foot tall man is made of concrete, plaster and steel and evokes squeals of excitement from tiny tots who need to crane their necks to take the whole wonder in. The statue is listed on the national Register of Historic Places and is a fine tribute to the storybook logger, Paul Bunyan. Built by father and sun team Victor R. and Victor A. Nelson in in 1959 for Oregon's Centennial Exposition and International Trade Fair, this creation is almost as infamous to locals as the legend it represents. While some may wonder how the story of Paul Bunyan, which originated in Minnesota, fits into the story of Oregon, locals agree that the monstrous lumberjack was a clear tip-of-the-hat to the timber industry and it's influence in Oregon.
When it comes to Disney+, everyone was excited to feast their eyes on the entire catalogue of classic titles––especially kids. But there are oodles of movies, documentaries and shows that are just as entertaining on the streaming platform for parents, too! From dramatic original shows to behind the scene insights and throwback films, keep reading to see some of our fave adult-friendly content on Disney+.
Drama
The Mandalorian
Disney's The Mandalorian is all anyone could talk about when the platform launched in November. The show that introduced "Baby Yoda" is rife with classic Star Wars planets, garb and characters, not to mention an amazing musical score. You can watch the entire first season, with the second to debut later this year.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 & 2
Common Sense Media
While we're the first to agree that almost any Marvel film will fit the bill when it comes a binge session, we particularly love the Guardians of the Galaxy duo. The retro 80's soundtrack makes it perfect for Gen Xers, and with a cast that includes Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana and Vin Diesel, you can't go wrong.
The classic teen romance turned drama film is one for the ages. The 1999 hit takes all of us parents back to a simpler time, with a budding Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles before they made it big.
Documentaries
The Imagineering Story
The six hour original Disney+ docuseries takes guests on a complete behind-the-scenes adventure through the creation of Disney Parks. With original photos and film of Walt himself, tons of interviews with Disney Imagineers and an entertaining historical timeline, the Imagineering Story will quickly become a fave.
One Day at Disney
Disney Publishing Worldwide and Disney+ have collaborated on One Day at Disney, a 52-week documentary series that highlights the men and women behind the magic. The series kicks off with a feature film showing 10 influential people in the Disney industry, followed by 52 shorts, ranging from four to seven minutes long on diverse cast members.
The Academy Award winning documentary Free Solo follows free solo climber Alex Honnold and his attempt to climb El Capitan. The heart-stopping film will keep you on the edge of your seat as you watch a man without fear tackle his dream.
The OG Parent Trap features a young Hayley Mills and will undoubtedly bring up childhood memories as you watch. The classic tale follows two girls who find out they're identical twin sisters at the age of 13 at summer camp, with lots of wackiness to ensue.
See you later, Navigator! The 1986 indie sci-fi classic follows 12-year old David Freeman who falls down a ravine and wakes up eight years later and abducted by aliens. David's spaceship is one we all dreamed of flying as a kid!
Wayne Szalinski has really done it this time! When the inventor accidentally shrinks his own kids, the journey begins to find and restore them to normal size. The late 80's classic had us all craving for a few oatmeal creme cookies by the end!
Tom Hanks + mermaids? Yes, please! The 1984 fantasy rom com follows Hank's character with a mermaid who's come to shore and his attempts at keeping her out of the local scientist's evil clutches.
If you're looking for a binge-watch sesh, then settle in for 30 seasons of the Simpsons! The history-making series that started in 1989 will make you laugh just as hard as it did when you were a kid, and you just might finally get some of those adult-themed jokes.
The 1988 blockbuster that parents weren't quite sure was appropriate for kids (thank you, Jessica Rabbit) is prime viewing on Disney+. The three time Academy Award winning film depicts cartoons living alongside humans, and brings Toontown to real life.
It's a fine life! Fans of a young Christian Bale can relive their glory days with Disney's cult classic, Newsies. The unforgettable musical is full of dance-worthy songs and tons of stars before they were famous.
––Karly Wood
All photos: Courtesy of Disney+ unless otherwise noted
Don’t worry, we wouldn’t let you look like a mortal fool on Talk Like Shakespeare Day. We’ve got a sweet list of kid-friendly Shakespearean words that you can slip in and out of conversation all day. Scroll down, and we promise your baby bards won’t protest too much.
Peat: a nickname for a child; term of affection “Come here my little peat and give me a hug.” Rabbit-sucker: a weasel “The rabbit-sucker was chased all around the mulberry bush.”
Rear-mouse: sometimes rere-mouse; a bat (as in the animal) “Was that a rear-mouse flying above that tower this evening?”
Shoughs: a curly haired or shaggy dog “Please shampoo your shough.”
Sup: to dine (not to be confused with ‘Sup, as in “What’s up?)
Tucket-sonance: fanfare, as on a trumpet “The tucket-sonance signaled the arrival of the prince.”
Twiggen: made of twigs, wicker “I’d love some twiggen furniture for the patio.”
Water-gall: the second rainbow in a double rainbow “Why are there so many songs about water-galls?”
Whoo-bub: a confused uproar or racket, a hubbub “What’s the whoo-bub all about, boys?”
Do you have any additions to our dictionary? Share them in the comments below!
What’s better than dipping a chocolate bar into a jar of peanut butter? Now you can enjoy this treat straight out of your Easter basket. Russell Stover Easter Milk Chocolate Dip-It Rabbit is a peanut butter lovers dream come true.
target-chocolate-easter-bunny-peanut-butter-dip
This delicious 6 oz. solid milk chocolate Easter bunny is made to break apart and dip into a cup of Jif to Go Creamy Peanut Butter that is included with each rabbit.
This bunny was spotted at Target and online for $3.99
Frankford Candy and Kellogg’s have teamed up for what could be the most epic cereal-bunny collab of all time. If you’re looking to jazz up your Easter basket this year, you’ll want to hop over to Big Lots to grab the new Froot Loops White Chocolate Bunny!
The 2-ounce rabbit appears to be made from white chocolate, with bits of Froot Loops mixed in for the ultimate take on Easter sweets. The new treat joins a tasty lineup of more Froot Loops-inspired mixups, including the new Froot Loops Pop Tarts.
Currently, we’ve spotted the Easter treat at Big Lots, where you can stock up on a handful for just $1 each.
The books young readers love the most contain heartfelt stories and characters they can relate to. The new children’s book Why?, written and illustrated by two-time Caldecott and Geisel Honoree Laura Vaccaro Seeger, has all the makings of your family’s new favorite read. It poignantly celebrates kids’ inherent curiosity to discover more about the world via a sweet friendship between a Rabbit and a Bear. Read on to learn why Why? is poised to become an instant classic you’ll want to add to your permanent collection.
Reading Between the Lines
Why? follows the friendship between Rabbit and Bear through spring, summer and fall. While the seasons around them change, their bond remains a comforting constant in a world full of uncertainty. Written in an engaging question and answer format, Rabbit plays the role of an inquisitive child while Bear acts as the wise, patient sage responding to Rabbit’s endless stream of inquiries.
Bear provides an explanation for everything that puzzles Rabbit––and even when Bear ultimately can’t give an answer, he gently tells Rabbit, “I don’t know why. Sometimes I just don’t know why!” (Much like we as parents have to honestly tell our own kids sometimes).
Why? empowers kids to be confidently curious like Rabbit, while inviting them to figure out the answers to Rabbit’s questions as they read the book. This, the author believes, encourages independent thought and informed decision-making, while also holding space for the questions that don’t have immediate answers and realizing that gradual discovery is part of life’s process.
5 More Reasons Your Kid Will Love Why?
1. Curious kids will relate to the story and get to live vicariously through Rabbit, the mouthpiece for their internal voice. Rabbit has an unquenchable yearning to learn more about “why” things are as they are. Rabbit’s constant inquiring will make kids feel more comfortable with this aspect of their nature, while encouraging them to always ask questions.
2. Subtle lessons about nature and science are interwoven in Bear’s answers, making this story appealing to kids’ desire to gain helpful knowledge alongside Rabbit.
3. Bear’s example of steadfast calm provides a safe haven in which kids will want to reside during bedtime stories.
4. The delightful watercolor illustrations that bring Bear and Rabbit to life are at once soothing and whimsical. Kids will feel drawn into the story as they see each animal’s expressive personality unfold in myriad ways on every page.
5. The book’s simple text enables kids to use Why? as a learning tool to practice solo reading.
I quickly dropped my bag and tossed the house keys on the counter as I raced to the loo. After having two kids, when nature calls…I gots to go.
No sooner had I sat down when I hear my 4 and 5-year-olds start shouting:
“Momma B come quickly! Momma B. MA B! MAAAAAA Beeeeee!”
Sweet Jesus, the whole bloody block heard these kids losing their damn minds outback.
I’m not done in the loo and now I’m irritated because I just wanted a second to myself so I could pee in privacy. So I holler back:
“Hang ON! And STOP SHOUTING!”
**Side note: If you haven’t shouted “Stop shouting” at your children, are you really parenting?
As soon as I make it outside I can immediately tell something serious is up because both dogs are jumping back and forth trying to get close to whatever my children are protecting. I race down the porch stairs and as I approach I hear a tiny high pitched squeal. Pulling the dogs away I discover what the commotion is all about.
A baby….I’m talking a baby bunny has managed to get his tiny little head stuck in some chicken wire attached to our fence (meant to keep grown rabbits outta my garden).
He looked so scared and helpless as his beady little black eyes looked at us, scared half to death trying to backup and free himself from the presence of three humans and two eager canines.
5-year-old Son: “It was Sherlock (our dog) who found him Ma B! He saved a baby bunny!”
4-year-old Daughter: “Oh isn’t he (the bunny) cute? He’s so adorable Momma B. We must help him!”
Before I go any further you should know I don’t particularly enjoy dealing with situations like this…because I’m kinda squeamish. Nevertheless, when you’re a parent and two little kids are watching you in order to learn how to handle situations like this in the future, you just gotta Alpha Up…which is what I did.
Me speaking calmly: “Stay here you two and sing to the bunny and tell it that everything will be OK. I’m gonna take the dogs inside and find some wire cutters.”
Kids: “OK.”
I dash into the basement and rummage through the mess of tools, cursing when I can’t easily locate the wire cutters. Then I remember I have a strong pair of utility cutters in the hall closet and I race back upstairs to get them.
The children were calmly and gently singing and speaking to the little bunny who had stopped squealing and trying to escape. It just lay in the grass with half of his teeny body in my neighbor’s yard and his wee little head in our garden.
I felt the rush of adrenaline as I neared the baby bunny. “You’re gonna be OK, little one. We will have you out of here in a second.”
After 5 snips with the utility cutters, I gingerly bent the chicken wire away from his itty-bitty neck just in case the bunny decided to dash forward and back again. I definitely would not have been able to handle any mess that involved bodily fluid…that’s where I draw the line.
Once freed, the bunny didn’t immediately run away. As a matter of fact, he hopped a few feet away from us up to the fenceline and tried again to squeeze through the chicken wire, obviously disoriented.
Me: “Come on kids. It looks like we are going to have to pick up the baby and return him to where we see the grown rabbits pop in-and-out of in the neighbor’s tall grass.”
And quick as a flash the kids and I raced to the front gate and were in the neighbor’s yard before you could say “Bob’s your uncle.” I scooped up the disoriented baby bunny and it immediately started squealing.
Out of the corner of my eye I caught a large rabbit bounding toward us. Once the grown rabbit spotted us it dashed to the other side of the neighbor’s yard.
I allowed both kids a quick stroke of the baby bunny’s velvety head before I whispered in its ear “Hurry home to your momma and papa little baby. I know they’re waiting for you.”
As I set the baby on the green grass, my children who were a few feet behind me started whispering encouraging things like:
“You can do it, bunny. Go find your family. We love you bunny.”
The baby bunny must have figured out where it was because he hopped straight toward the long grass a few feet away from where the grown bunny waited. The baby bunny paused for a second before disappearing into the safety of the long green grass.
As my children and I walked back to our house my wonderfully sensitive 5-year-old son looks up at me with tears spilling out of the corner of his eyes and says, “Momma B, thanks for being brave. I bet we saved another little boy’s Velveteen Rabbit. I love you.”
His words filled me up so completely that I too had tears spilling from the corner of my eyes.
It is my hope that I can always be brave for my children. That I am able to find the right tools at the right time and that I can save all the “baby bunnies” they find in the world. The reality is I won’t be able to save them from all the heartache this world holds. Nevertheless, I will find solace and comfort in knowing that I am modeling behaviors that they will someday emulate. As a parent, I always remember these wise words Winnie the Pooh so cleverly spoke:
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart…I’ll always be with you.” A.A. Milne
I am a 42-year-old biological mother of two young children in a same-sex relationship, a clinical psychologist with a specialty in neuropsychological assessment, a music therapist, a trainer of therapy dogs and ex-communicated Mormon from Indiana with a wicked sense of humor.
While kids can experience just about every type of entertainment on the TV or computer, there is nothing like seeing a show live and in person. The DMV is chock full of local theaters offering a variety of shows to warm your heart and entertain kids of all ages. From shows with plenty of dancing, to shows inspired by Disney, to shows filled with great messaging, there is a production for everyone.
Photo: Amy Boyle Photography
American Girl Live! American Girl super fans will love the first-ever musical inspired by the historical dolls and their stories! The nationwide tour, will make stops around the country through mid-May, and heads our way on March 3rd. The 90-minute show takes kids on a journey to Camp American Girl—there, they’ll meet five spunky campers and their camp counselor. At the overnight summer camp, the campers bring along their beloved dolls Rebecca, Maryellen, Julie, Nanea, Luciana and Melody, who come to life and break out in musical numbers that reflect their historical eras. Through their dolls and their dolls’ stories, the campers learn lessons of friendship, the importance of following their dreams and empowering one another.
The Travels of Babar For children (and children at heart!) this concert mixes the magic of stories, images, and music, including Return to the Land of the Elephants by composer Raphael Mostel—the U.S. premiere of the orchestral version of one of his two multimedia musical voyages based on The Travels of Babar by Jean de Brunhoff. The 2 p.m. show is a sensory-friendly performances that is welcoming to all families. Following the 4 p.m. concert, young audience members can ask questions and hear stories in an up-close-and-personal talk with some of the artists.
Alice In Wonderland “Curiouser and curiouser” down the Rabbit Hole you go! Join Alice on her fantastical journey through Wonderland. Join all your fave characters like The White Rabbit, The Cheshire Cat, The Caterpillar, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts, in this musical adaptation of the classic Lewis Carroll tale. Alice gives the entire family a chance to spend an utterly “mad, mad day” at the Creative Cauldron enjoying one of the most famous and enduring children’s classics of all time.
Creative Cauldron 410 South Maple Ave. (Falls Church, VA) When: Mar. 22-Apr. 14 Online: creativecauldron.org
Huckleberry Finn’s Big River This revision of Broadway’s Tony-Winning Musical will lift your spirit. This version of Mark Twain’s polarizing novel removes offensive language and expands the role of Jim, now the same age as Huck. Twain’s classic sweeps you down the mighty Mississippi as the irrepressible Huck Finn helps his friend Jim, an enslaved teen, escape to freedom from enslavement. This tale of friendship against all odds is recreated for young audiences as two best friends demonstrate the power children have to change the world.
Adventure Theater 7300 MacArthur Blvd. (Glen Echo, MD) When: Through Mar. 10 Online: adventuretheatre-mtc.org
Finding Neverland Directed by Diane Paulus and based on the critically-acclaimed film, FINDING NEVERLAND tells the incredible story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Who doesn’t love Peter Pan?! Playwright J.M. Barrie sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. With a little pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes an epicleap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland, where nothing is impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever. The magic of Barrie’s classic tale springs to life in this heartwarming theatrical event. Recommended for older children as the play runs over 2 hours.
National Theatre 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW (DC) When: Feb. 26 – Mar. 3 Online: thenationaldc.org
