The Neverland Files

“Whatever it takes.” - Avengers: Endgame (2019)

“I’ll be there.” - Captain America: Civil War (2016)

“Hulk, Smash!” - The Avengers (2012)

“If I’m the only one than so be it. But I’m willing to bet I’m not.” - Captain America: Winter Soldier (2014)

“It’s about whether he’s right.” - The Avengers: Age of Ultron

Honorable Mention: “Avengers, assemble.” - Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Guys. This has to be top three. But Corban was very stubbornly attached to his letter “speech.” *sigh* You tell us! Which should have been in the number two spot.

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🌎Encanto explores non-European culture in a celebratory and authentic way

There are hints at the social unrest Columbia has experienced (Pedro and Alma having to their home because of violent conflict). But more importantly, it celebrates the diversity of the people and surroundings of an oft-overlooked, even villainized South American country.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Encanto centers its themes on the complexities of familial relationships

We feel Disney is at its best when it is focusing on families. When Disney anchors their stories with strong and positive family dynamics or themes, they create content for their primary audiences that resonates powerfully.

🎼Encanto is filled with music that is memorable, emotional and also carries the storytelling forward in a fun and unique way that fits the culture it is exploring

We don’t know enough about the logistics of music to say what is done right in the nuts and bolts of Lin Manuel Miranda’s songs. But Encanto feels like the charm of old Disney musical storytelling meets the freshness of a new cultural experience. He married the two perfectly.

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Secretary of State - Peggy Carter from Captain America: The First Avenger

She is firm and no-nonsense. Understands the importance of diplomacy to avoid war. But will stand up to any bully who comes her way.

Secretary of the Treasury - Scrooge McDuck from Duck Tales

We aren’t sure which version of Scrooge we are dealing with. But he is the economic mind of Disney characters. And if its stingy Scrooge, he could help with our national debt…?

Secretary of Defense - Mufasa from The Lion King

Corban’s trump card. When in doubt. Mufasa can do it. We trust his judgment.

Attorney General - George from The Aristocats

He was one of the only Disney lawyers we could think of who had the experience with the justice system and lawyerese to pull this off…maybe?

Secretary of the Interior - Pocahontas from Pocahontas

She knows the lands intimately and respects their need for care. However, she also has an eye for innovation and curiosity. She is open to new approaches while honoring the land.

Secretary of Agriculture - Te Fiti

Basically, we have recruited Mother Nature to help cultivate and encourage agricultural growth. We are hoping she can bring in some new methods and help our agriculture be as productive and life-giving as possible

Secretary of Commerce - Bob Iger

Bit of a cheat here. But hey, if the Disney Company brought him back for another stint as CEO then there must be something to his leadership that people like and respect. And we like and need more of that.

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👻What happens when you assemble Disneystein monsters from Disney animated characters? Let’s just say the number one thing we discovered was they are hard to dress!

Male Disney Monster #1 - Amos Slade

Head - Amos Slade from Fox and the Hound

Hairstyle - Merlin from Sword in the Stone

Arms - Winnie the Pooh from Winnie the Pooh

Torso - Shan Yu from Mulan

Legs - Ratigan from The Great Mouse Detective

Outfit - Aladdin from Aladdin

Male Disney Monster #2 - Prince John

Head - Prince John from Robin Hood

Hairstyle - Anger from Inside Out

Arms - Gaston from Beauty and the Beast

Torso - King Candy from Wreck it Ralph

Legs - Flick from Bug’s Life

Outfit - Peter Pan from Peter Pan

🎃Happy Halloween from us and our Disneystein Monsters!

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🔎Want to have your own Disney Murder Mystery? Here is the Reddit link to play along. Who will be the victim and bad guy in your version?

🌃We don’t want to spoil the drama of the mystery…

So we will only give you the name of the victim and the detective on the case. After that, the only way forward is to listen to the case unfold. On a dark and stormy night…

😭The victim is Pinocchio (we know, so sad!)

A mysterious dinner invitation arrives for Pinocchio. But something sinister awaits him. What did the cute, sweet, little Pinocchio get involved in that brought him to this sad end? What happened to Jiminy Cricket? Why wasn’t he there to protect poor Pinocchio?

🍎The detective is Snow White

After Pinocchio meets his end at a mysterious dinner party, those in attendance decide Snow White should be the one to lead the investigation. She is innocent and pure of heart…but beyond that, we aren’t sure what she brings to the table. But we are sure she will do her best to determine who the murderer is!

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Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark was nominated for 6 Oscars in 1982! Here is where we find the substance of Raiders that makes it a worthy Best Picture nominee.

🎼Iconic musical score provided by the one and only John Williams (who was nominated for a Best Musical Score Oscar for this movie)

It takes six notes to get you up off the couch and ready for an adventure with Indy. It doesn’t matter if it is during the movie or on the ride at Disneyland, this is one of the best character themes in movie history. Look how happy John is conducting this song!

🎥The cinematography is dynamic and gorgeous

This movie goes from basic action flick to another level when you have amazing shots like these…it’s not just car chases, explosions, and punching (though there are lots of that). The cinematography creates adds additional layers of emotional depth and character development.

🤜🏼The quality, scale, and unique experience of the stunts

It’s an action film, yes. But the stunts are not just for stunt sake. Again, they offer important storytelling. And they are unique! The boulder chasing him? Dodging through booby traps? This is stuff that was so cool they had to put it in the ride at Disneyland. Plus the fight scene coordination of the explosions and actors fighting and running around and in the big airplane. Top notch.

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Not all of our ideas are great. Honestly, most of them are pretty far reaching and ridiculous. But let’s highlight the three bestish ideas we came up with in this episode!

🎤Mexico - Coco attraction mashup with karaoke where you may end up singing with Miguel and Ernesto de la Cruz.

Think Mickey’s Runaway Railroad meets Luigi’s Rollicking Roadsters where individual vehicles are randomly chosen to go up on stage and perform while the other cars dance around and party in the crowd with people in them.

🐎China - Mulan-themed ride where you ride on a horse through the battle scenes

Corban is really attached to the idea of riding a horse on a roller coaster. Especially if the people go through the line so everyone can enjoy how silly adults look riding plastic horses.

🍝Italy - Luca movie ride through where you are transported to Portorosso!

We want it to be the most immersive dark ride in all the Disney parks. Take us to Portorosso and the Italian coast. We want it to be high-tech and amazing!

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Here’s our debrief of what we learned from all these random magical Disneyland experiences:

🪄Disneyland with kids is extra work, but extra magical!

Yes, kids get hot and tired. And they cry when they are hot and tired. No, they can’t ride all the rides. And yes, it is more expensive (more people, more money). BUT they understand and experience Disney magic in its purest form and will invite you to come along with them if you are down for the pixie dust-filled adventure.

💍Disneyland proposals are super popular and we know the perfect spot to pop the question!

Yes, you could do the traditional castle or Millenium Falcon proposal. But we think a private dinner for two at the Blue Bayou is a quiet, more intimate way to pop the question for those looking to be non-traditional. And it is the best atmosphere in the entire park!

🎉If you want amazing Disney magic, get involved with the characters (or let them get involved with you)!

We are introverts through and through over here. But! We can’t deny when the characters take extra time to gesture to us at the parades or take additional time to go on a treasure hunt with kids in Fantasyland, that’s where it happens. Where kids’ (and adults’!) eyes start to glow and smiles start to grow broader than ever before.

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🤤Fictional food we want to try most: Tiana’s beignets from Princess and the Frog

They are delicious at Disneyland. But straight from the movie with the honey drizzle on top would be even more amazing!

😝Fictional food that sounds better than it looks (in the quiz at least): Pumpkin pasties from Harry Potter

It is supposed to be a hand-held pumpkin pie pastry! And this picture looks all rumpled and unevenly baked…

😮Most surprising fictional food choice: Mushu’s porridge from Mulan

There may be an overabundance of oatmeal in that bowl. But the runny sunny-side-up eggs and bacon could make this a quite delicious breakfast dish!

😖Most misunderstood question by quiz takers (in our opinion): Snow White’s poisoned apple vs. Harry Potter’s cockroach clusters

Guys. The apple is poisoned. Just eat the cockroaches for goodness sake.

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🏆The Great Muppet Caper’s Charles Grodin gives Michael Cain from Muppet’s Christmas Carol a run for his money as “best performer opposite the Muppets”

Charles Grodin has to convince us that he is in love with Ms. Piggy (who is being puppeted and voiced by Frank Oz aka the performer of Yoda in Star Wars). And he is so believable it is almost too heartbreaking/awkward to watch him continually being friend-zoned. This man deserves an Oscar for creating mounds of chemistry with a pig puppet voiced by a man.

👀This is the Muppet movie to watch for amazing cameo performances!

Between Jack Warden (12 Angry Men, All the President’s Men), Peter Falk (Columbo, Princess Bride), Peter Ustinov (Death on the Nile, Blackbeard’s Ghost), Oscar the Grouch (Sesame Street), and Jim Henson himself (among many others!) it is one quick hilarious hit after another. Our favorite? Monty Python’s John Cleese as the stuffy, boring British man whose house is broken into by Ms. Piggy. Such comedy gold!

🎵This may be the best of the Muppet musicals….just saying.

The music in this movie is top-tier, catchy, ridiculous, tongue-in-cheek, Muppet music. The only song it doesn’t have is Rainbow Connection. But it is one amazing song after another that either gets our toe tapping or puts us in tears from laughter.

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