Get Big Hero 6 On Digital Tomorrow!

Visiting #D23Expo last weekend we were only 25 out of 7500 lucky fans to sit in on Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek share a behind-the-scenes look at what’s to come. He was joined by Imagineers working on these projects as well as legendary filmmakers James Cameron and Jon Landau who shared new details about these new immersive worlds.
Up first, and I’m surprised I could hear with all the excitement and screaming…STAR WARS…
YES you heard that right!! There will be a Star Wars expansion to the theme parks. Yes, PARKS. Star Wars “Land” will be coming to both Disneyland and Disney World! At Disney World it will be added to Hollywood Studios & at Disneyland it will be a 14 acre expansion. Both of these will be the largest land expansions that the parks have seen.
Plan to be immersed in a whole new world. The Star Wars section of the parks will be set up as a whole new planet and all shops and restaurants will be run by local inhabitants. That means that the native aliens of the planet you are visiting will be assisting you during your stay. There will be a cantina just like in the film and you will get a chance to take the wheel of the MILLENNIUM FALCON on an epic adventure! You will be greeted by the characters you know and love – as well as some new characters the imagineers have created. The concept art is just amazing and has us all pretty excited. We are dying to find out when it is scheduled to open so we can plan a trip!
Still reeling from the first announcement they went on to talk about new and enhanced Star Wars experiences coming later this year to the Florida and California theme parks. Star Tours in both parks will be updated with a new adventure featuring locations and characters from the upcoming Star Wars film, The Force Awakens. There will also be a Star Wars Launch Bay which will take guests into the upcoming film with special exhibits and peeks behind-the-scenes, including opportunities to visit with new characters, special merchandise, and food offerings. This will be located in the Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park. Jedi Training Academy, a favorite of younger fans, will be reimagined with a new experience that includes new characters and a new villain to battle from the popular Disney XD series “Star Wars Rebels.”
Season of the Force, a seasonal event will be coming in early 2016 and brings new experiences to both parks. At Disneyland guests will explore the Star Wars galaxy with special entertainment and food. Space Mountain will be reimagined as Hyperspace Mountain and guests will join in an X-wing Starfighter battle! At Hollywood Studios guests will close out weekend nights with a new fireworks spectacular set to the iconic score of the Star Wars movies.
I wasn’t sure the audience, myself included, could handle anymore epic news…but there was so much more to come!
Along with the epic Star Wars expansion, Toy Story Land will be added to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. This new 11-acre land will transport guests into the adventurous outdoors of Andy’s backyard. Guests will think they’ve been shrunk to the size of Woody and Buzz as they are surrounded by oversized toys that Andy has assembled using his vivid imagination. Using toys like building blocks, plastic buckets and shovels, and game board pieces, Andy has designed the perfect setting for this land, which will include two new attractions for any Disney park and one expanded favorite.
A new family-friendly roller coaster on the back of Slinky Dog. This coaster will zip and zoom, plunge and coast as it takes guests on a fun, toy-filled adventure throughout the new land. Guest will also enjoy an alien saucers attraction. The famous little green aliens from the movie will take guests around for a spin in their very own flying saucers. The music, lighting and sound effects add to the flurry of action, while “The Claw” looms over. And last but certainly not least an updated Toy Story Mania. Guests glide into the Toy Story Midway Games Play Set and take aim at 3D objects in a variety of fast-paced games, with an expansion that adds a third track to this popular attraction.
I was excited about the first two…and then they throw out that there will also be an Avatar World coming to Animal Kingdom at Disney World! As part of the largest expansion in the park’s history, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will immerse guests into the world of Pandora, and the entire park will transform after dark with new nighttime entertainment experiences, offering guests longer days than ever before to experience this one-of-a-kind theme park.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests will journey into the magnificent world of Pandora at this new AVATAR-themed land – a world that includes floating mountains, a bioluminescent forest and the winged creatures known as Banshees, giving guests a transformational experience they will never forget.
The new E-ticket attraction, AVATAR Flight of Passage, allows guests to soar on a Banshee over a vast alien world. The spectacular flying experience will give guests a birds-eye view of the beauty and grandeur of the world of Pandora on an aerial rite of passage.
Expected to open next spring, “Rivers of Light” will be an innovative experience unlike anything ever seen in a Disney park, combining live music, floating lanterns, water screens and swirling animal imagery. “Rivers of Light” will magically come to life on the natural stage of Discovery River, delighting guests and truly capping off a full day of adventures at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Along with the Pandora World expansion, the Kilimanjaro Safaris will be extended for a new nighttime adventure next spring, where guests will travel through the African savanna amid the magically extended orange glow of the setting sun and discover two species new to the attraction: African wild dogs and hyenas.
Chapek also shared that Soarin’ Around the World will make its U.S. film debut at Epcot and Disney California Adventure taking guests to new places around the world.
Are you excited yet?! Just wait…I have world park news to share!
Fans got a preview of exclusive video of the first Marvel attraction planned for Disney parks, coming to Hong Kong Disneyland in 2016.
Iron Man landed at D23 EXPO today for a special appearance, and soon Hong Kong Disneyland guests will have the opportunity to meet and take photos with the Super Hero himself. Set to open in 2016, Iron Man Experience will be the first Marvel attraction at any Disney park, taking guests on an epic adventure over the streets and in the sky above Hong Kong. The adventure will begin at the new Stark Expo where guests board the Iron Wing to take flight and battle Hydra alongside fan-favorite Avenger, Iron Man.
Then they went on to talk a little about the all new Disneyland in Shanghai, China.
Shanghai Disney Resort, part of the Shanghai International Tourism and Resorts Zone, will be a complete vacation destination and at opening will include:
Shanghai Disneyland, a theme park with six themed lands: Adventure Isle, Gardens of Imagination, Mickey Avenue, Tomorrowland, Treasure Cove and Fantasyland, with its Enchanted Storybook Castle.
Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and Toy Story Hotel, imaginatively themed and adjacent to the theme park.
Disneytown, an international shopping, dining and entertainment district, adjacent to Shanghai Disneyland and including the Walt Disney Grand Theatre, home to the first-ever Mandarin production of the Broadway hit Disney’s THE LION KING.
Wishing Star Park, a central point of the resort with beautiful gardens, a walking path and a glittering lake.
Shanghai Disney Resort guests will find something for everyone. They will be immersed in popular Disney stories that come to life at the largest castle in a Disney park, at the first pirate-themed land in a Disney park, on the longest Disney Parks parade route and in more enchanting places filled with thrills, creativity and adventure. Throughout the resort, visitors will be treated to the Disney difference: warm hospitality and world-renowned guest service delivered by Disney cast members.
“From Disneyland’s 60th anniversary celebration to the anticipation of Shanghai Disney Resort, we’re in the midst of unprecedented growth and expansion around the globe,” said Chapek. “With these new announcements, we continue our legacy in creating innovative attractions, worldwide entertainment, and magical lands that take our guests into the worlds of stories they love.”
Here is a presentation recap for your enjoyment!
This event was part of a paid press trip to Anaheim for the #D23Expo, all experiencesand opinions are 100% my own.

As I’m sure everyone is aware, STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS is now playing in theatres everywhere! If you haven’t seen it yet, I promise it will live up to your wildest expectations! And don’t be afraid of sellout shows as theatres across the country are adding show times left and right to keep up with the […]

Today is November 17th, World Preemie Day! A whole day to bring awareness to preemies and how strong they all are. My last baby Damien was born unexpectedly 4 weeks early…I’d never had any issues with my other pregnancies and this one was full of scares. We had been under strict weekly observations for months due to a fluid buildup around his tiny little heart. So needless to say he was rushed off after he was born to be seen by a cardiologist. A few lonely scary hours ticked by then we got news that all was well! The only other problem we had been jaundice and had trouble nursing. I’d say all in all we were extremely lucky! Now I would like to share with you the story of little Carlee. Lacey (Carlee’s beautiful mama & blogger at Mama Needs A Bottle) was in my pregnancy group so we shared all our ups and downs together. I hope you enjoy her inspiring story…
My preemie experience started 21 months, 3 weeks, 5 days ago. On January 22, 2013, my sweet daughter, the last of my babies, decided she could no longer wait for her due date. She arrived at 8:11am, 15 inches long, 2lbs 15oz. Apgar scores of 8 & 9! A teeny tiny head FULL of black hair. Hearing her scream was a HUGE sigh of relief. I had only been pregnant with her 27 weeks, 6 days. I was terrified.
Ever since I was a little girl, I always wanted 3 kids. I had my mind set on 2 boys and 1 girl just like my mom had. My first came as a surprise when I had a positive pregnancy test 2 days before my 18th birthday! Ian has been a huge blessing in our lives from that moment on. Josh and I were so young, that we waited to have another. We started trying for our second the summer of 2010, but after 11 months of trying, I deleted my ovulation tracker and felt like another baby would never happen. I found out I was pregnant a week or two after deleting that ovulation tracker. Mason has been our little firecracker ever since! After having Mason at 27, I decided I would wait a few years to have my last. My mom and Grandma would tell me to just have them close in age and get it over with. Ha! No way, ladies! That’s just crazy! Well, I missed my appointment or my IUD and BAM! I was pregnant again by the time Mason was 6 months old! I couldn’t believe it! I remember feeling a little sad that Mason wouldn’t have the same alone time that Ian got for so many years.
My pregnancy started off fine. Some all day sickness for a few weeks (Not anywhere near how sick I was with Mason!). Early on I had a LOT of pelvic pain. I figured it was because I had JUST been pregnant and I was now 28 years old! Everyone figured it was normal or maybe that I was exaggerating a little. (Don’t we all figure the pregnant lady is exaggerating a little bit?) I was really in pain a lot of the time. I told the midwife, she didn’t think too much of it at the time. We paid to find out the Gender early like we did with Mason’s pregnancy thank to The Images of Life in Melbourne. Everyone was ready for a girl! I didn’t get my hopes up too high for a girl. “IT’S A GIRL!” I cried like a little baby! Wow! “Are you sure?” I had to make sure I could start baby girl shopping right away! After being outnumbered by boys, I was so excited to be able to add a sweet little girl to our family. I even already had a name picked out, Chanel Lynn (of course changed to Carlee Mae).
After we bought tons of pink and let everyone know a sweet baby girl would arrive sometime in April, we resumed our life as normal. A SAHM of a 9-year-old and a 9 month old while 5 months pregnant! Still in pain most of the time. It hurt to walk. I felt like something was ripping apart! Once I reached 27 weeks, Mason had just turned ONE and my mom was just coming home from visiting my Aunt in CT. I was home and discovered blood streaked, mucous discharge and immediately visited Dr. Google!! He told me that it sounds like part of my mucous plug! I never noticed losing it with my 1st two full term pregnancies. I didn’t even have another appointment for another whole week and a half! My mom was due home the next day, If it was still a little bloody, I would just have her take me to the hospital while Josh worked
The next day, I told my dad to have my Mom call me on their way home from the airport. I explained to her what was going on and said, ” I can always see if I can get into the dr tomorrow if you’re tired!” She said, “Yes, please!” At my appointment, I explained what was going on and was asked if I wanted to have my cervix checked. Well, sure! “You’re 2 centimeters dilated! What’s up with that?” HA! you tell me! You’re the Doctor! He told me I need to now go home and be on bed rest. Didn’t really give any explanation as to why I was already dilating. I went home and packed my stuff up to go stay at my moms. Josh was working 6 days a week in the afternoon/evening and that wouldn’t work with a 1-year-old at home!
At my moms, she was the best. Asking if I needed anything or filling my cup with water. I was really hard for me to let someone wait on me so much! I have always been the one taking care of everyone! So I still took showers with Mason who decided to start walking the DAY I was put on bed rest! Go figure! Anytime I would move around, I was having what I thought were Braxton Hicks contractions. They never hurt, just a little uncomfortable or annoying. I was put on bed rest on Thursday, January 17th, 2013.
On Sunday, the 20th, I just had a weird feeling. Can’t really describe it, just felt weird. I figured if I still felt that way the next day, I would go to the ER as instructed by my OB. Monday, I still felt weird and a little constipated. Off to the ER we went. They brought me into the “High Risk ” Pregnancy room and did a UA and the usual blood pressure and temperature readings. Normal. They called my Dr and then did a Fetal Fibronecton test that was positive. (Definition of Fetal Fibronectin from Mayo Clinic:
Fetal fibronectin is a protein that acts as a “glue” during pregnancy, attaching the amniotic sac — the fluid-filled membrane that cushions your baby in the uterus — to the lining of the uterus.
Fetal fibronectin is often present in vaginal discharge before week 22 of pregnancy. Fetal fibronectin also begins to break down and can be detected in vaginal discharge toward the end of pregnancy.
If your health care provider is concerned about preterm labor, he or she might test a swab of secretions near your cervix for the presence of fetal fibronectin between week 22 and week 34 of pregnancy. A positive fetal fibronectin test is a clue that the “glue” has been disturbed and you’re at increased risk of preterm labor.
I was also now 3 cm dilated. I was being admitted for very strict bed rest. I cried more because it was my first nght away from Mason than being admitted on bedrest. Delivering her the next day didn’t even seem possible. I was 27 weeks 5 days pregnant.
That night, I couldn’t sleep. I was hooked up to monitors, IV fluids and Magnesium Sulfate (to stop any contractions), a catheter, and had many pillows and blankets! I stayed up and googled 28 week preemie all night. The more I read, the better I felt. I knew that we could handle any obstacle thrown in our way. My best friends younger twin sisters were born at 26 weeks and are now beautiful 24 year olds. I knew that even with the many challenges they faced, they have grown to be such beautiful ladies! The ultrasound I had that night showed she was close to 3lbs give or take a few ounces. What a relief! I maybe dozed off a little here and there, but by 4:30 AM, I had the most painful “bladder spasms” I swore were being caused by the catheter! I also noticed I was bleeding, which scared me! I rang the nurse who chalked it up to me having my cervix checked previously that night. By 6 am they seemed pretty regular and I could kid of predict when it would happen. (Let me just say that with my 2 previous pregnancies, I NEVER had regular contractions. NEVER!) at 6:50 am I rang the nurse again, the CNA picked up and informed me that it was almost shift change and that she would let the next nurse know. Uhhhh what? I was ready to rip that catheter OUT! I was on a contraction monitor, I saw no contractions registering. I called the nurses station again at 7:05. PLEASE come in here! The new nurse came in and immediately asked what was going on. After explaining, she felt my belly and said, “Ohhh you are having contractions!”, “Feel that?” The CNA from last shift put the monitor on wrong. hmmmm not surprised! My new nurse, Megan, called my Dr who had he check my cervix. “Um, you’re 8 almost 9 cm! We are going to the delivery room!” WHAT?! Delivery room? These were the questions in my mind, but out loud a calm, “OK.” came out. I smiled at all of the staff who watched me get wheeled away! Apparently I was the talk of the maternity ward and NICU.
By the time my Dr came in, I was 10 cm! My mom had taken Ian to school and he had an awards assembly that morning. I couldn’t get ahold of her. Josh had worked 13 hours the day before, he was still sleeping at 7:45 am, so I texted my Mother in Law, “Carlee is on the way!” She texted back, “I’m praying for you and Carlee!” so I called her and said….Can you please come up here! She said YES! ON MY WAY!
The nurse started to break my water while they waited for the neonatal staff to arrive. I still can’t believe how calm I was. I started pushing and right before she was born, My Mother in Law came in! 8:11 am Carlee Mae Cozza was born screaming! I was so happy to hear that tiny scream! They started examining her and I remember just having a huge smile on my face! She is alive and is crying! I was nervous since I was only able to get 1 of 2 steroid shots for her lungs! Before she was taken to the NICU, I was able to kiss her sweet little face. She looked like a tiny little mouse! I was full of adrenaline!
It was a few hours before they were able to let me see her in the NICU. My heart broke when I saw her. Her head wrapped up and face covered with the cpap machine. I couldn’t pick her up and just hold her. I could only rub on her little leg and foot. I was scared. I knew she was in good hands, but I was nervous. When I was back in my room, I often sat there and just thought, “Why MY daughter?” “Why, period?” There were still no answers as to WHY this even happened.
Carlee stayed in the NICU for a total of 6 weeks 5 days. She came home March 10th 2013. The time she spent in the NICU was hard. Juggling the toddler at home, the almost 10 year old at home, and going up to the hospital twice a day! It was rough (looking back now I realize that I was probably a little depressed by the situation during and after) I didn’t sleep much and worried constantly. The nurses there were all so amazing! I will be forever grateful for all of their love and care during that time! Without them, I don’t think I would have made it! I feel teary eyed just thinking about it all. I didn’t get to hold my baby until she was 4 days old. I didn’t get to really nurse her until she was 5 1/2 weeks old. She was able to finally eat from a bottle at 5 weeks old. All accomplished before she was supposed to even be born. She hade a grade 1 brain bleed that thankfully stopped by her follow up ultrasound! The girl is AMAZING!
To this day, she amazes me. Even right now just twirling around with a baby doll singing. Playing with her brothers. Climbing over the back of the couch. You would never know by just looking at here that she fought harder to live than a lot of people and she isn’t even 2 yet!
For World Preemie Day I will leave you with a few Preemie facts!
Incidence of premature birth in the United States of America
General Incidence
499,008 infants — were born prematurely (less than 37 weeks gestation) in 2003
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
Rates of preterm birth
In 1995: 11.0% of live births was born preterm
In 2004: 12.5% of live births was born preterm
In 2006: 12.8% of live births was born preterm
Source: March of Dimes – Peristats
Rates of preterm birth in 2004 by race
African American: 17.6%
Native Americans: 13.2%
Hispanics: 12%
Non-Hispanic white: 11.5%
Asians: 10.4%
(Reedy, 2007)
Rates of preterm birth in 2006 by race
African American: 18.3%
Native Americans: 14.1%
Hispanics: 12.1%
THIS POST WAS WRITTEN & SHARED BY LACEY AT MAMA NEEDS A BOTTLE

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Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
This Post is sponsored by Mirum but all opinions are my own.
As you may or may not already know, we are on the go quite a lot. Whether its to visit family and friends, a new location in Texas or to a sporting event we need snacks that can keep up with us. I like to keep a snack on hand that has plenty of protein to keep them going strong…one snack that is always requested is a Slim Jim, the bold treat on-the-go.
Right now Slim Jim is hosting a Halloween Sweepstakes, and on their site, you will be able to create a virtual Halloween basket to enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a $500 prize pack!
I ran to my local Walmart where it’s simple to restock on some Slim Jims and pick up a few other goodies for our Halloween “basket”. Like me, my kids love mugs, Halloween & glow stick so all of these came together with their must-have Slim Jims to create our basket.
With Halloween around the corner and my youngest one in pre-k, you know I’ll have to make a few fun Halloween “baskets” featuring Slim Jim’s. I can find so many other goodies to mix in at Walmart.
I’m taking a Bold Break, (as we speak), and you should too! Grab a pack of Slim Jims at Walmart today! It’s the easiest snack to carry in your bag for that moment when you need a something to keep you or your kiddos going.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. The Slim Jim Hungry For Halloween Sweepstakes is sponsored by Conagra Brands, Inc. Open to legal U.S. residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18 & older. Begins 12:00 a.m. PT on 10/5/17 & ends 11:59 p.m. PT on 10/31/17. Four potential winners will be randomly selected to each receive a Hungry For Halloween prize pack worth $500. Total ARV: $2,000. Odds depend on number of entries. For full details visit SlimJimBoldBreak.com.

This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
Goodie bags are a birthday party staple that seems to be here to stay – and a nice way to let your little guests know even though the party is over, they can continue to have fun at home! However, year after year, it becomes challenging to find new and creative ideas for those birthday party goody-bags. This year, PBS KIDS has a perfect addition, On March 17, PBS KIDS released the appropriately themed “WordWorld Birthday Party!” on DVD.
My boys just love following their favorite WordWorld friends on all their adventures, but this DVD seemed to be packed full of extra fun and excitement for them. I mean what kid doesn’t love a birthday party, and what mom doesn’t like a little bit of learning in disguised as fun!
This fun-filled DVD includes multiple birthday-themed adventures, the first of which, “Happy Birthday, Dog,” features a surprise party for WordWorld’s friendly canine. Can Frog get the C-A-K-E safely to Dog’s party? Also included on this DVD is “Bit by Bit.” In this story Frog is not feeling well and entrusts Duck and Bug to take his present, a B-A-N-A-N-A, to Monkey’s birthday party. When they accidentally break the banana into letters, Elephant steps in and teaches them to build the banana back, bit by bit.
Join the lovable WordFriends for these and other educational adventures as they playfully demonstrate the connections between letters, sounds, words, and meaning in order to empower children to advance from learning letters to learning how to read.
“WORDWORLD: BIRTHDAY PARTY!” is available on DVD NOW. The DVD run time is approximately 75 minutes and its SRP is $6.99.
Stories included on the DVD are listed below.
“Happy Birthday, Dog” It’s Dog’s birthday and all of his friends are planning a surprise party. There’s just one problem – they need a cake! Frog must get to the party safely without Dog finding out.
Build a Word: CAKE
“Pig’s Present” It’s Pig’s birthday and his nephews, the Three Little Pigs, are making him a secret present. Although Pig promises not to peek, his curiosity about his present gets the better of him…and wreaks havoc all over WordWorld. Will Pig ever learn to be patient?
Build a Word: JET
“The Rainbow Birthday Cake” It is Frog’s birthday, and Duck wants to make him a big, beautiful birthday cake frosted in the colors of the rainbow. Such a cake requires lots of cans of frosting, and Duck learns he can’t just throw cans anywhere – they must be recycled. In WordWorld, recycling means using the letters in a discarded word to make other words, such as can-dle, which is just what Duck needs for Frog’s cake!
Build a Word: CANDLE
“Bit by Bit” It is Monkey’s birthday, and a sick Frog entrusts Duck and Bug to take his present – a banana – to Monkey’s birthday party for him. In their enthusiasm to get to the party, Duck and Bug accidentally break the banana into letters…and they don’t know how to rebuild it! It’s just too big a word. Fortunately Elephant knows a thing or two about big words, and teaches them to build the banana back, bit by bit, based on the three syllables in the word.
Build a Word: BANANA
“Bugs to the Rescue!” Ant and Dog build a hot-air balloon, but Dog accidentally floats away in it! Ant elicits the help of his insect WordFriends Bug, Bee and Fly to rescue Dog and save the day.
Build a Word: BALLOON
About WordWorld
“WordWorld” was developed with funding from the U.S. Department of Education as part of the Ready To Learn initiative. Incorporating the latest research into the most effective ways for kids to build reading skills, “WordWorld” produces delightful educational experiences for preschool children, on-screen, in print, and online. “WordWorld” is owned by General Word LP.
Ready for your chance to win?
One lucky My Sparkling Life Reader is going to win the WordWorld: BIRTHDAY PARTY DVD listed above ! This giveaway is open to residents of the US who are 18+ until 11:59 PM EST April 07, 2015.
Who is your childs favorite WordWorld Character?
The Fine Print: Entering this giveaway means that you accept both my rules & disclosure. I will notify winner via e-mail and they will have 48 hours to reply before I am forced to redraw winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Each household is only eligible to win this prize via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Many will enter, few will win! Please allow 8-12 weeks for delivery of prizing. My Sparkling Life is not responsible for any lost or misdirected packages. Prizing provided and shipped by PBS distribution. In the rare occasion that a prize does not arrive (which has happened), please notify me and I will try to contact the sponsor.