Discovering German with Walt Disney

By Nick 

My wife spotted this at "The World's Largest Garage Sale" at the Allentown Fairgrounds in Allentown, Pennsylvania recently for $3. It was published in 1992 by Harrap.

It takes classic Disney comic illustrations, and identifies specific images in German and English.

As a bonus, it includes the actual strip the highlighted image is taken from, and presents it in German and English as well.

Auf Wiedersehen!

The Writer's Stop at Disney's Hollywood Studios

By: Nick

Back in a quiet corner of Disney's Hollywood Studios is one of our favorite spots in all of Walt Disney World.

The Writer's Stop is located next to the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant.

Doing some research, I've discovered that this was originally built to resemble the set of the  bookstore in Ellen DeGeneres' sitcom Ellen, which was named "Buy the Book," which is why you will find many items, such as the ceiling lights, that convey a TV set atmosphere.

The Writer's Stop is a small bookstore, cafe, and gift shop all in one. 

You'll find many of the prepackaged goodies you can find at many other gift stores throughout Disney property here.

In the center of the store you'll find comfy seats, a television playing Disney related programs, Disney themed games, a good selection of DVDs, Blu-rays, and books.

The book selection is pretty terrific; appealing to a wide audience, representing many of the Disney owned properties and assorted attractions, such as The Twilight Zone, that you'll find at the Studios, as well as books about Walt Disney, Disney art, and children's books.

Proceeding to the back, you'll find an even more eclectic book selection, including best sellers and biographies, among others. You'll also find tables and and more seating.

 

This cozy area is also where you'll find kitchen items displayed beautifully: mugs and tea and biscuits that you'll find at other stores as well.

They also offer a wide selection of drinks, including coffees, teas, espresso, cappuccinos, waters, juices and sodas.

Lastly, but certainly not least, are thr bakery items, such as bagels, muffins, pastries and cookies, including one of my favorite snacks in the World, the Carrot Cake Cookie.

As far as I'm aware, The Writer's Stop is the only place on Disney property to get the Carrot Cake Cookie.

It's approximately the size of my head, but I have NO trouble finishing it off myself, but you may want to share it with a friend or 3!

Jake's Never Land Shapes and Patterns : App Review

By Nick:

I just got back from an adventure with Jake and his crew, and we learned about shapes!

Disney recently released the Jake's Never Land Shapes and Patterns App for iPhone and iPad.

Start your voyage by tapping on where you'd like to begin.

Twilight Treasure Hunt tells a story about a treasure map, interweaving Jake's Shape Games.

Either follow along with the story, or go right to the games, which include Matching Shapes.
Drag the shapes that Jake has made to the rock.

Pirate Patterns is a little more advanced, as you are picking up on patterns. Add the shape that would come next in sequence.

Shape Tracing has your child both finding missing shapes to complete a pattern, it then asks them to draw the shapes with the help of Brtightly, the firefly.

Your reward for playing games is gold doubloons, and new outfits for your pirate puppet!

Tap on Pirate Puppets on the home screen to choose and customize your own puppet.

You can even add a photo!

You can choose not to add a picture, but, of course, I did.

Here, you speak the pirate phrase for playback later.

Choose one of 3 songs to accompany you and your dance! 

The final result is a pirate jig with a recorded pirate message thrown in for good measure!

If your young one loves Jake and the Never Land Pirates, and you are teaching them shapes, I can't think of a better combo than this app to hold their interest and educate and entertain them at the same time.

Disney Musings would like to thank Disney Publishing Worldwide for providing this app for review.