Disney's Upside Down Magic - our thumbs-up review

 

Disney's Upside Down Magic (cc Disney)

Disney Channel (DSTv 303) premiered Disney's Upside Down Magic on 29 January. We as a family enjoyed the movie so much, and Miss Fine watched it more than once. The movie has all the important elements she enjoys now: magic, suspense, humour, friends and friendships, action, and of course, teens being teens. The outsider element of the nerdy characters of the Upside Down Academy proofs that we don't all have to conform to be valuable. 

We give the movie 5/5 for perfect family entertainment. Hopefully a series is on the  cards, or in the making?

See the trailer here: Disney Upside Down Magic trailer on Youtube

Second Season of ELENA OF AVALOR on Disney Channel - Giveaway

Elena of Avalor - Disney Channel

A special Día de los Muertos-themed episode launched the second season of Disney Channels’ animated series “Elena of Avalor,” this week on DStv channel 303.

In the new episodes, Elena takes on more responsibility as a leader and delves deeper into the magical land of the jaquins. In the season two premiere episode titled “The Jewel of Maru,” Elena is visited by the ghosts of her parents on the Day of the Dead and meets another ghost named Amaláy who stands watch over the powerful Jewel of Maru.

In celebration of Disney's 10th birthday in Africa, win hampers

Disney Africa is celebrating it's 10th year in Africa. Ten years ago on 25 September 2006, Disney Channel (DStv Channel 303) aired it's first broadcast to South African viewers on DStv.

It has been a month of celebrations! 
Disney Channel has opened the DStv Extra and Compact customers from 5 September to 9 October 2016. Disney’s 100th Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM), Adventures in Babysitting, had it's premiere. Stuck in the Middle is a brand new live-action comedy series. Joining the Thank Disney It’s Thursday slot (5:25pm–7:05pm) are new episodes of fan favourites Alex & Co, Girl Meets World, and Mako Mermaids, with season finales of Backstage and Austin & Ally. Also Disney’s first ever South African long-form series production Disney Cookabout, the comedic adventure game-show that uses food preparation, cooking and outdoor exploration. Disney Channel’s series Bizaardvark, the side-splitting comedic adventures of two quirky 13-year-old best friends, are also worth mentioning!

Disney Channel’s most popular movies, such as Full Out, A Bug’s Life and Ratatouille, have been part of the festive fun as Disney Channel celebrates 10 years on DStv.

Disney is giving away three festive hampers to celebrate their 10th year! 
Just in time for the holidays!

To win yourself one of these amazing hampers, name one of Disney Original movies that aired in the past 10 years?
Answer in the Comments below.
This give-away is only open to South African readers.
The three winners will be drawn on Monday 3 October 2016 at 9 am SAST.

Fans can get in on the birthday celebrations by using the hashtag #DisneyChannel10
Facebook: Disney in Africa
Web: Disney in Africa


The winning entries drawn through Random.org:

Congratulations to!

1. Bongiwe
2. Heather
2. Cat

 Please send me your email details!

The 100th Disney Channel original movie, 'Adventures in Babysitting', premieres Friday 23 September On Disney Channel

Disney Channel (DStv Channel 303) is celebrating it's 10th anniversary on 25 September on DStv! Disney Channel is open to DStv Extra and Compact customers from 5 September to 9 October 2016.
(A whoop-whoop from the MomAgain@40-clan as we are also able to enjoy this for the month!)

As part of the month of celebrations, Disney will be unwrapping the very latest and greatest programming, including returning seasons of fan favourites and brand new live-action and animation series. Disney’s 100^th Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM), Adventures in Babysitting will premiere this Friday on 23 September at 5:25pm. 
 

Happy 10th birthday, Disney Channel!

We attended the launch of Adventures in Babysitting on Saturday. 

Little Miss really enjoyed it because of all the "adventures", but also because of the likeable characters in the movie! She is looking forward to the series!

"In a heartfelt story that celebrates individuality, friendship and self-empowerment, the live-action adventure comedy made for kids, tweens and families, pays homage to the 1980s classic with familiar references and iconic scenes.

Hollywood Records recording artists Carpenter and Carson perform the movie's end credit song "Wild Side," produced by Jens Koerkemeier, Emanuel Kiriakou and Andrew Goldstein.

"Adventures in Babysitting," unfolds when Jenny Parker (Sabrina Carpenter) and Lola Perez (Sofia Carson), two teen girls with distinctly different personalities, each interview for a coveted photography internship and accidently swap phones. When the Anderson family calls Jenny's phone looking for a last-minute babysitter, audacious Lola, in need of some extra cash, picks up and nominates herself. Meanwhile, dependable Jenny is already set to babysit the Cooper family for the evening. Unfortunately, Lola's first attempt at babysitting takes an unforeseen turn when one of the Anderson kids sneaks out to go to a concert. Jenny, determined to protect her reputation, and Lola with the remaining kids in tow, head out and have the adventure of a lifetime during one magical night in the big city."

Little Miss had a balloon ball!

Happy birthday, Disney Channel!

Powerpuff Girls app - Flipped Out! AND Powerpuff Yourself for free!

The Powerpuff Girls series from Cartoon Network Studios now gives fans the opportunity to be part of the action with with the all new mobile game Flipped Out!

Disclaimer: I received a promo code to test the app. 

It is already available exclusively on iTunes (iOS) from Thursday 31st March 2016.
It will be available on Amazon & Google Play (Android) on Thursday 14th April 2016.


Flipped Out is two games in one: Landscape mode let's you destroy monsters. By rotating it to portrait mode you are in for an action-packed brawler. All three Powerpuff Girls; Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup, are up for play while you defend Townsville against the monsters.

It stays true to the original characters of the Powerpuff script and characters. The Girls need to save the city from too many sea buddies, and they go about it in the their well-known fighting fashion!

It's just a lot of fun!

Apparently you can unleash a bit of thinking power while playing as well.

Team up to take down toughies, or divide and conquer to cover more ground. Unleash spicy and sweet superpowers to demolish the bad guys! (Next time! I am just extremely pleased when I get a score. Not that big a GAMER here!))

Pointers by the Powerpuff Girls on how to move along
(A big thumbs up from me!)

I got a score!!

NOO! I lost!

Cartoon Network targets boys and girls from 6 - 12, and I think this game will do the same. (I might be mistaken, because Little Miss just KNOWS how it works already! They are born KNOWING! )

The latest original, animated comedy series from Cartoon Network Studios, The Powerpuff Girls, launches exclusively on Cartoon Network, DStv Channel 301, on Saturday 30 April @ 09:55 CET

Flipped Out! costs $2.99 (R45.20) on the iTunes store.
There are upgrades available to add superpowers and sticker layouts.


For FREE: Powerpuff Yourself!

Our social media timelines are filling up with Powerpuff Yourself images!
Of course we never grow up, and I made one for myself as well!

Send me a link of your Powerpuff? I would love to see!

Zuka Zama with Disney Junior's The Lion Guard

The Lion Guard

As always, Disney does not disappoint and the whole family will enjoy the adventures of The Lion Guard as Kion, the young lion cub,  assembles The Guard to maintain the balance within the "Circle of Life"! The mission is to protect the Pridelands!

We were invited to the premiere "The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar" on Sunday. It will be aired on Sunday 26 March at 10:00 am on Disney Junior, DStv Channel 309. It is the premiere to the television series of The Lion Guard on DStv 309.

Keep a look-out and mark your diaries!

Photo op at Premiere - we got a faint smile...

Little Miss making a pledge to look after nature
at Disney's The Lion Guard
activity zone in Cresta 

Premiere at Ster-Kinekor, Cresta:

Premiere at Ster-Kinekor, Cresta

Waiting for the movie to start...

We remember Disney's The Lion King, and this story-line is just as captivating as the original. Kion is the son of Simba and Nala.
It is not only about "Hakuna Matata" ("No worries"), but the new catch phrase is "Zuka Zama". In Swahili it means "Pop up, Dive in". Although life is not always plain sailing, take it head-on! Although you (and others) do not always believe in your abilities, you are able when you take on your responsibilities!

Bunga is a honey badger, Kion's friend and the "bravest" of them all.
He has the following life motto and catchy tune in The Lion Guard:

"Zuka Zama":

Now you know my little motto for life
(Zuka zama zom zom zom!)
Enjoy the chaos, ignore the strife
But life throws you a crazy curve
Go Zuka Zama! Don't lose your nerve!

We can't wait to see more of the adventures of the newly appointed Lion Guard!


Check out Heather's (One Step at a Time) review as well: Why “Zuka Zama” is the new “Hakuna Matata”

Doc McStuffins expanding her services to pets - Kennels donated to the SPCA in celebration! #disneyafrica

Doc McStuffins, the favourite Toy Doctor on Disney Junior will be expanding her services to pets in the new season starting today on Disney Junior (DStv, Channel 309) at 07:20am (repeats at 09:30, 13:00 and 14:45). The multi-episode story is "Doc McStuffins: Pet Vet."

Cute things to look forward to:
- Two new songs "Get Your Pet to the Vet," as well as "Stuffy's Pet Vlog," will premiere.
- DisneyJunior.com/Doc have a Pet Care checklist designed to help kids nurture and care for their own pets. Johannesburg vet, Dr Colin van Rensburg of the Radiokop Animal Clinic, helped with top tips for children in caring for their pets.

- Two new mobile apps in the Disney Junior Appisodes app for iOS devices have already debuted: A "Stuffy and Squibbles" episode with interactive elements including the ability to help Doc diagnose and treat Stuffy's pet Squibbles when he runs low on energy. A "Doc McStuffins: Pet Vet" mobile game with several mini-games allowing players to diagnose and treat pets. (R99 each, unfortunately!)


In celebration, Disney Junior, will be donating special Doc McStuffins kennels to the SPCA!
They also asked us to take part in the Doc McStuffins Pet Vet Drive. It involves decorating a dog kennel to be donated to the SPCA.

The MomAgain@40-clan had so much fun this weekend. We also got a dog kennel delivered, and if you were watching my Twitter and Instagram, you would have seen some of this fun!

Here are some more photos from our decorating adventures yesterday!

Win a Disney Descendants hamper

It is finally time for Disney Descendants to be aired on Friday, 18 September 205, on Disney Channel – DSTV Channel 303  at 17:00!

Our family loves it already. We were at the Disney Descendants launch viewing in August and we can’t wait for the series to start.

A little bit of background about the actors:

Mal

Dove Cameron stars as Mal, the clever, edgy and artistic teenage daughter of Maleficent. She began acting in community theatre at age eight and moved to Los Angeles at age 14 to pursue acting and singing professionally. She is best known for her roles as 16-year-old identical twins, in the Disney Channel Original series "Liv and Maddie."

Evie

Sofia Carson stars as Evie, the stylish teenage daughter of the Evil Queen and Mal's best friend. Evie is secretly excited to go to Auradon in hopes of finding a perfect prince. She soon realizes that she is much more than a pretty face. Carson has had a passion for performing since an early age, competing in national dance and vocal competitions, and musical theatre productions throughout her childhood. She has guest-starred in Disney Channel's hit series "Austin & Ally" and in MTV's "Faking It." In early 2016, Carson will star alongside Girl Meets World's Sabrina Carpenter in the Disney Channel Original Movie, "Adventures in Babysitting."

Jay

Booboo Stewart stars as Jay, the athletic teenage son of Jafar, in "Descendants" who has a penchant for stealing things in "Descendants”.  In 2011, Stewart landed the coveted role of Seth Clearwater in the popular "Twilight" franchise. Most recently, he can be seen as Warpath in "X-Men – Days of Future Past." Other big screen credits include "White Frog," "Smitty" and "American Cowslip." Additionally, Stewart has guest starred on numerous popular television shows such as "Good Luck Charlie," "CSI: Miami," "CSI: Cyber" and "GRIMM.

Carlos

Cameron Boyce stars as Carlos, the technologically-savvy teenage son of Cruella de Vil. Boyce is best known for his role as Luke Ross on Disney Channel's "Jessie." Boyce has also appeared on Disney Channel's "Shake It Up" and "Good Luck Charlie," as well as "General Hospital, Night Shift."

Ben

Mitchell Hope stars as Prince Ben, the benevolent teenage son of the King and Queen of Auradon (Beast and Belle from "Beauty and the Beast").  Hope landed his first onscreen role in an Australian short film "Down the Way." Shortly after, he appeared in the Australian television film "INXS: Never Tear Us Apart." Hope is from and currently resides in Melbourne, Australia. He likes to spend his spare time with his friends and family playing basketball, squash and surfing.


The Hamper that’s up for a win includes:

• Descendants CD
• Bag
• Key Holder
• Mal’s sketch book
• Stickers
• Pen

Please answer the following question in the comments section to be considered for the hamper win:

Who is the Villain that Prince Ben fall in love with?


The winner will be drawn next Monday at 9 am.
(Unfortunately only open to South African readers)


More details here: Disney


The winner is Cat! Congratulations!

Behind the magic of Miles from Tomorrow

I was invited to a Disney Junior High Tea on Friday. Miles from Tomorrow is on Disney Junior in South Africa on the DStv Channel 309 every day.

Miles from Tomorrow cake poppers

As parent it is always comforting to know that I can safely switch on the TV on this channel and that it will always be the great Disney storytelling that we have become accustomed to. It is always about great Disney characters. Disney Junior is apparently the No 1 preschool channel on DStv in South Africa.

Christine Service, the senior vice president and country manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa, says that they not only make the programming for the children, but for the parents and care-givers that watch it with them! That's true, as we enjoy the shows with the little ones, and my school going Little Miss still very much enjoy the shows on Disney Junior!

"Miles From Tomorrow is a spectacular new cartoon series from Disney Junior. The animated action follows the story of a young adventurer called Miles Callisto and his intergalactic family. “Miles and his family have been sent into outer space on a mission by the Tomorrow Transit Authority,” reveals the show’s creator, Sascha Paladino."

A few magic facts about Miles from Tomorrow:


ACTION AHOY!

Miles and his family gets crazy adventures in stellar space with every show. It is filled with aliens, spage-age vehicles and the latest high-tech gadgets

ALIEN INVASION!

There are crazy aliens in each of the episodes!

OUT OF THIS WORLD!

Sascha Paladino, the creator, wanted to be an astronaut when he was a kid. He would look to the sky and imagine what was up there.

SPACE RACE!

They spent a lot of time researching and consulting with NASA for the show! The concepts of space, science and technology are spot on!

ROCKET MAN!

The name of the NASA consultants are Dr Randii Wessin, a rocket scientist, as well as space architect John Spencer, founder and president of the Space Tourism Society.

IT’S A FACT!

There are at least one space fact in every show!

A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY!

They explore real planets like Mars and Neptune, but also imaginary planets with made-up aliens!

WORD UP!

The intergalactic catchphrases such as "blastastic", "sunsational", "space-tastic", "stellarific" and "superstella" adds to the quirkiness of the characters and the show!

GADGETS GALORE!

The groovy gadgets are a treat: The Callisto family lives on a floating space station The Stellosphere. They have a 3D printer called a Solidizer and the space vehicle is called a Starjetter.

BOARD STUPID!

Two of the coollest gadgets are Miles' Blastboard, which is a hovering skateboard. Phoebe has a bracelet, the Bracelex, which is an encyclopedia on her wrist!

ANIMAL MAGIC WITH A BIRD BRAIN!

Miles has a best friend who is a robot ostrich, Merc. He has turbo boosters and wing shields!

WORK AWAY!

They have a team of 40 people working on the show in California, and another 400 overseas. They spent a year and a half working on the first episode!



Miles from Tomorrow is every day on Disney Junior (DStv channel 309).



Little Miss got the Callisto family, Merc and a Miles from Tomorrow Laserang.

WIN a Winnie the Pooh soft toy

Winnie the Pooh launched on Disney Junior on DStv Channel 309 from Sunday 24 May with Springtime with Roo.

It is such a special edition, with all the characters looking forward to Spring and Easter, but Rabbit planning a special spring-cleaning session... (I hope you were able to watch it or record it for later!)

Good news is that it is starting to run with back-to-back episodes from 1 June 2015:

CET
12:30
12:45
12:55
13:20
13:45

To win one of five Winnie the Pooh soft toys, please write in the comments below about your favourite Winnie the Pooh moment with your kids.
My favourite moments are when I am reading or watching the stories with my kids. All of them!

The Eldest says her best quote is still this one. She had a poster of Winnie the Pooh quotes when she was growing up.

“What day is it?", asked Winnie the Pooh
"It's today," squeaked Piglet
"My favorite day," said Pooh”

― A.A. Milne

I will select five winners on Friday 9 am via Random.org.
(This is unfortunately only open to South African viewers.)


WINNERS: 
Jozi Wahm, Luchae Williams, Adele, Lisa Labuschagne and Elise Du Toit. 
Please send me your email that I can forward it!


Related post:

Winnie the Pooh coming to Disney Junior from Sunday 24 May - watch to win a Winnie the Pooh soft toy!

Winnie the Pooh coming to Disney Junior from Sunday 24 May - watch to win a Winnie the Pooh soft toy!

Winnie the Pooh to premiere on 24 May on Disney Junior (DStv Channel 309).

Who does not love the cute Bear who's tummy is always rumbling for honey?! I did not knew him when I was little as we did not have access to the Afrikaans translation at that stage. But I have been enjoying and reading Winnie the Pooh with both my daughters.

There's nothing quite like a Winnie the Pooh quote:

"Some people care too much. I think it's called love.” 

           “It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?”  

― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Please watch the first episode Springtime with Roo at one of the following time slots to be able to win one of five 61cm Winnie the Pooh soft toy (teddy bears) next week. I will ask a question about the episode next Monday, and five people will be able to win.

(Open to South African readers only)

Disney Junior (DStv Channel 309):
Sunday 24 May
Springtime with Roo: 10:25 – 11:15 (Premiere)
Sunday 24 May
Springtime with Roo: 15:30 – 16:25 (Premiere)

Monday 01 June 2015: 

Back-to-back episodes will be running

 CET

12:30

12:45

12:55

13:20

13:45

Did you know the following about Winnie the Pooh?

10 Facts about Winnie The Pooh:

1.  Winnie the Pooh was brought to life on Christmas Eve in 1925 when the first Pooh story, written by AA Milne, was published in the London Evening News. (Source: approved factsheet)

2. The story was based on a bedtime story read by AA Milne to his son, Christopher Robin. (Source: approved factsheet)

3. The first Winnie the Pooh book, simply named Winnie the Pooh, was published in October 1926. Now We Are Six followed in 1927 and House at Pooh Corner was published in 1928. (Source: approved factsheet)

4. A first edition of Winnie the Pooh was sold for $13,200 at Christie’s of New York on 18 November 1988. (Source: The Brilliant Career of Winnie the Pooh by Ann Thwaite)

5. Having been published in October 1927, Now We Are Six sold 94,000 copies in England by Christmas that year, overtaking the original Winnie the Pooh story. (Source: The Brilliant Career of Winnie the Pooh by Ann Thwaite)

6. After 80 years of friendship and adventure, Winnie the Pooh has become a worldwide favourite with mothers and children of all ages, with near universal familiarity among mothers with children aged 2-5. (Source: approved factsheet)

7. The characters in AA Milne’s stories are based on toys once owned by his son. The original stuffed toys are now kept in New York Public Library. (Source: approved factsheet)

8. The original Pooh bear was bought in Harrod's department store and given by AA Milne to his son Christopher Robin on his first birthday, 21 August 1921. He was called Edward Bear at the time.  (Source: www.nypl.org, New York Public Library website)

9. Christopher Robin named his stuffed bear Winnie the Pooh after a Canadian bear that his father took him to see at London Zoo (Winnie) and a swan near the family's country home (Pooh). (Source: approved factsheet)

10. The Canadian bear at London Zoo got her name from the Canadian town of Winnipeg and was taken to London Zoo on a long loan in 1914 by Harry Colebourn, a soldier in the First World War. (Source: The Brilliant Career of Winnie the Pooh by Ann Thwaite)