Let’s Talk Serious- Medical Edition

Hi Everyone,

I apologize for not posting very much the past month, I thought I would talk a bit as to why I haven’t posted recent Disney blogs. This is a bit of a heavy and semi-disturbing topic so I do give you this disclaimer before we continue: reader discretion is advised.

It was August of this year that I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (as well as GERD and Gastritis). For the past 3 years (before diagnosis), I had dealt with almost daily severe nausea, on and off abdominal cramping, and mucus filled loose stool that followed behind a spastic colon trying to force everything out. Doesn’t sound pretty right?

It feels disgusting.

The cramping is so intense, almost menstrual in form but a lot stronger. Once the pain passes I’m so exhausted I sleep it off after.

Leading up to my diagnosis, I was told I had endometriosis (long story short, I was treated for it for two years and didn’t have it at all). With a couple of colonoscopies, an endoscopy, a laparoscopy and a near trip to the ER, I finally had received the diagnosis.

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What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative Colitis or UC is chronic inflammation in the large intestine which vary from mild to severe. The symptoms that accompany UC are any or all of the following: abdominal pain or discomfort, tenesmus (a feel to move bowels constantly), reduced appetite, exhaustion or fatigue, frequent and recurring loose stool and diarrhea, fever, weight loss, blood in stool and embarrassingly smelly and numerous gas.

But it’s also more than that.

Being an Autoimmune disease that can progress over time, treatment is 100% necessary. I’ve been on treatment since August and as I’m writing this, am still dealing with a slow burn that leaves me uncomfortable. It brings a subconscious fear that you’ll make a mess in public while also changing what it allows to pass through it right now for a diet. On top of that, I tend to get sick fairly easier (never knew why prior, and well, now I know), so in crowds I wear a cloth anti-microbial mask. It’s never a dull moment, trust me.

Currently I’m in a decent amount of pain, so I apologize for not being very active lately!

Disney Villains: Obake

Hello there!

I’m sorry for not being on for a while but my illness came aknocking. Since it is nearing Halloween, I thought I would spend the days leading up to it discussing some of Disney’s villains. In today’s blog, I’d like to talk about Obake, one of the biggest antagonists of the show Big Hero 6.

Again we are heading into spoiler territory so read at your own risk!!

As a highly intellectual student at the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology, Bob Aken was allowed to bloom under the watch of his mentor Professor Granville. Given all the room to expand his mind without limits caused equally expanded and dangerous experiments. After one experiment went dangerously wrong and caused the part of his brain that tells right from wrong unable to function.

Years after the accident and taking the alias Obake, he planned to blow up the city and build a better one. Between his high intellect and connections to many criminals throughout the city, Obake uses surveillance cameras and hacked technology to get closer to his goal.

What makes Obake such an amazing villain?

Besides the usual cold-hearted and crazy delusion he carries that most villains had, it’s the fact that he plays Big Hero 6 like a violin throughout all of season 1 without them even realizing it until later as the series progresses. He calculates each piece of the plan carefully and waits to act it out–even going as far as using Tadashi against Hiro and is patient enough to continue his plan even if things don’t go accordingly.

So what are my thoughts on Obake?

Overall Design: Taking on a slightly goth-Aristocratic look and feel with an English accent, this genius is actually pretty well designed.

Goals: I mean it’s the run of the mill “I want to be remembered by rebuilding the city”, so it is a lackluster goal- but the steps getting there are pretty crazy and diabolical.

Screen Domination: Obake’s presence completely dominates the show every time he is on it. His calm and calculating demeanor and his thought processes on seemingly knowing everything each character is thinking is frightening. The steps he takes to make his plans real is well thought out- and he remains calm (mostly) through it all.

If they had used him in the original BH6 movie, that would make it perfect. Sinister, dying and ignoring the fact he could treat himself because he’s “liberated” makes Obake a villain with nothing to lose but everything to gain. It’s shown when he lets Baymax return to Hiro as the building crumbles around him in the finale. He is a villain that makes me curious to see if he actually returns and what more he could bring against BH6, which is something I hardly ever feel towards a villain. Overall he makes me excited for season 2, but I doubt any villain could outdo him!

Villain Rating: A-

Let’s Talk About Epcot!

Ah Epcot, the “edutainment” park of Disney. Out of all of the parks we visit this is the park my parents love the most (and it’s my second favorite as well). Since it’s grand opening in 1982, Epcot has had many changes but still to this day shows the innovation and integrity that Walt had planned before his death in 1966.

Ranking number twelve for the most visited theme park in the world as of last year, Epcot is revered for its cultural diversity within the World Showcase, fantastic food and it’s scientific aspects shown through Future World. There’s some pretty fun rides located at Epcot as well as more food selections than you could ever imagine, so there is something for everyone!

Park Areas

In Future World’s section, you can explore the scientific and the technological side of our world while keeping it entertaining for all ages. In this section of Epcot you get to seek out thrills on exciting rides like Soarin’ and the Test Track, or learn about how Epcot grows their own food at The Land.

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The World Showcase hosts 11 pavilions where you can shop, eat and explore the many cultures that reside there. You can try different foods and browse shops from countries like USA, Italy, Japan, Morocco, UK, France, Canada, Mexico, Norway, China and Germany. In several countries there are also rides and shows to attend, so you can’t plan spending only a few days at the park and think everything will be done!

What’s great is that Epcot celebrates several annual events throughout the year, which I’ll go over as well.

Annual Events

International Flower and Garden Festival- Disney plants special floral displays and topiary sculptures of Disney characters. They even host beekeepers there as well with honey samples to enjoy, and fellow gardners who can give helpful tips and tricks to boost your plant productivity.

Food & Wine Festival- Celebrate culture by sampling several wines and food from countries all over the world, even ones not a part of the Showcase. Being one of Epcot’s more popular, it also hosts seminars and live music for you to enjoy.

International Festival of the Arts- Brand new to the scene as of 2017, this festival celebrates the three arts: cooking, art and music. If Broadway and Showcase choirs aren’t your things, there’s also professional workshops, visual art galleries and food tastings.

Holidays Around the World- Christmas has never been more magical than at Epcot. With Candlelit Professionals, extended firework shows and storytellers who depict each cultures holiday traditions, this bustling time of year is one to visit at least once in your life.

No matter when you pick to go to Epcot, I always say to plan for at least a week; there is so much to do, tons of different foods to eat and great places to shop! Every time I go, I do have favorites but enjoy spreading my wings and trying new things- Epcot is the perfect place to do so!

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Let’s Craft: Hundred Acre Wood Sign

Hey Disney Fans!

Decorating a house is very important don’t you agree? I’ve recently moved into a new condo and it sports a Disney theme. My living room is doubling as a playroom for my nephew and is themed Winnie the Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood so it’s bright and comforting. Since I am also a crafter, I thought I’d make a cute DIY Hundred Acre Wood sign like the ones seen in the beloved show. It’s cheap, easy to make and adds some imagination to any room!

What you’ll need:

Acrylic paint- Light Brown

Acrylic Paint- Dark Brown

Acrylic Paint- Black

Pickett wood sign

Paint Brushes (1 large, 1 fine point)

Jar or cup of water

Old towel

Sanding paper

Sealant

Saw (optional)

I purchased a pre-built sign from Hobby Lobby. I picked this one because its small yet impactful for a room while being a cheaper option. I have provided the link here: https://www.hobbylobby.com/Crafts-Hobbies/Painting-Surfaces/Wood/Wood-Picket-Sign/p/80772673

Step 1: Lightly sand down your sign. This makes it easier for the paint to hold onto the sign.

*If you don’t wish to keep the pick end of the sign, saw it off with a hand saw and sand it to remove the rough edges from the cut. (Ignore the fact I decided to saw mine off afterwards!)

Step 2: Paint the first coat of light brown acrylic paint using a large paint brush. The brand of paint I use is FolkArt Acrylic and the color I chose was Light Brown. Allow paint to dry for a half an hour and then paint the opposite side, and allow the whole sign to dry for an hour.

Step 3: Apply second coat to the front and allow 30 minutes to dry before painting the back (optional if the back is being nailed up). Allow a full dry for 1 hour.

Color is a tad lighter due to flash, my fault!

Step 4: Time to paint the words on! Using black acrylic paint on the first post, paint “Hundred”. On the second post, paint “Acre Wood”. The last three posts are yours to choose! I painted “Pooh’s House”, “Tigger’s House” and “Eeyore’s House” on mine because they are my favorite characters. If you are worried about legible handwriting with paint- don’t worry! In the show they have misspells, upside down letters and aren’t too legible. Do your best and have fun with it!

Step 5: If you desire to add some demention and realistic texture, use some darker brown (I used FolkArt True Brown) to create some ridges and splitting of wood to give a more natural or aged look! Allow to dry 1 hour, though I prefer drying overnight.

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Step 6: Once everything is dry, it is time to seal the paiont for future protection. While Mod Podge sealant is frequently used , I prefer Acrylic Sealant that is carried by Hobby Lobby. It does have a fairly strong smell, so make sure to open a window when painting with it- but otherwise it dries fast and clear!

Here is the finished product!

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Time taken: 4 hours

2018 Disney Stocking Stuffers

So I know that Christmas is still 2 months away, however I find that beginning to shop earlier is easier than rushing before the Holidays- I mean seriously I start shopping in July! If you have a Disney fan in your life and are looking for stocking stuffer ideas, look no further. I have 10 stocking stuffer suggestions (along with links) to help get you started out right for the holidays. Please understand these are merely suggestions and I am not being paid to advertise, I just love Disney and their products.

1.Tiny Big Feet Plush Pal

The Big feet plushes are a recent addition to the stuffed animal line where your favorite characters are given larger feet. While they are pretty cute, if you want smaller and more portable friends for your child (or plush collector), look no further than the Tiny Big Feet Pals! Each one is about 3 inches tall, squeezable and really well made. To make it even better, each plush is only $5.95 each and comes in an assortment of characters.

Price: $5.95

Link: https://www.shopdisney.com/disney-tiny-big-feet-plush-collection-1489597

2. Adult Disney and Pixar Holiday Socks

Many people -including myself- usually make a certain face when receiving socks for Christmas (I own over 50 pairs of socks and don’t need more). That gets turned on its head when the socks you’re giving are Disney or Pixar themed socks! There are tons of choices to choose from, and each comes packaged in an ornament. They come in either XS/S or M/L and have a snug fit to them.

Price: $9.95

Link (for Disney themed): https://www.shopdisney.com/disney-holiday-socks-in-ornaments-collection-for-adults-1489295

Link (for Pixar themed): https://www.shopdisney.com/pixar-holiday-socks-in-ornaments-collection-for-adults-1489294

3. Lumiere Light Up Figurine Ornament

While Disney offers many wonderful ornaments for your holiday tree, the Lumiere ornament stands above the rest! 5 inches in height, this well made ornament looks like he just danced out of the movie. He even has his flames light up with a nice flicker effect to add a bit of flair.

Price: $24.99

Link: https://www.shopdisney.com/lumiere-light-up-figural-ornament-beauty-and-the-beast-1399770?request_type=mlt&gre_rt=ChM3NDM1MjQ0NDIzMTAxMjIxMjE0EAIaAklWIg1kZWZhdWx0X21vZGVsKAA

4. Disney Eeyore Womens Fleece Pants

If you have a special girl in your life who needs warm winter sleeping pants, these pants are the best ones! Originally sold at Wal-Mart, these are officially licensed, comfortable to wear and perfect for a comfortable movie night.

Price: $19-$30 depending on size

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Disney-Eeyore-Womens-License-Pajama/dp/B0771TZJGL/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538765615&sr=8-1&keywords=eeyore+fleece+pants

5. Mickey and Minnie Glass Sketchbook Ornament

This ornament is the perfect gift for a special person in your life. Whether it is for a family member, spouse or significant other, this glass ornament is well crafted and since it isn’t Christmas themed it can be hung out all year round.

Price: $16.95

Link: https://www.shopdisney.com/mickey-and-minnie-mouse-glass-globe-sketchbook-ornament-1479186

6. Star Wars: The Last Jedi Pin Trading Starter Set

If someone you know is going to Disney this year or is looking to begin pin trading and is a Star Wars fan, this is the perfect thing for them! With flashy colors of red and black and four starter pins, your friend or family member is going to have a blast running around trading pins with this lanyard!

Price: $29.99

Link: https://www.shopdisney.com/star-wars-the-last-jedi-pin-trading-starter-set-1448103

7. K-2SO Action Figure

You don’t have to be a child to enjoy owning an action figure, and this one is no exception. Being a fan favorite character from Star Wars: Rogue One, this action figure looks amazing and holds together well during play or being displayed.

Price: $22.95

Link: https://www.shopdisney.com/k-2so-action-figure-star-wars-20-1440072

8. Tsum Tsum Leia Lip Smacker

While all of the Lip Smacker brand has been great, the smell and flavor of Leia- Cinnamon Buns are a great gift for anyone looking to keep their lips smooth during the winter months. While the amount of product isn’t too big, you can always keep the figure afterwards!

Price: $4.95

Link: http://www.lipsmacker.com/shop-by-form/tsum-tsum/tsum-tsum-princess-leia-cinnamon-buns.html

9. Pixar’s Coco Dvd

A fantastic movie recently released theatrically in 2017, Coco is a film that anyone who loves Disney would be excited to own. It comes in normal format, 4K Ultra or Combo; it’s rated PG.

Price: $22.95

Link (can be purchased at Wal-Mart, Amazon, Target or Disney): https://www.shopdisney.com/coco-dvd-1468004

10. Marvel Studios Legacy Ornament- Limited Release

For your Marvel fan, my last favorite pick is this Legacy Ornament. Not only is it limited release which makes it a fantastic collectors item but it is also a nice ornament which can be hung any time of the year in an office or den, showing off your favorite superheroes. Get it while it’s still there!

Price: $19.95

Link: https://www.shopdisney.com/marvel-studios-legacy-sketchbook-ornament-limited-release-1481295

A Spot Of Me!

Hello fellow Disney lovers,

I thought I would write today to have my readers get to know a little about the writer behind the blog.

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I am a Disney fanatic (obviously). I’ve been grown and raised on Disney since before I threw myself upon the world in 1994 just months before The Lion Kings theatrical release. When I was just a small child my parents had decorated my room, dressed me up and bought toys mostly themed around Disney. My bedroom was 90% Winnie the Pooh and 10% everything else, though I had a big toy chest with Pocahontas on the front and Lion King plushies littering my Little Tykes cook set.

My parents have been taking me to Disney since I was an infant. Sometimes we go once a year and other times we go every few years, but in the end the magic is still there and it’s real. There is so much to experience in each park, going only one week is simply not enough.

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Travelling in recent years has gotten worse for me. I have been diagnosed with moderate Proctosigmoiditis, a type of Ulcerative Colitis that creeped up the Sigmoid Colon as well as the rectum. Not only that but I have chronic Gastritis and GERD. It is an Autoimmune Disease that goes through flares and remission and has no cure, only treatments to make it manageable.What does this have to do with anything? It means travelling and going on vacation tends to be difficult as I have a set diet, deal with chronic nausea and have urgent bathroom visits which can be a pain. This also means I don’t get to enjoy most of the foods Disney offers- but it has never stopped me from enjoying myself!

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Despite having a chronic disease, I try to live on the edge!

(This is me as a child- not right now haha)

Besides enjoying Disney, I do like to draw, play video games, garden and have a loving Cocker Spaniel. I work full time as best as my illness lets me, and don’t travel besides Disney and work travel, as I get extremely nervous.

Art by me

Sounds pretty exciting right?

So this is all pretty much me in a nutshell! I am asked if I will ever grow tired of living in my childhood, and the easy answer is no. Why, you may ask? Because Disney doesn’t just stop being a part of your life when you get older because you are always aging! You don’t just stop going to Disney and I love what I do. I hope you enjoyed reading a little bit about me and see you in the next blog!

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The Incredible Sequel

It has been fourteen years since the groundbreaking superhero movie The Incredibles came out. Fans of the movie (like myself) had longed for a sequel but were fearful at the same time- after all, Disney sequels are a thing of Russian Roulette. Sometimes it’s a hit with a broad audience and sometimes….we never want to talk about it. How does The Incredibles 2 stand compared to its predecessor?

**Spoilers ahead**

The Incredibles 2 takes place immediately after the ending of the first ending when the Underminer attacks the city. After leaving the city in ruins and has the relocation division for superheroes shut down by the Government. When DevTech siblings Winston and Evelyn take on Elastigirl to try to return Supers to be once again loved by the public, Bob aka Mr. Incredible takes up the role of being the stay at home parent to Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack. In the midst of all of this happening, a mysterious villain called the Screenslaver arrives, calling for Elastigirl to jump into action.

This movie is breathtaking, almost literally. The animation has greatly improved since the original (which was still amazing so this says something), and the comedy is woven so seamlessly that it’s unexpected but welcomed.

While each character stood out in their own right, it needs to be said that Jack-Jack stole every single scene he was in. Unlike the first movie, he actually plays a decent part in the movie as he tests out each of his numerous powers. Pair him up with Edna and it made the best scene in the movie next to the raccoon fight scene. Violet seems to have a slight mental breakdown which seems out of character and definitely doesn’t help Bob during his struggles to hold down the fort, but I guess it’s understandable, especially when you have nose water shooting out like a hose when you go to a restaurant your date turned mind wiped class mate works. Fun right?

The voice actors for each character gave so much depth and emotion, specifically Elastigirl. Holly Hunter reprises her role and definitely does an outstanding job in delivering a vulnerable strength to Elastigirl as she returns to the superhero scene. Bobs voice actor does just as well displaying the overall fatigue of being an at home parent who is struggling to find his mojo while helping his children. It’s amazing how raw and real it is!

With the soundtrack, I don’t need to say much more than it’s all catchy and all downloaded on my Spotify list. It has a jazz and spy blend that makes you enjoy listening to it, especially when the trumpets and horns blair during the “Train of Taut” . I strongly urge you to listen to the soundtrack, you won’t be disappointed.

Despite this movies phenomenal voice acting, animation and soundtrack, this movie isn’t without flaws. It by no means is the masterpiece that was the first Incredibles movie, but still manages to stand on its own; however there are two big issues (not including the epilepsy issues it posed) that kind of took away from the movies full potential: the villain being the smaller scale issue and the mix mash of themes being the ever so larger.

Screenslaver was an amazing villain design, very dark and menacing and caused some serious terror with a decent view on how perception changes reality. Cool, awesome I like that. What I don’t like is how almost right away we can guess who the Screenslaver really is…and she is a bit underwhelming compared to Buddy from the first film. Granted this is only a small flaw in the film as the philosophy on the effects of technology and perception is actually pretty good, however this leads to the larger issue.

You don’t talk, you watch talk shows.

The biggest flaw this film has is jumping around on themes and not really sticking to a particular one. It has several themes like perception vs reality, public relations, social injustice of a single group, overuse of technology in daily lives as well as learning about the struggles of being an at home parent, the film juggles each theme so much that they get lost in translation and are never fully resolved. A great example is seeing Bob finally realize that sometimes being a hero is being the best father you can be as he gains understanding on how to care for the kids. We never see anything after the final fight with Evelyn, so what- does he just stop being an at home dad and return to work? Does he decide to continue staying home? Tell us movie! Sticking to one theme, or at least tying them up instead of leaving them adrift would have made for a much more compelling film.

In the end we have a great movie; it could have been better had the creators chosen and fleshed out one theme and made a villain with the same ferocity as Syndrome. Despite the flaws and while it is nowhere near the brilliance of the first film, The Incredibles 2 was still an incredible summer movie, don’t get me wrong! I adore this movie and it was still worth the wait- I can’t wait to buy it when it comes out on DVD.

Movie Score

Lessons: 6.5/10

Story Telling: 7/10

Acting: 9/10

Animation: 9/10

Overall Score: B

Shoutout to my friend Mia for the title name and idea for the article!

The New Perspective: Big Hero 6

I have to say, I wasn’t too big into this movie when it was first released in November 2014. Being the first animated movie released with Marvel heroes, Big Hero 6 takes a refreshing take on superheroes that can rival The Incredibles. While it was a highly successful film upon release, it didn’t gel with me like other Disney films; I’m sure it was because it was different than the Disney films I was used to seeing. I had no desire to watch the movie more than once- that is until I saw the TV show Big Hero 6 on Disney Channel XD a month ago, and it prompted another look. I can honestly say I have never been more glad to have given a movie a second chance, as the second viewing and on brought new waves of emotion to me that I lacked watching it four years ago.

*Spoiler warning*

Big Hero 6 follows Hiro Hamada, a troubled 14 year old genius who desires to join his brother Tadashi in San Fransokyo Institute of Technology to further his talents. After losing his brother in an accident, Hiro bonds with Baymax the personal healthcare companion created by Tadashi. Upon finding his science project stolen after the same fire that killed his brother, Hiro learns to lean on his new friends and discover his true potential while saving the day from a villain threatening the town.

Despite Big Hero 6 being a comedy, there are some seriously heavy themes that deal with stages of grief after a tragic death, self discovery and revenge. Both Hiro and the villain have lost someone close to them, all of the stages of grief are gone over in this film and done beautifully. We see how the anger and sadness over losing a loved one twists Callaghan to the point of destroying a town and murder, as we find out he stole the microbots and saved himself leaving Tadashi to die. In this one instance we see Hiro angered to the point where he orders Baymax to kill him, but is subdued by his friends. With anger being one of the staple grief stages, it often blinds rationality. The difference between Callaghan and Hiro was their support system during their time of grief. Hiro had Aunt Cass, Wasabi, Honey Lemon, Go Go, Fred and Baymax to cope while (at least not seeing anyone in the movie) Callaghan had none. Had Hiro not had any friends to fall back to, he may have very well killed him.

So what does BH6 teach us?

I thought about this movie and how it addresses the five stages of grief: denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. I dealt with it myself after recently losing my uncle to liver disease, which was what originally drew me to this movie after avoiding it for four years. What this movie does brilliantly is show its viewers how each person handles grief and loss differently; not everyone follows the stages to the tee or even in the order it’s listed. Some may not even go through every stage- it is a personal experience that varies. For Hiro, we see the struggles of depression, isolation, anger and acceptance- and he goes through some of these multiple times in the movie as he loses Baymax after the final fight. Disney has delicately sewn this theme into a superhero movie made for kids, and has done so well with it that can actually benefit kids in learning about death without going too far.

Long story short, this movie had started off as a one and done watch for me as I originally wasn’t too interested in its premise. Growing up -even as an adult- your tastes change over time. I have grown to love this movie and what it brings to the table in life lessons. We all experience death at some point in life and as much as we try to prepare for it, you really can’t. You don’t know how you handle it, or how it feels until you go through it. But like Hiro, if you have a good group of friends and family to help and understand you as well as try to push forward and live your life in your loved ones memory for the better, then it is worth all the love they had given you. I recommend this movie to anyone and am so happy I took time to rewatch it.

Movie Score

Lessons: 8.5/10

Story Telling: 8/10

Acting: 9/10

Animation: 8.5/10

Overall Score: A-

Top 10 Animated Disney Villains

It’s that time of year again, and while I have yet to experience the Not So Scary Halloween party, I would love to celebrate the start of October with my favorite villains. In order to be on my list, these bad guys must have gone toe to toe with the protagonist they were in a tv show or movie with (sorry Chernabog dear!) and have a prominent role in said show/movie. It is also open to include Pixar, as Disney owns it as well.

Please note that this is my opinion, and if you disagree feel free to post a comment. I love quite a few of the villains and while some may not have made my list, it doesn’t mean I don’t think they stand out in the err….worst way!

**Spoilers ahead**

10. Dr. Facilier

Disney did a fantastic job in designing and choosing a voice actor for Dr. Facilier. Also known as the Shadow Man, Dr. Facilier practices dark magic to “help” people as he plots to take over New Orleans. Not only do I like him, but he has developed immense popularity among Disney fans, leading him to become a member of the Villains franchise sold at Disney World. I put him lower on the list because aside from chasing after Prince Naveen and desiring his wealth, I never really felt like he had much weight as a villain.

9. The Evil Queen

A prominent member of the Disney Villains franchise, I’m actually not all that into the Evil Queen. The reason she makes this list is to simply put: she’s insane. She poisons someone just because they are considered fairer than her, and is also calculating enough to disguise herself to do so. To add onto her insanity, one of the most frightening aspects of the movie is her transformation into the witch form- and is one of the reasons I avoided watching Snow White as a child. Her breaking the fourth wall and showing outwardly a more sadistic side earns her the number 9 spot.

8. Gaston

No one is as conceited as Gaston! This handsome walking meme is yet another popular Disney villain who earns his place in our hearts because he is superficially handsome but ugly underneath. He is so well liked in his town that he turns the entire townsfolk into a mob against someone they’ve never met because he looks like a monster. He fixed his spot on the list specifically for his ability to sway a crowd, and stabbing the beast- but at least he gives us a long running gag!

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No one flexes like Gaston!

7. Maleficient

The Mistress of Evil herself graces this list; being an incarnation of evil and misfortune, she curses a baby for not being invited to her christening. A baby. Her elegant, sleek design and use of dark colors screams, “Evil” and is most likely the most recognized villain in Disneys arsenal. Her transformation into a dragon is what cemements her into my list; the fight scene between her and Prince Philip were amazing and I remember as a kid, gripping my couch in fear as they duked it out. I’d place her up higher on the list, but there are villains that stand out a lot more than she does!

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6. Cruella De Vil

Cruella is just plain crazy, I’m not going to lie. Anyone who wants to make a coat out of dogs and then chases down a truck full of them in an insane rage deserves to be in an institution and never released, just like the song says!

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5. Ernesto De La Cruz

Sometimes the scariest Disney villains are regular people who harm others for their own gain. After killing his friend and stealing his music for personal gain, Ernesto rose to fame and destroyed an entire families bond with no remorse. The first Disney villain to have actually killed someone with poison, what is frightening with a villain like Ernesto is that he doesn’t outright scream, “Hey I’m a villain!”. We are told he is a popular and amazing musician, never once shown his sinister side until Hector’s confrontation in the last part of the film.

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4. Judge Claude Frollo

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of Disney’s underrated films due to its darker tones. Frollo is one of the darker antagonists as his story is laced with lust and mass genocide against Gypsies and anyone who helps them. What makes Frollo a frightening villain is the fact that he is justified by God to commit these acts as well as a good person.

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Choose me, or the flame.

3. Scar

One of my favorite Disney villains due to aesthetics, Scar is known for the thirst for power and hatred that drove him to kill his own brother Mufasa and attempted murder of Simba. Scar is also best remembered as the villain who created the saddest Disney death of all time. If anyone is ever asked the saddest death in Disney I can guarantee it’s Mufasa’s death that will be given most of all; not only that but he has the best music number….not that it changes anything.

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2. Horned King

One of the most frightening villains in my childhood, the Horned King is the literal stuff of a child’s nightmare. He is one of the villains that is the most serious and darkest characters, with nothing much known about him except that he wanted the Cauldron to resurrect an undead army. He secures the number two spot just for being the most disturbing Disney villain released even to this day.

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He is U-G-L-Y

1. Syndrome

No villain has ever been as frightening as Syndrome. Scorned at his hero rejecting him, the once happy Buddy descended into madness and created weapons to use against heroes, killing many. A technical genius and a sociopath, Syndrome believed if he could sell his super hero tech to families everywhere that then no one would be super. This villain tops the list because he is almost the epitome of what makes a villain great to watch.

syndronme

Let’s Review: Mickey’s Anniversary Oreo

With Mickey’s birthday inching closer, Disney has been helping release new and fun things to celebrate. From Goldfish Mickey themed snacks to Disney’s Mickey Mouse Memories, this year has certainly celebrated in many ways both big and small. One of my favorite and much looked forward to releases is the Birthday cake Oreos that were dropped September 24th.

I’ve heard the cookie and creme are the same as the original birthday cake, which is cool and I had never gotten a chance to try that flavor. The packaging is very clean and easy on the eyes, trading the usual blue packaging for a white body covered in sprinkles (with Mickey on the front of course).

As soon as you open the packaging the smell hits you. This is one of the strongest smelling Oreos I have ever had, and trust me I have eaten many Oreos in my lifetime (huge fan). It smells SUPER sweet, almost as if daring you to try to eat it. The scent resembles that of a buttercream frosting straight out of the Pillsbury Dough boy brand if I had to compare it to anything. Each cookie has one of three designs (a 90, Mickey’s face or a party horn) and share the creme filled center with some colorful confetti shots.

Let’s talk about the taste. While the smell of the cookie can give you a toothache, it’s actually not as sweet as you’d think. The bitterness of the chocolate cookie perfectly offsets the creme center and legitimately tastes like a cake. This cookie is the closest thing to an Oreo resembling cake!

Overall it’s a pleasant change. While the smell may be sickeningly sweet, don’t be fooled. This cookie is a fun addition to add to your pantry and the serving size of 2 is all the sweet you’ll need. Happy birthday Mickey!