Disney Movies For The Holidays

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

While our holidays this year began with a power outage due to the ice storm that hit Toronto and other parts of Ontario, the kids and I have still managed to get some movie time together. It's honestly one of my favourite things to do during the two weeks off work. Snuggling up under a blanket on the sofa is such a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of work and school routines. And what better time of year to watch Christmas themed family movies. Last month saw the release of the Disney classic Mickey's Christmas Carol with a new 30th anniversary special edition. The original non-animated movie is my all-time favourite holiday flick but the kids have yet to see it. I would imagine they would be frightened by some of the ghostly scenes. The Disney version is definitely the way to go. Now children of all ages can enjoy Mickey's Christmas Carol with fully-restored classic holiday shorts, plus all-new bonus features. (Version française incluse!)

Make the season merry as Mickey, Goofy, Donald and all their pals star in a heartwarming retelling of Dickens’ unforgettable holiday tale. Ebenezer Scrooge (Scrooge McDuck) is far too greedy to understand that Christmas is a time for kindness and generosity. But with the guidance of some wise ghosts (Goofy and Jiminy Cricket) and a bunch of newfound friends, Scrooge learns to embrace the spirit of the season.

The most recent addition to our Disney movie collection is the newly released Disney's Planes. My son was such a fan of Cars and Cars 2, as was I, that I thought this movie would be a sure-fire hit. While it seems to lack a certain je-ne-sais-quoi, it is certainly an entertaining movie with incredible visuals. If your child is a fan of the movie, be sure to check out these free printable paper Disney Planes featuring six characters from the movie.

The world of Cars takes flight in Planes, Disney's high-flying animated comedy revved up with action and adventure. Join Dusty, a crop duster with sky-high dreams and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take on the world's fastest flyers in the greatest air race ever. Dusty has a huge heart but two big problems...he's not exactly built for speed, plus he's afraid of heights. His courage is put to the ultimate test as this unlikely hero aims higher than he ever imagined. With a little help from his friends, Dusty finds the courage to be more than he was built for—and the inspiration to soar.

Finally, I have to confess that, when asked what my all-time favourite is, I always answer with Mary Poppins. It's true. And that speaks volumes seeing as I'm not a huge fan of musical films. I know all the songs and Mary Poppins-isms, and find myself often using them in the classroom and with my own children. I may even throw in a bit of British accent just for fun. For our first Christmas together as a married couple, my husband bought me a copy of the 40th anniversary edition. This month, Walt Disney Pictures released the 50th anniversary edition that includes extra content such as, get this, all-new Mary-oke sing-along! Doesn't that make you just want to burst out in a spontaneous rendition of "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?"

Releasing from the Disney Vault in celebration of its 50th Anniversary, creative visionary Walt Disney’s classic shines for the first time on Blu-ray. Starring Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews in her Academy-Award winning role, and featuring iconic toe-tapping songs including “A Spoonful of Sugar” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” Mary Poppins is a movie experience your family will enjoy again and again. An all-new digital restoration adds even more magic – helping bring the award-winning songs and amazing picture to life like never before.

So tell me, what's your ultimate favourite Disney movie to enjoy with the family during the holidays?

Disclosure: I received copies to help facilitate this review. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own.