Find of the Day: Mickey Mouse Kettle Popcorn Popper

Hey there Disney Fans!

Today's Find of the Day is a Mickey Mouse Kettle Popcorn Popper!!!

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Does that thing make you happy or what? Look at it's little ears!!!

What it is: This is a popcorn maker. A MICKEY MOUSE KETTLE POPCORN MAKER!!!

What it Costs: $74.95 plus shipping and tax.

How to Get it: You might be able to find it in some stores, but you can pretty much always find it online at the Disney Store. You can also find it at Box Lunch. It's a little more (usually $99.90, currently on sale for $79.92), but if you read my previous post on why I love Box Lunch or you read their own website about how they give back, you'll know it's frequently worth it to pay a little more at Box Lunch. Wherever you get it, I think you'll agree it looks pretty cool.

©Copyright 2016 - BoxLunch

What's Included: This is actually pretty cool. The first picture makes it look like you just get a popcorn maker, but you actually get the maker, little scoopers for kernels and oil, AND 4 Mickey serving cups. Those alone make this thing awesome. The Disney Store website does not show the cups or the scooper, but when you read the details, you'll see they're still included.

Why it's a Find of the Day: If you've read any of this blog before, you know that I love it when form and function come together. I'm not a knick-knack person. If I'm going to collect things, I want them to be useful. What could be more useful than a popcorn maker.

Another reason this is a Find of the Day is the uniquely Disney nature of the item. I mean, yes, it has Mickey ears, so that makes it Disney. But, I'm actually talking about the popcorn. When Disneyland first opened, one of its many signature snacks was popcorn. To this day, many people associate a trip to Disney with having popcorn. There is something just so very Disney about having popcorn out of a machine that looks like Mickey.

Controversy Time: For a long time, Disney had its own popcorn. I know nothing about this popcorn, all I know was that it was unique and many people really loved it. However, part of the way Disney frequently pays for upgrades to the parks is through sponsorship. Back in 2015, Disney switched all of its popcorn to Pop Secret, presumably for purposes of the sponsorship money. A lot of people were mad.

However, a lot of people continue to talk about their love of the popcorn at Disney. Maybe it tastes better in the park, maybe the way they make it makes a difference, I don't know. In any case, the potential bright-side here is that you can buy Pop Secret and make it in your Mickey popcorn maker at home. So, if you're looking for a Disney sense-memory experience, it's here and ready for you. I think it would be really fun to make authentic, Disney parks popcorn at home in a Mickey popcorn maker.

What do you think? Do you love this popcorn maker? Are you tired of me declaring every mickey-appliance a Find of the Day? (I'm probably not going to stop) Do you love Pop Secret and not care who knows it? Let me know in the comments!

Tsum Tsum Tuesday! Attack of the Clones Collection!!!

Hey there Disney Fans!

It's Tsum Tsum Tuesday once again! This week's Tsum Tsum collection is Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones!

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What it is: The First and Third Tuesday of every month is "Tsum Tsum Tuesday". On this day, a special new collection of Tsum Tsums is released. It usually includes a collection of 6-8 mini Tsum Tsums and possibly some other accessories featuring the same style. Sometimes the Tsum Tsums released are very limited, so your only chance to collect them is to be at your Disney Store or online first thing Tuesday morning.

This Tuesday, the collection released was: Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

 

How to Get it: This collection is available in your local Disney Store or online.

 

What it Costs: These Tsum Tsums are all $5.95 each. The T-shirts are discussed below.

 

What's Included in this Release: There are 7 mini Tsum Tsums and 3 Limited Release Tees in this release. While there are a lot of different Star Wars Tsum Tsum collections, this is the first time Episode II has been done, so these Tsum Tsums are unique to this collection.

 

Let's take a look:

Aayla Secura: Aayla Secura is a female Jedi from the Twi'lek species. We see her in Attack of the Clones as a part of the rescue team that saves Anakin, Obi Wan, and Padme from Geonosis.

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She also has a part in the popular Clone Wars television show. Many Star Wars fans will remember her more from that than from the movie.

Anakin Skywalker: I like to keep my blog fairly spoiler-free so, we'll just say he's a young Jedi with a somewhat troubled past and a VERY troubled future.

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I like that they decided to include the lightsaber for this Tsum Tsum. I'm not sure about that hair... but then I wasn't sure about it when I saw the movie either, so judge for yourself.

Count Dooku: His name is silly.

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He sort of looks like "angry Obi Wan Kenobi" to me. I feel like we can all relate to that friend that you haven't checked in with for a while. You think they're fine and that their life is on track, and then you find out they're in jail. That's this guy. The guy you thought was doing ok, but has actually totally lost it. Just look at those angry eyes.

Jango Fett: This dude has issues. Ok, so you have to have some issues to be a bounty hunter. I get that, but I feel like his issues go beyond that. He let himself be cloned into an entire army and then lived on a really strange planets with nobody but aliens, his clones, and his own, personal, tiny clone. That's just weird.

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I would be interested to hear in the comments how many of us would be ok with being cloned. How many of us would be cool with having our clones trained into a giant army. And, how many of us would then think it was a good idea to live with those clones. I suspect the answer to all of those questions, for most people, would involve a large dollar figure, but I'd like to hear the answer.

Plo Koon: If you're thinking "Who?" you're probably not alone and the picture below will likely not help you. Plo Koon is a Kel Dor from Dorin (so says the internet) and he is considered one of the wisest of the Jedi.

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Like Aayla Secura, he was also a part of the rescue mission at the Battle of Geonosis in Episode II. Again, he is probably better known to a lot of Star Wars fans for his role in the Clone Wars show.

Mace Windu: Before there were Snakes on a Plane and long before Nick Fury looked Furious, there was a dude with a purple lightsaber: Mace Windu.

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He looks a little more adorable than intense and powerful in Tsum Tsum form, but he does still have his signature purple lightsaber. Rumor has it that Samuel L Jackson requested this color so that he would be able to pick himself out in the battle-scenes in the movie.

Padme Amidala: I don't know about you, but I was surprised by her resourcefulness and physical prowess given her life as a Queen/politician. I don't feel like queens are usually known for doing a lot of cardio.

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Again, I don't want to give out any spoilers for people who have somehow failed to see this movie over the past decade, but suffice it to say, she's a very supportive girlfriend. Her taste in men leaves something to be desired, but we've all picked the "bad boy" at some point so, we can probably cut her some slack.

That's it for the Mini Tsum Tsums in this release, but there are also three Limited Release Tees.

Limited Release Tees: These are only AVAILABLE UNTIL SUNDAY so, if you like them, go for it!

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What it Costs: There are 3 Limited Release Tees in this collection. They are all selling for $29.95 each, with a 2 for $44 deal, bringing the price down to $22 each if you happen to want more than one. All of them are adult sizes.

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My Thoughts:  I actually really like the designs on these t-shirts. I have not always been thrilled about the expense or designs of some of the Limited Release Tees Disney has put out lately, but I kind of like these.

 

Confession time: I liked Star Wars Episode II. Yes, I am aware it's not a good movie, but there's just something about it I really liked. I kind of feel like, it's not really a Star Wars movie. If you think of it as just its own, stand-alone movie without the pressure of feeding into a much beloved story, it's a creative, fun, romantic drama. Yes, the acting is not and some of the writing leaves something to be desired, but I like it.

 

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I especially liked the way it took you to never-before seen worlds. The beauty of Naboo, the other-worldliness of the ocean-planet of Camino, and the impressiveness of the Jedi facilities and archive. In the other movies, everything is always falling apart or has already been destroyed. I really enjoyed seeing the pre-death and destruction Star Wars universe. *steps off soapbox*

 

Ok, you're never going to convince Star Wars fans to love this movie, but the tsum tsums are cute and the shirts are adorable, so at least we have that.

 

What do you think? Do you also secretly love this movie. Do you hate it and want to yell at me about why? Do you just love Tsum Tsums and not care what movie they're from? Let me know in the comments!

 

Find of the Day: Mickey Toaster!

Hey there Disney Fans!

Todays Find of the Day is: a Mickey Toaster!!!

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What it is: It's a toaster that not only has Mickey Mouse on it, but will also put Mickey's head on your bread!

Who it's for: Cool people

What it Costs: $24.95 plus shipping and tax.

Why it's a Find of the Day: I'm not gonna lie, Mickey appliances will probably always make it to the Find of the Day list for me. I love when you can mix form and function. Probably pretty much all of us own a toaster. It's just a ubiquitous thing in the modern, western world. They can be boring and utilitarian and just get the job done, or.. they can have Mickey on them! I especially love the fact that it puts a Mickey on your toast. There's nothing that brings that Disney Parks magic home like food shaped like Mickey's head. I just feel like this toaster would brighten any morning. That's what makes it a Find of the Day.

What do you think? Do you want Mickey Toast? Do you not get it? Do you not have a toaster and want to tell me about it? Let me know in the comments!

Find of the Day: Star Wars Attraction Poster Tumblers

Hey there Disney Fans!

Today's Find of the Day is: Star Wars Attraction Poster Tumblers!!!

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What it is: These things are AWESOME. Ok, first of all, it's a tumbler. For those who do not watch a lot of HGTV, that's a tall water glass. They can be made of plastic, but these ones are made of glass. Second, they feature scenes from various of the original Star Wars trilogy. Finally, and most awesome of all, each of the glasses pictures that Star Wars scene as the theme of an attraction poster from an actual Disney Parks ride! That one up above is an attraction poster for the Tomorrowland Speedway done in the style of Star Wars: A New Hope. It's so cool!

Who it's for: Well, anybody who loves Star Wars, People who love Disney Parks, People who like retro posters, people who like drinking out of glasses, and anyone with style and taste.

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What it Costs: These are $13.99 each plus shipping and tax.

How to Get it: These are available in Disney Parks (subject to availability) and online. Note, there are other products featuring these Star Wars attraction poster themes. I'm just highlighting the tumblers because they're particularly cool. You can find all of the items here.

Why it's a Find of the Day: There is plenty of Star Wars merch out there and there is definitely plenty of Disney Parks merch, but these are so unique because they combine the two. Rather than just making Star Tours or Star Wars Launch Bay  posters, Disney got a little more creative. They didn't just make art that went with existing attractions, but rather combined famous scenes from Star Wars with retro-look poster motifs and images that evoke classic Disney Parks rides. It's so creative and fun.

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I already discussed that the first tumbler featured an attraction poster that references the Tomorrowland Speedway with a scene from A New Hope. The second tumbler, which might be my favorite, shows an awesome nod to Monstro from the Storybook Canal Ride at Disneyland while still clearly being the escape from the Space Slug from The Empire Strikes back. And, finally, the tumbler that made me giggle when I realized what it was: it's the ghosts of Anakin, Obi Wan, and Yoda from the end of Return of the Jedi shown as the hitchhiking ghosts from the Haunted Mansion. It makes me so happy!

I just love it when Disney mixes and blends all of the things we love into one, delicious, intellectual property soup. Mmm. That's good IP. What do you think? Do you love it? Do you REALLY love it? Let me know in the comments!

Disney Deal of the Day: 20% Off Orders of $75 or More! ENDS TONIGHT!

Hey there Disney Fans!

Today's Highlighted Deal of the Day is 20% off of orders of $75 or more. Hurry though, this one ENDS TONIGHT!

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What it is: This is a sale where you get 20% off of your order of $75 or more.

Who it's for: Anybody ordering more than $75 worth of stuff.

How to Get it: Put more than $75 of qualifying merch (see Fine Print below for details) into your bad and then use promo code SAVE20 at checkout. This is available online only, not in stores.

Worthy of Note: Since you're already spending more than $75, go ahead and use promo code SHIPMAGIC as well to get Free Shipping. Remember, when you use multiple promo codes, you have to put them in and apply them one at a time.

My thoughts: I love this sale and I actually chose to take advantage of it. I broke my favorite Disney Tumbler this week, causing me to sadness-order several new Disney Tumblers to fill the hole. None of them were on sale, but when you are suffering a personal Disney-loss, there is no time to wait for clearance. Fortunately for me, this general 20% off sale was going on and I was able to get 20% off and Free Shipping on my order.

This is a great deal if you're looking to buy somethings that maybe aren't on sale (like my grief-tumblers) or if you're looking to up your discount on something that isn't marked down as much as you might like. For example, if you're still looking for Halloween costumes, this is a great sale to hit.

Let's say you've got a Rey, Thor, and Merida to buy for. Those costumes are regularly $49.95 each for the girls and 44.95 for your young Marvel fan. Even on the current Halloween sale, those costumes are still $34.96 each for Rey and Merida and $31.46 for Thor. But, when you add on the 20% off, you take them down to $27.95 each for the girls and $25.17 for Thor. So, in total, that takes costumes that would have been $144.85 plus shipping and tax regular price, down to $81.09 plus tax on sale. That's a pretty good savings. Definitely a sale worth hitting.

The Fine Print: This is the Fine Print Disney Published to go with this sale. I added bullet points to make it easier to read.

• Valid October 7, 2016 (12:01 am PST) through October 10, 2016 (11:59 pm PST) or while supplies last, whichever occurs first, on select, in-stock merchandise purchased via phone orders and orders placed online at DisneyStore.com.
• Not valid on purchases made at Disney Store and Disney Baby Store retail and outlet locations or Disney Parks and Resorts locations.
• 20% Off applies only to orders that include $75 or more in merchandise purchased in a single order.
• Qualifying purchase threshold is based on pre-tax, post discount amount and excludes
• Shipping & Handling,
• Disney Theme Park Passes,
• Disney Vacation Club merchandise,
• Disney Infinity,
• Playmation™,
• Electronics,
• DVDs,
• Blu-ray™,
• CDs,
• Video Games,
• Books,
• Art & Collectibles,
• Jim Shore,
• Lenox,
• Tommy Bahama,
• Enesco Busts and Figurines,
• Olszewski,
• Precious Moments,
• Vinylmation,
• Limited Edition and Limited Release merchandise,
• Dooney & Bourke,
• Alex and Ani,
• Vera Bradley,
• PANDORA,
• CRISLU,
• MagicBand,
• Starbucks,
• D23 Memberships,
• D23 Merchandise,
• gift cards or certificates,
• The Walt Disney Company Collectible Shareholder Certificate,
• 3-D printed merchandise,
• Subscription products,
• personalization,
• gift wrap and gift boxes and items not in stock.
• Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or discount except available shipping offers.
• Qualifying purchase based on pre-tax, post-discount amount and excludes Shipping & Handling charges, D23 Memberships, gift wrap & gift boxes.
• Additional Shipping & Handling applies for select items or shipments to more than one shipment address.
• Offer subject to restrictions and change without notice.
• No adjustments to prior purchases.
• Merchandise subject to availability.
• Returns and exchanges will be subject to discount taken at time of purchase.
• Valid packing slip required for returns and exchanges.
• Offer subject to restrictions and change without notice.
• Void where prohibited.

That's it for Today's Deal of the Day! What do you think? Will you be using this sale? Do you like these general sales? Let me know in the comments!

Deal of the Day: Disney Plush Sale!!!

Hey There Disney Fans!

Today's highlighted Disney Deal of the Day is a massive Plush Sale! There is a LOT going on in this sale including $10 Small and Medium Plush, $20 Large Plush, and $4 Mini Tsum Tsums!

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What it is: This is a sale on various plush from the Disney Store. Large Plush that normally run $24.95-39.95 are now $20 each, Small and Medium Plush that are usually $14.95-19.95 are now $10 each, and Mini Tsum Tsums that usually run $5.95 are now $4.

How to Get it: This sale is available online and by phone only. It is not available in Disney Stores or Parks. You don't need a promo code, the sale prices are already shown.

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Is it a "Good Deal": Yes, if you are planning on buying plush, these are good sales. One word of caution though: Sometimes it's tempting to "maximize" your deal by purchasing the $39.95 Minnie for $20 rather than the $24.95 Minnie for $20. However, just realize that that Minnie Mouse that was originally $39.95 is also 27". That's over two feet tall. If you have space for a Minnie the size of your toddler, that's great, you saved 50%! But, if you really don't have the space for a massive Minnie Mouse, you might be better off going for the 17" one and be ok with the fact that you only save 20%.

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My Thoughts: This is a great sale. There are over 130 items included and they span everything from Mickey and Friends to Marvel and Star Wars. There is pretty much something for everyone who loves plush in your life. My recommendation would be to go ahead and get on that Christmas shopping now, while these are on sale. There will probably be more sales later, but remember, the longer you wait, the more likely it is that the thing you want will sell out. Happy Plushing!

Tsum Tsum Tuesday: Muppets!!!

Hey there Disney Fans!

Tsum Tsum Tuesday was yesterday and, if you're like me, you missed it because of a horrific sinus infection. So, for those of you browsing the internet at home because you're still contagious, here's the recap what was released yesterday for Tsum Tsum Tuesday: Muppets!

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What it is: The First and Third Tuesday of every month is "Tsum Tsum Tuesday". On this day, a special new collection of Tsum Tsums is released. It usually includes a collection of 6-8 mini Tsum Tsums and possibly some other accessories featuring the same style. Sometimes the Tsum Tsums released are very limited, so your only chance to collect them is to be at your Disney Store or online first thing Tuesday morning.

 

This past Tuesday, the collection released was: Muppets

 

How to Get it: This collection is available in your local Disney Store or online.

 

What it Costs: These Tsum Tsums are all $5.95 each.

 

What's Included in this Release: There are 7 mini Tsum Tsums in this release. To my knowledge, this is the first time Muppets have made their way into Tsum Tsum form so this is a very exciting first! This collection focuses on the classic, core Muppet characters we all know and love from the original 1970's Muppet Show. Let's take a look:

 

Kermit: Clearly, we can't have Muppets without Kermit. He's the glue that holds their big, messy, adorable circus together.

 

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He's just a classic. It may not be easy being green, but it is easy to see why he's so beloved. Just look at his little froggy face!

 

Miss Piggy: The woman behind the frog. We all know that Kermit's success would mean nothing without his best pig supporting him. I choose to ignore the breakup from the short-lived recent tv show. Does anyone know if they got back together before that got canceled? Please let me know in the comments.

 

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I just love Miss Piggy. In some ways I feel that she is a true feminist role model. She is feminine yet so strong. She has her own career, but is always willing to make time for a relationship. She pays attention to fashion and always looks impeccable (impigable?), but also practices martial arts (she has a mean karate chop). She struggles with her weight, but dresses to flatter her fuller figure. Really, there's so much to admire in Miss Piggy. So Stylish. So Angry.

 

Gonzo: We don't know what he is, but we do know that we love him.

 

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Unhealthy obsession with chickens aside, Gonzo's fun-loving, carefree nature and his complete disregard for personal safety have made him a fan-favorite for generations.

 

Rowlf: Rowlf is a dog who can play the piano like none other.

 

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I'm really glad Rowlf made this list. Although his roles in several of the Muppet movies have been small or almost non-existent, I've always really like him. More level headed than other Muppets, he's like that musician friend we all had in college. That guy who seems like he's always sitting in the quad strumming a guitar, ready to listen, but almost disturbingly unworried about any of his own exams. I might be reading too much into this character.

 

Fozzy Bear: He bearly made the cut. Get it? "bear"ly? Get it? *sound of tomatoes hitting stage*

 

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The originator of "dad jokes" Fozzy Bear is the jubilant jokester of the jovial Muppets. I love Fozzy's jokes and I never really understood as a kid why people were booing him. I now understand that my love of puns is not appreciated by most of the world and that I am not cool... but I still think Fozzy is.

 

Animal: Aside from Rowlf, Animal is the only band member featured in this group. A drummer with rage issues, this is the fuzziest, cutest version of the "wild thing" you're likely to find.

 

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It's almost strange to see the violent, unhinged drummer in such a cutesy form. He does look malevolently happy though.

 

The Swedish Chef: Last, but far from least, we have the chef with dubious cuisine and limitless exuberance:

 

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Can I get a Bork Bork?! I just have to say, those eyebrows are the stuff of legend. I want to write fan fiction about them. I feel that they would be like really snooty food critics constantly analyzing and hipster-commentating on the "sourcing" of the fish and other food parts flying past them as the chef attempts to cook. Or maybe I'll just stick to merch blogging.

 

Worthy of Note: If you're sad about the lack of Janice, Dr. Teeth, Rizzo, Beaker, and others, take heart. Usually Disney does multiple releases for their most popular intellectual property so, there is a decent chance that there will be more Muppet Tsum Tsums released in the future. Quite likely other characters will be released eventually. Just be patient. Although, if you have a character you REALLY want to see, you can always try writing to Disney to politely ask them to make it. There are no guarantees but, the Disney company does pay attention to customer feedback so, it's worth a try.