Well, it seems that Toy Story 3 had a smashing weekend at the box office doing $110 million over the weekend. They still have a $90 million to go to cover the $200 million budget but should get there by this weekends end. I haven’t had a chance to see it, but all the kids I ask have been telling me that it’s better than both Toy Story and Toy Story 2. Here are some quotes and links to other reputable movie review sources:

“You can’t get your childhood back but for one hour and 38 minutes Toy Story 3 gets you pretty close.” -Dailymail.co.uk

“Toy Story 3 is full of laughs, adventure, great characters and a dose of nostalgia.  It’s a fitting ending to a great trilogy.  It’s possible that this movie will do so well that Disney/Pixar will be tempted to bring the toys back out one more time.  As much as I enjoyed them all, I hope they don’t.  This is the perfect ending to a near perfect series of films.” – Scott of Three Movie Buffs

“The best of the bunch. Touches the funny bone, the brain and the heart.” – Jackie Cooper

Disney recently created a Facebook app that let’s you buy tickets the upcoming Toy Story 3 release right from Facebook. The announcement is shown on their official Toy Story facebook page and it says, “Disney Tickets Together lets you and your friends buy movie passes to Toy Story 3 without leaving Facebook! And, you can enter our sweepstakes to win a free ticket to the film. Add the application to get started!”

With the recent privacy concerns on Facebook it will be interesting to see how many people cough up their credit card on the social mega-site.

Disney recently paid a seven figure amount for the rights to produce a live-action version of Cinderella. It’s been reported that Aline Brosh McKenna (27 Dresses, The Devil Wears Prada) has been choosen to write the script.

With Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland pulling in nearly $1 billion worldwide this year, it seems it is becoming a new Disney strategy to re-make old animated Disney classics. No specifics (actors, actresses, release dates) have been given.

I want you to take a good look at the picture below and then continue reading below.

Does this look like Disney? Did it EVER look like Disney? I remember being completely shocked when in 2001 Disney bought the Power Rangers franchise from Japanese Media Mogul Haim Saban for $5.1 billion (yes a B)! I know that some kids LOVE the Power Rangers but, for the life of me, I can’t see why. The Power Rangers have to be the lamest looking superheros to ever throw a punch. How can the picture above strike fear into any villian?

Well, it seems that Disney has realized the same thing as they’ve sold back the Power Rangers to Haim Saban. Disney spokesman Jonathan Friedland said, “From our perspective, it just doesn’t fit into our long-term programming strategy or with the Disney brand.

However, new owner Saban Brands, already has plans for a new movie and worked a deal with Nickelodeon to show both old and new episodes.

This is a guest post from Susan Hawkins from Party Favors by Favor Affair.

He might be a few pecans short of a fruitcake, but The Mad Hatter knows how to throw a tea party. I grew up with Disney’s original cartoon version of Alice in Wonderland, and I was spellbound by Disney’s latest 3D interpretation. So, after all these years, I finally read the book, and I discovered that The Mad Hatter, in his own weird way, is a transcendent tea party host. When chapter VII begins…

There was a table set out under a tree in front of the house, and the March Hare and the Hatter were having tea at it: a Dormouse was sitting between them, fast asleep, and the other two were using it as a cushion, resting their elbows on it, and talking over its head.

Moral #1: Make your tea party guests as comfortable as possible. If someone falls asleep, feel free to rest your elbows on her.

The Hatter opened his eyes very wide on hearing this; but all he said was, ‘Why is a raven like a writing-desk?’
‘Come, we shall have some fun now!’ thought Alice. ‘I’m glad they’ve begun asking riddles. I believe I can guess that,’ she added aloud.

Moral #2: Prepare some intriguing conversation topics to encourage thought-provoking interaction among your guests. Like the hatter, pick issues with no definitive answers.

The Hatter shook his head mournfully. ‘Not I!’ he replied. ‘We quarreled last March–just before he went mad, you know–’ (pointing with his tea spoon at the March Hare,) ‘–it was at the great concert given by the Queen of Hearts, and I had to sing

“Twinkle, twinkle, little bat!
How I wonder what you’re at!”

Moral #3: Provide light entertainment, if at all possible, even if it’s just a bit of background music.

A bright idea came into Alice’s head. ‘Is that the reason so many tea-things are put out here?’ she asked.

Moral #4: Broaden your guests’ horizons by serving variety of teas for them to taste. You might even send them all home with a very special blend, charmingly gift-wrapped, as tea party favors.

Alice did not quite know what to say to this: so she helped herself to some tea and bread-and-butter, and then turned to the Dormouse, and repeated her question. ‘Why did they live at the bottom of a well?’

Moral #5: Serve simple fare like finger sandwiches, bite-size snacks and petit fours at your tea party. Save the grilled Jabberwocky for your big, backyard barbecue.

‘Yes, that’s it,’ said the Hatter with a sigh: ‘it’s always tea-time, and we’ve no time to wash the things between whiles.’

Moral #6: It’s always tea time. (However, if you invite me to your tea party, please wash the things, which are teapots, plates, spoons and teacups. Thank you most kindly!)

‘Have you guessed the riddle yet?’ the Hatter said, turning to Alice again.
‘No, I give it up,’ Alice replied: ‘what’s the answer?’
‘I haven’t the slightest idea,’ said the Hatter.