Emma Watson Cast as Belle

After months (years?!) of rumors and speculation both Emma Watson and Disney have confirmed that Watson has been cast to play Belle in an upcoming live action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast.

Disney has enjoyed success with recent big screen hits Maleficent and Cinderella and this news that another classic fairytale will be given new life is exciting for Disney and musical fans alike. The fact that Watson was chosen to breathe life into this beloved princess is icing on the cake.

Watson is no stranger to the task of portraying established characters, having stolen hearts as Hermione Granger, another often misunderstood lover of books, in the Harry Potter franchise. If her past success is any indication there is no doubt that this new challenge is one she can rise to meet.

Production will begin later this year but, as of this writing, no release date has been announced. You can be sure that Disney fans- including this one- will be anxiously waiting!

Hope is a self proclaimed travel addict who, like Belle, dreams of adventure in far off places. Contact her for help planning your next big adventure at Hope@SnapshotGetaways.com or find her on Facebook. 

ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas Starts Tomorrow!

It's finally here! Time to grab your family, some popcorn and some hot cocoa and enjoy a few movie nights. Which movie are you looking foward to watching with your family?  

Here's this year's 25 Days of Christmas schedule!

Monday, December 1
(4:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) JACK FROST (1979)
(5:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN
(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION...
(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) ELF
(10:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE
(12:00–1:00 AM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN
(1:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) JACK FROST (1979)

 Tuesday, December 2

(4:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH AND FROSTY’S CHRISTMAS IN JULY
(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) ELF
(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE
(10:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE
(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) PRANCER

 Wednesday, December 3

(5:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) PRANCER
(7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE
(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) THE POLAR EXPRESS
(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) A VERY BRADY CHRISTMAS

Thursday, December 4

(5:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH’S SHINY NEW YEAR
(6:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
(7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) THE POLAR EXPRESS
(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL
(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) SNOW

 Friday, December 5

(5:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL
(8:00–10:30 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
(10:30–11:30 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN
(11:30 PM–2:00 AM ET/PT) – FRED CLAUS

Saturday, December 6

(7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS
(9:00–11:00 AM ET/PT) A DENNIS THE MENACE CHRISTMAS
(11:00 AM–1:30 PM ET/PT) FRED CLAUS
(1:30-2:00 PM ET/PT) FROSTY’S WINTER WONDERLAND
(2:00-4:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE
(4:00-6:30 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
(6:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) TOY STORY 3
(9:00-11:00 PM ET/PT) ARTHUR CHRISTMAS - Network Television Premiere!
(11:00 PM–1:00 AM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE
(1:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) JACK FROST (1979)

 Sunday, December 7

 (7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) A DENNIS THE MENACE CHRISTMAS
 (9:00-9:30 AM ET/PT) THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
 (9:30 AM–11:30 AM ET/PT) RUDOLPH AND FROSTY’S CHRISTMAS IN JULY
 (11:30 AM–1:30 PM ET/PT) ARTHUR CHRISTMAS
 (1:30-3:30PM ET/PT) JACK FROST (1998)
 (3:30–5:30 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE
 (5:30–8:00 PM ET/PT) TOY STORY 3
 (8:00–8:30 PM ET/PT) TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT – ABC FAMILY PREMIERE
 (8:30–10:30 PM ET/PT) ELF
 (10:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT
(11:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS

 Monday, December 8

(5:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) ELF
(8:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) THE FOSTERS – NEW HOLIDAY EPISODE!
(9:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) SWITCHED AT BIRTH – NEW HOLIDAY EPISODE!
(10:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN
(12:00–1:00 AM ET/PT) THE FOSTERS
(1:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) SWITCHED AT BIRTH

 Tuesday, December 9

 (5:00–5:30 PM ET/PT) FROSTY’S WINTER WONDERLAND

 (5:30–6:00 PM ET/PT) MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL
 (6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) THE LITTLE MERMAID
 (8:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) PRETTY LITTLE LIARS – NEW HOLIDAY EPISODE!
 (9:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) CHASING LIFE - NEW HOLIDAY EPISODE!
 (10:00-11:00 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH’S SHINY NEW YEAR
(12:00–1:00 AM ET/PT) PRETTY LITTLE LIARS
(1:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) CHASING LIFE

 Wednesday, December 10
(4:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) THE LITTLE MERMAID
(6:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
(7:00-7:30 PM ET/PT) BABY DADDY
(7:30–8:00 PM ET/PT) MELISSA & JOEY
(8:00–8:30 PM ET/PT) MELISSA & JOEY – NEW HOLIDAY EPISODE!
(8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) BABY DADDY – NEW HOLIDAY EPISODE!
(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION

(12:00–12:30 AM ET/PT) MELISSA & JOEY

(12:30–1:00 AM ET/PT) BABY DADDY

 Thursday, December 11

 (5:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) JACK FROST (1998)

 (7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION

 (9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) SCROOGED

(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) THE MISTLE-TONES

 Friday, December 12

 (4:30–5:30 PM ET/PT) JACK FROST (1979)
 (5:30–7:30 PM ET/PT) SCROOGED
 (7:30–9:30 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE
 (9:30 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1994)
 (12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) HOLIDAY IN HANDCUFFS

 Saturday, December 13

 (7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) UNLIKELY ANGEL
 (9:00–11:00 AM ET/PT) THE MISTLE-TONES
 (11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) HOME ALONE 3
 (1:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) PRANCER
 (3:00–5:30 PM ET/PT) MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1994)
 (5:30–6:00 PM ET/PT) MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL
 (6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE
 (8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION
 (10:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN
 (11:00–11:30 PM ET/PT) MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL
(11:30 PM–2:00 AM ET/PT) FRED CLAUS

 Sunday, December 14

 (7:00–9:30 AM ET/PT) MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1994)
 (9:30–11:30 AM ET/PT) DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL
 (11:30 AM–1:30 PM ET/PT) JACK FROST (1998)
 (1:30–4:00 PM ET/PT) FRED CLAUS
 (4:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION
 (6:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
(9:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS

 Monday, December 15

 (4:30–7:00 PM ET/PT) WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
 (7:00-7:30 PM ET/PT) DISNEY’S PREP & LANDING
(7:30–8:00 PM ET/PT) DISNEY’S PREP & LANDING: NAUGHTY VS. NICE
 (8:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
 (9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) THE POLAR EXPRESS
(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) SANTA BABY

 Tuesday, December 16

 (2:00–4:30 PM ET/PT) WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
 (4:30-6:30 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH AND FROSTY’S CHRISTMAS IN JULY
 (6:30–8:30 PM ET/PT) THE POLAR EXPRESS
 (8:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) HOME ALONE
(12:00-2:00 AM ET/PT) SANTA BABY 2: CHRISTMAS MAYBE

 Wednesday, December 17

 (7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) HOLIDAZE
 (9:00–11:00 AM ET/PT) SANTA BABY
 (11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA BABY 2: CHRISTMAS MAYBE
 (1:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL
 (3:00–4:30 PM ET/PT) MICKEY’S TWICE UPON A CHRISTMAS
 (4:30–5:30 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
 (5:30–6:30 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN
 (6:30–9:00 PM ET/PT) HOME ALONE
 (9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE
(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) CHRISTMAS CUPID

 Thursday, December 18

 (7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) CHRISTMAS CUPID
 (9:00–11:00 AM ET/PT) UNLIKELY ANGEL
 (11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) 12 DATES OF CHRISTMAS
 (1:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) HOLIDAY IN HANDCUFFS
 (3:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) PRANCER
 (5:00–6:30 PM ET/PT) MICKEY’S ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS
 (6:30–8:30 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE
 (8:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) FRED CLAUS
(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) HOLIDAY IN HANDCUFFS

 Friday, December 19

 (7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) DESPERATELY SEEKING SANTA
 (9:00–11:00 AM ET/PT) UNACCOMPANIED MINORS
 (11:00–11:30 AM ET/PT) MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL
 (11:30 AM–1:30 PM ET/PT) PRANCER
 (1:30–3:30 PM ET/PT) JACK FROST (1998)
 (3:30–6:00 PM ET/PT) FRED CLAUS
 (6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) HOME ALONE
 (8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) ELF
 (10:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION
(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) SCROOGED

Saturday, December 20

 (7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) THE DOG WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS VACATION
 (9:00–11:00 AM ET/PT) SANTA BUDDIES: THE LEGEND OF SANTA PAWS
 (11:00 AM–12:00 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
 (12:00–2:00 PM ET/PT) ARTHUR CHRISTMAS
 (2:00–4:00 PM ET/PT) HOME ALONE
 (4:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION
 (6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) ELF
 (8:00–10:30 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
 (10:30 PM–1:00 AM ET/PT) HOME ALONE
 (1:00-2:00 AM ET/PT) A MISER BROTHERS’ CHRISTMAS

 Sunday, December 21

 (7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) SANTA BUDDIES: THE LEGEND OF SANTA PAWS
 (9:00–11:00 AM ET/PT) ARTHUR CHRISTMAS
 (11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) RICHIE RICH’S CHRISTMAS WISH
 (1:00-1:30 PM ET/PT) THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
 (1:30-2:00 PM ET/PT) NESTOR, THE LONG EARED CHRISTMAS DONKEY
 (2:00-3:00 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH’S SHINY NEW YEAR
 (3:00–4:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN
 (4:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
 (5:00–7:30 PM ET/PT) DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
 (7:30–10:00 PM ET/PT) HOME ALONE
(10:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) THE POLAR EXPRESS

 Monday, December 22

 (7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) RICHIE RICH’S CHRISTMAS WISH
 (9:00–11:00 AM ET/PT) A DENNIS THE MENACE CHRISTMAS
 (11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) UNLIKELY ANGEL
 (1:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) SNOWGLOBE
 (3:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) THE MISTLE-TONES
 (5:00–5:30 PM ET/PT) FROSTY’S WINTER WONDERLAND
 (5:30-6:30 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH’S SHINY NEW YEAR
 (6:30–7:30 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN
 (7:30–8:30 PM ET/PT) THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS
 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT
 (9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE
(12:00-2:00 AM ET/PT) RUDOLPH AND FROSTY’S CHRISTMAS IN JULY

 Tuesday, December 23

 (7:00–8:30 AM ET/PT) MICKEY’S ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS
 (8:30–10:30 AM ET/PT) CHRISTMAS CUPID
 (10:30 AM–12:30 PM ET/PT) SANTA BABY
 (12:30–2:30 PM ET/PT) SANTA BABY 2: CHRISTMAS MAYBE
 (2:30–4:30 PM ET/PT) HOLIDAY IN HANDCUFFS
 (4:30–6:30 PM ET/PT) THE SANTA CLAUSE
 (6:30-7:00 PM ET/PT) TOY STORY THAT TIME FORGOT
 (7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) HOME ALONE
(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) THE POLAR EXPRESS

(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) ARTHUR CHRISTMAS

 Wednesday, December 24

 (7:00-7:30 AM ET/PT) MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL
 (7:30–9:30 AM ET/PT) ARTHUR CHRISTMAS
 (11:00 AM-1:00 PM) SNOW
 (1:00 PM-3:00 PM ET/PT) JACK FROST
 (3:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) THE POLAR EXPRESS
 (5:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) HOME ALONE
 (7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION
 (9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) ELF
(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) SCROOGED

 Thursday, December 25

 (7:00–7:30 AM ET/PT) FROSTY’S WINTER WONDERLAND
 (7:30–8:00 AM ET/PT) THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
 (8:00–8:30 AM ET/PT) NESTOR, THE LONG EARED CHRISTMAS DONKEY
 (8:30–9:00 AM ET/PT) ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
 (9:00–9:30 AM ET/PT) MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL
 (11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) HOME ALONE
(1:00-2:00 PM ET/PT) RUDOLPH’S SHINY NEW YEAR

(2:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN

(3:00–4:00 PM ET/PT) THEYEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS

 (4:00–4:30 PM ET/PT) DISNEY’S PREP & LANDING
 (4:30–5:00 PM ET/PT) DISNEY’ S PREP & LANDING: NAUGHTY VS. NICE
 (5:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION
 (7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) ELF
 (9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) HOME ALONE
(12:00 AM–2:00 AM ET/PT) HOME ALONE 3







Amanda Hansel is a self proclaimed Disney nerd who has 2 boys. She is also a travel agent with Snapshot Getaways. You can find her on Facebook and on Twitter. She would love to hear from you or chat about Disney with you.

Maleficent Movie Review and Giveaway!

In Maleficent, Disney puts a twist on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale and gives you the other side of the story, told from the supposed villainess' point of view.

The story opens to a Maleficent as a fairy child, who is charged with protecting the inhabitants of the Moors, home to all the magical creatures. She soon meets young Stefan and they become friends, and then fall in love. But as they grow into adults, Stefan's hunger for power overpowers his love for Maleficent and eventually leads him to not only break her heart but to physically harm her by cutting off her fairy wings, to gain the favor of the dying king.

Stefan becomes the new king and marries the princess, and they have a child together, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty). Maleficent is still hurt and enraged over the birth of the child, and invites herself to the Aurora's christening. She too bestows a "gift" upon the child, which is really a curse of death upon her 18th birthday. Stefan begs her to take back her curse and so she relents and softens the curse to she will not die, but instead,  upon pricking her finger on a spinning wheel, she will fall into a death like sleep forever.

At this point of the story, you pretty much recognize the original plot where she is sent to live in hiding in the forest, except the 3 fairies, Flora, Fauna & Merryweather are bumbling idiots. This causes the stalking Maleficent to step in (from behind the scenes), to make sure the young Aurora survives until her 18th birthday. It is during this time, Maleficent grows to love the child, and becomes her protector.

I don't want to give away too many more spoilers, and have left out some other parts of the story like how she meets her crow, so you can enjoy the surprises and twists in the plot.

Over all the movie is visually stunning, with just the right amount of special effects, without it taking away from the story and acting. And since we are talking about acting-Angelina Jolie was born for this role. I can honestly say that if anyone else played Maleficent, the movie would not have been as good. When Jolie turns on that 1000 watt smile and seductively lowers those green eyes to look through her long lashes-you are mesmerized. Great supporting cast as well-both magical and human.

The DVD will be released on Nov. 4th, 2014 and is packed with these bonus features:


Blu-ray Combo Pack, Digital HD/SD & Disney Movies Anywhere
· From Fairy Tale to Feature Film – Re-imagining Maleficent for a new generation
· Building An Epic Battle –Creating the clash between Maleficent and King Henry’s Forces
· Classic Couture – Examine Maleficent’s spellbinding head wraps and jewelry.
· Maleficent Revealed – Explore the layers of extraordinary special effects.
· Aurora: Becoming A Beauty – Elle Fanning reveals her lifelong love of Disney’s original animated classic.
· Deleted Scenes:
- “Stefan In King’s Chamber”
- “Pixie Idiots”
- “Diaval asks about the Curse”
- “Pixies Seek Asylum”
- “Suitor”
· And More!

*Digital bonus offerings will vary per retailer.

*****************************GIVEAWAY!!!********************************
You can enter to win a Maleficent Movie Pack including a Maleficent Pop Plush, Maleficent button, and a copy of Maleficent (2-Disc Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD)! Visit our Facebook page and click the giveaway tab. You'll need to like our page to enter. Giveaway starts Friday October 31 at 12:00 AM Eastern Time and ends on Friday October 31 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.