The Neverland Files

Although our rankings varied (especially when the nostalgia trump card was pulled on a couple of cartoons!), here are our favorite (and most nostalgic) and least favorite cartoons from this magical 90s VHS tape. Did anyone else have one of these tapes lying around their house as a kid?Favorite and Most Nostalgic Disney Christmas Cartoon Shorts🎄Pluto’s Christmas TreeIt has all the holiday feels and the best of our chipmunk friends Chip and Dale. And there is some sweet Christmas caroling at the end. So nostalgic. And now you can see a nod to this cartoon in the queue for Mickey’s Runaway Railroad at the parks! *sniff* so amazing!☃️Donald’s Snow FightThis was the perfect cartoon for Corban as a child. It defined the beginning of Christmas break for him. No more school. It was time for snowball fights and epic snow forts. Bring on Christmas break!🧸The Night Before Christmas There is something magical about watching the toys decorate and bring Christmas to life for the children as they sleep. And the little boy who gets a puppy at the end? Just precious. Least Favorite (But Still Amazing) Disney Christmas Cartoon Shorts🎅🏼Santa’s WorkshopSome parts are mind-boggling (that checkerboard paint??). And others are charming (Santa reading the kids’ Christmas lists). But overall this isn’t our favorite Santa’s workshop situation.⛸️Once Upon a WintertimeEverything about this is so charming. Except it is *screaming!* Valentine’s Day vibes—great cartoon, wrong holiday VHS tape. ❄️Mickey Mouse On IceVery fun and we love the old-school animation of our favorite Mickey characters. The cinematography of Mickey’s ice skating skills is amazing to watch (they were clearly having so much fun experimenting with the possibilities of this new animation medium). But it is lacking a Christmas tone, and neither of us was feeling particularly nostalgic about this one. Although we still enjoy it now!Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas, Neverland Files family! We have loved spending time with you this season. Thank you all for your love and support! 💗🎄💗🎄💗 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theneverlandfiles.substack.com

🦘Darla and McLeach love surfing Santas and BBQs in AustraliaBeach day, BBQs, Surfing Santas. Corban is soaking in the sunny Christmas lifestyle of Australia at Christmas. Darla is going to love showing you around her neighborhood Christmas party :) 🐉Raya is all about floating lanterns and Mulan loves saxophone Santa!Mowgli just joined the man village so he is showing us the traditions of India of sweet rice pudding. And Raya would love to invite Rapunzel over to Thailand for their floating lanterns!🦁Tarzan and Simba invite you to candlelight caroling followed by pumpkin fritters!Simba and Nala invite you to their caroling by candlelight event at Pride Rock! And afterward, Tarzan and the gorillas will be joining us for pumpkin fritters, kebobs, and pickled fish. 🎆Mirabel loves the Family Madrigal’s fireworks display with delicious hot chocolate!The Family Madrigal always looks forward to lots of Christmas Eve fireworks, Three Kings Day on January 6th, and delicious hot chocolate. And Emperor Kuzco will be looking to give the best gifts on Christmas and Three Kings Day because he has to be seen as the best, always. Enjoy this episode? We have good news! Subscribe for extended and additional Neverland Files episodes! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theneverlandfiles.substack.com

🌹Beauty and the Beast (live-action or animated)The castle is enveloped in snow. Beast gives Belle the gift of the library😍. And it has deep themes of redemption and sacrifice. It's like Beast is Ebenezer Scrooge and Belle is Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, and the Ghosts all rolled into one :) 🦁Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the WardrobeThe magic of winter in the wardrobe is short-lived but palpable. But with Father Christmas making a brief appearance and the deep themes and Christian symbolism this movie makes the top of even Corban’s list of non-Christmas, Christmas movies. 👑AnastasiaEven though we don’t have a lot of nostalgia wrapped up in this one. But the wintery Russian setting and the music box song “Once Upon a December” create a very Christmasy feeling.🎄Little WomenTake your pick on the version, they all have that cozy Christmas scene that carries the themes of family and sacrifice through this coming-of-age story. We love how Christmas is the touchstone used to track the sisters’ lives, revisiting it each year under different circumstances. 🍫Wonka and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate FactoryWho says that the magic of the Christmas season is only for children? Any movie that gets us back in touch with that childlike wonder also gets us feeling all Christmasy. And no one does imagination like Willy Wonka.🐒Swiss Family RobinsonThis family makes the best of their terrible circumstances and celebrates a simple, yet love-filled Christmas as their entire family is reunited. Wholesome family adventure stories (with a dash of Christmas) at their best. ⛷️Snowball ExpressNot a whole lot of heart or deep themes here. But in our family, it has become a tradition to watch it all together on a snow day after digging out our friends and neighbors.Enjoy this episode? We have good news! Subscribe for extended and additional Neverland Files episodes! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theneverlandfiles.substack.com

📝Thank you to Disney’s “Wish” for adding two new songs to our Disney Playlists!📝Thank you, Disney, for paying $71.3 billion so that we could watch The Sound of Music on Disney Plus. It was money well spent!📝 Thank you for our Disney Murder Mystery episode which was almost better than an Agatha Christie novel!📝Thank you to Captain America for letting Corban constantly make fun of him. His respect for Cap is growing….📝Thank you Captain America: Winter Soldier for reminding Camari how good a Marvel movie can be!📝Thank you Indiana Jones for being patient. We are glad we finally got to you this season!📝Thank you Enchanto for giving us hope in unique storytelling and entertainment in an era of sequels and remakes.Enjoy this episode? We have good news! Subscribe for extended and additional Neverland Files episodes! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theneverlandfiles.substack.com

“Whatever it takes.” - Avengers: Endgame (2019)“I’ll be there.” - Captain America: Civil War (2016)“Hulk, Smash!” - The Avengers (2012)“If I’m the only one than so be it. But I’m willing to bet I’m not.” - Captain America: Winter Soldier (2014)“It’s about whether he’s right.” - The Avengers: Age of UltronHonorable Mention: “Avengers, assemble.” - Avengers: Endgame (2019)Guys. This has to be top three. But Corban was very stubbornly attached to his letter “speech.” *sigh* You tell us! Which should have been in the number two spot.Enjoy this episode? We have good news! Subscribe for extended and additional Neverland Files episodes! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theneverlandfiles.substack.com

🌎Encanto explores non-European culture in a celebratory and authentic wayThere are hints at the social unrest Columbia has experienced (Pedro and Alma having to their home because of violent conflict). But more importantly, it celebrates the diversity of the people and surroundings of an oft-overlooked, even villainized South American country. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Encanto centers its themes on the complexities of familial relationshipsWe feel Disney is at its best when it is focusing on families. When Disney anchors their stories with strong and positive family dynamics or themes, they create content for their primary audiences that resonates powerfully.🎼Encanto is filled with music that is memorable, emotional and also carries the storytelling forward in a fun and unique way that fits the culture it is exploringWe don’t know enough about the logistics of music to say what is done right in the nuts and bolts of Lin Manuel Miranda’s songs. But Encanto feels like the charm of old Disney musical storytelling meets the freshness of a new cultural experience. He married the two perfectly.Enjoy this episode? We have good news! Subscribe for extended and additional Neverland Files episodes! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theneverlandfiles.substack.com

Secretary of State - Peggy Carter from Captain America: The First AvengerShe is firm and no-nonsense. Understands the importance of diplomacy to avoid war. But will stand up to any bully who comes her way. Secretary of the Treasury - Scrooge McDuck from Duck TalesWe aren’t sure which version of Scrooge we are dealing with. But he is the economic mind of Disney characters. And if its stingy Scrooge, he could help with our national debt…?Secretary of Defense - Mufasa from The Lion KingCorban’s trump card. When in doubt. Mufasa can do it. We trust his judgment.Attorney General - George from The AristocatsHe was one of the only Disney lawyers we could think of who had the experience with the justice system and lawyerese to pull this off…maybe?Secretary of the Interior - Pocahontas from PocahontasShe knows the lands intimately and respects their need for care. However, she also has an eye for innovation and curiosity. She is open to new approaches while honoring the land.Secretary of Agriculture - Te FitiBasically, we have recruited Mother Nature to help cultivate and encourage agricultural growth. We are hoping she can bring in some new methods and help our agriculture be as productive and life-giving as possibleSecretary of Commerce - Bob IgerBit of a cheat here. But hey, if the Disney Company brought him back for another stint as CEO then there must be something to his leadership that people like and respect. And we like and need more of that. Enjoy this episode? We have good news! Subscribe for extended and additional Neverland Files episodes! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theneverlandfiles.substack.com

👻What happens when you assemble Disneystein monsters from Disney animated characters? Let’s just say the number one thing we discovered was they are hard to dress!Male Disney Monster #1 - Amos SladeHead - Amos Slade from Fox and the HoundHairstyle - Merlin from Sword in the StoneArms - Winnie the Pooh from Winnie the PoohTorso - Shan Yu from MulanLegs - Ratigan from The Great Mouse DetectiveOutfit - Aladdin from AladdinMale Disney Monster #2 - Prince JohnHead - Prince John from Robin HoodHairstyle - Anger from Inside OutArms - Gaston from Beauty and the BeastTorso - King Candy from Wreck it RalphLegs - Flick from Bug’s LifeOutfit - Peter Pan from Peter Pan🎃Happy Halloween from us and our Disneystein Monsters!Enjoy this episode? We have good news! Subscribe for extended and additional Neverland Files episodes! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theneverlandfiles.substack.com

🔎Want to have your own Disney Murder Mystery? Here is the Reddit link to play along. Who will be the victim and bad guy in your version? 🌃We don’t want to spoil the drama of the mystery… So we will only give you the name of the victim and the detective on the case. After that, the only way forward is to listen to the case unfold. On a dark and stormy night…😭The victim is Pinocchio (we know, so sad!)A mysterious dinner invitation arrives for Pinocchio. But something sinister awaits him. What did the cute, sweet, little Pinocchio get involved in that brought him to this sad end? What happened to Jiminy Cricket? Why wasn’t he there to protect poor Pinocchio?🍎The detective is Snow White After Pinocchio meets his end at a mysterious dinner party, those in attendance decide Snow White should be the one to lead the investigation. She is innocent and pure of heart…but beyond that, we aren’t sure what she brings to the table. But we are sure she will do her best to determine who the murderer is!Enjoy this episode? We have good news! Subscribe for extended and additional Neverland Files episodes! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theneverlandfiles.substack.com

Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark was nominated for 6 Oscars in 1982! Here is where we find the substance of Raiders that makes it a worthy Best Picture nominee.🎼Iconic musical score provided by the one and only John Williams (who was nominated for a Best Musical Score Oscar for this movie)It takes six notes to get you up off the couch and ready for an adventure with Indy. It doesn’t matter if it is during the movie or on the ride at Disneyland, this is one of the best character themes in movie history. Look how happy John is conducting this song!🎥The cinematography is dynamic and gorgeousThis movie goes from basic action flick to another level when you have amazing shots like these…it’s not just car chases, explosions, and punching (though there are lots of that). The cinematography creates adds additional layers of emotional depth and character development. 🤜🏼The quality, scale, and unique experience of the stuntsIt’s an action film, yes. But the stunts are not just for stunt sake. Again, they offer important storytelling. And they are unique! The boulder chasing him? Dodging through booby traps? This is stuff that was so cool they had to put it in the ride at Disneyland. Plus the fight scene coordination of the explosions and actors fighting and running around and in the big airplane. Top notch. Enjoy this episode? We have good news! Subscribe for extended and additional Neverland Files episodes! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theneverlandfiles.substack.com