Reading Time: 9 minutesHappy holidays!! Just to be clear, I’m not the politically correct type to tell everyone happy holidays. No offense to anyone, but I’ll Merry Christmas your ears till the elves come home. But since we’re in the holiday season and it’s not Christmas yet, that’s how …Read More….
Reading Time: 7 minutesDoughnuts! I love doughnuts. Like, looooooove em. There aren’t many things I wouldn’t do for a doughnut. Seriously, when I tell you I’d inject them into my veins, I hope you believe me. The science is there, it’s been done before by great men… Even …Read More….
So yeah, we’re at the end of October. If you haven’t caught on, I usually start my blog posts with a reminder of how fast time flies. It’s not my fault! Whenever I start writing something, the first thing I do is look at the date. And almost every time, I’m dumbfounded by how the calendar days are melting away like butter on a hot grill. I really should stop because it’s not good to live that way. The more you pay attention to the time, the more it’ll work against you.
Today’s life lessons brought to you by Wilton! Haha, yeah, another one! I have a list of things to post about and most of them are Wilton things! I can’t help it, they’re awesome, what can I say?
Anyway, I’ve had this itch since last year where I wanted to make caramel apples. I’ve never made them before and they looked like fun.
Yes, that’s right, I never made them before! Wanna know something crazier? I only had my first one a few months ago! Oooooh the humanity!
Lucky for me, it was easy enough to prepare. Wilton has a buuuuunch of products for all your Apple making needs. I went simple with mine by using the caramel dip as well as regular ol’ melted chocolate. Then they got dipped in cinnamon chips and drizzled with… Ahh, why tell you now? Let’s get apples deep.
Dipped Apples
4 each – Apples
Wilton Caramel Apple Dip
3 cups – Chocolate Chips
3 tablespoons – Milk
1 bag – Cinnamon Chips
1 cup – Chocolate Chips, melted
1/2 bag – Candy Corn Candy Melts
Wilton Fall Caramel Apple Sticks
Wilton 3.75 inch Large Treat Cups
Notes
Alright, let’s get our Evil Queen on and make some apples.
Alright, so here’s where it splits off. There’s caramel apples and chocolate apples, both with their own instructions and both incredibly easy!
When the apple is coated just plop it on the parchment lined tray and move on to the next one. I didn’t coat the apple with the chips until the dip settled a bit. So I dipped the next apple and when I put that one down, I coated the first one in the chips. Get it? Good.
When you’re rolling the dipped apple around in the chips, you could either coat the whole thing or just a portion like I did. If you’re finding some spots are missing chips you could just hand place them. It’s ok, the internet exaggerates, no one is watching.
That’s about it! My first caramel apples! They came out tasting pretty darn good too.
I really wish I had more toppings to dip them in. The caramel apples would’ve been great with some chopped pecans.
And then the sticks! Ugh, I can’t get enough of how awesome they look.
Like I said, overall, the process for making dipped apples is open to interpretation. You can’t really go wrong doing something you like because it’ll be good for you.
Yeah, there are some amazingly great creations out there, but don’t be intimidated. Sometimes simple does just fine.
I’m going to give apple dipping another shot with some more ingredients. But for now I’m happy with how easy these were to put together.
And if you guys are looking for some more awesome apple dipping ideas, be sure to check out a few of my friends on the Wilton Treat Team!
Marilyn’s “Totally Cool for School” Dipped Caramel Apples from Sweets to Impress
Sues’ Mini Caramel Candy Apples from We Are Not Martha
Karyn’s Easy Caramel Apples and Slices from Pint Sized Baker
For the record, there are links that lead you to Amazon products. If you purchase those products through those links you’ll be helping me and my site out. So thanks!
Reading Time: 11 minutes October is basically over! Isn’t that just plain ol nuts?! I mean, we’re a whole two months from the end of the year! It’s madness! Even more madness? This is a post about something that happened waaaaaaaaaaaay back in March! Hahaha, yeah, I know! …Read More….
Reading Time: 7 minutesIt’s a glorious time to be a Guardian, my friends! The Taken King is here and he is a little upset. He brought a ton of his friends, the massive Dreadnaught, and this sweet, sweet Collector’s Edition that we’re looking at today. Yes, we all …Read More….
It’s been a looooong time since I reviewed something from Disney Infinity. Ever since the absolute madness that was Infinity Corner over at EZ-Mode Unlocked – where I reviewed every single figure and playset that was out for 1.0 – I decided to take a break from it. It was a hard labor of love, but it was and still is glorious to look at. But here we are now! Disney Infinity 3.0! And I’m reviewing a play set that will hit shelves on September 29th.
The Rise Against the Empire play set came bundled in the Saga Bundle that I purchased when the game launched August 30th. And ever since then I’ve been slowly but steadily chipping away at the whole game. But since this play set in particular was a timed exclusive, I figured I should try and focus on it and review it for those who look to purchase when it hits shelves.
I wasn’t going to spend too much time on these, but to me, half the fun of Disney Infinity are the figures! I feel like I went into pretty good detail as to why I loved these figures in my Rise Against the Empire Play Set Unboxing post. My main appreciation for the figures is how they both perfectly captured the spirit of the their movie characters. The poses each of them have are a great representation of who they are. And even though they’re simple, if you’re a fan of the characters, you’ll love how they’re designed.
Luke and Leia are packaged with the play set. Other figures that call Rise Against the Empire home are Han Solo, Chewbacca, Boba Fett, and Darth Vader. Six iconic figures altogether! All the figures will be available on shelves on 9/29, except for Boba Fett who is a timed exclusive to the Saga Bundle and won’t be released until January 2016. If you want to check him out though, there’s a sweet unboxing post featuring Boba Fett right here! Trust me, he’s my favorite so far, so check that out. Such an amazing figure and a blast to play as.
So as long as you unlock them in game by simply finding their Champion Coin in the play set, you can use figures like Yoda and Obi-Wan, or any of the Rebels figures in Rise Against the Empire.
And what’s great is all Star Wars figures can be used in all Star Wars play sets. So as long as you unlock them in game by simply finding their hidden Champion Coin in the world, you can use figures like Yoda and Obi-Wan, or any of the Rebels figures in Rise Against the Empire. It’s a very welcomed change, being able to share figures among play sets. You get to put them all to use and you don’t feel sad for not being able to play with a favorite.
Overall, I’m exceedingly pleased with the figures so far. I cannot wait to pick up the other 3 that belong in this play set, but I’m so happy I don’t have to wait for them to have different experiences in the game. It’s the type of fun Disney Infinity as a whole is based on. Being able to take your favorite figure and just have a blast with no limits (in the toy box). With that way of playing slowly creeping out of the toy box where you’re absolutely free to do so, and making its way into play sets gives me great joy and hope for where the series is going.
The Play Set
Now if you know me, you know I don’t spoil anything when I review. So if you’re afraid of me listing off the different awesome things you encounter in all the different worlds, worry not. I’m here to mainly tell you about my experiences and what stood out to make it fun. And this play set has plenty of fun!
I know if you’re reading this, odds are you’re a fan of Star Wars. And if you’re not automatically purchasing this on day one, you’re probably looking for a thumbs up. Approval. Validation that your $35 for the play set or $65 for the starter pack is going to be worth it, or if it’s going to be just another cash in on the Star Wars money machine.
If you’re a fan of the original trilogy – which Rise Against the Empire is based on – then you’re in for a Death Star sized treat.
There’s a few exceptions, e.g. the Inside Out play set is platform driven while the Star Wars play sets are action based. But for the most part, you’re looking at the same concept and the same types of side missions and quests in every play set. The different themes and franchises are enough to mask repetitiveness, but there’s only so many times you have to bring X over to Y before you realize the similarities.
With that said, Rise Against the Empire shares the same types of side quests and missions as other play sets, but they don’t feel repetitive. They don’t feel like a chore that makes you want to hurry up and progress so you can carry on with the story. Maybe it’s thanks to the wonderful world of Star Wars? You’re in this setting that you know and love and you want to savor every Wompa kill, every Tie Fighter explosion, and every Storm Trooper popped open with your lightsaber. I don’t know what it is exactly, but I do know I was disappointed whenever I ran out of missions to do and had to continue on the main story. None of them felt like I was doing the same thing over and over which is a curse Disney Infinity play sets as a whole have dealt with since 1.0. Not to mention the laundry list of characters that you’re going to recognize as you’re playing, which I’m sure will help you love the play set even more than what you already were.
Even though everything is based off the original trilogy, it’s not a direct telling of the events that happened. I haven’t seen the original trilogy for a few years (waiting for closer to Episode VII to rewatch), but as I was playing, I noticed very easily there were certain things out of place or that simply didn’t happen. So no, you’re not getting the authentic story, so if you’re looking for that, you might be slightly disappointed. But seriously, at the end of the day, this is a game that is geared towards kids. We as the adult fanboys and girls that we are, should be counting our lucky stars that a game like this even exists for us. So what Luke, Han, and Chewy are helping Princess Leia get the droids onto an escape pod away from Darth Vader’s grasp? It’s the Disney Infinity way. The flow of the gameplay has to work with the figures that are playable. What really truly matters is we’re there to relive it, play it, and experience it either on our own or with the next generation of Star Wars geeks right beside us.
…I knew my kids were going to grow up with their own Star Wars films, experiences, and memories. A whole new generation is being exposed to this space magic for the first time, and that makes me so amazingly happy, I cannot begin to describe it.
And that’s my main draw to it. I can’t properly put into words the pure joy I feel when I boot up this game with my 5 year old next to me. And he’s as into it as I am! Ever since it was announce that Disney purchased Star Wars, I jumped for joy because I knew they were going to do right by it. I knew we were going to be seeing new movies and shows and games and Han Solo branded Pop Tarts, and Boba Fett branded coffee creamer. And most importantly, I knew my kids were going to grow up with their own Star Wars films, experiences, and memories. A whole new generation is being exposed to this space magic for the first time, and that makes me so amazingly happy, I cannot begin to describe it. Disney Infinity 3.0 was pretty much the first wave of Star Wars goodness to be launched in anticipation for The Force Awakens, and I honestly think if you’re a fan of Star Wars, or are looking to become one, then this entire game needs to be on your radar.
If you really want more substance as to why I’m so happy with this play set, then I’ll make it easy for you: The story is classic. The way it feels when you’re playing is impressive. Controls are responsive and great and most importantly, fun! You actually feel the power of the lightsaber every time you swing it, the force of the blasters every time they’re shot. And all the awesomeness goes for the space battles as well, which you get to partake in a few times throughout the play set.
For years I was hoping to get an updated Star Wars game I could enjoy with my kid because the old Lego games get stale after 100+ hours. Disney Infinity 3.0 not only gives us this great toy box to have all sorts of fun in, but it also gives us experiences like the Rise Against the Empire play set where we can relive moments and characters from these classic films. I can’ wait for The Force Awakens play set when it’s released with the film. I have no doubt it’ll be a great way to celebrate and experience the movie when it comes out. You could tell a lot of love and passion went into the making of this game and this play set. It’s up to you to pick it up and experience it.
Reading Time: 11 minutesI know most of you don’t know me. I mean, you know a lot about me, but not characteristic stuff. Well here’s something that not many people know – when I’m eating breakfast, I’m a sandwicher. Especially when it comes to the stuff in this …Read More….
Reading Time: 3 minutesThe last piece to the Saga Bundle comes in the form of the most notorious bounty hunter in the Galaxy… Boba Fett! Since everything came in its own retail packaging in the Saga Bundle, I’m lucky enough to dedicate an entire post to a figure …Read More….
Continuing on from the Saga Bundle unboxing, comes what will be an integral addition to your Disney Infinity 3.0 collection.
Like I mentioned, the contents of the $115 Saga Bundle are timed exclusives, along with the regular starter pack you could find in stores today. These timed exclusives are what make the Saga Bundle so attractive to fans like me. Yeah, you’ll be able to pick them up whenever they’re available, but having them now before everyone else actually feels special.
Disney Infinity 3.0 Rise Against the Empire Play Set Trailer on Disney Video And this one is a pretty big exclusive too! The Rise Against the Empire Play Set is an entire level based on the original trilogy. From what I played of it so far, it feels extremely true to the movies and plays wonderfully. Sadly I haven’t gotten to play as much as I would’ve liked by now since I feel bad if I’m not playing with the kid. But I hope to beat it and review it before it releases on September 29th.
The package consists of a Death Star playset piece you see above – which is easily the best freaking play set piece in all of Disney Infinity – and the figures of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia. I love the figures for a few reasons. No, they’re not as flashy or as detailed as other figures, but they capture the essence of their characters perfectly.
Leia
Looking at Princess Leia, she has a very powerful tone about her. The strong willed princess that you know from the movies comes through in the figure as if it were a mirror.
She’s wearing all white and is basically just standing there, but that stance and look is enough for me to appreciate the figure immensely. As I’m sure all who look up to her character will.
Luke
Luke Skywalker is another one that is captured amazingly for being such a simple figure.
He’s not the awesome, confident Jedi Knight from Return of the Jedi, but the unknowing, and unguided farm boy from A New Hope. And that’s what shines through.
His stance with his lightsaber tells a story. It shows his transition from farm boy to Jedi, and it’s written on his face too. And if you look at his face, along with the the way he’s standing holding the lightsaber, I wouldn’t be surprised if the figure was based on his first encounter with Darth Vader.
I don’t know about you, but to me, that makes him pretty awesome!
Everything about the Rise Against the Empire play set makes me love what they’re doing with 3.0. Looking at the figures, how they’re modeled, along with what I’ve played so far of the play set, it’s easy to see the love and care the creators have for Star Wars. 3.0 is getting nothing but rave reviews everywhere I’m looking and it’s awesome to see. Being such a fan of Disney Infinity and Star Wars, I couldn’t be happier right now, both for those involved in making it possible, and to have the ability to play it all with my kids.
Look forward to more Disney Infinity 3.0 madness around here! I’ll have some gameplay videos, impressions, reviews, and more unboxings coming soon!