Disney News

Author: Deanna

  • 50th Anniversary Haunted Mansion Mickey Ears and Other Merchandise Coming to Disneyland

    50th Anniversary Haunted Mansion Mickey Ears and Other Merchandise Coming to Disneyland

    Haunted Mansion at Disneyland is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this August. To commemorate occasion, spirits of all ages can get their mortal hands on New Haunted Mansion Mickey Ears and other special anniversary merchandise starting Aug. 9

    The ghoulish delights include apparel, accessories, collectibles and more. You’ll be bewitched by the selection! Take a look below:

    First, if you’ve ever wanted to become a caretaker to one of the Haunted Mansion’s 999 restless spirits, consider procuring a Host A Ghost! With a ghostly giggle and a simple tap on these jars, Madame Leota will conjure your spirit to materialize for you. Choose from a selection of dearly departed souls, including Constance Hatchaway, Professor Phineas Plump, The Hatbox Ghost, among others. Pick up your Host a Ghost at the dedicated cart in New Orleans Square.

    To add some “spirit” into your wardrobe, you can also find commemorative items such as an ear hat, tee shirts and other ghoulish gear.

    You’ll also find a plethora of Haunted Mansion-inspired jewelry and accessories. ALEX AND ANI is celebrating with a “50 Years of Happy Haunts” charm. PANDORA is releasing three new Haunted Mansion-inspired charms, including this limited-edition anniversary charm to add to your collection! Find these charms at La Mascarade d’Orleans. In addition, a variety of anniversary-themed pins will be available to add to your collection.

    Lastly, if you’re looking for more ways to celebrate this grim grinning occasion, attend a special after-hours event, “The Haunted Mansion: Celebrating 50 Years of Retirement Unliving.” Next week, gather during the 13th hour when Madame Leota will make a special appearance to conjure up the happy haunting. At this separate ticket event, enjoy themed food and beverages, after-hours access to select attractions in New Orleans Square, Frontierland and Adventureland, photo opportunities and lively entertainment. You’ll also be among the first to unearth these commemorative anniversary merchandise items, in addition to event-exclusive pieces.

    These items and more will have you grim grinning from ear to ear at Disneyland Resort when you celebrate the Haunted Mansion’s 50th anniversary!

    If you need any help planning your magical vacation contact me today at Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Deanna. My services are completely free so get your quote today and let me take the stress away.

  • Chef Minnie and Remy Annual Passholder Magnets Coming to Epcot Food & Wine Festival

    Chef Minnie and Remy Annual Passholder Magnets Coming to Epcot Food & Wine Festival

    Walt Disney World Annual Passholders can delight in an array of special offerings during the 2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival—held August 29 through November 23, 2019! And this year you can get an Annual Passholder magnet that features Chef Minnie and one that features Chef Remy.

    Walt Disney World Annual Passholders visiting the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival are eligible to receive a complimentary Chef Minnie magnet (August 29- October 14), and a Chef Remy magnet (October 15-November 23).

    On the Annual Passholder’s fourth visit to the festival, they can also receive a complimentary Chef Minnie wooden coaster set.

    Each of these Passholder exclusive items can be picked up at Mouse Gear or Disney Traders and are available while supplies last. Passholders must present a valid annual pass and photo I.D. One Chef Minnie magnet, one Chef Remy magnet and one coaster set per Passholder.

  • Nintendo Announces Disney-Themed Switch to be Released in Japan

    Nintendo Announces Disney-Themed Switch to be Released in Japan

    Disney and Nintendo have partnered up to release a new Switch bundle for Japan inspired by the popular Disney Tsum-Tsum franchise.

    A new game called Tsum-Tsum Festival is coming out on October 10th and includes Switch-exclusive minigames as well as the ability to play a regular mobile-style game of Tsum-Tsum by holding the Switch vertically.

    The Switch hardware bundle features a patterned dock with Tsum-Tsum characters and the logo, while the included pink and purple Joy-Cons are similarly decorated. The Switch itself is the updated, longer-lasting model and has pink characters on the back. Also, the home button has ears.

    The Tsum-Tsum Festival bundle will be released in Japan on October 10th and will sell for 36,080 yen ($333). No word on a release elsewhere.

  • Russi Taylor, the Official Voice of Minnie Mouse, Dies at 75

    Russi Taylor, the Official Voice of Minnie Mouse, Dies at 75

    Russi Taylor, the official voice of Minnie Mouse, passed away yesterday at the age of 75 in Glendale, California.

    Taylor was a Disney legend and she brought to life an illustrious cast of beloved characters during a career that spanned nearly four decades, but she is best known as the official voice of Minnie Mouse.

    She first assumed the role more than 30 years ago and has given voice to Minnie in hundreds of Disney projects—from television, to theme park experiences, animated shorts, and theatrical films—no performance was too tough for Russi’s accomplished take on the divine Miss Minnie Mouse.

    “Minnie Mouse lost her voice with the passing of Russi Taylor,” said Bob Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “For more than 30 years, Minnie and Russi worked together to entertain millions around the world—a partnership that made Minnie a global icon and Russi a Disney Legend beloved by fans everywhere. We’re so grateful for Russi’s talent as well as the tremendous spirit and great joy she brought to everything she did. It was a privilege to have known her and an honor to have worked with her, and we take comfort in the knowledge that her work will continue to entertain and inspire for generations to come. Russi will be sorely missed and our hearts go out to her family and friends, along with our deepest condolences.”

    Russi found her real-life Mickey in the mid-1980s in the form of Wayne Allwine, who had voiced Mickey Mouse since 1977. The pair fell deeply in love and married in 1991, remaining as inseparable as their animated counterparts until Wayne’s passing in 2009.  “I really want whoever comes after us to be aware of the history and the tradition, and to love the characters as much as we do,” she said of herself and Wayne.

  • Gran Destino Tower Opens at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

    Gran Destino Tower Opens at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

    The new Gran Destino Tower officially opened to guests Tuesday morning with a festive celebration, completing a multiyear re-imagining of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort that also includes new restaurants, a new arrival experience and more.

    Celebrating the rich cultures and vibrant landscapes of Spain, Mexico and the American Southwest through contemporary design and Old World traditions, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort shines with renewed luster.

    The new Gran Destino Tower rises dramatically on the southeastern shores of Lago Dorado (“Golden Lake”), the resort’s 22-acre lake. The tower – opening to the public July 9 – offers 545 modern guest rooms (including 50 suites and club-level services), a grand two-story lobby, new meeting venues, and a rooftop restaurant and lounge with spectacular views.The distinctive tower becomes the stylish new gateway to the 2,385-room resort.

    Gran Destino Tower takes its name from the classic Disney film “Destino.” Drawing inspiration from the surrealist animated short, the tower is a whimsical, magnificent visual feast, diverse in its design and execution. The tower’s outdoor Destino Plaza are also ideal for weddings, business receptions or other special events.

    Past its grand entrance and signature ribbon-patterned design that climbs up the side of Gran Destino Tower, guests step into a stunning lobby – an homage to the Catalan Modernism style. On their way to check in, new arrivals pass intricate wooden screens with rows of beautiful Moorish hanging lanterns, while decorative bronze screens inspired by Spanish tile patterns accent the rear wall of the lobby.

    The warm colors and patterns of Barcelona inspire the sun-filled Barcelona Lounge on the lobby’s lower level, offering plenty of casual seating and lake views. Beneath a magnificent chandelier framed by sculpted plaster columns, guests can enjoy coffee in the morning and cocktails as the day progresses.

    The Catalan theme extends to the tower’s stylish new guest rooms and suites. A wall covering in each room is inspired by Spanish tile medallions, adding an Old World touch to a contemporary design. The new tower also offers club-access rooms for guests who want to enjoy the benefits of the Chronos Club. The club boasts commanding views of Walt Disney World Resort and cast members who can assist with vacation planning. Light refreshments are available throughout the day.

    Each tower guest room also offers a new interactive television system that provides a more customized and Disney differentiated in-room experience. This new television system will enhance the guest experience with Disney-quality services, content and personalization. For example, guests can view their Disney PhotoPass images on the large screen and stream their entertainment services from their personal devices to the in-room television.

    Gran Destino Tower is crowned by dramatic rooftop dining locations, Tolédo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood and Dahlia Lounge, offering breathtaking views of Walt Disney World from the tower’s 16thfloor. Named for the storied Spanish city home to avant-garde writers and artists of the 1920s and ’30s, Tolédo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood is a table-service dining experience. The Spanish-inspired menu features entrees like chuletón, a 32-ounce, Spanish-style ribeye for two, as well as sustainable seafood and classic Spanish sides. It’s all served in a setting that features live olive trees, vibrant colors and an intricate vaulted ceiling with stained-glass accents. There’s also an onstage tapas kitchen inspired by the flavors of Spain, specializing in small plates, charcuteríá and cheeses.

    The adjacent Dahlia Lounge takes its mesmerizing shapes and swirling patterns from Spanish Modernism, inviting guests into an intimate, artful space where they can enjoy signature cocktails and panoramic views.

    As part of the broader re-imagining of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, three new pedestrian bridges now extend across Lago Dorado, allowing for quick and convenient passage to and from all parts of the resort. In the middle of the lake at the nexus of these new pathways is Villa del Lago (“Lake Villa”), home to a new outdoor restaurant, Three Bridges Bar & Grill. The open-air, waterfront dining location offers delicious entrees and shareables, along with refreshing cocktails and signature sangria pitchers. Three Bridges Bar & Grill features a rustic, Old World charm anchored by a large stone hearth behind the central bar.

    These new experiences complement the wide array of amenities and experiences at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, including floating gardens, scenic nature trails and palm-shaped courtyards. Throughout the resort, guests can enjoy a diverse collection of dining options, including:

    • Maya Grill – A grand Mexican dining room featuring ancient-modern styling and Nuevo Latino cuisines.
    • Rix Sports Bar & Grill – A stylish establishment with a unique spin on classic bar food.
    • El Mercado de Coronado – A food court filled with kitchens serving made-to-order breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a wide array of options so there’s something for everyone.
    • Café Rix – A charming grab-and-go location offering pastries, coffee and tasty snacks.
    • Laguna Bar – A breezy lakeside lounge boasting signature cocktails.
    • Siestas Cantina – A poolside hideaway to unwind with refreshing beverages and snacks.

    Shoppers can delight in an updated Panchito’s merchandise location. Named after one of the main characters from the Disney film “The Three Caballeros,” Panchito’s resembles an open-air Mexican market.

    The Dig Site – a sprawling pool complex with a Mayan-ruins theme – is fed by water cascading dramatically down a Mayan pyramid and features a water slide that evokes the spirit animal of a jaguar. The Dig Site can be accessed via the new bridges over Lago Dorado.

    All existing guest rooms at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort were updated with new fixtures, furnishings and lighting. Guest feedback helped shape the room remodel that introduced an expansive desk space, hard-surface floors, platform beds and more. In addition, a fresh, sophisticated new color palette ties together the entire resort experience.

    Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is now a celebration of Spanish, Mexican and American Southwest cultures, infused with a profound respect for the natural world – most notably water. These design motifs span centuries to form a common thread that connects the new with the newly re-imagined.

  • Construction Worker Falls in Hole in Animal Kingdom Parking Lot

    Construction Worker Falls in Hole in Animal Kingdom Parking Lot

    A construction worker was injured while working Tuesday near Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

    The worker fell into a hole outside Disney’s Animal Kingdom, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. He was working near a trench box used for excavation when the ground gave way, dropping him into a 5-foot-deep hole.

    The worker was able to free one leg, but the other was buried up to his hip, according to officials. Orange County Fire Rescue crews dug him out and took him to a hospital.

    Deputies and Orange County Fire Rescue crews responded just after 2 p.m. to assist Reedy Creek firefighters with an “industrial accident” call at the park.

    The worker was a third-party construction worker and was safely removed, according to a Disney official.

  • Disney Channel Star Cameron Boyce Dead at 20

    Disney Channel Star Cameron Boyce Dead at 20

    Actor Cameron Boyce, best known for his role as the teenage son of Cruella de Vil in the Disney Channel franchise “Descendants,” has died at the age of 20.

    Boyce, who played Carlos de Vil in the “Descendants” movies, died Saturday at his home in Los Angeles, according to his spokesperson.

    An official cause of death has not been announced, but his family released a statement Sunday saying Boyce “passed away in his sleep due to a seizure that was a result of an ongoing medical condition for which he was being treated.

    “The world is now undoubtedly without one of its brightest lights, but his spirit will live on through the kindness and compassion of all who knew and loved him. We are utterly heartbroken,” the family statement said.

    According to his bio on the Disney Channel, Boyce was born and raised in Los Angeles. He was a dancer who got his acting start in commercials, then television and film. Boyce starred alongside Adam Sandler in “Grown Ups” and “Grown Ups 2,” and other film credits include “Mirrors,” ”Eagle Eye” and the indie feature “Runt.” He also starred in the upcoming HBO series “Mrs. Fletcher.”

    A Disney Channel spokesperson released a statement Sunday saying that from a young age, Boyce dreamed of sharing his artistic talents with the world and was fueled by a desire to make a difference in peoples’ lives through his humanitarian work.

    “He was an incredibly talented performer, a remarkably caring and thoughtful person and, above all else, he was a loving and dedicated son, brother, grandson and friend,” the statement said. “We offer our deepest condolences to his family, castmates and colleagues and join his many millions of fans in grieving his untimely passing. He will be dearly missed.”

    “Descendants 3” is scheduled for release in August.

  • Melissa McCarthy in Talks to Play Ursula in Live-Action ‘Little Mermaid’

    Melissa McCarthy in Talks to Play Ursula in Live-Action ‘Little Mermaid’

    Melissa McCarthy is in early talks to play the villain Ursula in Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid.”

    The deal is not yet complete, according to multiple reports, but would mark the first official casting for the remake, which follows such similar live-action adaptations as “Beauty and the Beast” and this year’s “Aladdin” and “Lion King.”

    The story centers on the mermaid Ariel who yearns to live among humans and finds her wish granted when she trades her voice for legs from the sea witch, Ursula.

    “Mary Poppins Returns” director Rob Marshall is helming. The film will incorporate the original songs from the 1989 animated hit as well as new tunes from Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda is also producing the film along with Marshall, Marc Platt and John DeLuca. David Magee wrote the script.

    David Magee wrote the latest script for the reboot after Jane Goldman. Marc Platt, Marshall, Miranda and John DeLuca are producers. No release date has been set yet.

  • New ‘Magic Mirror Metallic’ Merchandise at Disney Parks is Wicked Cool

    New ‘Magic Mirror Metallic’ Merchandise at Disney Parks is Wicked Cool

    The Disney merchandise color trend battle is still being waged at Disney Parks and now they have released a ‘Magic Mirror Metallic’ merchandise collection that is totally wicked!

    The Magic Mirror Metallic Collection is inspired by the Evil Queen’s magic mirror in Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” The holographic foil treatment against white gives a fairytale appearance.

    Everything from a headband and matching earrings to a backpack and tote are available in this iridescent collection. Take a look below at some of the super cute items:

    From Rose Gold to Millennial Pink and Iridescent to Purple Potion, its clear that Disney isn’t calling a truce on the color trend war anytime soon.

    The new line joins Imagination Pink as one of two new merchandise color lines hitting Disney Parks this summer.

    Magic Mirror Metallic items are now available at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort and online at shopDisney.com!