Disney News

Author: Deanna

  • Disney Pixar’s ‘Onward’ Coming to Disney+ Earlier Due to Coronavirus Outbreak

    Disney Pixar’s ‘Onward’ Coming to Disney+ Earlier Due to Coronavirus Outbreak

    Disney’s latest Pixar feature “Onward” will be arriving to the at-home market earlier than expected due to the coronavirus outbreak.

    The Walt Disney Studios announced today that Disney and Pixar’s Onward will be available to buy digitally and on Movies Anywhere beginning today at 5 p.m. PST/8 p.m. EST and on Disney+ on April 3 in the U.S.

    The film premiered in theaters on March 6 and earned rave reviews from audiences, including a 95% Verified Audience Score on RottenTomatoes. With cinemas currently impacted by closures due to the global health crisis, Disney will offer the film ahead of schedule to purchase on digital platforms in the U.S. beginning today at 5 p.m. PST/8 p.m. EST for $19.99.

    “While we’re looking forward to audiences enjoying our films on the big screen again soon, given the current circumstances, we are pleased to release this fun, adventurous film to digital platforms early for audiences to enjoy from the comfort of their homes,” said Dan Scanlon (Director, Onward) and Kori Rae (Producer, Onward).

    In Onward, teenage elf brothers Ian and Barley Lightfoot (voices of Tom Holland and Chris Pratt) get an unexpected opportunity to spend one more day with their late dad, embarking on an extraordinary quest aboard Barley’s epic van Guinevere. Like any good quest, their journey is filled with magic spells, cryptic maps, impossible obstacles and unimaginable discoveries. But when the boys’ fearless mom Laurel (voice of Julia Louis-Dreyfus) realizes her sons are missing, she teams up with a part-lion, part-bat, part-scorpion, former warrior—aka The Manticore (voice of Octavia Spencer)—and heads off to find them. Perilous curses aside, this one magical day could mean more than any of them ever dreamed.

  • Disney & Edy’s Release Ice Cream Flavors Inspired By Pixar Movies

    Disney & Edy’s Release Ice Cream Flavors Inspired By Pixar Movies

    Edy’s is partnering up with Disney’s Pixar to release four new ice cream flavors that celebrate Pixar’s classic animated hits “Toy Story,” “Finding Nemo,” “The Incredibles” and “Monsters, Inc.”

    The limited-edition flavors can be found at participating stores (such as Publix and Meijer) now, but they won’t be around forever, so don’t miss your chance to enjoy these yummy additions to the Edy’s family.

    First, there is Coral Reef Orange and Cream, which pays homage to “Finding Nemo.” The light orange and vanilla sherbet include the sweet addition of little chocolate fishes.

    Then, there’s Cookies and Scream, a yummy cookies n’ cream combo that is a nod to “Monsters, Inc.” It’s made with light vanilla ice cream, chocolate cookie pieces, a fudge swirl and little Mike and Sully chocolate pieces.

    And then there’s Jack-Jack Cookie Crumble, which is a combo of light chocolate and vanilla ice cream mixed with chocolate cookie pieces and little chocolate masks (to mimic the superhero masks worn by the characters in “The Incredibles”).

    Last but not least is Edy’s new Chocolate Peanut Butter Toy Chest. Made with light chocolate ice cream and a peanut butter swirl, the dessert is made even more decadent thanks to chocolate “Toy Story” pieces that are filled with peanut butter.

  • Disney World To Extend Annual Passes Due to Coronavirus Closure

    Disney World To Extend Annual Passes Due to Coronavirus Closure

    Thursday, Disney World announced it is closing its four theme parks starting Sunday night due to the spread of the coronavirus and they have now decided to extend Annual Passes to make up for the missed time.

    The theme park closure will last until the end of March, Disney officials said, leaving many passholders wondering how that would affect their passes.

    Disney officials said on its website, “Walt Disney World annual passes will be extended by the number of days the parks are closed, March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020,” as you can see below:

    For Disney guests that purchased Disney After Hours, Disney Villains After Hours and Disney Early Morning Magic between the closure dates will receive a refund, officials said. You can find more information on thie roffical website here.

  • BREAKING: Disney World to Shutting Down Due to Coronavirus Outbreak

    BREAKING: Disney World to Shutting Down Due to Coronavirus Outbreak

    Disney is closing Walt Disney World, its flagship theme park resort in Orlando, Florida, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The closure announcement comes on the heels of a similar announcement from the park’s California counterpart, Disneyland.

    Disney World will close on Sunday, March 15, and stay closed through the end of the month.

    Disney Cruise Line will also suspend all new departures beginning on Saturday through the end of the month.

    Throughout its nearly 50-year history, Walt Disney World has closed briefly a handful of times from looming hurricanes and the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

    The hotels at Walt Disney World will remain open, as well as retail and dining complexes until further notices.

    Those who work domestically for Walt Disney Company who are able to work from home are being asked to do so, including those at The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Television, ESPN, Direct-to-Consumer, and Parks, Experiences and Products, officials said.

    “In an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our guests and employees, we are proceeding with the closure of our theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris Resort, beginning at the close of business on Sunday, March 15, through the end of the month,” the Walt Disney Company said in a release.

    In the same release, the Walt Disney Company also announce that Disneyland Paris will close on Sunday, as well.

  • BREAKING: People Mover Trains Collide at Disney World

    BREAKING: People Mover Trains Collide at Disney World

    It’s been a rough couple of days at Disney World as trains collided on Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover at the Magic Kingdom earlier today.

    This is the second accident at the theme park in as many days as a Jungle Cruise boat with guests on it sank yesterday.

    Posts immediately began showing up on social media and Sorcerer Radio posted a photo to Instagram stating that their “train slammed into the train in front” of them. Take a look below:

    There haven’t been any reports of injuries as of yet, but well keep you up to date as this story develops.

  • BREAKING: Jungle Cruise Boat With Guests Aboard Sinks at Disney World

    BREAKING: Jungle Cruise Boat With Guests Aboard Sinks at Disney World

    Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom is known for it’s funny jokes and whitty puns, but it was no laughing matter today when one of the boats with guest on board sank during the ride.

    Pictures of one of the boats taking on water started to pop up on social media around noon. And the skipper quote “I get paid for the number of people I take out… not the number I bring back!”, hit a little too close to home today.

    Matthew Vince posted two pictures on Twitter of the boat taking on water. The first shows guests standing on benches and railings trying to not get their feet wet. In the second, a cast member wades around waist-deep water as the seats on the boats are almost fully submerged. Take a look below to see for your self:

    As of 2:40 p.m., the Disney World app showed wait times steadily climbing from 35 minutes to 105 minutes for the Jungle Cruise ride. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has the park’s longest wait time Thursday at 140 minutes.

    Disney World has yet to comment on the incident, but there have been no reports of injuries.

  • Baby Yoda and ‘The Mandalorian’ Meet & Greet Coming to Disney Parks

    Baby Yoda and ‘The Mandalorian’ Meet & Greet Coming to Disney Parks

    This is the way! “The Mandalorian” break out star, dubbed “Baby Yoda” by the internet, will soon have a meet and greet at Disney Parks according to recent reports!

    When visiting Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland or Disney World’s Hollywood Studios, you’re sure to see characters like Rey, Kylo Ren, Chebacca, and R2-D2, and with the extreme popularity of “The Mandalorian” it comes as no surprise that “The Child” and Mando might be added to the line up.

    Paul Southern, senior vice president of licensing for Lucasfilm, recently spoke with In The Know and revealed that encounters for “The Mandalorian” characters are currently being worked on. Take a look at what he had to say below:

    “So, the reality is that we feel it’s really important for our guests at the parks to be able to meet all of our key characters on a first-hand, personal basis,” Southern said “And so it’s something we’re working on. We think it’s appropriate, and I think it’s something the guests at the parks can look forward to in the very near future.”

    Since he never takes his helmet off, it wouldn’t be too difficult for Disney to get someone to play “The Mandalorian”, but a fully animatronic “Baby Yoda” could take a little more time to roll out.

    Nothing official has been announced by Lucasfilm or Disney, but this would be an amazing meet & greet opportunity for guests visiting the parks and with the second season of the show streaming this fall, the timing couldn’t be better!

  • New United Kingdom-Inspired Minnie Ears Now Available at Epcot

    New United Kingdom-Inspired Minnie Ears Now Available at Epcot

    If you love strolling along the cobblestone streets of the United Kingdom Pavilion at Epcot then you’ll love the new United Kingdom-inspired minnie ears just released by Disney.

    Adorned with blue and white rose buds and a golden crown finish, these ears are fit for any royal. This Minnie headband is perfect for any photo opportunity throughout the pavilion or for simply enjoying fish and chips with friends at Yorkshire County Fish Shop.

    Within the pavilion shops, exciting new treasures can be found in addition to these unique United Kingdom-inspired ears as you can see below:

    In addition to these lovely ears, guests can also find other unique treasures at the pavilion including apparel, drinkware and accessories. Take a closer look below:

    You can find these items at the Toy Soldier shop located in the United Kingdom Pavilion at Epcot. All merchandise available while supplies last. Keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for more World Showcase merchandise updates throughout the year!

  • New Fantasia 80th Anniversary Dooney & Bourke MagicBand Now at Disney Parks

    New Fantasia 80th Anniversary Dooney & Bourke MagicBand Now at Disney Parks

    You can now conduct a symphony of melodic times at Walt Disney World Resort in this limited release MagicBand design by Dooney & Bourke, dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of Walt Disney’s Fantasia.

    Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of Walt Disney’s animated masterwork Fantasia the MagicBand cost $58 and features Sorcerer Mickey Mouse, Chernabog, Enchanted Broom, Hyacinth Hippo, Russian Thistles, and more.

    The Limited Release MagicBand is available at Disney World and shopDisney and comes in illustrated presentation box with magnetic closure and includes the gold Dooney & Bourke slider as you can see below:

    MagicBands are a secure device which allows you to effortlessly engage, through the My Disney Experience mobile app, the plans and vacation choices you’ve made for the Walt Disney World Resort. With a simple touch, you can redeem Disney FastPass+ selections, enter any one of the theme parks, unlock your Disney Resort Hotel room door, connect Disney PhotoPass images to your account, charge food and merchandise purchases to your room, and more!

    MagicBands are colorful, waterproof wristbands – resembling a watch or bracelet – that you can quickly and easily touch to a sensor called a ”touch point.” You will receive a MagicBand 2 if you stay at a Disney Resort Hotel in Florida or you are a Walt Disney World Resort Passholder. If you are not staying at a Disney Resort Hotel and are not a Passholder, you will receive a RFID-enabled card when you purchase park admission – and you have the option to purchase a MagicBand at Walt Disney World Resort theme parks, Disney Springs or shopDisney.com. You can link your admission ticket via My Disney Experience and then use your MagicBand to enter the parks.

  • Get a Message from Mickey Mouse After Your Disney World Vacation in Play Disney Parks App

    Get a Message from Mickey Mouse After Your Disney World Vacation in Play Disney Parks App

    It’s always hard to say “see ya real soon” on your departure day. But now, many guests will have a magical message from Mickey Mouse to look forward to after they return home!

    Following a 3-night or longer stay at a Disney Resort hotel in 2020, keep your eyes on your mailbox for a newly created letter thanking you for your visit.

    On it, you’ll find a QR code that unlocks a hidden screen in the Play Disney Parks mobile app, which offers all sorts of interactive fun and games for family and friends before, during, and in this case, after your visit. The QR code will bring to life an engaging animation in the app featuring your pal, Mickey Mouse, who will appear right before your eyes through a special augmented reality (AR) effect. Check out a sneak peek below!

    Afterward, you’ll also earn an exclusive “Thanks for the Magic” digital achievement in the app.

    Available in the Apple App Store and Google Play, the Play Disney Parks app continues to be enhanced with new ways to enjoy and celebrate the parks – from activating physical show effects and playing in-queue games to becoming a Disney trivia master, earning ride achievements and finding official Disney Parks playlists through Apple Music.