Disney News

Author: Vikki

  • Live-Action Hercules in the Works at Disney

    Live-Action Hercules in the Works at Disney

    Disney is once again going from zero to hero with another live-action remake. The studio is in early development of a live-action remake of its 1997 animated movie “Hercules.”

    No director has been attached yet, and casting is still a ways off, but Hercules seems like an obvious choice to join Disney’s ever-growing list of live-action remakes.

    There have also been casting rumors in recent weeks, partially spurred on by Ariana Grande’s performance of the movie’s “I Won’t Say I’m in Love” during The Disney Family Singalong, which engendered a petition on Change.org for her to play Megara, the female lead. Also, Idris Elba and Ryan Gosling’s names have also been floated by enthusiasts.

    Anthony and Joe Russo are producing and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings screenwriter David Callaham tapped to write.

    The original “Hercules” followed the title demigod as a youngster (voiced by Tate Donovan) who has to prove he’s worthy of hanging with the gods on Mount Olympus and runs afoul of the evil fast-talking king of the underworld, Hades (James Woods).

    “Hercules” was Disney’s prime 1997 summer animated toon grossing $99.1M domestic, and over $153M world wide.

  • Disney World Receives Social Distancing Guidelines for Reopening Once Coronavirus Crisis Improves

    Disney World Receives Social Distancing Guidelines for Reopening Once Coronavirus Crisis Improves

    The “happiest place on Earth” has been closed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic since early March and now Walt Disney World has been given Social Distancing Guidelines for reopening once Coronavirus Crisis improves.

    A task force referred to as the Orlando County Economic Recovery Task Force, made up of appointed officials, met up virtually on Tuesday to develop a preliminary set of guidelines that will be implemented when the parks eventually get the green-light to resume operations.

    In Phase 1, the parks would be allowed to operate at 50-percent capacity. In Phase 2, operational capacity would be bumped to 75-percent capacity.

    The other guidelines seem to adopt best practices used by grocery stores and essential businesses since the pandemic began spreading.

    Tape markers will encourage social distancing of six feet for park-goers waiting in line for rides.

    Staff will be required to wear face masks and manage the cleanliness of the park by regularly wiping down surfaces and railings used by park-goers.

    Prior to starting their shifts, employees will have their temperatures taken. Anyone who has above 100.4 degrees will be sent home.

    Employees with flu-like symptoms will be encouraged to stay home. Also encouraged to stay home will be visitors who are 65 and older or with pre-existing conditions that put them at a higher risk for contracting the novel virus.

    To ensure everyone’s safety, touch-less hand sanitizing stations will be added to every ride’s entrance and exit, ticketing area, and turnstile.

    Since the pandemic is so unpredictable, it’s hard to establish a time frame for re-opening.

  • Disney Heiress Slams Disney’s Decision to Furlough Workers: ‘What the actual f—?’

    Disney Heiress Slams Disney’s Decision to Furlough Workers: ‘What the actual f—?’

    Abigail Disney — the granddaughter of Walt Disney’s brother, Roy Disney is attacking Disney over the company’s decision to furlough hundreds of thousands low-paid workers after paying its executives millions of dollars.

    In a Twitter thread Tuesday, the outspoken family heiress slammed Disney’s decision to furlough theme park employees after the company supposedly paid dividends to shareholders and gave executives big bonuses.

    “WHAT THE ACTUAL F***?????” tweeted the Disney heiress, on Tueaday. Take a look at the thread below:

    “THIS COMPANY MUST DO BETTER,” she wrote in all-caps, asking Disney executives to give up some of their “already ample compensation” so the company can keep paying hourly employees. She called out former Disney CEO Bob Iger in particular, noting that his $47 million salary last year is more than 900 times the median Disney worker’s pay.

    Disney hasn’t revealed dividend plans for 2020, and the company’s top executives took substantial pay cuts because of Covid-19.

  • Disney Shared The Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Used At One Of Its Resorts and it’s Delicious

    Disney Shared The Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Used At One Of Its Resorts and it’s Delicious

    To help bring the Magic of Disney home, Disney has been sharing recipes for some of its most iconic treats from the parks, like churro bites and Dole whips, and now there is a Disney resort-inspired chocolate chip cookie recipe that you can make at home and save some dough.

    Chocolate chip cookies get their very own holiday coming up on May 15 and the chefs at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa have shared their recipe for The quintessential all-American treat

    Below you’ll find Chef Erich’s chocolate chip cookie recipe – a delicious and easy sweet you can make at home for memories of a Walt Disney World Resort vacation.

    Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Chocolate Chip Cookies
    Makes about 3 dozen medium, or 18 large cookies

    2 1/2 cups flour
    1 teaspoon baking soda
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks butter), softened
    1 cup packed brown sugar
    3/4 cup powdered sugar
    2 eggs
    2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    12-ounce bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

    1. Preheat oven to 330°F.
    2. Sift flour, baking soda and salt into a large bowl and set aside.
    3. Combine butter, brown sugar and powdered sugar in a separate bowl and cream with electric mixer until fluffy.
    4. With mixer running, add eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla. Mix until combined, scraping sides of bowl.
    5. Slowly add flour mixture, scraping sides of bowl. Stir in chocolate chips.
    6. Scoop 1 tablespoon dough for medium cookies and 2 tablespoons for large onto ungreased baking sheet.
    7. Bake until light golden, 10 to 12 minutes for medium cookies, 12 to 14 minutes for large.
  • ‘The Mandalorian’ Docuseries Set For Star Wars Day Premiere On Disney+

    ‘The Mandalorian’ Docuseries Set For Star Wars Day Premiere On Disney+

    To help celebrate Star Wars Day, Disney+ is set to receive an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look in a new eight-part documentary series exclusive to the streaming platform.

    The first of Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian’s eight episodes will premiere on Disney+ on May 4 — or May the Fourth, to Star Wars fans — with new episodes every Friday.

    That the eight episodes of this docuseries perfectly corresponds to the episode count of season one of The Mandalorian might lead you to believe that each episode of Gallery would focus on a different “chapter” of the show. Alas, the announcement says each “explores a different facet” of the series’ creation through never-before-seen footage and interviews hosted by Jon Favreau.

    Some such facets include “the filmmaking process, the legacy of George Lucas’ Star Wars, how the cast brought the characters to life, the series’ groundbreaking technology, the artistry behind the show’s practical models, effects, and creatures, plus the creative influences, the iconic score, and connections to Star Wars characters and props from across the galaxy.”

  • Disney Suspends Annual Passholder Payments During Coronavirus Closure

    Disney Suspends Annual Passholder Payments During Coronavirus Closure

    Walt Disney World and Disneyland annual passholders will see their payments refunded or waived during the remainder of the parks’ closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Effective April 5, 2020, for Annual Passholders on monthly payments, we will automatically stop and waive all upcoming monthly payments while the theme parks are closed.

    Disney will also retroactively refund payments made between March 14 through April 4, 2020. Payments will resume on the Passholder’s regularly scheduled payment dates once the parks reopen. Please note, pass expiration dates will not be extended and passes will expire upon their originally scheduled expiration dates.

    As an alternative, guests who are paying for Annual Passes using their monthly payment program may choose to have their monthly payments postponed starting with payments due April 5 through the park closure period, and then resumed on the Passholder’s regularly scheduled payment date once the parks reopen. Postponed payments will be collected in the months following the end of the Passholder’s currently scheduled payment term. The pass will be extended the number of days the parks are closed. The new expiration date will be reflected on the Annual Passholder’s account prior to the reopening of the theme parks. Information will be provided soon on how to choose this option.

    If you have any questions, please contact V.I.PASSHOLDER Support at (407) 939-7277. We do anticipate heavy call volume and appreciate your patience as we answer all inquiries.

  • BREAKING: Disneyland and Disney World Now Closed Indefinitely Amid Coronavirus Crisis

    BREAKING: Disneyland and Disney World Now Closed Indefinitely Amid Coronavirus Crisis

    Disneyland and Walt Disney World had initially planned to close through March in an effort to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, but now the U.S. Disney parks have now announced that they will “remain closed until further notice.”

    “While there is still much uncertainty with respect to the impacts of COVID-19, the safety and well-being of our guests and employees remains The Walt Disney Company’s top priority,” said the Walt Disney Company in a statement.

    “As a result of this unprecedented pandemic and in line with direction provided by health experts and government officials, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort will remain closed until further notice.

    The Walt Disney Company has been paying its cast members since the closure of the parks, and in light of this ongoing and increasingly complex crisis, we have made the decision to extend paying hourly parks and resorts cast members through April 18.”

    Just a little over two weeks ago, Disney and Universal Studios made the decision to close their gates to visitors, just hours after California Gov. Gavin Newsom held a press conference to address the state’s prevention and containment efforts. Disneyland — alongside casinos, card rooms and theaters — had initially been given an exemption from the guidelines to cancel or postpone gatherings of 250 or more people, though Disney made the announcement shortly after that it would close its parks.

    As of now, all Disney parks worldwide remain closed, including its locations in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Paris, and Shanghai. Shanghai Disney Resort as of March 9 partially resumed shopping, dining and other recreational operations, though the main theme park continues to be closed.

  • New Disney Online Program is the Perfect Resource During School Closures

    New Disney Online Program is the Perfect Resource During School Closures

    Schools around the country have closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic and teachers are searching for ways to virtually enrich education and Walt Disney Imagineering’s partnership with Khan Academy could be the perfect online program for students.

    ‘Imagineering in a Box’ is a free online program that brings together the diverse talents of Disney Imagineers around the world for a one-of-a-kind learning experience and is part of Disney’s commitment to helping today’s youth create the future they imagine. 

    The series offers 32 videos in which Imagineers share how they use a wide range of skills – from story development and conceptual design, to math, physics and engineering – to create immersive experiences. The online curriculum aims to ignite curiosity, inspire creativity, and encourage innovation in the minds of students and teachers alike, while creating fun and engaging opportunities to explore new concepts.

    Modules range from a tutorial on engineering software, to an interactive exercise where learners are encouraged to gather items around them and create something new. The program’s hands-on components will allow students to relate new concepts to real-world examples to bring treasured Disney stories to life. Each activity is designed to be scalable, allowing individuals to learn on their own or in a classroom setting. 

    Click here to get started!

  • Disneyland and Disney World Donating Excess Food During Temporary Closure

    Disneyland and Disney World Donating Excess Food During Temporary Closure

    Disney Parks has an ongoing commitment to reducing food waste, and during the temporary closure of Disneyland and Disney World will be donating excess food inventory to Second Harvest Food Bank.

    While closely following food safety guidelines, excess inventory of dairy, fruit, vegetables, packaged goods and banquet meals is being donated to Second Harvest Food Bank, whose mission is to end hunger.

    Since 2014, the Disneyland Resort has operated a food donation program through which prepared, unserved food from select locations is regularly donated to support those in need within the local community. This program is in addition to the food scraps diversion program, which also supports our environmental efforts in reducing food waste.

    Last year, the Disneyland Resort donated over 20,000 meals to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County through the food donation program, and Disney VoluntEARS regularly volunteer there, supporting the mission of ending hunger.

    Launched in 1991, Disney Harvest collects excess and unserved food from locations throughout Walt Disney World, delivering it to feeding programs across Central Florida.  

    What you might not know…the Disney Harvest Program at Walt Disney World Resort collects and distributes more than 823,000 pounds of prepared, unserved food annually and supports Second Harvest’s work serving more than 40 Orlando-area nonprofits.  In the last year alone, these donations provided one million meals to people in need.

  • Disney Creates New Fashion Line to Match Your Dog

    Disney Creates New Fashion Line to Match Your Dog

    Disney has unleashed a matching human and dog clothing collection that will have you and your pooch representing Disney together in style.

    You and your fur friend make the perfect team and now you can dress in coordinating style with Disney’s Spirit Jerseys for adults and dogs.

    The ‘Oh My Disney’ Dog collection is every pet owner’s dream, featuring matching jumpers, jackets and jeans themed around pups from your favorite Disney movies as you can see in the post below:

    The pieces all feature fan-favorite Disney dogs, such as Max from The Little Mermaid, the pups from 101 Dalmatians and the canine lovebirds from Lady and the Tramp.

    One item is a set of matching baby blue spirit jerseys meant for humans and pups, with a nod to Up’s lovable Dug.

    On the back of the human-sized shirt is the quote from Dug, “I just met you and I love you.” Meanwhile, the pup-sized jersey has “Squad” stitched across the back with a group of Disney dogs. According to the Shop Disney site, the items cost $59.95 and $24.95, respectively.

    You and your pampered pooch can even eat and drink from matching dog bowls and cups.