Disney News

Author: Vikki

  • Disney World’s Blizzard Beach Water Park to Reopen Almost 1 Year After Closing

    Disney World’s Blizzard Beach Water Park to Reopen Almost 1 Year After Closing

    After nearly a yearlong closure, Walt Disney World’s Blizzard Beach Water Park will welcome visitors back on March 7, 2021, the park announced this week.

    When Disney World reopened in July with reduced capacity, both its Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon water parks remained closed. 

    The announcement was made on Disney’s website as you can see below:

    “We will welcome back Guests and Cast Members to our water parks in a responsible way, with a plan focused on health and well-being. We will provide more details on our phased reopening plan, including a decision on the specific water park that will be reopening first, at a later time. This reopening date may change and if it does, we will let Guests know what to expect in a future update,” the statement read.

    Current tickets that include a Park Hopper Plus option or the Water Park & Sport option can be modified, canceled or used with the amenities currently open at Disney World. Unused, unexpired water park tickets can be extended through Dec. 31, 2021 by calling customer service before March 7. 

    Disney will resume selling water park annual passes and one-day water park admission “at a later date.” 

    Blizzard Beach’s reopening also marks the park’s 25th anniversary — it first opened its doors on April 1, 1995.

    Disney did not reveal any opening information about Typhoon Lagoon, its other water park which receives an annual 2 million visitors.

    “We will continue to monitor the constantly changing environment and its impact on the state of Florida as we find the right time to welcome back even more of our Guests and Cast Members,” Disney said.

    Walt Disney World also announced that four of its resort hotels will begin reopening around the same time. The All-Star Movies Resort is scheduled to reopen on March 22, with the Beach Club Resort, Wilderness Lodge and Polynesian Village Resort reopenings to follow.

  • Disney Confirms Moana Sequel Series Coming to Disney+ in 2023

    Disney Confirms Moana Sequel Series Coming to Disney+ in 2023

    During Disney’s Investor Day event, the studio confirmed that the 2016 animated hit film Moana is getting a sequel series on Disney+.

    Moana brought to the screen the story of a 16-year-old strong-willed daughter of Polynesian village chief, who is chosen by the ocean itself to reunite a mystical relic with the goddess Te Fiti. When a blight strikes her island, Moana sets sail in search of Maui, a legendary demigod, in the hope of returning the relic to Te Fiti and saving her people.

    The Moana series was announced with a number of other animated series in development for the streaming platform, including the Big Hero 6 spinoff Baymax!, Tiana, and Zootopia+ as you can see in the post below:

    The Moana animated series will reportedly follow the titular spirited voyagers as she once again ventures beyond the safety of her Polynesian island home of Motunui, and will see Walt Disney Animation bringing in storytellers from Moana’s home region of the Pacific Islands in order to faithfully continue to tell authentic stories of wayfinding and other traditions brought to life for generations through oral storytelling.

    The movie was a huge success for Disney, receiving two nominations at the 89th Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature, and Best Original Song for the inspirational “How Far I’ll Go”. Moana went on to gross $690 million at the box office on its estimated $175 million budget.

    The Moana sequel is set to come to Disney+ sometime in 2023.

  • ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ Offcially Confirmed for Disney+

    ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ Offcially Confirmed for Disney+

    During Disney’s Investor Day event, the studio confirmed that a new sequel to the 1993 Disney classic “Hocus Pocus” will be running amok amok amok on Disney+

    Earlier this year in October, Bette Midler — who starred alongside Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as a trio of witches who are accidentally resurrected on Halloween in the film — revealed in an interview with that she, Parker, 55, and Najimy, 63, have all agreed to star in the highly anticipated sequel.

    Disney also shared the news on their twitter account as you can see below:

    “They want to make a movie, they’ve asked us if we were interested and of course all of us said yes,” Midler, 75, said at the time. “I’m game, I’m totally game.”

    In the original film, “After moving to Salem, Mass., teenager Max Dennison (Omri Katz) explores an abandoned house with his sister Dani (Thora Birch) and their new friend, Allison (Vinessa Shaw). After dismissing a story Allison tells as superstitious, Max accidentally frees a coven of evil witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy) who used to live in the house. Now, with the help of a magical cat, the kids must steal the witches’ book of spells to stop them from becoming immortal.”

    Although casting has not yet been confirmed for the sequel, Midler previously said the original cast was interested in returning to their iconic roles. They recently brought their characters back to life for a virtual fundraising event in October – yes, it even included a performance of I Put A Spell On You.

  • Disney World Begins Digitally Inserting Masks on Ride Photos

    Disney World Begins Digitally Inserting Masks on Ride Photos

    Walt Disney World is reportedly digitally inserting masks on park guests who take their masks off on rides.

    Prior to this, the park would not provide parkgoers access to ride photos in which masks were not in place properly, meaning anyone else on the same ride would be affected by the actions of anyone not wearing their masks properly.

    The practice can be seen in a photo from the Dinosaur ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, according to a guest who posted the photo to the Facebook group Disney World Junkies. Take a look below:

    Photo: Tony Townsend

    In the photo a passenger can be seen in the back row of the ride vehicle with an oversized black mask over the face that seems digitally placed.

    On Disney’s FAQ page on masks, it states, “If anyone in your ride vehicle’s mask is removed during an on-ride photo, you will not see or receive that photo.”

  • Radio Disney to Shut Down in 2021

    Radio Disney to Shut Down in 2021

    After 24 years on the air, Radio Disney will be shut down in early 2021, the company announced Thursday.

    “Radio Disney and Radio Disney Country will cease operations in the first quarter of 2021,” Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer of Disney Branded Television recently announced. “Radio Disney in Latin America is a separate operation and is not impacted by the announcement today.”

    “The difficult decision to close these two radio networks coincided with Disney’s recently announced structural changes that call for Disney Branded Television to sharpen its focus on increasing production of kids’ and family content for Disney+ and Disney Channels. Division leaders also took into account the fast evolving media environment that provides more personalized music choices than ever to a generation of young consumers, and the ongoing public health crisis that continues to affect in-person music events.”

    Radio Disney officially launched in November 1996 in Minneapolis, Atlanta, Salt Lake City and Birmingham, Ala. before going nationwide in 1998. The station became incredibly popular with young children for its heavily edited versions of Top 40 hits, removing profane language and suggestive content from its original cut.

    Radio Disney was aimed at kids, who would pick music playlist by calling a toll-free phone request line. The station was key to amplifying a bevy of musical artists, including the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Hilary Duff, Aaron Carter and others.

    The move comes amid significant restructuring at Disney, which has been reorganizing to place greater focus on its streaming platform and TV operations. 

  • Disney Says the Inclusion Update to Splash Mountain “isn’t the last”

    Disney Says the Inclusion Update to Splash Mountain “isn’t the last”

    Disney Parks revealed earlier this year that a plan was in place to re-theme Splash Mountain from its current Song of the South incarnation to something designed after The Princess and the Frog, and now Disney has announced there are more inclusion changes coming to the Parks in the future.

    Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro revealed durring a virtual conference by the IAAPA that the redesign of Splash Mountain is now being put on the fast track.

    Not only that, more changes or additions to the park are planned that will foster inclusion. D’Amaro said the Princess and the Frog update “isn’t the last. There will be more to come”

    For decades the Disney company has based its employee training around the “four keys.” Those have been safety, courtesy, show, and efficiency. Earlier this year, a fifth key was added, inclusion.

    The transition of Splash Mountain is one element of this new focus on inclusion. The ride’s current theme, while not explicitly…problematic, from a race perspective, is related to a movie that has some serious problems in that regard, and the redesign to The Princess and the Frog was clearly chosen not only because it works thematically, but because that film features Disney’s only African-American Princess character.

  • McDonald’s Releases New Happy Meal Toys Inspired by Mickey Mouse and Friends

    McDonald’s Releases New Happy Meal Toys Inspired by Mickey Mouse and Friends

    Just in time for his birthday celebration, Disney and McDonald’s have teamed up to release a brand-new line of Happy Meal toys inspired by Mickey Mouse and friends.

    This new collection features Mickey and Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald and Daisy experiencing some of the iconic attractions from across Walt Disney World Resort.

    Anchored by Engineer Goofy and Mickey and Minnie celebrating Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, these toys connect together to form a 10-car train as you can see below:

    Each one also has a unique function to make the character move as it rolls, so as the attraction’s soundtrack says, nothing can stop us now from having fun!

    Now through Dec. 14, while supplies last, when you purchase a Happy Meal at participating McDonald’s locations, you can enter for a chance to win a vacation for four to Walt Disney World Resort and experience the attraction that inspired it all: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Families can also enjoy fun and engaging games at home as part of this Happy Meal program through the McDonald’s Happy Meal App. 

    Click here for more information on how to enter this fun-filled family getaway!  

    NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER/WIN A PRIZE. A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE CHANCES OF WINNING. 
    Hop Aboard to Win Sweepstakes at McDonald’s entry period ends 1/18/21, at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time (“ET”). To participate, go to the McDonald’s App or www.MagicAtMcD.com and scan/enter the code found with the Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway toy in themed Happy Meal® boxes available while supplies last at participating McDonald’s restaurants. Enter without making a purchase as described in the Official Rules avail. at participating McDonald’s, in the McDonald’s App or at www.MagicAtMcD.com. See Official Rules for complete no purchase entry/prizes/ARVs/odds/prize claim deadlines and other details. Open only to residents of the 50 U.S./DC who are 18+. Void where prohibited. Each Code or mail-in entry is valid for one entry into the Sweepstakes. Codes are not reusable. 15 prizes, each a trip for 4 to Walt Disney World® Resort, ARV: $10,985 ea. The odds of winning a prize will be determined by the number of entries received. Limit 5 entries per day and limit one prize per household. Trip must be completed by 12/15/22. Sponsor: McDonald’s USA, LLC, 110 N. Carpenter St., Chicago, IL 60607-2101.  

  • Disney World Increasing Park Capacity to 35%

    Disney World Increasing Park Capacity to 35%

    Disney is seeing high demand and strong attendance at the parks in Orlando, Disney CEO Bob Chapek told investors recently and that means park capacity is increasing.

    Chapek said they are now allowing the parks to have up to 35 percent of total capacity each day, which is up from 25 percent.

    Additionally, Thursday was the release of Disney’s fourth quarter and full fiscal year earnings.

    The numbers are down year over year, Chapek did highlight some bright spots.

    Disney’s quarter four revenues were over 14.7 billion, that’s down 23 percent from last year.

    The report shows Disney’s fiscal year revenue was 65.3 billion, down about 6 percent from last year.

    If you take a look at Disney’s parks, experiences, and products, the number is down 61 percent in quarter four and down 37 percent for the fiscal year.

    But Chapek highlighted the success of their streaming service, Disney+, and said, “The real bright spot has been our direct-to-consumer business, which is key to the future of our company, and on this anniversary of the launch of Disney+ we’re pleased to report that, as of the end of the fourth quarter, the service had more than 73 million paid subscribers – far surpassing our expectations in just its first year.”

  • Holiday Projection Show Coming to Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios

    Holiday Projection Show Coming to Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios

    Disney has announced that you can once again delight in a festive yuletide projection show on The Hollywood Holiday Tower Hotel this holiday season at Hollywood Studios.

    After dark, the iconic Hollywood Tower Hotel on Sunset Boulevard will twinkle with projection effects as magically transforms into the Hollywood Holiday Tower Hotel.

    Get swept up in scenes of the season from November 6 through December 30, 2020, as The Hollywood Tower Hotel comes to holly-jolly life with continuously running, colorful projections.

    Savor 4 delightful Disney holiday scenes:

    • Mickey & Minnie’s Hometown Christmas Tower
    • Toy Story Christmas Toy Tower
    • The Muppets Gingerbread Tower
    • Frozen Winter Wonderland Tower
  • New Look at the Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster Ride Vehicles

    New Look at the Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster Ride Vehicles

    Disney has released an exclusive sneak peek of two of their ride engineers as they prep some of the ride vehicles for the new Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster coming to EPCOT at Disney World.

    Epcot’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a family-friendly “storytelling coaster” that will feature a groundbreaking ride system with vehicles that rotate 360 degrees and can even do a reverse launch.  

    The attraction boasts a brand new ride system, and now we have a new look at the ride vehicles themselves, which have been designed with the same color scheme as the Milano, Peter Quill’s ship from the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie. Check them out below:

    If you look closely at the colorful paint design on the ride vehicles (called coaches in roller coaster engineering parlance), each one is unique with different wear patterns and impact marks. Imagineers were inspired by markings that appear on NASA Space Shuttles and other spacecraft upon reentry into Earth’s atmosphere.

    Keep check back on Disney Dorks as we share more on this truly out-of-this-world, awesome attraction as they make progress on construction and put these coaches on the track!