Disney News

Author: Nate

  • Disney’s Live-Action Chip ‘N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers Begins Filming

    Disney’s Live-Action Chip ‘N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers Begins Filming

    Filming for Disney’s highly-anticipated Chip ’n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers is underway.

    Combining live-action and animation, the film revives the premise of a pair of chipmunk detectives from the beloved 1989-1990 Disney Channel series.

    In a post to The Lonely Island’s Instagram feed Tuesday, director Akiva Schaffer revealed a photo of a clapperboard with the film’s title and, intriguingly, “Take 5” written on it as you can see below:

    Disney revealed a few details about the project in their Investor Day presentation back in December. Disney unveiled some key plot elements, as well as hinting that some animated characters may use traditional animation, while others will be CGI. They also confirmed that Seth Rogen will make a cameo appearance, though further details are unknown.

    Joining Schaffer is fellow Lonely Island alum Andy Samberg as the voice of Dale, the laid-back, free-spirited co-founder of the titular Rescue Rangers. John Mulaney will voice Chip, Dale’s Hawaiian shirt-wearing counterpart. Think The Odd Couple, but with chipmunks. Samberg and Mulaney previously worked together on Saturday Night Live, as Mulaney used to be a writer on the sketch comedy show during Samberg’s tenure.

    Developed by Tad Stones and Alan Zaslove, the animated Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers TV series premiered on the Disney Channel in 1989 and ran for three seasons. The show follows the iconic Disney chipmunks Chip and Dale as they form the Rescue Rangers detective agency, solving crimes with the assistance of an adventurous, cheese-loving Australian mouse named Monterey Jack, a brilliant inventor mouse named Gadget Hackwrench and Monterey’s faithful housefly sidekick Zipper. Rescue Rangers later became part of the famous 1990s Disney animation lineup known as the Disney Afternoon, along with Darkwing Duck, Talespin and the original DuckTales.

    Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers will be a Disney+ exclusive in the spring of 2022. Check out the on-set photo below.

  • New Character Being Added to Jungle Cruise Updated Backstory at Disney World and Disneyland

    New Character Being Added to Jungle Cruise Updated Backstory at Disney World and Disneyland

    As we previously reported, Disney is building on the original story of the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland park and Magic Kingdom Park and now they have revealed new details on a new character being added to the backstory.

    “We’re adding more humor, wildlife and skipper heart to the classic attraction, and as part of a much larger effort, this updated experience will welcome new characters from around the world,” Disney said.

    The enhancements include several new scenes guests will experience along the river, all interconnected. The world-famous skippers will continue to share the unique adventure and interactions guests expect on the Jungle Cruise.

    The new scenes will heighten the skippers’ legendary comedic tone, beginning with a trapped safari party that finds itself up a tree after their journey goes awry. Unexpected scenarios along the way will give the jungle and animals the last laugh!

    Now in addition to adding the skippers into the story, they’re also expanding the attraction’s backstory, centered around Alberta Falls, granddaughter of world-renowned Dr. Albert Falls, as the proprietor of the Jungle Navigation Company Ltd.

    Jungle Cruise fans might be familiar with her name; however, wouldn’t you know it, Disney “recently uncovered” a copy of an interview with Alberta Falls that was featured in a 1938 issue of The Daily Gnus about her and the World-Famous Jungle Cruise. Take a look below:

    Stay tuned to Disney Dorks for more details coming later this year!

  • Disneyland Sets Reopening Date with Limited Capacity

    Disneyland Sets Reopening Date with Limited Capacity

    After being closed for more than one year, magic is finally returning to the Disneyland Resort theme parks! Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park are planning to officially reopen to the public on April 30, with limited capacity.

    You’ll soon be welcomed back to enjoy unforgettable attractions, see beloved Disney friends, shop for the latest merchandise, savor the world-famous food and drinks, capture fun photos and cherish special magical moments.

    “The day all of us have long been waiting for is almost here,” Ken Potrock, president of the Disneyland Resort said in a statement. “We’re excited to have more than 10,000 cast members returning to work as we get ready to welcome our guests back to this happy place.”

    Michael Ramirez, Disneyland’s Public Relations Director, confirmed on the Disney Parks Blog that both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure will be reopening with limited capacity, as well as several other major changes in line with the state’s Covid guidelines.

    For example, a new theme park reservation system will require all guests to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance, in order to keep numbers in check and promote social distancing. A similar system is already in place at Disney World in Orlando, which reopened with limited capacity in July 2020.

    California first announced its reopening guidelines for theme parks in early March, stipulating that operations would be able to commence as of April 1, provided the surrounding county falls within an acceptable tier for decreased case numbers, and that specific risk-mitigating criteria were met. According to the state’s guidelines, theme parks that are located in counties that are in the red tier (the second-highest tier on the state’s coronavirus threat blueprint) can reopen with 15% capacity. If the county moves to the orange tier, the capacity bumps to 25%, and increases to 35% at the yellow tier (the lowest level on the state’s threat blueprint).

  • All-New Gay Captain America Is Coming To Marvel Comics

    All-New Gay Captain America Is Coming To Marvel Comics

    Marvel Comics is launching a new limited series this summer that will introduce readers to the first gay character to take up the Captain America mantle.

    The publishing company said in a press release that its newest hero, Aaron Fischer, is making his debut on June 2. He’ll be featured in a new limited series titled “The United States of Captain America.”

    The series will feature the original Captain America Steve Rogers teaming up with Captain Americas of the past — including Bucky Barnes, Sam Wilson and John Walker — traveling across America to find his stolen shield. Take a oser look at the new Cap below:

    In each issue, the pair will be joined by additional creative teams who will help introduce new characters in the Captain America role from across the United States. The series will see Captain America’s shield being stolen and him having to travel the country in order to find the culprit. Along the way, he’ll encounter a group called the “Captains,” people who take up the iconic hero’s role.

    Future issues of The United States of Captain America will continue to include backup stories from different creative teams that flesh out new heroes introduced in the main story. Look for issue #1 to be released digitally and in print on June 2.

  • Disney Sending Passholders Exclusive Orange Bird Magnet

    Disney Sending Passholders Exclusive Orange Bird Magnet

    Walt Disney World will soon be sending an exclusive Orange Bird magnet to its annual passholders, the resort said on its website.

    The resort says it plans to mail out an exclusive Orange Bird magnet to active passholders as a “thank you” for being a passholder.

    The Orange Bird magnet was originally set to be distributed to passholders last year as part of the Flower and Garden festival, which was cut short because of the pandemic.

    When Disney World’s theme parks reopened in the summer, Disney mailed passholders a special Tinker Bell magnet as a way of saying “welcome back.” But many wondered about the Orange Bird magnet.

    Well passholders can look for to the magnet this summer, when Disney begins mailing them out. Each household will receive two magnets, according to Disney. Passholders should make sure their address information is correct or updated by March 31.

    The magnet also comes in celebration of this year’s Taste of Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival which runs through July 5. The festival has features Orange Bird-themed merchandise.

  • New Lucky Charms Donut Coming to Disney Springs

    New Lucky Charms Donut Coming to Disney Springs

    If you’re lucky enough to be at Disney Springs around St. Patrick’s Day then you’re going to want to try the new the new Shamrock Supreme Donut coming to Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew.

    This festive snack is a glazed donut with vanilla icing topped with green shamrock sprinkles, Lucky Charms marshmallows, Sour Patch crumbles, a gummy rainbow strip, vanilla buttercream, and a chocolate gold coin.

    The donut-maker took to social media to share a sneak peak of the tasty new treat and it looks Sham-𝙍𝙊𝘾𝙆’ingly delicious as you can see below:

    The Shamrock Supreme Donut will only be available at Everglazed from March 15th through March 17th.

  • Disney World Reveals MagicMobile Service as MagicBand Alternative

    Disney World Reveals MagicMobile Service as MagicBand Alternative

    The MagicBand at Disney World makes each visit even simpler and more seamless and now Disney is introducing MagicMobile service which will effectively turn your mobile device into a MagicBand.

    Launching in phases starting later this year, Disney MagicMobile service is a convenient and contactless way to access MagicBand features like theme park entry through the power of your iPhone, Apple Watch or other smart device.

    Guests will be able to create a Disney MagicMobile pass through the My Disney Experience app and add it to their smart device’s digital wallet. It works like magic – most features will be available by just holding up your smart device near an access point, just like you do with a MagicBand. Disney MagicMobile service and its features will roll out first on Apple devices.

    Guests may choose to use Disney MagicMobile service or a MagicBand – pick whichever option works best for you during your visit. You can even use both and alternate between the two for added flexibility. They’ll also soon be introducing more MagicBands in trendy new colors and fun designs featuring favorite Disney characters and stories.

    The existing digital room key feature will continue to be available specifically within the My Disney Experience app, which helps guests expedite their arrival by using online check-in service, going directly to their Disney Resort hotel room and using their phone to unlock their door. Disney Resort hotel guests may also still pick up a Key to the World card at their convenience by visiting the front desk.

  • Cinderella’s Castle Gets First Piece of 50th Anniversary Decor at Disney World

    Cinderella’s Castle Gets First Piece of 50th Anniversary Decor at Disney World

    Preparations for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration are underway and the first bit of celebratory decorations have begun to appear on Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom!

    The park’s iconic centerpiece received its first piece of decor ahead of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” which is planned to begin on October 1.

    Take a closer look below:

    Walt Disney Imagineering developed new colors, gold detailing and vibrant hues for this makeover, drawing inspiration from Disney Legend Mary Blair’s vision of the classic film, “Cinderella.”

    The overall Cinderella Castle makeover will continue in the coming months, as the turrets and towers receive shimmering pearls, jewels and ribbons in royal blues and iridescent golds. At night, this royal landmark will be a vision to behold, as it becomes one of the shining Beacons of Magic, shimmering with EARidescence.

  • Disney Cruise Line Sailing Could Resume This Fall

    Disney Cruise Line Sailing Could Resume This Fall

    Disney Cruise Line has only canceled sailings through May for its Port Canaveral-based ships, but in Disney’s shareholders meeting on Tuesday, the company shared an optimistic look for a timeline for Disney cruises to return to sailing.

    Disney’s CEO said with current coronavirus trends and the wide span rollout of vaccines, the company is hoping to have limited operations of its cruise ships by this fall. He said if granted the opportunity to return to operations even within a restricted capacity, the company will likely implement similar disciplined guidelines in its theme parks.

    “We’re anticipating that with some luck and the increase in the number of vaccinations out there and the encouraging trends that we’re seeing that maybe by this fall we might be able to have some limited operations of our cruise ships,” Chapek said. “But that’s all going to depend on the incidents of the virus and the vaccination of the general public.”

    Disney and other lines have been out of the cruising business for almost a full year when the coronavirus pandemic began to surge and ships halted sailing. U.S.-based ships were placed under a no-sail order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that was only lifted last November. It was replaced by a conditional sail order that has more than 70 points cruise lines have to fulfill before the CDC will let them sail again with passengers.

    “We’re very anxious to get our Disney Cruiseline business back up and running,” Chapek said. “As of right now we don’t have any definitive information.”

    Chapek also quickly noted that Disney Cruise Line’s fifth ship, the Disney Wish, is still under construction in Germany. No other details were announced about the new ship.

  • First Look: ‘Moana’ Inspired Re-Themed Rooms at Polynesian Resort in Disney World

    First Look: ‘Moana’ Inspired Re-Themed Rooms at Polynesian Resort in Disney World

    As we previously reported, Reimagining is underway at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Disney World Resort! And now these new photos released by Disney take you inside a newly reimagined guest room at the resort.

    These reimagined spaces feature a new color palette inspired by the Pacific Ocean and its many islands, including details, patterns and textures from the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios film “Moana” – look closely and you might even spot some characters from the story!

    You’ll also see all-new furnishings and fixtures. In the bathrooms, for instance, Disney Imagineers took inspiration from the sandy ocean floor for the tiles and carved details in the vanity. The colorful patterns found throughout the room bring a whole new energy to the space, evoking undulating ocean waves and tropical flowers. Take a closer look below:

    Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is now accepting bookings for late July 2021, and the next time guests pull up to the Great Ceremonial House, they’ll notice even more exciting changes we’re currently working on. The porte cochere is in the midst of a dramatic overhaul that will feature a high-pitched, open-truss roof covered in a thatch style with pops of color. Above the porte cochere, the Monorail station is receiving new wooden screens with tropical colors, adding to the open and airy vibe befitting of the South Seas.

    This popular locale joins the other Disney Resort hotels of Walt Disney World in creating the Disney Resorts Collection, where the magic found in the theme parks extends to every moment of a guest’s vacation. Disney Resort hotels offer a wide selection of fantastic settings to choose from, inspired by worlds both real and imagined. Guests are fully immersed in our legendary storytelling and guest service that extend beyond our theme parks to every moment of a stay, whether visiting an African savanna, strolling a seaside boardwalk, seeing a favorite Disney character or so much more – there’s magic seemingly around every corner.

    We’ll have more to share about the developments happening at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort in the weeks and months to come. This exciting progress is part of the overall evolution of our Disney Resort hotels, as they infuse even more Disney touches across their collection – just in time for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” beginning Oct. 1, 2021, in honor of Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary.