Author: Nate

Disney’s Gondola System Costs $3.8 Million For Electrical Work Alone

Walt Disney World’s gondola system is already under construction and it comes with a hefty price tag.

This new transportation system, known as Disney Skyliner, carries guests through the air from select Disney resorts to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Reedy Creek officials approved a $3.8 million construction budget Wednesday for just the electric services on the project alone.

Reedy Creek Energy Service’s, Manager for planning and engineering, Jason Herrick said, construction on the electrical infrastructure that will power the gondola system could begin in the next six months or sooner.

According to a bid proposal submitted by Apopka-based Carter Electric the work should be completed by October.

Reedy Creek documents show that just one part of the gondola project, which will include four switches, six transformers and 9,000 feet of cable (about 1.7 miles’ worth) — will cost $1.2 million.

The six points of service will be built by Reedy Creek and one each could possibly have multiple transformers to run the transportation system, according to Reedy Creek district administrator John Classe. Having multiple service points is important so, in the event of a power failure, there’s an electricity backup to the keep the system running, said Classe.

In December, more details were released showing that select Disney Skyliner cabins will have iconic Disney characters featured on the outside of the gondolas. Guests will experience an unforgettable journey and a picturesque view of Walt Disney World Resort as they take to the sky and get a birds-eye view of the resort like never before.

January 25, 2018
Le Creuset New Mickey Mouse Collection Just Released
If you love cooking and you love Disney then this is for you! Le Creuset and Disney have teamed up once again to bring you this beautiful Mickey themed cookware collection.

The new collection is available through Williams-Sonoma and Le Creuset directly and includes a cast-iron Dutch oven and two ramekins shaped like the iconic mouse’s head. This collection follows Le Creuset’s Beauty and the Beast cookware and the Snow White Petite Apple Cocotte Set.

The Mickey Mouse Round Dutch Oven is carefully adorned with a Mickey applique and stainless steel knob.

Features
- Colorful exterior enamel is shock-resistant to prevent chipping and cracking
- Sand-colored interior enamel has a smooth finish that promotes caramelization, prevents sticking and resists stains
- Dome-shaped lid locks in flavor by promoting continuous circulation of heat and moisture
- Wide loop handles provide a safe and comfortable grip
- Stainless steel knob is safe at any oven temperature
- No seasoning required
You can buy the Mickey Mouse Dutch Oven now which retails for $350.

The new collection also includes a pair of mouse ear-shaped ramekins. The small, stackable ramekins in red and black prove handy in so many ways – for holding ingredients during food prep; baking individual desserts and soufflés; and serving sauces, dips and candies.

Features
- Vibrant glaze resists chips, scratches and stains
- Nearly-nonstick glaze easily releases foods for quick clean-up
- Non-porous stoneware blocks moisture absorption for exceptional strength
- Superior heat retention keeps food warm at the table while serving
- Dense stoneware evenly distributes heat during baking for uniform browning and heating
You can buy the Mickey Mouse Ramekins now which retails for $50.

“This exciting new line is intended to delight Mickey Mouse fans of all ages around the world and we’re thrilled to announce this collaboration,” Faye Gooding, CEO of Le Creuset of America, said in a statement.
January 24, 2018
The Last Jedi Gets 4 Oscar Nominations
Nominations for the 90th Annual Academy Awards were announced Tuesday, and the latest film in the Star Wars saga, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, has been nominated for four Oscars. The film, which started off with mixed reviews, has still wound up being one of the most successful movies of all time at the box office with $1.2 billion and counting.

The eighth episode in the saga garnered attention in four categories:
- Original Score – John Williams
- Visual Effects – Ben Morris, Mike Mulholland, Chris Corbould, and Neal Scanlan
- Sound Editing – Matthew Wood and Ren Klyce
- Sound Mixing – Stuart Wilson, Ren Klyce, David Parker, and Michael Semanick
For Original Score, it’s up against Dunkirk, Phantom Thread, The Shape of Water and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

In Visual Effects, the other competitors are Blade Runner 2049, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, Kong: Skull Island and War for the Planet of the Apes.

The original Star Wars, released in 1977, received 10 nods and won six Oscars; The Empire Strikes Back (1980) received three nominations, winning two Oscars; Return of the Jedi (1983) nabbed four nominations with one win; The Phantom Menace (1999) captured three nominations; Attack of the Clones (2002) and Revenge of the Sith (2005) both received one nomination; The Force Awakens (2015), which kicked off the current trilogy, received five nominations — the most since the original Star Wars.

Congratulations to all the nominees. Star Wars: The Last Jedi, written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman, has taken the saga in bold new directions — and perhaps most importantly, also brought us porgs.
January 24, 2018
Disney Movies Earn 10 Oscar Nominations For 2017 Releases

Disney is no stranger to Oscar nominations and wins and this year they have some big contenders. The nominees for the 90th Oscars were announced Tuesday and Disney’s 2017 releases earned 10 nominations in nine categories.

Disney•Pixar’s Coco and Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast garnering two nods each, while Star Wars: The Last Jedi was recognized in four categories. The awards will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 4, in a live broadcast hosted by Jimmy Kimmel beginning at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Golden Globe winner Coco, Disney•Pixar’s stunning celebration of family, was nominated for best Animated Feature Film, and its signature ballad, “Remember Me,” is among the nominees for best Original Song. Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Oscar winners for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 2013 film Frozen, wrote the music and lyrics.

“What began as research trips to Mexico to learn more about the celebration of Día de Muertos, became our story about family, traditions, and honoring our ancestors. The warmth and beauty of Mexico’s people and culture made Coco possible, and showed us the benefits of building bridges rather than walls,” said Coco’s director, Lee Unkrich, and producer, Darla K. Anderson. “We were also reminded to keep our loved ones in our minds and in our hearts—something we hope everyone remembers to do.”

Anderson-Lopez and Lopez shared their excitement after the news. “We are so grateful to our collaborators at Pixar for challenging us to write a song that could have so many meanings,” they said. “Although, in its most authentic form, ‘Remember Me’ is a very personal song about saying goodbye to those you love, while staying connected through music. We couldn’t be prouder of what these filmmakers have achieved in Coco, a film that has always strived to faithfully portray and celebrate Mexican culture—and we are grateful to the Academy for the recognition!”

Beauty and the Beast was nominated for its spectacular sets and costumes. Production Designer Sarah Greenwood and Set Decorator Katie Spencer were named in the Production Design category, and Jacqueline Durran is a nominee for Costume Design. Greenwood, Spencer and Durran are dual nominees, for Beauty and the Beast and for Darkest Hour. “It is a great honor to receive two nominations and for such different films,” Durran said. “Of course it is also a recognition of the work of a great costume team who bring the ideas to life, as well as a celebration of the creative collaboration between departments (with Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer also receiving two nominations).”

Greenwood echoed Durran’s enthusiastic reaction: “We loved making Beauty and the Beast… we had the most fantastic, talented and wonderful crews, without whom we would be nothing. Here’s to them, here’s to the Academy, and here’s to Disney, and most of all here’s to our fabulous amazing director, Bill Condon, who made Beauty and the Beast such a joy.”

John Williams, who composed the score for Star Wars: The Last Jedibreaks his own Oscar record with his nomination for best Original Score. This latest nod is Williams’ 51st—more than any other living person. “It was a privilege and a joy to be a part of Rian Johnson’s fabulous film, and I’m extremely grateful to the Academy for this recognition,” said Williams. Star Wars: The Last Jedi’s thrilling visuals netted a nomination in the Visual Effects category; and the film’s innovative sound was also recognized by the Academy for Sound Editing and Sound Mixing, giving the film a total of four nominations.

Marvel Studios’ intergalactic space adventure Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 received a nomination for its visual effects, and the delightful short Lou, which opened in front of Disney•Pixar’s Cars 3, was named in the Animated Short Film category. “As artists who struggled with the typical challenges of growing up and fitting in—thinking we were the only ones feeling like outsiders—this nomination is more meaningful than anyone could imagine,” said Dave Mullins, director of Lou and Dana Murray, producer. “This is dedicated to the Lous of the world, who use the power of kindness to change the world for the better, one JJ at a time. Thank you to the Academy, and to Disney and Pixar, and to the entire crew of LOU, without whom this film and this moment would never have happened.”

Here is the full list of nominations from Disney-released films.

Costume Design

Beauty and the Beast—Jacqueline Durran

Original Score

Star Wars: The Last Jedi—John Williams

Music (Original Song)

“Remember Me”—Disney•Pixar’s Coco

Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez

Production Design

Beauty and the Beast—Production Design: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer

Sound Editing

Star Wars: The Last Jedi—Ren Klyce, Matthew Wood

Sound Mixing

Star Wars: The Last Jedi—David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Stuart Wilson

Visual Effects

Star Wars: The Last Jedi—Ben Morris, Mike Mulholland, Neal Scanlan and Chris Corbould

Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2—Christopher Townsend, Guy Williams, Jonathan Fawkner and Dan Sudick

Animated Feature Film

Disney•Pixar’s Coco

Short Film (Animated)

Disney•Pixar’s Lou

January 24, 2018
$1,000 Cash Bonus Given To 125,000 Disney Employees

Walt Disney Co. announced Tuesday, it is giving a one-time cash bonus of $1,000 to 125,000 employees. They are also investing $50 million to create a new higher education program for workers.

“We are directing approximately $125 million to our cast members and employees across the country and making higher education more accessible with the launch of this new program,” CEO Bob Iger said in a statement.

Nearly 88,000 hourly employees in the U.S. will be able to take advantage of Disney’s education initiative.

“I have always believed that education is the key to opportunity; it opens doors and creates new possibilities,” Iger said. “Matched with the $1,000 cash bonus, these initiatives will have both an immediate and long-term positive impact.”

The new education initiative is designed to cover tuition costs for hourly employees, and going forward it will continue to receive $25 million in annual funding, Disney’s statement said.

The entertainment giant is just one of a number of companies handing back money to its employees since the December passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which lowered tax rates for corporations. AT&T, Wells Fargo, Boeing, Comcast, Bank of America and Walmart are just a few who have passed along the new tax benefits to workers.

As for the bonuses, they are for full and part-time employees in the United States who have been with the company since Jan. 1. For those who are eligible the bonus will be given in two parts, the first in March and the next in September. Executive level employees are exempt.

The two initiatives will cost the company $175 million this fiscal year. Disney said its current ongoing education reimbursement program will continue to be open to all full-time employees with no changes.

January 23, 2018
Rose Gold Minnie Mouse Cupcake at Disney World

Now, the Mouse House has taken the rose gold trend one step further — and this time, you can eat it. Even the snacks at Disney have rose gold fever! Visitors are now able to purchase rose gold cupcakes complete with Minnie Mouse ears on top.

This absolutely adorable vanilla cupcake is now available at Sunshine Seasons in Epcot.

The tasty treat is topped with chocolate-hazelnut swirls, rose gold buttercream, fondant ears, edible glitter and chocolate pearls and, of course, Minnie’s signature bow.

It also makes for a perfect “Insta”-opportunity. But you’ll have to visit Orlando in order to Instagram these photogenic desserts. Just make sure you’re also sporting your Minnie ears and matching jersey for all the double-taps in the world.

January 23, 2018
Latest Construction Update for Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios

We’re back with another update on the progress with the Galaxy’s Edge construction at Hollywood Studios.

The opening is still well over a year away and the anticipation is overwhelming, but at least we can get these little peeks at what they are up to and how the future land is shaping up!

Overview of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. pic.twitter.com/YtCuhfXj4E

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) January 14, 2018

The awesome ariel shots show the massive project which is hard to appreciate from the ground. In the picture below you can really get a sense of the scope of the project.

Photo: @bioreconstruct

The left arrow at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge rock work frame that can be seen from Grand Avenue. Smaller arrows at what may become a landscaped hill, and a section almost filled in with dirt.

Here you can see Where they starting to block the view from the surrounding areas with a natural looking forest.

Instant forest on the berm isolating Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. Seen from Pixar Place. pic.twitter.com/Y3i2JtD9UA

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) January 20, 2018

Here you can see the high points in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. This is the current view from Grand Avenue.

Photo: @bioreconstruct

Photo: @bioreconstruct

Here is another great aerial view where we can see the current work on the buildings near the Millennium Falcon attraction in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. You can also make out the marketplace passageways taking form.

Photo: @bioreconstruct

If you want to see more of the progression they have made so far take a look back here. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is set to open in 2019. Keep checking

January 23, 2018
Service Dog Meets Pluto During Trip to Disney World

A service dog got the meeting of a lifetime while on a trip to Walt Disney World last week when he got a chance to interact with his favorite character Pluto.

22-year-old, Julian Gavino brought his Golden Retriever named Atlas to Epcot at Walt Disney World Friday night where he met a giant-sized version of his favorite character at Magic Kingdom.

The heartwarming meeting was captured on video and it has quickly gone viral. Take a look at the adorable video below.

You can see in the video how excited Atlas is with his tail wagging as Pluto kneels down to play with his real-life dog lookalike.

“Atlas was more than excited to meet his best pal look-alike,” Gavino commented on his Facebook post.

Gavino says the lovable cartoon character is his dog’s favorite, since he has a stuffed toy of Pluto at home that he “loves so much,” Fox News reports.

January 22, 2018
Minnie Mouse Honored with Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Minnie Mouse has finally been recognized as the star she is today as she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Monday. The honor coincides with the 90th anniversary celebration on the iconic Disney character.

Since her debut in Disney’s Steamboat Willie 90 years ago, Minnie Mouse has become come one of the most recognizable characters next to her main mouse Mickey! Mickey got his star on the Walk of Fame back in 1978 in celebration of his 50th anniversary.

It only took her 40 more years than Mickey to reach the milestone, but it’s official now and we love her just as much.

The ceremony took place at 11:30 a.m. where Minnie was dressed in her signature red and white polka dot dress to and a cute floppy to celebrate the event. Now the 2,627th star along the famous walkway, it’s located just outside the El Capitan Theatre on a section of Hollywood Boulevard.

Check out this awesome video from the ceremony below.

Bob Iger, chairman and chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, and “American Idol” judge Katy Perry were on-hand for the festivities and gave brief remarks about Minnie Mouse before her star was unveiled.

“In true Hollywood fashion, she delivered a truly memorable performance but Mickey got all the credit,” Iger said during Monday’s ceremony. And while she’s famous for “playing the damsel in distress,” Iger continued, “the truth is Minnie can hold her own in any situation.”

Perry took the stage next to Minnie and told the story of her first memories of the Disney character.

She described memories of “pastel walls” and “the smell of baby powder” in the air. Perry said, she first noticed the Disney character on her baby diapers and that led to her “lifelong devotion” to Minnie.

“The definition of icon may fluctuate through the ages, but there are some undeniably special characters who are iconic, and I can’t think of anyone who embodies that more than my dear friend, Minerva Mouse,” Perry said.

Minnie and Mickey aren’t the only other beloved Disney Characters with stars on the walk of fame. Minnie joins Snow White, Donald Duck, Winnie the Pooh, Tinker Bell and Kermit the Frog, all of whom already have a star.

In addition to her films, Minnie Mouse has also entertained millions of guests at Disney Parks around the world since the first Disney theme park – Disneyland park – opened its gates in 1955. Minnie was able to celebrate her milestone achievement earlier this week with park guests at a special “Rock the Dots”-themed send-off at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort. In it, Minnie Mouse joined her lifelong pal Mickey Mouse for a walk down a red carpet and a journey through the park on a special Minnie Mouse-themed car. A crowd of guests wearing attire inspired by Minnie’s iconic red-and-white polka dots lined up at the park to cheer them on. Before leaving for Hollywood, Minnie Mouse made one last stop over at Disney Springs to greet guests who were enjoying special “Rock the Dots” festivities in Minnie’s honor.

Leron Gubler, the president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, also declared Jan. 22 Minnie Mouse Day in Hollywood.

January 22, 2018
NFL Pro Bowl Week at Walt Disney World Resort

The Super Bowl teams are set for the biggest game of the year and that means the Pro Bowl isn’t too far away. Walt Disney World Resort will be kicking off NFL Pro Bowl Week and there are plenty of ways to catch the action.

All of the key Pro Bowl Week activities take place at our ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and many are free and open to the public, including the team practices. The AFC and NFC teams are training Wednesday starting at 10:30 and Thursday-Saturday starting at 11:30 am.

Fans can also cheer on their favorite players from the AFC and NFC as they go against each other in unique competitions at the 2018 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown. Tickets are limited – register here.

In addition to watching the players practice, fans can test their own football skills the NFL Pro Bowl Experience – a free, interactive fan zone with fun activities for the whole family. Open daily at 10 a.m. starting Wednesday, the NFL Pro Bowl Experience gives fans the opportunity to get even closer to the action with new football-related activities, immersive exhibits and sponsor activations.

After watching the pros, fans can get a look at the future at one of the NFL’s premier youth football events – the NFL FLAG Championships on Friday and Saturday. Fans interested in exclusive access to NFL-themed games and activities, youth football clinics and more, must register for the NFL Fan Mobile Pass.

The Pro Bowl fun extends beyond the field, too. There’s a Pro Bowl Fun Run Series at the Track & Field Complex at ESPN Wide World of Sports on Saturday at 1 pm. The event features distances for runners of all ages and abilities, and participants will receive a finisher medallion, a race bib and a commemorative item, plus post-race refreshments. Runners can also expect to see some of their favorite Disney characters, Pro Bowl cheerleaders and mascots along the way. Spots are still available here.

With complimentary parking at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, fans can partake in all of the exciting Pro Bowl action all week long! Fans can also head over to Disney Springs to catch the NFL Pro Bowl All-Star Pep Rally starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 27. The Pep Rally will feature special entertainment, games, NFL Cheerleaders and Mascot appearances, and more!

Those are just some of the many Pro Bowl Week activities here. To learn more ways to get in on the action or to purchase tickets for Sunday’s game at Camping World Stadium, visit http://www.nfl.com/probowl.

January 22, 2018