Author: Nate

  • RUMOR: Talking Mickey Maybe Leaving Magic Kingdom Soon

    RUMOR: Talking Mickey Maybe Leaving Magic Kingdom Soon

    The Talking Mickey Mouse Meet and Greet at Town Square Theater in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World may be getting the silent treatment if rumors are true.  Talking Mickey may be removed from the attraction according to cast members who are familiar with the issue.

    According to a report from wdwinfo, the Main Street U.S.A. attraction closing as early as this May, stating, ‘this is a cost saving move’.  After an overhaul of the attraction, it is expected that Mickey will return, but without the ability to talk. The attraction has suffered from technical difficulties in the past and it’s unclear if that may have anything to do with the possible decision. The report also indicated that some guests have been confused as to why Mickey Mouse can talk in one location, but not in others.

    As always, you have to take internet rumors with a grain of salt.  This one seems strange since Disney was just testing out a talking Donald and a talking Minnie to go along with the talking Mickey in Disney’s California Adventure in September. The attraction has been well received by guests and the technology has a long history that doesn’t likely end here regardless of what ends up happening with this particular attraction.

    If you’ve never seen Talking Mickey you can check him out in the video below.

    I for one hope the rumors are not true.  We love getting to personally interact with Mickey. So if you haven’t had a chance to talk to the main mouse personally, make sure you get there while there is still time.

  • Voice of Mater – Larry the Cable Guy – Visits Magic Kingdom

    Voice of Mater – Larry the Cable Guy – Visits Magic Kingdom

    Earlier last week, the hilarious Daniel Lawrence Whitney, also known as “Larry the Cable Guy,” joined his family to put the pedal to the metal at Tomorrowland Speedway at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World! And Whitney is no stranger to cars either…

    Some may know him as Larry the Cable Guy, but we all know him as the voice of Mater, the friendly tow truck in the Disney•Pixar “Cars” movies. Mater, you know “kinda like ’Tuh-mater,’ but without the ‘tuh.’”

    larry the cable guy mater

    During his visit, Larry shared that Walt Disney World is the family’s favorite vacation destination and talked about his favorite attractions. Check out the video below for more and watch their hilarious journey around the speedway!

  • Aulani Guests Evacuated From Resort After False Missile Alarm

    Aulani Guests Evacuated From Resort After False Missile Alarm

    Guests Staying at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, on the white sandy shores of Ko Olina on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, got a real scare on Saturday when phones lit up around the island with an inbound Ballistic Missile Alert. Aulani guests evacuated, along with resort staff, as soon as the alert came through.

    On Saturday January 13, 2018, An emergency alert was sent to smart phones in Hawaii at 8:07 a.m. The alert simply read, “BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.”

    false-alarm-missile-threat

     

    Fortunately the there was no threat and it was only a false alarm, but until the all clear was given it was a very frightening experience not only for Disney guests , but for every person on the island.

    According to witnesses at the resort, guests were evacuated to a nearby field. The move prompted many to wonder why they weren’t seeking shelter as the alert directed them to.

    Many guests took to social media during the emergency:

  • Did You Know That You Can Actually Live in Disney World

    Did You Know That You Can Actually Live in Disney World

    Being able to live in Disney World is usually just a wish your heart makes. But it’s more than just a dream…  It’s a reality…  Well for those who can afford the $1.8 million entry point that is.

    Dubbed Golden Oak and built on a huge tract of Lake Buena Vista land adjacent to the parks, the gated community has been open to since 2011. The community spans nearly 1000 acres consists of five different neighborhoods with homes ranging from 3,000 – 12,000 square feet.

    Disney-Golden-Oak bambi

    The community is adorned with elaborate and elegant Disney decor throughout its beautiful; parks, footbridges, gardens and recreational pathways. There are three different types of homes for residents to choose from: an Estate Home on half an acre (offered in styles including French Country, Southern Classical and Dutch Colonial); a Grand Estate Home on three-quarters of an acre, designed for large families or corporate use and a Tuscan-style Village Home on a quarter acre near the Clubhouse.

    Disney-Golden-Oak

    Residents living here pay $25,000 a year for maintenance and homeowners association fees. The fees cover access to the 17,000-square-foot Golden Oak Summer house clubhouse which features a restaurant and lounge, a gym, a heated outdoor pool and a family room with game area, all run by top-notch “cast members” from the Disney family. It also includes concierge services to book park tickets, schedule VIP tours, dining reservations and even provide private transportation to any destination within Walt Disney World.

    disney_golden_oak

    Right in the center of Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Resort is the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World. The 444-room, $370 million resort features an 18-hole championship golf course, an adults-only pool, a family pool with lazy river, a spa and a rooftop steakhouse that overlooks the nightly fireworks.

    Disney-Golden-Oak

    Clearly living here shows you have a special love for Disney World so to top it all off Golden Oak residents receive five three-year annual passes, and each pass comes with five additional one-day theme park tickets.

    Disney-Golden-Oak snow white

    The homes themselves are breathtaking and stunningly large both inside and out.  They include, pools, guest houses with separate entrances and at least five bedrooms and five-and-a-half bathrooms. The community features more than 400 custom luxury homes and is still growing. What are your thoughts on it?  Who wouldn’t live in Disney World if they could?

     

  • Disney Belle Debossed Faux Leather Purse is a True Beauty From Loungefly

    Disney Belle Debossed Faux Leather Purse is a True Beauty From Loungefly

    You’re gonna love this Disney Belle Debossed Faux Leather Purse by Loungefly! It’s a tale as old as time. You need a Disney purse that’s big enough to hold all of your necessities (BOOKS). It needs to be to be a real beauty – but still haul things like a beast. It might seem impossible to find that perfect bag you can love forever, but this one could be your forever Disney purse.

    This beauty of a purse retails for $69.99 and you can find it on the Loungefly website. The ivory satchel has a debossed design featuring Belle’s face on the front, along with a brilliant red rose hanging from the handle. The outside may be pretty, but true beauty is found within.

    Beauty and the Beast Purse

    Specifically within that fully-lined interior, featuring beautiful custom floral fabric! There is a zippered divider pouch separating the interior into two compartments, with a small zip pocket and a small open pocket built into the lining. Made of simulated leather, the purse closes with a top strap and has both handles and an adjustable, removable shoulder strap. Lovely and versatile, this purse may be your happily ever after. No Gastons allowed! 

    Product Specifications

    • Disney Belle Debossed Faux Leather Purse
    • Officially-licensed Disney’s animated Beauty and the Beast merchandise
    • Made by our friends at Loungefly
    • Ivory satchel with debossed design featuring Belle’s face on the front
    • A red rose hangs from the strap
    • Purse closes with a top strap, secured by a magnetic snap
    • Fully-lined interior features custom floral fabric
    • Interior: two compartments with zippered divider pouch, plus a small zip pocket and small open pocket built into the lining
    • Materials: simulated leather with gold-tone metal hardware
    • Removable, adjustable shoulder strap
    • Dimensions: approx 11 1/5″ wide x 9 1/2″ tall x 6″ deep (bag) / approx. 4″ diameter x 1 1/5″ thick with a 4 1/2″ strap (decorative rose)
  • 9 Things We Know About Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge So Far

    9 Things We Know About Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge So Far

    1. It Opens Next Year! – Opening date is currently set at 2019. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the Disneyland Resort will debut first and the land at the Walt Disney World Resort will debut second.

    2. It’s Set On The Planet Batuu – At Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, guests visit Batuu, a remote outpost on the galaxy’s edge was once a busy crossroads along the old sub-lightspeed trade routes, but its prominence was bypassed by the rise of hyperspace travel. Now home to those who prefer to stay out of the mainstream, it has become a thriving port for smugglers, rogue traders and adventurers traveling between the frontier and uncharted space. It’s also a convenient safe haven for those intent on avoiding the expanding reach of the First Order. (See rendering at the top).

    Millennium Falcon Ride

    3. You’ll Be Able To Fly The Millenium Falcon – One of the land’s two signature attractions will put you in the cockpit of the Millenium Falcon, piloting the ship, shooting blasters or preparing for hyperspace – all while completing a critical mission. But how you perform on the mission holds even bigger stakes: perform with skill and you may earn extra galactic credits, while bringing the ship back banged up could put you on the list of a bounty hunter. End up on Harkos’s list and you may face a problem if you show up at the local cantina.

    Star Wars Land

    4. A Second Attraction Planned for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Puts You On A Star Destroyer – This attraction, “built on a scale we’ve never done before,” will make guests feel like they’re inside a hangar bay in the middle of a battle between the First Order and the Resistance. (The name of this attraction is still yet to be released).

    5. A Cantina Will Serve Up Blue Milk – Only one F&B item has been announced for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge so far and that’s the blue milk Luke Skywalker made famous in “Star Wars IV: A New Hope.”

    6. Expect To See Characters From A Galaxy Far, Far Away – Guests will also encounter many familiar faces inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, including BB-8, Chewbacca, members of the First Order and – among many others – Rex, the troublesome pilot you may remember from the previous version of a certain Disney attraction who takes on a new role in this land as the DJ at the cantina.

    Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Concept Art

    7. The Land Will Feature Marketplaces & New Toys – Imagineers looked to the exotic markets of Istanbul and Marrakech for inspiration for the land’s marketplace, where guests can explore a rich collection of shops and merchant stalls. One stall will be overseen by a Toydarian, a creatures fans first encountered on Tatooine in “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.” Here, guests will be able to discover all kinds of fun toys straight out of the Star Wars galaxy.

    Star Wars Merchandise

    8. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Merchandise Has Already Been Released – The first Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge merchandise, available at select locations at the Disneyland and the Walt Disney World Resort, was released in December. The line currently consists of an assortment of men’s and women’s T-shirts, hats and more that feature faces and places familiar to Star Wars fans, including the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge logo, the Millennium Falcon, BB-8, DJ Rex and more.

    9. You Can View A Portion Of The Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Model Right Now – A portion of the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge model is currently on display at the end of the Walt Disney Presents exhibit at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

  • New Arena at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

    New Arena at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

    As part of the 20th anniversary celebration of its ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Walt Disney World Resort officially opened a new multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena Friday, continuing the growth and expansion of the 220-acre Disney sports venue that is widely regarded as the leading facility for youth sports in America.

    ESPN Wide World of Sports executives, along with AAU and Varsity executives, marked the grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that featured streamers as cheerleaders performed a high-energy routine involving Minnie Mouse, who sported a new cheerleader outfit. Fittingly, the inaugural event at The Arena at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is the prestigious UCA and UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship, which runs through Sunday.

    In the coming months and years, the 8,000-seat arena will host a variety of major indoor sporting events, everything from basketball to volleyball to gymnastics to wrestling. The venue also will host runDisney Health & Fitness Expos during runDisney race weekends, beginning with the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in February.

    The launch of the arena, the third indoor competition venue at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and one of the largest in the country designed specifically with cheer and dance events in mind, marks another milestone for the Disney sports facility, which opened in 1997 and pioneered a new type of sports vacation experience where athletes at all levels and ages can pursue their sports dreams.

    “We have created one of the most unique sports arenas in the country,” said Faron Kelley, Vice President of Disney Sports. “We sat down and really listened to what our partners told us they needed the space to look like and what we ended up with is a fantastic new arena. We look forward to hosting many events in our new building for years to come.”

    One of the unique features of the arena is its flexibility. It can be converted to host more than six regulation-sized basketball and volleyball courts and can be further expanded to host open-floor exhibitions, family shows, speaking engagements and other major events, such as the College Cheerleading and Dance Team Championship, which will feature more than 4,700 athletes.

    “We are thrilled to have our 35th College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship as the inaugural event in the new arena,” said Varsity Brands Founder and Chairman Jeff Webb. “This year, we’ll host seven premier events and welcome nearly 70,000 athletes to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Our athletes and coaches are going to be very excited when they see the space, the warm-up areas and all of the other amenities that truly make this building one of a kind. We’re looking forward to a fantastic event, in a great building that’s being hosted by a terrific partner in Disney.”

    Other features of the new arena include two versatile auxiliary venue spaces, an attached box office, plus built-in loges and judge’s boxes with seating for approximately 70 people. There are also seven concession stands and 35 concession points of sale which will include specialty items such as hazelnut churros, chocolate banana empanadas, donut chicken, Greek Dogs, and an Adobo Chicken Rice Bowl.

    “We spent countless hours doing research to make sure we designed a building that caters to the needs of existing partners and potential future partners, including developing sports such as e-sports and futsal,” Kelley said. “The word we kept coming back to was flexibility and our new arena has something special and unique for all of our partners.”

    The addition of the arena is another step in Disney’s efforts to expand its sports business through a relentless growth strategy centered on enhancing existing events, developing new and more diverse events such as tournaments, competitions and entertainment and creating additional sports experiences for our guests.

    Future plans for the sports complex include expanding the portfolio of outdoor sports, continuing to host high-profile events such as the 2018 NFL Pro Bowl Week and further supporting the 100-plus existing events that take place at the sports complex year around.

  • ‘Maleficent 2’ Begins Filming In April

    ‘Maleficent 2’ Begins Filming In April

    Maleficent 2 is in the works and production is expected to start April 16th with Angelina Jolie reprising her leading role.

    Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales director, Joachim Rønning, is helming the film, but that’s not the only change in production staff.  The follow-up script first penned by Linda Woolverton, who wrote the first film, but it was rewritten by Jez Butterworth who was brought on last summer.

    Apparently until recently it wasn’t clear when Jolie would be reprising her role as the films former villain as well. The star has been debating if she would shoot the Dark Universe’s Bride of Frankenstein reboot or go with Maleficent 2 first. Well Tom Cruise’s The Mummy hasn’t received the best reception and it isn’t clear what exactly is happening with the Dark Universe currently, which makes Jolie’s decision pretty easy and frees her up to begin production in April.

    The production dates coming in a report from Omega Underground, unfortunately though we still don’t have a shooting date the film has not yet been given a release date.

  • Another Movie Illegally Filmed on Disney World Property

    Another Movie Illegally Filmed on Disney World Property

    Walt Disney World property was chosen as the shooting location for yet another independent film with out Disney’s consent. This time in a Film called The Further Adventures of Walt’s Frozen Head.

    This one based on the urban legend that Walt Disney was frozen after his death.  It’s a quirky comedy about the unlikely friendship between the frozen head of Walt and Peter, a Magic Kingdom Cast Member.

    Check out the trailer below.

    During his yearly dethaw to oversee the direction of his company and guard his creative legacy, Walt demands to be allowed up to see his final dream, Walt Disney World. When management scoffs, he recruits Peter to kidnap him for a day in the Magic Kingdom.

    This is not the first time guerrilla style film makers have hit Disney Parks. The low-budget independent movie called Escape From Tomorrow made headlines in 2013 as the first feature film to shoot at Walt Disney World without getting permission in advance.

    The feature film was primarily shot in the Orlando area, including on location at Walt Disney World. The movie was made without the knowledge or permission of the Walt Disney Company or family.

  • Original Mouseketeer Doreen Tracey Passes Away

    Original Mouseketeer Doreen Tracey Passes Away

    One of the original Mouseketeers, Doreen Tracey, passed away at the age of 74. After a two-year cancer battle, she died Wednesday at Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center in Thousand Oaks.

    Tracey starred on Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club throughout its original run on ABC in the late 1950’s. Then also in syndication for decades, making this is a loss for so many generations.

    Doreen Tracey

    Tracey was born in St Pancras, London, England. Her parents, Sidney Tracey and Bessie Hay, were an American vaudeville dance team that performed for Allied soldiers during World War II. Her father’s original name was Murray Katzelnick. He immigrated to the United States from Russia with his Jewish parents as an infant.[1]

    When Doreen was four, her family returned to the United States, where her father first ran a nightclub, then opened a dance studio in Hollywood, California. She learned to dance and sing at an early age, courtesy of the many instructors and performers who worked out at her father’s studio. Her first professional work was an uncredited singing and dancing bit in the musical film The Farmer Takes a Wife (1953). At age twelve she auditioned for the Mickey Mouse Club and was hired.

    In 1956, she was featured in the Disney western Westward Ho, the Wagons!, and in the third season of the Mickey Mouse Club, had a role in the serial Annette. She was cast as Scraps, the Patchwork Girl, in a musical number from the proposed live-action Disney film Rainbow Road to Oz on an episode of the Disneyland television show in September 1957. The movie was never made, and when the Mickey Mouse Club stopped filming in 1958, Tracey switched to singing live at concerts and teen nightclubs.

    She appeared on several television shows, including the episode “April Fool” (April 1, 1959), of ABC’s The Donna Reed Show, with James Darren in a guest-starring role as well. She wound up her career as a performer touring American military bases in South Vietnam and Thailand and performing lead vocals for a rock group called Doreen and the Invaders.

    She later worked for Frank Zappa as a publicist and became an amateur weightlifter. She twice posed nude for the men’s magazine Gallery in 1976, and again, in 1979. In 2001 an excerpt from her memoirs, Confessions of a Mouseketeer, was published in the NPR anthology I Thought My Father Was God. She married Robert Washburn and had a son, but the marriage ended in divorce.

    Tracey is survived by her son, Bradley, and two grandchildren, Gavin and Autumn.