Disney News

Author: Nate

  • Coach Store at Disney Springs Opens Today

    Coach Store at Disney Springs Opens Today

    Coach fans have been patiently awaiting the opening of a new retail location at Walt Disney World and today that patience paid off. That’s right! The Coach store at Disney Springs is now open.

    Disney Springs took to their twitter account today to announce their newest retail addition.

    Coach is a leading New York design house of modern luxury accessories and lifestyle collections for women and men. Product offerings include bags, small leather goods, footwear, ready-to-wear, outerwear, watches, weekend and travel accessories, scarves, sunwear, fragrance, jewelry, and related accessories.

    Coach will offer a selection of accessories and leather goods for both women and men, presumably including their very popular Disney collection. Coach and Disney have worked together in the past to create various lines of bags and accessories, so many Disney enthusiasts are extremely excited to see the new store showing up at Disney Springs.

    The store is located in Town Center, where the recently closed Vince Camuto store was near MAC Cosmetics. Hours are Sunday through Thursday from 10am to 11pm and on Friday and Saturday from 10am to 11:30pm.

  • Disney Parks Are Among The ‘Most Instagrammed Locations’ In 2017

    Disney Parks Are Among The ‘Most Instagrammed Locations’ In 2017

    Instagram has announced their “Top 10 Most-Instagrammed Locations” around the globe for 2017 – and four Disney Parks have made the list.

    The Happiest Place on Earth – Disneyland park – earned the title of the #1 Most Instagrammed Location in 2017. Three other Disney theme parks also ranked in the top ten, with Tokyo Disneyland coming in at #5, Magic Kingdom Park landing at #6, and Disney California Adventure park earning the #9 spot.

    And this isn’t the first time Disney Parks has landed at the top of Instagram’s list. In 2016, “Disney Properties” ranked #1 as Instagram’s most photographed location around the world.

    New to Instagram? Following official Disney Parks Instagram accounts – Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and the Disney Parks Blog – is a great way to start.

  • Refillable Mug Price Increases at Disney World

    Refillable Mug Price Increases at Disney World

    $18.99. That’s right, your favorite Walt Disney World Resort Rapid Fill refillable mug has just gone up in price… Again. Okay, so it only went up a dollar, but it’s a pretty steep price at nearly twenty bucks.

    Originally they had pricing tiers depending on how many days you were staying, which was nice for guest who were only staying a day or two, but since May 2015 only a “length of stay” option has been available.

    As the name implies, the Length of Stay price is the same regardless of whether your Resort stay is one night, two weeks, or any length of time in between. Guests are entitled to unlimited free refills on fountain drinks, coffee, and tea from self-service beverage locations at Disney resorts for their length of stay.

    Refillable mugs are provided to guests that have purchased one of the Disney Dining Plans, but for other guests the price for a refillable mug is now $18.99 for the length of stay.

    The mugs can be refilled with fountain beverages, coffee, and tea at any resort self-service beverage location. The refillable mugs are purchased or redeemed at the quick service location at each Disney resort. You will find different colors to choose from. The cast member will activate the mug and then you are able to use it at the Rapid Fill location, which is also usually also located inside the quick service location, or in some cases the resort gift shop. You hold your cup under your drink selection of choice and it will fill up the cup.

    Comment below if you remember the days before the RFID chip when people would just bring their favorite mug and fill it up as they pleased?

  • ‘Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings: Holiday Magic’ Airs December 11 on Freeform

    ‘Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings: Holiday Magic’ Airs December 11 on Freeform

    Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas” is in full swing and if you love wedding your going to want to ‘save the date’ for this special. Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings is returning to Freeform for a brand new TV special highlighting gorgeous holiday weddings at Disney Parks.

    Tune in to see unforgettable celebrations during the most spirited time of the year. Hosted by Stephen “tWitch” Boss, resident DJ for “The Ellen Show” and Allison Holker, “Dancing With the Stars” pro, this one-hour special follows two couples as they plan their dream weddings and make their way down the aisle.

    Disney Wedding

    New York couple, Dominique and Joe say “I Do” with a winter wonderland wedding at Walt Disney World Resort.

    Their large Italian families are coming together to watch as the couple begins their happily ever after. Be a guest at their heartfelt ceremony at Disney’s Wedding Pavilion followed by a Frozen-inspired reception at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Ballrooms. You won’t want to miss their surprise musical performance in the Italy Pavilion in Epcot!

    Airing during Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas” event, you’ll see holiday wedding magic come to life. Mark your calendar for December 11th at 8/7c

  • Moana Comes to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa

    Moana Comes to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa

    Moana’s travels the ocean, but her latest landing spot is Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. Starting today, guests can visit with the Disney heroine during a new premium experience!

    During “Kakamora Chaos with Moana” at Aunty’s Beach House, Moana is eager to learn more about her new friends, especially the games they play.

    During the interactive 90-minute experience, young guests will learn to play children’s games from Hawai’i, as well as a game from Moana’s home island of Motunui: the Kakamora Relay!

    There are other fun ways to see Moana during her visits to Aulani Resort. Guests can join Moana and Aulani Resort’s beloved storyteller “Uncle” as they share the importance of the canoe—or wa‘a—during Kahakai Canoe Racing. The interactive activity concludes after building a canoe model and racing in the lagoon!

    In the evenings, resort guests may choose to wind down around the fire pit as Moana and Uncle recount tales of adventure during Mo‘olelo Firepit Storytelling.

    Guests attending the the resort’s KA WA‘A lū‘au will also be delighted when Moana makes a special appearance during the lively pre-show, which pays homage to the incredible journey the Hawaiian people made across the ocean.

  • AERIAL PHOTOS: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Construction Update at Hollywood Studios

    AERIAL PHOTOS: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Construction Update at Hollywood Studios

    Construction is forcefully underway on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in the Back Lot area of Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. The now demolished area that used to make up the Streets of America, the Back Lot Tour, and the Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt show which was closed to make way for Star Wars.

    Most of the construction can’t be seen by guests, so aerial pics really give some perspective on what progress is being made on the transformation of Batuu, a planet on the edge of the Star Wars galaxy.

    Cast members were excited to see the new land coming to life recently celebrated a major construction milestone with the signing of a support beam that’ll top out the new land. The beam that’ll eventually be part of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – a 14-acre remote outpost that will transport guests to a galaxy far, far away.

    Galaxy's Edge Construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    Here we can see some rock forms at the new hillside isolating Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. Note also dirt piled up and inside the section next to the concrete of the Grand Avenue tunnel.

    Galaxy's Edge Construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    Here is the current state of the separation and tunnel between Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and Grand Avenue. At right, note that construction walls are down at the new backstage gate.

    Galaxy's Edge Construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    Peering into the Millennium Falcon ride. There are two more turntables under the roof at left.

    The land will be split into two sections; one for the First Order and one for the Resistance/Rebels. The First Order side is the side closest to the newly renamed Grand Avenue area that many believe will be used as a holding area for those waiting to enter Galaxy’s Edge.

    After crossing through a tunnel into the new land guests will encounter the more urban decay style First Order area with a large, possibly multi-level restaurant, in the middle of it. The central feature of the First Order area will be a massive trackless ride, currently known as “Battle Escape.”

    Coming out of the merchant’s alley area guests enter into the Rebel side of the land. This more lushly landscaped area will feature the 100-foot wide Millennium Falcon that will be near the entrance of the Millennium Falcon ride where groups of six guests can pilot the Falcon in a simulator experience.

    Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland park in 2019. The new land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is just one element of the multi-year transformation of the park, which also includes Toy Story Land, set to open in the summer of 2018.

  • Hong Kong Disneyland Getting a New Castle

    Hong Kong Disneyland Getting a New Castle

    Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo and just like that Hong Kong Disneyland gets a new castle. As part of the massive multi-year expansion plan, the icon of the park will soon be reimagined and will reach new heights with its upcoming transformation.

    It is the first-of-its-kind at any Disney park. Today, Disney released a new rendering to show you what a magical centerpiece the new castle will be for guests in Hong Kong.

    The classic castle will draw inspiration from a variety of storybook influences and styles, with new thematic spires, domes and a design that reaches ever skyward. Features will be inspired by many of the Disney princesses, including special finial decorations on the spires such as Snow White’s apple, Cinderella’s coach and Belle’s rose. Original artwork and unique sculptures will add even more magic and fantasy.

    Guests will be able to visit the all-new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for transformations of their own and meet Disney princesses at the castle. The changes will also take the park’s entertainment to new heights with the premiere of a new daytime show and nighttime spectacular against the impressive backdrop.

    This comes on the heels of several amazing additions to the resort already this year, including the opening of Iron Man Experience and Disney Explorers Lodge. In addition to all this, soon you’ll be able to step into the storytelling world of Frozen, Marvel and more like never before at the park.

    Work on the castle will begin after the finale of the “Disney in the Stars” fireworks on January 1, and the expansion plan will continue to bring new entertainment to the park almost every year through 2023.

  • Walt Disney World Cast Members VoluntEAR with Toys for Tots

    Walt Disney World Cast Members VoluntEAR with Toys for Tots

    Walt Disney World doesn’t just provide entertainment to countless guests in the park and resorts, but they also give back to the community. Cast Members went to infinity and beyond to help some 26,000 children in the community this holiday season through the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program.

    Saturday, they packed up a few distinctly Disney vehicles from their Minnie Van service and delivered THOUSANDS of toys to help pack the shelves of the Toys for Tots distribution warehouse. They brought donated games, dolls, plush animals and other surprises. During the past month, Cast Members have donated more than 25,000 toys—that’s more than three tons!—to this program.

    And in the coming weeks, Disney VoluntEARS will help the Marines sort and distribute the toys to deserving families, a continuation of nearly seven decades of support to the program that dates back to Walt Disney himself.

  • Olaf’s Frozen Adventure to Debut on ABC

    Olaf’s Frozen Adventure to Debut on ABC

    The Disney Pixar short Olaf’s Frozen Adventure makes its broadcast television debut on Thursday, December 14 at 8p.m. (EST), on The ABC Television Network.

    The special is a part of ABC’s “25 Days of Christmas” festivities. “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” just completed a limited theatrical run in front of Disney Pixar’s hit feature “Coco.” The featurette includes four new original Frozen songs and welcomes back the beloved characters who won over audiences worldwide in the 2013 Oscar-winning feature, Frozen, the top-grossing animated film of all time.

    In Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, Olaf (voice of Josh Gad) teams up with Sven on a merry mission. It’s the first holiday season since the gates reopened and Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) and Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel) host a celebration for all of Arendelle. When the townspeople unexpectedly leave early to enjoy their individual holiday customs, the sisters realize they have no family traditions of their own. So, Olaf sets out to comb the kingdom to bring home the best traditions and save Anna and Elsa’s “first Christmas in forever.”

    “We are thrilled to be part of ABC’s 25 Days of Christmas festivities. While making the film, our crew was so inspired by all of the great television holiday specials of the past. It’s a dream come true for all of us,” said producer Roy Conli.

    The ABC special will help keep Frozen fans occupied as they continue the long countdown towards Frozen 2, which will hit theaters on November 27, 2019.

  • Disney Music Exec Suspended For Child Sex Abuse Charges

    Disney Music Exec Suspended For Child Sex Abuse Charges

    Disney suspended, 58-year-old Jon Heely, the director of music publishing late on Friday, The move came after the company was informed he has been charged with three felony counts of child sexual abuse.

    “Immediately upon learning of this situation tonight, he has been suspended without pay until the matter is resolved by the courts,” a Disney spokesperson said.

    He was arrested and charged with three counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child, Variety reported. Heeley is accused of abusing two underage girls approximately ten years ago. One alleged victim was 15. The other was abused for four years starting at the age of 11, according to the charges.

    He was arrested on Nov. 16 and six days later he was released on $150,000 bail. Heely pleaded not guilty at his arraignment at the San Fernando courthouse on Thursday. He is due back in court on Jan. 10. If convicted, he faces up to nine years and three months in prison.

    Heely’s attorney, Robert Helfend, denied the charges. “He vehemently denies these allegations and we will be fighting until the end to clear his name,” Helfend said. “It’s a shame, that’s all I’ve got to say.”

    Heely, who oversees the licensing of music from Disney films, pleaded not guilty on Thursday. He faces up to nine years and three months in prison if convicted.
    He was suspended from Disney late Friday, with a spokesperson telling Variety, “Immediately upon learning of this situation tonight, he has been suspended without pay until the matter is resolved by the courts.”

    Heely’s Twitter bio reads, “Disney Concerts and living to glorify God in all things.”