Disney News

Author: Nate

  • Yara Shahidi Cast as Tinkerbell in New Live-action ‘Peter Pan’ Movie

    Yara Shahidi Cast as Tinkerbell in New Live-action ‘Peter Pan’ Movie

    Disney reportedly cast “Grown-ish” star Yara Shahidi to play Tinker Bell in its upcoming live-action adaptation of “Peter Pan.”

    Shahidi will be the first woman of colour to take on the iconic role of the character, previously assumed by Julia Roberts in 1991’s Hook and Ludivine Sagnier in 2003’s Peter Pan.

    The 20-year-old actress seemingly confirmed the news on Instagram Friday, sharing a picture of Tinker Bell drawn as a Black woman as you can see in th post below:

    “Thank you for all of the love. It, truly, means so much to me,” she wrote in the caption. “I’m excited for this next adventure!”

    She also shared a photo of herself dressed in green and wrote, “lettssssgooooo #Tinkerbell.”

    Shahidi is best known for her starring role on ABC’s “Black-ish,” as well as being a star and producer of Freeform’s “Grown-ish.” The actor and activist recently signed an overall deal with ABC Studios. On the film side, Shahidi recently led the YA drama “The Sun Is Also a Star.”

    Alexander Molony and Ever Anderson are set to take flight with Shahidi’s Tinker Bell as the two titular children in Peter Pan and Wendy, while Jude Law has been tapped to play Captain Hook in the upcoming movie, which will be directed by David Lowery and produced by Jim Whitaker from a script co-written by Lowery and Toby Halbrooks.

  • Frozen Sing-Along Returning to Hollywood Studios

    Frozen Sing-Along Returning to Hollywood Studios

    “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration,” is returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

    For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration is a musical show based on Disney’s 2013 animated film Frozen and the songs from the film, located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Shanghai Disneyland Park. It was also formerly hosted at Disney California Adventure, Disneyland Park in Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland.

    Beginning Monday, October 5, you can once again join Erik and Aria, the Royal Historians of Arendelle, for their comedic retelling of the unique story of their kingdom, filled with delightful, sing-along moments from Disney’s “Frozen” and special appearances by Anna, Elsa and Kristoff.

    Disney said is a blog post that the Frozen Sing-Along “will be the same incredible show guests have loved for the past six years, with some adjustments to staging and audience seating to allow for appropriate physical distancing.”

    The show originally premiered at the Premiere Theater in the Streets of America section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios during the 2014 Frozen Summer Fun on July 5, 2014. The show moved into its current location at the Hyperion Theater in Echo Lake on June 17, 2015, the former home of The American Idol Experience.

  • Disney World Shares First Look at Polyneisan Village Resort Make-Over

    Disney World Shares First Look at Polyneisan Village Resort Make-Over

    Walt Disney World has shared a first look of the upgrades coming to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and it looks amazing!

    That arrival experience is about to take on a whole new look with an enhanced entryway that will debut just in time for the resort hotel’s 50th anniversary. 

    One of the biggest changes will greet you right up front – a new porte cochere will showcase the iconic mid-20th century architecture the Polynesian is famous for.

    The team from Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney World have crafted a design inspired by colors, patterns and textures found throughout the resort. This new entry features a high-pitched, open-truss roof covered in a thatch style. There’s also a bold façade that features pops of color complementing the Longhouses found throughout the resort.

    Along the Monorail station, bold new wooden screens will be covered with geometric patterns in bright, tropical colors that complete an exciting new composition that will greet you when you arrive.

    Enhancements will also be made to the lush gardens and fountains that have welcomed guests to the resort since opening day. 

    The open and airy design of the entryway will feature dramatic lighting elements, including beautiful chandeliers inspired by glass floats, fishing nets and oversized bamboo elements. The new chandeliers will match the existing grand chandelier in the resort lobby, artfully bridging interior and exterior spaces.  

    While work is underway over the coming months, guests can still enjoy access to the Great Ceremonial House and its operating dining and retail outlets. 

    Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has been a favorite destination of guests and cast members since its opening on Oct. 1, 1971, this beloved resort hotel immerses you in an oasis straight out of the South Seas with a sense of aloha that embraces you from the moment you arrive. 

    The new arrival experience is just the beginning of what guests will discover when the resort reopens in summer 2021. All of the resort’s guest rooms are being beautifully redone too. 

  • Hong Kong Disneyland Announces Reopening on September 25

    Hong Kong Disneyland Announces Reopening on September 25

    Tuesday, Disney announced that Hong Kong Disneyland will officially reopen on September 25, 2020!

    The park was closed between Jan. 23- June 18 due to precautions against the coronavirus outbreak. It reopened with some fanfare, but it was forced to close again on July 15 when Hong Kong suffered a third wave of virus infections.

    In alignment with the latest guidance from health and government authorities, the resort will continue its measured approach with health and safety measures implemented as a top priority, including capacity control, health screenings, temperature checks, requiring face masks, social distancing, and increased cleaning and disinfecting.

    “We thank all of our Cast Members for their dedication efforts in preparation for our reopening, and we hope to see you real soon,” Disney said in a blog post.

    Beyond running at a reduced capacity and promoting social distancing, Hong Kong Disneyland will also be closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays (with the exception of public holidays and special designated days) until further notice.

  • Vegan Mickey Mouse-Shaped Chicken Nuggets Coming to a Store Near You

    Vegan Mickey Mouse-Shaped Chicken Nuggets Coming to a Store Near You

    Incogmeato by MorningStar Farms has partnered with Disney to create the brand’s first plant-based Mickey Mouse Shaped Chik’n Nuggets.

    The nugget cooks and tastes like a traditional chicken nugget. Additionally, this option has less fat and less sodium than a traditional nugget option.

    Incogmeato Mickey Nuggets have 57% less fat and 35% less sodium than regular chicken nuggets and they also pack plant-powered nutrients such as fiber and iron.

    “As Disney is committed to offering more plant-based foods, we are excited to be working with Incogmeato on the first-ever plant-based Mickey Mouse shaped nuggets. By creating foods that kids love and with the nutrition parents can feel good about, families can experience the magic of Disney during meal time,” said John T. King, VP of consumables licensing at Disney.

    Incogmeato Mickey Mouse Shaped Chik’n Nuggets can be found at retailers nationwide, starting this month, in the frozen chicken section.

  • Disney World Reveals Extra Hours for Holiday Season

    Disney World Reveals Extra Hours for Holiday Season

    Disney World scaled back its September hours, but as they prepare for the holiday season they recently revealed they will temporarily expand their hours for the holidays.

    During the first five days of December, the Magic Kingdom will open at 9 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Epcot will open at noon and close at 8 in the evening.

    According to the Walt Disney World website, the Magic Kingdom will open at 9 a.m. and close at 6 p.m, during the first week of November. The following week, starting on the 8th, it will stay open until 7 p.m.

    Meanwhile, Epcot will open at 11 a.m. and close 7 p.m. for the majority of November (last November, Epcot was open from 9 in the morning until 9 in the evening). It will switch to its December hours starting on November 27th.

    Hollywood Studios is opening one hour later at 10 a.m. and closing two hours earlier at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, Animal Kingdom will be closing at 5 p.m. Both of these parks will have these hours throughout the month of November and into December.

    These hours show a change in Disney’s scheduling and marks the first time since the coronavirus pandemic that the Magic Kingdom will not see a reduction in its operating hours from the previous year. Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios will apparently still be running on reduced hours during the first few days of December.

  • Disney Cruise Line Extends Cancellations Through mid-December

    Disney Cruise Line Extends Cancellations Through mid-December

    Cancellations for Disney Cruise Line sailings have been extended through mid-December.

    “As we continue to refine health and safety protocols for our future return to service and await direction from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Disney Cruise Line has decided to further extend its suspension of new sailings,” said on it’s website in a statement titled “Disney Cruise Line Coronavirus (COVID-19) Travel Alert,”

    Disney officials said all cruises are canceled for the Disney Fantasy through at least Dec. 6.

    For other ships, like the Disney Dream and Wonder, cancellations are in effect through Dec. 11.

    The rest of Disney’s fleet will not leave the port until Dec. 12 or later.

  • Disney World Plans to Reopen One Water Park in March After Year-Long Covid-19 Closure

    Disney World Plans to Reopen One Water Park in March After Year-Long Covid-19 Closure

    You may be able to make a splash in Disney World this coming spring break as the resort plans to reopen at least on of it’s water parks in March.

    “While Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park remain closed at this time, pending government approvals, we currently plan to reopen one of the two Disney water parks on March 7, 2021,” reads a message posted to the Disney World website in an update on the “Know Before You Go” page.

    Disney Park acknowledged, however, that this proposed reopening date may be subject to change amid an uncertain future.

    “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,” officials said.

    Disney World shut down in mid-March soon after the coronavirus outbreak was declared a global pandemic and reopened in July at reduced capacity and with enhanced health and safety protocol in the fight against COVID-19.

    Disneyland in California remains closed until further notice, however Gov. Gavin Newsom suggested earlier this week that an announcement on the reopening of theme parks in the Golden State was imminent.

  • New Poisoned Apple Cocktail at Disney World is all the Buzz

    New Poisoned Apple Cocktail at Disney World is all the Buzz

    With halloween just around the corner, of course the Evil Queen is brewing up some wicked concoctions and the new Poisoned Apple Cocktail available at Disney World is all the buzz.

    This potent adult beverage is made with Vodka, melon liqueur, blue curaçao, and pineapple juice with a novelty glow cube.

    You can find the Poisoned Apple Cocktail In Polynesian Village Resort at Barefoot Pool Bar and it costs $16.00.

  • New TRON Coaster Coming to Disney World Reaches Major Milestone

    New TRON Coaster Coming to Disney World Reaches Major Milestone

    Walt Disney Imagineering has reached a major milestone in the development of the new TRON coaster coming to Walt Disney World Resort.

    What they set in place this week is the first of nearly 40 pieces that will create a dramatic “curved wave” canopy, known as the Upload Conduit.

    Below you can see an image of the first piece of canopy being installed in what will become an instant iconic attraction and portal to The Grid in Tomorrowland.

    Each section is strategically assembled before installation, including alignment of the steel, welding, grinding, some painting and electrical work. It’s an intricate process and something we’ll get to see rise before our eyes over the coming weeks and months.

    This canopy will be a massive, awe-inspiring structure flowing organically over you when you race beneath it aboard your Lightcycle, serving as a digital bridge for your transition into The Grid.

    As the Lightcycles whiz by, dynamic stripes of lights will follow along the canopy, creating a powerful visual for riders and bystanders alike.Â