Disney News

Author: Nate

  • Luxury Disney World Resort will Home-School Your Kids with ‘Schoolcation’ Packages

    Luxury Disney World Resort will Home-School Your Kids with ‘Schoolcation’ Packages

    Flexible school schedules and accessible e-learning mean it’s now easier than ever to take a family vacation when school is in session.

    Parents now have the option of enrolling their little virtual learners in a supervised schoolwork session offered at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, held in a quiet, dedicated learning space. After their schoolwork is complete, kids can experience the ultimate “recess.”

    With the Resort’s exclusive 5-acre Explorer Island as their playground, kids will have a blast swimming in the Explorer Pool, floating down the lazy river, zooming down the water slides, and enjoying outdoor recreation such as sand volleyball, basketball, foosball, table-tennis, and more.  

    “This new offering exclusively for our Resort guests will be both helpful to parents, as well as something really fun for kids to experience,” says Thomas Steinhauer, General Manager and Regional Vice President of Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort.  “Many kids have been completing school work in their homes for a while now. A chance to mix up their learning environment, and combine school and playtime at the Resort, is sure to be a welcome treat and create a memory that will last a lifetime.”  

    Study Sessions

    The supervised schoolwork sessions will be held in small-group classroom settings, physically distanced with no more than six children per class. The spacious event rooms of Four Seasons Resort Orlando are the classroom setting, featuring airy and open rooms with a wall of windows for natural light, and a private terrace for outside break time.  Each student will have a dedicated desk area, physically distanced from the other students, and high-speed premium WiFi will be provided. The schedule is offered as either a half-day from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, or a full day from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, with lunch included.  

    Schedule

    • 9:00 am to 12:00 noon: Supervised virtual learning, snack break included (half-day participants depart at noon)
    • Lunch break: Students opting for a full day will order lunch off a set menu and the lunch will be delivered at the student’s scheduled lunch break time
    • 1:00 to 2:00 pm: Optional enrichment period for those with flexible schedules including Arts and Crafts and Physical Education
    • 3:00 pm: Parents pick up their child(ren)  

    The supervised study sessions are available Monday through Friday beginning September 14, 2020, for school-aged children for $50 per child for a half-day session or $100 per child for the full session including lunch. Due to capacity limitations, reservations must be confirmed at least 48 hours in advance. Attendees must be registered overnight guests of the Resort.  

    The team overseeing the study sessions are exceptionally trained Kids For All Seasons staff, who have years of experience in working with children.  “Our kids’ club team members have enthusiastic, delightful personalities,” says Sarah Peltier, Director of Recreation. “They are looking forward to supporting the students while they engage in their virtual learning, and bringing fun and creativity to the afternoon enrichment session.”  

    A Break for Parents

    While kids are e-learning, parents can relish in free time to themselves to relax by the Resort’s exclusive adult-only Oasis Pool. Surrounded by palm trees and white cabanas, the lakeside, infinity-edge adult pool is a quiet sanctuary where parents can truly relax and unwind, with attentive cocktail servers at the ready.  Additionally, the 18-treatment room Spa at Four Seasons offers a variety of treatments to renew and refresh, from facials and massages to signature treatments such as the Vibrational Sound Therapy, Cryotherapy and Vitality Drips.  The full-service hair salon also offers hair colour/cuts and styling services. The Spa’s indoor and outdoor relaxation lounges, plus separate Solarium with zero-gravity loungers and spacious men’s and women’s locker rooms with Experience Shower and whirlpool, provide the ultimate opportunity to relax and de-stress.    

    Adults can also hit the links at the Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club, enjoying the resort’s 18-hole Tom Fazio designed course, host venue to the LPGA Tour’s 2021 Tournament of Champions, nationally televised on Golf Channel and NBC. A certified National Audubon wildlife sanctuary, the course offers a tranquil escape, and is home to wildlife including deer and osprey.   

    The Club also features a state-of-the-art practice facility, with a driving range, short course, putting course and TrackMan video monitor swing analysis.  

    Lessons On and Off the Greens

    In addition to golf, the Resort offers three Har-Tru tennis courts and a partnership with Peter Burwash International.  Kids and adults alike can enjoy “Physical Education” with one of the Resort’s talented sports instructors. Rod Cook, Director of Golf Instruction, and Alain Labreque, certified PBI tennis professional, are both available for individual or family golf and/or tennis lessons, and Labreque offers three complimentary clinics per week to help guests improve their skillset.  

    The Resort’s talented team of wellness trainers can instruct, inspire and guide through many different individual or family classes.  These experts offer training in the disciplines of yoga, meditation, spinning, body sculpt, high intensity cross-training, and a unique aqua fitness class held in the lazy river using the water current for resistance.  These vast instruction offerings are supplemented with the state-of-the-art fitness centre that includes Matrix cardiovascular and strength training equipment, two Peloton cycles, Technogym’s running SKILLMILL, Concept2 rowing machines, free weights, kettlebells, medicine balls and a plethora of additional equipment to help one maintain a healthy lifestyle. The private fitness studio is equipped with Fitness On Demand, a virtual program with hundreds of classes to choose from as an individual, couple, or for family bonding time, for self-guided sessions.  

    Culinary Classes

    Adults can also enjoy a dash of mixology education by learning how to create one of The Lobby Bar’s signature cocktails.  The new cocktail kit to-go box, available to purchase in Lickety Split, includes all of the ingredients and tools to make one of the Resort’s signature cocktails, theHemingway Daiquiri.  Guests receive a link to view a video with step-by-step instructions to shake, stir and enjoy in the comfort of one’s own guest room.   

    Additionally, physically distanced cooking classes can also be arranged with the Resort’s talented team of culinarians. Executive Chef Fabrizio Schenardi, from Torino, Italy along with his team of talented chefs from Ravello can teach a class on pasta or pizza making. Executive Pastry Chef Rabii Saber, a 2019 James Beard Award semi-finalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef, can teach a class on the art of chocolate making. The classes can be reserved in Ravello’s private Demonstration Kitchen, a bright space featuring state-of-the-art audio/visual connectivity, ensuring each participant can see exactly which step the chef is demonstrating. Individual and family cooking classes can be reserved and customised by the Ravello team according to the guest’s preferences. 

    Experience More – Resort Credit Package and Advance Purchase Offer

    The Resort’s Experience More package, available through December 18, 2020, includes a $200 nightly credit for stays in a guest room, or a $500 nightly credit for stays in a one or two bedroom suite.  The credit can be used toward any Resort activity, including supervised study sessions. Guests have a multitude of ways to spend their credit, including Spa and Salon treatments, golf, tennis, retail purchases, private cabana rentals, in-room dining, and more.  Additionally, a new in-room afternoon tea party service is available, featuring an assortment of teas, tea sandwiches, scones and Devonshire cream, all to enjoy in the comfort of one’s guest room or furnished guest room terrace.  

    The Advance Purchase offer is also available through December 18, 2020, offering 20 percent savings for guest room reservations booked at least seven days prior to arrival, with full pre-payment.

  • Disney Virtual Family Game Night Debuts Friday Night at 7PM ET

    Disney Virtual Family Game Night Debuts Friday Night at 7PM ET

    Disney will be holding a Virtual Family Game Night tonight that will include Disney trivia, matching games and more.

    Everyone can play along from home when the event kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on Friday during the Park Pals Edition of Disney Family Game Night. And if you’re not able to join for the livestream on Friday, the game will also be available for replay on YouTube and Facebook.

    To make sure your game night is extra magical, a few Disney items you’ll need have been gathered up for you below. First, prepare to win a coveted Mickey Thumbs Up by printing out your Disney scorecard.

    There will be seven challenging trivia rounds testing how much you know about Disney characters and personalities you may find at our Parks around the world.  

    And if you’re like me and game night is a big deal at home, we’re also offering special Disney crafts and snacks to make the experience even more magical. First, our friends at Disney Family are sharing DIY game night treat bags inspired by the funniest duo in “Toy Story 4” – Ducky and Bunny.  The bags are simple to create and perfect for holding popcorn or other goodies.  Here’s how to make them. 

    For Disney Family Game Night, you can also surprise everyone with a dessert filled with Mickey magic. Mickey S’mores Cupcakes are delicious with a graham cracker crust, soft chocolate cake and toasted marshmallow fluff – and Disney Family is sharing the recipe! Learn how to make them here. 

    Disney Family Game Night is part of the #DisneyMagicalMoments campaign, which Disney launched during the pandemic as a way to share virtual experiences, including activities, recipes, and other behind-the-scenes content.

  • New Sequined Pastel Rainbow Minnie Ears Coming to shopDisney are Too Cute

    New Sequined Pastel Rainbow Minnie Ears Coming to shopDisney are Too Cute

    Disney is releasing the newest set of Minnie ears from the Disney Parks Designer Collection, this time created by supermodel Lily Aldridge and they are being released tomorrow on shopDisney.

    “I have such fond Disney memories with my daughter, Dixie, and it was an absolute dream to be able to design these ears with her,” said Aldridge. “Our first stop at Disney Parks is always to buy our Minnie Mouse ears and I hope families will love what we created to make their Disney memories extra magical, too!”

    The new ears will be available tomorrow on shopDisney at 7:00 as you can see in the post below:

    Get the latest release in the #DisneyParksDesignerCollection by Lily Aldridge exclusively on shopDisney tomorrow at 7 a.m. PST! 🌈 ✨

    Posted by Disney Parks Blog on Thursday, September 3, 2020

    Lily Maud Aldridge is an American model best known for being a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 2010 until 2018. She also appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, alongside Chrissy Teigen and Nina Agdal, for the 50th anniversary cover in 2014.

  • ‘Moana’ Star Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, family all test positive for COVID-19

    ‘Moana’ Star Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, family all test positive for COVID-19

    Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, star of Disney’s Moana, and his family have tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the star revealed Wednesday.

    Johnson says that he and his wife, and his two daughters tested positive for COVID-19 and have been battling the virus for the past two to three weeks.

    Now Disney’s upcoming Jungle Cruise star and one of the most popular entertainers on earth is urging fans to wear a mask and protect each other from this disease as you can see in the Instagram post below:

    “I wish it was only me who tested positive, but it wasn’t, it was my entire family,” the star said in an Instagram video Wednesday.

    “I wanted to give you guys a little helpful update on things that have been going on on my end for the past two-and-a-half to three weeks now. So the update is this: my wife Lauren as well as my two baby girls and myself, we have all tested positive for COVID-19,” Johnson began his video message.

    “I could tell you that this has been one of the most challenging and difficult things we have ever had to endure as a family, and for me, too, personally as well,” he continued. “And I’ve gone through some doozies in the past.”

  • New ‘Hocus Pocus’ Cookie Dough from Toll House Will Put a Spell on You

    New ‘Hocus Pocus’ Cookie Dough from Toll House Will Put a Spell on You

    With Halloween right around the corner its time to start streaming Hocus Pocus on a loop and to help celebrate, Nestle Toll House has released some Sanderson Sister’s inspired cookies that will have you running “Amok Amok Amok!”

    You can now find ready-to-bake Hocus Pocus cookie dough in your grocer’s freezer in 14-oz. packages. Inside is oatmeal peanut butter cookie dough with chocolate morsels and candy-coated gems.

    The gems come in three colors—orange, purple, and yellow—in an apparent nod to the immortal Sanderson sisters: Winifred, Sarah, and Mary as you can see in the post below:

    Each package comes with enough dough to make 20 cookies, and each cookie has only 90 calories. So not only is there enough dough to last you through repeat viewings but also you don’t have to feel guilty by the time you finish the whole package.

  • Celebrate 25 Years of Pixar All Month Long with Disney+ Watch Parties and More

    Celebrate 25 Years of Pixar All Month Long with Disney+ Watch Parties and More

    During September, Pixar Fest will honor the animation studio that has brought fans around the world together, with some of the most iconic moments in filmmaking history.

    Twenty five years ago, Pixar revolutionized the art of animation with the release of Toy Story, and has since continued to inspire curiosity, creativity, and imagination through its beloved characters and emotive stories that are cherished by families everywhere.

    A month-long celebration of all things Pixar includes weekly activities, digital activations, Disney+ watchalongs, new product launches, and more.

    Whether you are a hero, adventurer, or dreamer, Disney has something Pixar-perfect for you! Keep reading for a few ways you can join the fun this month.

    Beginning September 5th, every Saturday throughout the month, join fans around the nation to watch some of your favorite Pixar movies. Check out the Pixar Fest film schedule below, and get ready for a new adventure each week, right from the comfort of your own couch!

    Disney is also sharing an exciting lineup of Pixar Fest products for the ultimate Pixar fan, including an epic Buzz Lightyear Limited Edition Citizen Watch, Pixar Alien Remix plush from Mattel, and more!

    And, what’s a good movie night without movie-inspired snacks? Not to fret, we have you covered! Show off your culinary skills with the following tasty – and adorable – original recipes inspired by Pixar films. Right click on each recipe image to save!

    Edna A La Mode “Party Style”

    Frozen Banana Joy Pops

    Popcorn Balloons

    Sheriff Woody’s Star Ravioli

    Wizard Staff Pretzels

    Be sure to follow along the Pixar social handles and join the conversation using #PixarFest

  • First Look At A Younger Yoda From Star Wars: The High Republic

    First Look At A Younger Yoda From Star Wars: The High Republic

    Star Wars: The High Republic launches in January 2021 with original stories spanning a variety of books, comics, and beyond and now Lucasfilm has confirmed that Yoda will be part of these stories and released new concept art showing a younger Yoda.

    Yoda has trained jedi for 800 years, but he’s only known him through his final act — in the last days of the Republic and Jedi Order, and during the training of Luke Skywalker. In Star Wars: The High Republic, we’ll encounter the Jedi Master centuries prior.

    Yoda will feature prominently in Daniel José Older’s Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures comic, coming 2021 from IDW Publishing; the Jedi Master that Older depicts in his series, however, won’t be quite the same sage-like being you’ve known. Take a look at the concept art below:

    “It’s especially exciting to be able to introduce him in the era of the High Republic,” Older said in an interview with StarWars.com. “The High Republic Yoda is a journeyman out in the galaxy.” According to Older, the Emperor’s “little green friend” will still be treading somewhat familiar ground — that of teacher.

    “While he’s already a respected member of the Jedi Council at this point, we meet Yoda in IDW’s The High Republic Adventures series doing what he loves best: looking out for the young folks — in this case, a group of Padawans traveling around the galaxy to learn the ways of the Jedi with a hands-on approach,” Older says. “The Force study abroad program, basically.”

    Ultimately for Older, depicting Yoda during a previously unseen era is an opportunity he doesn’t take for granted.

    “The only reason writing Yoda wasn’t on my Star Wars writing bucket list is because I didn’t think it would ever be possible!” he says. “It’s an incredible honor to give words to one of my all-time favorite Star Wars characters.”

    With an appearance in a visual medium, that would mean a new design for the iconic character. It was a challenge not to be taken lightly. “The goal was to update Yoda, but to be careful and be true to the Yoda that we all know and love,” says Troy Alders, Lucasfilm art director. “Also, to really make sure that the new look was believable, as this is really the first time that there has been an opportunity to update his look and his clothing. It felt like a daunting and enormous responsibility to embark on and get right.”

    Once design work began, Lucasfilm didn’t want to fix what wasn’t broken. At the same time, there was an obvious need to show that these were earlier days. “Well, Yoda is not that much younger — around 700 years old instead of about 900. But we thought that with it being hundreds of years earlier, he would definitely have a different outfit, maybe even more than one,” says Alders. “His age, as far as the way that his hair and face look, is maybe just slightly younger, but fairly close to his look in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.” And since the thinking was his appearance wouldn’t be radically different from that of Episode I, Alders went to one of the talents who visually defined that film.

    “Right away, concept artist Iain McCaig felt like the go-to artist to help us start to explore this new look for Yoda,” says Alders, “so we called him up and started to talk about what directions to explore.” Other artists contributed, as well, with Disney Publishing illustration manager Jeff R. Thomas and Star Wars: Dark Legends artist Grant Griffin playing key roles in defining the final look. Griffin’s concept art, revealed here exclusively, shows a Yoda with slightly less mileage in terms of wrinkles, as well as fresh outfits; note the previously established High Republic-era lightsaber holster, more layered tunics, and cloaks reflecting the era. “This mission outfit, with just tonal markings on the robe, are inspired by the Jedi Temple architectural details. Many new fans may not even notice these very subtle additions,” Alders says. “The temple attire, however, from this special time of the golden age of the Jedi, feels so right with its elegance, and we are all extremely grateful for the artists that helped us arrive at such a beautiful solution for this important milestone in the Star Wars timeline.”

    Alders and his team of artists took great care in getting these designs right — making sure they were worthy of the story, and a character loved across the world.

    “I do not think that I, or anyone on our team, fully realized what a huge task this was,” Alders says. “But looking at where we arrived, after many countless explorations and iterations with various creative minds and artists, it feels authentic to what this noble Jedi would wear. Dressing Yoda for this epic time period, and creating designs adorned with gold, using beautiful fabrics and details, is something that he and all of the Jedi very much deserve, and the end result, I think, is gorgeous, and really celebrates this exciting and visually rich, gilded era.”

  • Body Camera Video shows Deputies Searching Abandoned Disney Park for Trespasser

    Body Camera Video shows Deputies Searching Abandoned Disney Park for Trespasser

    The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has released body camera footage involving the search for a man who was reported to be camping out at the abandoned Disney theme park Discovery Island.

    Discovery Island has been closed to the public since 1999, having been used as a Disney wildlife park for the previous 25 years. The company left all of the original buildings on the island and back in April, 42-year-old, Richard McGuire decided to set up camp there to quarantine during the coronavirus outbreak.

    According to an arrest affidavit, McGuire was spotted by a wildlife camera on the island, which is only accessible by boat, and which used to house animal exhibits. Disney security called in the sheriff’s office. Take a look at the video below:

    They eventually gave up their search, but were called back later when McGuire was seen crossing the lake on a boat. He was arrested and charged with trespassing and is out on bail.

  • Disney’s Polynesian Resort to Receive ‘Moana’ Inspired Re-Theming

    Disney’s Polynesian Resort to Receive ‘Moana’ Inspired Re-Theming

    The reopening of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has been pushed backed to the summer 2021 and the resort will received a make-over inspired by the recent Disney hit Moana.

    The extended closure is not only due to the coronavirus pandemic as the company will use the time to complete an extensive refurbishment to the resort in order to complete the re-theming.

    A Disney World spokeswoman on Monday said changes to the rooms will include a move to a Pacific Ocean-inspired color palette as well as details, patterns and textures from Disney’s “Moana,” an animated film that takes place partly on the Polynesian island of Motunui. Take a look at the release from Disney below:

    As we continue to reopen additional Disney Resort hotels to Guests, we are modifying the reopening date for As we continue to reopen additional Disney Resort hotels to Guests, we are modifying the reopening date for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort which will reopen next summer. This schedule adjustment also allows us to complete some refurbishment work at the Resort hotel, including enhancements to the Great Ceremonial House and Guest rooms. We expect work to begin in early October and look forward to sharing more about these changes in the future. The Villas and Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will remain open during this refurbishment.

    The hotel, along with others on Disney property, has been closed since mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic. Disney Vacation Club units at the Polynesian, including the on-water bungalows and villas, will remain open.

  • Whoopi Goldberg Urges Disney to Build Wakanda Theme Park to Honor Chadwick Boseman

    Whoopi Goldberg Urges Disney to Build Wakanda Theme Park to Honor Chadwick Boseman

    “The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg is calling on Disney to build a Wakanda theme park in honor of the late actor Chadwick Boseman.

    The actor’s 4-year battle with colon cancer ended Friday, his family said in a statement. Boseman portrayed King T’Challa in the Marvel blockbuster superhero movie “Black Panther.”

    On Sunday, “The View” co-host posted on Twitter to call on Disney to not build “another Frozen land BUT what we could use is Wakonda,” as you can see in the post below:

    “Dear People in charge of building NEW experiences Disney Land and World we don’t really need another Frozen land BUT what we could use is Wakonda,” she tweeted. “Please Disneyworld Disneyland PLEASE build in Chadwick Boseman’s name WAKONDA (Sic).”

    Last year, Disney announced that the “Avengers” Campus would open in 2022 at Disney California Adventure park.

    While Disney hasn’t mentioned anything about a Wakanda theme park, visitors at the “Avengers” park will find “heroic encounters throughout the campus, including Black Widow, Ant-Man and The Wasp, Doctor Strange, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Super Heroes from Wakanda and Asgard, and Iron Man.”