Disney News

Author: Nate

  • Pixar’s First Gay Main Character Arrives in Disney+ Short Film

    Pixar’s First Gay Main Character Arrives in Disney+ Short Film

    “Out,” a short film that features Pixar’s first gay main character, was released Friday on Disney+.

    The computer animation studio, owned by Disney, premiered the film on the Disney+ streaming service through its SparkShorts series. It follows the story of a man named Greg who struggles with coming out to his parents before moving in with his boyfriend, Manuel.

    Disney+ announced the “heartwarming” tale on its Twitter account along with the short’s trailer. Take a look at it below:

    “Out” was directed by Steven Clay Hunter, known for animating “Finding Nemo” and “WALL-E,” among other Pixar films. Max Sachar, known for his work on “Coco” and “Toy Story 3” produced the short.

    In March, Bob Chapek, CEO of the Walt Disney Company, shut down a critic who claimed that the company is losing money because its products “promote LGBT ideology.” Chapek stated that the company wants “to tell stories that our audience wants to hear that reflects their lives.”

    Walt Disney Studios has been stepping up its LGBTQ representation recently by including LGBTQ storylines in films including “Avengers: Endgame” and “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.” It also recently made history with “Onward,” an animated film that features a lesbian character voiced by Lena Waithe.

    A number of upcoming Disney projects are also slated to include LGBTQ characters, including “The Eternals” and “Thor: Love and Thunder.”

  • Disney World to Submit Reopening Plans and Date Next Week

    Disney World to Submit Reopening Plans and Date Next Week

    Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings shared that Disney World be submitting their proposed reopening plan and date next week, in an interview with CNBC.

    “Disney has given an indication that next week, they will submit their plans” Demings said. “At this time it’s an undefined time or date but we do look forward to seeing that sometime next week.”

    Once the plans have been submitted they will schedule a full briefing with the Orange County Task Force, and then Mayor Demings and Governor DeSantis, must sign-off their approval.

    Universal presented their plans to the Orange County Task Force on Thursday, saying they would like to begin reopening in phases starting on June 1st. They said the opening would be gradual and would manage capacity across the entire resort, including within attractions, restaurants, and stores.

    Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has approved Universal Orlando Resort’s reopening plans and has sent a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis for the final signature.

  • ‘The Simpsons’ to Stream in Original Aspect Ratio on Disney Plus Beginning May 28

    ‘The Simpsons’ to Stream in Original Aspect Ratio on Disney Plus Beginning May 28

    “The Simpsons” fans are finally getting what they want from Disney+ as most of the animated sitcom’s older episodes will be available in the original 4-by-3 aspect ratio starting May 28.

    When the streaming service launched last November, it presented the full batch of “Simpsons” episodes in 16-by-9 format. That cropped out key details from older episodes — literally destroying some of the sight gags. After a backlash, Disney said it would restore the first 19 seasons and some of Season 20 in the original pre-HD aspect ratio.

    Now, months later, the archived episodes of “The Simpsons” in their original glory are nearly ready to come to Disney Plus. Al Jean, the show’s longtime showrunner, writer and executive producer, announced the release date for the 4:3 episodes on Twitter. Take a look below:

    After Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, Disney Plus became the exclusive subscription VOD home of “The Simpsons.”

    “The Simpsons,” from creator and executive producer Matt Groening, last year was renewed for Seasons 31 and 32 by Fox Corp.’s Fox broadcast network. The show remains the longest-running primetime scripted TV show in history after surpassing “Gunsmoke” with season 29.

  • Babirusa Piglet Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

    Babirusa Piglet Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

    Disney’s Animal Kingdom is celebrating a first for the park: the birth of a babirusa piglet.

    It’s a girl and the Disney animal care team has chosen to name her Kirana, which translates to “sunbeam” in Indonesian. 

    Babirusas are part of the hog family, native to the swamps and rainforests of the Indonesian Islands. They’re known for their unique snouts and magnificent tusks that can grow up to almost 17 inches! Close relatives of the babirusa also live at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, such as the warthogs on Kilimanjaro Safaris and the KuneKune pigs at Affection Section. 

    This birth is another success story for the dedicated team of Disney animal care experts, as parents Betty and Mentari were chosen to breed through the Species Survival Plan (SSP) overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The SSP assures responsible breeding for endangered species, such as the babirusa pigs and Asha, the Hartmann’s Mountain zebra foal recently born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  

    Over the last 15 years, Disney animal care experts partnered with reproductive biologists and the SSP to “crack the code” on breeding a babirusa pair. The piglet is making an important contribution toward the worldwide conservation and understanding of the species, which will help ensure a future generation for these vulnerable animals. 

    The Disney Conservation Fund has supported projects in Africa for more than 20 years to inspire grassroots conservation and improve livelihoods. These projects can help protect Africa’s amazing wildlife and benefit the hogs – such as babirusas – living in these habitats. 

  • New Disney Princess and Marvel Goldfish Coming Soon From Pepperidge Farm

    New Disney Princess and Marvel Goldfish Coming Soon From Pepperidge Farm

    The snack that smiles back is teaming up with Disney once again and now Pepperidge Farm is releasing new additions to their lineup that feature a few iconic Disney princesses as well as Marvel superheroes.

    Goldfish announced the launch of these special-edition crackers this week and they filled with the same cheesy flavor, but instead of the classic Goldfish shape, the crackers are shaped like Jasmine, Moana, and Cinderella.

    You can find these royal shapes in one of three sparkly collectible packages that are available in pink, purple, or blue. Each package features two favorite princesses including Jasmine and Rapunzel, Tiana and Cinderella, and Moana and Ariel. Take a look at the different packaging below:

    Teaming up with Marvel for the first time, Goldfish is also releasing three different packages with the Avengers on them. Inside you’ll find special-edition crackers shaped like Iron Man, Black Widow, Black Panther, and the Avengers symbol.

    These special-edition crackers will be available exclusively at Target starting in June.

  • Disney Issues COVID-19 Disclaimer Ahead of Reopening

    Disney Issues COVID-19 Disclaimer Ahead of Reopening

    Ahead of Disney Spring’s reopening on Wednesday, Disney has put out a disclaimer about the coronavirus.

    while Disney has made it clear that “enhanced health and safety measures” will be the utmost importance — guests still assume all the risk. 

    “An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death,” reads a disclaimer on the Disney World website.

    It concludes: “By visiting Walt Disney World Resort, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.” 

    On Wednesday, shops will be open at Disney Springs. The next phase will start seven days later when Disney retail shops, such as World of Disney Store, and Disney eateries reopen.

    Among the new safety measures include all guests and employees being required to wear masks. Guests will have their temperatures checked, and plexiglass dividers have been installed at registers.

  • New Wall-E and Eve Loungefly Set Coming Soon

    New Wall-E and Eve Loungefly Set Coming Soon

    This directive is no longer classified as Loungefly has announced that a new Wall-E and Eve set is coming soon!

    The new set includes a Wall-E backpack and a wristlet that depicts the scene with Wall-E giving Eve “the plant.”

    Loungefly took to Instagram to share the exciting news today. Take a look below:

    “We put all our love in making this Wall-E and Eve set come to life and we cannot wait to see them find their way into your hands!” Loungefly said in the post.

  • Unofficial Club Penguin Site Shuts Down After Disney Copyright Claim

    Unofficial Club Penguin Site Shuts Down After Disney Copyright Claim

    After Disney shut down the official Club Penguin game in 2018, an unlicensed version took it’s place, but the site is now shut down due to copyright issues.

    The shutdown of Club Penguin Online came after Disney issued a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown notice against the site this week.

    “We continue to enforce our rights against this, and other, unauthorized uses of the Club Penguin game,” Disney said in a statement.

    Club Penguin Online, an unlicensed revival of the popular Disney-owned children’s social network, is one of the largest fan replicas of the game, accruing over 8 million users over the last two years.

    According to a BBC report, police arrested a London man involved in Club Penguin Online on suspicion of possessing “child abuse images.”

    And BBC News investigation found, among other things, that the unauthorized Club Penguin Online game had disabled content filters that removed offensive language and that the game’s moderators were no longer removing racist content.

  • Disney Springs Implements New Safety Measures for Phased Reopening

    Disney Springs Implements New Safety Measures for Phased Reopening

    Disney announced that Disney Springs will be reopening on May 20 with new safety measures and now we have more details on exactly what they will be.

    Based on applicable government requirements, as well as guidance from health authorities such as the CDC and appropriate government agencies, Disney is implementing a number of new health and safety measures and operational changes.

    There is plenty of magic awaiting you at Disney Springs – it just may feel a bit different than before. Here is what you need to know prior to your arrival: 

    • Parking and Entrances: During this initial phase, guests will be directed to self-park in the Orange and Lime Garages. All surface lots will be closed. We will also reduce the number of entrances for Disney Springs to four locations: Orange and Lime Garages, along with the Hotel Plaza Boulevard pedestrian bridge and ride share location.
    • Appropriate Face Coverings: All guests 3 years of age and older, along with cast members and third-party operating-participant employees, will be required to wear an appropriate face covering while visiting Disney Springs. This is an important part of protecting both our guests and our cast. Please be sure you have an ample amount of face coverings for yourself and your party before you arrive, as you’ll need to wear them over your nose and mouth at all times (except when sitting at a dining table).
    • Temperature Screenings: Once you arrive at Disney Springs, you and your party will be required to undergo temperature screenings. Based on guidance from health authorities, anyone displaying a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will be directed to an additional location for rescreening and assistance; those who again measure 100.4 degrees or higher will not be allowed entry, nor will those in their party. I encourage you to check temperatures of yourself and your party prior to leaving home, as an extra layer of precaution.  
    • Physical Distancing and Capacity Measures: To maintain appropriate physical distancing throughout Disney Springs during this initial phase, we will limit the number of guests visiting the property, as well as within each location. In addition, ground markings will help promote proper distancing when queuing is necessary. We will also add physical barriers in select places where it’s difficult to maintain physical distancing. 
    • Cleanliness: We’ve increased cleaning and disinfection procedures in high-traffic areas such as elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more. We will also have hand-washing stations and hand sanitizer available, and encourage you to use these frequently.
    • Cashless Transactions: We’re recommending you use cashless payment options whenever possible during your visit to Disney Springs, including debit cards, credit cards, Disney gift cards, etc. You can also opt for contactless payment options or use cash to purchase a Disney gift card at the Welcome Center and select merchandise locations. 
  • Disney Announces First Shops and Restaurants to Reopen at Disney Springs

    Disney Announces First Shops and Restaurants to Reopen at Disney Springs

    On May 27, three Disney-owned and -operated stores and venues at Disney Springs will reopen: World of Disney, D-Luxe Burger (mobile order) and the Marketplace Co-Op.

    Wednesday, May 20, will be the first step in the phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resort, as Disney Springs begins its initial reopening that morning. 

    Matt Simon, Vice President, Disney Springs said, “With the safety and well-being of our guests, cast members and third-party operating participants at the forefront of our planning.”

    It said parking at Disney Springs will be limited and fewer entrances will be open.

    Employees and visitors will have their temperatures screened prior to entering and face coverings are required, the company said.

    “We are eager to begin welcoming you back to this part of Walt Disney World. While our theme parks and resort hotels remain temporarily closed, the phased reopening of Disney Springs is a welcome milestone as we navigate through this unprecedented time together as responsibly as we can,” Simon said.