Disney News

Author: Nate

  • Mickey’s Cotton Candy Soda at California Adventure Food & Wine Festival is a Sweet Treat

    Mickey’s Cotton Candy Soda at California Adventure Food & Wine Festival is a Sweet Treat

    The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival is in full swing at Disneyland Resort celebrating the beauty and bounty of California. The festival features unforgettable cuisine and beverages from regions across the Golden State and the “Yippee! Mickey’s Cotton Candy Soda” is sweet treat you won’t want to miss!

    This tasty drink is a combination of Sprite, Cotton Candy Premium Syrup, Half-rimmed Butter Cream with Pineapple Cotton Candy Garnish.

    The drink is also featured on this years Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Annual Passholder Tee Shirt as you can see in the post below:

    You can get your tee shirt at the festival now through April 23 or while supplies last.

    That’s not all the festival has to offer though! In addition to 14 Festival Marketplaces with incredible menus, you can enjoy family-friendly seminars, celebrity chef sightings, a dinner with Disney chefs, and so much more!

    The Marketplace menus this year are jam-packed with a delicious array of new items, as well as some returning favorites. Located throughout Disney California Adventure park, you’ll want to make a stop at every kiosk! Paradise Garden Grill and the Festival Beer Garden are also featuring their own offerings, including a wonderful selection of beer flights and unique dishes.

  • The A1000 Is Disney’s Advanced Animatronic Bringing Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to Life

    The A1000 Is Disney’s Advanced Animatronic Bringing Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to Life

    A new generation of Audio-Animatronic’s are being introduced into Disney Parks and this new iteration of the technology will be bringing Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to life in a whole new way!

    A1000 advanced robotics are the next evolution of the A100 Audio-Animatronic figures that were first introduced by Walt Disney Imagineering in the mid-1980s. This standardized system for building humanoid robotic figures incorporates new electric functionality, replacing former hydraulic functions, producing extremely realistic, lifelike movement. Future figures in humanoid form can all use this system to ensure the same degree of realism and advanced levels of movement. 

    The advanced figures that were developed for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – like this animated figure of Hondo Ohnaka from the Star Wars animated television series – are a hybrid of A1000 technology enhanced with custom-built elements. Take a look at the video below:

    The character can be seen talking and gesturing, and had the video not shown footage of the animatronic figure being assembled, it could easily be mistaken for a human being in make-up.

    Hondo Ohnaka is a part of a ride called Smuggler’s Run and will presumably give you your mission briefing before you board the Millennium Falcon. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens at California’s Disneyland Resort in summer 2019 and Florida’s Walt Disney World Resort in fall 2019.

  • Kevin Hart Could Be Playing Mushu in Disney’s Live-Action Mulan Remake

    Kevin Hart Could Be Playing Mushu in Disney’s Live-Action Mulan Remake

    Disney’s live-action remake of “Mulan” is set to be released next year and according to some recent rumors the company may still be doing some casting. New reports have surfaced that Disney is considering Kevin Hart to give Mulan’s sidekick dragon Mushu a voice.

    According to The DisInsider, the live-action “Mulan” film has wrapped production, but as the film goes into the editing process, Disney is still looking for a voice for Mushu with Hart being their top choice.

    In the original 1998 “Mulan” animated film, Mushu is a small, kind of scrawny red Chinese dragon who may be the comic relief in the film, but also serves as Mulan’s closest companion. Eddie Murphy provided Mushu’s voice in the film, though Mark Moseley took over voicing duties for the 2004 direct-to-video sequel, Mulan II.

    Thus far, Mushu has not appeared in any official information about the live-action film — including the full synopsis which you can see below that was revealed last August.

    Mulan is the epic adventure of a fearless young woman who masquerades as a man in order to fight Northern Invaders attacking China. The eldest daughter of an honored warrior, Hua Mulan is spirited, determined and quick on her feet. When the Emperor issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army, she steps in to take the place of her ailing father as Hua Jun, becoming one of China’s greatest warriors ever.

    If Disney is really considering putting Hart in the role, it’s a move that could be met with some backlash. Back in December, Hart stepped down as the host for the 2019 Academy Awards following old tweets in which he made derogatory remarks about the LGBTQ+ community came to light. Hart apologized for the tweets, but still stepped down from the hosting duties.

    “Mulan” is directed by Niki Caro (Whale Rider, McFarland USA) from a screenplay by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver (Jurassic World, In the Heart of the Sea) and Elizabeth Martin & Lauren Hynek based on the narrative poem The Ballad of Mulan. The producers are Jason T. Reed (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Chris Bender (A History of Violence) and Jake Weiner (Criminal) with Barrie M. Osborne (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King), Bill Kong (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Monster Hunt) and Tim Coddington (Crazy Rich Asians) serving as executive producers.

    Disney’s Mulan is set to hit theaters on March 27, 2020.

  • Disney Junior’s ‘Fancy Nancy’ Meet & Greet Coming to Hollywood Studios

    Disney Junior’s ‘Fancy Nancy’ Meet & Greet Coming to Hollywood Studios

    Nancy Clancy, the high-spirited young girl from Disney Junior’s hit animated series “Fancy Nancy,” is making “une grande entrée” into Disney Parks this spring!

    Just in time for the 30th anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 1, you’ll be able to find Nancy at an all-new character greeting location in the park’s Animation Courtyard, where she’ll be meeting all her friends in front of her backyard playhouse. Nancy will also soon be part of the breakfast-time fun during Disney Junior Play ‘n Dine at Hollywood & Vine, the place to eat, play and laugh along with favorite Disney Junior friends including Vampirina, Doc McStuffins and Roadster Racer Goofy.

    Later in May, Nancy will be heading to Disneyland Resort, too! There, you’ll get to see her just outside the “Disney Junior Dance Party!” in Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure park.

    Disney Junior’s animated family comedy “Fancy Nancy” follows six-year-old Nancy, whose imagination and enthusiasm for all that is exquisite transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary – from her vast vocabulary to her creative and elaborate attire. Nancy uses ingenuity and resourcefulness to exemplify that even if life doesn’t always go as planned, it’s important to make the most of each day and encourage others to do the same.

    “Fancy Nancy” airs weekdays on Disney Channel and daily on Disney Junior, and is also available in the DisneyNOW app.

  • Jessie’s Critter Carousel to Open in April at Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure

    Jessie’s Critter Carousel to Open in April at Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure

    Pixar Pier, the reimagined land in Disney California Adventure park, shares the stories and characters of Disney•Pixar films and a new attraction is now set to open in the area. Disney announced Friday, that Jessie’s Critter Carousel will open in April!

    Amongst the exciting attractions, themed neighborhoods and fun eateries you’ll now be able to mosey on over to a giant toy carousel starring Jessie, the yodeling cowgirl and a friendly bunch of desert critters for a rootin’, tootin’ romp.

    Inspired by Jessie’s wilderness friends in the “Woody’s Roundup” television show from “Toy Story 2,” this newly reimagined attraction is a classic boardwalk carousel with a whimsical spin. Saddle up on one of 56 adorable friends, choosing from a turtle, snake, buzzard, armadillo, bunny, deer, raccoon, ram, skunk and two cozy logs inhabited by a family of owls.

    How excited are you for the opening of Jessie’s Critter Carousel at Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned to Disney Dorks for more updates.

  • RUMOR: George Lucas Returning to Star Wars to Help Fix Episode IX

    RUMOR: George Lucas Returning to Star Wars to Help Fix Episode IX

    Star Wars: The Last Jedi received a lot of backlash and divided Star Wars fans on a whole new level. Now a new rumor claims that Disney may be bringing in George Lucas to help JJ Abrams on Episode IX and to help fix the franchise.

    According to a recent report by Express, “a leak claims George Lucas is closely involved with JJ Abrams on Episode IX and will help bring Luke Skywalker’s character back to his original vision following The Last Jedi fan backlash.”

    The report says that the director will work closely with the godfather of Star Wars that they have very exciting plans for Luke Skywalker and the other legacy characters.

    As with all rumors, you can take this with a grain of salt, but taking advice from the man who invented the galaxy far far away might not be a bad idea.

    The leak said: “George Lucas was involved in numerous sequences to fine-tune some of the legacy characters and their interactions with some of the sequel trilogy characters.

    George Lucas directed and guided JJ Abrams with Mark Hamill in exactly how the character of Luke Skywalker should be done.

    He will also be involved in some of the reshoots and editing techniques he will be overseeing during the reshoots in April and post production, which is set to end all the way in September and into October this year.”

    It’s all speculation at this point, but it was already widely reported that Lucas had a role as consultant on the franchise after Disney purchased Lucasfilm in 2012, so it isn’t that far of a stretch to imagine that they might return to the source to help bring the saga home.

  • Complete 2019 Band Lineup for Garden Rocks Concert Series at Epcot Flower & Garden Festival

    Complete 2019 Band Lineup for Garden Rocks Concert Series at Epcot Flower & Garden Festival

    Garden Rocks Concert Series is back – every single day of the 26th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and we have the complete line up of bands for you.

    For the first time since the popular spring extravaganza expanded to 90 days, Garden Rocks concerts will play seven days a week, three times daily, for a total of 270 concerts spanning multiple genres across four decades of chart-topping hits.

    Twelve brand-new Garden Rocks acts include: A Flock of Seagulls, Ambrosia, Peabo Bryson, War, Eddie Palmieri, Colin Hay of Men at Work, TobyMac, Steven Curtis Chapman, John Michael Montgomery, Magic Giant, Jon Anderson of YES and Journey former lead vocalist Steve Auger. Other new-to-this-festival acts that have performed at other Walt Disney World events include Glass Tiger, Wang Chung, Air Supply and more.

    Guests can dance in their seats each evening to classic tunes at the park’s outdoor America Gardens Theatre overlooking the World Showcase Lagoon.  An eclectic mix of Flower & Garden Festival fan favorites includes 1960s icons Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, ’70s-’80s chart-toppers Rick Springfield, Dennis Deyoung and Don Felder, and ’90s hit-makers Sister Hazel.

    Performance times are 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m. and are included with Epcot admission. Guests can enjoy guaranteed concert seating by reserving a Garden Rocks Dining Package and enjoying breakfast, lunch or dinner at select Epcot restaurants. Here is this year’s lineup (subject to change without notice):

    • March 6-8: Journey former lead vocalist STEVE AUGERI (NEW) “Don’t Stop Believin’”
    • March 9-10: Glass Tiger (NEW to Garden Rocks) “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)”
    • March 11-12: Jon Anderson of YES (NEW) “Owner of A Lonely Heart”
    • March 13-14: Tony Orlando “Knock Three Times”
    • March 15-16: Wang Chung (NEW to Garden Rocks) “Everybody Have Fun Tonight”
    • March 17-20: Simple Plan “Perfect”
    • March 21-22: Ambrosia (NEW) “Biggest Part of Me”
    • March 23-24: Magic Giant (NEW) “Set on Fire”
    • March 25-27: Air Supply (NEW to Garden Rocks) “All Out of Love”
    • March 28-29: Berlin featuring Terri Nunn “Take My Breath Away”
    • March 30-31: The Smithereens (NEW to Garden Rocks) “Top of the Pops”
    • April 1-2: Rick Springfield “Jessie’s Girl”
    • April 3-4: Christopher Cross (NEW to Garden Rocks) “Sailing”
    • April 5-7: The Spinners “Working My Way Back to You”
    • April 8-9: Dennis DeYoung, original member of the group STYX “Come Sail Away”
    • April 10-11: John Michael Montgomery (NEW) “I Love the Way You Love Me”
    • April 12-13: Sister Sledge (NEW to Garden Rocks) “We Are Family”
    • April 14-16: Night Ranger “Sister Christian”
    • April 17-19: Sister Hazel (NEW to Garden Rocks) “All For You”
    • April 20-21: Steven Curtis Chapman (NEW) “Cinderella”
    • April 22-23: TobyMac (NEW) “The Elements”
    • April 24-26: Lonestar “Amazed”
    • April 27-30: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO “Evil Woman”
    • May 1-4: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone “I’m Henry VIII I Am”
    • May 5-7: Don Felder, Formerly of the Eagles “Hotel California”
    • May 8-9: A Flock of Seagulls (NEW) “I Ran (So Far Away)”
    • May 10-11: Marshall Tucker Band (NEW to Garden Rocks) “Heard It in a Love Song”
    • May 12-13: Peabo Bryson (NEW) “If You’re Ever In My Arms Again”
    • May 14-15: Richard Marx (NEW to Garden Rocks) “Right Here Waiting”
    • May 16-19: STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas “We Built This City”
    • May 20-21: Colin Hay of Men at Work (NEW) “Who Can It Be Now?”
    • May 22-23: War (NEW) “Why Can’t We Be Friends”
    • May 24-27: The Guess Who “American Woman”
    • May 28-29: Jon Secada “Just Another Day”
    • May 30-June 1: Blood, Sweat and Tears “Spinning Wheel”
    • June 2-3: Eddie Palmieri (NEW) “Vamonos Pa’l Monte”
  • New Annual Passholder Magnets Available At Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

    New Annual Passholder Magnets Available At Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

    We know Disney World Annual Passholders love their magnets and this year, if you happen to be headed to the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, you can pick up two new exclusive designs for a limited time.

    The Flower & Garden Festival kicks off 90 days of beautiful floral fun on March 6 with two different AP magnet designs and with a valid annual pass, guests can pick up one of each. Each of the new designs are complementary for Passholders, but each one will be offered on different dates.

    Passholders can add two new event-specific magnets to their collection: a Pluto magnet will be available March 6-April 10, and Daisy will be available April 11-June 3 (both available while supplies last).

    This is the first time both of these characters will be featured on complimentary Passholder magnets. To pick yours up, stop into Mouse Gear or Port of Entry and show your valid annual pass card and photo ID.

  • Disney Villains TV Series in the Works For Disney+ Streaming Service

    Disney Villains TV Series in the Works For Disney+ Streaming Service

    Disney’s upcoming streaming service Disney+ is set to launch this year and it looks like they are bringing in the big bad guys to get it started! Disney is developing a new TV series based on Disney Villans and it sounds wicked.

    Most of the programming planned for Disney+ leans into the company’s franchises like Marvel and Star Wars, but tapping into the Villian vault give the company a plethora of stories to tell.

    According to Production Weekly, Disney will be enlisting some of them for a new Disney Villains series, which is being developed by Steve Pearlman (Once Upon A Time) and Michael Seitzman (Quantico) as you can see in the post below.

    Few details are known at the moment, other than that it is slated to start production in the second quarter of 2020, but we’ll keep you posted as we know more.

  • Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Opening New Location at Disney World

    Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Opening New Location at Disney World

    A new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique location is set to open at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa this summer in order to provide more royal transformations than ever before.

    The new boutique – the third of its kind at Walt Disney World – will be located inside what’s currently the Ivy Trellis Salon, which will relocate into Senses – A Disney Spa.

    Also based on the popularity of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Magic Kingdom Park, work will begin this spring to expand the location, adding more chairs, a very special magic mirror, and a transformation experience that will help guests choose the perfect outfits and accessories. The Magic Kingdom Park location will remain open during these enhancements and existing reservations will not be affected.

    In case you aren’t familiar, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique locations currently exist at Magic Kingdom Park and Disney Springs, and pair up young guests age 3-12 with Fairy Godmothers-in-Training, who give them magical makeovers beyond their wildest Disney dreams, turning them into princesses or gallant knights.

    A variety of royal transformations are available and may include hairstyling, nail polish, accessories, gowns and more, depending on the package guests choose.

    Stay tuned to the Disney Dorks for future updates on the new location’s opening.