Disney News

Author: Nate

  • Happy Birthday Disneyland! The “Happiest Place on Earth” Celebrates 63 Years of Magic

    Happy Birthday Disneyland! The “Happiest Place on Earth” Celebrates 63 Years of Magic

    On this day in 1955, the “Happiest Place on Earth” opened its doors for the first time and now Disneyland celebrates its 63rd anniversary!

    The original Disney theme park celebrates another year during its first-ever Pixar Fest. The “Happiest March on Earth” included 63 Disney characters, Dapper Dans barbershop quartet, and the Disneyland Resort Ambassadors marching down Main Street U.S.A.

    Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955 to over 31,000 specially invited guests, including; Art Linkletter, Ronald Reagan, Bob Cummings, the Mouseketeers, Frank Sinatra, California Governor Goodwin J. Knight and Walt Disney who uttered the immortal words, “To all who come to this happy place, welcome…”

    When the theme park opened it was hailed by many as the eighth wonder of the world and admission was $1 including tax for adults and 50 cents for children under 12. To take in all the attractions at Disneyland guests, priced at 15 to 50 cents, it cost an adult $8.70 and a child $5.15.

    It was broadcasted on ABC and it was the biggest live telecast to date! The following day, Disneyland officially opened to the public. Disneyland, located in Anaheim, California on what used to be a 160-acre orange orchard, cost $17 million to build. The original park included Main Street, Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland.

  • Complete Guide To Holiday Experiences At Disney World

    Complete Guide To Holiday Experiences At Disney World

    From captivating décor and unique character experiences to delicious treats and magical moments, there is something for everyone during the holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort, starting Nov. 8. Here is a complete guide to all the festivities that await guests.

    Disney’s Hollywood Studios
    Guests will experience a Flurry of Fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Nov. 8-Jan.6, with festive entertainment and exciting holiday touches around the park.

    • The new Toy Story Land will feature special seasonal fun, such as holiday songs on Alien Swirling Saucers.
    • Sunset Seasons Greetings returns this year with impressive new laser effects and “snow.” Guests will witness spectacular projections of beloved Disney Characters – Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Olaf and others – sharing their favorite seasonal stories as holiday magic transforms the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel into scenes of the season.
    • The nighttime spectacular Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! will combine state-of-the-art projections, fireworks, special effects and music to create a one-of-a-kind holiday experience.
    • Guests will meet Santa at the Once Upon a Time shop Nov.10-Dec. 24, and Santa Goofy after he steps in Dec. 25.

    Magic Kingdom Park
    Charming decorations, holiday treats, a sparkling icy castle and more will await guests at Magic Kingdom Park, transforming it into an enchanting holiday wonderland.

    The holiday festivities at the park will also include Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a specially ticketed, limited-attendance celebration that will take place on select nights starting Nov. 8. Each night of the event will feature an exclusive showing of Holiday Wishes fireworks and performances of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas and Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration stage show. Guests will also experience the beauty of a scintillating Cinderella Castle, meet characters in their festive finery and even enjoy complimentary cookies and cocoa.

    Epcot
    Guests will discover joyous holiday traditions from 11 World Showcase nations during Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. Beginning Nov. 18, this year’s festival will deliver a yuletide extravaganza.

    • Seasonal tastes from around the globe are served at special Holiday Kitchens.
    • World Showcase pavilions come alive with the sights and sounds of special entertainment celebrating each country’s holiday heritage.
    • Chip and Dale will be collecting ornaments for their Christmas tree. In Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree scavenger hunt, guests will purchase a map and stickers from select merchandise locations and travel around World Showcase looking for the famous chipmunks with their ornaments. Guests will then return their completed maps for a festive surprise, courtesy of Chip and Dale. Maps are available for $6.99 (plus tax).
    • The nightly fireworks display, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, will feature an additional holiday finale.
    • One of the most popular Epcot traditions, the Candlelight Processional, returns. This retelling of the Christmas story will feature a celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a choir. Performances will run three times each night from Nov. 22-Dec. 30.

    Disney’s Animal Kingdom
    New this year, the magic of nature will receive a holiday touch with the inclusion of Diwali, the holiday Festival of Lights in India, as part of the new live show UP! A Great Bird Adventure. Starting Nov. 8, guests will join fun-loving pals Russell and Dug from Disney•Pixar’s “Up” in discovering some of the world’s most exotic birds.

    Disney Springs
    Disney Springs will be the perfect destination for holiday shopping, dining and entertainment, with the chance to experience holiday magic along the way. Festivities run Nov. 8-Jan. 5:

    • Guests will stroll through the Christmas Tree Trail and view custom-decorated holiday trees, each dedicated to a popular Disney theme featuring characters like Mary Poppins, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, among others.
    • At Santa’s Chalet, Santa Claus will accept Christmas wish lists and welcome guests. From Dec. 25-Dec. 31, Santa Goofy will take over after Old Saint Nick heads back to the North Pole.
    • Guests will take part in Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt and discover where the mischievous Experiment 626 is hiding.

    Holiday Fun at Resort Hotels 
    Resorts across Walt Disney World will be decked out for the holidays. Special offerings include:

    • Life-size edible creations will take shape at select resorts. A holiday gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be home to The Bake Shop, where guests will pick up holiday treats, including the namesake gingerbread. A life-size, edible spinning carousel is a holiday tradition at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, while a holiday village with a miniature train takes center stage at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.
    • In the lobbies of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, guests will take in the grandeur of massive Christmas trees.
    • No holiday is complete without a special dining experience. Holiday menus that celebrate the season will be found at restaurants throughout Walt Disney World. For holiday dining information and reservations, guests can call (407) WDW-DINE.

    Ring in the New Year at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel
    To celebrate the New Year, guests will be able to choose between two New Year’s Eve celebrations at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Pixar Party: A New Year’s Eve Celebration and Disney Countdown to Midnight, including an option to purchase VIP access to the Ink and Paint Club. Both celebrations will feature entertainment, music, food and refreshments, plus a viewing of the Magic Kingdom New Year’s Eve fireworks to cap off the night.

  • Galaxy’s Edge Construction Update As Seen From Toy Story Land

    Galaxy’s Edge Construction Update As Seen From Toy Story Land

    Toy Story Land Just had its grand opening on June 30th, but a new presence in the force is on the horizon. Construction on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has been underway since April 2016 and the progress is astonishing. Especially from the perspective of a toy.

    As Buzz Lightyear towers over Andy’s playground you can see what the construction looks like from his point of view as he seemingly welcomes their new neighbors.

    Take a look at the photos below for some close up shots of exactly how the new land is shaping up.

    Galaxys_Edge_Construction

    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    These rocky spires in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge will actually be petrified tree trunks making it look as if trees equivalent to Earth’s 300+ ft Redwoods once towered over the space.

    When you enter Toy Story Land look to your left for a view of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge.

    Galaxys_Edge_Construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    Here is a view of the detailed painted rock work in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge from Toy Story Land on July 4.

    Galaxys_Edge_Construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open in late fall 2019 at Walt Disney World Resort, when guests will land in the middle of the action as they live their own Star Wars stories. Stay tuned for more construction updates as the new land continues to develop.

  • PHOTOS: Epcot’s Ratatouille Attraction Construction Update

    PHOTOS: Epcot’s Ratatouille Attraction Construction Update

    Construction on the Ratatouille attraction at Epcot has been underway since last September and now we’re getting a look at some of the latest aerial construction photos.

    These aerial pictures give a fantastic view of the progress being made on the transformation of the France Pavilion in The World Showcase.

    The framing for the exterior walls is nearly complete as you can see in the photos below.

    From a distance you can see the corner of the Ratatouille ride peeking out along France’s skyline.

    Ratatouille ride construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    The exterior walls can be seen across World Showcase Lagoon and in the photo below you get an idea of just how large the structure will be in comparison to the surrounding area.

    Ratatouille ride construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    The ride is scheduled to open sometime before October 1st, 2021 in time for Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration. In addition to the Ratatouille ride, the expansion of the France Pavilion will include new shopping, dining, and more.

  • Evan Rachel Wood and Sterling K. Brown in Talks To Join Frozen 2 Cast

    Evan Rachel Wood and Sterling K. Brown in Talks To Join Frozen 2 Cast

    Evan Rachel Wood and Sterling K. Brown are in talks to join the cast of Disney’s “Frozen 2”, the sequel to the 2013 Oscar-winning animated film.

    Both Wood and Brown fresh off their Emmy nominations, announced on Thursday morning. Wood is up for her work on HBO’s “Westworld,” and Brown is nominated for NBC’s “This Is Us” and Fox’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”

    “Frozen” grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide and won the Academy Award for best animated film in 2014. Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, and Josh Gad are returning to reprise their roles as Elsa, Anna, and Olaf.

    Directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck return to helm the film. Lee, who is penning the script as well was recently appointed chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studio after John Lasseter’s departure. She will split Lasseter’s duties with Pete Docter, who will oversee Pixar Animation Studios.

    “Frozen 2” is expected to hit theaters November 27, 2019.

  • Disney & ABC Television Receive 39 Emmy Nominations for 2018!

    Disney & ABC Television Receive 39 Emmy Nominations for 2018!

    The nominations for the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards were announced Thursday morning, and Disney and ABC scored a combined 39 nods from the Television Academy.

    ABC received 31 nominations—including six for Dancing with the Stars and five for black-ish—while Disney XD and Disney Channel added five, for a total 36 nominations for the Disney ABC television group. Together with Marvel Television’s three nominations, Disney programs collected a total 39 Emmy nominations.

    The Emmys air Monday, September 18 at 8pm EST.  Check out the full list of ABC nominees for 2018 below as well as some highlights from the past season. Congrats to all the ABC Emmy nominees!

    ABC

    American Koko
    Outstanding Actress in A Short Form Comedy or Drama Series, Diarra Kilpatrick

    black-ish
    Outstanding Contemporary Costumes
    Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, Anthony Anderson
    Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Tracee Ellis Ross
    Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, Wanda Sykes
    Outstanding Comedy Series

    Dancing with the Stars
    Outstanding Production Design for a Variety, Reality or Reality-Competition Series
    Outstanding Costumes For Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Programming
    Outstanding Hairstyling For a Multi-Camera Series or Special
    Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Series
    Outstanding Makeup for a Multi-Camera Series or Special (Non-Prosthetic)
    Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Series

    Grey’s Anatomy: B Team
    Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Series

    How to Get Away with Murder
    Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, Cicely Tyson

    Jimmy Kimmel Live!
    Outstanding Variety Talk Series
    Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Series

    Modern Family
    Outstanding Sound Mixing for A Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation

    Once Upon A Time
    Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score)

    The Oscars 
    Outstanding Production Design for A Variety Special
    Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special
    Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media Within an Unscripted Program
    Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special
    Outstanding Music Direction
    Outstanding Variety Special (Live)
    Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series Or Special
    Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Limited Series, Movie or Special

    Roseanne 
    Outstanding Multi-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series
    Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, Laurie Metcalf

    Scandal 
    Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, Viola Davis

    Shark Tank
    Outstanding Directing for a Reality Program
    Outstanding Structured Reality Program

    DISNEY CHANNEL

    The Scariest Story Ever: A Mickey Mouse Halloween Spooktacular
    Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance, Russi Taylor

    DISNEY XD

    Big Hero 6: Baymax Returns
    Outstanding Animated Program

    Star Wars Rebels
    Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score)
    Outstanding Children’s Program
    Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) And Animation

    MARVEL TV ON NETFLIX

    Marvel’s Jessica Jones
    Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score)

    Marvel’s The Defenders
    Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music

    Marvel’s The Punisher
    Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Drama Series, Limited Series or Movie

  • Bernie Sanders Blasts Disney CEO Bob Iger On Twitter Over $400 Million Pay

    Bernie Sanders Blasts Disney CEO Bob Iger On Twitter Over $400 Million Pay

    U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders took aim at the mouse house today on twitter today calling out, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger over his $400 million pay.

    The longtime senator from Vermont asks in a tweet why Iger is paid hundreds of millions of dollars, while workers at Disney theme parks struggle to make ends meet.

    “Does Disney CEO Bob Iger have a good explanation for why he is being compensated more than $400 million while workers at Disneyland are homeless and relying on food stamps to feed their families?” tweeted Sanders. Take a look below.

    Sanders attacked Iger’s hefty pay package, which some estimates say could earn the executive as much as $423 million over the next four years if he hits all of his performance goals.

    Sanders has targeted Disney before.  While on the presidential campaign trail he used the media conglomerate as Exhibit A in what he calls a “rigged economy” at an Anaheim campaign event. “Anybody make a living wage at Disney?” Sanders asked the crowd.

    Sanders was referencing a survey conducted by the Economic Roundtable — which found that 73% of Disney employees who were questioned said they don’t earn enough to pay for such basic expenses as rent, food and gas. It also found that 11% of resort employees have been homeless or have not had a place of their own in the last two years.

    Disney dismissed the study calling it inaccurate and unscientific and paid for by labor groups seeking a pay raise. Disney officials have said that the average annual pay for hourly workers at the resort is $37,000, which calculates to about $17.80 an hour.

    In a Facebook post Iger responded to Sanders: “To Bernie Sanders: We created 11,000 new jobs at Disneyland in the past decade and our company has created 18,000 in the U.S. in the last five years. How many jobs have you created? What have you contributed to the U.S. economy?”

    Sanders has been rallying with Disneyland workers in Anaheim, California, as they pushed for a minimum $15 per hour wage.

    “The struggle that you are waging here in Anaheim is not just for you,” Sanders told Disneyland workers last month at a rally. “It is a struggle for millions of workers all across this country who are sick and tired of working longer hours for lower wages.”

    Iger has thrown around the idea of running for president and he’s shown he willing to hold his ground and fire back, so we’ll have to see if this fizzles out or turns into a full out twitter war.

  • 7 Ways to Stay Cool While Exploring the Disneyland Resort

    7 Ways to Stay Cool While Exploring the Disneyland Resort

    With temperatures heating up in Southern California, you may be looking for a few cool tips to beat the heat during your summer visit to the Disneyland Resort. Here are my favorite experiences and attractions to enjoy during the toasty summer months.

    Mickey and the Magical Map

    Take in a Show – With favorites like “Disney Junior Dance Party!” or “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” at Disney California Adventure park and Mickey and the Magical Map at Disneyland park, escape the sun and take a rest while enjoying these immersive shows featuring some of your favorite Disney characters and stories.

    Disneyland Train

    Cruise Around – Catch a ride aboard your choice of resort transportation: Red Car Trolley, Disneyland Monorail, Main Street Vehicles or Disneyland Railroad. Not only are these short rides ideal to rest your feet, but they are also great to catch the sights from a different perspective!

    Anna and Elsa

    Cross Paths with Characters – Choose the Light Side or Dark Side as you step into Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland park to meet characters like Rey or Kylo Ren. At Disney California Adventure park, encounter Arendelle sisters at Anna & Elsa’s Royal Welcome. These character experiences offer a cool indoors escape. Be sure to check the Entertainment times guide upon your arrival, as encounter times are subject to change.

    The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure

    Journey Under the Sea – Get ready to dive into the ocean at Disney California Adventure park. Join Nemo and friends at Turtle Talk with Crush, then experience magical moments on The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure.

    Splitsville Downtown Disney Disneyland

    Break for Bowling – Take a break from the theme parks and head to Splitsville Luxury Lanes in Downtown Disney District for a bite and some bowling! The 40,000-square-foot restaurant serves delicious fare in a mod setting.

    Tom Sawyer Island DL

    Set out on an Adventure – Journey over to Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island in Disneyland park for an afternoon of exploring! Soaring trees and mysterious caves dot the island’s landscape, providing a leisurely (and cool) stroll.

    Splash Mountain DL

    Get Soaked – Of course, there is nothing like cooling off on a warm day on a water attraction like Splash Mountain in Disneyland park or Grizzly River Run in Disney California Adventure park.

    Lastly, be sure to maximize your day with Disney MaxPass. You’ll not only get unlimited PhotoPass downloads for the day, but also have the convenience of digital Disney FASTPASS selections on your mobile device–allowing you to avoid the lines and beat the heat!

  • Massive Hollywood Studios Power Outage Shuts Down Most Rides

    Massive Hollywood Studios Power Outage Shuts Down Most Rides

    A Hollywood Studios Power Outage caused a pause in the magic today for guests visiting the park. It seems a problem with the cooling system shut down several rides at the theme park earlier this evening, a spokeswoman said. 

    Most of the rides are up and running now or in the process of starting back up. Reports on social media described it as a power outage.


    Park operators are working to fix the issue as quickly as possible, according to the spokeswoman. and the park remains open.

    Duke Energy’s map showed outages in the area. One theme-park goer posted a screenshot of the MyDisneyExperience app showing a substantial number of rides were “temporarily closed.”

    No other details were immediately available.

  • Florida Couple’s ‘Disney Park Guide Map’ Inspired Wedding Gains Social Media Attention

    Florida Couple’s ‘Disney Park Guide Map’ Inspired Wedding Gains Social Media Attention

    Central Florida residents and self-proclaimed theme park fanatics, Ben and Kylie Story’s jaw-dropping Disney Parks Maps inspired wedding attire grabbed quite a lot of attention when it hit social media a few weeks ago.

    But let’s back up at bit. Ben and Kylie met a few years ago while working at a local theme park. The couple had their first date at another theme park. And then…

    disney park map wedding disney park map wedding

    “Our second date, we visited Hollywood Studios and decided to buy the wedding ears as a laugh,” Ben said. “Little did we know that we’d be using those same hats at our Epcot bachelor/bachelorette party!”

    Ben, who regularly attends the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) convention in Orlando, often creates special themed jackets to wear to the convention to really get into an adventurous spirit. Since theme parks have been – and continue to be – such a big part of their lives, Ben decided to create a very special jacket themed after Disney Park guide maps to wear for their 2018 wedding.

    But creating one inspired by our park maps was no small task – it required three months of searching for the proper material, and then sewing and tailoring before it was finished.

    When Kylie heard about Ben’s plan, she decided to get into the park spirit, too, designing her bridal bouquet out of park maps – and even hiding a few Hidden Mickeys in there.

    “The bouquet just seemed so perfect. It will last a lifetime [and] represents our greatest hobby,” Ben said. “We headed to Disneyland as part of the honeymoon so there were even Disneyland maps in there!”

    The couple says they still get compliments on their wedding attire – especially when Ben wears his jacket out to the park for a day. But they don’t mind. “Life is short, so why not have a little bit of fun and stand out from the crowd!” Ben said. Check out the video below for more on the Story family.