Author: Nate

New Nighttime Spectacular For Tokyo Disney Resort’s 35th Anniversary Debuts And More

This summer is packed full of new entertainment for Tokyo Disney Resort’s 35th Anniversary “Happiest Celebration!” In addition to the “Dreaming Up!” daytime parade and the “Happiest Celebration on the Sea,” which both premiered on the resort’s anniversary in April, guests can enjoy a stunning new nighttime spectacular and two new stage shows.

During the day, guests can revel in a little N’Orleans fun during “Let’s Party Gras!” at Theatre Orleans in Tokyo Disneyland, where Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Goofy, Max, Clarice and the Three Caballeros have a festive celebration in store. How does a “Party Gras” compare to Mardi Gras? Head over to Adventureland and find out!

From the Big Easy to the Big Apple, guests can visit the American Waterfront Dockside Stage in Tokyo DisneySea for “Hello, New York!” as Mickey and friends discover what makes New York City so unique, from the acrobatics of the street performers to the lights of Broadway.

And when the day comes to an end, Cinderella Castle is transformed during “Celebrate! Tokyo Disneyland,” a colorful nighttime spectacular with fountains, projections, pyrotechnics and a dazzling composition. Guests can purchase an exclusive light-up pendant before the show starts for a little extra magic.

Even more special merchandise is on sale in honor of the resort’s 35th Anniversary, including plush badges of Mickey and Minnie wearing their special show costumes. Distinctly Disney treats are also on sale, such as the corn-on-the-cob-shaped sandwich at the Sweetheart Café.

July 12, 2018
Disney Movie Release Schedule Shake Up: Mary Poppins Returns, Maleficent 2 and More

Disney announced on Tuesday some major changes to its upcoming schedule of films. The changes include a release date for “Maleficent 2,” “as wall as new release dates for “Mary Poppins Returns,” the next “Indiana Jones” movie, a yet-to-be-announced Marvel movie and more.

First, if you’re a Mary Poppins fan, then Christmas is coming early for you. Disney is moving up its anticipated musical “Mary Poppins Returns” by one week from Christmas Day to December 19.

“Maleficent 2” finally has a released date and is scheduled to hit theaters on May 9, 2020. The long-awaited sequel for Angelina Jolie’s live-action “Maleficent” now takes the slot of a previously unspecified live-action title. That’s nearly six years after the $742 million domestic debut of “Maleficent.”

“Indiana Jones 5” has been moved from July 10, 2020 to July 9, 2021. That means the fifth Harrison Ford adventure will open 13 years after Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and 19 years after Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Ford will be just shy of 79-years old when the film opens in theaters.

A previously “untitled Disney movie” with a release date of October 4, 2019 has been revealed to be the “Jungle Cruise” movie starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, which is based on the Disney theme park ride. That film is now setting sail one week later on October 11, 2019.

Disney has multiple untitled slots on the schedule and a few of them have been changed too. An untitled Marvel movie has been moved up a bit from July 30, 2021 to February 12, 2021, while an untitled live-action movie originally set for July 9, 2021 will take that July 30 slot. Also, two untitled live-action movies slated for November 8, 2019 and February 21, 2021 have been removed from Disney’s schedule entirely.

A finally, a long over due title change for Wreck-It Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks the Internet. Now the film is simply known as Ralph Breaks the Internet and is still dated for the Thanksgiving stretch on November 21.

Disney’s movie release schedule is always dynamic and more changes could come at anytime. Stay tuned as we bring you all the latest updates.

July 11, 2018
Man Killed In Disney World Industrial Accident Was Run Over By Cart

More details have been released about the Walt Disney World cast member who was killed Monday morning in an industrial accident. According to Orange County officials, the man was a vehicle technician who somehow became trapped under the cart he was working on.

The man, identified by deputies as Juan Alberto Ojeda, 33, was pronounced dead at the scene of an industrial area near the Pop Century Resort and Waldorf Astoria golf course. Ojeda leaves behind a wife and son.

Witnesses said they were about 20 yards away and saw Ojeda was working on the battery for a Toro motorized utility vehicle then they heard a screeching sound and saw the vehicle drive up onto a curb and into a fence, according to a report.

One witness said that it appeared that Ojeda’s arm was caught on the steering wheel at one point during the incident. The cart climbed about six feet up the fence before it came back down on the ground and landed on top of Ojeda, deputies said.

Two witnesses rushed over to help Ojeda, who was trapped under the motorized vehicle. Deputies said Ojeda asked them to back the cart up off of him, but they worried they would cause further injury to him. Ojeda was unconscious moments later, witnesses said. Deputies are still investigating.

In a statement, Walt Disney World President George A. Kalogridis called Ojeda’s death a tragedy. “All of us at Walt Disney World Resort are deeply saddened today by the loss of one of our cast members. Our thoughts and concerns are with his family, friends, and fellow co-workers. This is a tragic accident, and we are providing resources and care for those impacted and are working closely with the proper authorities to understand how this happened,” Kalogridis said.

July 11, 2018
Iridescent Cup Cakes at Disney Parks Will Be Blowing Up Your Instagram This Summer

There’s a shiny new trend coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts – and it’s as tasty as it is beautiful! Iridescent cup cakes are now available on both coasts, and they go brilliantly with those adorable Iridescent Headbands and Iridescent Spirit Jerseys that you might have seen around the parks recently…

In case you’re wanting to get out there and try these for yourself, here’s a guide all of the places you can find these iridescent treats!

First up is the CUTEST Iridescent Cupcake at Disneyland Resort. This confetti and passion fruit cupcake is filled with passion fruit and mango and finished with a tri-colored white chocolate Champagne mousse. You can find it at Jolly Holiday Bakery Café at Disneyland Park, Clarabelle’s Hand Scooped Ice Cream and Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Café at Disney California Adventure Park, and The Coffee House at the Disneyland Hotel!

At Walt Disney World Resort, you’ll be head over fins for this Mermaid Cupcake that’s surfaced at the Main Street Bakery at Magic Kingdom Park. It’s a vanilla cupcake full of sprinkles of color and topped with sea foam green buttercream, chocolate crispy pearls, sprinkles, and an iridescent mermaid tail cookie – YUM!

Just a monorail-ride away at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, head on over to Contempo Café to try another Iridescent Cupcake – a confetti cupcake with strawberry filling and vanilla buttercream icing and topped with crispy pearls and a chocolate Minnie Mouse hat.

Let’s get straight to the point with the Iridescent Rhino Cupcake with caramel filling. Trek on over to The Mara at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to spot this exotic chocolate cupcake for yourself!

And finally, all three of Disney’s All Star Resorts will be offering an Iridescent Cupcake made with cotton candy marshmallow filling and raspberry buttercream. You’ll find it at End Zone Food Court, World Premiere Food Court, and Intermission Food Court as well as The Artist’s Palette at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.

So now that you have this shiny new guide, it’s time to get on out there and live your best iridescent life! From rainbows and unicorns to mermaids and confetti, there’s a ton of tasty fun to be had at Disney Parks.

July 10, 2018
The Holidays at Walt Disney World Resort Return November 8

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. We’ll not really, but still Disney announced today the return of the holiday season to Walt Disney World Resort.

Starting November 8, you will be able to celebrate this magical season with festive parties, captivating holiday décor, delicious treats, spectacular entertainment and enchanting experiences that make this season one of the most wonderful times to visit our theme parks, resorts and more!

A Flurry of Fun comes back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios with the return of Sunset Seasons Greetings. Featuring impressive new laser effects and “snow,” holiday magic transforms the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel with spectacular projections of beloved Disney Characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Olaf sharing their favorite seasonal stories.

Another returning favorite is the nighttime spectacular Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! The new Toy Story Land also gets special seasonal fun including holiday songs on Alien Swirling Saucers and more!

Magic Kingdom Park will transform into a world of holiday enchantment that includes the specially ticketed event Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, offered during select nights in November and December.

At Epcot you will discover joyous holiday traditions of 11 World Showcase nations during Epcot International Festival of the Holidays beginning Nov. 18. One of our favorite holiday traditions at Epcot is the Candlelight Processional and this year it starts performances on Nov. 22

New this year at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, 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.

There is even more holiday fun at the resorts across Walt Disney World with festive seasonal décor as well as life-sized edible creations. And at Disney Springs you will find the perfect destination for holiday shopping, dining and entertainment, with the chance to experience holiday magic along the way.

July 9, 2018
Snapchat Brings Augmented Reality Filters To Disney Parks

Snapchat is partnering with Disney as well as other theme parks as part of a larger effort by Snapchat to bring its reality-altering lenses to theme parks around the world. Snapchat users can now add Disney-themed augmented reality lenses to enhance their Disney vacations.

If you use Snapchat, then you already love using filters to change your appearance and now at Disneyland, Disney World and other Disney parks around the world, Snapchatters can now turn themselves into Mickey and Minnie Mouse with special filters.

Though Snapchat made the announcement just last week, the filters have already been live at the parks for several months and are extremely popular. Even celebrities have been using the filters to enhanced their Disney trips as you can see in Kim Kardashian West’s post below where she applies the app’s Mickey Mouse filter with her son Saint, while riding King Arthur’s Carrousel.

A post shared by Kim Kardashian Snapchats 🍑 (@kimksnapchats) on May 22, 2018 at 8:06pm PDT

Once inside Disney Parks, Snapchatters will gain access to the special lenses in the Snapchat filter carousel.

“We love working with our partners Disney,” said Snap Inc. VP Ben Schwerin, “to create augmented-reality experiences that allow our users to connect with some of their favorite characters in a totally new way.”

“Our fans are loving the Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Snapchat lenses, which is just one of the many ways we are using the growing popularity of mobile technology to take the guest experience to the next level,” added a spokesperson from Disney Parks. “Along with offerings like the all-new Play Disney Parks app, we can’t wait to use this amazing technology to connect Disney Parks guests with even more of their favorite characters and stories.”

July 9, 2018
Disney Employee Killed in Accident Near Pop Century Resort Gondola Construction

An employee at Walt Disney World died in an apparent industrial accident today near Pop Century Resort.

The accident happened in an industrial area near the Pop Century Resort and Waldorf Astoria golf course. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call around 9:15 a.m. to respond to a guard gate next to the Pop Century Resort at Disney, officials said.

The man who was in his late 30s was found unconscious, deputies said. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Reedy Creek Fire Department.

“All of us at Walt Disney World Resort are deeply saddened today by the loss of one of our Cast Members. Our thoughts and concerns are with his family, friends, and fellow co-workers. This is a tragic accident, and we are providing resources and care for those impacted and working closely with the proper authorities to understand how this happened,” George A. Kalogridis, president of Walt Disney World Resort said in a release.

Officials have not identified the employee and no other information was immediately available. What we do know is that crews have been working in the area on a Skyliner gondola transit system meant to link the theme park Epcot to a slew of Disney resorts, including Pop Century.

July 9, 2018
Amy Adams Confirms ‘Enchanted’ Sequel Is Still In The Works

Fans of Disney’s 2007 hit “Enchanted” starring Amy Adams as Giselle, the singing animated Disney princess who crosses over into the real world, just got some exciting news. During an appearance recently on The Talk, Adams gave an update on the status on Enchanted 2 confirming the long-in-the-works sequel is still in the works.

“I am absolutely up for that,” Adams said when asked by co-host Sara Gilbert about reprising her role in a sequel. “We’re working on it — so hopefully.”

While Adams was on The Talk panel promoting her HBO series Sharp Objects, she discussed “Enchanted” and where they are at with the sequel entitled “Disenchanted”. Take a look at the exchange below:

Enchanted 2 has been in the works since 2014, but there has been no recent movement on the project at Disney; however, the sequel is still currently in development. Anne Fletcher was was originally set to helm a script written by J. David Stem and David N. Weiss.

Now Adam Shankman is attached to direct and while Adams is ready to return to reprise her role, it’s still not clear if co-stars Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Timothy Spall, Idina Menzel, Rachel Covey, and Susan Sarandon are also on board.

Back in 2007 Enchanted brought in $340 million worldwide for Disney and $127 million domestically.

July 8, 2018
Walt Disney World Surprises U.S. Military Families with Magical Toy Story Land Visit

Support for the military is a longstanding tradition that dates back to Disney’s earliest days. And that legacy continued when Walt Disney World Resort surprised some special military families with the chance to be among the first guests at Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

During the visit, Sarge and his Green Army Patrol joined Disney Parks leaders to welcome the group and share the day’s “top mission” – to have a magical time at Toy Story Land!

“Our military keeps us safe, keeps up our ideals and we in turn have a responsibility to them and their families, who often times are separated, to make sure they can have a magical time whenever they come through our gates,” Bob Chapek, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products said.

Many of the U.S. military service men and women who were among the first to “play big” at Toy Story Land had been separated from their families for months and spent the day reuniting in Andy’s backyard.

July 6, 2018
Felicity Star Keri Russell In Talks To Join Cast of ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’

Actress Keri Russell may be headed to a galaxy far far away as she is reportedly in talks to join Disney and Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: Episode IX.

The actress, who is well-known for playing the title role in Felicity, just wrapped the six seasons of The Americans and has reportedly been cast for an action-oriented role in J.J. Abrams’s Star Wars Episode IX, according to Variety.

Abrams and Lucasfilm execs met with several actresses for the role in the past two months and settled on Russell right before the Fourth of July holiday. Abrams will likely cast two more actors by the time the film begins production at the end of the month.

Star Wars: Episode IX is set to start production this summer ahead of its December 2019 release. The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams is returning to the director’s chair and is already turning to familiar faces to fill new roles in the film.

Abrams and Russell have a long history of working together. They first teamed on The WB drama series Felicity way back in 1998, and then reunited for Mission: Impossible III, which served as Abrams’ feature directorial debut. When Abrams was prepping what would become Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Russell made it clear that she’d do anything to be a part of his take on the Star Wars universe and now it looks like she may get her chance.

Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Kelly Marie Tran are all expected to reprise their roles as the heroes of the Resistance, facing down the First Order now under the command of Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren. But a full cast list has not yet been confirmed.

July 6, 2018