Disney News

Category: Attractions

  • New ‘Haunted Mansion’ Movie in the Works at Disney

    New ‘Haunted Mansion’ Movie in the Works at Disney

    Disney is once again materializing a new “Haunted Mansion” live-action movie, based on its Disneyland theme park ride.

    After trying to bring the famous attraction to the box office back in 2003, and other attempts at a reboot being put in development, the studio has found another good spirit to bring the 999 haunts back to the big screen.

    Director Guillermo del Toro was attached to a reboot of the property in 2010, even going so far as to co-write the script before the project was abandoned. 

    Screenwriter Katie Dippold has been tapped to pen the project. No stranger to ghosts on the screen, Dippold previously collaborated with Paul Feig on the 2016 reboot of Ghostbusters.

    Disney previously adapted The Haunted Mansion into a feature film back in 2003, the same year that they released another theme park attraction based movie in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, but with little success. Eddie Murphy starred in the film which incorporated characters and even direct quotations from the Disneyland ride.

    Disney used the ride as inspiration for its 2003 horror comedy “The Haunted Mansion” with Eddie Murphy portraying a workaholic realtor who buys a mansion that turns out to be haunted. The movie, directed by Rob Minkoff, grossed $182 million worldwide on a $90 million budget.

    The film is being spearheaded by producers Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich and their Rideback production banner. Lin and Eirich previously saw success with Disney with the live-action reboot of the Aladdin remake which went on to gross over a billion dollars at the worldwide box office and kick start yet another new franchise for the House of Mouse.

  • New Haunted Mansion Ghost Host Mini Backpack by Loungefly Released by Disney

    New Haunted Mansion Ghost Host Mini Backpack by Loungefly Released by Disney

    Disney has released a new Haunted Mansion Ghost Host Mini Backpack by Loungefly that is sure to make crypt doors creak and the tombstones quake.

    This cute mini backpack from The Haunted Mansion is ”maid-to-order” for mortal use. A ruffled apron and bat-topped hat trim this stylish servant that will carry all from cradle to grave.

    Take a closer look at the details below:

    The Haunted Mansion Ghost Host Mini Backpack by Loungefly – $90.00

    • Mini backpack with woven fabric shell
    • Striped print pattern emulates The Haunted Mansion Maid costume
    • Apron appliqué with ruffled trim
    • French maid hat topper with batty simulated leather bow
    • ”Ghost Host” name badge
    • Simulated leather back, straps, and side pockets
    • Double zipper main compartment
    • Front zip pouch (under apron)
    • Loungefly logo metal pulls
    • Silvertone hardware
    • Adjustable padded shoulder straps
    • Top carry handle
    • Side slip pockets
    • Fabric lined
    • Disney Parks X Loungefly logo label plate
    • Part of The Haunted Mansion Collection
  • VIDEO: Guests Evacuate as Splash Mountain Ride Vehicle Submerges into Water

    VIDEO: Guests Evacuate as Splash Mountain Ride Vehicle Submerges into Water

    Splash Mountain at Disney World made news recently after it was decided that the attraction would be re-themed to Princess and the Frog, but now its making headlines again as guests claim they evacuated the ride moments before their boat sank into the water.

    Twitter user @skyelaringrsoll, wrote Sunday that guests stepped out of the ride once it started sinking, and that a cast member allegedly told them they “should’ve stayed in the boat.”

    The tweet includes a 6-second video showing the empty boat under water. Take a look below:

    “So we got out of our boat because it was sinking while we were stuck there and the disney world employee decided to tell us that we should’ve stayed in the boat but it went under as soon as we all stepped out,” the tweet reads.

    In the video you can hear someone saying, “Do you see the boat?”

    Another person is then heard responding, “I understand that, but this is a safety matter.”

    Earlier this year, another attraction at Magic Kingdom took on water unexpectedly mid-ride. Guests while riding the Jungle Cruise in Adventureland took to social media to document their experience after their boat suddenly began taking on water.

  • Disney World Guest Falls in Water on Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom

    Disney World Guest Falls in Water on Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom

    Splash Mountain is back in the news again, but this time because a guest fell in to the water of the Magic Kingdom attraction during an evacuation.

    The ride had been shut down and cast members were escorting guests off of the attraction when one guest made an unexpected splash.

    TikTok user @_parkerdanielle shared a video last week of herself falling in while she tried to capture video of the attraction on the way out. Take a look a the video below:

    @_parkerdanielle

    this would only happen to me… SO embarrassing. ##disney ##magickingdom ##disneyworld ##LetsFaceIt ##splashmountain ##MoreHappyDenimDance

    ♬ original sound – _parkerdanielle

    Its seems as the the guest was not seriously injured and made light of the incident captioning it, “CEO of falling into the water on Splash Mountain.”

    Disney recently announced Splash Mountain will be re-themed to “Princess and the Frog” and many guests have been trying to get one last ride on the attraction before it changes.

  • Disney World Postponing Mary Poppins Ride & ‘Spaceship Earth’ Update at Epcot Due to Coronavirus

    Disney World Postponing Mary Poppins Ride & ‘Spaceship Earth’ Update at Epcot Due to Coronavirus

    Although Disney World has reopened, Disney has confirmed that they will still be pausing work on the Mary Poppins-inspired attraction planned for Epcot’s World Showcase and the reimagining of Spaceship Earth.

    With guests once again visiting the parks it was noticed that mentions of the Mary Poppins ride and “Spaceship Earth” refurbishment had been removed from the ‘Epcot Experience preview center’ where guests can watch a video about the changes coming to the park.

    “As with most businesses during this period, we are further evaluating long-term project plans. The decision was made to postpone development of the “Mary Poppins”-inspired attraction and Spaceship Earth at this time,” Disney said in a statement.

    The new changes coming to Epcot were first announced in August 2019 at the D23 Expo, the company’s annual conference. “Every inch of every park should be magical, and that’s why I’m so excited about this transformation,” Bob Chapek, Chair of Parks, Experiences and Products, said at the time.

    During the event, Dick Van Dyke, who played chimney sweep Bert in the 1964 version of Mary Poppins, helped Chapek announce that the company’s first-ever attraction themed to the classic film would be built on Cherry Tree Lane, inside Epcot’s U.K. pavilion.

    Though the company had not yet announced an opening date for the two attractions, guests who attended Epcot’s reopening on Wednesday told the publication that the ride was still open in its previous form. 

    Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom  parks both reopened on July 11 after being closed since March due to the coronavirus pandemic, while Epcot and Hollywood Studios reopened on July 15. 

  • Virtual Queue System Returns to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance for Disney World Reopening

    Virtual Queue System Returns to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance for Disney World Reopening

    Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopens on July 15 and in order to help maintain appropriate physical distancing, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will once again be using the virtual queue system.

    If you’ve joined the Resistance before, you will want to note a few changes to the process beginning July 15. Most importantly – as availability allows – guests will have an opportunity at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. or 4 p.m. to request to join the virtual queue. This means there is no need to arrive early to the park to check the virtual queue.

    Whether it’s your first trip to Batuu or you have joined the fight against the First Order before, there are a few important details to know before you arrive:

    • First, make sure you have the My Disney Experience app. Once you enter the park, log in to your account at one of the distribution times (10 a.m., 1 p.m. or 4 p.m.). 
    • Once you have logged in, select “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Virtual Queue” on the home screen. You will be able to view the current status and next steps for joining the virtual queue. 
    • The app will indicate when there is no availability for a specific distribution time. Some guests may join backup groups. 
    • As long as your My Disney Experience account is linked to park tickets for you and the others in your group, you can enroll everyone in the virtual queue at the same time. In order to give as many guests as possible the opportunity to join the Resistance, each guest can enter the virtual queue no more than once per day.
    • Make sure push notifications are turned on for My Disney Experience so you will be alerted if your group is called to return. You’ll have up to an hour from the time of the alert to go to the entrance of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. 
    • Please note that joining the virtual queue does not guarantee the ability to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. 
  • Disney World Installing Plexiglass Dividers on Attractions Ahead of Reopening

    Disney World Installing Plexiglass Dividers on Attractions Ahead of Reopening

    Walt Disney World is preparing to reopen on Saturday and in addition to all of the enhanced saftey procedures they are implementing, they have also installed plexiglass dividers on their attractions.

    “As we prepare for a phased reopening, we’ve made updates based on guidance from health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and appropriate government agencies,” Disney said on it’s website.

    One twitter user took to the internet to share what attractions look like with the new additions. Take a look at the post below:

    Disney’s Florida theme parks have been closed since March 15 because of the coronavirus pandemic, but the company announced last month that the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom would be open for business July 11; Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopen July 15.

  • OFFICAL: Disney’s Splash Mountain to be Re-Themed to the ‘Princess and the Frog’

    OFFICAL: Disney’s Splash Mountain to be Re-Themed to the ‘Princess and the Frog’

    Splash Mountain will be getting a makeover at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Central Florida and Disneyland in California.

    Splash Mountain currently stars the animated characters from “Song of the South,” the 1946 film long criticized for stereotypes of “spiritual” black men and its seemingly nostalgic view of the antebellum South.

    The new theme is inspired by an all-time favorite animated Disney film, “The Princess and the Frog.” The story picks up after the final kiss where guests will join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure – featuring some of the powerful music from the film – as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.

    According to the Disney Parks Blog, the idea for re-theming the 1989 thrill ride started over a year ago but the change also comes at a time when racial tensions are at a high.

    A petition calling for the re-theme went viral earlier this month.

    “Disney parks should be a home for all to enjoy regardless of race, age, whatever your background may be,” the petition said.

  • Disney World Releases List of Attractions Reopening With Its Parks

    Disney World Releases List of Attractions Reopening With Its Parks

    Disney World is set to begin its phased reopening next month and Disney has since released a list of the attractions, shows and entertainment offerings that will be available when the parks reopen.

    Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom will open first, on July 11. Then, Epcot and Hollywood Studios will follow on July 15.

    Take a look below at the attractions that will be available:

    A majority of Magic Kingdom’s attractions will be available, including it’s a small world, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Haunted Mansion, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Space Mountain. At Animal Kingdom, Avatar Flight of Passage, Dinosaur, Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris and more will be available. The two newest attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios—Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance—will also be available. A full list of available attractions for each park can be found on the Disney World website.

    When visitors return to the parks, they’ll encounter a number of changes. All visitors, even annual passholders, will need to make a reservation for specific park visits. For the time being, they will only be able to visit one park per day—no park-hopping.

    Visitors ages 2 and older will be required to wear face masks and have their temperatures checked before entering the parks. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will not be allowed entry. Social distancing markers will be placed throughout the parks. In order to maintain distancing, Disney will temporarily suspend fireworks, nighttime spectaculars and character meet-and-greets.

  • Disneyland Paris Releases First Sneak Peak of New ‘Cars’ Attraction

    Disneyland Paris Releases First Sneak Peak of New ‘Cars’ Attraction

    Today, Disneyland Paris released the first piece of concept art for their upcoming new Cars attraction.

    In their official April 2020 – March 2021 brochure, Disneyland Paris has announced that the Studio Tram Tour attraction in Walt Disney Studios Park will become “Cars Route 66” in Summer 2020.

    Disneyland Paris’ brochure offers the following description of the new attraction:

    “New! Cars Route 66 — Buckle up and join Cars stars Lightning McQueen and Mater for a fun-filled family road trip where you’ll discover natural and mechanical wonders along the legendary Route 66.”

    The Studio Tram Tour was an opening day attraction at Walt Disney Studios Park, which opened its doors on March 16, 2002.