Disney News

Category: Disney

  • Disney Skyliner Gondolas Make First Test Runs Between Parks and Resorts

    Disney Skyliner Gondolas Make First Test Runs Between Parks and Resorts

    The Disney Skyliner Gondola system has been making a lot of progress lately and this week it hit another exciting milestone! The first guest cabins have begun making test runs back-and-forth between Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

    The state-of-the-art gondola system will begin transporting guests at the Walt Disney World Resort beginning later this fall. The system will conveniently connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort as well as the proposed 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s Riviera Resort.

    The test-run gondolas recently traveled across Victory Way between the stations at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and the station at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. “Soon there will be more gondolas added and cycling on the line as teams continue testing and training,” said Walt Disney Imagineering associate project manager Steve Pratt.

    As you can see in the image with The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in the background, the gondolas remained covered during testing. But when operating later this fall, some cabins will feature beautiful graphics based on Disney films, attractions and characters.

  • New ‘Aladdin’ Trailer Reveals First Look at Will Smith’s Blue Genie

    New ‘Aladdin’ Trailer Reveals First Look at Will Smith’s Blue Genie

    We’ve said it before, but this time the genie is definitely out of the bottle. The latest look at Disney’s live-action “Aladdin” is here and it finally reveals Will Smith in his full blue Genie form for the first time.

    Twenty-seven years after the animated “Aladdin” became a classic, Disney dropped the new trailer during the Grammys on Sunday night.

    Take a look below at the trailer to see what you think of Will Smith in the role.

    In addition to Smith’s Genie, who towers over Mena Massoud’s Aladdin in his bulked-up blue form, we get looks at the villainous Jafar (playing by Marwen Kenzari), Naomi Scott’s Princess Jasmine, and the sprawling city of Agrabah.

    Smith takes on Robin Williams’ former role as the Genie, promising in an Entertainment Weekly first look last December to bring a “hip hop flavor” to the part. “Sherlock Holmes” director Guy Ritchie takes the helm.

    The original, animated “Aladdin” premiered in 1992 and famously starred the late Robin Williams in a virtuoso vocal performance as the Genie that earned him a Golden Globe. The movie has grossed $504 million worldwide.  

    “Aladdin” hits theaters May 24, 2019.

  • Walt Disney’s Son-in-Law and Former Disney CEO Passes Away at 85

    Walt Disney’s Son-in-Law and Former Disney CEO Passes Away at 85

    Ron Miller, husband of Diane Disney Miller and son-in-law of Walt Disney, has passed in Napa, California at the age of 85.

    “Everyone at The Walt Disney Company is deeply saddened by the passing of Ron Miller,” Disney’s current chairman and CEO Bob Iger said. “His life and legacy are inextricably linked with our company and the Disney family because he was such a vital part of both, as our CEO and Walt’s son-in-law. 

    At age 21, Ron, a member of the University of Southern California football team, was introduced to 20-year-old Diane Disney on a blind date. They were married in Santa Barbara on May 9, 1954.

    Ron served in the Army and then played professional football for the Los Angeles Rams before his father-in-law recruited him to work at The Walt Disney Studios. There, he ascended from motion picture and television production roles to CEO of what is now The Walt Disney Company.

    Ron first started working for Walt as part of the original Disneyland team, where he was employee number six. Ron’s first job in this capacity was serving as second assistant on Old Yeller (1957). Eventually, as CEO, Ron pushed the Company to expand and explore, creating Walt Disney Home Video, Touchstone Pictures, and The Disney Channel. 

    Ron, Diane, and Diane’s mother, Lillian, established Silverado Vineyards in 1981, four years after they purchased the property. This place, near the small town of Yountville, California, became Ron and Diane’s permanent residence. 

    Ron supported Diane’s pursuit in documenting the life and accomplishments of her father, from producing the documentary film Walt: The Man Behind the Myth (2001) to establishing The Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio of San Francisco in 2009.

    Ron was a passionate outdoorsman. Alpine skiing, hunting, fly-fishing, and golf were lifelong pursuits. He was an experienced horseman with a cattle ranch near Montrose, Colorado.

    Ron and Diane were generous philanthropists, supporting many causes, including classical music and ballet. 

    Ron is survived by his children Christopher Miller, Joanna Miller, Tamara Diane Miller, Jennifer Goff, Walter Elias Disney Miller, Ronald Miller, and Patrick Miller; grandchildren Annabelle Rey, Nicholas Runeare, Ryan Scheer, Danielle Durham, Sam Goff, Lily Goff, Charlotte Goff, Sebastian Runeare, Haley Scheer, Reilly Miller, Madeline Goff, William Miller, and Elias Miller; and great-grandchildren Stella Durham, Finley Scheer, and Evelyn and Mason Goff. 

    Donations may be made to the memorial fund that The Walt Disney Family Museum has established in honor of Ron and Diane Disney Miller. Donations will support the museum’s ongoing education efforts, about which Ron was passionate. Donations and cards can also be sent to the family through The Walt Disney Family Museum, ATTN: Director’s Office; 104 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94129.

  • Disney Announces Voyageurs’ Lounge Coming to Riviera Resort Inspired By Walt’s Travels

    Disney Announces Voyageurs’ Lounge Coming to Riviera Resort Inspired By Walt’s Travels

    The magic never ends at Walt Disney World. The new Riviera Resort—opening in Fall 2019—has announced that a new travel-themed lounge known as Voyageurs’ Lounge, will be a part of the fun to be at the newest Vacation Club hotel.

    Inspired by Walt’s love of traveling through Europe, this spot will showcase Walt Disney’s worldwide expeditions and the literary works he brought home as souvenirs. The Voyageurs’ Lounge will be located next to the Le Petit Cafe and will serve as a fun, comfortable place for families and friends to gather and share travel memories.

    Much like the rest of the resort, the decor in the Voyageurs’ Lounge will represent the book collection of Walt Disney and will exhibit Disney’s unique connections to Europe. Modern design meets family tradition in this artfully-inspired resort.

    Few things were as important to Walt Disney as family and travel. The Voyageurs ‘s Lounge inside the brand-new Riviera Resort is the perfect combination of the two.


  • VIDEO: New One Woman Aladdin Medley is Pure Disney Magic

    VIDEO: New One Woman Aladdin Medley is Pure Disney Magic

    Youtube sensation Georgia Merry is back with another magical Disney medley! This one is a medley of songs from Disney’s 1992 classic “Aladdin” and it is a whole new world!

    With the release of the new live-action “Aladdin” just months away, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Take a look at the amazing medley below:

    Breaking through with her sound and style, Georgia Merry has become one of YouTube’s biggest Disney content creators. With over a hundred million video views she has really made quite a name for herself and keeps her fans coming back for more.

    Georgia is 22 and lives just outside of Manchester, UK. She created her channel around five years ago and her content is split between covers of the latest popular songs, vlogs and, by far and away her most popular and viewed content, Disney medleys.

    Each of Georgia’s Disney medleys takes around two months of solid work to produce. Her medleys are a result of massive amounts of hard work, from planning and producing the music that it will feature to cutting the transitions between songs.  She has to record the vocals, plan the costumes and make-up and then of course the shooting and editing of the video, all to come up with the final production that you’ll see on YouTube.

  • PETA Wants Pixar to Change Bo Peep in ‘Toy Story 4’

    PETA Wants Pixar to Change Bo Peep in ‘Toy Story 4’

    Bo Peep is set to return in “Toy Story 4“, complete with a new look, but animal rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is already calling for changes to her character.

    Pixar released a new Bo Peep character poster and trailer earlier this week. Peep hasn’t been seen since “Toy Story 2” and fans were excited to see her return to the franchise with an updated look, but PETA has concerns.

    Her new look comes with a more empowered attitude, but the new promos show she will still be carrying her shepherd’s crook. In a press release, PETA said it sent a letter to director Josh Cooley encouraging him “to complete the character’s transformation by retiring her crook — a tool historically used to hook lambs by the legs and neck in the wool industry.”

    “A ‘badass’ Bo Peep would likely bop the shearers, not the sheep,” writes PETA Manager of Animals in Film and Television Lauren Thomasson. “[A] symbol of domination over any animal is a thing of the past and not something that belongs in Toy Story 4. Won’t you please consider removing Bo Peep’s crook from the final animation?”

    Not much is known about Bo Peep in “Toy Story 4,” considering her long break from the public eye. The first glance simply revealed the character’s new costume, and the return of her teal colored crook. While this will likely be her main weapon and tool for surviving in the world, PETA is hoping that it would be removed, due to the message it sends to audiences.

    Josh Cooley helmed the next installment of the franchise after John Lasseter stepped down from the project and the script was penned by Stephany Folsom after, actress Rashida Jones left due to “creative and philosophical differences” in November 2017.

    Disney-Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” hits theaters June 21, 2019.

  • Patriots Stars Tom Brady and Julian Edelman Celebrate Super Bowl Title at Walt Disney World

    Patriots Stars Tom Brady and Julian Edelman Celebrate Super Bowl Title at Walt Disney World

    It was a fairytale scene today, complete with its own castle, as Super Bowl LIII MVP Julian Edelman of the New England Patriots and his teammate Tom Brady starred in a milestone moment – a celebratory “I’m Going to Disney World!” parade down Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom Park.

    In front of the majesty of Cinderella Castle the day after the Patriots’ 13-3 Super Bowl victory, park guests and Patriots fans lined the famous street as a Brady and Edelman waved from a float they shared with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and other beloved Disney characters. Balloons and a blizzard of confetti in the Patriots’ team colors completed the happy scene.

    Take a look below to see the famed commercial starring this years cast!

    It’s the perfect way for them to celebrate their Super Bowl victory Sunday night in Atlanta, which sent them into the NFL history books with six Super Bowl titles. Brady led the way, throwing for 262 yards and Edelman caught 10 passes for 141 yards to earn the game’s MVP award.

    Take a look at the entire parade below:

    The Patriots parade today will marked the fifth time Patriots stars have celebrated their team’s Super Bowl victory at Disney Parks. Brady and Edelman are among a long list of superstar athletes who’ve celebrated the biggest achievements in sports by visiting Disney Parks.

    Super Bowl campions have been making the trip to Disney World ever since Phil Simms first came up with the idea at Super Bowl XXI. Tom Brady was most recently honored there in 2004.

  • 2319 Day is Finally Here and ‘Monsters, Inc.’ Fans Are Celebrating

    2319 Day is Finally Here and ‘Monsters, Inc.’ Fans Are Celebrating

    Today may be Super Bowl Sunday, but it’s also a big day for Pixar’s 2001 hit Monsters Inc. Since it’s Feb. 3, 2019, fans of the Pixar’s 2001 hit film have been having fun with the date today and are calling it “2319 Day.”

    A 2319 is a company or factory code in the Monsters Inc. world. When an employee is contaminated with a foreign object of a human child, a 2319 goes into effect and alerts the Child Detection Agency (CDA). The CDA removes and destroys the foreign object and decontaminate the employee.

    The Monsters INC Facebook page even made an announcement to employees as you can see in the post below:

    “Attention all employees: You may notice your calendar is warning of a 231 9 in progress — DO NOT BE ALARMED. The CDA has confirmed that this is just today’s date and not a child loose in the facility,” the post read.

    Enjoy 2319 day! It only comes once every one hundred years.

  • Disney’s ‘Elsa’ Arrested in Illinois for Bringing Subzero Temperatures

    Disney’s ‘Elsa’ Arrested in Illinois for Bringing Subzero Temperatures

    The frozen weather in the Midwest has caused an Illinois police department to take drastic action. For the first time in forever, a Disney character — Elsa, the Queen of Arendell — was handcuffed and taken to jail. And police won’t let her go until the weather heats up.

    “Due to the EXTREME COLD weather, all criminal activity and acts of stupidity and foolishness has been canceled … Even Elsa has been placed under arrest with NO BOND until further notice,” police officials said.

    In a tongue-in-cheek post on Facebook, the McLean Police Department posted photographs of an officer “arresting” Elsa, complete with pink handcuffs as you can see in the post below.

    Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a disaster warning Tuesday ahead of the “potentially historic” double-digit subzero temperatures in the state.

  • Cinderella’s Castle Minnie Ears Coming to Disney Parks are Magical

    Cinderella’s Castle Minnie Ears Coming to Disney Parks are Magical

    Disney has been on a streak of releasing the trendiest new Minnie ears and they may have out did themselves this time. Now Disney is releasing Cinderella’s Castle inspired Minnie Ears and they are just magical!

    These Minnie ears feature silver sequin ears, a gold sequin bow, and a sparkly castle-shaped trinket at the center.

    The ears were revealed during a product preview at Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs earlier this year and as you can see in the post below they already have serious Instagram potential.

    The castle is such a magical icon that represents everything Disney and these Cinderella’s Castle inspired Minnie ears will be the perfect edition to any outfit.

    No word yet on when they will be released, but you can bet when they do that they will be a fast sell out!