Disney News

Category: Disney

  • Human Remains Found in Yard of Disney Worker Missing For Three Years

    Human Remains Found in Yard of Disney Worker Missing For Three Years

    Human remains were discovered by authorities in the backyard of a Disney Worker who has been missing for three years. Michael Shaver worked as a monorail mechanic at Walt Disney World according to relatives and has not been heard from since 2015.

    Detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office are now investigating the disappearance of a 36-year-old Michael Shaver from Clermont after his best friend requested a well-being check on him. His friend called the Sheriff’s Office to report that neither he, nor any of Shaver’s family, have heard from him since 2015 and requested deputies to go by Shaver’s residence and attempt to confirm his well-being.

    Officials went to Shaver’s home in unincorporated Lake County south of Clermont on Feb. 16.  Laurie Shaver, his 35-year-old wife, was home and she told investigators that she had not heard from her husband since 2015.

    She allowed investigators to search the home and then when Lake County sheriff’s deputies noticed what seemed like new concrete in an area of the backyard, they asked to bring in a cadaver dog. She refused to cooperate any longer and asked for an attorney.

    After obtaining a warrant, deputies returned Friday to search the home.  They dug up an upper arm bone. The remains were found under a the concrete area in question which was located on an outdoor fire pit at the residence of Michael Shaver. More remains were found over the weekend as well as articles of clothing according to a spokesman with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

     

    Officials said, the remains have been turned over to the Medical Examiner’s office for identification and to determine the manner and cause of death.

    Detectives have been diligently investigating the case and have not yet learned any information that would lead to the whereabouts of Mr. Shaver. They are seeking the public’s help and are asking anyone with information concerning Michael Shaver to call the sheriff’s office or Central Florida CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS, where they could be eligible for a cash reward.

  • Live-Action Aladdin Features 2 New Songs By Oscar Winning La La Land Writing Duo

    Live-Action Aladdin Features 2 New Songs By Oscar Winning La La Land Writing Duo

    The Academy Awards last Sunday had all the glitz and glamour you would expect, but it also had some news coming off the red carpet that’s really stands out like a shiny gold statuette. La La Land and The Greatest Showman songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul announced before the show that they’re developing two new songs for Disney’s live-action Aladdin remake with longtime Disney composer and songwriter Alan Menken.

    After losing an Oscar to a Disney movie, Benj Pasek and Justin are now working with the mouse. If you can’t beat ’em… join ’em. They came close though, with their Greatest Showman smash hit “This Is Me”, but ending up losing out to  “Remember Me,” from Disney’s Coco. Beyond this year the songwriting duo is already quite accomplished having picked up an Oscar last year for writing lyrics to the La La Land tune “City of Stars.”

    During their red carpet interview with Variety they talked about their excitement to be a part of the Disney Family and to get to work with Menken.  “We’re really thrilled that we got to collaborate with one of our heroes, Alan Menken, and we collaborated with him and wrote the lyrics for two new songs for Aladdin that’s coming out next year,” Pasek said.

    Scoring several prominent Disney animated features, composer Alan Menken is best known for films including The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules and Tangled.

    Based on a tale from The Arabian Nights, the film is a live-action adaptation of Disney’s 1992 animated hit. The Guy Ritchie film stars Egypt-born Canadian actor Mena Massoud as Aladdin, alongside Will Smith as the Genie. It hits theaters on May 24, 2019.

  • New Disney Princess Flip Flops By Havaianas Are A Wish Your Heart Makes

    New Disney Princess Flip Flops By Havaianas Are A Wish Your Heart Makes

    Flip Flops are a wish your heart makes… So with spring break right around the corner, it’s time to start sporting that beachwear again and Disney’s latest collaboration with Havaianas has produced the perfect footwear for the occasion. The Brazilian flip flop brand has created the perfect line of Disney Princess Flip Flops that are both stylish and comfortable.

    Havaianas are the perfect footwear for the pool or beach, but also great for a day in the Disney Theme Parks, too. These designs are totes adorbs with the princess on one flip-flop and a quote from their movie on the other.

    If you’re not into princess then don’t worry.  There are plenty of other options featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Star Wars, Marvel and more, no doubt there is a perfect pair to flaunt your favorite Disney style. You can find all of you favorite Disney Designs at Havaianas.com.

    “We are constantly looking at ways to delight our guests through the assortment of merchandise we offer as tangible memories of the time guests spend with us,” said Kenny Funk, Disney’s vice president of merchandise. “The combination of the Havaianas brand and Disney’s magical merchandise makes for an appealing combination for our guests.”

    The company has been the official flip-flop of Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort for the past several years and has three branded locations inside the parks. Guests can shop Disney-themed flip flops by Havaianas, as well as the brand’s core and fashion styles at shops in the Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon water parks in Walt Disney World, and at California Adventure in Disneyland

    You can find the new princess designs at The Landing in Disney Springs where the Disney mega shopping center has unveiled quite few new items perfect for spring break including the newest Mickey Mouse Ray-Bans that would go perfect with your flops, whether you are celebrating at Disney Parks or anywhere.

     

  • Disney Opens StudioLAB to build ‘Entertainment Experiences’ of the Future

    Disney Opens StudioLAB to build ‘Entertainment Experiences’ of the Future

    For what seems like ‘Imagineers’ for movies, Disney has created a research and development lab that will drive entertainment experiences of the future. Accenture has been appointed by The Walt Disney Studios as a founding member and Innovation Partner of StudioLAB, an initiative dedicated to reimagining, designing and prototyping the entertainment experiences and production capabilities of the future using innovative technologies.

    The Walt Disney Studios produces feature films from Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios; Pixar Animation Studios; Marvel Studios; and Lucasfilm. It also brings music and stage plays to consumers via The Disney Music Group and Disney Theatrical Group.

    Accenture Interactive and its design and innovation unit, Fjord, will play a lead role in helping to establish StudioLAB, as well as define and develop cutting-edge entertainment technology. They will also draw upon the extensive R&D expertise of Accenture Labs to help Disney Studios apply emerging technologies in innovative ways. Initial areas of focus include: immersive entertainment; artificial intelligence; IoT; the future of movie production; and next-generation cinematic platforms.

    In addition to collaborating on R&D, Accenture will partner with the Studios to support the operations of the StudioLAB as part of a 3-year agreement. This includes co-crafting the StudioLAB’s charter and governance, physical lab design, and business operations. In a co-located setup, Accenture personnel will work alongside StudioLAB personnel to incubate and prototype new concepts expected to impact the entertainment industry, advancing the way stories are told.

    “Accenture Interactive is thrilled to collaborate with the imaginative minds at The Walt Disney Studios on entertainment R&D to reimagine how people experience storytelling,” said Baiju Shah, chief strategist for Accenture Interactive and global lead, Fjord. “Our partnership demonstrates the true purpose of Accenture Interactive – to create truly remarkable experiences. Accenture is uniquely positioned to bring together the full set of diverse skills – from strategy, design and technology innovation, across emerging technologies like immersive entertainment, artificial intelligence, and IoT — needed to run a first-class innovation lab and deliver the next generation of entertainment experiences.”

    “As we thought about key partners to deliver our vision for StudioLAB, the decision to collaborate with Accenture Interactive was clear,” said Jamie Voris, CTO of The Walt Disney Studios. “Their ability to combine the design and innovation capabilities of a leading digital agency with the applied R&D capabilities of the Accenture Labs and deep industry expertise in media and entertainment makes them an ideal partner to innovate on the future of entertainment experiences. Technology is an essential component of how we make characters, stories and worlds come alive at Disney, and we’re looking forward to the possibilities of what we can imagine and build together.”

    StudioLAB teams will apply emerging technologies to create new entertainment experiences. The StudioLAB environment will also provide a unique space for Accenture to host tours and lead innovation workshops with clients to help inspire them on their own innovation journeys.

    Accenture has a 25-year history working with The Walt Disney Company, supporting some of its most innovative initiatives – ranging from myMagic+, Disney Movies Anywhere and Marvel Unlimited to Disney’s Enterprise Cloud Program and advanced marketing analytics at ABC. For this initiative, Accenture Interactive will also tap into support from Accenture’s other main businesses — Accenture Consulting, Accenture Strategy and Accenture Technology – to bring a complete set of transformation skills to co-innovate with The Walt Disney Studios.

  • American Idol Returns To Airwaves This Sunday, March 11th

    American Idol Returns To Airwaves This Sunday, March 11th

    This…  Is American Idol! The iconic series that revolutionized the television landscape by pioneering the music-competition genre, will return to airwaves on This Sunday, March 11th at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, at its new home on the ABC Television Network. Ryan Seacrest will return as host along with a panel of new judges.

    The nationwide search for the next superstar kicked off in August, as the Idol Bus traveled from Portland, Oregon, to Orlando, Florida in its pursuit for talent, covering 23 cities across the country. Auditioning was made easier than ever as hopefuls also had the opportunity to submit audition videos online, as well as via select social media platforms using an official tag, #TheNextIdol, cultivating over 300,000 posts. Also, for the first time in American Idol history, hopefuls had the opportunity to audition through a livestream platform.

    Back in August thousands descended upon Disney Springs to audition to become the next American Idol. Former Idol-winners Jordin Sparks, Kris Allen and Ruben Studdard were on hand to greet lucky audition participants during the kickoff celebration and we have been anticipating the start of the show ever since.

    American Idol ABC

    Helping to determine who America will ultimately vote for to become the next singing sensation are music industry forces and superstar judges, Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Award-winning host and producer Ryan Seacrest will return as host of the beloved series.

    American Idol judge Katy Perry recently visited Walt Disney World Resort in between her concerts during Witness: The Tour, and gave us a little preview on how amazing this season will be. Check out the video below:

    We can’t wait to see how some of the Disney Springs auditioners do with Katy and her fellow judges.

    Follow American Idol’s Facebook and #AmericanIdol on Instagram and Twitter to be a part of the journey.

  • Walt Disney Co. Investing $100 Million To Reinvent Experience For Children’s Hospitals

    Walt Disney Co. Investing $100 Million To Reinvent Experience For Children’s Hospitals

    Over the next five years, The Walt Disney Company will be investing more than $100 Million to help reinvent the experience for children’s hospitals around the globe. The plan is to completely transform the patient and family stay at children’s hospitals around the world with the creation of personalized, distinctly “Disney” experiences featuring beloved Disney characters and stories. And Walt Disney Imagineers will be leading the creative design work at each hospital!

    Disney Co Team of Heroes

    Disney Chairman and CEO Robert A. Iger and Mark A. Wallace, President and CEO of Texas Children’s Hospital were joined by Mickey Mouse for the big announcement at Texas Children’s Hospital – the first hospital to work us and this new approach.

    Imagineers will be working with patient care experts to help create a supportive atmosphere that’s personal, warm and entertaining at the hospitals. The combination of customized experiences with favorite Disney characters and our legendary creativity will help inspire young patients and their family and ease the stress of a hospital stay.

    How will it happen? Here are a few concepts:

    • Addition of a new RFID-based system allowing patients to customize their hospital visit by choosing their favorite Disney stories and characters. The system will also unlock special elements to further personalize and enhance the experience, such as “enchanted” artwork that comes alive.
    • Themed treatment and patient rooms featuring interactive murals of Disney stories, bed linens and gowns featuring each child’s favorite characters, and personalized in-room entertainment. Also, well stocked mobile “play carts” will include Disney-themed games and activities to give families something to do together to help alleviate stress and boredom.
    • Disney first-run movies and television shows, available both in-room and in themed pop up movie theaters in the hospital, along with other Disney entertainment options.
    • Disney customer-experience training for doctors, nurses and staff. Disney Institute will create a customized program for healthcare professionals designed to foster a less stressful, patient and family-centric hospital experience.

    Disney teams are already working with a panel of medical experts, including doctors, nurses, hospital administrators, parents and child life professionals from around the world, to advise on the best ways to help hospitals create a more personalized and comforting experience for patients and families.

    This new patient-focused initiative will expand the Company’s rich legacy of supporting children’s hospitals, which dates back to Walt Disney.

     

  • First Look: Disney’s Christopher Robin Official Teaser Trailer

    First Look: Disney’s Christopher Robin Official Teaser Trailer

    The Hundred Acre Wood is opening up to our world. The first teaser trailer for Disney’s live-action Christopher Robin has finally arrived! The film based on characters from A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh book series.

    In the heartwarming live action adventure Disney’s “Christopher Robin,” the young boy who embarked on countless adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood with his band of spirited and lovable stuffed animals, has grown up and lost his way. Now it is up to his childhood friends to venture into our world and help Christopher Robin — played by Ewan McGregor — remember the loving and playful boy who is still inside.

    Now grown up, Christopher Robin is stuck in a job where he is overworked, underpaid and facing an uncertain future. He has a family of his own, but his work has become his life, leaving little time for his wife and daughter. Christopher has all but forgotten his idyllic childhood spent with a simple-minded, honey-loving stuffed bear and his friends. But when he is reunited with Winnie the Pooh, now tattered and soiled from years of hugs and play, their friendship is rekindled, reminding Christopher of the endless days of childlike wonder and make-believe that defined his youth, when doing nothing was considered the very best something. Following an unfortunate mishap with Christopher Robin’s briefcase, Pooh and the rest of the gang including Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger, step out of the forest and venture into London to return the crucial possessions…because best friends will always be there for you.

    Christopher Robin was based on Pooh creator Milne’s own son, Christopher Robin Milne. The character appeared in two books Winnie-the-Pooh (1926) and The House at Pooh Corner (1928), as well as in poems. Disney first adapted the character in animation in 1966’s Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree.

    Disney’s “Christopher Robin” is directed by Marc Forster from a screenplay by Alex Ross Perry and Allison Schroeder and a story by Perry based on characters created by A.A. Milne. The producers are Brigham Taylor and Kristin Burr with Renée Wolfe and Jeremy Johns serving as executive producers. The film stars Ewan McGregor as Christopher Robin; Hayley Atwell as his wife Evelyn; Bronte Carmichael as his daughter Madeline; and Mark Gatiss as Keith Winslow, Robin’s boss. The film also features the voices of: Jim Cummings as Winnie the Pooh; Chris O’Dowd as Tigger; Brad Garrett as Eeyore; Toby Jones as Owl; Nick Mohammed as Piglet; Peter Capaldi as Rabbit; and Sophie Okonedo as Kanga.

  • Celebrating National Women’s History Month With Disney’s Women of Food & Beverage

    Celebrating National Women’s History Month With Disney’s Women of Food & Beverage

    March is National Women’s History Month, an opportunity to celebrate the contribution and achievements of women throughout history … and in our day-to-day lives. With over 22,000 cast members in Food & Beverage at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, it’s time to shine the spotlight on just a few of the many talented and passionate women that make a difference each and every day for guests and fellow cast members.

    All of these ladies perform different roles within Disney, and have varied life journeys – personally, educationally, and professionally. But they all have one thing in common: a dedication to excellence. Whether that be one plate/glass at a time in their restaurant, mentoring/teaching fellow cast members behind the scenes, or making Disney magic for our guests.

    Let’s introduce you to the Disney Women of Food & Beverage!

    Women of Food Aimée Rivera

    Hometown: Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
    Years in the Food & Beverage Industry: 23 years
    Year Started with Disney: 2002
    Current Role: Chef de Cuisine, Victoria & Albert’s, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Walt Disney World Resort
    Education/Accomplishments: Johnson & Wales University; Aimée is at the helm of the celebrated Victoria & Albert’s kitchen – the only restaurant in Florida to receive the AAA Five Diamond Award and Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award

    Delicious Details: Culinary style is classic with modern influences; her mother is her biggest inspiration and taught her to make the best buñuelos; tweezers are her favorite kitchen gadget; has a passion for lipstick; black pepper is her favorite spice (it enhances almost any dish); described as energetic, passionate, and detail-oriented.

    What advice would you give young women wanting to get into the food and beverage industry? 
    Food & Beverage is a challenging industry that is very demanding. You need to be firm in what you believe and work with integrity.

    Women of Food

    Alison Moore

    Hometown: Howell, Mich.
    Years in the Food & Beverage Industry: Since she was 16 … many years!
    Year Started with Disney: 1995
    Current Role: Senior Production Manager, Food & Beverage at Disney California Adventure Park West, Disneyland Resort
    Education/Accomplishments: Community college; industry and operational training and experience; Court of Master Sommeliers – Introductory Sommelier Diploma Level Two; Spirit of Disneyland Award

    Delicious Details: LOVES her kitchen gadgets and always has a really sharp knife – well actually 10 sharp knives; makes a mean lasagna and her sons are partial to her stuffed shells; feels a perfect wine list has something for everyone but is not overwhelming; avid reader and a fan of murder or police mysteries; described as passionate, positive, and authentic.

    What advice would you give young women wanting to get into the food and beverage industry?
    First of all, eat out often. Then, jump in with both feet! It’s an amazing business and there is so much potential to do so many things. Always start at the bottom and work every role so you can truly understand what you ask of others as you become the leader. Don’t let others derail you – go after what you want.

    Women of Food

    Debbi Sacleux

    Hometown: Summerville, S.C.
    Years in the Food & Beverage Industry: 35 years
    Year Started with Disney: 1993
    Current Role: Proprietor, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World Resort
    Education/Accomplishments: University of South Carolina; Court of Master Sommeliers – Introductory Sommelier Diploma Level One; Walt Disney World Legacy Award

    Delicious Details: Started in Euro Disney (Disneyland Paris); Cherries Jubilee is her fondest food memory; creating new memories through food and beverage is her favorite part of the job; loves a bold cabernet sauvignon; best advice from mom: 99% of what we do in life is just breathing so don’t stress over things you cannot control; described as diva, funny, and energetic.

    What advice would you give young women wanting to get into the food and beverage industry?
    It is not for everyone. It is very demanding and if you are not a person who likes to “serve” you will not be successful. You have to enjoy being a “foodie.” My advice to anyone who comes into the service industry is to be true to who you are and work hard. Hard work does pay off and really, it’s not hard work if you have fun doing what you do.

    Women of Food

    Julia Thrash

    Hometown: St. Clairsville, Ohio
    Years in the Food & Beverage Industry: 9 years
    Year Started with Disney: 2009 on the Disney College Program
    Current Role: Chef, Liberty Tree Tavern, Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World Resort
    Education/Accomplishments: Le Cordon Blue (Pittsburgh)

    Delicious Details: Started as a music major in college but realized culinary was her passion and transferred to culinary school; Julia Child is her inspiration as she never let rejection discourage her and proved you can have success at any point in life; loves antique shopping and collecting books; described as creative, passionate, and organized.

    What advice would you give young women wanting to get into the food and beverage industry?
    Never be afraid to ask questions. Work hard and focus on even the small task that may seem meaningless. There is always something to learn from each situation. Try to gain as much knowledge from everyone you meet and most importantly never give up. The journey will not be easy, but it is worth it.

    Women of Food

    Mechelle Miller

    Hometown: Anaheim, Calif.
    Years in the Food & Beverage Industry: 17 years
    Year Started with Disney: 1999
    Current Role: Production Manager, Ventures and Festivals, Disneyland Resort, leading a Cast of over 250
    Education/Accomplishments: Cal State Fullerton; Cicerone® Program Certified Beer Server Level One

    Delicious Details: Started working at Disneyland at 16 years old; daughter, Ava, is the inspiration behind everything Mechelle does – teaching her the importance of balance in life; surfer; loves red wine, pizza, and making her mom’s lasagna; described as ambitious, driven, and caring.

    What advice would you give young women wanting to get into the food and beverage industry?
    Educate yourself as much as possible and never stop learning. You can learn so much from your peers and fellow Cast Members about the industry and the latest trends. Surround yourself with mentors that push you outside of your comfort zone and that you can learn from. And lastly, be very passionate about what you do as it will show with your Cast and with the guests.

  • Mary Poppins Returns First Trailer is Practically Perfect

    Mary Poppins Returns First Trailer is Practically Perfect

    It must be a Jolly Holiday because the first teaser trailer for Mary Poppins Returns just dropped! More than five decades after Julie Andrews won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in the original Mary Poppins, a follow-up sequel is finally here!

    The first teaser footage from the upcoming Mary Poppins Returns debuted during Sunday’s Oscars ceremony and the footage gives us our first detailed look at Emily Blunt in the title role. This is one supercalifragilisticexpialidocious day for sure!

    Mary Poppins Returns picks up 25 years after the events of the first film, during the mid-1930s in London. But by now Michael is all grown up with a wife and three children who are all living in his parents’ old house on No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane. Take a look at the trailer below:

    The trailer also introduces Lin-Manuel Miranda as a London lamplighter named Jack, who, like Dick Van Dyke all those years ago, appears to have an affinity for flying kites.

    Though her famous umbrella made it into some shots, it appears that this time the nanny magically flies down hanging from a kite this time.

    Mary Poppins Returns

    “Mary Poppins Returns” stars: Emily Blunt as the practically-perfect nanny with unique magical skills who can turn any task into an unforgettable, fantastic adventure; Lin-Manuel Miranda as her friend Jack, an optimistic street lamplighter who helps bring light—and life—to the streets of London; Ben Whishaw as Michael Banks; Emily Mortimer as Jane Banks; and Julie Walters as the Banks’ housekeeper Ellen; with Colin Firth as Fidelity Fiduciary Bank’s William Weatherall Wilkins; and Meryl Streep as Mary’s eccentric cousin, Topsy. The film also introduces three new Banks’ children played by Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh and newcomer Joel Dawson. Angela Lansbury appears as the Balloon Lady, a treasured character from the PL Travers books and Dick Van Dyke is Mr. Dawes Jr., the retired chairman of the bank now run by Firth’s character. The film is directed by Rob Marshall from a screenplay by David Magee and screen story by Magee & Marshall & John DeLuca based upon The Mary Poppins Stories by PL Travers. The producers are Marshall, DeLuca and Marc Platt with Callum McDougall serving as executive producer and the music is by Marc Shaiman with songs by Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

    Mary Poppins Returns will hit theaters Christmas 2018.

  • Sweet New Trailer for ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2’

    Sweet New Trailer for ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2’

    The new teaser trailer for “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck it Ralph 2” dropped Wednesday and it looks as though it’s going to have all the same elements that made the first one so much fun to watch.

    The highly-anticipated animated sequel picks up six years after the original. This time around, after their old-fashioned arcade is connected to a Wi-Fi router, they find themselves on an adventure that takes them across the world wide web.

    Check out the new trailer below!

    “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2” leaves Litwak’s video arcade behind, venturing into the uncharted, expansive and thrilling world of the internet—which may or may not survive Ralph’s wrecking. Video game bad guy Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) must risk it all by traveling to the world wide web in search of a replacement part to save Vanellope’s video game, Sugar Rush. In way over their heads, Ralph and Vanellope rely on the citizens of the internet—the netizens—to help navigate their way, including a webite entrepreneur named Yesss (voice of Taraji P. Henson), who is the head algorithm and the heart and soul of trend-making site “BuzzzTube.” Directed by Rich Moore (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph”) and Phil Johnston (co-writer “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Cedar Rapids,” co-writer “Zootopia,”), and produced by Clark Spencer (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Bolt”).

    The original film made $471.2 million worldwide. “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2” the follow-up to the 2012 hit, hits theaters on Nov. 21.