Disney News

Category: News

  • New ‘Up’ Minnie Ears Soaring into Disney Parks

    New ‘Up’ Minnie Ears Soaring into Disney Parks

    If you’re wondering what’s ‘up’ with the latest Minnie ear trends then you’re going to love the new Up inspired Minnie Ears soaring into Disney Parks.

    When guests hear new Minnie Ears, it’s a little reminiscent of when Doug from ‘Up’ sees a squirrel… So whether your a collector or just picking up a pair to match that perfect park outfit this is the perfect pair to add to your wardrobe.

    This adorable set of Minnie Ears feature cotton puffs for balloons, the grape soda badge, and Carl Fredricksen’s house on the left ear as you can see below:

    You can find the new Minnie Ears at Disneyland and Disney World at The Emporium in Magic Kingdom. The ears will set you back about $27.99.

  • The Dark Crystal Prequel Reveals All-Star Voice Cast Including Mark Hamill, Simon Pegg, Keegan-Michael Key

    The Dark Crystal Prequel Reveals All-Star Voice Cast Including Mark Hamill, Simon Pegg, Keegan-Michael Key

    A series based on Jim Henson’s 1982 film “The Dark Crystal” is in the works, and now Netflix has revealed the series’ impressive voice cast along with a few stunning pictures of the three main Gelflings that the show is centered around.

    Taron Egerton (the Kingsman films), Anya Taylor-Joy (The Witch) and Nathalie Emmanuel (Game of Thrones) have been set as respective Gefling heroes Rian, Brea and Deet, and other actors including Mark Hamil, Keegan-Michael Key, Helena Bonham-Carter, Toby Jones, Alicia Vikander, Simon Pegg, Andy Samberg also lend their voices to the film.

    • The Dark Crystal
    • The Dark Crystal
    • The Dark Crystal

    A beloved classic from the 80s marks its return as Netflix will bring The Jim Henson Company’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance exclusively to members around the world. The 10-episode fantasy adventure series is a prequel to the groundbreaking 1982 fan favorite The Dark Crystal, and takes place many years before the events of the film. The series will be shot in the U.K., and will star an ensemble of fantastical, state-of-the-art creatures created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop and Brian Froud, the original feature’s conceptual designer.

    The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance returns to the world of Thra with an all new adventure. When three Gelfling discover the horrifying secret behind the Skeksis’ power, they set out on an epic journey to ignite the fires of rebellion and save their world.

    Feature film director Louis Leterrier (Now You See Me, The Incredible Hulk) will executive produce the series and direct. The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance will be a Netflix original series produced by The Jim Henson Company and executive produced by Letterier, Lisa Henson and Halle Stanford. Longtime Henson collaborator Rita Peruggi will serve as producer and Henson’s Blanca Lista will serve as a co-executive producer. Leading the writing are co-executive producers Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews (Life in a Year), and Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Lost, The 100).

    “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance will combine the art of puppetry perfected by The Jim Henson Company, with Louis’ vision, powerful storytelling and a mix of cutting-edge digital imagery and visual effects,” said Cindy Holland, Vice President of Original Content at Netflix. “I can’t wait for families around the world to see how we bring these unique characters to life.”

    “Louis Leterrier is passionate about the world of The Dark Crystal and has an incredible creative vision for the series. He brings this passion to every facet of the production as he leads the talented team of artists and writers that are bringing this entire universe to life,” said Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Company. “Netflix has a deep respect for my father’s original work and the many people it inspired. They are the perfect partners to create this next epic chapter in The Dark Crystal story for new fans and the loyal fans who have waited so long for more adventures from this world.”

  • Petition Calls for Disney to Drop ‘Hakuna Matata’ Trademark

    Petition Calls for Disney to Drop ‘Hakuna Matata’ Trademark

    A petition started online is calling for Disney to let go of its trademark of the Swahili phrase “Hakuna Matata.”

    The petition was started by Zimbabwean activist Shelton Mpala and states that “Disney can’t be allowed to trademark something that it didn’t invent.” It has already received more than 100,000 signatures.

    The phrase roughly translates to “no problems” or “no worries” and is a common expression in parts of eastern and southern Africa. It is best known as a song in Disney’s 1994 hit movie “The Lion King” and according to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the company trademarked the expression the same year.

    In an interview withh CNN, Mpala says he started the petition “to draw attention to the appropriation of African culture and the importance of protecting our heritage, identity and culture from being exploited for financial gain by third parties.”

    “This plundered artwork serves to enrich or benefit these museums and corporations and not the creators or people it’s derived from,” Mpala said.

    Liz Lenjo, a Kenyan intellectual property and entertainment lawyer, disagrees with the petition. Lenjo said Disney “has not stolen anything” and the outrage over the trademark is misplaced. The blame should go to social media for “blowing things out of proportion” Lenjo said.

    “The use of ‘Hakuna Matata’ by Disney does not take away the value of the language,” Lenjo says. “East Africans or whoever speaks Swahili worldwide are not restricted from using the phrase.

    “She added: “The conversation on the internet has been blowing up because of a misconception and misunderstanding around intellectual property law, the ethos behind intellectual property law and the various regimes of protection.”

    Disney has not responded to the petition. A remake of the “The Lion King” is due for release in 2019.

  • First Look: Will Smith as Genie in Disney’s Aladdin Remake

    First Look: Will Smith as Genie in Disney’s Aladdin Remake

    The genie is now truly out of the bottle.  EW released thier newest issue today giving us a look at Will Smith as the beloved genie along with the rest of the cast of Disney’s live-action remake of “Aladdin”.

    A first look at Disney’s live-action remake of Aladdin is showing us a whole new world! The cover features Naomi Scott as Jasmine, Mena Massoud as Aladdin, and Will Smith as Genie.

    Guy Ritchie is directung the film, and told EW about his fresh take on the adaptation from his past directing experience.

    Some visitors at the California theme park posted recordings of the incident, showing Santa remaining calm while he he was left dangling a handful of feet off the ground.

    Once he was removed, he continued to walk the rest of the parade route, smiling at guests and spreading holiday cheer with his sleigh trailing behind.

    The mishap delayed the parade, but no one was reportedly injured by the float collapse.

  • New Rose Gold Minne Ears Have Dropped Anchor on Disney Cruise Line

    New Rose Gold Minne Ears Have Dropped Anchor on Disney Cruise Line

    Just when you thought the Rose Gold trend had ended, Disney Cruise Line has released a new pair of rose gold minnie ears that are tots adorbs!

    Rock these beauties one the boat and you’re sure to sparkle and shine during your next Disney Cruise Line Sailing.

    These super cute Minnie ears are covered in insta-worthy rose gold sequins and are adorned with a navy blue bow covered in anchors as you can see in the post below.

    This Minnie Ears Headband is sure to be a coveted fashion accessory that you’ll treasure for “ears” to come!

  • Disney Donates $3 Million to Make-A-Wish

    Disney Donates $3 Million to Make-A-Wish

    Earlier this month, The Walt Disney Company announced it is donating $3 million to Make-A-Wish to help grant even more wishes for children with critical illnesses and their families.

    The news follows the 2018 #ShareYourEars campaign celebrating 90 years of Mickey, which saw hundreds of thousands of Disney fans create amazing “ear photos” with their kids, families, friends and even pets to make a difference in the lives of children and families around the world.

    Since 1980, Disney has helped Make-A-Wish grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses and their families. Currently, nearly 10,000 Disney wishes are granted every year with Make-A-Wish, helping wish kids replace fear with confidence, sadness with joy and anxiety with hope. For wish kids such as Quintino and their families, this partnership creates treasured memories:

    #ShareYourEars is part of the Disney Team of Heroes philanthropic initiative and outreach program to deliver comfort and inspiration to families around the world.

    In March 2018, The Walt Disney Company made a five-year, US $100 million commitment to reinvent the patient and family experience in children’s hospitals and is working with children’s wish-granting organizations around the world to fulfill wishes for children facing critical illnesses.

  • Disney Worker Accused of Voyeurism in Animal Kingdom Employee Restroom

    Disney Worker Accused of Voyeurism in Animal Kingdom Employee Restroom

    A Disney World employee is accused of video voyeurism in a men’s restroom for employees, according to a Orange County Sheriff’s Office report.

    Charges of video voyeurism against Eric King, 21, of Polk City, have been filed with the state attorney’s office for its consideration after he was caught using a cell phone in an employee-only bathroom at Animal Kingdom.

    The victim, also a Disney employee, alerted authorities that another worker had filmed him at a urinal with a cellphone from underneath an adjacent stall.

    The police report says the employee confronted King, who told him that he had dropped the phone and was picking it up from under the stall when the employee saw the phone pointed at him. 

    Authorities did not see any videos or photographs on King’s phone, although the report questioned whether he might have deleted them. Later, King confessed to video voyeurism, according to the report.

    The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 was confiscated and taken as evidence and a computer forensic analysis, the report said.

    A Disney spokeswoman says King is on unpaid leave pending the results of the investigation.