Category: News

New Haunted Mansion MagicBand Materializing at Disney Parks

Halloween time is already upon us and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is well underway making the newly released Haunted Mansion Magicband the perfect accessory to spirit you through your day at the parks.

If you’re a haunted mansion fan then your definitely going to want to let this ghoulish new Magicband follow you home!

Your ghost hosts have come up with a new design inspired by the Haunted Mansion Maids and Butlers. The Magicband displays the Haunted Mansion logo on top over a white background and one side is adorned with a Haunted Mansion butler uniform while the others shows the maids uniform.

The MagicBand is Open Edition and costs $22.99. You can find them in the parks and at on shopDisney.

MagicBands are colorful, waterproof wristbands – resembling a watch or bracelet – that you can quickly and easily touch to a sensor called a ”touch point.” You will receive a MagicBand 2 if you stay at a Disney Resort Hotel in Florida or you are a Walt Disney World Resort Passholder. They allow guests to connect the vacation choices they make in My Disney Experience – from effortless theme-park entry, to Online Check-In, Disney PhotoPass association and more.

September 1, 2018
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Poses With An Anaconda On The Set Of ‘Disney’s Jungle Cruise’

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson made a new friend while filming on the set of the upcoming “Jungle Cruise” movie. The wrestling super star turned actor took to Instagram yesterday to share a photo of himself holding an anaconda with the hugest smile on his face.

“On set of our DISNEY’S JUNGLE CRUISE and I made friends with a big ‘ol hungry Anaconda. ” he said in the post.

Johnson, who appears to be having the time of his life in the Amazon, is seen alongside co-star Jack Whitehall who looks terrified as you can see in the picture below. Johnson praised Whitehall in the post, stating he “did his best to smile thru his fear of snakes.”

A post shared by therock (@therock) on Aug 30, 2018 at 5:46am PDT

Johnson said he signed the biggest contact of his career in a video posted on social media back in May. The film is a live-action adaptation of Disneyland’s iconic theme park ride which takes guests on a guided tour through Africa’s Nile and Congo rivers to South America’s Amazon. Disney hopes to develop the film as a possible franchise much like its billion-dollar “Pirates of the Caribbean” series.

Jungle Cruise the movie takes place in the early 20th century and follows riverboat captain Frank (Johnson) as he takes a scientist (Emily Blunt) and her brother (Jack Whitehall) on a journey to find a mystical tree in South America. Edgar Ramírez and Jesse Plemons costar as a pair of villains who, naturally, want the film’s magical MacGuffin for themselves and compete with Frank in the race to find the tree first.

Jaume Collet-Serra is directing the movie based on the classic theme park attraction and “Logan” writer Michael Green penned the most recent draft of the script, rewritten from screenplay by J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay.

Disney’s “Jungle Cruise” is slated to hit theaters October 2019.

August 31, 2018
New Character Dining Experience Coming to Disney World This WInter

Disney has just announced that a new character dining experience will be coming to Walt Disney World this winter!

The all-new character dining experience will feature Snow White and friends and will be making its home at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

Storybook Dining at Artist Point will invite guests to venture into an Enchanted Forest-like setting inspired by Walt Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” There, you’ll enjoy a delicious meal of fantastic fare with visits from Snow White, Dopey and Grumpy. Delightful music and activities will help bring the classic fairytale to life, and you’ll even have an opportunity for an encounter with The Queen.

This immersive character dinner takes place amidst the rustic elegance and exceptional dining that Artist Point is known for. You’ll enjoy a uniquely themed prix fixe menu, including shared starters, a choice of individual plated entrees and ‘sweet spells’ to finish the meal.

We’ll keep you updated as more details become available, including menu offerings, an opening date and when you can book reservations, as well as where you might be able to find select fan-favorite Artist Point menu items in the future.

Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White is slated to begin this winter.

August 30, 2018
Disney Reveals Details of Oga’s Cantina Coming To Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

No matter how far far away the galaxy’s newest outpost might be, it wouldn’t be complete with out a cantina! Today, Disney revealed details on a watering hole fit for a smuggler that is set to open at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Black Spire Outpost at Galaxy’s edge will be home to Oga’s Cantina, which will be serving pilots, bounty hunters, smugglers, locals and galactic travelers alike, when it opens in 2019.

Visitors come to this notorious local cantina, conduct shady business, and maybe even encounter a friend…or a foe. Run by an intriguing alien proprietor, Oga Garra, the cantina adheres to a strict code of conduct that tries to keep its unruly patrons in check. But with a history of being a smugglers’ safe haven and a popular stopping point for those seeking to avoid the authorities, you can bet that the cantina has a story or two to tell.

Oga’s Cantina is the kind of establishment that attracts some of the most interesting and disreputable characters in the galaxy. And you never know when a stormtrooper or a familiar face will show up. Patrons of the cantina come from across the galaxy to sample the famous concoctions created with exotic ingredients using “otherworldly” methods, served in unique vessels. With choices for kids and libations for adults, the cantina will make for a great stop!

Musical entertainment is provided courtesy of RX-24, the former StarSpeeder 3000 pilot droid we first met in Star Tours, who has re-envisioned himself as the cantina’s DJ. As quirky and talkative as ever, he’s still trying to do his best on the job.

Get ready to listen to some unique music, taste the best drinks in the galaxy, and surround yourself with a colorful cast of characters. You never know what will happen at the cantina!

Oga’s Cantina opens its doors at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2019 at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.

August 30, 2018
Disney World Has a New Baby Giraffe! Meet Aella

Meet Aella! She is a two-month-old Masai giraffe calf was born at more than five-feet tall back on June 29. She is now a foot taller and finally making her debut on the Kilimanjaro Safaris savanna at Animal Kingdom!

Aella (pronounced “eye-la”), has spent the past couple of months bonding and nursing with her mom Lily in a backstage habitat. Disney Parks said guests aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom should be able to easily spot her as she is the youngest and smallest giraffe in the herd.

Named after an Amazon warrior, Aella is known to be a brave and bold young giraffe with a curious and independent spirit. She’s adventurous enough to explore on her own, sometimes leaving mom a few paces behind.

Aella’s birth marks a first for her parents – mom Lily and dad George. The pair was chosen to breed through the Species Survival Plan (SSP), which is overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and ensures responsible breeding of threatened and endangered species. Breeding this pair is important to the long-term survival of the species because it adds more genetic diversity to the giraffe population, which helps ensure future generations.

Aella will nurse for about a year, and then, as a herbivore, she will move to the lush vegetation available throughout the savanna. When full grown, she will use her 18-inch tongue to strip leaves off thorny branches from the tops and sides of trees to consume up to 75 pounds of food a day. That’s a tall order!

The Masai giraffe is a vulnerable species found primarily in Kenya and Tanzania. There are believed to be roughly 32,000 Masai giraffes left in the wild, and their population continues to decline because of poaching and habitat loss.

The Disney Conservation Fund supports conservation efforts in Africa to protect wildlife habitats, including those of giraffes. Earlier this year, several Disney animal care experts went to Uganda to help relocate a herd of giraffes across the Nile River to establish a newer, safer habitat away from oil-drilling fields. Another team went to Kenya to support a giraffe and zebra population census.

August 29, 2018
RUMOR: Disney’s Streaming Service May Have Finally Found a Name

Disney’s new DTC (direct to consumer) streaming service is meant to be a direct competitor with Netflix and hopefully give the company a serious foothold in the streaming market. Well now details have emerged and Disney’s upcoming streaming service may finally have a name and no it’s not “Disneyflix”.

According to Variety, Disney CEO Bob Iger has referred to the service as Disney Play. At this point it’s unclear if this will in fact be the final name for the video platform or if it’s more of a working title.

Once ties are severed with Netflix for good, Disney will be losing an estimated $300 million in annual revenue from Netflix for pay-TV rights.

Beginning in 2019, Captain Marvel and every Disney film released in theaters will no longer Netflix and instead will make their way to Disney Play. Ant-Man and the Wasp will also now be the last Marvel movie to come to Netflix.

Regardless of the final name Disney’s steaming service is set to launch sometime in 2019.

August 27, 2018
Pumpkin Mickey Mouse Ears Available at Disney Parks

Halloween time is here and at Disney Parks that means, ghoulish treats, killer costumes and of course all the Halloween mech! Speaking of merch, the newest Halloween themed Mickey ears are so cute its scary. Disney recently released new Pumpkin Mickey Ears that are really giving guests “pumpkin” to talk about!

Pumpkin Mickey ear hats have already been spotted around the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, and they are totes adorbs!

The pumpkin inspired hat comes in the classic Mickey ear baseball cap style and features a Mickey jack-o-lantern grin and embroidery on the back that says “Hey, Pumpkin!”

A post shared by A I M E E☀️ (@golden_aimeee) on Aug 13, 2018 at 7:18pm PDT

The ears even have a little stump on the top of the hat, making this the must-have hat for pumpkin and Mickey fans everywhere.

A post shared by Alie 🐾 (@alieadventure) on Aug 16, 2018 at 1:14pm PDT

You can find the pumpkin Mickey hat at select locations around the Disney Parks!

August 26, 2018
New Sequinned Candy Corn Minnie Ears Are The Sweetest Halloween Must Have At Disney Parks

Halloween time is upon us at Disney Parks and Disney has released some sweet new Minnie ears to help get you into the spirit! To celebrate the spooky season, Disney Parks has transformed everyone’s favorite Halloween candy into a must-have pair of ears!

That’s right, candy corn inspired Minnie ears have arrived at the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort and you can bet they will be selling out as quickly candy disappears from an unattended bowl in front of a house on Halloween.

Disney has already stepped up their ear game this Halloween season with the recent materializing of Haunted Mansion inspired ears as well as the recently released Day of the Dead Minnie ears. And now with this delicious pair of ears you can satisfy your sweet tooth and add to your ever-growing ear collection.

A post shared by @disneylife_of_mike_jas on Aug 13, 2018 at 10:16am PDT

The sequined ears feature a flashy candy corn bow and the headband features text that reads “I’m just here for the candy.”

A post shared by Arielle 👑 (@ariatdisney) on Aug 13, 2018 at 4:41pm PDT

These new sweet ears are available at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World and will set you back $25.

August 26, 2018
‘Sofia The First’ Show Ending Its Run In September with Special Extended Series Finale

Some sad news for fans of Disney Junior’s “Sofia the First”. Disney announced this week that the Emmy Award winning show will be ending after nearly six years, four season and two record-breaking specials.

Sofia the First is an animated television series that premiered on November 18, 2012. The show follows the adventures of Sofia, played by Ariel Winter. Sofia becomes a princess when her mother, Miranda, marries King Roland II of Enchancia. The show features songs by John Kavanaugh and Erica Rothschild and a musical score by Kevin Kliesch.

In the finale episode, as Sofia, and siblings Amber and James, prepare for their graduation from Royal Prep Academy, Sofia is called back to the Mystic Isles to face an evil witch named Vor, who is trying to take over the kingdom of Enchancia. Presented with her biggest challenge yet, Sofia must figure out a way to defeat Vor and save her family and the people of Enchancia. Sofia the First: Forever Royal features recurring guest stars Eric Stonestreet as Minimus, Bonnie Hunt as Aunt Tilly, Andrew Rannells as Skye, Megan Hilty as Prisma, Ellie Kemper as Crackle, Ming-Na Wen as Vega, Colin Salmon as Orion, Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Chrysta, Paty Lombard as Vor and Hugh Bonneville as the Voice of the Secret Library.

“Sofia the First” has more that 100 episodes and continue to air on Disney Junior and Disney Channel platforms around the world. The special extended finale of “Sofia the First”, titled “Sofia the First: Forever Royal,” debuts on Disney Junior on September 8th at 11 a.m. EST.

August 25, 2018
New Vault By Vans Disney Collection Celebrates 90 Years of Mickey Mouse

Mickey Mouse is an icon and over the past 90 years, he has left his mark on entertainment, pop culture, and fashion. Everyone’s favorite mouse is turning 90 this year and to celebrate this milestone, Vault by Vans and Disney have teamed up once again for a new collection that combines artists and Mickey Mouse.

The new line showcases one-of-a-kind artwork from four artists, including John Van Hamersveld, Mr. Cartoon, Geoff McFetridge, and Taka Hayashi. The designs will be featured on Vans’ OG Sk8-Hi LX, as well as a short-sleeved tee. Each artist brings their own unique interpretation of Mickey, all while celebrating the things we love about this iconic character.

With a mutual passion for California culture, renowned illustrator and graphic designer , John Van Hamersveld is continuously recognized  for his influential graphics and images that are quintessential markers of Southern California culture. Best known for his psychedelic patterns and vibrant color schemes, he is a pioneer in the worlds of art, music, and surf—blending these genres perfectly into his extensive repertoire. For this collection, Van Hamersveld produces bright, punchy graphics featuring the one and only Mickey Mouse.

Legendary tattoo artist Mark Machado, more famously known as Mister Cartoon, is a Mexican-American artist born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Mister Cartoon is recognized and sought after for his richly detailed hand-rendered style of fine line tattooing—a technique that uses diluted black ink to create shadows and depth. What sets his work apart is the textural intricacy and stunning details of his three-dimensional- appearing works. His contribution to the collection depicts a black and grey illustration of the iconic “True Original” mouse driving a vintage car.

To bring a minimalistic and surreal illustrative style to the collection, Vault by Vans and Disney worked with Geoff McFetridge, Canadian designer, illustrator, and animator based in Los Angeles. McFetridge’s work intuitively ignores creative boundaries and spans a broad range of art media. The versatility and simplicity in his work is balanced by the use of elegant line drawings and paintings. His design captures Mickey Mouse in a unique pattern, highlighting his iconic colors – black, red and yellow.

Vault by Vans mainstay, Taka Hayashi, completes the collection with his commitment to detailed craftsmanship and unique design approach. Hayashi’s design features an unexpected hit of pink, conveying a Mickey Mouse inspired hot air balloon.

The Disney x Vans collaboration retails from $78 to $100 and launches globally on August 25, 2018 at select Vault by Vans accounts. Learn more about this special project at vans.com/vault.

August 25, 2018