Disney News

Category: News

  • Bob Saget, star of ABC’s ‘Full House,’ dead at 65

    Bob Saget, star of ABC’s ‘Full House,’ dead at 65

    Celebrated comedian and sitcom star Bob Saget has died at the age of 65.

    The stand-up comedian known for starring on Full House and hosting America’s Funniest Home Videos, died Sunday, the Orlando Sheriff’s Department confirmed.

    Saget died in his hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, Florida. The Orange County Sheriff’s office confirmed the news on Twitter Sunday afternoon as you can see below:

    Best known for playing Danny Tanner in the ABC sitcom show, Full House from 1987-1995., he was also the first host of America’s Funniest Home Videos from 1989-1997. They also appeared in an episode with him on America’s Funniest Home Videos. In addition, he played Ronnie in the Fox/ABC Studios TV show, Grandfathered and appeared in the The Mickey Mouse Club.

  • Disney Patents a 3D World Simulator That Doesn’t Need a Headset Or Glasses

    Disney Patents a 3D World Simulator That Doesn’t Need a Headset Or Glasses

    Disney has filed a patent for a Virtual World Simulator that will allow it to simulate augmented digital worlds without the need for users to wear headsets or glasses.

    Disney Enterprises was approved for a “virtual-world simulator” patent during the last week of December. The technology would project 3D images and virtual effects onto physical spaces, according to the US Patent Office.

    The technology described in the patent would not be geared for large audiences but would instead track individual visitors around the parks and project images specifically for them on nearby objects, buildings and walls.

    Visitors could be tracked through their smartphones or other devices they are carrying so that the tracking information could be relayed to a computer connected to projection devices located throughout the theme parks. After locating the visitors, the “Virtual World Simulator” could project an image of a Disney character in front of the guests, with hidden speakers providing voices for an immersive experience, according to the patent.

    The Virtual World Simulator would use a SLAM technique — which stands for Simultaneous Localization and Mapping — to continuously track the ever-changing point of view of a visitor moving through a real-world venue.

  • Man Creates Christmas Lights Display Set to Disney’s ‘Frozen’

    Man Creates Christmas Lights Display Set to Disney’s ‘Frozen’

    A North Carolina man has set up a Christmas lights display, outside his house, choreographed to music including Disney’s Frozen theme song.

    Michael Shoaf strings up hundreds of lights on his house every year and treats his neighbors to a show.

    Shoaf started the tradition when he was a child and it has been carried on to each house he moved to.

    Now a professor of lighting and sound, and with a masters under his belt, Shoaf puts his qualifications to good use over the holidays.

  • Spider-Man: No Way Home Crosses $1 Billion at the Box Office

    Spider-Man: No Way Home Crosses $1 Billion at the Box Office

    “Spider-Man: No Way Home” cruised past the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office Sunday, according to Sony Pictures.

    After having the third-biggest worldwide opening of all time last weekend, Spider-Man: No Way Home has earned $467.3 million from domestic and $587.1 million from international markets to reach a global box office total of $1.05 billion over 12 days.

    “No Way Home” — which stars Tom Holland and Zendaya as Peter Parker and MJ as they battle villains from across the Marvel multiverse — is also the only film of the pandemic era to make $1 billion worldwide.

    It is the first film to reach $1 billion since “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” which was released in December 2019.

    Sony also said that “No Way Home” is now the top grossing film of the year worldwide.

  • Bob Iger Will Return as Disney’s CEO, Media Executives Predict

    Bob Iger Will Return as Disney’s CEO, Media Executives Predict

    Media executives predict Bob Iger will return as Disney’s CEO in 2022, according to a CNBC report.

    It hasn’t even been two years since Bob Chapek took over as Disney’s CEO. But one executive told CNBC there are already internal wagers at Disney about Iger returning.

    Iger, 70, repeatedly extended his contract after planning to retire in 2015, 2016 and 2018 before abruptly stepping down in 2020. He’s still Disney’s executive chairman until the end of the year.

    It’s unclear if Iger wants to return. He’s already working on a second book, according to The Hollywood Reporter, after publishing one in 2019.

    But Disney shares have stumbled this year, down nearly 20% year to date. Iger owns a lot of those shares. The board and Iger may get restless if Disney+ growth stagnates and the company continues to have turf tensions between executives.

  • Disney World Bringing Back Parking Lot Trams

    Disney World Bringing Back Parking Lot Trams

    Walt Disney World courtesy parking trams returned to Magic Kingdom on Sunday.

    The other theme parks would see the popular form of transportation return sometime next year.

    Disney announced on social media late last month that the trams would be returning this month first to Magic Kingdom as you can see below:

    Disney has been testing the trams over the past couple weeks.

    Walt Disney World’s parking trams have been suspended since the parks were forced to close in 2020, forcing guests to walk a short distance to the front entrances.

    According to Disney’s website, face coverings are required of all guests on enclosed Disney transportation, including Disney buses, monorails and the Disney Skyliner.

  • New Baby White Rhino Born at Disney World

    New Baby White Rhino Born at Disney World

    An endangered white female rhino calf was born last month at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and Disney had shared a sneak peek of the newborn.

    A female baby white rhino was born last month to mother Lola. This birth marks the third white rhino born at the theme park in 13 months. It’s also the 13th white rhino to be born at Walt Disney World Resort.

    Lola’s successful delivery was on the heels of two other births within the past 13 months. In all three births, the calves cozied up to mom right away and began nursing. Take a closer look below:

    Sadly, rhinos in the wild are hunted for their horns, and their populations continue to dwindle. Because of this, rhino births are increasingly important to maintain healthy populations. We are also helping to protect white and black rhinos in the wild through the Disney Conservation Fund, supporting projects focused on habitat monitoring and restoration. 

    Rhinoceros are the world’s second largest land mammal. After a gestation period of 16 to 18 months, white rhinos typically weigh in around 140 pounds at birth. Lola and her new bundle of joy will spend the next several months bonding backstage before joining the rest of the herd on the park’s Harambe Wildlife Reserve. In the meantime, guests can keep an eye out for the first born of these three calves, Ranger, named in honor of the rangers who protect rhinos in the wild, while experiencing Kilimanjaro Safaris.

    Lola’s calf joins a happy contingent of baby births this year, including Humphrey the Masai giraffe, Greta the hippo, and Ada the western lowland gorilla, just to name a few. All told, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has welcomed everything from the tiniest insects and snails to mammoth-hoofed creatures like the white rhino. 

  • Disneyland Is Offering $67-A-Day Tickets To SoCAL Residents

    Disneyland Is Offering $67-A-Day Tickets To SoCAL Residents

    Disneyland is offering a special weekday ticket offer for Southern California residents for $67 per day to help bring in the New Year.

    Eligible guests may experience the magic of Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park for the special price with the purchase of a three-day, one-park per day weekday ticket, subject to park reservations, the theme park announced Tuesday.

    “From winter into spring, it’s an ideal time to visit the Happiest Place on Earth to enjoy spectacular entertainment day and night,” the park said in a news release. “Guests can experience the return of Lunar New Year and Disney California Food & Wine Festival, wave to beloved Disney characters, rediscover classic attractions and thrill rides, and embark on exciting new adventures.”

    Here are some of the many ways to enjoy the magic of Disneyland Resort in early 2022:

    • Lunar New Year: Disneyland Resort will celebrate the Year of the Tiger this Lunar New Year in Disney California Adventure park, from Jan. 21 – Feb. 13, 2022. Welcoming a year of good fortune, this joyous festival invites guests of all ages to commemorate traditions of Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures, along with Disney characters, Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession, four culinary marketplaces, kid-friendly crafts and a Lucky Wishes Wall.
    • Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival: This spring celebration of California-inspired cuisines, March 4 – April 26, 2022, highlights the dynamic and diverse foods and flavors of the Golden State. Taste innovative dishes from talented Disneyland Resort chefs and tantalize your palate across a dozen festival marketplaces, with visits with Chef Goofy, craft activities and musical performances.
    • “Mickey’s Mix Magic”: Returning Jan. 10 for a limited time, “Mickey’s Mix Magic,” will be presented nightly in Disneyland park. State-of-the-art projections, show lighting and lasers transform Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle and the façade of “it’s a small world” into a dazzling, high-energy, family fun dance party celebrating Mickey Mouse, with fireworks lighting up the sky on select nights.
    • New Limited-Time Birthday Experience, “Celebrate! In Mickey’s Toontown”: Young families can create special memories by scheduling a private party in Mickey Mouse’s house in Mickey’s Toontown. From Jan. 19 – March 6, 2022, groups of up to 10 people can celebrate and enjoy cupcake decorating, games, crafts, a Disney PhotoPass photo opportunity with Mickey Mouse and quicker entry to Gadget Go Coaster. The party is 90-minutes.
    • Heroic Adventures:  Guests can step right into adventurous stories and create their own at the new Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure park and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland park.
    • Family Favorites: From a stroll down Main Street, U.S.A., to the sparkling Sleeping Beauty Castle or to the mad dash of chasing Jack-Jack on the Incredicoaster at Pixar Pier, guests can spend a fun-filled day revisiting their favorite “must-do’s” and “must-sees” across both theme parks.
    • Return of Nighttime Spectaculars:  The classic fan-favorite “Main Street Electrical Parade” will light up Disneyland park in time for the parade’s 50th anniversary year, and guests will be treated to the return of nighttime spectaculars at Disneyland Resort this spring, with “Fantasmic!”, “World of Color” and the “Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular.

    Tickets are now on sale for visits beginning Jan. 3, 2022,

  • Disney World 50th Anniversary Genuine Leather Gold Loungefly Backpack Now Available

    Disney World 50th Anniversary Genuine Leather Gold Loungefly Backpack Now Available

    A new genuine leather Loungefly backpack has arrived on shopDisney to commemorate the 50th anniversary celebration at Walt Disney World.

    This magical mini backpack is the gold standard in stylish carry-alls.

    Loungefly’s shimmering genuine leather bag celebrates Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary with a die-cut Cinderella Castle appliqué and metal ”50” logo. The metal-edged Mickey ears add an iconic accent. Take a losser look at the details below:

    • Genuine leather mini backpack
    • Dimensional ears with metal edging
    • Cinderella Castle appliqué with gold thread embroidered details
    • Metal ”50” logo apppliqué
    • Diamond pattern with ”50” and Cinderella Castles inside
    • Double zipper main compartment
    • Side slip pockets
    • Front zip pocket
    • Loungefly logo metal pulls
    • Adjustable padded shoulder straps
    • Top carry handle
    • Lining features ”50” logo pattern
    • Goldtone finish hardware
    • Black trims
    • Disney Parks x Loungefly logo label plate on side
    • All main body and trims are genuine leather (main body, ear appliques, handle, straps, strap trims)
    • Genuine gold flakes inside the resin metal 50th rivet
    • 24K gold plated metal hardware (plaque, 50th rivet, zipper teeth & ear frames)
    • Part of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Luxe Logo Collection
  • Dec. 3 Declared ‘Walt Disney World Day’ in Orange County

    Dec. 3 Declared ‘Walt Disney World Day’ in Orange County

    Orlando and Orange County proclaimed Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, as “Walt Disney World Day.” 

    Walt Disney World Resort received the official proclamation by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings in honor of its 50th anniversary. 

    After the proclamation, Walt Disney World VoluntEARS – a volunteer program run by Disney – took part in a community service project, sorting and packing food alongside Walt Disney World leaders and government officials.

    The project aims to help support important causes and continue inspiring a world of difference for children and families in the community.

    Second Harvest Food Bank President & CEO Dave Krepcho also attended the proclamation ceremony.

    Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary celebration, titled “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” kicked off on Oct 1, 2021, and continues for 18 months.