Category: News

BREAKING: . Bob Iger Stepping Down as Disney CEO Effective Immediately

Disney CEO Bob Iger, who steered the company through successful purchases of Star Wars, Marvel and Fox’s entertainment businesses, is stepping down immediately, the company said in a surprise announcement Tuesday.

The Walt Disney Co. named as his replacement Bob Chapek, most recently chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.

Iger will remain executive chairman through the end of his contract Dec. 31, 2021.

Iger said it was an “optimal time” for him to step down following Disney’s acquisition of Fox’s entertainment assets and the launch of Disney Plus streaming service in November.

Iger became chief executive of the home of Mickey Mouse in 2005 after a shareholder revolt by Roy E. Disney led to the ouster of longtime chief Michael Eisner. Iger steered Disney through successful acquisitions of Lucasfilms, Marvel, Pixar and other brands that became big moneymakers for Disney.

He was the No. 2 highest paid CEO in 2018, as calculated by The Associated Press and Equilar, an executive data firm. He earned $65.6 million. The top earner was Discovery’s David Zaslav who earned $129.5 million.

Susan Arnold, the independent lead director of the Disney board said succession planning had been ongoing for several years.

Chapek is only the seventh CEO in Disney history.

Chapek was head of the parks, experiences and products division since it was created in 2018. Before that he was chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts since 2015. Before that, he was president of the Disney Consumer Products segment from 2011 to 2015.

February 25, 2020
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets Now on Sale
Tickets for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party are now on sale! As we reported earlier this week, the dates for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party were leaked from a UK site. Well, they are now on sale in the US and we have details on pricing.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is chance for Disney lovers of all ages to dress up as your favorite character and celebrate the season. There is free trick-or-treating, special character meet and greets, a unique Halloween parade, a spooky castle show featuring all your favorite villains, and a special fireworks show nightly.

During the event, you’ll have the opportunity to greet favorite Disney characters (some of them wearing Halloween costumes of their own!), go trick-or-treating throughout the park, dance the night away at the Storybook Circus Disney Junior Jan and enjoy popular attractions with a special Halloween twist, including Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain and Mad Tea Party. Take a look below for dates and pricing:

Party Dates:
- August 13th, 18th, 21st, 25th, and 28th
- September 1st, 4th, 7th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 18th, 20th, 22nd, 25th, 27th, and 29th
- October 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th, 31st
- November 1st
Pricing:

Prices range from $85 for adults and $80 for children ages 3-9, up to $125 for adults and $120 for children on non-Halloween nights. On Halloween and November 1st the price jumps up to $149 for adults and $144 for children.

So, make sure you contact Kimberly with Enchanted Kingdom Vacations to get your tickets early. Buying early saves you up to $10 per ticket, and most party nights in October sell out fast!
February 25, 2020
New Disney Dining Plan Option Coming Soon to Disney World
A Disney Dining Plan is a convenient way to have the expense of your meals already paid for when you go on vacation. Now, you’ll have a new option to choose from when Disney Dining Plus is released February 27th!

You still have the same three options as before, but there will now be a fourth option called the “Plus” plan that should really add some flexibility to your planning.

Take a look below at all the details:

Current Dining Plan options:
- Quick-Service Dining Plan:
  - 2 quick service credits and 2 snack credits per night
  - 1 re-fillable mug per stay
  - ($55 per adult, $26 per child, per night)
- Disney Dining Plan:
  - 1 table service credit, 1 quick service credit, and 2 snack credits per night
  - 1 re-fillable mug per stay
  - ($78 per adult, $30 per child, per night)
- Deluxe Dining Plan:
  - 3 table service credit and 2 snack credits per night
  - 1 re-fillable mug per stay
  - ($119 per adult, $47.50 per child, per night)
New “Plus” Plan Details:

Like all the other plans, you’ll get 2 snack credits per night of your stay and 1 re-fillable resort mug per stay.

The PLUS part comes in with the meal credits!
You will get: 2 dining credits per night that can be used in any combination of either Table Service, Quick Service, or Character Dining.

This new plan will likely fit in between the Disney Dining Plan and the Deluxe Dining Plan. I’m going to take a guess and say that the price points will run about $98 for adults and $39 for children for this new option.

If you’re thinking of planning a Disney vacation make sure you contact Kimberly with Enchanted Kingdom Vacations! Her services are completely FREE when you book with her and she’ll keep you up to date on the new and exciting things coming to Disney.
February 23, 2020
Baby Yoda and ‘The Mandalorian’ Meet & Greet Coming to Disney Parks

This is the way! “The Mandalorian” break out star, dubbed “Baby Yoda” by the internet, will soon have a meet and greet at Disney Parks according to recent reports!

When visiting Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland or Disney World’s Hollywood Studios, you’re sure to see characters like Rey, Kylo Ren, Chebacca, and R2-D2, and with the extreme popularity of “The Mandalorian” it comes as no surprise that “The Child” and Mando might be added to the line up.

Paul Southern, senior vice president of licensing for Lucasfilm, recently spoke with In The Know and revealed that encounters for “The Mandalorian” characters are currently being worked on. Take a look at what he had to say below:

“So, the reality is that we feel it’s really important for our guests at the parks to be able to meet all of our key characters on a first-hand, personal basis,” Southern said “And so it’s something we’re working on. We think it’s appropriate, and I think it’s something the guests at the parks can look forward to in the very near future.”

Since he never takes his helmet off, it wouldn’t be too difficult for Disney to get someone to play “The Mandalorian”, but a fully animatronic “Baby Yoda” could take a little more time to roll out.

Nothing official has been announced by Lucasfilm or Disney, but this would be an amazing meet & greet opportunity for guests visiting the parks and with the second season of the show streaming this fall, the timing couldn’t be better!

February 21, 2020
New Reversible Sequin ‘The Little Mermaid’ Minnie Ears Making a Splash at Disney Parks
Disney is releasing new pair of Minnie Ears inspired by “The Little Mermaid” as part of a collection by Betsey Johnson set to debut this Friday and you may have whozits and whatzits galore, but your going to want these to be part of your world!

The sequin-filled Minnie Mouse ear headband from the Disney Parks Designer Collection features reversible sequins and a bedazzled Flounder and Sebastian along with my favorite hair styling tool, a dinglehopper! Which sequined look will you pick, teal or coral?!

Now, over 30 years after the film’s release, Betsey Johnson has collaborated with Disney Parks blending these beloved characters with her whimsical and bold aesthetic to create a splash-tastic collection inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “The Little Mermaid.” Take a look below at the rest of the collection:
Want to be the girl who has everything? Then check out the matching jewelry collection featuring bedazzled characters including Flounder and Sebastian along with thingamabobs aplenty! Whether you are looking for a nautical necklace or bold bracelet, you’re sure to find something you like.

Life truly is the bubbles under the sea, and you can celebrate the collection in the world above by meeting Betsey Johnson herself at the Disneyland Resort this Friday, Feb. 21 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Meet Betsey and have her sign some of your favorite products from the collection at The Disney Dress Shop at Downtown Disney District.
From a variety of jewelry in the Disney Parks Collection x Betsey Johnson to an all-new headband in the Disney Parks Designer Collection as seen above, you won’t want to miss out on these limited release items coming to Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort this Friday, Feb. 21 and coming in March to shopDisney.com!
February 20, 2020
2020 Dates Released for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom
A sneak peak of the 2020 dates for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party has been released by a UK ticket provider and we have the details!

Every year Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party seems to start earlier and earlier, and this year is no exception with dates starting in August.

Take a look below at the dates:

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2020 Dates
- August 13th, 18th, 21st, 25th, and 28th
- September 1st, 4th, 7th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 18th, 20th, 22nd, 25th, 27th, and 29th
- October 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 12th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th, 31st
- November 1st
Keep in mind that tickets are not on sale in the US yet, but we’ll update you when they’re available. Contact Kimberly with Enchanted Kingdom Vacations to get your Halloween Party when they go on sale.
February 19, 2020
First Look: Disney and Pixar’s ‘Onward’ Character Meet & Greet Coming to Disney Parks

In Disney and Pixar’s original adventure, “Onward,” teenage elf brothers Ian and Barley Lightfoot embark on an extraordinary quest after being given the chance to spend one more day with their late father and soon, they’ll be making another epic journey to see you at their new meet and greet!

On March 5, Ian and Barley will make their Disney Parks debut as part of the Disneyland After Dark: Pixar Nite special event, and beginning the next day – the same day “Onward” hits theaters – you’ll be able to meet them daily at Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure park. Soon, the elf brothers will also make their way to Hong Kong Disneyland, to meet guests and then join in the fun with the return of the Pixar Water Play Street Party!

Set in a suburban fantasy world, “Onward” introduces us to Ian Lightfoot, a 16-year-old elf who yearns for the father he lost before he was born. Ian is sweet and determined with the best of intentions, but his lack of confidence and nervous energy trips him up more often than not. Ian is convinced that if only he had his father’s guidance, his life wouldn’t be so complicated and messy.

Ian’s older brother Barley Lightfoot is a big, boisterous 19-year-old elf who loves magic and immerses himself in fantasy role-playing games. He’s a free spirit who may be slightly more passionate about the past than the present. When their late father inadvertently sends Barley and Ian on an epic quest together – one highlighted by mystery and magic – Barley fires up his beloved and mostly dependable van Guinevere and never looks back.

Disney and Pixar’s “Onward” releases in U.S. theaters on March 6, 2020, so make plans to see the movie and then head to Disney Parks to say “Hail, fellows!” to Ian and Barley! Before you go, be sure to check out the latest products inspired by the film, available now at shopDisney.com and at Disney Parks around the world.

February 18, 2020
‘Zootopia 2’ and ‘Zootopia 3’ Reportedly in the Works at Disney

Disney is planning on returning to the metropolis of Zootopia for more adventures with two sequels reportedly in the works.

Tommy ‘Tiny’ Lister – who voiced fennec fox Finnick in the animation – has claimed that the movie, which won Best Animated Feature at the Oscars in 2017, is set to become a trilogy with Walt Disney’s Animated Studios reportedly throwing millions at the franchise.

Lister spoke at a fan event in Ontario, Canada, recently, where he claimed: “I can tell you for sure I’m doing another ‘Zootopia’ with Disney. We doing three of them.”

Lister continued, “We are the biggest film that Disney is producing. The last one was 240 million. This one I’m hearing will be 300 million. That’s what they spent on the budget, not the advertising. But the movie made 2.6 billion, with merchandising and the box office.”

The first movie was directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore and raked in over a billion dollars at the box office.

The original movie reimagines a world in which humans have never existed, and starred Jason Bateman as friendly fox Nick Wilde and ‘Once Upon A Time’ actress Ginnifer Goodwin as Lieutenant Judy Hopps.

The all-star cast also featured the likes of Shakira, Idris Elba, Kristen Bell and Octavia Spencer.

A Zootopia land was recently announced for the Shanghai Disneyland in China, proving that the much-loved animation is still popular.

February 17, 2020
BREAKING: Cinderella Castle at Disney World to Receive Golden Makeover

Disney World’s park’s iconic, awe-inspiring centerpiece—Cinderella Castle—is about to get even more magical. Disney shared today that Cinderella’s castle in the Magic Kingdom at Disney World will be getting a golden make-over!

Cinderella first transformed into a princess 70 years ago this week when the animated classic was released—and ever since, her courage and kindness have been inspiring guests and cast members alike. Now Cinderella’s story has inspired a bold, shimmering and royal makeover of her namesake castle at the heart of Walt Disney World Resort.

Take a look at this concept image of what the newly-enhanced Cinderella Castle will look like when work is completed:

You may notice this exciting work taking place as these stunning enhancements begin in the coming weeks, continuing through summer. But you’ll still get to catch all of the castle favorites like “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” and “Happily Ever After.”

February 17, 2020
New Disney Wedding Dresses are Coming in 2020
A new Disney wedding dress collection is coming this year. Allure Bridals announced Friday its first Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection, turning fairy tale dreams into reality for brides.

The elegant collection includes 16 total styles in a variety of silhouettes and fabrications that capture the style and spirit of Disney Princess characters such as Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Jasmine, Cinderella, Pocahontas, Rapunzel, Tiana and Snow White.

Allure Bridals will unveil the entire collection during New York Bridal Fashion Week in April 2020, and gowns will arrive in stores shortly thereafter. Take a look below at some of the designs:
“So many brides grow up admiring their favorite Disney Princess characters and are inspired by their journeys, gowns and stories of the classic films,” says Allure Bridals CEO Kelly Crum. “Our design team worked tirelessly on each of these incredible gowns, as each dress features intricate detailing specifically inspired by the timeless characters known and loved by all of us at Allure and Kleinfeld, as well as our brides. We are honored to work with Disney on this collection and see the romance of it come to life.”

The Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection includes nine fantasy gowns highlighting a wide variety of timeless bridal silhouettes. Romantic ball gowns, mermaid trains and fit-and-flare hemlines are featured throughout the collection. Fabrications include soft mikado, ethereal tulle and flowing chiffon, balanced by the dramatic structure of ruffled organza and unique, dimensional laces. With singular design and detailing available in each princess-inspired gown, every bride will have the chance to showcase their personal style through the collection. The Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection will be available at select bridal boutiques across the country. Prices range from $1,200 to $2,500.

Seven of the 16 styles will be featured exclusively at Kleinfeld Bridal stores in New York and Toronto as the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Platinum Collection, with prices ranging from $3,500 to $10,000. The initial release will include the gorgeous Tiana Platinum gown, which embodies both Tiana’s practicality and creativity in an elegant ballgown design covered in bayou-inspired shimmering vines and blossoms. The collection features extensive crystal beading, pearls and hand-embroidered appliques and delicate sparkle tulle. In addition, Kleinfeld will offer the complete Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Collection.

“We are thrilled that we will carry the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Platinum Collection, said Kleinfeld Co-Owner, Mara Urshel. “This magical line of gowns features exclusive designs perfect for the Disney-inspired bride.”

All gowns will be available in sizes 0 to 30 for both the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Platinum and Disney Fairy Tale Weddings collections.
February 15, 2020