Disney News

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  • Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration Coming Soon to the Disneyland

    Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration Coming Soon to the Disneyland

    The Disneyland Resort is introducing an all-new, must-see pop-up experience at the Downtown Disney District. Coming this spring, Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration will commemorate the one and only Mickey Mouse!

    The attraction will transport you through a visually and whimsically immersive experience celebrating 90 years your old pal Mickey Mouse and of course his darling Minnie Mouse.

    This limited-time exhibition will feature several different imaginatively themed rooms with vivid displays inspired by all things Mickey Mouse. Every room will feature selfie-worthy surprises and provide plenty of fun and fabulous photo ops for all your family and friends. Take a look below at some of the amazing concept art:

    One such surprise will be a super-sized and super sweet bow sofa. In this area, you can pop into the portrait and take a seat on Minnie’s plush sofa or pose under Minnie’s giant bows and hearts. Don’t forget to blow a kiss!

    This separately ticketed exhibit will be located near the Downtown Disney District Monorail station in the former space of ESPN Zone. Tickets will go on sale soon. Keep your ears perked to the Disney Parks Blog for more details!

    Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration is another fantastic example of the excitement and evolution of entertainment, dining and shopping in the Downtown Disney District. Most recently, we welcomed Ballast Point Brewing Company, Salt & Straw scoop shop, the re-designed Wetzel’s Pretzels, Naples Ristorante e Bar, Napolini Pizzeria and the re-imagined World of Disney!

  • Walt Disney Archives Founder Dave Smith Passes Away at the Age of 78

    Walt Disney Archives Founder Dave Smith Passes Away at the Age of 78

    In the same week that Walt Disney’s Son-in-Law and Former Disney CEO passes away, the Disney family is now mourning the loss of yet another Disney legend. Walt Disney Archives founder Dave Smith passed away in Burbank, California, on February 15, 2019 at the age of 78.

    Dave dedicated his four-decade career at The Walt Disney Company to preserving Disney’s precious treasures from film, television, theme parks, and beyond.

    “I’m deeply saddened to learn of Dave Smith’s passing,” said Bob Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “He was the unsung hero of Disney’s history who, as our first archivist, spent 40 years rescuing countless documents and artifacts from obscurity, investing endless hours restoring and preserving these priceless pieces of our legacy, and putting them in context to tell our story. Dave was a true Disney Legend, and we are indebted to him for building such an enduring, tangible connection to our past that continues to inspire our future.”

    Named a Disney Legend in 2007, Dave was beloved by fans around the world for his wide knowledge of the Company’s rich history, which he shared in books and through his popular magazine column “Ask Dave.”

  • Man Points Gun at Guests Over Parking Spot Dispute at Animal Kingdom Report Says

    Man Points Gun at Guests Over Parking Spot Dispute at Animal Kingdom Report Says

    According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, a Lake Mary couple allegedly had a handgun pointed a handgun at them by an elderly man during a dispute over a parking space for the disabled at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

    The man’s name wasn’t released and he wasn’t arrested, because there were conflicting stories about what happened, according to the report. The Sheriff’s Office has forwarded the case to the state attorney’s office to decide whether to file charges.

    According to the OCSO, The altercation happened on Sunday while the 60-year-old man and his 62-year-old wife were visiting the theme park.

    The woman, who was driving, told deputies that she was waiting for a car to back out of a parking spot so she could pull into the space. That’s when a man driving a gray SUV came from the opposite direction at a high rate of speed and cut in front of them to take the spot.

    The driver was described as in his 70s with a full, gray beard. She claims he almost crashed into them and when her husband raised his right fist at the SUV driver, he responded by lifting a handgun and pointing it at them over the steering wheel. The passenger of SUV driver disputes their claim.

    The SUV driver was found at the theme park security checkpoint. He was with his passenger, a 65-year-old North Carolina woman who admitted to authorities that the man did make an angry gesture back, but she said it was with his wallet in his hand and not a gun.

    She told deputies that they were concealed weapon permit holders and there was no gun in the vehicle. A search warrant from a judge was obtained by the sheriff’s office to search the man’s vehicle, but the incident report was redacted and it’s not clear if anything was found.

  • New Vanellope Magic Band is Sugary Sweet

    New Vanellope Magic Band is Sugary Sweet

    The newest Magic Band release is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth! It features Vanellope von Schweetz, the spunky princess from the Wreck It Ralph franchise. 

    The light pink band features Vanellope on one side, and the You’re My Hero necklace she made for Ralph on the other side.

    This band is not Limited Edition, which means it should be around for a while, but it’s only available in parks as of right now.

    If you need one for your trip make sure to contact Kimberly at Merlin’s Cauldron!

  • Wreck-it Ralph and Vanellope Meet & Greet at Epcot Gets a New Home

    Wreck-it Ralph and Vanellope Meet & Greet at Epcot Gets a New Home

    Starting this week you can meet Wreck-it Ralph and Vanellope from Disney’s animated adventure “Ralph Breaks the Internet” in a brand new location at Epcot!

    The encounter opened up last fall, when their movie debuted in theaters in a temporary location inside Innoventions West. Now you can bump fists and pose for pics with this lovable video game “villain” and his adorable pal in the Imagination! pavilion.

    The staff of the Imagination Institute is now conducting a new experiment, creating a portal into other dimensions. That portal has opened a window on the internet for Ralph and Vanellope to step through, right into the ImageWorks area of the Imagination! pavilion, where you can meet with them every day.

    The hit film “Ralph Breaks the Internet” is now available on Digital and comes to Blu-ray on February 26. Available for the first time on 4K Ultra HD!

  • New Villaintine’s Day Merchandise Available at Disney Parks

    New Villaintine’s Day Merchandise Available at Disney Parks

    At Disney Parks, February 13th is known as Villaintine’s Day and to help celebrate they have gathered up some of the latest, most villainous Disney merchandise you’ll find anywhere.

    Why celebrate Disney Villains? Because without them, there would be no Disney heroes! Can you imagine Peter Pan without Captain Hook? What Ariel’s adventure have been without Ursula?

    Take a look below to see all the Villaintine’s Day merch!

    Create stylish look with these apparel and accessories from Disney Parks. From Maleficent-inspired socks and shirts to a baseball cap celebrating the Queen of Hearts select items can be found at trendy shops such as DisneyStyle at Disney Springs West Side. The tee-shirt for Gaston’s Tavern is found at Bonjour Village Gifts in New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park.

    Other accessory options include Disney Villain-inspired crossbody bags and a backpack as well as a retail MagicBand 2 that’s covered with everyone’s favorite bad guys.

    If you have a passion for Disney style, check out the dress covered with villain from The Dress Shop collection. It has a classic look with a modern fit which makes it a wonderful outfit to wear when visiting Disney Parks. It’s best paired with a Maleficent-inspired, Mouse-eared headband.

    If you love collecting or trading Disney pins, we have several individual open edition pins from Yzma to Cruella de Vil. You can build the perfect villainous collection by adding these pins to a specially designed pin trading starter kit with lanyard.

    Even more villains are included in the “World of Evil” mystery pin set with artwork created by Jerrod Maruyama. Each pack contains five randomly selected pins.

    You can add a villainous touch to your home with new coffee mugs featuring quotes by Hades from Disney’s “Hercules” and Ursula from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.”

    Or, if you prefer antlers in all of your decorating, check out the Gaston’s Tavern wall sign with matching stein.

    Finally, this PANDORA Disney Villains Charm Set is available at Uptown Jewelers at Walt Disney World Resort.

    These items and more are offered in a variety of merchandise locations at Disney Parks. You may also find select products on shopDisney.com

  • First Look: Disney Releases First ‘Frozen 2’ Teaser-Trailer

    First Look: Disney Releases First ‘Frozen 2’ Teaser-Trailer

    Today, Disney dropped the first teaser-trailer for “Frozen 2” and it looks amazing!

    Co-director Jennifer Lee teased that the characters are “going to go far out of Arendelle” in the sequel for a “bigger, more epic” journey.

    The teaser for the highly anticipated follow up to Disney’s 2013 hit gives us a peek at what all your favorite Arendelle characters have been up to for these last six years. Take a look at the trailer below:

    The teaser starts off with Elsa watching the rise and fall of the waves as a storm brews overhead. She then musters her courage and manages to run across the water by making a path of snowflakes and ice. However, she quickly falls into the surf.

    The original “Frozen” movie became a massive hit when it opened in 2013, earning over $1.3 billion at the worldwide box office, along with two Oscars. It’s still the highest-grossing animated film ever, as well as the 13th biggest movie of all time.

    “Frozen 2,” hits theaters Nov. 22.

  • Disney Skyliner Gondolas Make First Test Runs Between Parks and Resorts

    Disney Skyliner Gondolas Make First Test Runs Between Parks and Resorts

    The Disney Skyliner Gondola system has been making a lot of progress lately and this week it hit another exciting milestone! The first guest cabins have begun making test runs back-and-forth between Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

    The state-of-the-art gondola system will begin transporting guests at the Walt Disney World Resort beginning later this fall. The system will conveniently connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort as well as the proposed 15th Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s Riviera Resort.

    The test-run gondolas recently traveled across Victory Way between the stations at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and the station at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. “Soon there will be more gondolas added and cycling on the line as teams continue testing and training,” said Walt Disney Imagineering associate project manager Steve Pratt.

    As you can see in the image with The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in the background, the gondolas remained covered during testing. But when operating later this fall, some cabins will feature beautiful graphics based on Disney films, attractions and characters.

  • New ‘Aladdin’ Trailer Reveals First Look at Will Smith’s Blue Genie

    New ‘Aladdin’ Trailer Reveals First Look at Will Smith’s Blue Genie

    We’ve said it before, but this time the genie is definitely out of the bottle. The latest look at Disney’s live-action “Aladdin” is here and it finally reveals Will Smith in his full blue Genie form for the first time.

    Twenty-seven years after the animated “Aladdin” became a classic, Disney dropped the new trailer during the Grammys on Sunday night.

    Take a look below at the trailer to see what you think of Will Smith in the role.

    In addition to Smith’s Genie, who towers over Mena Massoud’s Aladdin in his bulked-up blue form, we get looks at the villainous Jafar (playing by Marwen Kenzari), Naomi Scott’s Princess Jasmine, and the sprawling city of Agrabah.

    Smith takes on Robin Williams’ former role as the Genie, promising in an Entertainment Weekly first look last December to bring a “hip hop flavor” to the part. “Sherlock Holmes” director Guy Ritchie takes the helm.

    The original, animated “Aladdin” premiered in 1992 and famously starred the late Robin Williams in a virtuoso vocal performance as the Genie that earned him a Golden Globe. The movie has grossed $504 million worldwide.  

    “Aladdin” hits theaters May 24, 2019.

  • Walt Disney’s Son-in-Law and Former Disney CEO Passes Away at 85

    Walt Disney’s Son-in-Law and Former Disney CEO Passes Away at 85

    Ron Miller, husband of Diane Disney Miller and son-in-law of Walt Disney, has passed in Napa, California at the age of 85.

    “Everyone at The Walt Disney Company is deeply saddened by the passing of Ron Miller,” Disney’s current chairman and CEO Bob Iger said. “His life and legacy are inextricably linked with our company and the Disney family because he was such a vital part of both, as our CEO and Walt’s son-in-law. 

    At age 21, Ron, a member of the University of Southern California football team, was introduced to 20-year-old Diane Disney on a blind date. They were married in Santa Barbara on May 9, 1954.

    Ron served in the Army and then played professional football for the Los Angeles Rams before his father-in-law recruited him to work at The Walt Disney Studios. There, he ascended from motion picture and television production roles to CEO of what is now The Walt Disney Company.

    Ron first started working for Walt as part of the original Disneyland team, where he was employee number six. Ron’s first job in this capacity was serving as second assistant on Old Yeller (1957). Eventually, as CEO, Ron pushed the Company to expand and explore, creating Walt Disney Home Video, Touchstone Pictures, and The Disney Channel. 

    Ron, Diane, and Diane’s mother, Lillian, established Silverado Vineyards in 1981, four years after they purchased the property. This place, near the small town of Yountville, California, became Ron and Diane’s permanent residence. 

    Ron supported Diane’s pursuit in documenting the life and accomplishments of her father, from producing the documentary film Walt: The Man Behind the Myth (2001) to establishing The Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio of San Francisco in 2009.

    Ron was a passionate outdoorsman. Alpine skiing, hunting, fly-fishing, and golf were lifelong pursuits. He was an experienced horseman with a cattle ranch near Montrose, Colorado.

    Ron and Diane were generous philanthropists, supporting many causes, including classical music and ballet. 

    Ron is survived by his children Christopher Miller, Joanna Miller, Tamara Diane Miller, Jennifer Goff, Walter Elias Disney Miller, Ronald Miller, and Patrick Miller; grandchildren Annabelle Rey, Nicholas Runeare, Ryan Scheer, Danielle Durham, Sam Goff, Lily Goff, Charlotte Goff, Sebastian Runeare, Haley Scheer, Reilly Miller, Madeline Goff, William Miller, and Elias Miller; and great-grandchildren Stella Durham, Finley Scheer, and Evelyn and Mason Goff. 

    Donations may be made to the memorial fund that The Walt Disney Family Museum has established in honor of Ron and Diane Disney Miller. Donations will support the museum’s ongoing education efforts, about which Ron was passionate. Donations and cards can also be sent to the family through The Walt Disney Family Museum, ATTN: Director’s Office; 104 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94129.