Disney News

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  • Select Walt Disney World Dining and Experience Reservations Now Open for Booking

    Select Walt Disney World Dining and Experience Reservations Now Open for Booking

    As part Disney World’s phased reopening, guests can now book additional dining and experience reservations at Walt Disney World Resort.  

    From dining inside Beast’s castle at Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom Park and the culinary adventures of World Showcase at EPCOT to select table-service restaurants in our Disney Resort hotels, guests can take advantage of a 60-day booking window (beginning July 7) to plan meals and other experiences.

    To help plan, here are important updates to our food and beverage experience:

    • In-Park Dining: Theme park guests will need valid park admission and a reservation for park entry through the new Disney Park Pass system, as well as a dining reservation for in-park, table-service restaurants for the same park on the same date.  Dining reservations do not guarantee admission to the park.
    • Disney Resort Hotel Dining: A confirmed dining reservation is required for day guests and reservations are highly recommended for guests staying overnight at a Disney Resort hotel. 
    • Disney Springs Dining: Select dining locations at Disney Springs are currently accepting reservations. Please visit https://DisneySprings.com/dining for schedules and availability.

    Guests can also take advantage of the new My Disney Experience mobile check-in feature, which allows guests to bypass the line at the podium and check in for dining reservations at select Walt Disney World Resort table-service restaurants on their own mobile devices.

    Be sure to also check out  https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/ for the latest menus and offerings as we implement wellness, physical distancing and minimized contact for guests at our restaurants. 

  • Colin Kaepernick Signs Production Deal with Disney

    Colin Kaepernick Signs Production Deal with Disney

    Colin Kaepernick has signed a first-look deal with Disney, which will include a docuseries focusing on his journey from playing for the 49ers to becoming an activist.

    The deal between Kaepernick’s production arm, Ra Vision Media, and The Walt Disney Co. was announced Monday. The partnership will focus on telling scripted and unscripted stories that explore race, social injustice and the quest for equity. It also will provide a platform to showcase the work of directors and producers of color.

    “I am excited to announce this historic partnership with Disney across all of its platforms to elevate Black and Brown directors, creators, storytellers, and producers, and to inspire the youth with compelling and authentic perspectives,” Kaepernick said in a statement. “I look forward to sharing the docuseries on my life story, in addition to many other culturally impactful projects we are developing.”

    Despite being exiled from the NFL since the 2016 season when he took a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality, Kaepernick still wants to play.

    A person close to the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback told The Associated Press that Kaepernick is in excellent shape and ready to play but hasn’t received any calls.

    Following the nationwide protests in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell apologized to players for not listening to them earlier, encouraged them to protest peacefully and denounced racism.

    Kaepernick, who became the face of a Nike campaign in 2018, will work closely with The Undefeated, which is expanding its portfolio across Disney, to develop stories from the perspective of communities of color.

    His deal with The Walt Disney Co. will extend across all Disney platforms, including Walt Disney Television, ESPN, Hulu, Pixar and The Undefeated.

    “During this unprecedented time, The Walt Disney Co. remains committed to creating diverse and inclusive content that resonates and matters,” said Bob Iger, Disney’s executive chairman. “Colin’s experience gives him a unique perspective on the intersection of sports, culture and race, which will undoubtedly create compelling stories that will educate, enlighten and entertain, and we look forward to working with him on this important collaboration.”

    The docuseries chronicling Kaepernick’s journey and his last five years is the first project in development.

    “Developing exceptional storytelling told through a wide array of voices is at the core of who we are at ESPN,” ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro said. “Colin has had a singular path as both an athlete and an activist, and, as the nation continues to confront racism and social injustice, it feels particularly relevant to hear Colin’s voice on his evolution and motivations.”

  • New Loungefly ‘Hocus Pocus’ Collection is Wickedly Fabulous

    New Loungefly ‘Hocus Pocus’ Collection is Wickedly Fabulous

    Loungefly is releasing a new Hocus Pocus inspired collection that will have you running amuck amuck amuck!

    Make a spellbinding addition to your favourite ensembles with this Hocus Pocus inspired mini backpack and wallet that both feature bewitching stylised character artwork.

    Take a look below at the collection:

    LOUNGEFLY DISNEY HOCUS POCUS CHIBI MINI BACKPACK – $79.90

    The faux leather mini backpack is debossed with the Sanderson Sisters in spellbinding chibi style with gold foil accents and Thackery Binx adorns the front pocket! The Faux leather mini backpack

    LOUNGEFLY DISNEY HOCUS POCUS CHIBI WALLET – $42.00

    This faux leather ziparound wallet is debossed with the same chibi style and had a gold zipper pull that says “Hocus Pocus,” but Thackery Binx is hiding on the inside.

  • Disney Brings Virtual Viewing of Fourth of July Fireworks at Disney World

    Disney Brings Virtual Viewing of Fourth of July Fireworks at Disney World

    In honor of Independence Day, Disney Parks is revisiting an unforgettable night of magic at the Walt Disney World Resort for a special virtual viewing of their spectacular Fourth of July fireworks.

    For tonight’s viewing, prepare for patriotism at its finest as Disney takes you back to 2018 to experience a night of breathtaking fireworks orchestrated to festive, toe-tapping melodies.

    Take a look at the video below to watch as the sky above the iconic Cinderella Castle illuminates with colorful, bright and sparkling fireworks.

  • Disney Shares Apple Pie Recipe from Whispering Canyon Café at Disney World

    Disney Shares Apple Pie Recipe from Whispering Canyon Café at Disney World

    In honor of 4th of July, Disney is serving up America’s favorite apple pie recipe from Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge in Disney World.

    Their version is layered with tart Granny Smith apples and has a cake-like top crust that is simply delicious.  

    Apple pie is iconic. For many of us, it represents comfort and a feeling of home so it is no wonder this popular dessert is truly a slice of Americana – perfect for a 4th of July celebration! Take a look at the ingredients and directions below:

    Apple Pie from Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge 
    Makes one 9-inch pie 

    PIE CRUST 

    • 4 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces 
    • 1/4 cup shortening 
    • 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 
    • 4 teaspoons sugar 
    • 1/8 teaspoon coarse salt 
    • 1/3 cup 2% milk 

    APPLES 

    • 1 cup water 
    • 6 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced 
    • 2 teaspoons apple pie spice 

    APPLE PIE BATTER 

    • 1/2 cup butter, softened 
    • 2/3 cup sugar 
    • 2 egg 
    • 1 1/2 cups flour 
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 
    • 1/8 teaspoon salt 
    • 1/4 cup heavy cream 

    FOR PIE CRUST: 

    1. Combine butter, shortening, flour, sugar, and salt in bowl of electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix at medium speed until crumbly.  
    2. Add milk and mix until incorporated.  
    3. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and rest in refrigerator for 30 minutes.  
    4. Roll to 1/4-inch thickness and place in 9-inch pie plate.  
    5. Set aside. 

    FOR APPLES: 

    1. Bring water to simmer in large pot.  
    2. Place apples in a steamer basket and add to pot. Steam for 10 minutes. Remove from water. 
    3. Cool to room temperature and toss with apple pie spice.  

    FOR APPLE PIE BATTER: 

    1. Cream butter and sugar in bowl of stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until fluffy. Add eggs and mix until just incorporated.  
    2. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in small bowl. Slowly add to mixer and beat on medium speed until combined.  
    3. Add cream and mix until smooth.  
    4. Set aside until ready to bake.  

    FOR APPLE PIE: 

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place 1/2 cup apple pie batter on top of pie crust, spread until smooth. Top with apples and remaining apple pie batter.  
    2. Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake 20 more minutes, until golden brown.  
    3. Cool to room temperature before serving. If desired, top pie with sliced almonds and dust with confectioners’ sugar once cooled. 

    Click here for a print-at-home version of this recipe. 

  • Resort Transportation Not Available for Disney World Annual Passholder Preview

    Resort Transportation Not Available for Disney World Annual Passholder Preview

    Those annual Passholders who signed up for the Disney World Passholder Previews on July 9 and 10 may not have noticed an important detail. Disney resort transportation will not be available!

    Disney World confirmed that those Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel will need to provide their own transportation to either the Magic Kingdom or Disney’s Animal Kingdom parking lot, as Disney transportation to the parking lots will not be available for this exclusive event.

    Spots for the exclusive event filled up quickly and if you were lucky enough to reserve one then you recieved an “Annual Passholder Event Registration Confirmation” email and on the bottom line under “Important Information About Registration” it states:

    “If you are staying at a Disney Resort hotel, Disney transportation will not be available for this limited event. You will need to provide your own transportation to the Theme Park parking lot.”

    Disney World has been closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic. An email was sent to passholders in April stating that monthly payments were placed on hold through the closures. The company said it would refund payments made March 14 through April 5 for passholders who pay monthly.

    Disney World has been closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic. An email was sent to passholders in April stating that monthly payments were placed on hold through the closures. The company said it would refund payments made March 14 through April 5 for passholders who pay monthly.

  • Disney World Annual Passholders Accidentally Charged for Multiple Months

    Disney World Annual Passholders Accidentally Charged for Multiple Months

    Disney World is reopening later this month so it was expected that annual pass holders would start seeing charges resume on thier monthly payment plans, but some have reported being overcharged for the past three months while the theme parks were closed due to the coronavirus.

    Disney World has already confirmed that they are aware of the mistake and are working to resolve the issue.

    “Passholders on the monthly payment program were incorrectly charged today. We are in the process of reversing these charges and apologize for the inconvenience this caused,” a Disney spokesperson said in an email.

    Disney World has been closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic. An email was sent to passholders in April stating that monthly payments were placed on hold through the closures. The company said it would refund payments made March 14 through April 5 for passholders who pay monthly.

    Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme parks will reopen July 11 and Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will reopen July 15. Disney has announced a phased reopening with limited capacity, new reservation protocols and health measures due to the coronavirus.

  • Disney Suspends College Program Until Further Notice

    Disney Suspends College Program Until Further Notice

    The popular Disney College Program remains suspended until further notice, the company announced to its prospective participants on Thursday.

    Disney is indefinitely suspending its internship program, saying it doesn’t know when it can reopen the Disney-owned apartments where the students had lived together.

    “We imagine this is not the news you were hoping to hear and we want to assure you this decision was not made lightly,” Disney said in a tweet. “We are committed to our Disney Programs and will resume in the future, when the time is right.”

    This comes as parks in California and Florida are preparing for phased reopenings following the months-long closures due to the coronavirus pandemic.  

    The program was first suspended in mid-March as the theme parks and hotels closed down from the pandemic.

    The Magic and Animal kingdoms are the first Disney theme parks in Orlando to reopen July 15.

  • PHOTOS: Baby Zebra Born at Walt Disney World Resort

    PHOTOS: Baby Zebra Born at Walt Disney World Resort

    The folks over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are seeing stripes today! On May 6, the animal care team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge welcomed a new female Hartmann’s mountain zebra foal to the herd.

    The name Phoenix was chosen by our team as a symbol of strength and renewal. Phoenix was born to mom Peebles, and she’s already quite active and enjoying bonding time with her mother. This is the second Hartmann’s foal born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge this year.

    Monday, Disney shared photos of little Phoenix as she recently made her first appearance on the resort’s Sunset Savanna. Take a look at a few of the amazing photos below:

    Phoenix was born as part of the Species Survival Plan program, overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The program ensures responsible breeding and genetic diversity of thousands of animal species. As part of this program, Phoenix is the fourth zebra born at Walt Disney World this year, and 13th overall since we began participating in the breeding program.

    The zebra birth marks another success for Disney’s animal care experts and the Species Survival Plan, a program through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums that helps ensure a diverse, healthy population of threatened and endangered species.

  • Disney+ Announces Summer Movie Release Schedule Including Marvel, Star Wars and Disney

    Disney+ Announces Summer Movie Release Schedule Including Marvel, Star Wars and Disney

    Disney Plus has announced their “Summer Movie Nights” schedule, where the streaming service will release new original films and family-friendly classics every Friday.

    The film industry has taken a big hit due to the The COVID-19 pandemic leaving movie goers to seek out content on streaming services and video on demand — and it looks like Disney+ is teeing up to be a formidable force in that. 

    Take a look at the entire line up below:

    Friday, July 3rd – Hamilton 

    Friday, July 3rd – The Mighty Ducks 

    Friday, July 10th – X-Men; Days of Future Past

    Friday, July 10th – Solo: A Star Wars Story

    Friday, July 17th – X-Men: Apocalypse

    Friday, July 24th – Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

    Friday, July 31st – Incredibles 2

    Friday, August 7th – X-Men

    Friday, August 7th – The Peanuts Movie

    Friday, August 14th – Ant-Man and the Wasp

    Friday, August 14th – The Greatest Showman

    Friday, August 21st – Beauty and the Beast (2017) 

    Friday, August 28th – Fantastic Four (2005) 

    Friday, August 28th – Alice Through The Looking Glass

    Friday, September 4th – The Wolverine