Disney News

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  • Disney Names Josh D’Amaro as Bob Chapek’s Successor in Theme Park Division

    Disney Names Josh D’Amaro as Bob Chapek’s Successor in Theme Park Division

    The Walt Disney Company on Monday announced that Josh D’Amaro has been named Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.

    D’Amaro, who most recently served as President, Walt Disney World Resort, succeeds Mr. Chapek as Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.

    “Our company is very fortunate to have a deep bench of talent and we’re extremely pleased to welcome these two exceptionally qualified Disney veterans to our senior management team,” Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company said. “Both Josh and Rebecca have more than two decades of leadership experience with the Company, a keen understanding of our brands and businesses, and a shared passion and vision for delivering extraordinary entertainment and one-of-a-kind experiences.”

    In his new role, D’Amaro will oversee Disney’s iconic travel and leisure businesses, which include six theme park-resort destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia; a top-rated cruise line; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business.

    Disney’s global consumer products operations include the world’s leading licensing business across toys, apparel, home goods, digital games and apps; the world’s largest children’s print publisher; Disney store locations around the world; and the shopDisney e-commerce platform.

    D’Amaro joined Disney in 1998 and has held various positions in the Parks business, including Senior Vice President of Commercial Strategy for Walt Disney World Resort, Vice President of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and others.

    D’Amaro and Campbell will report to Chapek.

  • Disney Issues COVID-19 Disclaimer Ahead of Reopening

    Disney Issues COVID-19 Disclaimer Ahead of Reopening

    Ahead of Disney Spring’s reopening on Wednesday, Disney has put out a disclaimer about the coronavirus.

    while Disney has made it clear that “enhanced health and safety measures” will be the utmost importance — guests still assume all the risk. 

    “An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death,” reads a disclaimer on the Disney World website.

    It concludes: “By visiting Walt Disney World Resort, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.” 

    On Wednesday, shops will be open at Disney Springs. The next phase will start seven days later when Disney retail shops, such as World of Disney Store, and Disney eateries reopen.

    Among the new safety measures include all guests and employees being required to wear masks. Guests will have their temperatures checked, and plexiglass dividers have been installed at registers.

  • New Wall-E and Eve Loungefly Set Coming Soon

    New Wall-E and Eve Loungefly Set Coming Soon

    This directive is no longer classified as Loungefly has announced that a new Wall-E and Eve set is coming soon!

    The new set includes a Wall-E backpack and a wristlet that depicts the scene with Wall-E giving Eve “the plant.”

    Loungefly took to Instagram to share the exciting news today. Take a look below:

    “We put all our love in making this Wall-E and Eve set come to life and we cannot wait to see them find their way into your hands!” Loungefly said in the post.

  • Live-Action ‘Atlantis: The Lost Empire’ Remake Reportedly in the Works Starring Tom Holland

    Live-Action ‘Atlantis: The Lost Empire’ Remake Reportedly in the Works Starring Tom Holland

    A live-action remake of Disney’s 2001 animated classic, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, is in the early stages of development by The Walt Disney Pictures according to reports.

    Evidently, Disney intends to “stick fairly close to the animated film,” and it seems that Holland is being eyed to play the role of geeky Smithsonian cartographer Milo Thatch, initially voiced by Michael J. Fox in the 2001 animated version, according to MovieWeb.

    The movie is in the early stages of development by Walt Disney Pictures, according to a source at The Illuminerdi. There are not many details about the movie and there is no report on who is being considered as the director and who will be cast in the film.

    Atlantis: The Lost Empire follows an inexperienced young adventurer becomes the key to unraveling an ancient mystery when he joins up with a group of daredevil explorers to find the legendary lost empire of Atlantis. A naive-but-determined museum cartographer Milo Thatch dreams of completing the quest begun by his late grandfather, a famous explorer. When a journal surfaces, an eccentric billionaire funds an expedition, and the action shifts to high gear.

    Atlantis: The Lost Empire is a 2001 American animated science-fantasy action-adventure film created by Walt Disney Feature Animation, marking the 41st entry in Disney’s animated features canon and its first science-fiction film.

    Disney is now developing 101 Dalmatians prequel Cruella, starring Emma Stone and set for release in 2021, and The Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey and directed by Rob Marshall (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Into the Woods). Disney first releases its Angelina Jolie-starring Maleficent sequel, Mistress of Evil, Oct. 18 before debuting the live-action Mulan March 27, 2020.

  • New Haunted Mansion Loungefly Collection Materializing at Disney Parks

    New Haunted Mansion Loungefly Collection Materializing at Disney Parks

    In honor of the Halfway2Halloween celebration at Disney Parks, we are getting a sneak peak of a new Haunted Mansion Loungefly collection coming soon, to shopDisney.com and Disney Parks.

    Inspired by the classic attraction, this new collection will have you screaming with ghoulish delight.

    You can compliment your frightfully fun looks with two new bags and even a card case by Loungefly! Take a look below:

    Featuring the style of Disney Cast Members at The Haunted Mansion, the mini backpack by Loungefly is perfect for the ghost host on the go!

    For a quick on-the-go bag, hitch a ride on this Doom Buggy-inspired crossbody bag by Loungefly but beware of hitchhiking ghosts!

    Make sure to keep checking back on Disney Dorks for details on when these products will be available.

  • Unofficial Club Penguin Site Shuts Down After Disney Copyright Claim

    Unofficial Club Penguin Site Shuts Down After Disney Copyright Claim

    After Disney shut down the official Club Penguin game in 2018, an unlicensed version took it’s place, but the site is now shut down due to copyright issues.

    The shutdown of Club Penguin Online came after Disney issued a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown notice against the site this week.

    “We continue to enforce our rights against this, and other, unauthorized uses of the Club Penguin game,” Disney said in a statement.

    Club Penguin Online, an unlicensed revival of the popular Disney-owned children’s social network, is one of the largest fan replicas of the game, accruing over 8 million users over the last two years.

    According to a BBC report, police arrested a London man involved in Club Penguin Online on suspicion of possessing “child abuse images.”

    And BBC News investigation found, among other things, that the unauthorized Club Penguin Online game had disabled content filters that removed offensive language and that the game’s moderators were no longer removing racist content.

  • Disney Springs Implements New Safety Measures for Phased Reopening

    Disney Springs Implements New Safety Measures for Phased Reopening

    Disney announced that Disney Springs will be reopening on May 20 with new safety measures and now we have more details on exactly what they will be.

    Based on applicable government requirements, as well as guidance from health authorities such as the CDC and appropriate government agencies, Disney is implementing a number of new health and safety measures and operational changes.

    There is plenty of magic awaiting you at Disney Springs – it just may feel a bit different than before. Here is what you need to know prior to your arrival: 

    • Parking and Entrances: During this initial phase, guests will be directed to self-park in the Orange and Lime Garages. All surface lots will be closed. We will also reduce the number of entrances for Disney Springs to four locations: Orange and Lime Garages, along with the Hotel Plaza Boulevard pedestrian bridge and ride share location.
    • Appropriate Face Coverings: All guests 3 years of age and older, along with cast members and third-party operating-participant employees, will be required to wear an appropriate face covering while visiting Disney Springs. This is an important part of protecting both our guests and our cast. Please be sure you have an ample amount of face coverings for yourself and your party before you arrive, as you’ll need to wear them over your nose and mouth at all times (except when sitting at a dining table).
    • Temperature Screenings: Once you arrive at Disney Springs, you and your party will be required to undergo temperature screenings. Based on guidance from health authorities, anyone displaying a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will be directed to an additional location for rescreening and assistance; those who again measure 100.4 degrees or higher will not be allowed entry, nor will those in their party. I encourage you to check temperatures of yourself and your party prior to leaving home, as an extra layer of precaution.  
    • Physical Distancing and Capacity Measures: To maintain appropriate physical distancing throughout Disney Springs during this initial phase, we will limit the number of guests visiting the property, as well as within each location. In addition, ground markings will help promote proper distancing when queuing is necessary. We will also add physical barriers in select places where it’s difficult to maintain physical distancing. 
    • Cleanliness: We’ve increased cleaning and disinfection procedures in high-traffic areas such as elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more. We will also have hand-washing stations and hand sanitizer available, and encourage you to use these frequently.
    • Cashless Transactions: We’re recommending you use cashless payment options whenever possible during your visit to Disney Springs, including debit cards, credit cards, Disney gift cards, etc. You can also opt for contactless payment options or use cash to purchase a Disney gift card at the Welcome Center and select merchandise locations. 
  • Disney Announces First Shops and Restaurants to Reopen at Disney Springs

    Disney Announces First Shops and Restaurants to Reopen at Disney Springs

    On May 27, three Disney-owned and -operated stores and venues at Disney Springs will reopen: World of Disney, D-Luxe Burger (mobile order) and the Marketplace Co-Op.

    Wednesday, May 20, will be the first step in the phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resort, as Disney Springs begins its initial reopening that morning. 

    Matt Simon, Vice President, Disney Springs said, “With the safety and well-being of our guests, cast members and third-party operating participants at the forefront of our planning.”

    It said parking at Disney Springs will be limited and fewer entrances will be open.

    Employees and visitors will have their temperatures screened prior to entering and face coverings are required, the company said.

    “We are eager to begin welcoming you back to this part of Walt Disney World. While our theme parks and resort hotels remain temporarily closed, the phased reopening of Disney Springs is a welcome milestone as we navigate through this unprecedented time together as responsibly as we can,” Simon said.

  • Disney World Given Green Light to Submit Plans to Reopen by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

    Disney World Given Green Light to Submit Plans to Reopen by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

    On Friday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gave Disney World the green light to submit their plans for reopening to the state.

    DeSantis said the parks should submit the date they believe they can resume safe operations.

    “They have to provide how they are going to do it, how they’re going to accommodate the guests, how they’re going to protect the staff and then they need to have an endorsement from the local official in their locality,” DeSantis said.

    Disney World and Universal Orlando have both been closed since mid-March.

    Disney plans to reopen Disney Springs next week.

  • Air Force Thunderbirds Soar Over Disneyland in Salute to Healthcare Workers

    Air Force Thunderbirds Soar Over Disneyland in Salute to Healthcare Workers

    The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds soared over the Disneyland Resort on Friday.

    Six F-16C/D Fighting Falcons flew in formation over Disneyland Resort as a salute to frontline COVID-19 responders in California.

    A spectacular image captured the fighter jets flying over the castle. Take a look below:

    Members of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds planned low-flying flight paths over Los Angeles County, Orange County and the Inland as their flashy way of saying thanks. Earlier in the day they buzzed the San Diego area.

    Even though the parks are temporarily closed, Disney still continues to salute those who serve.