Melissa McCarthy is in early talks to play the villain Ursula in Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid.”
The deal is not yet complete, according to multiple reports, but would mark the first official casting for the remake, which follows such similar live-action adaptations as “Beauty and the Beast” and this year’s “Aladdin” and “Lion King.”
The story centers on the mermaid Ariel who yearns to live among humans and finds her wish granted when she trades her voice for legs from the sea witch, Ursula.
“Mary Poppins Returns” director Rob Marshall is helming. The film will incorporate the original songs from the 1989 animated hit as well as new tunes from Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda is also producing the film along with Marshall, Marc Platt and John DeLuca. David Magee wrote the script.
David Magee wrote the latest script for the reboot after Jane Goldman. Marc Platt, Marshall, Miranda and John DeLuca are producers. No release date has been set yet.
Disney has announced that next month it is closing the Liberty Inn restaurant at Epcot’s America pavilion.
Liberty Inn is a staple of the American Adventure pavilion in the theme park’s World Showcase, but it will be replaced with a new eatery that serves barbecue and craft beers.
Prepare your taste buds for something special, because a new fast-casual barbecue restaurant featuring craft brews on tap will debut at The American Adventure pavilion in Epcot later this year.
Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue will take the place of Liberty Inn, which will close July 8 to make way for this mouth-watering experience in World Showcase.
The new location will be a modern barbecue smokehouse, with all the accompanying sights, sounds, smells and flavors you love – including a large smoker preparing fine food every day right on the pavilion’s promenade. There will also be a redesigned patio for you to enjoy, so get ready to grab a brew, some barbecue, and relax inside Epcot.
Many more details to come, so keep checking Disney Dorks for updates on what is sure to be a new favorite spot to find some tasty and tangy bites at Epcot!
Disney just announced, Springfield’s number one family will be making their way to Anaheim this August when The Simpsons comes to D23 Expo for the first time ever.
Now that the Disney/Fox merger is complete, the longest-running primetime scripted show in television history, The Simpsons, is now part of the family and will be headed to D23 Expo this year. They’ll be talking all about the upcoming season in a panel on Saturday, August 24, at 10 a.m. in the D23 Expo Arena.
Creator Matt Groening, Executive Producer Al Jean, Executive Producer Matt Selman, Supervising Director Mike B. Anderson, and stars Nancy Cartwright and Yeardley Smith will all be in attendance, and you can expect lots of surprises, including an exclusive Simpsons collectible item for everyone in attendance.
If you head over to the convention floor during D23 Expo 2019, you’ll have the opportunity to get close and personal with Bart, Lisa, and the rest of The Simpsons family. And, if you’re lucky, you’ll even get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet Matt Groening and the rest of the panelists during a one-hour autograph signing session of an exclusive The Simpsons mini-poster right after the panel.
For fans of the long running series this is news that’ll make you say, “Ay caramba!,” and run all the way from Moe’s to D23 Expo 2019!
Imagination Pink is the new hot merchandise trend at Disney Parks and as usual that means Disney has a new line of tastey treats, inspired by the new trendy color, to go along with it.
The new set of Imagination Pink treats are now available at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort! They’re yummy and delicious AND they go great with the newly released Imagination Pink merchandise collection.
Take a look below at the latest Foodie Guide to help you find all of the Imagination Pink items Disney Parks is offering this summer.
DISNEYLAND RESORT
Imagination Pink Cake Pop – Available at Marceline’s Confectionery at Downtown Disney District Candy Palace and Hunny Spot at Disneyland Park, and Trolley Treats and Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff at Disney California Adventure Park – Vanilla cake pop with white chocolate ears enrobed in bubble gum pink chocolate and dusted with edible gold glitter.
Minnie Macaron – Available at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe at Disneyland Park and Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe and Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream at Disney California Adventure Park – Minnie macaron with vanilla bean buttercream and Amarena cherry compote.
Imagination Pink Cupcake – Available at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe at Disneyland Park – Pound cake with raspberry marmalade filling and raspberry buttercream swirl frosting.
WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT
Imagination Pink Piñata – Available at The Ganachery at Disney Springs– Chocolate sphere filled with vanilla bean marshmallows and crispy pearls and decorated with an Imagination Pink Minnie Ears headband.
Imagination Pink Ganache Square – Available at The Ganachery at Disney Springs – Summer berry ganache enrobed in dark chocolate and topped with an imagination pink Mickey stamp.
Strawberry Rose – Available at Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs – Chocolate-covered strawberry decorated with pink modeling chocolate.
Imagination Pink Champagne – Available at Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs – Pink champagne garnished with edible Minnie Mouse topper.
Imagination Pink Cocktail – Dockside Margaritas at Disney Springs – Pineapple juice, coconut rum, peach schnapps, and sweet and sour.
Imagination Pink Churro – Outdoor Vending Carts at Disney Springs – Classic Disney churro dusted with pink cinnamon sugar.
Imagination Pink Cupcake – Available at Contempo Café at Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Strawberry cupcake filled with pink sprinkles and topped with vanilla buttercream icing.
Hot Pink Cupcake – Available at Everything POP Shopping & Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Yellow cupcake with guava filling and topped with cream cheese buttercream and chocolate mouse ears.
Imagination Pink Cupcake – Available starting June 30 at Centertown Market at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory and Riverside Mill Food Court at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Vanilla confetti cupcake with raspberry cheesecake filing, two-tone raspberry buttercream, pink crispy pearls, and pink sparkly chocolate mouse ears.
Pretty in Pink Strawberry Tart – Available at World Premier Food Court, Intermission Food Court, and End Zone Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Resorts – Strawberry popping pearls, strawberry-raspberry mousse, pink glitter glaçage, chocolate ears, pink crispy pearls, and a pink chocolate bow.
Imagination Pink Cotton Candy Cocktail – Available at Oasis and Barefoot Pool Bars at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – Cherry vodka, almond liqueur, and strawberry purée topped with whipped cream.
Imagination Pink Cupcake – Available at Capt. Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – Vanilla cupcake with red berry cheesecake filling.
Imagination Pink Macaron – Available at Roaring Fork at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – Pink macaron with blackberry lemonade ganache filling.
Imagination Pink Lemonade – Available at Block & Hans at Epcot– Frozen lemonade with watermelon and desert pear (also available with blackberry moonshine whiskey.)
While you’re out there snacking away, if you’re interested in taking some pics with the bright and vibrant Imagination Pink merchandise, you can find it all at various merchandise locations through Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort as well as shopDisney.com. The collection includes a variety of items including a spirit jersey, a backpack (decorated with a bow and ADORABLE mouse ears), and a sparkly headband!
One of the most exciting parts of graduating high school is going to Grad Nite with your classmates at a Disney Park and now the 2020 Disneyland Resort Grad Nite dates are finally here!
High school seniors can join in a once-in-a-lifetime event where they get to experience one final night of high school memories with their friends before they embark on their new adventures!
The 2020 Disneyland Resort Grad Nite will be held next year in May and June. Take a look at the dates and details below:
May 8, 9, 15, 16, 20, 26, 27, 29, or 30
June 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, or 13
Three ticket packages will be available to order per Grad Nite date. These package options allow Grads to have more time, flexibility and Disneyland Resort access to celebrate this unforgettable event.
The first ticket package option is the Grad Nite private party experience at Disney California Adventure park. After 9 p.m., Grads get exclusive access to Disney California Adventure park as it transforms into an epic celebration, featuring dance parties, exciting Disney attractions, and awesome encounters with some of our most beloved characters dressed in their graduation best!
The second ticket option allows Grads to enjoy a full day at Disney California Adventure park during normal operating hours plus admission to the Grad Nite private party experience later that night in the same park. During the day, Grads can experience all the attractions, entertainment and characters of every land. Once the clock strikes 9 p.m., Disney California Adventure park transforms into an exclusive private party experience just for Grads!
The third ticket option provides the ultimate experience where Grads can have full access to both Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park during normal operating hours plus admission to the exclusive Grad Nite private party at Disney California Adventure park. With access to Disneyland park, Grads may be able to discover Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge—Disney’s most immersive land ever—to live out their own Star Wars story. Grads can also ride classic Disneyland park attractions like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Indiana Jones Adventure, the Haunted Mansion and so much more. With this ticket option, Grads can also head over to Disney California Adventure park for more thrills, then wrap up the night at their exclusive own private party experience with their fellow Grads!
As we’ve previously reported, Disney California Adventure park will welcome Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind to Pixar Pier this summer and yesterday, Disney revealed a first look at the new attraction which is sure to give you all the feels.
Inspired by the hit Disney and Pixar film “Inside Out,” Emotional Whirlwind opens later this month in the Inside Out Headquarters neighborhood of Pixar Pier.
Once you hop aboard one of eight Memory Movers, you’ll take a sense-ational spin and help Riley’s Emotions (aka Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust and Fear) sort through memories being collected.
To complement the whimsical atmosphere, Academy Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino created five music tracks, one for each of the emotions. Last year Michael collaborated with Walt Disney Imagineering to compose the music for the thrilling Incredicoaster.
Pixar Pier celebrates its one-year anniversary this weekend. The reimagined land shares the stories and characters of Pixar films with exciting attractions, themed neighborhoods and fun eateries.
Are you excited to make your own memories when Emotional Whirlwind opens? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Disney World has been fighting Orange County over it’s property tax assessments since 2015 and now the company has filed 11 new lawsuits in Orange Circuit Court aimed at Property Appraiser Rick Singh and his 2018 appraisal of the Orlando resort.
Singh doesn’t follow “professionally accepted appraisal practices,” according to Disney. Singh has assessed the Magic Kingdom at $468 million and Epcot at $511 million, Hollywood Studios at $350 million and Animal Kingdom for $429 million, according recently filed lawsuits.
“The increases in the assessments of our property have been unreasonable and unjustified since 2015,” said Disney vice president of communications Jacquee Wahler in a statement. “Until the values are corrected, we will continue to dispute the errors by the property appraiser as any property owner in Orange County would do.”
“The disputes between Disney and Singh, who took office in 2013, have gone on for years, with more than 40 lawsuits still pending since 2016,” according to an Orlando Sentinel report.
Disney paid about $24 million in property taxes in 2018 for the four theme parks, according to the tax collector’s office.
Monday, Disney announced the return of the popular Bring-a-Friend offer. With this offer Disney World annual passholders can get discounted theme parks tickets for family and friends.
With the return of the popular Bring-a-Friend offer, select Passholders can share the magic of Disney with others through the purchase of a 1-day ticket with Park Hopper Option for the special price of $89 plus tax, available for purchase and use from June 18-Aug. 8, 2019 (offer valid for Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus and Premier Passholders).
Tickets will be available for purchase at theme park ticket windows and must be used on the date of purchase. Passholders can purchase up to six (6) tickets over the course of this promotion.
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Walt Disney World Resort Passholders enjoy a full year of magic, and this summer they can take advantage of several new perks and benefits with special, limited-time offerings.
From special ticket deals to exclusive merchandise opportunities and other experiences, now, more than ever, is the time for Passholders to explore the many options available to them at Walt Disney World Resort.
Take a look below at all the new and limited time Passholder offerings this summer includes:
Ticket deals
With the return of the popular Bring-a-Friend offer, select Passholders can share the magic of Disney with others through the purchase of a 1-day ticket with Park Hopper Option for the special price of $89 plus tax, available for purchase and use from June 18-Aug. 8, 2019 (offer valid for Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus and Premier Passholders). Tickets will be available for purchase at theme park ticket windows and must be used on the date of purchase. Passholders can purchase up to six (6) tickets over the course of this promotion.
Beginning July 5, Passholders will be able to purchase a new Summer Splash Pass to receive unlimited visits to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park from July 5-Sept. 7, 2019 for the same cost as a non-discounted 1-day water park ticket, $69 plus tax. Tickets will be available for purchase at water park ticket windows.
Special event offers
H2O Glow Nights are back in 2019 at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, and Passholders can save $15 off the price sold at the ticket window when purchasing tickets in advance for this nighttime party on select nights. While at the party, Passholders can meet Bo Peep from Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” in an experience exclusive to them through June 29, 2019.
Passholders can take a walk on the vile side during Disney Villains After Hours, a special event held on select nights this summer at Magic Kingdom Park, and will save $30 off the price sold at the ticket window when purchasing tickets in advance. Beginning June 27, they will also receive a complimentary special Passholder Disney Villains After Hours ornament featuring Hades while at the event (limit one (1) per Passholder while supplies last). Ornaments can be picked up at Mickey’s Star Traders in Tomorrowland during the event.
Limited-time dining discounts
Select table-service restaurants across Walt Disney World Resort will offer Passholders a 20% discount on lunch (11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.) now through July 2, 2019.
In addition, Platinum, Platinum Plus and Premier Annual Passholders will be among the first to experience Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edgeat Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with complimentary special preview opportunities planned before the land’s opening on Aug. 29. Capacity is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. More information and registration details for previews will be shared at a later date.
These added perks join a host of offerings already available to all Walt Disney World Resort Passholders, including:
Up to 20% off select merchandise
Up to 20% off at select table-service dining locations
Complimentary standard parking at theme parks and water parks
Special offers on stays at Disney Resort hotels from time to time
Summer 2019 is an amazing time to visit Walt Disney World Resort, with new and beloved experiences at all four theme parks:
Get your ears on during Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration at Magic Kingdom Park, with the new “Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party,” featuring those true originals, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.
Party with Pixar pals at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during the park’s 30th anniversary year, featuring The Incredibles, Mike and Sulley from Disney•Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.”; Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the gang at the new Toy Story Land; and the new Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy that takes you into the world of Cars. Plus, each night the new “Wonderful World of Animation” show transforms the Chinese Theatre with a stirring tribute to Disney animation.
Pandora – The World of Avatar comes to life at night at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park with bioluminescent fauna and flora. And now evenings in the park are even more special with the new“Rivers of Light: We Are One,” featuring additional stunning imagery and familiar animal characters to the popular nighttime show on Discovery River. Also new, the Tree of Life awakens in a whole new way to honor the 25th anniversary of “The Lion King,” with beautiful projections on the iconic tree featuring music and animation paying tribute to the classic film.
Epcot is bidding a fond farewell to “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” before the nighttime spectacular takes its final bow on Sept. 30, 2019. And guests can experience a special out-of-this-world daily summer concert series at the America Gardens Theatre, June 14 through Aug. 18, 2019.
If you need help booking your magical vacation, contact Enchanted Kingdom Vacations with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!
Disney announced this morning that Pixar’s next animated feature film is “Soul” and it will hit theaters next summer.
“Soul” will be the second original Pixar film next year after “Onward,”which bows March 6.
Disney made the announcement via tweet earlier today. Take a look below:
One year from today, Pixar Animation Studios will take you on a journey from the streets of New York City to the cosmic realms to discover the answers to life's most important questions. Disney & Pixar's "Soul" arrives in theaters on June 19, 2020. pic.twitter.com/D3VP8Tw4RM
Disney didn’t give many details about the movie other than a logline that reads: “Ever wonder where your passion, your dreams and your interests come from? What is it that makes you… YOU? In 2020, Pixar Animation Studios takes you on a journey from the streets of New York City to the cosmic realms to discover the answers to life’s most important questions.”
The film is directed by Pete Docter (“Up,” “Inside Out”) and produced by Dana Murray (“Lou” short film), and will open in theaters one year from today on June 19, 2020.
