Month: June 2016

Wreck-It Ralph 2 Officially Announced by Disney

He’s gonna wreck it! Again!

Disney announced Thursday that a sequel to its 2012 film Wreck-It Ralph is officially in development over at the studio’s animation arm, slated for release on March 9, 2018. The sequel was unofficially announced earlier this spring by star John C. Reilly, who voices the titular not-so-bad bad guy.

In Wreck-It Ralph 2, Reilly will once more return to voice video game villain Wreck-It Ralph, who in the first film had to reconcile his archetype of arcade boss with his real desire to become a hero. Concept art released during the announcement on Facebook Live shows Ralph going digital, standing with sidekick Vanellope over billboards parodying Google and Amazon.

“It’s top secret but I’ll tell you this much… Ralph leaves the arcade and wrecks the Internet,” Reilly teased. “What could go wrong?”

Rich Moore, who directed the first film (and recently guided Zootopiato its billion-dollar box office), will co-direct the sequel with Phil Johnston, who co-scripted the original (with Frozen’s Jennifer Lee).

Though recent Disney Animation Studios pictures have been heralded as unprecedented successes, Ralph also made an impressive showing when it hit theaters in November 2012. The movie, released in 3D, pulled in $189 million domestically and just under $500 million worldwide, becoming the 12th-highest grossing film of that year.

From Entertainment Weekly

2016 Candlelight Processional at Epcot Dining Packages On Sale

Call it a Christmas present come early! Disney has announced that dining packages for the 2016 Candlelight Processional are now on sale.

As a part of Holidays Around the World at Epcot, the Candlelight Processional presents the story of Christmas in truly spectacular fashion – with a celebrity narrator, a 50-piece orchestra and a mass choir.

Celebrity narrators this year include some returning favorites like contemporary Christian music singer Steven Curtis Chapman, actors Whoopi Goldberg and Neil Patrick Harris and newcomers like legendary baseball player Cal Ripken, Jr. Here’s the list of confirmations we have so far:*

  • 11/25-27 – Steven Curtis Chapman
  • 11/28-12/1 – Neil Patrick Harris
  • 12/2-12/3 – Whoopi Goldberg
  • 12/4-12/12 – TBA
  • 12/13-12/15 – Meredith Vieira
  • 12/16-12/18 – TBA
  • 12/19-12/21 – Joe Morton
  • 12/22-12/27 – TBA
  • 12/28-12/30 – Cal Ripken, Jr.

The processional is performed three times per night (5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.) during the holiday season at the American Gardens Theatre. These packages, available on select nights, include a delicious meal and a guaranteed seat for one of the Candlelight Processional performances. Availability is limited.

This year, in addition to lunch and dinner packages, breakfast options are available at some favorite Epcot restaurants like Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and Garden Grill. Breakfast, lunch and dinner options are also available this year at Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Trattoria Al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk.

Candlelight Dining Packages for breakfast start at $27 plus tax per person for adults and $14 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9. Candlelight Dining Packages for lunch and dinner start at $47 plus tax per person for adults and $20 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9.

‘Holidays Around the World’ is an extravaganza of holiday entertainment, merchandise, food, beverages and festivities where guests can celebrate at Epcot throughout the holiday season. Time-honored traditions come alive through the sights and sounds of the countries of World Showcase; and live musical performances enliven the park throughout the day.

Click here to book Candlelight Processional dining packages or to find out more information, call 407/ WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

Holidays Around the World, including the Candlelight Processional, run November 25 – December 30, 2016 at Epcot. Keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for updates.

*Narrators and entertainment are subject to change without notice. Theme park admission is required. There is no 5 p.m. show on 12/4.

Epcot Makes Changes to Extra-Magic Hour Line-Up

With the opening of Frozen Ever After and the Royal Sommerhus, Epcot has updated its Extra Magic Hours attraction line-up.

Frozen Ever After, the Royal Sommerhus, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, and Turtle Talk with Crush will now be open for both morning and evening EMH.

Mission: SPACE will now only be operating during Evening EMH.

Morning EMH beings 1 hour before regular park opening, and evening EMY  begins at regular park close for 2 hours.

The full line-up is:

Epcot Morning EMH

Frozen Ever After
Living with the Land
Royal Sommerhus
Soarin’
Spaceship Earth
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Turtle Talk with Crush
Test Track

Epcot Evening EMH

Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
Journey Into Imagination With Figment
Living with the Land
Mission: SPACE
O Canada! – Last show starts at 10:55 PM
Soarin’
Spaceship Earth
Test Track
The American Adventure – 9:45 PM, 10:20 PM
The Circle of Life
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Turtle Talk With Crush – Continuously 9:00 PM–10:40 PM
Character Spot – 9:00 PM–10:45 PM

Walt Disney World Ends Fishing after Gator Attack

Walt Disney World has made more changes in the wake of an alligator attack that killed a toddler at Walt Disney World this month: It is cracking down on fishing.

“No fishing” signs have been posted in areas including Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, the Fort Wilderness campground and Old Key West Resort. Fishing is no longer allowed unless it is part of an excursion.

Netting has also been added to the rope fences that were installed last week.

 

‘Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular’ Dessert Party Moving to Star Wars Launch Bay in July

Beginning on July 10th, the “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” dessert party will be changing locations.

The dessert party will be moving from the Center Stage hub area to inside the Star Wars Launch Bay. Guests will then be escorted to an outdoor VIP viewing section for “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” 15 minutes prior to the show. Check in will be outside the Launch Bay.

The nighttime show is best viewed from the Center Stage area. Because of it’s popularity it has become clear that more capacity is needed. The dessert party currently takes up a lot of viewing space in that area.

The dessert party will continue in its current location at Center Stage until July 10th.

The dessert party costs $69.00 per adult (age 10 and over) and $39.00 for children (ages 3 to 9); tax and gratuity are included. Theme park admission is required.

New Star Wars Pressed Coins Debut at the Disneyland

This summer, complete your destiny, or in this case your collection, with the arrival of six new Star Wars-inspired pressed coin souvenirs. You’ll find these new pressed coin machines available now inside the Star Trader in Tomorrowland at Disneyland.

Those who have joined the Resistance or find themselves using the Force to make their selection from the new quarter-pressed coins will not be disappointed. You’ll find Rey, Chewbacca and the Resistance symbol to help guide your way.

If the dark side summons you, be prepared, as your quarter-press coin selections will include Kylo Ren, Captain Phasma and the First Order symbol.

Another exciting feature we’ve combined forces on is a video that will appear soon on the main screen of the pressed coin machine that will help guide you in the right direction no matter where your loyalties lie. Choose wisely and complete your destiny!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney California Adventure to Show Previews of ‘Pete’s Dragon’

 

A reimagining of Disney’s cherished family film, “Pete’s Dragon” is the adventure of an orphaned boy named Pete and his best friend Elliot, who just so happens to be a dragon. Beginning July 1, guests visiting Disney Parks will be able to catch a preview of scenes from the movie in sneak peeks planned for Disney California Adventure park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the preview of “Pete’s Dragon” will be presented as part of the One Man’s Dream attraction, while Guests at Disney California Adventure park will get to see this advance look at clips from the film in 3D with special in-theater effects at the Sunset Showcase Theater in Hollywood Land.

Pete's Dragon

In “Pete’s Dragon,” old wood carver Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford) has delighted local children for years with his tales of the fierce dragon that resides deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. To his daughter, Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard), who works as a forest ranger, these stories are little more than tall tales…until she meets Pete (Oakes Fegley). Pete is a mysterious 10-year-old with no family and no home who claims to live in the woods with a giant, green dragon named Elliot. And from Pete’s descriptions, Elliot seems remarkably similar to the dragon from Mr. Meacham’s stories. With the help of Natalie (Oona Laurence), an 11-year- old girl whose father Jack (Wes Bentley) owns the local lumber mill, Grace sets out to determine where Pete came from, where he belongs, and the truth about this dragon.

“Pete’s Dragon” stars Bryce Dallas Howard (“Jurassic World”), Oakes Fegley (“This is Where I Leave You”), Wes Bentley (“The Hunger Games”), Karl Urban (“Star Trek”), Oona Laurence (“Southpaw”), Isiah Whitlock, Jr. (“Cedar Rapids”) and Oscar® winner Robert Redford (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”). The film, which is directed by David Lowery (“Ain’t Them Bodies Saints”), screenplay by Lowery & Toby Halbrooks based on a screenplay by Malcolm Marmorstein and produced by Jim Whitaker (“The Finest Hours,” “Friday Night Lights”), with Barrie M. Osborne (“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Great Gatsby”) serving as executive producer.

Plan to catch this 10-minute sneak peek of Disney’s “Pete’s Dragon.”

“Pete’s Dragon” is opening in theaters on August 12th.

Dessert Parties and Dining Reservations Now Available for Holiday Party Nights

Summer may have just officially begun, but at Walt Disney World Resort, we’re already preparing to fill Magic Kingdom Park with frightful delights and deck the halls this holiday season! Whether you’re heading to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this fall or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this winter, make the evening even more magical with these delicious additions.

There are no tricks, just treats during the HalloWishes Fireworks Dessert Premium Package, available during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, select nights from September 2 to October 31. This frightfully fun package begins with reserved viewing of Mickey’s “Boo-To-You” Halloween Parade on Main Street U.S.A. and is followed by a private fireworks dessert party at Tomorrowland Terrace. Enjoy Halloween-themed confections while you take in the spectacular Happy HalloWishes fireworks.

mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party-boo-to-you-parade

If you’re planning on attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, have a holly jolly time at the Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party, select nights from November 7 to December 22. Take in Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade with reserved viewing on Main Street U.S.A., afterwards, take in fa-la-la-fantastic views of Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks while enjoying festive treats at a private dessert party at Tomorrowland Terrace.

Dinner reservations for The Crystal Palace Restaurant, Be Our Guest Restaurant and Cinderella’s Royal Table are also now available for party nights.

A valid ticket to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is required to attend the fireworks dessert parties or to make dining reservations on event nights. Reservations can be made by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dine or calling 407-WDW-DINE.

Celebrate Independence Day at The Walt Disney Family Museum

Kick off your Independence Day celebrations with a special talk and film screening of Johnny Tremain, which follows the exciting story of a young patriot in colonial Boston and the tumultuous times leading up to the American Revolutionary War. Rated among the best Revolutionary War films of all time, the film’s star, Hal Stalmaster, joins us for talk after the screening to share his personal stories from making the film, what it was like working with Walt Disney, his later career in casting for The Walt Disney Studios, and his time serving as an Army officer in the Presidio.

The film will be screened prior to the program at 4pm. Admission to the film screening is included with the program ticket.

TALK | A Conversation with Johnny Tremain’s Hal Stalmaster
Wed, Jun 29 | 4pm film screening, 5:45pm talk
$18 members | $20 non-members | $12 student & youth members | $15 student & youth non-members
The film will be screened prior to the program at 4pm. Admission to the film screening is included with the program ticket.

FILM SCREENING | Johnny Tremain
Wed, Jun 29: 4pm | Fri, Jul 1; Sat, Jul 2; Mon, Jul 4: 1pm | Sun, Jul 3: 3pm
FREE for members or with museum admission
$7 non-members | $5 student & youth

About the Speaker –

Hal Stalmaster was born in Los Angeles, California and attended Beverly Hills High School where he recalls that his accomplished classmates were not particularly impressed when he landed the lead role in Walt Disney’s Revolutionary War drama, Johnny Tremain. Hal was seventeen when the film debuted in 1957. Three years later, while studying at UCLA, he went to work for Walt again, this time as Gwynn in the Walt Disney Presents miniseries, The Swamp Fox. Although the role required Hal to grow a pony-tail, he continued to participate in ROTC—an obvious anomaly among his crew-cut classmates. After graduation Hal served for two years as an army officer in the Presidio of San Francisco—home now to The Walt Disney Family Museum—before returning briefly to acting. It was his interest in working behind the camera that led him back to The Walt Disney Studios, this time as a casting director. The job not only suited his career goals, but also provided him with an opportunity to work directly with Walt Disney. After leaving the Studios, Hal went on to a 30-year career as a talent agent.

Pre-Show Packages Now Available For ‘Frozen – Live at the Hyperion’ at Disney California Adventure

The hottest, or dare we say, coolest ticket in Disney California Adventure park is “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion,” now playing daily in the Hyperion Theater in Hollywood Land. And if you’d like to take your viewing experience to the next level, reservations are now open for three pre-show packages that include priority seating at select performances plus special experiences before and even after the show.

The Frozen Pre-Show Package lets you chill with family and friends while enjoying refreshments, photo opportunities and more at a festive, “Frozen”-themed celebration before the live show. This one-of-a-kind gathering commences inside Stage 17, transformed into a castle courtyard in the wintry world of Arendelle with “Frozen” delights sprinkled all around, including a shave ice treat for you to enjoy. When the magical reception winds down, you’ll be whisked off to the nearby Hyperion Theater and land in your priority seats.

Frozen Live Hyperion

The Frozen Pre-Show Plus Lunch Package includes the pre-show experience and priority seating, plus a melt-in-your mouth dining experience at Carthay Circle Restaurant. You can savor a three-course meal that includes your choice of four stunning main course dishes. There’s also a special kids menu, but everyone big and small should save room for a sweet “Frozen”-inspired dessert.

And for the ultimate viewing experience, go for the Frozen Signature Dining & Behind-The-Scenes Package. This is an incredible offering custom designed for the biggest “Frozen” fans, which includes not only the pre-show celebration and priority seating, but also an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at the Hyperion Theater following the performance. You’ll then cap off the experience with an elegant four-course dinner at Carthay Circle Restaurant.

For further details, availability dates, pricing and reservation information for each of these packages, visit the “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” page on Disneyland.com.

Separate theme park admission required and is not included in the package price. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Full payment is due at time of booking and cancellation policies apply. No discounts. Subject to restrictions and change or cancellation without notice.