Coming Soon to a Disney Park Near You

All kinds of news came out of the Disney Parks and Resorts panel presentation at the D23 Expo in Anaheim yesterday. Although we are not attending the Expo this year, I have been following all the social media platforms to find out the latest breaking Parks news. Thanks to the Disney Parks Blog for sharing the highlights of the presentation with those of us who couldn’t be there. Below are brief descriptions of the news. Check out the link to the full story via the Disney Parks Blog.

Here we go:

The official name of Star Wars Land at both Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been announced. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open in 2019, first at Disneyland and later in the year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. No specific dates were noted.
Here are a couple of brief looks at what guests visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge can expect, courtesy of Disney Parks. Star Wars-Inspired Land Model | Disney Parks: https://youtu.be/dJxDQVnOyx4
Fly-Through Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge | Disney Par…: https://youtu.be/aP1jcbPRxc8

The first Mickey-themed attraction will soon make its way to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, guests will step “through the screen” and become a part of a Mickey cartoon short. To make way for this new attraction, The Great Movie Ride will close. The last day of operation will be August 13, 2017.

Two new attractions are making their way to Epcot!
A Guardians of the Galaxy themed E-ticket attraction will replace the current Universe of Energy pavillion. The last day of operation for Universe of Energy will be August 13, 2017.
A Ratatouille themed attraction will be added to the France Pavillion in the World Showcase. It is said to be similar to the 4D attraction currently at the Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris, and guests will shrink to Remy’s size and experience adventures in his world. (It is unknown if the attraction will be a duplicate, or just similar…but here is a video of the current attraction in France, courtesy of SoCal Attractions 360.)[4K] Trackless Ride – Ratatouille Ride – Disneyla…: https://youtu.be/WtZdXqY1TKs

It was noted that both attractions will open in time for the Walt Disney World 50th celebration in 2021.

The wildly popular TRON coaster from Shanghai will make its way to the Magic Kingdom, and will sit in an entirely new area adjacent to Space Mountain. TRON Lightcycle Power Run is expected to open in time for the Walt Disney World 50th celebration in 2021.

A new table service restaurant will open in Epcot. The space-themed restaurant will take guests on an “out-of-this-world” dining experience with spectacular views of Earth…from space. The new dining establishment will be located adjacent to Mission:SPACE.

Disney’s Hotel New York at the Disneyland Paris Resort will be reimagined as Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel. The hotel will transport guests into the world of Marvel Super Heroes.

A brand-new Star Wars themed resort is planned for the Walt Disney World resort. This resort is said to be unlike any other experience. When guests arrive, they become a citizen of the galaxy, and are fully immersed in the Star Wars world…even down to dressing like the other citizens! This is sure to be on every Star Wars fan’s bucket list!

The Disney Skyliner will transport guests between Disney’s Art of Animation, POP Century, and Caribbean Beach resorts, and connect them with Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway. Many of the gondolas will feature a character theme. This mode of transportation definitely resembles a certain attraction that has been closed for a long time (ahem, skyway).
In addition, a new Minnie Mouse themed point-to-point service was also announced.

A theater inspired by the 1920’s Willis Wood Theater in Kansas City will take up residence on Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom. What entertainment offerings will be performed in the new venue are yet to be seen.

Toy Story Land to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Summer 2018. The new land will include two new attractions: Slinky Dog Dash, a family coaster ride, and Alien Swirling Saucers, a ride designed as a play set inspired by the first Toy Story movie.

Paradise Pier at Disney California Adventure will be rethemed to Pixar Pier, and will debut during a resort-wide limited time event called Pixar Fest. During the Pixar Fest, Disneyland will debut a brand new fireworks show, and the popular Pixar Play Parade will move across the Esplanade. That means Paint the Night parade will move to Disney California Adventure, and may have a newly added float! While Pixar Fest is a limited time event, Pixar Pier will be a permanent addition.

The Disney Cruise Line will be adding three new ships by 2023. Ship names, design plans, and itineraries are still in development.

Disney California Adventure will be adding a completely immersive Super Hero Universe soon. While not many details were given, it was hinted that Spider-Man and The Avengers will be joining the Guardians of the Galaxy in the new experience.

As a special surprise, attendees of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts presentation received special reserved seating passes to preview the newly renovated Fantasmic! show at Disneyland.
Talk about icing on the cake!

What are you looking forward to the most? Will you miss the attractions that are closing?

2016 Mouse Madness

It’s time for our 4th annual Mouse Madness Tournament!

Since its inception in 2013, the tournament has blossomed into a full-fledged bracket tourney. Check out our previous champions here.  Each year we pick a theme, and this year’s theme is…Disney Movies!

I’m gonna warn you, this won’t be easy. We wanted to create a bracket of well-known and loved classics, newer offerings, with a few under-appreciated films sprinkled in. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that your favorites are listed. So please refrain from belly-aching about why a certain movie did or did not make the list. This is meant to be fun for all! We are not associated with Disney in any way…we are simply two fans having a little fun!

On to the rules:

Every day, each set (up to 4) of match-ups will be posted for 24 hours to allow for as many votes as possible. The first match-ups will be posted on Thursday March 17, 2016. Be sure to check our Facebook page each day at 5pm CDT for additional match-ups. In the event of a tie, the higher ranked film wins the match. We will continue to post voting until we find the ultimate Disney film! (Films are “ranked” in chronological order to help keep our sanity.)

We’re doing things a little differently this year due to some logistical difficulties. this year, all match-ups will be posted on our Facebook page, and the voting will take place there. Each day, we will post that day’s match-up(s), and you will vote by commenting on the post. I will edit the previous day’s post to show as “closed” and then add a new post for the current match-ups. (I hope that’s not too confusing!) Please “LIKE” our Facebook page to stay on top of all the fun!

Please share this with all your Disney-loving friends! The more the merrier!

A Wild Adventure in Chicago

If you are on the fence about seeing “Zootopia”, I am here to push you off and urge you to go see this movie!

We first heard about this film way back in 2013 as part of the D23 Expo. Even then, we thought the idea was brilliant…if done properly. The idea of a metropolis inhabited by anthropomorphic animals sounded like a recipe for hilarity…or failure. At the 2015 D23 Expo, we saw much more of the film and it started to sink in that this could be a really well done film, but there was still a hint of uncertainty of the storyline and if it would really work. (Though I have to say, we were shown the DMV scene at the D23 Expo, and I couldn’t stop laughing. It has even become an inside joke between my husband and I. Check it out below:)

Here are a couple of other trailers released by Walt Disney Animation Studios:

Looks kind of cute and maybe a bit campy, right? Notice how not much of the story line is revealed? Disney did that on purpose, and while I was frustrated about it, now it’s completely understood why.

Recently, we had the opportunity to attend a screening of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ latest feature, “Zootopia”.  We went into the film only knowing that Judy Hopps was a rookie bunny cop trying to make it in the big city, when she gets tangled up with the slick, smooth-talking fox, Nick Wilde. We really didn’t know where the story was going to go from there.

What we didn’t expect was the depth of emotion and message that the film delivered. The story spoke to a plethora of current issues hounding our society; from racism and stereotypes, to empowerment. All the while, the typical “always follow your dream” Disney theme snakes throughout the story.  Shakira’s (who voiced the character, Gazelle) song titled, “Try Everything” is an upbeat mantra for anyone facing any kind of uphill battle…and it’s been playing nonstop on my music player. Below is the official video for “Try Everything”.

Surprising, right? It was to me, anyway. I anticipated at least some sort of emotion…after all, it IS a Disney movie, but this one hit the right chord with me.

Without giving too much away, the basic story is: A country bunny has the dream of being a big city cop one day. She finally makes it, but is left to be a meter maid…until she gets mixed up with the likes of Nick Wilde, a slick fox. I cannot in good conscience tell you anymore without the possibility of giving away too much. The story has complex twists and intricacies that are unexpected. I understand why Disney only released the bits and pieces of the film that they did. It makes sense since so much of the story is tied together.

Eagle-eyed Disney fans will catch quite a few “easter eggs” as well. For instance, be on the lookout for some animalized bootlegged Disney movies for sale at one point. Actress Kristen Bell (who voiced Anna in “Frozen” and has an affinity for sloths) voices Priscilla in the DMV scene.  Another “Frozen” related easter egg comes in the form of actor Alan Tudyk. His “Zootopia” character and his “Frozen” character have a little something in common and sharp fans will catch it (no spoilers here). There are others, but I will have to watch the film again to confirm (such as some of the songs listed on Judy’s music player).

In addition to the fabulous actors I have already mentioned, the rest of the cast is also stellar. Leading the way are Ginnifer Goodwin (“Once Upon a Time”) as Judy Hopps, and Jason Bateman (“Juno”) as Nick Wilde. Joining them are: Idris Elba (Chief Bogo), Jenny Slate (Bellwether), Nate Torrence (Clawhauser), Bonnie Hunt (Bonnie Hopps), Don Lake (Stu Hopps), Maurice LaMarche (Mr. Big), J.K. Simmons (Mayor Lionheart), Tommy Chong (Yax), Octavia Spencer (Mrs. Otterton), and Raymond S. Persi (Flash, Flash, Hundred-Yard Dash…sorry, I couldn’t help it). (I should also mention that Jesse Corti voices Mr. Manchas. Disney fans may recognize him as the voice of LeFou in “Beauty and the Beast”.)

An intricately animated film, a powerful and thought-provoking message, a colorful cast of characters (and insanely talented cast, to boot), and 108 minutes chock full of laughs (not to mention the crazy plot-twist). If you haven’t seen it already, go! What are you waiting for? Adults and children alike will love it…there is something for everyone.

We were able to enjoy this experience thanks to D23. Following the movie, we enjoyed a dessert reception called what else but “Dessertopia”, where we had the opportunity to meet Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde.

(Even though the event only lasted a few hours, we made a day of it and did a little exploring. Check out the rest of our adventure here.)

Here are some photos from the event, including a few of the amazing details found within the auditorium:

Awaiting the movie

Inside the theatre

Theatre details

Theatre seats

Theatre details (Composers, house left)

Hello, Nick!

Theatre details (house right)

Theatre details (Composers, house right)

Kristin Rodack and Jeffrey Epstein extend a welcome to all in attendance

 

Here are a few photos from the “Dessertopia” reception that followed the screening. (I will NOT disclose exactly how many desserts we ate…after all, Gazelle told us to “Try Everything”! But seriously, the mini key-lime pies were beyond delish! Also, the lollipop looking things were mini cheesecake pops.) There was a really neat 3-D cardboard cut-out of a subway car with [nearly] all of the characters on it. (Off the top of my head, I cannot remember if it was at the D23 Expo or not.) The detail is simply amazing! In my wishing to take photos of all the details, I seemed to have forgotten to take one of the entire piece as a whole.

Signage on our way up to the reception

Does this look hidden Mickey-ish to you?

There were even coat racks…they thought of everything

Welcome to Dessertopia

We scored some sweet Zootopia sunglasses!

The back of the sunglasses

Major mingling

D23 members mingle (Notice the hidden Mickey on the floor?)

View from the reception area…it’s not snowing, the window was dirty 🙂

View from the reception room (if it was a clear day, the lake would have been beautiful)

Which one should I try first?

One of the many signs around the room…this one is on a beverage station

Table decorations

Table linens…we could have been at a Bears event

Check out the detailed animal print decorations on the cupcakes

Desserts L-R: Mini Cupcakes (vanilla, chocolate, carrot), Caramel Mousse Domes, Mini Fruit Tarts, Bite-sized Key Lime Pie

Yummy desserts!

Hmmm…Zootropolis?

The backdrop

Check out the latest iPaw

Judy and Nick on the morning commute

Would you like to ride next to these guys?

Flash, Flash, hundred yard dash

What’s new in Zootopia, Bellwether?

I wonder if Officer Clawhauser notices Mr. Big photobombing his selfie…

Even Mr. Big rides the subway

Which stop is yours?

For all the latest in lemming yoga pants…

Do you suppose Mooranda Priestly would approve?

Judy was hopping away (it was a last second picture)

In true Disney fashion, the stars from the movie showed up for an unforgettable meet and greet, that included a photo (of course).

If you would like to enjoy special events like this one*, be sure to join D23. Membership is FREE!

You can sign up here.

*The screening was open to all members, while the reception was open only to Gold members.