Osborne Lights Dancing for the Last Time

WDWNT on September 3, 2015

This season will mark the 20th Anniversary of the Osborne Family Spectacle of (Dancing) Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Sadly, it will also be their farewell dance.

From the Orlando Sentinel:

After 20 years of millions of bright lights and holiday cheer, Disney announced Friday it is pulling the plug on The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.

“The display of lights has enjoyed a successful run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, going all the way back to when it first appeared on Residential Street,” Disney wrote on its official blog.

This will be the display’s 20th and final year, Disney said.

Disney said it plans to end the show to make room for new expansions and attractions, including Toy Story Land and Star Wars-themed land.

Walt Disney Co. Chief Operating Officer Tom Staggs announced Thursday the company will break ground for the new Star Wars attraction in 2016.

“Our heartfelt thanks go out to the family of Jennings Osborne for letting us share their family tradition year after year,” reads the post. “And thank you to all of you for being part of the spectacle with us.”

The light show will display nightly from Nov. 6 through Jan. 3.

“Star Wars: Episode VIII” Begins Filming This Month In Ireland

WDWNT on September 3, 2015

There were rumors this week that some of the cast and crew of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” were heading to Ireland this month to film reshoots. Lucasfilm came out and let Entertainment Weekly and the world know that although they were heading to Ireland this month it was not for rehoots for “The Force Awakens” but it was to start filming “Star Wars: Episode VIII”.

From Entertainment Weekly:

The initial reports out of Ireland were that J.J. Abrams and company were returning to the island Skellig Michael off the southern coast of Ireland later this month for some additional photography.

Lucasfilm now tells EW that the confusion about what was shooting came from them trying to stay low-key and using the title ‘Star Wars’ without differentiating between the films.

Skellig Michael is a sharp cluster of rocks rising 715 feet out of the sea, wearing a coat of lush vegetation wherever the land is flat enough to take root. It’s also home to many sea birds, some of them threatened, which has led the Irish environmental group An Taisce to object to filming on the island, according to The Irish Times.

The island is home to the ruins of a small monastery that was occupied for between 400 and 600 years until the 12th century, which is most likely why the Star Wars team is interested in shooting there. The island is a UNESCO Heritage Site and tourism is severely restricted to prevent damage to the ruins, which include steep, crumbling stone steps that rise to the monastery at 600 feet above sea level.

How will it be used in the story? Only those national park inspectors and the birds they’re watching will know for sure.

Source: Entertainment Weekly

“Star Wars: Episode VIII” wil be directed by Rian Johnson (“Looper”) and will open on May 26th, 2017.

RUMOR: Star Wars Weekends Being Retired, No More Mickey & Friends as Star Wars Characters

WDWNT on September 3, 2015

Star Wars Weekends has been perhaps the most popular annual event in the history of Walt Disney World since it was introduced in 1997, so much so that it became an annual event in the early 2000’s at the then Disney-MGM Studios. Well, after 16 fantastic events, it seems Star Wars Weekends is being shelved in 2016.

star-wars-weekends-2014-poster

Also, don’t expect to see Mickey and friends using the force anytime soon…

With Star Wars Launch Bay opening soon and the Season of the Force launching at both Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Star Wars will more permanently be permeating the Disney Parks stateside now through the opening of Star Wars land later this decade (construction starts in January on both coasts). With there being permanent Star Wars offerings in the parks outside of Star Tours and Jedi Training Academy, it seems Walt Disney World may elect to shelve Star Wars Weekends, at least for now. It is expected that some seasonal Star Wars offerings will still return around May the 4th annually, but any celebrity shows and involvement are not expected to return anytime soon.

Also rumored, it seems highly likely that Disney characters dressed as Star Wars characters are being retired in merchandise, logos, and meet and greet appearances. The decision was made along the same lines of the retirement of Hyperspace Hoopla a few years back as Disney and Lucasfilm are “re-positioning the brand” leading into the new films. Basically, it’s an image perception concern with Lucasfilm and Disney looking for a more serious tone with the brand.

Season of the Force Coming to Disney Parks -- This new seasonal event, beginning early 2016, brings new experiences to both coasts. In Tomorrowland at Disneyland park, guests will explore the Star Wars galaxy with special entertainment throughout the land, themed food locations and more. Guests also will be thrilled to climb aboard Hyperspace Mountain, a reimagining of the classic Space Mountain attraction, in which guests will join an X-wing Starfighter battle. At DisneyÕs Hollywood Studios, guests will close out weekend nights with a new fireworks spectacular set to the iconic score of the Star Wars movies. (Disney Parks)

 

There may not be any Star Wars Weekends, but Season of the Force is coming in January to Disney Parks

Season of the Force is expected to debut on both coasts in January 2016. The event will host Hyperspace Mountain at Disneyland Park and a special Star Wars fireworks show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Other offerings, such as the new destination on Star Tours: The Adventures Continue and Star Wars Launch Bay will debut in early December 2015, just ahead of the theatrical release of Episode VII. Again, no celebrity involvement is expected on either coast during Season of the Force.

While we still have confirmation from Disney on the cancellation, it is being strongly rumored at this time. Stay tuned for more information on this story as it develops.

PHOTOS: Map Released for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2015, Big Entertainment Schedule Changes

WDWNT on September 3, 2015

The map for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom was finally released and most interestingly, the entertainment schedule has been revamped dramatically. Fireworks are now 30 minutes later than in previous years, while the first parade is 20 minutes later and the second a full 45 minutes later than last year. There are 4 castle stage shows compared to the usual 3, likely because it is a new show for this year.

Disney To Release A Sequel To “Mary Poppins”

WDWNT on September 3, 2015

 

It’s been about 50 years since we last saw Mary Poppins on the big screen, well not counting “Saving Mr. Banks”, and now it looks like the Disney classic, “Mary Poppins” is getting a sequel.

According to Entertainment Weekly:

One of the world’s most cherished characters is about to take flight once more.

EW has learned that Disney is developing a new original live-action musical film featuring the beloved magical nanny, Mary Poppins. The studio is bringing back Into the Woods director Rob Marshall and producers John DeLuca and Marc Platt, who successfully shepherded Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway tuner to the big screen for Disney last year.

The new Poppins film will take place in Depression-era London, some 20 years after Disney’s classic Mary Poppins, and will draw from existing Poppins tales in the rest of author P.L. Travers’ 1934-1988 children’s book series. The practically perfect 1964 screen adaptation starring Julie Andrews pulled its story primarily from the first installment in Travers’ eight-book series; the new project (which is decidedly not being developed as a sequel) will explore Mary’s further adventures with the Banks family and beyond as illustrated by Travers’ seven additional novels.

Disney and Marshall are collaborating with the Travers estate and have already earned support from Poppins’ co-composer Richard Sherman, who penned the original film’s famous songs like “Chim Chim Cher-ee” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” with his late brother, Robert.

Source: Entertainment Weekly

Pop Secret Becomes Official Popcorn of Disney Parks, Sponsor of Fantasmic! at WDW

WDWNT on September 3, 2015

Pop Secret Popcorn

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 15, 2015 — Diamond Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: DMND) (“Diamond”) announced today that it has entered into a long-term strategic alliance agreement with Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort tied to its Pop Secret brand premium popcorn. Pop Secret popcorn is now the official popcorn of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California.

Diamond Foods also plans to advertise on Disney-owned channels like ABC Family and the Disney Channel. Retail promotions, on-pack sweepstakes and digital content creation are all ways in which Pop Secret popcorn expects to work with Disney.

“We have been looking for an alliance that is in-line with our core brand values and we couldn’t be more delighted to announce this relationship with Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort,” said Burke Raine, Vice President of Marketing, Snacks, at Diamond. “Pop Secret popcorn and Disney both have deep associations with movies and encourage lasting memories shaped by fun family activities.”

As part of the relationship, Disney will begin selling freshly popped Pop Secret popcorn at popcorn carts throughout Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. The Pop Secret brand will also become the title sponsor of the nightly Fantasmic! Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort and plans to sponsor movie nights held at many of Disney’s resort hotels.

About Pop Secret® Popcorn
Since 1984, the Pop Secret® brand has been offering popcorn fans a quality product. Once popped, our premium popcorn kernels are ready to customize and capture all your favorite toppings. Pop Secret® is committed to providing popcorn lovers with a convenient and delicious snack for wherever and whenever they want it – whether settling down on the couch to watch a movie at home or enjoying a snack together! For more information about Pop Secret, please visit http://www.popsecret.com/.

About Diamond Foods
Diamond Foods is an innovative packaged food company focused on building and energizing brands including Kettle Brand® chips, Emerald® snack nuts, Pop Secret® popcorn, and Diamond of California® nuts. Diamond’s products are distributed in a wide range of stores where snacks and culinary nuts are sold. For more information, visit the Company’s corporate web site:http://www.diamondfoods.com.

About Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
More than 50 years ago, Walt Disney created a new kind of entertainment families could experience together, immersed in detailed atmospheres and vibrant storytelling. His vision now includes a collection of five of the world’s leading family vacation destinations – Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, Calif.; Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.; Tokyo Disney Resort, Urayasu, Chiba, Japan; Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Vallée, France; and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, located on Lantau Island. A sixth resort, Shanghai Disney Resort, is currently under construction in Pudong New District, Shanghai. In addition, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts includes the world-class Disney Cruise Line; Disney Vacation Club; Adventures by Disney, a guided group vacation experience to some of the world’s most popular destinations; and Walt Disney Imagineering, which creates and designs all Disney parks, resorts, cruise ships, entertainment and attractions.

VIDEO: First Teaser Trailer For Disney’s “The Jungle Book”

WDWNT on September 3, 2015

Walt Disney Pictures has just released the first teaser trailer for their upcoming live action movie, “The Jungle Book”.

[sc name=”YouTube Embed 800w” id=”YW97nCUE3ZA” ]

Directed by Jon Favreau (“Chef,” “Iron Man,” “Elf”), based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, “The Jungle Book” is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves. But Mowgli finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan (voice of Idris Elba), who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery, guided by panther-turned-stern mentor Bagheera (voice of Ben Kingsley), and the free-spirited bear Baloo (voice of Bill Murray). Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa (voice of Scarlett Johannsson), a python whose seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the man-cub, and the smooth-talking King Louie (voice of Christopher Walken), who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire. The all-star cast also includes Lupita Nyong’o as the voice of the fiercely protective mother wolf Raksha, and Giancarlo Esposito as the voice of wolf pack’s alpha male Akela. “The Jungle Book” seamlessly blends live-action with photorealistic CGI animals and environments, using up-to-the-minute technology and storytelling techniques to immerse audiences in an enchanting and lush world.

Disney’s The Jungle Book opens on April 15, 2016.

RUMOR: Is The “Star Wars” Unaltered Original Trilogy Finally Being Released? np

WDWNT on September 3, 2015

star_wars_movie_posters

star_wars_movie_posters

The one thing that the many fans of the “Star Wars” Original Trilogy have been hoping to see is the unaltered versions of the “Star Wars” Original Trilogy released on home video. We have heard rumors in the past that either Fox or Disney would be releasing the unaltered versions for years but nothing has come about those rumors.

This week we received some good news from Empire Magazine concerning the unaltered versions of the Original Trilogy. While being interviewed by Empire magazine, director John Landis (“Animal House”) informed them that Disney will be re-releasing the unaltered versions of the Original Trilogy.

dsaxcdscfscsEven better news is that according to Landis, his Source is George Lucas:

dadedadBack in 1997, George Lucas released the Special Editions of the “Star Wars” Original Trilogy in theaters and ever since then Lucas has been altering the Original Trilogy with each home video release.

dscsdsc

There were definite enhancements made to films but there were also scenes that were altered that many fans were not happy with such as Greedo shooting first, Hayden Christensen replacing Sebastian Shaw as Anakin’s force ghost and the infamous Darth Vader “Nooooooo!”. You can still view the unaltered versions of the Original Trilogy but as the years pass it is getting harder to find them since they are only on VHS tape, Laser Discs and even a DVD version was released that was an inferior nonanomorphic version of the Laser Discs.

That this is coming from a respected director and friend of George Lucas is definitely a good sign. But until we hear word from Disney, Lucasfilm and Fox, it’s not official.

Source: Empire, Furious Fanboys