UPDATE: Disney Denies Media Reports, Claims Extensive Theater Upgrades Responsible for Hall of Presidents Opening Delay

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<p>The following statement was just issued by Thomas Smith, Editorial Content Director for Disney Parks on the <a href=Disney Parks Blog:

Since the Magic Kingdom Park opened in 1971, The Hall of Presidents has brought together a one-of-a-kind look at the office of the President of the United States through film and the magic of Disney’s Audio-Animatronics technology. Despite some media reports to the contrary, President Trump will have a speaking role in The Hall of Presidents, like every president since 1993. We have been working closely with the current White House — just as we have with previous administrations — and the president’s recording session has been scheduled. The attraction will re-open in late 2017.

Whenever we refurbish one of our attractions, we take the opportunity to consider a broad range of enhancements. In this case, The Hall of Presidents is getting a new show, and a complete theater upgrade including a new sound system, lighting and high-definition projection system. The multi-screen viewing experience you may have seen in prior versions of the attraction is returning with an even wider vantage point of our country’s history.

The statement was forced by the media firestorm that followed our piece on the delayed re-opening of the Hall of Presidents. Of course, Disney did confirm that President Trump would speak in the attraction after that, but erroneous reports from media sites that there was some sort of tension between the White House and Disney pretty much left them in need of some public post on the topic.

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Disney Announces Upcoming Slate For Animation Studio, PIXAR, Marvel & Lucasfilm at D23 Expo 2017

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THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS PRESENTS UPCOMING FILM SLATE FROM DISNEY, PIXAR, MARVEL, AND LUCASFILM AT D23 EXPO 2017 

‘Celebration of an Animated Classic: The Lion King’ Event Announced

The Walt Disney Studios presents an exclusive look at its unparalleled film slate at D23 Expo 2017 in Anaheim, California, taking place July 14–16.

At two marquee Hall D23 presentations, the Studio will give fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse at its upcoming releases, with animated films from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios showcased on Friday, July 14, and live-action projects from Disney, Marvel Studios, and Lucasfilm taking the stage on Saturday, July 15.

Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm are responsible for some of the world’s biggest movie hits, including recent blockbusters such as Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, and The Jungle Book; Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia and Moana; Pixar Animation Studios’ Inside Out, Finding Dory, and Cars 3; Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Doctor Strange, and Captain America: Civil War; and Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. While the films to be featured in Hall D23 will remain under wraps until showtime, the Studio’s upcoming slate includes Pixar’s Coco; Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, and Avengers: Infinity War; Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi; Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time and Mary Poppins Returns; Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2; and more.

In addition, a new event has been announced for Sunday, July 16, at 10 a.m. in the D23 Expo Arena: Celebration of an Animated Classic: The Lion King. Producer Don Hahn, director Rob Minkoff, animators Tony Bancroft and Mark Henn, and special guests will be in attendance during this not-to-be-missed look back at the timeless and beloved Disney animated film.

HALL D23 PRESENTATIONS: 

Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films, Hosted by John Lasseter

Friday, July 14, 2:30 p.m. – Hall D23

Were you there in 2015 when Ellen DeGeneres and Dwayne Johnson wowed the crowds? When Zootopia’s sloth scene screened for the very first time? And when Randy Newman, Buzz Lightyear, and Woody celebrated the 20th anniversary of Toy Story? Then you know the Animation presentation at Hall D23 is a MUST. Join host John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, as he presents Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films. Never-before-seen footage from Pixar’s upcoming feature Coco and Disney Animation’s Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 will be unveiled, as well as surprise announcements, musical performances, and appearances by star voice talent. Cell phones, cameras, and all recording devices will be checked for this presentation.

Disney, Marvel Studios & Lucasfilm – Live Action at The Walt Disney Studios

Saturday, July 15, 10:30 a.m. – Hall D23

The Walt Disney Studios is home to the biggest and most beloved brands in filmmaking today, with a number of highly anticipated projects from Disney, Marvel Studios, and Lucasfilm in the works. At this exclusive Hall D23 presentation featuring never-before-seen footage, surprise star appearances, and more, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at an exciting array of spectacular films on the horizon from these world-class studios. Cell phones, cameras, and all recording devices will be checked for this presentation.

CALENDAR OF KEY EVENTS: 

The Power of the Princess

Saturday, July 15, 10:30 a.m. – Stage 28

Walt Disney Animation Studios invites you to The Power of the Princess, featuring Jodi Benson (Ariel), Paige O’Hara (Belle), Anika Noni Rose (Tiana), and Auli‘i Cravalho (Moana)—the talented actresses who brought these iconic characters to life—as they share stories of making their films and the impact of their characters on people around the world. Hosted by Walt Disney Animation Studios animators Amy Smeed and Kira Lehtomaki.

Creating the Worlds in Pixar’s Universe

Saturday, July 15, 12:15 p.m. – Stage 28

Pixar’s films are filled with beloved characters living in relatable yet previously unimagined worlds. Join Pixar production designers and artists who have created the mountain tops, oceans, and “monstropolises” in which your favorite characters live. These artists create the setting and cultivate the mood of every scene using extensive research, incredible imagination, and each individual director’s vision, giving life to the amazing worlds in Pixar’s movies.

Olaf’s Frozen Adventure: A Sneak Peek at the New Frozen Featurette

Saturday, July 15, 2:30 p.m. – Stage 28

Be among the first to see both exclusive and behind-the-scenes footage from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ newest Frozen holiday featurette, the highly anticipated Olaf’s Frozen Adventure. The film, which features the talents of the original Frozen cast, as well as brand-new songs, is directed by the Emmy®-winning team Stevie Wermers-Skelton and Kevin Deters (Prep & Landing) and produced by Oscar®-winning producer Roy Conli (Big Hero 6, Tangled).

The Evolution of Pixar’s Characters

Saturday, July 15, 6 p.m. – Stage 28

From the waves in their hair to the shoes on their feet, Pixar characters are designed to be full of personality and to tell a story. Hear from the legendary Pixar artists who have created the most memorable characters in Pixar’s history. These are the visionaries who start with an initial doodle and see the evolution of a character through to final animation—the people who let technology influence the art and make the impossible, possible.

Celebration of an Animated Classic: The Lion King

Sunday, July 16, 10 a.m. – D23 Expo Arena

Join a Disney celebration of the magic, the music, and the majesty of the animated classic The Lion King. Producer Don Hahn, director Rob Minkoff, and animators Tony Bancroft and Mark Henn, along with some very special guests, reveal the secrets behind the making of the timeless animated classic. 

Bambi’s 75th Anniversary

Sunday, July 16, 11:30 a.m. – Walt Disney Archives Stage

Join us as we commemorate the 75th anniversary and Walt Disney Signature Collection release of Bambi, the endearing, timeless tale of a wide-eyed fawn that has touched generations. Audiences can look forward to hearing personal stories from the voice cast, anecdotes behind the making of this film and its exquisite hand-drawn artwork, and much, much more. It’s groundbreaking animated classics like Bambi that were created or inspired by the imagination and legacy of Walt Disney and still influence many great visionaries and animators today. 

ALL WEEKEND ON THE D23 EXPO SHOW FLOOR

Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios

Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios once again join forces for a must-see animation experience at D23 Expo. Artist demonstrations, autograph signings with top filmmakers, fan giveaways and interactive displays featuring the latest films including Cars 3, Coco, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, and Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2, make this booth one to visit over-and-over again.

Marvel Studios Pavilion

At the Marvel Studios Pavilion, fans will get an up-close look at the costumes and props from Thor: Ragnarok, including photo opportunities with exclusive set pieces from the film, as well as incredible costumes from Black Panther. Marvel Studios will host multiple giveaways and events within its pavilion space in Hall B. Fans will get the chance to meet with Marvel Studios’ filmmakers, development team, and talent. Exclusive artwork will be given away daily, along with other surprises. Details on talent appearances and special signings will be made available on the D23 Expo app.

Disney Music Emporium – Album Signings and Exclusive Products

Disney Music Emporium, the online destination for collectible Disney music products, returns to D23 Expo 2017 with a pop-up store on the show floor. Over the three-day Ultimate Disney Fan Event, the Emporium will feature album signings by artists and award-winning composers. Limited quantities of a wide assortment of music products will be available, including new releases from Marvel, Moana, Beauty and the Beast, and Disneyland attraction picture discs, plus lithographs, Crosley turntables, and posters. For a complete list of talent appearances and album signings, visit http://waltdisneyrecords.com/d23expo/signings.html.

Disney Movie Rewards and Disney Movie Club

Throughout the D23 Expo 2017, Disney fans will be able to experience a unique augmented reality photo booth presented by Disney Movie Rewards, the premier loyalty program for all your favorite Disney Movies. Fans will be able to earn mystery points which can be used for great rewards like Blu-rays, movie tickets, and exclusive collectibles only available at DisneyMovieRewards.com. Disney Movie Club, the ultimate source for building your Disney movie library, will also be there hosting a special augmented reality gallery. Come by for free giveaways and a special sign up offer just for D23 Expo 2017 attendees. For more magic and savings visit DisneyMovieClub.com. 

Disney Family Movies

The subscription, video-on-demand service Disney Family Movies provides the ultimate in family entertainment from one of the world’s largest film libraries, giving viewers unlimited access to a selection of beloved classic and contemporary films and animated shorts from The Walt Disney Studios. Each of the 12 titles remains in rotation for a month, with new movies added weekly. Stop by our booth in Hall C to learn about this fun service, available through your television provider.

Tickets for D23 Expo 2017 are available for $81 for one-day adult admission and $59 for children 3–9. Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $72 for a one-day adult admission and $53 for children 3–9. Multi-day tickets are also available. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2017, visit D23Expo.com.

Young Child Hospitalized After Incident at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

A 5-year-old was airlifted to the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children on Monday after the child nearly drowned at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort at Walt Disney World.

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The boy is alright and was last listed as “well” in condition. The pool was closed following the incident as it became the scene of an investigation by police. Lifeguards at the resort were interviewed regarding the child’s predicament following the airlift. It is unclear exactly what happened, it is simply being called a “water emergency”.

The incident is far from the first at a Disney resort, and not even the first at the 5-year-old Art of Animation hotel.

DisneyQuest Closing T-Shirt Now Available For A Limited Time, Just Like DisneyQuest Itself

As we bid farewell to DisneyQuest at Disney Springs, which closes its doors forever on July 2, 2017, DisneyStore.com gives us one last souvenir to remember it by. A limited-release tee shirt is now available through July 4 commemorating the indoor interactive theme park. width=

These shirts (as with the Sci-Fi Dine In and Typhoon Lagoon YesterEars shirts) are $27.99 and eligible for the Buy One Get One 40% Off offer. The DisneyQuest shirt is available until Tuesday July 4, but the YesterEars shirts are only available until Thursday June 28, so get your order in soon!

WDWNT: Nerd Alert – Season Three Episode 9 Is Now Available For Download

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In this week’s episode, the gang talk about:

  • The “Han Solo” movie says goodbye to its directors. Do we have a bad feeling about this?
  • The first teaser trailer for “Black Panther” is out and we discuss what we liked and what we loved about the trailer.
  • “Spider-Man 3.1” is released with 17 minutes of additional footage.
  • The “Wonder Woman” Roundtable. Do we finally have a good movie in the DCEU?

Join hosts Joe Hogarty, Jack McCarthy, Ron D’Anna, Erin Crabill and special guest Tom Corless!

WDWNT: Nerd Alert – Season Three Episode 9 is now available for download through WDW News Today: Original Programing  and iTunes!

PHOTOS: More Happily Ever After Merchandise (Including Poster) is Coming to Magic Kingdom

Disney today previewed three new merchandise items related Happily Ever After at the Magic Kingdom. These items come in addition to those we have showed you in the past.

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A light-up head band is coming later this summer.

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Also coming later this summer is an open edition pin.

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Last but certainly not least, the attraction poster for the show is now available through Art on Demand. Guests should look for it under the “Attraction Poster” section in the kiosks at Art of Disney locations. There are three paper and three canvas options available for printing. Guests can also have their image framed and shipped.

REVIEW: Jalapeno Cream Cheese Pretzel Lives on at Typhoon Lagoon

My all-time favorite Walt Disney World snack was always the Jalapeño Cream Cheese Stuffed Pretzel that used to be available at the theme parks. A few years ago, both this treat and the simpler Cream Cheese Stuffed Pretzel vanished, but that version did return to a few locations in recent months. I’m proud to announce that there is one place at Disney World that you can still get this spicy and doughy treat, and it’s the Typhoon Lagoon water park.

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Jalapeno Cream Cheese Pretzel ($5.00)

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Here it is, appearing just as I remember it. A pretzel this special deserves a photo shoot…

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Alright, enough of that. How is it? Just as good as I recall. The hot and spicy cheese inside is flavorful, not overly spicy to the point that an adverse person would not enjoy it. The pretzel had just the right amount of dough as well, making for a perfect combination. The crunchy exterior is a nice change from the usual to boot.

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I would be crazy enough to say this alone is worth a trip to Typhoon Lagoon, but the rest of the park isn’t bad either. That’s a joke, there’s much more to do there than just eat a pretzel…

UPDATE: Disney Confirms Donald Trump Will Speak, Sets New Opening Date for Hall of Presidents

Disney has finally made a statement about their ongoing update of the Hall of Presidents attraction at the Magic Kingdom.
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According to News 13

“The same thing that we’ve done with other presidents, is the same plan we have for President Trump,” said Jacquee Wahler, Vice President of communications (Walt Disney World).

They went on to clarify that Donald Trump and his audio-animatronic figure will speak in the show, just as the last 3 presidents added have.

Disney also stated that the attraction will re-open in late 2017, citing “technical problems” as the reason for the delay.

CONTEST: Enter to Win a Disney Mickey Mouse Emoji Fidget Spinner from WDWNT

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last few weeks, you undoubtedly know what a Fidget Spinner is. Well, Disney is already in on the strange, spinning toy craze and is selling Emoji Fidget Spinners at the U.S. theme parks.

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Mickey, Minnie, and Stitch variations are available in black or white colors for $14.99 each. The character faces illuminate with multi-color flashing lights upon contact.

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While I may not personally understand this trend, knowing how much these are in demand, we thought it might be something cool to give away here on the blog. Here’s how to enter and win one of the two Fidget Spinners seen above:

  • Comment on this post below with why you want this Disney Emoji Fidget Spinner in 50 words or less (be creative)
  • Be sure to use a valid email address when commenting as this is how we will contact the winner
  • A winner will be chosen based on our favorite comment
  • Winner will get to chose one of the two Fidget Spinners pictured above
  • Entries will be allowed until 12:00AM eastern time U.S. on Tuesday, June 27th, 2017

Good luck!

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