Cinderella – WDWNT Archive

New Cinderella Coach Popcorn Bucket Coming to Disney Parks

WDWNT on March 19, 2015

Just in time for the release of Disney’s live-action film Cinderella in March, a new premium popcorn bucket in the shape of Cinderella’s royal coach is coming soon to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort.

This specialty souvenir will also be available at the Disneyland Resort later this spring.

Since it looks like Fairy Godmother has turned a popcorn scoop into Cinderella’s carriage, you’ll never have to worry about being late to the ball, because now you can take your royal coach with you.

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!

REVIEWS: “Between-Disney-Vacation” Recommended Reading 101

WDWNT on February 26, 2015

It’s February. Even though we’re within a few weeks of Daylight Savings — the unofficial gateway to spring — most of the nation still finds itself in the throes of winter for at least a few more weeks. Of course this also means, for most of us, that although we’re getting closer to our next Disney vacation every day there’s still some winter to endure. If you’re like me, life tends to be what happens between visits to the Disney parks. As a way to cope with such a reality I’ve managed to find a few practices — we’ll call this “prep” — that help me deal with the time between trips. Music, podcasts, and of course books are all tools in my Between-Disney-Trips survival kit. So it’s in this spirit that I submit my favorite or most recent “February Survival Reads:”

Dream It! Do It! My Half-Century Creating Disney’s Magic Kingdoms, Marty Sklar
Different from other books I’ve read on the subject of Disney backstory and mythology, Dream It! Do It! by Marty Sklar will be most enjoyed by those most familiar and intrigued by the stories perpetuated by and grounded in Disney lore. Sklar is a career Imagineer that has contributed to every major event in the development of each of the Disney parks. Additionally, he may be the only single person with both a working and personal relationship with anybody that’s anybody associated with the Disney parks story — including the man himself, Walt Disney. This includes the Sherman brothers, John Hench, Mary Blair, Card Walker, Dick Nunis, Joe Fowler, Joe Potter, Claude Coats, and Roy O. Disney. And that is by no means a complete list. If you’re looking for an insider’s perspective and little-known albeit interesting pieces of information associated with Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and even Disneyland Paris and Tokyo, this is your book. What I enjoyed most were the stories about the creation of the engineering and imaginative feat that became Walt Disney World. What I enjoyed least were the inner workings of the corporation itself.

Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination, Neal Gabler
It’s worth reading just for the behind-the-scenes story on the production of Snow White alone. But the author also takes a deep dive into the early studio years that makes the Walt Disney story that much more accessible to fans and park visitors. There’s some decent stuff on Sleeping Beauty but I found myself wanting more about the genesis and production of Cinderella. For me, this biography has probably been the most comprehensive—even through those painful war years and nature documentaries. Gabler cites pop culture writers of the day and movie reviewers where it is appropriate. Readers Beware: this is quite the commitment. But for hardcore fans, I think it’s also a rite of passage of sorts.

The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies, Jason Surrell
Even though The Haunted Mansion is one of my favorite attractions, I never could put my finger on why so many Disney enthusiasts were so obsessed with it. My hope was that reading Surrell’s book would help me understand the Haunted Mansion phenomenon and it absolutely has. He begins with the genesis of the idea in the Museum of the Weird for which Yale Gracey and Rolly Crump were commissioned to begin exploring and experimenting with gags for the mansion. Surrell then walks his readers through the whole creative process. Along the way you meet X. Atencio, Marc Davis, Claude Coats, and plenty of others that had a hand in bringing the attraction to life, er, afterlife. The last third of the book addresses each “scene” in the Mansion in detail—but not so much detail as to be overwhelming. It’s an easy read and highly recommended for Disney fans at practically any interest level.

The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney, Michael Barrier
Oddly enough, this has been my favorite Walt Disney biography. Given Barrier’s obvious bent toward the history of animation and Disney’s place in it, I didn’t have the highest expectations. I am generally more interested in Walt’s life than in the medium itself. But the fact is that Michael Barrier made me care. He made Walt’s life through the lens of historical animation even more interesting. I’m not sure I would make this my first biographical endeavor into the life of one of the most influential people of the Twentieth Century. But I would recommend it as the second.

The Unauthorized Story of Walt Disney’s Haunted Mansion, Jeff Baham
This book is everything you would expect from the founder of Doombuggies.com. Jeff is exhaustive in his research and relentless in his pursuit of the most accurate and most thorough Haunted Mansion apologetic. Different from Surrell who takes an Imagineer’s perspective, Baham writes for the person who just can’t get enough of the Haunted Mansion. A couple of reviewers didn’t like the second section of The Unauthorized Story of Walt Disney’s Haunted Mansion and the way it takes readers step-by-step through the Mansion, but that was probably my favorite part. But that is not to say that I didn’t also love all the history and background present in the first half as Coats, Crump, Davis, and Gracey dominate the narrative as they rightfully should. The bottom-line: this is just a really cool book.

Walt Disney: An American Original, Bob Thomas
Promoted as the only “authorized” biography by the Disney family, what Thomas does get right is that he doesn’t waste a lot of time on the parts of Walt’s story that might have the potential to drag. Instead, the author gives most of the big story lines equal billing: Oswald, “Steamboat Willie”, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Disneyland, and the World’s Fair. Of the biographies that I’ve read this is perhaps the easier read. I liked most about this book the attention Thomas gives to Mary Poppins, something Gabler’s book misses in my opinion. That being said, a reading of Gabler, Thomas, and Barrier provide what appears to be an accurate view of the man you’ll come to know simply as “Walt.”

Not reviewed here are the two Walt Disney Imagineering books. These are great but aren’t your typical front-to-back reads and tend to focus exclusively on the creative aspect, which isn’t for everybody. Regardless, they are great to have. Four Decades of Magic is a series of essays, some more interesting than others, that includes some very interesting and fun background and content. (For instance, did you know that there is purportedly a ghost that haunts Pirates of the Caribbean Florida? Chad Denver Emerson’s book will tell you all about it.) I didn’t review it here because it doesn’t have the most “finished” feel to it. And I’ve intentionally avoided Project Future but only because I’m just not as interested in the corporate side of the Disney experience. There are plenty of others but I feel good about recommending all six of these books as a part of your 2015 February Survival.

New Live-Action “Cinderella” Trailer Released

WDWNT on February 26, 2015

The Walt Disney Studios has released a new trailer for the spectacular new live-action film Cinderella.

A live-action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale, Cinderella brings to life the timeless images from Disney’s 1950 animated masterpiece as fully-realized characters in a visually-dazzling spectacle for a whole new generation.

Cinderella opens in theaters March 13, 2015.

Have a look at the new trailer:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erecP_j6aKE]

The story of Cinderella follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new Stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family.

Soon, she is forced to become their servant, disrespected, covered in ashes and spitefully renamed Cinderella. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her, and she continues to remain positive, determined to honor her mother’s dying words and to “have courage and be kind.”

When Ella meets a dashing stranger in the woods, unaware that he is really the Prince (Richard Madden) and not merely Kit, an apprentice at the palace, she believes she has finally found a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the King (Derek Jacobi) summons all maidens in the kingdom to attend a royal ball at the palace, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit. Alas, her Stepmother forbids her to attend and callously destroys her dress.

Meanwhile, the calculating Grand Duke (Stellan Skarsgård) devises a plan to thwart the Prince’s hopes of reuniting with Ella and enlists the support of the devious Stepmother. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand. Soon, a kindly beggar woman (Helena Bonham Carter) steps forward and, armed with a pumpkin, a few mice and a magic wand, changes Cinderella’s life forever.

Cinderella opens in theaters March 13, 2015.

Live Action “Cinderella” Sneak-Peek & Photo-Op Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

Beginning January 17th, guests can see a special sneak-peek of Disney’s live-action Cinderella film at the ABC Sound Studio in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The preview will run through March 21st.

The coach from the film,which has been appearing at the Magic Kingdom before the afternoon parade, will be moving to Hollywood Studios to provide a photo-op for guests from February 1st through April 11th, 2015.

2015 Movie Slate for Walt Disney Pictures

WDWNT on January 29, 2015

Walt Disney Studios has provided us with a list of their upcoming theatrical releases for 2015 as well as their release dates. Lets take a look at what awaits movie theater goers for 2015.

“Strange Magic,” a new animated film from Lucasfilm Ltd., is a madcap fairy tale musical inspired by “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Popular songs from the past six decades help tell the tale of a colorful cast of goblins, elves, faeries and imps, and their hilarious misadventures sparked by the battle over a powerful potion. Lucasfilm Animation Singapore and Industrial Light & Magic bring to life the fanciful forest turned upside down with world-class animation and visual effects.

Release date: January 23, 2015

Based on the 1987 true story, “McFarland, USA” follows novice runners from McFarland, an economicaaly challenged town in California, as they give their all to build a cross country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), a newcomer to their predominately Latino high school, with whom they ultimately bond to buil not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well.

Release date: February 20, 2015

A live-action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale, “Cinderella” brings to life the timeless images from Disney’s 1950 animated masterpiece as fully-realized characters in a visually-dazzling spectacle for a whole new generation.

Release date: March 13, 2015

Life is an adventure for Maya, the clever and resourceful blonde-bobbed monkey in “Monkey Kingdom,” Disneynature’s new feature film set among ancient ruins in the storied jungles of South Asia. Maya’s world is forever changed when she welcomes her son, Kip, into her complicated extended family. Like all families, Maya’s has more than it’s share of colorful personalities and she’s determined to give her son a leg up in the world. When their longtime home at Castle Rock is taken over by powerful neighboring monkeys, Maya’s whole family is forced to relocate, and she uses her street smarts and ingenuity to lead them to untapped resources amidst strange new creatures and unsettling surroundings. Ultimately, they will all have to work together to reclaim Castle Rock, where Maya can hopefully realize her dreams for her son’s future.

Release date: April 17, 2015

When Tony Stark jumpstarts a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as they battle to save the planet from destruction at the hands of the villainous Ultron.

Release Date: May 1, 2015

In Disney’s riveting mystery adventure “Tomorrowland,” a jaded scientist and an optimistic teen embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and place.

Release date: May 22, 2015

Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it’s no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by emotions – Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley’s main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate to a new city, house and school.

Release Date: June 19, 2015

The next evolution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe brings a founding member of The Avengers to the big screen for the first time with Marvel Studios’ “Ant-Man.” Master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats.

Release date: July 17, 2015

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 photo realistic CGI animals and environments, using up-to-the-minute technology and storytelling techniques to immerse audiences in an enchanting and lush world.

Release date: October 9, 2015

Tom Hanks stars in Steven Spielberg’s Untitled Cold War spy thriller, which is the true story of James Donovan, an attorney who finds himself thrust into the center of the Cold War when the CIA sends him on the near-impossible mission to negotiate the release of a captured American U-2 pilot.

Release date: October 16, 2015

“The Good Dinosaur” asks the generations-old question: What if the cataclysmic asteroid that forever changed life on Earth actually missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct? In theaters May 30, 2014, the film is a humorous and exciting original story about Arlo, a lively 70-foot-tall teenage Apatosaurus with a big heart. After a traumatic event rattles Arlo’s tranquil community, he sets out on a quest to restore peace, gaining an unlikely companion along the way—a young human boy named Spot.

Release date: November 25, 2015

Lucasfilm and visionary director J.J. Abrams join forces to take you back again to a galaxy far, far away as “Star Wars” returns to the big screen with “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

Release date. December 18, 2015

New Short “FROZEN FEVER” To Open In Theaters In Front Of “CINDERELLA” On March 13, 2015

WDWNT on December 30, 2014

It was announced today that the brand new Frozen short, Frozen Fever, will appear before the upcoming live action Disney movie, Cinderella, on March 13^th, 2105.

Here is the official press release:

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ all-new short “Frozen Fever,” which welcomes Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf back to the big screen, will open in theaters on March 13, 2015, in front of Disney’s “Cinderella,” a live-action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale.

Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, and produced by Peter Del Vecho and Aimee Scribner, with an all-new original song by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, “Frozen Fever” marks the first project reuniting the Oscar®-winning original team from Disney’s “Frozen.”

In “Frozen Fever,” it’s Anna’s birthday and Elsa and Kristoff are determined to give her the best celebration ever, but Elsa’s icy powers may put more than just the party at risk.

Walt Disney Studios Debuts Trailer And Poster For Live-Action “Cinderella”

WDWNT on November 25, 2014

Today Walt Disney Studios released the new trailer for their upcoming film, “Cinderella”.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2HRymTnmcw]

The poster featuring Lily James as Cinderella, was photographed by Annie Leibovitz exclusively for the film’s campaign. Additional photos by Annie Leibovitz featuring the cast from the film can be seen in the costume feature of Vogue magazine’s December issue, on stands now.

Official synopsis from Walt Disney Studios:

The story of “Cinderella” follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family. Finally relegated to nothing more than a servant girl covered in ashes, and spitefully renamed Cinderella, Ella could easily begin to lose hope. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella is determined to honor her mother’s dying words and to “have courage and be kind.” She will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her. And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an apprentice at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the Palace sends out an open invitation for all maidens to attend a ball, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit (Richard Madden). Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand, and a kindly beggar woman (Helena Bonham Carter) steps forward and, armed with a pumpkin and a few mice, changes Cinderella’s life forever.

“Cinderella” will be released through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on March 13^th, 2015.

Upcoming Vinylmation Spotlight: Movie Based Mystery Sets

WDWNT on September 30, 2014

from DestinationVinylmation.com

This is part of a series of articles spotlighting the Vinylmation that were previewed at this year’s annual Walt Disney World Pin and Vinylmation trading and merchandise event, “The Imagination Gala.” The event was held at Epcot’s World Showplace from September 5-9, 2014. Today we look at the movie based mystery sets we will see over the coming months.

Disney Design Group artist Thomas Scott said on Sunday that the blind box mystery series is still the foundation of the hobby. At the Imagination Gala, he announced a few new blind box mystery sets based on both classic and brand new Disney films. Let’s take a look.

Peter Pan

8 Figure blind box set
Release Date: June 2015

We did not get to see much, but the artwork of half of Peter Pan’s face peeking over the side of the box is enough to hook me. (get it? hook me…) Also, knowing this series is in the hands of Caley Hicks and DDG’s best character artist Ron Cohee, I think we will be in Neverland with this set.

There are a few things I need from this series. First, a really amazing Captain Hook… WITH A HOOK ACCESSORY. I also want mermaids. Caley should be able to give us some really good ones. There are a few ways to go. I’d love a scene of Mermaid Lagoon. But a single mermaid with variants works too. Wendy, Michael and Peter are practically a given. Then there is one thing I do not want, a 3″ Tinker Bell. Not needed.

Cinderella

8 figure blind box set
Release Date: January 2015

This set wins the award for the most unnecessary one previewed at the event. We already have a great Storybook combo set of all the main characters, complete with a wonderful prince and Cinderella and perhaps one of the finest accessories of all time… a glass slipper. That said, Enrique Pita drew up some fine artwork for this Disney Store series.

I’m biased, because this film is way down on my personal favorite’s list, but if you have been collecting Vinylmation for a while, you probably have most of these figures already. Fairy Godmother may look odd with a turned head. I will say Lady Tremaine is better than the Villains version. Lucifer is spot on to his Whiskers and Tales counterpart. Then we have a Bruno who is a nice addition. Then we get to the three cindy’s. Can anyone say EACHEZ?! This is what Eachez was made for! No need for another Cinderella set. The art is cool on the Cinderellas, but it would make an amazing Eachez.

101 Dalmatians

8 figure blind box set
Release Date: December 2014

What are you thinking Enrique!? Another Disney Store release will be 101 Dalmatians. Again, not speaking to the artwork, but this is just boring. If you want to do these characters, trickle them into the Animation series.

Cruella looks great. Maybe our finest one yet. Nice artwork on Roger and Anita. But I don’t need to by blind boxes and get another Dalmatian. I have some already and I’m not good enough to tell them apart.

Big Hero 6

8 figure blind box set
Release Date: Fall 2014

This series is based on the upcoming Disney Studios animated film based on the Marvel Comics property, Big Hero 6. The movie will be released on November 7, 2014, so expect a set release date around that time. I am warming up to this film the more I see trailers, and the artwork on these figures is like nothing we have in Vinlymation. It is in an anime style and seems spot on to the comic.

VIDEO: Teaser Trailer and Poster Released for Live-Action “Cinderella”

WDWNT on June 29, 2014

A teaser trailer and poster for the live-action version of Disney’s Cinderella was released today by the Walt Disney Studios, teasing fans for the film’s March 13, 2015 release.

The story of Cinderella follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. When Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family.

Check out the new trailer here:

Directed by Kenneth Branagh, Cinderella is a live-action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale, and brings to life the timeless images from Disney’s 1950 animated masterpiece as fully-realized characters in a dazzling spectacle for a new generation.

Cinderella will be released through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on March 13, 2015.

Principal Photography Begins On Live-Action “Cinderella” Movie

WDWNT on October 29, 2013

Cinderella, a timeless story dating back to 1697 and created by Charles Perrault, has taken one more step towards becoming a live-action Disney feature film. Principal photography on Walt Disney Pictures’ Cinderella began Monday, September 23, in London at Pinewood Studios.

The live-action feature film is being directed by Kenneth Branagh, and stars Lily James as Cinderella, Richard Madden as the Prince, Cate Blanchett as Lady Tremaine, and Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother. Holliday Grainger and Sophie McShera star as the stepsisters Anastasia and Drisella, respectively, Stellan Skarsgård and Nonso Anozie play the Arch Grand Duke and the Prince’s loyal friend, the Captain. Derek Jacobi portrays the King.

According to Director Kenneth Branagh, “It is impossible to think of Cinderella without thinking of Disney and the timeless images we’ve all grown up watching. And those classic moments are irresistible to a filmmaker. With Lily James we have found our perfect Cinderella. She combines knockout beauty with intelligence, with, fun and physical grace. Her Prince is being played by Richard Madden, a young actor with incredible power and charisma. He is funny, smart and sexy and a great match for Cinderella.”

The story will follow the traditional story of Cinderella familiar to fans of the Disney animated film.