Disney’s “Frozen” Earns More Than $1 Billion Worldwide

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

Hot on the heels of its Academy Award® wins for Best Animated Feature and Original Song (Let It Go), the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 53rd feature film, Frozen, surpassed the $1 billion worldwide box office mark. Frozen is now the biggest non-sequel animated film ever released and the second biggest animated film of all time globally.

Frozen Logo

To date, Frozen has earned an estimated $388.8 million domestically and $611.5 million internationally for a global title of $1,000.3 million. It is Disney’s 7th release to reach the $1 billion mark. Previously, Marvel’s The Avengers and Iron Man 3, Disney’s second and fourth installments of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3, and Disney’s Alice in Wonderland had reached the $1 billion box office receipt level.

“With Frozen, we knew we had something truly special on our hands, and it has connected with fans and filmgoers around the world in a way we only dreamed was possible,” said Alan Horn, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios. “Animation is the cornerstone of our company, and thanks to the vision, dedication, and talent of our tremendous cast and filmmaking team, Disney Animation has come roaring back with a new classic for fans of all ages.”

Embraced by audiences and critics alike, Frozen is the first animated feature Oscar® win for Walt Disney Animation Studios in the category’s 13-year history. Frozen has also won Golden Globe®, BAFTA, Critics’ Choice, and Producers Guild of America awards for best animated film, five Annie Awards, and four Visual Effects Society Awards, among many other honors. The film is directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee.

Frozen opened wide domestically on November 27, 2013, following a five-day exclusive engagement at Disney’s El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles. It became the #1 all-time Thanksgiving debut with a $93.6 million five-day gross. It was Walt Disney Animation Studios’ biggest opening ever and has remained in the top 10 films at the domestic box office for all 14 weeks of its wide release, the longest run by any film in four years.

Internationally, Frozen is the biggest animated film released by The Walt Disney Studios in more than 25 territories, and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ biggest release in over 50 territories.

Frozen’s soundtrack has performed just as spectacularly as the film has. The Platinum-certified soundtrack, featuring songs by Tony Award® winner Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez and a score by Christophe Beck, returned to the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 album chart last week for a fifth time, the first soundtrack to do so since 1998. It entered the chart’s top five in early January and has been #1 or #2 for eight consecutive weeks. It also hit #1 on iTunes’ Overall Album Chart in 31 countries including the U.S. The Oscar®-winning song “Let It Go,” performed by Tony Award winner Idina Menzel, who voices Elsa in the film, is also certified Platinum and last week reached #18 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.

Frozen is still available in theaters in 2D, 3D and Sing-A-Long and is now available on Digital HD & 3D. It will be released on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD & On Demand on March 18.

 

PHOTOS: An In-Depth Look at the Festival of Fantasy Parade Debut at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

WDWNT Reporters Joe Hogarty, Dirk Wallen, and Nick LoCicero were all on the scene for the debut of Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade at the Magic Kingdom yesterday and have nearly 300 photos of the parade to share with us of this new daily spectacle:

Needless to say, the parade was stunning. We’ll have a full review of the parade on this week’s WDW News Today Podcast and talk all about it in depth, including the cool details you should look for when you see it.

Full parade video will be shared this afternoon once we get it uploaded.

Frozen Meet and Greet with Anna and Elsa Moving to Magic Kingdom April 20

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

It’s no secret that the meant-to-be-temporary Frozen meet and greet in the Norway pavilion at Epcot ended up a huge success with lines ranging anywhere up to 4 or 5 hours in length sometimes, so with the hotter months in central Florida coming up fast and the lengthy queue being outdoors, Disney seems to have decided a move to the Magic Kingdom is the best solution to the problem…

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Starting April 20th, Walt Disney World’s website has listed that you can meet Anna and Elsa as well as a visiting princess at Magic Kingdom’s Princess Fairytale Hall.

Screen Shot 2014-03-12 at 8.57.17 PMIt appears Rapunzel and Cinderella will be paired off in the second meet and greet inside the hall. Obviously, Disney has not entered any more information on the meet and greet as there are not even pictures or a description of the attraction on the site yet, but it seems they are getting ready by adding it to the entertainment schedule.

Now, whether or not this is a permanent addition remains to be seen. Rumors indicate further modifications could be on the way to Norway to make room for a larger Frozen meet and greet with an indoor queue (as well as a Frozen attraction somewhere down the line). So, for just how long Anna and Elsa take over a room at Fairytale Hall remains to be seen.

It’s also worth noting that Princess Fairytale Hall features nods to all 11 Disney princesses that existed prior to its opening in 2013. There are currently no references to Frozen’s 2 princesses anywhere in the building. I’m curious to see if some decorative shields or portraits of the sisters end up there sometime soon…

Until any announcement from Disney, this meet and greet is purely speculation, but this slip by the official site makes it highly likely.

UPDATE: Disney has confirmed these changes will be taking place starting April 20th, 2014. The Norway meet and greet will be discontinued at that time, but it is unclear what will come of the shop space that was converted for the meet and greet.

“Frozen” Becomes Highest-Grossing Animated Film Of All Time

WDWNT on March 31, 2014

Over this past weekend, Disney’s Frozen surpassed a benchmark previously reached by only seven of the Walt Disney Studios’ animated feature film – it earned $1,072 million ($1.07 Billion) worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing animated film of all time, and also entered the list of the top 10 biggest films of all time. Frozen has earned an estimated $398.4 million at the domestic box office and $674 million internationally.

Along with being the first billion-dollar film for the Walt Disney Animation Studios, it is its first film to earn the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature. Frozen opened in wide release domestically on November 27, 2013, and posted the #1 all-time Thanksgiving debut ($93.6M five-day, $67.4M three-day) and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ biggest opening ever. It stayed in the top 10 films at the domestic box office for 16 consecutive weeks, the longest run by any film since 2002.

Internationally, Frozen is the biggest Disney or Pixar animated film of all time in 27 territories. It is alo Disney’s biggest release of all time in Korea, as well as the highest-grossing animated film of all time in Denmark and Venezuela. Since its debut March 14 in Japan, Frozen has claimed the #1 spot in its first three weekends and continues to play strongly with an estimated $50.5 million to date.

Frozen was released on digital February 25 and on disc March 18, and has become the fastest-selling digital release ever and sold over 3.2 million Blu-ray/DVD units in its first day, putting it on track to be one of the biggest home entertainment sellers in a decade.

The film’s Platinum-certified soundtrack returned to the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 album chart last week for a seventh time with more than 1.6 million copies and over 5 million individual tracks sold. The Oscar®-winning song “Let It Go” has sold over 2.6 million copies, and the film clip of the song has racked up over 160 million views on YouTube.

Frozen is still available in theaters in 2D, 3D and Sing-A-Long, as well as on Digital HD & 3D, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, and On Demand.

 

 

6 Weeks Later, Disney Frozen Stays In 1st Place!

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

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Six weeks later, Disney’s animated feature Frozen is once again holding strong at the first spot at the box office. The domestic box office for the weekend ending January 5 is estimated at $20.72 million. The films domestic total will soon cross $300 million as Frozen’s global box office total soars to nearly $640 million.

Frozen was recently also nominated for a Golden Globe for best animated feature bringing even more attention to the film. With upcoming releases in Asia, the film is expected to reach even higher box office dollars worldwide, and projections speculate it could be up to $900 million.

Source: TV Media Insights

New Sing-Along Version Of Frozen To Hit Theaters

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

Response of movie-goers to Disney’s Frozen has triggered the release of a sing-along version of the Oscar®-nominated, Golden Globe®-winning adventure beginning January 31, 2014. Frozen audiences are invited to join the act—literally—as more than 1000 theaters will exhibit the new version.

Frozen Logo

“Frozen fans have embraced the film’s original songs and its soundtrack with such passion—there are countless YouTube videos from people singing songs like ‘Let It Go’—we decided to create a version that would celebrate that enthusiasm,” said Dave Hollis, executive vice president, theatrical distribution, The Walt Disney Studios. “It’s a great opportunity for families to get together and have some fun with these songs.”

According to Hollis, on-screen lyrics and a magical bouncing snowflake will accompany select showings; moviegoers can check local listings for showtimes and theaters. The duration of the sing-along run will vary by theater.

At Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre, the Frozen sing-along version will include appearances from the movie’s Elsa prior to each showing, plus snow flurries inside the theater. Showtimes are at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Frozen has received two Oscar® nominations: best animated feature and best original song (“Let It Go”). The film won a Golden Globe® for best animated feature, two Critics Choice Movie Awards, including best animated feature and best song (“Let It Go”), and a Producers Guild of America Award for outstanding animated feature.

Frozen was released November 27, and posted the number 1 all-time Thanksgiving debut and the largest opening ever for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film. Disney’s 53rd feature film has earned more than $773 million worldwide, including $337 million domestically. The film’s soundtrack was No. 1 in the Billboard top 200 for two straight weeks.

Frozen will be released in Digital HD & 3D February 25 and on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD & On-Demand March 18, the home version of Frozen will contain never-before-seen bonus extras to complement the film’s gorgeous animation, memorable characters and unforgettable music.

Check your local theater listings for showtimes of the sing-along version of Frozen.

VIDEO: New “Frozen” Sing-Along Clip Released

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

For those Frozen fans out there that can’t wait another minute for the sing-along version of Disney’s Oscar®-nominated, Golden Globe®-winning big-screen adventure Frozen to be released on Friday, January 31, Disney has released a sneak peek of the upcoming fun.

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Releasing in more than 2,000 theaters nationwide, the all-new sing-along version will feature on-screen lyrics and a magical bouncing snowflake during select showings; moviegoers can check local listings for showtimes and theaters.

Check out the sneak peek that Disney released today:

Tickets can be purchased by visiting the following sites:

http://www.movietickets.com/movie/mid/179887

http://www.fandango.com/frozensingalong_170590/movieoverview/

If you go see this special version of Frozen, let us know what your experience was like in the comments below!

Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith of Seattle Seahawks “Goes to Disney World” to the Tune of Frozen’s Idina Menzel

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

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The victory atmosphere moved south from New Jersey to Walt Disney World Resort Monday where Seattle Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith celebrated his team’s stunning Super Bowl XLVIII championship win as thousands of fans lined Main Street, U.S.A. Just hours after his title win against the Denver Broncos, Smith was riding high atop a convertible smiling and waving to guests at Walt Disney World Resort.

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Flashing lights, a whirlwind of fluttering confetti, balloons and Mickey Mouse himself accompanied the Super Bowl MVP down the famous street at the Magic Kingdom. It was a remarkable dream come true for Smith, who went from being the last player the Seahawks drafted in 2011 (No. 242 overall) to the hero of the Super Bowl. In the frenzied moments following his team capturing the National Football League championship Sunday night in New Jersey, Smith stood in front of a TV camera and shouted five words that have become an almost iconic reaction to milestone achievement: “I’m going to Disney World!”

The commercial aired Monday morning and is the 47th of a series that began in 1987 following Super Bowl XXI featuring New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms.  The campaign pays tribute to personal achievements of athletes and celebrities and continues to be an iconic celebration as only Disney can do.

This year’s commercial marks a “Frozen” first. Idina Menzel, who voiced Elsa in Disney’s Academy Award®-nominated animated feature film “Frozen,” sings the traditional “When You Wish Upon a Star” to accompany the iconic ad. Menzel, who performs the Academy Award®-nominated hit song “Let It Go” in the film and the all-new hit “Frozen” soundtrack, becomes the first contemporary artist to perform “When You Wish Upon a Star” in the Disney Parks Super Bowl ad. She recorded the vocal track in New York City on Jan. 26, 2014 and it was paired with the orchestral track recorded the previous week at London’s famed Abbey Road Studios.

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Photos by Joe Hogarty of WDWNT.com

WDWNT: The Magazine – The “Festival of Fantasy” Heads to Walt Disney World

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

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Since 1971, the Walt Disney World Resort has delighted guests with many memorable parades. Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park is the quintessential home for these theatrical shows which incorporate beloved Disney characters and movies. There have been little-known daytime parades in the past such as the Surprise Celebration, and widely-known night-time parades such as SpectroMagic; each had the responsibility of entertaining Magic Kingdom visitors for their respective periods of time. Now that the most recently running daytime parade, Celebrate a Dream Come True, has ended, its long-anticipated replacement, Festival of Fantasy Parade, is set to make its debut next month.

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Spectro Magic Parade

Many devoted fans of Walt Disney World will argue that the greatest Disney parade of all time was SpectroMagic. This show encompassed all that typically comes to mind when the word “Disney” is mentioned. Full of excitement, sparkling lights, Disney characters, and an enchanting musical score, this adored parade seemed to fit its role perfectly.

Main Street Electrical Parade

Main Street Electrical Parade

Leaving the Magic Kingdom in 2010 to be replaced by the currently active Main Street Electrical Parade, Disney stated that SpectroMagic would eventually make its return. In the summer of 2013, Disney extinguished any hopes for this parade to once again be a part of the experience of the Magic Kingdom, which shocked its fans. Although the ‘Electrical Parade’ is still greatly loved by guests, it has been unable to reach the extremely high level of success that SpectroMagic attained with guests. Now with the Festival of Fantasy Parade on its way to the Magic Kingdom, one can only wonder if the void left by SpectroMagic will soon be filled.

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Festival of Fantasy will be a daytime spectacular with visually stunning and elaborate floats. Through images and the above video released by Disney, we know that the float designs will include the movies Brave, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Tangled, The Little Mermaid, Fantasia, Dumbo, and Pinocchio. To the delight of the many Frozen fans, characters Anna and Elsa have been announced to be on the “Princess Garden” float.

Given that the Festival of Fantasy Parade is themed according to New Fantasyland, there is limitless creativity to be incorporated in the design of the costumes. New techniques used by the creative costuming team, such as 3D printing and 3D origami, give a unique overall appearance to the performers’ costumes. In comparison to costumes seen in other Walt Disney World parades, the remarkably innovative styles seen in the Festival of Fantasy are unprecedented. This modern look that appears throughout the entertainers’ attire and the floats is similar in style to that of Tokyo Disneyland’s Happiness is Here Parade. The modernization of both parades shows a growing trend in Disney productions to radiate contemporary feelings while simultaneously satisfying audiences by the use of cutting-edge technology and designs.

What has been your favorite Disney parade?  What are you looking forward to seeing in the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade?

Here is a sneak peak that Disney shared with us on the upcoming parade:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AW9w0o7kAM]

 

In memory of a fellow Disney fan and friend, Monique Tartt (1995-2014)