WDW Daily News

The United Kingdom pavilion will welcome the first attraction inspired by Mary Poppins. Guests will step in time down Cherry Tree Lane past Admiral Boom’s house, then enter Number 17, home of the Banks family, where their adventure will begin

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be the first “other-world” showcase pavilion at Epcot. The adventure starts in the “Galaxarium,” a planetarium-like exhibition that explores the similarities and mysteries of the formation of Earth’s galaxy and Xandar. Guests will be invited to learn more about the treasures Xandar has to share – until the moment when the Guardians of the Galaxy arrive, and adventures across the cosmos ensue. The attraction will feature a new innovation from Walt Disney Imagineering – a storytelling coaster that rotates 360 degrees to focus guests on the action, including the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster.

A Star Wars Voyage Unlike Any Other 
Guests are eagerly awaiting the immersive Star Wars vacation experience coming to Walt Disney World Resort. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will be a glamorous ship – the Halcyon – where every window features stellar views into space. Guests will embark together on a two-night adventure that includes special activities, incredible dining, and a “spaceport” day on Batuu at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, inviting guests even deeper into their own Star Warsstories.

 Last evening at a special member celebration at Disney California Adventure® Park during D23 Expo weekend, Disney Movie Rewards announced their new name and program, Disney Movie Insiders.

Launched in 2006, Disney Movie Rewards has delighted fans of Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios, and Star Wars movies with great rewards and one-of-a-kind experiences like touring The Walt Disney Studios lot and Walt Disney’s office. Recognizing the value of connecting 1:1 with their biggest movie fans, Disney has been reimagining the Disney Movie Rewards program to provide more personalized and engaging experiences and evolve how they interact with their members.

On September 26, 2019, Disney Movie Rewards will become Disney Movie Insiders, a place where new fans and super fans unite. The announcement teased a few of the new program features as well as a mobile app, and has promised more to come. Members will be able to watch trailers and special content about upcoming movies, buy movie tickets directly, have more ways to earn and redeem points for amazing rewards, get Insiders access to special perks and sweepstakes, and play various interactive experiences on the new mobile app.

For more information and updates, check out: www.disneymovierewards.com/update
#DisneyMovieInsiders

The Walt Disney Studios—including studio leaders and filmmakers from Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, Disney live action, Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios—wowed an audience of nearly 7,000 this morning at D23 Expo 2019 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. Alan Horn, co-chairman and chief creative officer, The Walt Disney Studios—joined by Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy, Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige, Disney live action’s Sean Bailey, Pixar’s Pete Docter and Disney Animation’s Jennifer Lee—offered guests a captivating look at Disney’s upcoming film slate, including never-before-seen footage and a host of stars, plus a spectacular performance from “Frozen 2” voice cast members Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad.  

“You’re not just fans, you’re family,” said Horn to the packed room. “It’s because of you that we keep working so hard to make great movies, and we love D23 Expo because it’s where we can share them with you first.” 

The presentation included the following highlights.

LUCASFILM
President of Lucasfilm Kathleen Kennedy and “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” director/writer/producer J.J. Abrams showcased the riveting conclusion to the Skywalker saga. Kennedy and Abrams revved up the audience, introducing nine stars from the film—many of whom marked this as their first D23 Expo appearance: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran and Billy Dee Williams, plus special appearances from R2-D2, BB-8 and the new droid D-O. A brand-new poster was revealed—and gifted to the entire audience. And all were given a look back at the incredible legacy of Star Warsstorytelling and treated to a sneak peek of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” which opens in U.S. theaters on Dec. 20, 2019.

MARVEL STUDIOS
Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, kicked off his presentation with a surprise visit from “Black Panther” director and co-writer Ryan Coogler. Together, they revealed that “Black Panther 2” (working title) will hit U.S. theaters on May 6, 2022.

Feige segued to next year’s “The Eternals,”inviting cast members from the much-anticipated film to the stage: Richard Madden, who portrays the all-powerful Ikaris; Kumail Nanjiani, who plays cosmic-powered Kingo; Lauren Ridloff, who portrays the super-fast Makkari, the first deaf hero in the MCU; Brian Tyree Henry, who plays the intelligent inventor Phastos; Salma Hayek, who plays the wise and spiritual leader Ajak; Lia McHugh, who portrays the eternally young, old-soul Sprite; Don Lee, who plays the powerful Gilgamesh; and Angelina Jolie, who stars as the fierce warrior Thena. Feige revealed concept art images of each character, and announced three new cast members and their characters: Gemma Chan, who plays humankind-loving Sersi; Kit Harington, who was cast as non-Eternal Dane Whitman, and Barry Keoghan, who portrays aloof loner Druig, and was on hand for the event. Directed by Chloé Zhao, who helmed the critically acclaimed Sundance film “The Rider,” “The Eternals” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 6, 2020.

Feige concluded with “Black Widow,” the Cate Shortland-directed first film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which hits U.S. theaters on May 1, 2020. Feige shared a pre-recorded greeting featuring stars Scarlett Johansson, who reprises her role of Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow; David Harbour, who was cast as Alexei the Red Guardian; and Florence Pugh, who plays Yelena. The audience was also treated to an exclusive look at the upcoming film.

Marvel Animation & Family Entertainment announced today during their panel at Disney’s D23 Expo, a new original animated series for Disney Junior, “Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends.” Geared toward preschoolers and their families, the series is set to debut in 2021 and will be the first full-length Marvel series for the Disney Junior audience.

Our favorite neighborhood web-slinger is used to working solo, but now Peter Parker must discover what it takes to become a truly amazing super hero: being a spider friend who works well with others. Together with his friends Miles Morales and Gwen AKA Ghost-Spider, they will team up with heroes such as Hulk, Black Panther and Ms. Marvel, to defeat evil foes and learn that teamwork is the best way to save the day.

“Preschool kids already love Spidey, so they’ll be delighted to have Peter Parker thwipping across their screens in this new series” said Cort Lane, senior vice president, Marvel Animation & Family Entertainment. He added, “Everyone at Marvel is thrilled to launch our first preschool series on Disney Junior, the gold standard platform for the audience. We believe parents and kids will be excited about these stories filled with themes of friendship, cooperation, solving problems and using your abilities to help others.”

Joe D’Ambrosia, senior vice president, Original Programming and General Manager, Disney Junior said “We’re thrilled to be working with Marvel on this new series showcasing the exciting adventures of Spidey and his friends as they model the importance of teamwork and helping others in their community. This is the perfect series to introduce preschoolers to the super hero powers of friendship and working together to help others in need.”

“Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends” is executive produced by Alan Fine (“Marvel’s The Avengers”), Joe Quesada (“Marvel’s Avengers Assemble”), Dan Buckley (“Marvel’s Spider-Man”), Cort Lane (“Ultimate Spider-Man”), and Eric Radomski (“Marvel’s Avengers Assemble”); co-executive produced by Marsha Griffin (“Marvel’s Spider-Man”), and supervising producer Harrison Wilcox (“Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy”). Alfred Gimeno (“Marvel Rising”) serves as supervising animation producer, and Ashley Mendoza (“PJ Masks”) as story editor.

For a limited time, Walt Disney Presents at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® is celebrating “The Eternals” and Jack Kirby, the creator of the popular comic book series. 

Beginning today, Guests visiting “The Eternals” – Jack Kirby’s Cosmic Series can catch a glimpse of the original print issue #1 comic book that started it all.  Unique photos and artifacts inspired by Jack’s process will be on display.  And, this cosmic experience also includes a photo wall where your Clients can pose with a few of the many characters from ‘The Eternals’ comic series.  

Every year comic book fans around the globe honor the late Disney Legend, Jack “King” Kirby on his birthday, August 28^th.  What a great way to celebrate this year!  

The D23 Expo Pavilion will also feature many of the attractions and lands coming to our sites around the world including TRON Lightcycle Run coming to Magic Kingdom® Park, as well as additional expansions in Tokyo and Hong Kong. Here’s a quick look inside:

We’re excited to share that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has been named one of TIME Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2019. This annual list recognizes 100 destinations around the world that are breaking new ground, leading industry trends and offering Guests an experience that’s unlike any other.

Since opening at Disneyland® Resort on May 31, 2019,  Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge visitors have been transported to a galaxy far, far away as they visit the largest single-themed land in Disney parks’ history. The land has quickly become a Guest favorite, with visitors raving about the many immersive experiences to explore on the remote planet of Batuu, including blasting across the galaxy aboard Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – already one of the Disneyland Resort’s top-rated attractions that recently welcomed the one millionth member of Hondo Ohnaka’s flight crew!

TIME Magazine measured the land across quality, originality, innovation, sustainability and influence, and as we countdown to the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World® Resort on Aug. 29, 2019,  we look forward to giving even more of you the opportunity to explore the experience-based storytelling of this one-of-a-kind land.