From Space Mountain’s backwards architecture to Tinker Bell’s secrets of flying, there are plenty of insider-y tidbits to know about Disney’s parks.
New Art Exhibition Comes to Epcot American Adventure Gallery This Summer
For some countries, that includes an exhibition of authentic cultural art. There have been recent updates to the art gallery in Mexico, and more exciting work is underway to refresh the gallery in Norway.
Also coming this summer to the American Heritage Gallery at The American Adventure is a brand new exhibition called “Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art”.
“Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art” is made possible through the collaboration of the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in Washington, D.C.
Among the featured artists with works on display are fashion designer Loren Aragon (Acoma Pueblo), noted doll maker Glenda McKay (Ingalik-Athabascan), and Juanita Growing Thunder (Assiniboine Sioux) from the Growing Thunder family of Montana.
As with other exhibitions that have graced the American Heritage Gallery, this new exhibition will feature interactive elements, where some of the artists will share the creative process and inspirations behind their works in their own words.
Stay tuned for updates to all the of the art exhibitions at Epcot, including an opening date for “Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art.”
“Return to Sleepy Hollow” at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground Begins September 28
We’re excited to share that “Return to Sleepy Hollow” offering is coming back this fall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and you can book this experience now!
Like last season, “Return to Sleepy Hollow” includes a group viewing of the 1949 Disney animated classic film “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” inside the resort’s historic Tri-Circle-D Ranch stables. And during event nights, you’ll be able to see galloping ghosts and experience an up close and personal encounter with the Headless Horseman.
The “Return to Sleepy Hollow” begins on September 28 at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground: Sept. 28-30, Oct. 3-7, Oct. 10-14, 17-21, 24-31 at 8 and 10 p.m.
Also, new this year, we’re offering a dessert party at 9 p.m. after the movie if you are viewing the 8 p.m. show or prior to the movie if you’re viewing the later show.
This experience can be reserved by calling 407-WDW-TOUR. General seating costs $22 per person, while premium seating, which includes a priority photo opportunity with the Headless Horseman and a Halloween treat bag, costs $38 per person. And the dessert party at 9 p.m. costs $60 per person.
Space is extremely limited for this offering – so, hurry and book now!
Video – Star Wars: The Last Jedi | Luke’s Internal Struggle
Director Rian Johnson discusses the challenges facing Luke Skywalker in the exclusive bonus documentary, “The Director and the Jedi.” Watch it today when you bring home Star Wars: The Last Jedi on Digital, Movies Anywhere & 4K UHD: http://strw.rs/6008Dumas
Video – Star Wars: The Last Jedi | Yoda Visits Luke
During a moment of crisis, Luke Skywalker receives a visit from an unexpected visitor in this clip from Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Now available on Digital, Movies Anywhere & 4K UHD:
ALL OF DISNEY’S WONDERFUL WORLDS COME TOGETHER AT D23 EXPO—THE ULTIMATE DISNEY FAN EVENT— AUGUST 23–25, 2019, IN ANAHEIM, CALIF.
All the magic and excitement of the past, present, and future of Disney entertainment will come together once again when D23: The Official Disney Fan Club presents D23 Expo 2019 at the Anaheim Convention Center the weekend of August 23–25. Each of Disney’s magical worlds—including Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars—will unite under one roof to celebrate what’s new and what’s on the horizon from Disney theme parks, television, music, products, and films.
Highlights planned for D23 Expo include more than 50 shows, presentations, and panels, including the Disney Legends Ceremony, which honors the talented men and women who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy; an all-new exhibit curated by the Walt Disney Archives; a daily parade down the middle of the show floor; D23 Expo’s costume contest, Mousequerade, showcasing the most creative designs by fans; and the D23 Expo Design Challenge. (Details on the Design Challenge and Mousequerade will be forthcoming.)
D23 Expo 2019 will feature a massive show floor full of immersive experiences and special opportunities to see what’s next for Disney around the world—and guests may run into their favorite Disney stars, characters, Imagineers, animators, and filmmakers. Guests can enjoy numerous shopping opportunities with D23 Expo-exclusive collectibles and more at an assortment of Disney and partner merchants, including the D23 Expo Emporium, where Disney fans can buy, sell, and trade Disney collectibles, memorabilia, merchandise, and more. All of the popular presentation venues will return, including Hall D23, the Expo Arena, Stage 28, and Center Stage.
D23’s sixth Expo follows the success of D23 Expo 2017, which drew tens of thousands of Disney fans for three star-studded days and nights. Guests were treated to appearances by such celebrities as Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Whoopi Goldberg, Jordan Fisher, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Hamill, Kristen Bell, Chris Hemsworth, Mandy Moore, and the stars of Disney’s Descendants. Guests had the chance to take a jump into a life-sized DuckTales money bin; were the first to see a full-scale model of Galaxy’s Edge, the Star Wars-themed land coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts; and were able to enjoy a full-length concert from Disney Legend Alan Menken. They also enjoyed a look back at Disney’s rich history through extraordinary panels, presentations, and exhibits and discovered the newest entertainment, technology, and products coming from Disney.
Tickets for D23 Expo 2019 will go on sale at D23expo.com beginning August 23, 2018. Special pricing on both one- and three-day tickets to the event—including an Early Bird Discount—will be exclusively available to D23 Gold Members. Additional special benefits will also be available to D23 Gold and Charter Members at the 2019 Expo. D23 Gold Members will also have an opportunity to purchase the Sorcerer Package, which provides a host of special benefits and amenities. Ticket prices will be announced later this summer.
About D23 Expo
D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, products, theme parks, and celebrities. Presentations, talent, and schedules are subject to change. For the latest D23 Expo news, visit D23expo.com. To join the D23 Expo conversation, make sure to follow @DisneyD23 on Twitter and use #D23Expo.
About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney with member-exclusive discounts; a collectible annual member gift; special events around the country; its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a member-exclusive website at D23.com; and access to the latest breaking Disney news and exciting opportunities throughout the year.
Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($74.99), Gold Family Membership ($99.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com and at shopDisney.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi – Concept Art – Bonus Content Featuring Luke and Yoda
Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi—the next action-packed chapter of the Star Wars saga— Earned critical acclaim and the No. 1 spot atop 2017’s list of highest-grossing films. The visually stunning film welcomes the return of original characters, including Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, Yoda, R2-D2 and C-3PO and further explores the deepening journey of the saga’s new members, Rey, Finn, Poe, and Kylo Ren. Now families can bring home the movie digitally in HD and 4K Ultra HD™ and via Movies Anywhere on March 13, two weeks before the 4K Ultra HD™ Blu-ray, and Blu-ray™ disc on March 27. This release also marks Disney’s first title available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc in both Dolby Vision™ HDR and Dolby Atmos® immersive audio, delivering consumers a transformative viewing experience.
Seth Engstrom (Artist) / (c) Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM., All Rights Reserved
Director Rian Johnson takes fans on an intimate journey into the creation of Star Wars: The Last Jedi in a feature-length documentary, explaining his unique interpretation of the Force, detailing the painstaking process of creating Snoke, and deconstructing action-packed scenes from the film such as the epic space battle and the final confrontation. Johnson also reveals two exclusive scenes, featuring Andy Serkis as Snoke prior to his digital makeover, as well as 14 never-before-seen deleted scenes, in addition to his audio commentary.
Seth Engstrom (Artist) / (c) Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM., All Rights Reserved
Bonus features include*:
- The Director and the Jedi – Go deep behind the scenes with writer-director Rian Johnson on an intimate and personal journey through the production of the movie—and experience what it’s like to helm a global franchise and cultural phenomenon.
- Balance of the Force – Explore the mythology of the Force and why Rian Johnson chose to interpret its role in such a unique way.
- Scene Breakdowns
o Lighting the Spark: Creating the Space Battle – Get a close-up look at the epic space battle, from the sounds that help propel the action, through the practical and visual effects, to the characters who bring it all to life.
o Snoke and Mirrors – Motion capture and Star Wars collide as the filmmakers take us through the detailed process of creating the movie’s malevolent master villain.
o Showdown on Crait – Break down everything that went into creating the stunning world seen in the movie’s final confrontation, including the interplay between real-word locations and visual effects, reimagining the walkers, designing the crystal foxes, and much more.
- Andy Serkis Live! (One Night Only) – Writer-director Rian Johnson presents two exclusive sequences from the movie featuring Andy Serkis’ riveting, raw on-set performance before his digital makeover into Snoke.
- Deleted Scenes – With an introduction and optional commentary by writer-director Rian Johnson.
- Audio Commentary – View the movie with in-depth feature audio commentary by writer-director Rian Johnson.
* Digital bonus offerings may vary by retailer.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is packaged several ways to ensure fans get the most out of their in-home viewing experience. The Multiscreen Edition (formerly the Blu-ray Combo Pack) includes Blu-ray, and a Digital copy, giving viewers the flexibility to watch the film on different devices. Those with 4K Ultra HD capability may opt for a 4K UHD Collector’s Edition, including 4K Ultra HD disc with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, Blu-ray disc, and a digital copy (where available). Dolby Vision delivers greater brightness and contrast, as well as a fuller palette of rich colors. Dolby Atmos places and moves audio anywhere in the room, including overhead. Together on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc, viewers will practically feel the Force in their own home.
Everything You Can Expect When Disney World Finally Opens Toy Story Land
There will be plenty of familiar faces when Walt Disney World opens Toy Story Land on June 30, but there’s more to look forward to than Woody, Buzz and the rest of Andy’s cherished belongings.
STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI Blu-Ray Review
Attention all Star Wars fans…..STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI will be released in Blu-Ray and Digital formats on March 27! The famous saga continues with some of our favorite characters like Luke Skywalker, General (Princess) Leia, Chewbaca, and C-3PO plus our new heroes Rey, Finn, and Poe. For those of us who literally grew up with the legendary icons, it was awesome to see them on the big screen once again.
I was only 6 years old when Star Wars: A New Hope (what I call the first Star Wars) was in theaters so to have a memory of when Luke and Leia first met was amazing while watching the incredibly moving scene when they meet again so many years later. Both characters are older and have been through literal battles, but the chemistry is still there. In the bonus The Directory and the Jedi there is behind-the-scenes footage of the filming of this scene. If you don’t get goosebumps and the chills then you are not a true fan, especially knowing this was Carrie Fisher’s final role before her death. As soon as the opening music starts, you know you will be in for an adventure through the galaxy that entertains generations.
From youngsters who are getting into the franchise for the first time to those who have watched every feature film and all of the animated series, no one will be disappointed. STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is a must-see while we await the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. To be able to be immersed in the world we have only seen on the screen will be an experience like no other. While you wait for its debut in 2019, decide if you will be part of the Resistance or if you will join Kylo Ren and the First Order. If you are like me, you will want to watch the movie over and over.
Be sure to spend some time with the Blu-Ray Bonus Extras. I loved The Director and the Jedi-Full Length Documentary. I am a sucker for behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and crew. Director and writer Rian Johnson looked like he had so much fun making this movie. Be sure to keep an eye out for the clip when Johnson goes over to Mark Hamill and quietly shares the title STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI with him. It is such a touching moment between the star and the director. I also enjoyed Andy Serkis Live! (One Night Only). We rarely get to see this incredible actor as himself because he is such an expert at motion capture acting. In this Bonus Extra we get the chance to watch Serkis in raw on-set performances before he gets digitally changed into Supreme Leader Snoke. It is so cool to see the acting, even if he is covered with white dots.
STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI has all of the action, adventure, and emotion that we have come to expect with the franchise. Add the Blu-Ray to your collection and the force is sure to be with you.
31 Disney Character Names Parents Are Giving Their Babies
Disney movies are so popular that they are inspiring thousands of new parents. After “Frozen” premiered in 2013, the number of newborns named Elsa in the U.S. doubled ― from 566 in 2012 to 1,138 the following year. The number of baby Moanas increased from 18 in 2015 to 56 in 2016, the year Disney released the film of the same name.
