Cinderella’s Castle @ Magic Kingdom To Get A Makeover

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

When you think of Walt Disney World, chances are the most iconic image – Cinderella Castle – appears in your mind. Disney just announced this beautiful icon is getting a makeover! Check out the details below from DisneyParksBlog:

Cinderella first transformed into a princess 70 years ago this week when the animated classic was released—and ever since, her courage and kindness have been inspiring guests and cast members alike. We are excited to share that her story has inspired a bold, shimmering and royal makeover of her namesake castle at the heart of Walt Disney World Resort.

Take a look at this concept image of what the newly-enhanced Cinderella Castle will look like when work is completed:

You may notice this exciting work taking place as these stunning enhancements begin in the coming weeks, continuing through summer. But don’t worry! We’ll still get to catch all of our castle favorites like “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” and “Happily Ever After.”

Disney can’t wait to bring you along on the journey for this royal makeover of our park’s iconic centerpiece. When you visit, be sure to share your excitement with our cast members—they can’t wait to see the shimmering towers shining down on the kingdom each and every morning!

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Indiana Jones 5 To Begin Filming in 2 Months

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

While promoting his upcoming film “The Call Of The Wild”, Harrison Ford confirmed that the next “Indiana Jones” will begin filming in two months. Ford sat down with a host from CBS Sunday Morning and was asked about the challenges of returning to the same roles years later.

You can read the transcript and watch the accompanying video below of Harrison Ford on CBS Sunday This Morning.

From CBS Sunday This Morning:

CBS: When you return to roles, whether it be Han Solo or Indiana Jones, what’s the challenge for you in coming back to the same role years later.
Harrison Ford: Trying not look silly riding around in tight pants and high boots. I will give you a more appropriate answer considering that I am about to start doing Indiana Jones in about two months. I’m always delighted to come back to these characters. (The reason why) we have the opportunity to make another is because people have enjoyed them. I feel obliged to make sure that our efforts are as ambitious as they were when we started. You have a sense of responsibilities to your customers. I think of the people that go to my movies more as customers than I do as fans. Fans always felt weird to me. The fact that these people support my business and I’m responsible to them for the quality of the service that that I offer. That feels better to me.

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“Queen of Katwe” Actress Dies at 15

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

We’re sad to share, Nikita Pearl Waligwa, an actor who appeared in Disney’s biographical drama “Queen of Katwe,” has died, according to BBC and the Ugandan newspaper Daily Monitor. She was 15. Here are the details below from NBCNews.com.

Waligwa had been diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2016 and seemed to recover a year later. However, in 2019, another tumor was found. “Queen of Katwe” director Mira Nair helped organize efforts to fund Waligwa’s treatment during filming, according to BBC.

The young actor played a girl named Gloria in “Queen of Katwe.” She was a close friend of main character Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga), and taught her how to play chess. The film told the real-life story of Mutesi who is one of Uganda’s most successful chess players. She won three Ugandan Women’s Junior Championship and has represented the country at four international chess olympiads.

Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo also starred in the film. They played Mutesi’s mother and chess teacher. Waligwa was in her senior year at Gayaza High School at the time of her death.

Mulan Movie Success Could Be Altered By Coronovirus Epidemic in CHina

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

We have March 27 on our calendar as we gear up to hit the theaters to watch the live-action remake of Mulan. Mulan isn’t only an anticipated success here in the United States, but was supposed to be an especially successful film in China. Sadly, the coronavirus may be altering that prediction. Here are the details below from New Year CNN Business:

Disney’s theme park business in China has already been rocked by the coronavirus outbreak. Its box office hopes in the country could be next.

The company is preparing to release “Mulan” — its live-action remake of the beloved 1998 animated film about a Chinese warrior woman — in North America on March 27.

The film cost $200 million to make and was expected to make a big splash in China. But the country, which is also the world’s second-biggest movie market behind the United States, has been thrown into turmoil by the public health crisis.

More than 1,300 people are dead and more than 60,000 have been infected, mostly in mainland China. The outbreak has forced the closure of businesses all over the country, including cinemas. While some companies have started to reopen this week, many others remain closed. Disney’s theme parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong, for example, have been shuttered until further notice.

It’s not clear when “Mulan” will make its debut in China. Release dates for films in the country are set by the Chinese government, rather than studios, so they are often confirmed just weeks before a film is set to open. Disney CEO Bob Iger told CNBC earlier this month that while the film will eventually be released there, “at this point, we’re not sure when.”

“All of the movie companies that are expecting to distribute movies coming up in China obviously are impacted by this,” Iger said. “The bigger issue on everybody’s mind, the bigger concern, is what’s going on with this virus and how far will it go in terms of its impact on people.”

A Disney (DIS) spokesperson said that the studio is monitoring the situation closely.

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New Monorail System @ WDW Seems Unlikely Right Now

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

In an unfortunate piece of news, it looks as if Bombardier, the makers of the Mark VI monorails at Walt Disney World, is in talks to sell their rail division to Alstom. Bombardier Transportation, the rail division of the company, makes subway cars, trains, and yes, monorails.

This news comes on the heels of the announcement that Bombardier would be mostly getting out of the aviation business with the sale of their stake of the a220 program. Bombardier currently has billions of dollars in debt and has been trying to restructure its core business.

What this sale of Bombardier Transportation to Alstom means for Disney fans is that there could be a delay in the rumored new monorail fleet for Walt Disney World. While Alstom is experienced in building trains and other rolling stock, it is unknown if the firm would see monorails as a core focus. In addition, mergers and acquisitions often have a lag period of a year or more that can disrupt current projects, like a new Walt Disney World monorail fleet.

Image result for disney monorail

The sale of Bombardier Transportation isn’t official as of yet, but considering Bombardier has already announced other divestitures in recent months, a sale seems imminent.