New Disney Book Celebrating the “Women of Imagineering” – October 13th

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Disney Parks fans around the world have enjoyed their work. Soon, you’ll be able to read their stories.

Disney Editions is set to release a new book, Women of Imagineering: 12 Careers, 12 Theme Parks, Countless Stories by Elisabete Erlandson, which celebrates some of the female Imagineers that have brought Disney magic to life.

The official description reads:

“Capturing an era – and preserving the stories they have told their daughters, their mentees, their husbands and their friends – a dozen women Imagineers have written personal stories from their decades designing and building the Disney world-wide empire of theme parks.

Illustrated with the women’s personal drawings and photos in addition to archival Imagineering images, the book represents a broad swath of Imagineering’s creative disciplines during a time of unprecedented expansion. Intertwined with memories of Disney legends are glimpses of what it takes behind the scenes to create a theme park, and the struggles unique to women who were becoming more and more important, visible and powerful in a workplace that was overwhelmingly male.

Each chapter is unique, from a unique Imagineer’s perspective and experience. These women spent their careers telling stories in three dimensions for the public. Now they’ve assembled their stories in print, with the hope that their experiences will continue to entertain and illuminate.”

The author listing suggests the twelve Imagineers to be featured include:

  • Maggie Elliott, Senior Vice President, Creative Development Administration
  • Eli Erlandson, Principal Concept Architect
  • Peggie Fariss, Executive, Creative Development
  • Paula Dinkel, Principal Lighting Designer
  • Karen Connolly Armitage, Concept Designer
  • Katie Olson, Principal Color Concept Designer
  • Becky Bishop, Area Development Executive
  • Pam Rank, Principal Show Lighting Designer
  • Lynne Macer Rhodes, Producer
  • Kathy Rogers, Executive Show Producer
  • Julie Svendsen, Concept Show Designer
  • Tori Atencio McCullough, Director (Interior Design)

The book is set to release on Tuesday, October 13th, 2020, and retails for $29.99. You can currently pre-order the book at retailers including Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.

Walt Disney W0rld Now Only Accepting Reservations For June 1st and Later

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

After the latest closure extension “until further notice” due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Walt Disney World has now announced that they will only begin accepting reservations for dining and resorts for travel dates starting June 1 and later.

The following update was listed on the Walt Disney World Resort’s COVID-19 landing page:

The key wording here is: “As always, Guests are able to modify these bookings if Walt Disney World Resort opens before or after that time.” So clearly, after yesterday’s vague announcement, whether or not Walt Disney World will remain closed until June 1st is still undecided.

This comes on the heel of an announcement offering Free Dining to most guests with reservations directly impacted by the unprecedented Coronavirus closures.

Virtual Viewing of “Magic Happens” @ Disneyland

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

With the closures of Disneyland Park and Walt Disney World due to the COVID-19 concerns, us Disney fans are missing our “home away from home”. Well, Disney is working to keep us entertained right from home! Check out this Virtual Viewing of “Magic Happens” at Disneyland Park. Details and video below from DisneyParksBlog:

We know Disney fans are searching for ways to bring magic and joy into their everyday lives and we’ve loved seeing some of you recreate your favorite Disney Parks experiences in your very own living rooms! In fact, you’ve inspired us to share #DisneyMagicMoments for you and your family, to enjoy at home.

Today, while we are temporarily closed, we wanted to bring magic directly to everyone at home with a special virtual viewing of the all-new “Magic Happens” parade, which recently debuted at Disneyland park! This daytime spectacular celebrates the awe-inspiring moments of magic that are at the heart of so many Disney stories. We hope you’ll gather with family at home to watch this stunning moment of magic:

“Magic Happens” features nine newly designed floats, highlighting magic from classic Walt Disney Animation Studios tales, such as “The Sword in the Stone,” “Cinderella” and “Sleeping Beauty,” to more recent stories, including “Frozen 2,” “Moana” and “The Princess and the Frog,” as well as Disney and Pixar’s “Coco.”

The new floats were created as pieces of moving art, with their lines and aesthetic design telling a story along the parade route, while also evoking a sense of magic. The stories seen in “Magic Happens” are rooted in iconic Disney lore, but the soundtrack, costume design and choreography are heavily influenced by today’s contemporary designers. Be sure to listen up for the energetic musical score and new songs, co-composed by singer-songwriter, Todrick Hall.

We hope you take time to enjoy special #DisneyMagicMoments.

Permits Filed For Stitch’s Great Escape Demolition; Wreck-It Ralph Attraction To Replace

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

There has been rumors of Disney Imagineers wanting to produce a Wreck-It Ralph attraction to replace Stitch’s Great Escape in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom. Well, now it seems work is set to commence on the project as recent permits (Notices of Commencement) were filed for demolition of the theater’s interior.

According to sources, the new Wreck-It Ralph attraction would reuse the existing theater-in-the-round from Great Escape (which were also used for Alien Encounter, Mission to Mars, and Flight to the Moon), but would attach video game-style controllers to every guest seat.

Of course, with construction halted throughout Walt Disney World property due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, progress all depends on when things will return to normalcy, but it’s clear that the project is moving forward for the time being. The current Stitch meet and greet will likely be closed upon the park’s reopening, whenever that might be.

If all goes according to plan, the Wreck-It Ralph attraction in Tomorrowland will be coming our way in 2022, directly following the opening of the TRON Lightcycle Run roller coaster in 2021. These additions combined with the ongoing cosmetic changes in Tomorrowland should provide the base for a “new” version of the area for the Magic Kingdom.

Walt Disney Company Raises $1.3 Billion In Canadian Debt Offering

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

With the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic not going away any time soon and The Walt Disney Company still facing an uncertain financial future, the company has acquired more cash, this time in a $1.3 billion debt offering in Canada, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Disney revealed in a SEC filing on Thursday that it raised through a Canadian private placement “around $1.3 billion in 3.057 percent senior notes,” which would be due in 2027. Disney plans to use the new debt financing “for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of indebtedness (including commercial paper).”

On Friday, Disney disclosed in a different SEC filing that it recently raised $6 billion in debt, also to pay down “other debt obligations.” According to the Reporter, the American debt offering consisted of “five different notes, set to mature between 2025 and 2050,” with a valuation of between $500 million and $1.75 billion, and interest rates set between 3.35 percent and 4.7 percent.

At the end of the previous fiscal year, Disney had long-term debt worth over $38 billion. Disney is far from the only media company seeking to raise money through debt, with Comcast, owner of Disney’s chief theme park rival, Universal Parks & Resorts, also raising debt to offset COVID-19’s impact on their operations.