This post from Disney Parks Blog is from 2018. However, with all children now at home due to Coronavirus, this could be a fun activity for those creative minds who love to draw.
“We’re celebrating the 25th anniversary of Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” today with a special edition of our ongoing tutorial art series. Disney artist Stephen Ketchum from Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, who is a big fan of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” film, joins us to share easy step-by-step instructions for bringing Sally to life on paper.”
“As you can see in our video, Stephen begins by lightly drawing an upside-down teardrop and horizontal guidelines to help with facial features to create a perfect Sally. Watch the video for complete instructions and then grab some paper and try it yourself!”
Despite Walt Disney World’s still-advertised reopening date of April 1, recent developments seem to point to the inevitable extension of that date, as more and more people are encouraged (or otherwise mandated) to stay home to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. While Disney normally leads the pack in terms of setting established dates for openings, it seems certain companies have moved ahead with prolonging their closures.
Over in Disney Springs, the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace has since announced that the hotel will be closed through April 30, signaling the first of potentially many more delays in opening as the Orlando tourism area hunkers down for the epidemic. Guests booked through Costco Travel recently received this email informing them of the closure:
The Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, while independently run by Hilton, is considered an Official Walt Disney World Hotel, located in the immediate Disney Springs area. In the email sent to guests, as well as on the COVID-19 advisory landing page on the hotel’s website, it is mentioned that the hotel will not reopen until April 30th. It is likely that many other hotels in the area will follow suit.
The April 30th date puts the current closure estimate past the original April 1st date, and even past projections for mid-April as was previously assumed. Over in California, various leading theme parks have already announced closures through mid-May. No official statements have been issued by The Walt Disney Company regarding a revised reopening date.
The Disney Vacation Club Coronavirus (COVID-19) Travel Alert was updated yesterday (March 21, 2020) to now include the closure of the stunning Hawaiian Disney Resort and Spa, Aulani. See the details below as shared in the DVC Travel Alert:
Disney Vacation Club continues to make timely decisions, based on guidance of health agencies and our medical teams, and adjust its COVID-19 precautionary measures for the safety of its Members, Guests and Cast Members.
In line with state guidance, in an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our Guests and Cast Members, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa will close beginning at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, March 24, through Tuesday, March 31. This will give Disney Vacation Club Members and Guests the time to make necessary travel arrangements or book alternative accommodations.
Disney temporarily closed its Resort hotels at Walt Disney World Resort, including all Disney Vacation Club properties, as well as Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort, effective Friday, March 20, through the end of the month.
The beautiful Aulani has 351 hotel rooms and 481 Disney Vacation Club timeshare villas. Reservations for guests who had booked hotel rooms from March 24-31 will automatically be canceled, according to the advisory. Change and cancellation fees will be waived through June 30.
See details here via the DVC Travel Alert webpage.
On March 20th, Disney Junoir debuted “Mira, Royal Detective” in the U.S. and India! Disney fans got to experience the magical Indian-inspired land of Jalpur, the setting for its newest animated series, Mira, Royal Detective. Check out the details below from The Walt Disney Company:
The series’ concurrent launch in the U.S. and India marks a first for Disney Junior, which has already begun production on a second season of the series. “Our partners at Disney Channel India have been instrumental and helped guide us in terms of costumes, foods and other customs that we have in the show; and they were so excited when they saw the first couple of episodes that we decided we would premiere it together,” said Joe D’Ambrosia, senior vice president, Original Programming, and general manager, Disney Junior. “Having them launch day and date with ours in the same weekend will make it a worldwide celebration.”
Mira, Royal Detective introduces a brave and resourceful girl named Mira, a commoner who is appointed to the role of royal detective by the queen. Her mystery-solving adventures highlight critical thinking and encourage deductive reasoning for young viewers. They also celebrate the cultures and customs of India. Each 11-minute story incorporates authentic food, fashion, language and art, with music and dance playing an integral role. Most episodes feature at least one original song and dance number that showcases the diversity of South Asian culture.
“It was key for us to get this right and to be as authentic as possible,” said D’Ambrosia. To ensure that authenticity throughout the series, Disney Junior brought on IW Group’s Shagorika Ghosh Perkins to serve as the series’ cultural consultant and consulting producer. Ghosh Perkins advises on everything from customs and cuisine to the names of characters featured in the show.
Additional consultants include Bollywood dancer and choreographer Nakul Dev Mahajan (So You Think You Can Dance) and music producer Deepak Ramapriyan (Basmati Blues). Original songs for Mira, Royal Detective are being written and produced by Emmy® Award nominees Matthew Tishler (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series) and Jeannie Lurie (The Muppets), and the series’ composer is Amritha Vaz (Miss India America). Mira, Royal Detective is executive produced by Emmy-nominated Sascha Paladino (Miles from Tomorrowland), while Becca Topol (Elena of Avalor) is series developer and story editor, and will also serve as co-producer on season two.
“It’s been a wonderful collaboration of some of the most diverse voices and backgrounds you can imagine for this show, and we’re very proud,” D’Ambrosia said. “The response from the South Asian community has been really spectacular.”
Mira, Royal Detective also features an all-star cast of South Asian actors, including newcomer Leela Ladnier, who voices the title role; Freida Pinto; Kal Penn; Utkarsh Ambudkar; Hannah Simone; Jameela Jamil; Aparna Nancherla; Aasif Mandvi; Karan Soni; Maulik Pancholy; Sarayu Blue and Sarita Choudhury. “We really felt strongly that the voice talent should be a reflection of what we’re seeing on screen,” said Diane Ikemiyashiro, vice president, Current Series, Disney Junior.
Ambudkar, who voices Chikku, one of Mira’s two charming mongoose sidekicks, echoes the sentiments of the many talented people who are involved with Mira, Royal Detective—both on screen and behind the scenes—who are thrilled to be part of a series that celebrates Indian culture. “The 5-year-old me is really proud of the 36-year-old me, and hopefully my kids will be able to watch this and feel a little bit more represented,” he said.
Pinto lends her voice to Jalpur’s benevolent and compassionate Queen Shanti, and she’s confident that Mira, Royal Detective and its universal themes will resonate with fans around the world. “For the South Asian kids, they’re going to feel seen and heard,” Pinto said. “And for the kids who are not South Asian, I think there’ll be a sense of curiosity and excitement that they’re learning new things.”
Following its premiere in the U.S. and India, Mira, Royal Detective will roll out around the world, ultimately bringing the mystery-adventure series to an estimated 160 countries on Disney Channel and Disney Junior platforms globally.
Disney recently released some amazing ways you and your family can learn from the talented Imagineers through their “Imagineering in a Box” lessons. Now, DisneyParksBlog is releasing even more family-friendly content for us to enjoy right from home. Check out the video and details below from DisneyParksBlog:
Today, we wanted to share more family-friendly content that will have you enjoying the magic of Disney from the comfort of your home. Today’s content is brought to you by The Disney Channel and the amazing team of animal scientists from Disney’s Animal Kingdom. While Walt Disney World Resort is temporarily closed, we have a dedicated animal care team tending to the thousands of animals who roam our savanna.
We’re excited to share an educational and informative look at some of the majestic animals in our care at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. From a behind-the-scenes look at the hippopotamus, to fun facts about beautiful creatures like the magnificent meerkat, check out Disney Animals on DisneyNOW for videos that are sure to delight and inspire.
To learn more about the many species we are working to protect, visit DisneyAnimals.com. With so many families at home together right now, we look forward to sharing more stories and insights about our animals and amazing Cast who are caring for them. Keep an eye out for more #bettertogether learning opportunities soon.
