Bob Chapek stated recently that this hybrid release may still be possible in a recent interview. Black Widow was initially scheduled for a theatrical release on May 1, 2020. Until today, the film was scheduled for a theatrical only release on May 7, 2021, although rumors did circulate about a possible hybrid release.
Disney+ Premier Access allows subscribers to pay an extra one-time fee to gain access to a film before it premieres for all users on the streaming service.
According to the OC Register, Disney Legend Jim Cora passed away on Sunday, March 21st a following a brief hospitalization.
Cora began his Disneyland career working part-time as an Attractions Host Cast Member cleaning 3-D glasses for the Mickey Mouse Club Theater. After 43 years with the company, Cora retired as the chairman of Disney International.
Cora thanks Walt Disney himself for his quick rise through the ranks of the company. He recounts an incredible story where Walt Disney sent teenage Cora to the Disneyland Administration building to find Van Arsdale France. Cora was instructed to “Tell him Walt sent you. I think he may have something for you.” Van Arsdale France founded Disney University.
Jim Cora went on to join the opening team of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room and then to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World where he was responsible for implementing the “Disney Way of Leadership” program. Cora then helped redesign the “area concept” of the Disneyland Park, leading him to be responsible for Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.
In 1979, Jim Cora became the managing director of Operations for the Tokyo Disneyland Project. He held responsibility for all of the operational planning, management, and training for the park. Before the park opened, he was promoted to Vice President of Walt Disney Productions Japan, Ltd to help oversee the Oriental Land Company and to upheld Disney’s operational standards.
After his time in Japan, Cora moved back home to California and assumed the role of Vice President of Disneyland International in 1983. Shortly thereafter, Cora took on the project of negotiating agreements and master planning for the Disneyland Paris project. He was promoted to Vice President and COO for the Euro Disney Corporation. In 1995, Jim was promoted to President of Disneyland International where he oversaw the development of Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. His final focus was to develop and maintain strategies that would allow Tokyo Disney Resort to succeed and grow. He retired from this position in 2001.
Josh D’Amaro, the current Disney Parks Chairman, claims that Jim Cora was one of the few remaining connections to Walt Disney. D’Amaro said in a statement,
“His dedication to bringing Disney magic to people around the world was only matched by the passion he exuded throughout his career and for the many years that followed. I always loved hearing Jim’s thoughts about our business. He was one of our last connections to Walt Disney and he will be missed dearly.”
It’s hard to believe that April is just around the corner! April is Earth Month and Disney’s Animal Kingdom is celebrating with some special limited-time activities and offerings.
From a Disney Cast Member;
As we head into Earth Month, it’s a great time to reflect on our personal relationship with our beautiful planet and how we can all care for the world we share. Whether it’s reducing your own ecological footprint, planting a tree, creating a butterfly garden or learning more about wildlife and conservation, all of these efforts unite us as we do our part to protect nature’s treasures. And while Disney theme parks celebrate all living things every day, during the annual Earth Day Celebration there’s an added opportunity for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park guests to connect with the magic of nature through engaging activities designed to educate and inspire the whole family.
From April 18 to 24, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will host limited-time experiences including unique Disney character appearances, fun learning opportunities, specialty merchandise, themed food and beverage, a new Wilderness Explorer activity and more. Here’s a look at what’s in store to spark your curiosity about wildlife and inspire your own conservation efforts:
The Animation Experience at Conservation Station shows how Disney Artists bring favorite characters to life by using animals for inspiration. For the Earth Day Celebration and the month of April, you can learn to draw characters – including Dumbo, Terk, Squirt, Shere Khan, Simba and Scar – whose real-life counterparts represent amazing stories of conservation work around the globe.
Catch a glimpse of some special characters who will join other favorite Disney pals on Discovery River Character Cruises.
Nosh around the park sampling Earth Day eats, including a selection of limited-time specialty cupcakes: the Creature Comfort’s Honey Bee Cupcake, the strawberry-flavored Flamingo Cupcake at Flame Tree Barbecue, or the Sea Turtle Graham Cracker Cupcake (plus the Crave the Wave cocktail!) at Restaurantosaurus Lounge. Be sure to dig in as the treats are only available for a limited time.
Set out on a series of self-guided, nature-themed challenges and earn a special Wilderness Explorer limited-time Earth Day Nature badge.
Hunt for an Earth Day 2021 limited-edition Te Fiti Moana trading pin. You can also support the Disney Conservation Fund by purchasing a cuddly plush inspired by species that call Disney’s Animal Kingdom home; or check out Island Mercantile’s eco-friendly water bottles, tumblers and reusable bags that promote sustainability.
Any time you visit the park, marvel at unique animals and meet the newest arrivals. Most recently, the park welcomed the birth of Ranger, and you can get a glimpse of the rambunctious five-month-old white rhino calf and his crash on your journey aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris. While on safari, also keep an eye out for two young Masai giraffe who were born a few months ago, and playful Nigerian dwarf goats that hang out at the warden’s outpost.
Disney PhotoPass Service captures magical memories with special in-park Earth Day backgrounds and Magic Shots, including an all-new photo opportunity. In addition, Earth Day screen savers and Zoom backgrounds can be downloaded from the My Disney Experience PhotoPass gallery.
Beginning April 2, you can watch as artisans transform 40 tons of sand into a detailed sculpture celebrating National Geographic’s “Secrets of the Whales,” an original series streaming on Disney+ on Earth Day. The intricate sculpted masterpiece will be located on the Discovery Island Stage until April 30.
For more information on how Disney cares for animals and helps protect species in the wild, visit DisneyAnimals.com, check out “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” on Disney+, streaming now, Disney Park Wild Sights, a short form video mini-series exclusive to the My Disney Experience app, or follow along on Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment Instagram (@DrMarkAtDisney) and Facebook (@DisneyASE) pages. And look out for even more Earth Month excitement right here on Disney Parks Blog as we inspire action through education to protect the environment and care for the world around us.
When you think of the classic Disney attraction “it’s a small world”, chances are the quick and happy song pops into your head (and stays there for a very long time!). Well, Disney Files Magazine recently sat down with the amazing Keala Settle to discuss the song and the importance of it during these trying times. Her performance of “It’s A Small World (After All)” is absolutely stunning.
As shared by Disney Parks: “Stage and screen star Keala Settle (“The Greatest Showman”) visits with Disney Files Magazine Editor Ryan March about her emotional connection to the Sherman brothers’ “It’s a Small World (After All)” before performing the iconic song as a healing prayer for peace in trying times.”
Disney’s executive chairman, Bob Iger, is preparing to end his 47-year career with Disney and ABC in December, as previously announced back in Fall 2019. He then announced his career end with Disney formally in February 2020, making it all much more concrete. Iger sat down for an interview to discuss his future and reflect on the past.
The Walt Disney Company CEO, Robert Iger arrives for the World premiere of Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Endgame” at the Los Angeles Convention Center on April 22, 2019 in Los Angeles. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)
Iger had an interview with SiriusXM who released clips of the interview. One of the main questions to Iger, who turned 70 last month, was what he intends to do when his stint as Disney executive chairman winds down at the end of 2021.
As reported by Deadline: “I am excited about life after Disney,” Iger said. “I felt very strongly in moving on, and just seeing what was on the other side. It had nothing to do with being tired. It had nothing to do with frustration.” Iger goes on to say in reference to Bob Chapek’s elevation, “I did not want to overstay my welcome,” he said. “I wanted the timing to be right, and 15 years [as CEO] felt like enough.”
As far as how he is spending his waning months at the company, Iger said, “I’m doing a little bit of teaching, a little bit of leading by example, a little bit of cajoling. And I imagine that in these next few months, I’ll end up slowly becoming less and less relevant. It is pretty interesting when you suddenly lose that title, your emails start to slow down and certainly the phone calls don’t come as often and it’s pretty clear someone else is running the company. It’s actually pretty interesting from a human perspective, and I don’t mean that negatively at all. It’s just an interesting dynamic.”
The former CEO said it is energizing to confront “a complete blank canvas.” He added, “I’m not retiring. I can’t possibly do that. First of all, my wife’s still working, my kids are all out of the house, I’m not gonna sit around the house binge watching television shows. And so I will figure it out, but I am not going to figure it out while I’m still at Disney and I’m not going to over-commit so that by the time I get out, I won’t have any freedom either.”
