The newest addition to the Disney Fab 50 golden statue collection has been revealed to be Stitch. Alyssa-Lende E Kane, Ambassador for Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa made the announcement this afternoon.
Watch the announcement video below.
Stitch has a 50th anniversary medallion in his mouth. He is also seen in his six-limbed alien form, rather than the form he adopts to blend in on Earth.
The villainous Disney character, Cruella de Vil, was first introduced in Disney’s animated classic One Hundred and One Dalmations. While Disney does a great job of making sure viewers dislike the villain in the story, villains are rather intriguing, to say the least, and do keep the plot going strong. Disney’s live-action Cruella launched in theaters and on Disney+ around the globe on May 26 and took the Cruella del Vil character to a whole new level with an intriguing back story as to why Estella (AKA Cruella) embraced her wicked side. The film was reviewed by many and the ratings were outstanding. In the midst of a mess between Marvel star Scarlett Johansson (AKA Black Widow) and Disney, we are thrilled to hear some good news as Cruella will be getting a sequel… and yes, the incredible actress, Emma Stone, will once again star as the villainous Cruella.
As reported in an exclusive by Deadline: “Oscar-winner Emma Stone has closed a deal to star in the sequel to Cruella, in what is a very good sign for Disney as it secures talent in the wake of some criticism of its theatrical-Disney+ Premier model. Cruella, due to the pandemic, was released in theaters and on Disney+ PVOD tier on May 26, earning more than $222 million in worldwide ticket sales. The release of Cruella 2 is a ways off, and it’s not certain at this time whether the movie will be a pure theatrical release or like its predecessor released simultaneously in homes.”
Endeavor executive chairman Patrick Whitesell had this to say about the agency’s client Stone and her Cruella 2 deal. “While the media landscape has been disrupted in a meaningful way for all distributors, their creative partners cannot be left on the sidelines to carry a disproportionate amount of the downside without the potential for upside. This agreement demonstrates that there can be an equitable path forward that protects artists and aligns studios’ interests with talent. We are proud to work alongside Emma and Disney and appreciate the studio’s willingness to recognize her contributions as a creative partner. We are hopeful that this will open the door for more members of the creative community to participate in the success of new platforms.”
With the recent release of Disney’s Jungle Cruise on Disney+ and in theaters, star Dwayne Johnson has made it clear no lawsuits are coming from him. It seems the same goes without saying for Emma Stone with this new “Cruella 2” deal, even though Cruella was also dropped on Disney+. Meanwhile, what’s to come of Scarlett Johansson’s career with Disney? It seems Disney has recently cut all ties with the Black Widow actress. We’ll keep you posted as the saga unfolds – but more importantly when dates are announced for the Cruella sequel!
Disney’s relationship with the National Basketball Association (NBA) has been a strong one which was demonstrated during the height of the pandemic when Disney hosted the “NBA Bubble” within their resorts to keep the sport alive in a safe way while holding NBA games at ESPN Wide World of Sports. We can remember back to special NBA merchandise released by Disney and even one of the NBA players leaving an $8,000 tip for housekeeping (AKA “Mousekeeping”). Prior to the pandemic, Disney closed the former DisneyQuest on the west side of Disney Springs and reopened the space as the NBA Experience. The grand opening was held on August 12, 2019, and we were there for the excitement.
Sad news is being reported today however as it seem the NBA Experience has not survived the pandemic and will be closing permanently. As shared by reporter Scott Gustin via Twitter on August 16: ” BREAKING: The NBA Experience at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World will not reopen and is permanently closed.”
Gustin continues with: “Disney says this will not impact their other partnerships with the NBA or their business relationship with the Orlando Magic. Disney will share an update about the future of the NBA Experience location at a later date.”
Currently, The NBA Experience webpage is still available through the Walt Disney World website. Most all of the experiences are high-touch which means it likely didn’t make the cut because of the COVID precautions that would need to be in place to reopen the experience. Even though The NBA Experience actually had its doors open for less than a year before they closed due to COVID in March 2020, it never seemed to be a majorly popular Disney experience outside of its initial reopening.
The Halloween season is in full gear at Walt Disney World and now Halloween merchandise is here for the spooky season. New items are available at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort and shopDisney.com.
From a Disney Cast Member;
I don’t know about you, but once summer is over, I am officially in spooky prep mode! It’s hard to believe that Halloween is only a couple months away, so it’s not too early to start getting your closet ready with some spooktacular new looks to get into the spirit! Check out what’s available now and what to be on the lookout for at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort and shopDisney.com.
Oh my gourd, you guys. Everyone knows that pumpkins belong with Halloween just like Minnie Mouse belongs with Mickey Mouse. That’s why this new Minnie Mouse Halloween Mini Loungefly backpack and Mickey and Minnie Mouse Pumpkin Spirit Jersey are the perfect combo to wear in the months leading up to our favorite October holiday- and beyond! To further accessorize, this sweet and spooky Mickey Mouse Jack-o-Lantern ear headband is perfectly haunting. All of these items are available on shopDisney, with many rolling out soon at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. You can get the cute and festive checkered Minnie Mouse Halloween ear headband at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, too!
If you want to brighten up your fun evening of trick or treating, you’ll want to snag a Happy Halloween Light-Up necklace, so you’ll glow wherever you go! Mickey Mouse has gone batty with this Halloween flannel shirt, which features a skull topped with a Mickey ear hat and surrounded by bats. It’s “Wicked Spooky!” This gourd-eous collection is available NOW at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, and shopDisney.com.
“Hocus Pocus” has been my favorite Halloween movie since I was a little kid, so I am totally spellbound by this new “Hocus Pocus” Mini Loungefly backpack and “Hocus Pocus” Spirit Jersey. The Sanderson sisters have never looked this good! Gobble up these items now on shopDisney.com, and soon at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.
The Haunted Mansion is pretty synonymous with Halloween, right? Well, it’s almost scary how wicked this Haunted Mansion Loungefly Crossbody Bag is, covered in ghoulish artwork and warnings inspired by the attraction. Tricked out in a Haunted Mansion Minnie Mouse Ear Headband (the ears are covered in the attraction’s signature wallpaper, accented with metal studs), Haunted Mansion jacket, and Haunted Mansion T-shirt, you’ll be treated to admiring glances everywhere you go. You don’t have to visit a “boo”-tique to add these hauntingly stylish items to add to your closet. They are already available at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, and later this month they’ll be on shopDisney.com too!
Available now on shopDisney.com and select stores at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort are wheelchair cover sets. Transform your chair and channel your inner royalty with a magical Cinderella’s Coach Wheelchair Cover Set. Or rev up your chair by transforming it into the Incredimobile! If you’d rather travel to infinity and beyond, you’ll want the Buzz Lightyear Spaceship Wheelchair Cover Set.
Keep all of your favorite Halloween Disney characters on hand—literally—with some wickedly gorgeous Pandora charms featuring Madame Leota from Disney’s Haunted Mansion, “Hocus Pocus,” Maleficent & Dragon, and Mickey Mouse pumpkin. Get one of these charms, or collect them all, coming soon to Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, and shopDisney.com.
Coming next month to Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort and shopDisney.com:
Does Disney and Pixar’s “Coco” tug at your heartstrings like it does mine? Well, starting next month, you can wear the film’s art on your sleeves! You’ll want to “remember” to buy this colorful long-sleeved shirt, vibrant leggings, and Mini Loungefly backpack. The stitching on the sleeve of the character Miguel with his guitar is just too cute.
Fans of “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” rejoice! This new frightfully fabulous collection from the film favorite releases next month and includes an Oogie Boogie Mini Loungefly backpack, a ghoulish, glittering, Oogie Boogie Spirit Jersey, a “Nightmare Before Christmas” Denim Jacket with Jack Skellington decal, a “Nightmare Before Christmas” Minnie ear headband with translucent bow, and a “Nightmare Before Christmas” Mini Loungefly backpack with all-over print.
While you’re figuring out your own Halloween costume, don’t forget your Disney nuiMOs! Dress up your favorite little plush in these fabulous new Halloween outfits, and prepare to be obsessed with the new Jack Skellington and Sally Disney nuiMOs.
Go ahead and trick or treat yourself to some of these latest products from Disney parks. I think it’s going to be a great Halloween. I can feel it in my bones!
Boma – Flavors of Africa reopens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge on Aug. 20 with all-you-care-to-enjoy buffets at breakfast and dinner. Reservations will be available beginning Aug. 18.
Bookings, full menus and pricing will be available at DisneyWorld.com.