Actress Melissa McCarthy As Ursula

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Actress Melissa McCarthy landed the role of Ursula in Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, and she just couldn’t be happier.

“The world of Disney and (director) Rob Marshall is a world that I wish everyone could experience because it’s so creative, kind, and lovely,” the Ghostbusters actress gushed. “Going to singing class every day, I got to record with an orchestra, which is a mind-bender for someone who is not a singer, but it was such a fun process.”

The new take on the story of Ariel has been in the works for a while now, and though filming has ended, the release date isn’t slated for a while yet: 2023, to be exact.

The film is directed by Rob Marshall. Original composer Alan Menken has been on hand to create music for the new film, and the ever-talented Lin-Manuel Miranda has lent his creative talents to music for the film as well.

Grownish actress Halle Bailey stars as Ariel in the retelling of the tale of the mermaid who longs for legs and her willingness to do what it takes to get them. This is Bailey’s first major film role.

Javier Bardem plays Ariel’s father, King Triton, and Jonah Hauer-King plays the role of Ariel’s love interest, Prince Eric. (Sorry, Harry Styles.)

Actress Awkwafina plays Scuttle the Seagull, and Daveed Diggs plays King Triton’s chief assistant crustacean, Sebastian, and Jacob Tremblay plays Ariel’s sidekick (or sideswimmer?) Flounder.

Melissa McCarthy, who says Ursula is one of her favorite villains, happily plays the role of the evil sea witch who hopes to take Ariel’s voice and keep her from Prince Eric.

“It’s going to be incredible,” McCarthy shared. “To me, Ursula is everything. She’s one of my absolute favorite villains so to play her was delicious.”

Though it’s not her first major role, The Little Mermaid will be the first musical in which McCarthy has starred, and we can’t wait to see the transformation of McCarthy into the half-human/half-octopus Ursula!

Opening Show Returning to Magic Kingdom?

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Live entertainment at Walt Disney World has been hard to find in the last year since the parks reopened in July 2020. Only a handful of shows have returned. Thankfully, it appears another fan-favorite may be about to return, just in time for the 50th-anniversary celebration.

Let the Magic Begin is a five-minute welcome show at Magic Kingdom. The show, which has not been operating since March 2020, showcases many favorite characters and ends with Mickey and Minnie welcoming guests to the park and wishing them a great day. While the Walt Disney World Website lists “Let the Magic Begin” as temporarily unavailable, showtimes are now listed beginning October 1! In the photo below, the time is listed at 7:55 pm, but we’re sure that’s just a typo since it’s the show that opens the park. The park opens at 8:00 am on Friday and 9:00 am on Saturday, so the times listed are 5 minutes before park opening, just as before. While there has been no official announcement regarding the show, the show times on the website certainly indicate it is coming back and the timing seems to make sense as well.

No word has been given if the show will be updated for the 50th-anniversary celebration. Mickey and the gang will be wearing new celebration outfits, so we expect to see those characters in celebration outfits at the very least.

We’ll be there on October 1 and we’re crossing our fingers that our day starts out with Let the Magic Begin!

Cast Members are Showing Off New EARidescent Nametags for the 50th Anniversary

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Via Disney Destinations

One of the best parts of any celebration is dressing for the occasion, and cast members at Walt Disney World Resort are ready to celebrate the resort’s 50th anniversary in style with their favorite accessory — new EARidescent Disney nametags!

With “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” only days away, cast members are coming together virtually and in person to officially put on their spectacular new 50th-themed nametags featuring EARidescent and gold details and the 50th anniversary logo.

Whether they’ve been here for 50 years or one day, the tradition of wearing a Disney nametag is one that every cast member keeps close to their heart (literally!), and there’s no better way to commemorate the important role each of us plays in bringing the magic of Disney to life for our guests and fellow cast members.

Check out how just a few of our Walt Disney World cast members are celebrating:

As the clock struck midnight earlier today, our third-shift cast members became the first to put on their 50th nametags!

Cast members working across Walt Disney World and at home share this historic moment together

Of course, no look is complete without a smile, and our cast members are grinning from ear to ear!

Cast members are wearing their new 50th nametags with pride, knowing they are part of this special moment in history and the heart of our celebration

Stay tuned for all of the latest news about the “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.”

Tune-In This Friday To “The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World” on ABC

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Via DisneyDestinations

Get ready for a special unlike anything you’ve ever seen from Disney Parks! This Friday “The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World” airs on ABC and you won’t want to miss it. The primetime special takes viewers on a fascinating journey of Walt Disney World Resort from its origins to its development over time to the impact the Resort has had on pop culture to a special look into the future of the Resort. This riveting story is told through incredible interviews with celebrities, athletes, Disney Imagineers, and Disney executives and cast members past and present. We asked the interviewees to describe Walt Disney World in one word; check out what they had to say:

Hosted by Disney Legend and moderator of ABC’s “The View,” Whoopi Goldberg, the two-hour program will also feature spectacular visuals and musical performances from Christina Aguilera and Halle Bailey in front of the legendary Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park, accompanied by the renowned Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. We are excited to share a behind the scenes look at the making of these iconic performances:

This special is produced by ABC News and Disney Parks. Tune in this Friday October 1 at 8/7c on ABC, stream on Hulu starting October 2, or watch on Disney+ starting October 8.

New EARidescent Southwest Airlines Aircraft Celebrates 50-Year Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Via DisneyDestinations

We have some exciting – you might say lofty – news to share. “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” honoring the past, present and future of Walt Disney World Resort on its 50thanniversary, is taking to the skies! 

This afternoon, before media and special guests in Houston, Southwest Airlines unveiled a very special 737-700 — dramatically pixie-dusted, nose to tail, in colorful graphics commemorating the 50th anniversary celebration of Walt Disney World Resort. Fanciful Disney accents also brighten the cabin space – down to the pulldown shades. Awesome, isn’t it?  

Today’s surprise reveal at Hobby Airport filled the hangar with the joyful sounds of music and included Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in the EARidescent fashions they’ll wear throughout the 18-month celebration in Florida, beginning Oct. 1. Southwest also celebrates 50 years of flying in 2021, so this special aircraft is a double scoop of festive for two great brands. 

To underscore the collaboration, the decorated plane flew its maiden flight to Orlando International Airport, where the arrival experience has been transformed with fantastical Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary celebration décor.

So now “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” extends to the land AND the sky.  Let the celebration begin, and congrats to Southwest Airlines for 50 years.