New Disney Cruise Line Ship Hits the Water for the First Time

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

The Disney Wish hit the water for the first time today when it floated out of an enclosed building dock at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Marking the world’s first look at the newest Disney Cruise Line ship, the major construction milestone was celebrated in true Disney style with fireworks, musical fanfare, and a special appearance by Captain Minnie Mouse. 

It took about five hours and 29 million gallons (110,000 cubic meters) of water from the River Ems to flood the building dock, followed by a breathtaking exit as the ship sailed out with only 3 feet of clearance on either side.

When it sets sail this summer, the Disney Wish will be filled with innovative new experiences steeped in Disney storytelling, including the first-ever Disney attraction at sea, immersive dining experiences themed to “Frozen” and Marvel, and a high-end lounge set in the Star Wars galaxy. The ship will sail its maiden voyage on July 14 from Port Canaveral, Florida.

The Disney Wish is the first of three new Disney Cruise Line ships to be built at the Meyer Werft shipyard through 2025. Each will be powered by liquefied natural gas and weigh approximately 144,000 gross tons.

To learn more about the Disney Wish or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact their travel agent.

‘Beauty and the Beast’ Disney+ Prequel Postponed Indefinitely

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney+

In March 2020, Variety magazine confirmed that a Beauty and the Beast prequel would be coming to Disney+. The prequel would be based on the 2017 live-action remake and would focus on the story of Gaston and LeFou before they came to Belle’s provincial town. The series would be called Little Town, and Alan Menken later shared that he would be returning to do the music for the show.

Unfortunately, we are now learning that the series has been put on indefinite hold. Filming was set to begin filming this summer, but Variety is now reporting that that will not be happening. Per Variety:

According to sources, the live-action musical show is being postponed for an undetermined amount of time due to creative and scheduling issues. The show was meant to begin shooting this summer in Europe, but certain creative elements were not yet ready, which would have delayed shooting. Given the scheduling issues this would cause with the show’s cast as well as weather constraints, it was decided to hold off and revisit the show at a later date.

News of the postponement comes just days after it was announced that Rita Ora was set to join the cast of the show, while Variety exclusively reported that “Hawkeye” alum Fra Fee was joining back in January….

Disney Plus had given the “Beauty and the Beast” series an eight-episode order. It was developed, executive produced and written by Gad, Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz with each serving as a co-showrunner. Evans was also meant to executive produce in addition to starring. Liesl Tommy would executive produce and direct the first episode. The project was also to feature an original soundtrack from the legendary composer Alan Menken, who served as executive producer. The lyrics for the first episode were to be by Glenn Slater. ABC Signature was the studio.

Beauty and the Beast

In addition to Josh Gad and Luke Evans returning to reprise their roles as LeFou and Gaston, the series was set to feature a new female lead character. Briana Middleton had been cast to play the role of Tilly — LeFou’s stepsister. Tilly is described as having great poise and an adventurous streak as she tries to write her own story. According to Disney, the series would tell the story of Gaston, LeFou, and Tilly going off on an incredible journey after a surprising revelation is made about Tilly’s past.

It is important to note that, at this time, the series still remains on an eight-episode order. Disney has merely postponed it and has not canceled it. Hopefully, schedules can be figured out, and a filming schedule can be worked out without too much of a delay. The series was developed by Edward Kitsiss and Adam Horowitz, most well-known to Disney fans as the creators of the hit ABC show Once Upon a Time.

Police Report Filed After Instagram Influencer Sat on Disney Guest

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

There are a lot of exciting things happening at Walt Disney World Resort right now. The Most Magical Place on Earth is celebrating its 50th Anniversary, and there is a lot to experience. Guests can ride new attractions like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, eat a ton of incredible, limited-time food, and buy some great merchandise. Disney fans across the world waited with a ton of anticipation for the celebration to begin on October 1, 2021, and have been heading to Florida in droves in the months since.

While many Guests are acutely aware of the fact that they are not the only people visiting Walt Disney World, some people do not seem to realize that. While things bumping into others while on your phone or accidentally hitting someone with your bag while trying to squeeze by are bound to happen to a lot of Guests, they are accidents. Apologies are said and people move on. However, one Guest recently had such an unbelievable experience with another Guest that the police were called, and battery charges could have been filed.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office recently released a police report that was filed on October 2, 2021 — one day after Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration began. According to the report, a woman and her family were sitting along Main Street, U.S.A. as they waited for the special 50th “Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade” to begin. A woman then walked right in front of the woman and sat on her feet, so she could be in the front and have the best view. The woman moved her feet out from under the “influencer”.

According to the report, the influencer sat on the sidewalk with her feet out in the street and was asked multiple times by Magic Kingdom Cast Members to move her feet. She ignored them, and then the woman told her that Cast Members were telling the influencer to move her feet. The woman then claimed that the influencer screamed at her that she knew Cast Members were speaking to her, boasted that she had 20,000 followers, and tapped the woman’s sunglasses.

Disney World 50

A manager then came over and told the influencer that she needed to move, as the other woman and her family had been there first. That only further angered the unknown influencer. Eventually, the woman and her family got up and left, but noticed the influencer following her. They went to Magic Kingdom security, who called the police and told them there was a battery issue at the Park.

By the time police arrived, the woman said that she did not want to press charges and the unknown influencer was gone.

Aulani Resort Sets the Stage for ABC’s ‘American Idol’

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

ABC’s “American Idol” is returning to Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa for its fifth season on ABC and 20th season overall. After earning their chance to become America’s next superstar in Hollywood, American Idol contestants will journey to Oahu to hone their craft under the guidance of celebrity mentors as they prepare to showcase their vocal skills during a concert on Aulani Resort’s beach. 

But, it will not be all work. Between coaching sessions and performing, the contestants will have time to explore all the incredible experiences that Aulani Resort has to offer. They will dine on culinary delights including Mickey Shave Ice, traditional island cuisine and sushi. And, the lush surroundings on 21 oceanfront acres are sure to provide inspiration for the up-and-coming artists. Of course, the sprawling Waikolohe Valley pool area is always a favorite among activities for American Idol contestants. Here they can admire the view from a quiet infinity-edge pool, float along a lazy river, splash down water slides and more.

The upcoming episode will feature the American Idol all-star judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, along with Emmy-winning producer and host Ryan Seacrest, and celebrity mentors, as they coach and critique contestants competing to become the next American Idol.

This milestone season of ABC’s “American Idol” begins Sunday, Feb. 27 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST). Stay tuned every week to catch the two episodes filmed at Aulani Resort, and see contestants enjoy a Hawaiian paradise with a touch of Disney magic.

Follow along on our Aulani Resort social channels @DisneyAulani and also on @AmericanIdol.

‘The Mandalorian’ Season 3 Debut Date Details

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney+

Via InsideTheMagic.net

When Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni’s first Mandalorian spinoff series, The Book of Boba Fett, debuted on December 29, 2021, it marked the first live-action Star Wars show in 376 days, ever since The Mandalorian Season 2 finale episode aired.

In that Peyton Reed-directed installment, fans saw the return of Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker (CGI Mark Hamill) to the Star Wars story. He swooped in with his X-wing and a green lightsaber to rescue bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), Grogu (AKA “Baby Yoda”), Cara Dune (Gina Carano), Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff), Koska Reeves (Sasha Banks), and Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) from certain doom onboard Moff Gideon’s (Giancarlo Esposito) Imperial starcruiser.

grogu in handcuffs

In the fray, Djarin emerged with the Darksaber, won in battle with Gideon in an attempt to save handcuffed Grogu.

Now, in The Book of Boba Fett, Shand has returned alongside Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison) and they’ve once again joined forces with Djarin to combat the Pyke Syndicate.

luke skywalker (left) and grogu (right) with floating frogs in the book of boba fett episode 6

Episode 5 and Episode 6 of the spinoff series seem to have been setting up a great deal of the foundation of The Mandalorian Season 3, with the returns of Grogu and Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson), The Armorer (Emily Swallow), a mention of Bo-Katan, and, of course, an epic Darksaber battle.

Although Djarin won the ancient black-bladed weapon in battle for the second time — this time against Paz Vizsla (voiced by Favreau) — he is deemed “a Mandalorian no more” due to the fact that he admitted to breaking the Creed when he removed his helmet both on the Imperial base with Migs Mayfeld (Bill Burr) and on Gideon’s ship while telling Grogu goodbye.

Now, it seems that we may finally have an idea of when Djarin’s story will pick back up, potentially on Mandalore searching for any remaining living waters to atone for his transgression.

pedro pascal as din djarin

It is a safe bet that Season 3 will premiere this year, probably around Life Day Christmastime.

The delay in Season 3’s release is presumed to be related to Pascal’s commitment to his starring role as Joel in HBO’s The Last of Us video game adaptation.

grogu and din djarin in razor crest cockpit

Although Favreau and Filoni have remained characteristically tight-lipped about the third season of The Mandalorian overall, we do know that Pascal, Esposito, and Carl Weathers (Greef Karga) will all return, and that filming is currently underway.

mandalorian armorer and din djarin

In the meantime, Star Wars fans can look forward to Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Bad Batch Season 2, and Andor in 2022 as well.