Disney Announces Opening Date for New Finding Nemo Show at Animal Kingdom

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

Another fan-favorite show is coming back very soon to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in a whole new way. “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” will be an updated show with a new script and set pieces. We’re very excited to check out the new show.

Get out those calendars! Disney has announced that “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” will open on June 13, 2022. The updated 25-minute show will have live performers and puppets and a new script. But don’t worry, many of the songs and numbers from the original show are still included in the show. The attraction will be included with Disney Genie+.

From a Disney Cast Member;

Climb aboard explorers and hold on tight, because it’s time to take a deep dive into the creation of the freshly reimagined show, “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” – opening this summer at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park!

Stepping inside the Theater in the Wild, we’ll catch up with the group of fish from Dr. P. Sherman’s office in “Finding Nemo,” who have made their way across the ocean to the Marine Life Institute. The fish tell Nemo’s story in this fully updated, 25-minute show, incorporating live performers and puppets, along with many of the beloved songs and production numbers from the original “Finding Nemo: The Musical” – which is great news if you’re like me and have had “In the Big Blue World” stuck in your head since 2007.

In addition to a new script, the show will feature new scenic set pieces and a new LED video wall designed to visually extend the world created by the physical sets on stage. We aren’t talking small set pieces either. Be on the lookout for a 32-foot-long sunken submarine and a fish tank volcano standing nearly 15 feet tall!

Working in close collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios, artists and designers at Disney Live Entertainment also developed a new aesthetic for “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” inspired by layered, cut paper sculptures. The resulting look is fresh and unique to the show, while staying true to the designs in the original film. Check out the video below for a sneak peek.

“Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” is just one of the many ways we’re adding even more magic to the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration.

Enjoy Complimentary Access to a New Star Wars Lens Through June 7

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

Disney PhotoPass Service is bringing Guests a lens that will help them live their Star Wars story wherever they are – without needing to make the jump to hyperspace.

First, they can use this lens to select their species. Maybe they’re a Zabrak with a crown of horns protruding through their head. Perhaps they’re a Twi’lek or Togruta showing off their very striking features. Or, maybe they’re simply a human. That’s fine too!

Then they can discover who they truly are, because they can choose to unveil their hidden identity as one of the Empire’s Jedi-hunting Inquisitors – just like those seen in the new limited series “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” now streaming only on Disney+. 

I sense a disturbance in the Force.

Now through June 7, Guests can enjoy complimentary access to this lens in the Snapchat app by visiting the Lenses section of the Disney PhotoPass Service Snapchat profile. Whether they’re in the parks or at home, they can use this lens to capture out-of-this-galaxy photos and videos.

Starting June 8, this lens will be available exclusively in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios through the My Disney Experience app with the purchase of Disney Genie+ service.* With their purchase, they’ll unlock many other Disney PhotoPass Lenses, giving them a fun new way to capture the magic of Walt Disney World Resort right from their mobile device.                           

*With the purchase of Disney Genie+ service, Walt Disney World guests can access many Disney PhotoPass Lenses in the My Disney Experience app as soon as they enter the park. Select Disney PhotoPass Lenses are accessible only within designated areas of Walt Disney World Resort. Other Disney PhotoPass Lenses will remain accessible in the My Disney Experience app until 5:59 a.m. on the 45th day after the day on which the Disney Genie+ service was used; certain states and localities are excluded. Many Disney PhotoPass Lenses use technology that detects the coordinates of key points on a guest’s face and/or hands and may be used only by guests 18 years of age and older who have consented to use of this technology. Therefore, guests unable to provide such consent, as well as guests under 18 years of age, will have fewer lenses available to use. To access Disney PhotoPass Lenses, an eligible mobile device with the My Disney Experience app with access to the device’s camera and location is required. A purchase of Disney Genie+ service at Walt Disney World Resort does not include downloads of a guest’s Disney PhotoPass photos or videos that were captured by photographers and onboard attractions. Use of Disney PhotoPass Lenses is subject to the Terms and Conditions. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

New Characters Introduced INto Galaxy’s Edge

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

In 2019, Disneyland Resort opened a brand-new land that fully immersed Guests in the Star Wars universe. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge allows Guests to fly the Millennium Falcon, be kidnapped by the First Order, and even drink the famous blue milk. Guests can also meet some of their favorite characters, including Rey, Chewbacca, and Kylo Ren. According to Disney, Batuu — the planet that is Galaxy’s Edge — exists in the timeline between the events of The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. That means that, theoretically, certain characters would never be seen on Batuu. But Disney has decided to break that timeline.

Following a ton of exciting news from the Star Wars Celebration convention at the Anaheim Convention Center, Disney announced that some iconic characters would be making their Galaxy’s Edge appearance. Those characters are Fennec Shand, Boba Fett, the Mandalorian, and the much-beloved Grogu, AKA Baby Yoda. Fennec Shand and Boba Fett made their Disneyland debut on May 28. The Mandalorian and Baby Yoda will come to Disneyland at a later date.

Grogu Baby Yoda

If you are wondering, “So, will I see Boba Fett and Rey talking to each other?”, the answer is no. Disney Parks Blog shared more information on how they will incorporate these new characters onto Batuu without interrupting the storylines.

Since Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened in 2019, Star Wars storytelling has experienced a galactic expansion to include many new characters and stories across a wide range of settings. Now, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is likewise expanding the stories guests can encounter when visiting. Having been designed from the outset to connect with a broad range of Star Wars storytelling, Black Spire Outpost has played a role in many of these stories stretching over thousands of years and while, up to now, we have mostly shared those story connections through media and publishing, we will soon give visitors to Batuu an opportunity to connect with those fan-favorite stories with the immersive detail and authenticity that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was designed to deliver.

We are committed to the long history of Batuu and the collection of amazing characters who inhabit the outpost including our legacy characters and original characters and know that we will feel the same about new and future characters from the ever-expanding galaxy of Star Wars storytelling. While we as visitors may be able to experience different stories throughout Star Wars history, the characters on Batuu can not. They will remain in their specific story and timeline and won’t intersect with other characters or stories that would not be appropriate for them.

At this time, Disney has not said whether Fennec Shand, Boba Fett, the Mandalorian, and Grogu will ever come to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. It is possible that they will not, as Disney also has the stories on the Galactic Starcruiser that also intersects with Galaxy’s Edge. However, Disney could always decide to put them at the Launch Bay, which is also in Hollywood Studios.

Disney Wish is on Its Way

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship is slated to arrive at Port Canaveral in only a few weeks, and details about the many events celebrating her arrival have just been released.

According to CruiseHive.com, the highly anticipated Disney Wish cruise ship is scheduled to arrive at Florida’s Port Canaveral on June 20. That day will mark the first of several events planned to celebrate the arrival of the new Disney cruise ship and to welcome her to the Disney Cruise Line fleet of ships.

Details related to the christening ceremony and maiden voyage of the new Disney Cruise Line ship have just been announced, as well as details about her arrival at her homeport in the Sunshine State.

The celebratory events taking place in honor of the new cruise ship will take place over several days–and all will take place before the Disney Wish makes her very first passenger voyage.

According to documents just approved this week by Port Canaveral commissioners, the Disney Wish will enjoy multiple celebrations as she finally, officially joins the Disney Cruise Line fleet–the first in the fleet to be in Disney’s Titan class of ships.

The Disney Wish, the first cruise ship to be added to the Disney Cruise Line fleet since the Disney Fantasy joined the fleet in 2012, is set to arrive in Port Canaveral on Monday, June 20. The ship’s arrival, along with the official welcome, will comprise an early morning event, scheduled for between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

The event will take place at two locations at Port Canaveral–Terminal 8 and Terminal 10, both of which are located at the north end of Port Canaveral’s channel adjacent to the west turning basin. Media personnel will likely be located at these terminals as well, hoping for the perfect shot of the ship’s first entry into the port.

Port commissioners award cruise terminal contracts for Disney project

Disney Cruise Line ships usually dock at Terminal 8, but Terminal 10 has been used by Disney ships occasionally. Terminal 10 will likely be used more frequently by Disney once the Disney Wish joins the fleet.

Disney has planned a fitting welcome for the cruise line’s first new ship in 10 years, complete with fireboats, tugboats, a water salute, and “special effects,” for which no details were given.

Though she arrives at Port Canaveral on June 20, the Disney Wish won’t welcome any passengers aboard for more than 3 weeks.

Three named in Federal lawsuit refiled against Florida Governor concerning Disney’s Reedy Creek

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

A Miami attorney has refiled a suit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis regarding potential tax liabilities resulting from the pending dissolution of Disney’s World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District.

The suit was filed by William J. Sanchez of Miami-based William J. Sanchez & Associates P.A., on May 16 with the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court in Miami-Dade County on behalf of Osceola County residents Michael, Leslie, and Eduardo Foronda and Orange County resident Vivian Gonzales. The suit alleges that taxpayers’ rights will be violated by Gov. DeSantis’s new law aimed at dissolving Florida special districts created before 1968, which includes Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District.

The lawsuit names Gov. DeSantis, as well as Jim Zingale, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Revenue and Laurel M. Lee, former Florida Secretary of State.

Sanchez refiled the case in state court after a judge dismissed a similar case on May 10. That suit alleged similar damage for the plaintiffs if the special districts are dissolved.

The suit concerns a bill Governor DeSantis signed into law on April 22, 2022, which will effectively dissolve Disney’s Reedy Creek District, as well as a handful of other special districts in Florida that had original inception dates before 1968. The passing of the law has led to speculation about the potential tax liability that could fall on residents of Orange and Osceola Counties, regardless of the fact that DeSantis has said that such a predicament will not take place.

According to the Orlando Business Journal, Disney’s special district encompasses 39 square miles. The entire area is governed by the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which acts “with the same authority and responsibility as a county government.” It includes the cities of Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake and boasts its own fire department and staff. It also contracts law enforcement from local counties.

The Orlando Business Journal states that the lawsuit comes with a complaint:

The complaint filed with the lawsuit alleges a Taxpayer’s Bill of Right violation and that the state infringed on the plaintiffs’ constitutional rights for due process — or the ability to be involved in proceedings that could have an effect on them.

“Plaintiffs ask for the opportunity to be heard since their rights are clearly being violated, and ask for the court to issue a declaratory judgment,” the complaint reads in part.

The Reedy Creek Improvement District is the governing jurisdiction for Walt Disney World Resort's land. Its cities include Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista.

Governor DeSantis has had a lot to say about the dissolution of Reedy Creek.

“There’s a whole bunch of different things that we will be able to do,” he said from the podium at Seminole State College on May 16. “I’d much rather have the state leading that effort than potentially having local governments” lead the effort.”

“Say the state is in charge and has appointees of the governor that would be in charge of the tax rates for Disney; that seems over the top,” said Aubrey Jewett, associate professor and assistant school director at the University of Central Florida’s School of Politics, Security and International Affairs. “Politically, it would look like the state is exacting their last pound of flesh from Disney. Especially if the governor has a say on the new board members to determine the tax rates, roads, and utilities, and Disney had no say.”