A few days ago we reported that Alien Swirling Saucers experienced longer than normal wait times as half of the ride was closed. Now, it seems as though that portion is undergoing an unexpected refurbishment as it is covered with construction walls and is still closed to Guests.
In 2018, Alien Swirling Saucers opened along with Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This attraction is a spinning, space-themed ride for all ages.
When it comes to live performances at Disney, anything can happen. Disney hires the best of the best, and they are truly talented people. Disney stage performers transport us to magical places where we can sing and dance along and have a great time. But they are just regular people, and sometimes things happen that are beyond their control. Like when there is water on a stage and their feet come out from under them. Slip and falls can happen, but one Disney Cast Member showed that an incredible recovery can add to the magic.
Fantasmic! at Disneyland Resort, takes place on a small stage along the Rivers of America. The show uses water effects that can make the stage a little slippery, which can make it hard for the performers. Recently, Mickey Mouse was dancing on the stage and took quite the fall. Thankfully, he recovered quickly, as fireworks were set to come out of his gloves whether he was ready or not. Ever the professional and star, Mickey acted as though nothing had happened and Guests were glad to see that he was okay.
A video of the fall was shared by Scott Gustin on Twitter, and you can watch it below.
Fantasmic! returned to Disneyland Park just about one week ago. It is also shown on the East Coast at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but that show does not currently have a return date. Here is more information on the fun and popular show from the Disneyland Resort website:
As darkness falls, dazzling special effects transform the Rivers of America into an epic canvas for this extravagant live show.
Fast asleep, Mickey dreams he is the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. With a wave of his hands, he conducts scenes from Fantasia across enormous screens of water while brilliant sparks burst overhead. Pink elephants, swashbuckling pirates, princesses and more—including memorable scenes from Disney classics such as Aladdin, The Lion King, Tangled and Pirates of the Caribbean—appear on and around the Rivers of America.
When Mickey is suddenly pulled into the Magic Mirror, his dream takes a dark turn. The Evil Queen from Snow White conjures up some of Disney’s most dastardly villains—including Maleficent as a 45-foot, fire-breathing dragon! Mickey must use the power of his imagination to vanquish his foes—and save the day.
Featuring a fantastical array of live performers, beloved Disney characters, enhanced special effects, state-of-the-art projections and superb pyrotechnics, this show will wow the entire family.
Fantasmic! is shown daily, weather permitting. To find out showtimes, you can check your Disneyland Resort mobile app.
In January, Disney made
90s hearts do a happy dance when it announced that a series based on the hit Christmas trilogy, The Santa Clause, was coming to Disney+. The series would see the return of Tim Allen — who played Scott Calvin AKA Santa Claus in the original films — and Elizabeth Mitchell, who played Scott’s wife Carol AKA Mrs. Claus in both The Santa Clause 2 and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause.
Since the series announcement was made, we have also learned that Tim Allen’s real-life daughter — Eliabeth Allen-Dick — will be playing his daughter in the series. Kal Penn will also play a major role, toy maker Simon Choksi.
While we don’t know when the series will be released on Disney+ — but we are hoping for some time this coming holiday season — we have received a big update from Tim Allen. Allen took to Twitter to share that the series was finished filming and will now be making its way to the editing room.
The Santa Clause was originally released in 1994 and was an immediate hit. It starred Tim Allen as Scott Calvin, who reluctantly became the man in the red suit when Santa fell off Calvin’s roof after being startled. Eight years later, the sequel came out and focused on Scott needing to find a wife, or he would no longer be able to be Santa. Two years after that, The Escape Clause premiered and viewers saw Jack Frost — played by Martin Short — steal the Santa role from Scott, and Scott fighting to get it back.
Here is what we know about the new series, via Variety:
In the series, Scott Calvin is on the brink of his 65th birthday and realizing that he can’t be Santa forever. He’s starting to lose a step in his Santa duties, and more importantly, he’s got a family who could benefit from a life in the normal world, especially his two kids who have grown up at the Pole. With a lot of elves, children and family to please, Scott sets out to find a suitable replacement Santa while preparing his family for a new adventure in a life south of the pole.
Again, we do not know when the new Santa Clause series will premiere on Disney+, but hopefully, it will be this holiday season. The Santa Clause, The Santa Clause 2, and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause are all available to watch on Disney+.
A former Disney executive has spoken out following the Johnny Depp trial verdict, saying that he predicts Depp will return to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
According to People, a former executive with Walt Disney Studios has come forward following Wednesday’s verdict reveal in the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard defamation trial, saying that he sees a return of Depp to one of his most iconic roles: that of Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
“There is just too much potential box-office treasure for a beloved character deeply embedded in the Disney culture,” said the former Walt Disney Studios executive in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, speaking about Johnny Depp‘s reprisal of his legendary role in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, following his victory against his ex-wife Amber Heard in his defamation suit.
On Wednesday afternoon, the foreman for the jury in the Depp-Heard trial read aloud the verdict in what some have called “the trial of the century.”
Depp effectively won his defamation suit against Heard after six long weeks of testimony in a Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Virginia, proving to the jury that not only did Amber Heard defame Depp and damage his career and potential earnings, but also that she did so intentionally, “with malice.”
The jury awarded Johnny Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. Heard won a single claim in her countersuit, though it was based on statements made by Depp’s former attorney Adam Waldman. Heard was awarded $2 million in compulsatory damages and no punitive damages.
Though the jury in the Depp-Heard trial has spoken, the jury in the court of Hollywood approval is still out on whether, when, and how Depp’s career might make a comeback following the recent trial. But this former Disney executive firmly believes in a Depp-Captain Jack Sparrow comeback.
“With [producer] Jerry Bruckheimer riding high on the massive success of Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick, there is a huge appetite for bringing back bankable Hollywood stars in massively popular franchises,” the insider adds.
But another Hollywood insider whose resume includes work on the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise films told People that it is “not very likely” that Depp would be back in the sixth Pirates film. The insider dropped Margot Robbie‘s name, and Robbie has been eyed for a role in the franchise.
Jerry Bruckheimer, the producer of the Pirates franchise, recently told The Sunday Times that there are currently two Pirates scripts in development: one starring Margot Robbie and one without Robbie.
The insider also estimates that a sixth installment in the Pirates franchise likely won’t debut until 2025 and says “I would think they make Robbie [Captain Jack Sparrow‘s] daughter and likely have a cameo with him as a test.”
From the stand, Johnny Depp testified about the parting of ways between himself and Walt Disney Studios. Depp said he had become “guilty until proven innocent.” He further testified that he wouldn’t work with Disney again, even if the Studios offered him a contract that included “$300 million and one million alpacas.” (Hence the constant talk about alpacas.)
Yet another Hollywood insider is sure Depp “will work again,” saying that he feels that “someone will give him a chance.” The insider expounded on that, saying that Depp “is very likable and very talented; a studio will just have to gauge and see it worth the risk and value, but he also won public opinion. He gained a whole new fan base through this and, yes, he will be back.”
In addition to losing his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Depp also lost his role in the Warner Bros. Fantastic Beasts franchise. For his role as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, Depp was replaced by Mads Mikkelsen.
The film premiered in April 2022 with the lowest box office numbers of any part of the Harry Potter franchise.
While guests have been able to hug and greet their favorite characters at many locations around Walt Disney World since mid-April 2022, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has not yet seen the return of up-close character greetings. The characters at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, with the exception of Kevin on Discovery Island, have continued to be seen on flotillas on the Discovery River throughout the day. This is about to change with the reopening of the Adventures Outpost.
We have a reopening date for character greetings at Adventurers Outpost at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Beginning June 19, 2022, “favorite Disney Pals” will greet here. This experience is also being added to the Disney Genie+ lineup.
Prior to the pandemic, Mickey and Minnie greeted guests at this location. The location has not been open since the parks reopened in July 2020. While we hope it will be both Mickey and Minnie who return together, there is no indication on who will be greeting here when it reopens, other than “favorite Disney Pals” as listed on the website.
These will be the first characters to return to their greeting locations. We have no word on when Donald and the gang will return to Donald’s Dino-Bash or when Pocochantas might return to her popular greeting spot on Discovery Island.