The Walt Disney Company released a new “Lifetime” special look celebrating dreams come true for their 100th anniversary on October 16, 2023.
The video features clips from Disney films, new and old, with Walt Disney’s voice overlaid. It also highlights the theme parks, the company’s work with Make-A-Wish, and more.
It’s a complement to the sizzle reel released in 2022 in anticipation of the anniversary entitled “Tradition.” That reel had the message “100 years ago, a tradition began with you.” The new dream-themed ad follows that up with a matching sentiment: “It all started with a dream. You made it come true.”
It ends with Walt Disney saying, “We’re just getting started” and the words “here’s to the next 100 years” over the castle.
Walt Disney World has issued a subpoena for former Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) Administrator John Classe seeking various documents and information from his tenure with the District.
John Classe was the District Administrator for almost a decade. When RCID became the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD), Classe stayed on for the transition.
The new Board of Supervisors chose Glen Gilzean Jr. to replace Classe. When Gilzean took over the position in May, Disney added him as a defendant in their lawsuit against the District and Florida Governor Ron Desantis.
Classe signed a 1-year contract to stay on as a Special Advisor but it was later terminated and he ceased work with the District by July. He was removed from Disney’s lawsuit.
Now Disney is seeking documents from Classe concerning the preparation and any analysis of the 2022 Comprehensive Plan, 2023 Development Agreement, 2023 Restrictive Covenants, and the Land Development Regulation Amendments, as well as documents related to the District’s authority to enter into those agreements, any decision to provide or not provide public notices for the Agreements, whether the Development Agreement impacted property owners, and communications with property owners about the Development Agreement.
The CFTOD Board attempted to declare these agreements null and void, which is what led Disney to file their federal lawsuit against DeSantis and the District.
Disney is also looking for documents about the financial impact of their future development activities, concerning the appointment of the District Board of Supervisors, and various communications between Classe, CFTOD, and third parties.
The subpoena calls for John Classe to appear with the documents and testimony on October 31, 2023.
EPCOT Map Featuring Journey of Water Inspired by Moana
Te Fiti is featured on the cover.
The map describes Journey of Water Inspired by Moana with “Stroll along an interactive outdoor trail and explore the wonders of water.”
Art representing the attraction has also been added. A Mickey head, representing a character greeting, has also been added for the Moana meet and greet.
Journey of Water Inspired by Moana
The walkthrough serves as an educational experience in addition to acting as an immersive and entertaining adventure, in some ways ringing true to EPCOT Center’s original goal of offering attractions that both inform and entertain.
Guests learn more about the intricacies of the water cycle as it’s illustrated on the initial sign throughout the rest of the attraction. Each part of the water cycle — rain, stream, wetland, spring, land, lake, river, ocean, and sky — serves as a themed section of the attraction, each part containing descriptive signage that explains that aspect’s importance.
Walt Disney Animation Studios will release “This Wish” from their upcoming film “Wish” on Wednesday, October 18. They shared a clip of the song on X, embedded below.
“This Wish” is performed by Ariana DeBose as Asha. Disney will release a new song from “Wish” on every Wednesday until the film’s release on November 22, 2023.
Tickets are now on sale for “Wish.”
Wish
“Wish” uses a mix of 2D and 3D animation as an homage to Disney’s animation history. It features original songs by Julia Michaels and Benjamin Rice, and a score by David Metzger (“Tarzan,” “Frozen,” “Frozen II”).
It’s directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn, from a script by Jennifer Lee and Allison Moore. Buck and Lee previously directed both “Frozen” films. It will be Veerasunthorn feature directorial debut. It’s produced by Peter Del Vecho and Juan Pablo Reyes.
Buck said of the film, “Our heroine, Asha, lives in Rosas, known as the kingdom of wishes. People come from everywhere to give their wishes to a magical king who promises to grant their deepest desires—someday. Only he can decide which wishes will come true and when.”
Asha will appear at Disney Parks after the film’s release. She made her live-action debut at Destination D23.
Veerasunthorn added, “We have been inspired by so many iconic films over Disney Animation’s 100 years, especially stories where we explore the power of someone with a wish, combined with the conviction to make that wish come true. Being able to honor that legacy with this incredible story and these amazing characters has been a joy for our entire team.”
Buck and Veerasunthorn said the film will feature many “legacy nods” to classic Disney films. “Wish” seeks to answer the question, “How did the wishing star upon which so many of our beloved characters wish come to be?”
20 minutes of “Wish” was played at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June. “Once Upon a Studio” also premiered at the festival, receiving a standing ovation. The animated short also uses a combination of 2D and 3D animation, along with live-action footage. Disney brought back more than 40 voice actors to reprise their roles and pulled from the archives to use dialogue from past actors like Robin Williams as the Genie. “Once Upon a Studio” will play in front of “Wish” when the movie opens in theaters.
Memory Maker is a popular Disney PhotoPass product that many guests purchase to get access to unlimited downloads of the photos that are taken by PhotoPass photographers during trips to Walt Disney World. After several years at the same price, Disney has raised prices on the product.
Disney has raised prices for its Disney PhotoPass Memory Maker, a very popular product that allows guests to get unlimited downloads of photos taken by Disney PhotoPass photographers at over one hundred locations. The price increases are as follows:
Memory Maker (Advance Purchase) is now $185, up from $169.
Memory Maker (During and Post-Vacation) is now $210, up from $199.
Memory Maker One Day is now $75, up from $69.
Even with the price increase, we still think Memory Maker is a good buy, especially if you take advantage and have a lot of photos taken during your vacation.
