ABC and Disney Parks Announce a Flurry of Stars and Magical Surprises for Holiday Specials

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney+

It’s the most wonderful time of the year as ABC and Disney Parks bring the magic of the holidays into our homes with holiday specials hosted from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California!

Derek Hough, Julianne Hough and Ariana DeBose host “The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration,” airing this Sunday, Nov. 28, 7-9 p.m. ET/PT. Then, Derek and Julianne return to host the “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade,” from Walt Disney World Resort, alongside Freeform’s Trevor Jackson (“grown-ish”) and Sherry Cola (“Good Trouble”) from the Disneyland Resort, Saturday, Dec. 25, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET/PT. Be sure to mark your calendars to watch on ABC and stream the next day on Hulu.

Both holiday specials will sparkle with holiday cheer, offering heartwarming moments and exclusive sneak peeks at what’s new around The Walt Disney Company. Viewers can look forward to a sneak peek at Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, opening March 1, 2022, at Walt Disney World Resort; a trip on board the all-new Disney Wish from Disney Cruise Line; and special looks at Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” and Steven Spielberg’s new film “West Side Story.” As part of The World’s Most Magical Celebration, commemorating 50 years of Walt Disney World Resort, every touch of holiday magic will be an extra special, EARidescent treat.

Musical performances for “The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration” include:

  • Julianne Hough and Ariana DeBose – “We Need a Little Christmas,” “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” and “Holiday” medley
  • AFTR PRTY – “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” and “Winter Wonderland” medley
  • Jimmie Allen – “Silent Night”
  • Kristin Chenoweth – “(Everyone’s Waitin’ For) The Man with the Bag” and “Jingle Bell Rock” mash-up
  • Darren Criss – “Happy Holidays / The Holiday Season” medley
  • Brett Eldredge – “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”
  • NEEDTOBREATHE and Switchfoot – “Hometown Christmas”
  • Norah Jones – “Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones)” and “Blue Christmas” medley
  • Gwen Stefani – “You Make It Feel Like Christmas” and “Jingle Bells”
  • Sebastián Yatra – “Dos Oruguitas” from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” medley

In addition to the parade, musical performances for “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade” include the following:

  • Derek Hough and Julianne Hough – “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town”
  • Jimmie Allen – “White Christmas”
  • Kristin Chenoweth – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” 
  • Darren Criss – “Christmas Dance”
  • Meg Donnelly – “Jingle Bell Rock”
  • Brett Eldredge – “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
  • Norah Jones – “Run Rudolph Run”
  • Pentatonix – “I Saw Three Ships”
  • Gwen Stefani – “Cheer for the Elves”

Disney Releases Trailer For A New Twist on the Classic Cinderella Story

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney+

There are few fairy tales that are more well known — and more frequently remade — than Cinderella. Disney first released the animated fairy tale in 1950 and that was followed up with a 2002 sequel film Cinderella II: Dreams Do Come True and a third film was released in 2007, Cinderella III: A Twist In Time. In 2015, Disney released a live-action remake of the film, starring Lily James, Richard Madden, Helena Bonham Carter, and Cate Blachett.

Cinderella is one of those tales that can seemingly always be adapted to fit with a modern audience, and Disney has revealed their newest take on the time-honored story in celebration of Disney+ Day. The new film will be called Sneakerella and tells the story of hard-working teen El as he falls in love with basketball princess Kira. Disney has released both the key art and the trailer for Sneakerella.

Sneakerella

Here is a description of Disney’s newest film from What’s On Disney Plus:

Set in the avant-garde street-sneaker subculture of New York City, “Sneakerella” introduces El (Jacobs), an aspiring sneaker designer from Queens who works as a stock boy in the shoe store that once belonged to his late mother. El hides his artistic talent from his overburdened stepfather and two mean-spirited stepbrothers who constantly stomp on any opportunity that comes his way. When El meets Kira King (Underwood), the fiercely independent daughter of legendary basketball star and sneaker tycoon Darius King (Salley), sparks fly as the two bond over their mutual affinity for sneakers. With a little nudge from his best friend and a sprinkle of Fairy Godfather magic, El finds the courage to use his talent to pursue his dream of becoming a ‘legit’ sneaker designer in the industry.

Sneakerella

You can watch the full trailer for Sneakerella below.

Sneakerella is set to premiere on Disney+ on February 18, 2022 and will star Chosen Jacobs as El, Lexi Underwood as Kira King, Kolton Stewart as Zelly, and four-time NBA Championship winner John Salley as Darius King.

Does Live-Action Pinocchio Finally Have a Release Date?

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney+, Uncategorized

Although we don’t know exactly how we feel about Disney’s obsession with remaking all of its classic content, we have really been looking forward to the entertainment giant’s reimagining of its 1940 classic Pinocchio.

We love the 1940 classic story about Gepetto and his amazing craftsmanship that, after a visit from the Blue Fairy, yields him a puppet that can talk and walk and eat and sleep, and who just wants to be a “real boy.” So we’re considering issuing Disney a pass on this one as they reimagine the story into a live-action version that includes a new Seagull character named Sofia.

But if we’re honest, we’re probably most looking forward to seeing the incomparable, the uber-talented, the amazing Sheriff Woody himself, Tom Hanks play the role of the kind old Gepetto. In addition to using his voice talents to bring Toy Story’s Woody to life, Hanks also played the role of Walt Disney in the film Saving Mr. Banks. He made a voice cameo in Disney’s Big City Greens, and now he will bring Gepetto to life in a way we’re sure no one else could.

Live-action Pinocchio to be released in 2022 | The Digital Fix

The cast also includes the following:

  • Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Pinocchio
  • Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jiminy Cricket
  • Cynthia Erivo as Blue Fairy
  • Keegan-Michael Key as Honest John
  • Luke Evans as The Coachman
  • Lorraine Bracco as Sofia the Seagull; a new character

You may remember Luke Evans from Disney’s remake of Beauty and the Beast in 2017. He played the egotistical Gaston opposite Emma Watson.

Luke Evans as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast.

During an earnings call this week with The Walt Disney Company’s executives, it was announced that Disney’s remake of Pinocchio will debut exclusively on the Disney+ streaming platform during the company’s fiscal fourth quarter in 2022.

It’s important, however, to note that the company’s fiscal quarters don’t correspond to the regular calendar, so, according to Disney’s Chief Financial Officer, Christine McCarthy, the film will make its streaming debut sometime between July and September of next year.

Celebration of Disney+ Day

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney+

In Sept., Disney announced that we would be celebrating Disney+ Day in a big way on November 12, and we’re excited to share more about what Disney Parks Guests and shopDisney users can expect later this week as we roll out the blue carpet around the world for Disney+ subscribers.

In celebration of Disney+ Day, Disney+ subscribers with a valid ticket or pass and theme park reservations for the day will enjoy special benefits at select Disney theme parks. Disney+ subscribers are invited with their travel party to enter all theme parks at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort 30 minutes before regular park open.

Disney+ subscribers are the real stars at Disney Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Park, where Guests will be welcomed with a blue carpet experience, including special photo opportunities throughout the parks.

lus up their photos with complimentary Disney PhotoPass digital download(s) taken at select locations, offered especially to Disney+ subscribers via the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps. 

Fan favorite Disney+ characters are also joining the festivities with appearances around the parks. The fun doesn’t stop there – there are more surprises in store for subscribers who visit on Disney+ Day at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort!

Learn about how Guests can celebrate Disney+ Day at Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort via handy event guides directly in the My Disney Experience mobile app and the Disneyland app. For Guests using a mobile device, they can directly access the Walt Disney World Resort event guide and the Disneyland Resort event guide.

Disney+ Day is coming to Disneyland Paris too with a special celebration taking place at Walt Disney Studios Park for all Guests to enjoy!* Guests can be the star they are, and strut the blue carpet in true Hollywood style, stopping along the way for selfies with Disney characters dressed in blue for the occasion. Relax between takes in an eatery reminiscent of the Golden Age of Hollywood at Restaurant en Coulisse – and don’t miss the chance to indulge in a complimentary Disney+ Day-inspired treat offered with each menu item purchase. Disney+ Day photo locations will plus up Guest’s pics with special character appearances (both in-person and virtual); and to culminate the celebration, Walt Disney Studios Park will remain open for 30 extra minutes with a grand finale illuminating the Tower of Terror in blue.**

Guests can celebrate with Disney Parks from home, too! They can step up their selfie game on the My Disney Experience app with a special appearance from Grogu. This all-new AR feature rolls out November 12, and just for Disney+ Day, Guests will be able to give it a go right from home!

Disney+ subscribers will enjoy more special benefits from home with free shipping on shopDisney from November 12-14. In addition, for a limited time starting TODAY, shopDisney is rolling out new customizable products from Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel including short sleeve and long sleeve T-shirts for kids and adults from Disney+ favorites: “Raya and the Last Dragon,” “Luca,” “Star Wars: The Bad Batch,” and “Loki.”

In celebration of Disney+ Day, Disney Publishing Worldwide will offer selected $0.99 cent eBooks Nov. 8-17. Fans can discover the stories behind their favorite Disney+ series, including, “Loki,” “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” and “The Mandalorian.”

Guests can also choose to memorialize the magic with the release of a limited set of digital collectibles representing some of the most beloved characters and stories from iconic Disney franchises. Each digital collectible purchase will include a free offer code allowing new subscribers to enjoy several free months of Disney+.***

For Guests not already a Disney+ subscriber, they can join in the celebration with a special, introductory offer, and get one month of Disney+ for only $1.99, then $7.99/mo. 

Guests may be required to verify that they are a Disney+ subscriber by displaying their logged-in home screen on the Disney+ app via their phone to receive special benefits at the parks. Please be sure to download the Disney+ app and sign in prior to arrival.

*A Health Pass is required for any guests aged above 12 years and 2 months in order to visit Disneyland Paris. Please visit our Health and Safety page https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-us/health-safety-measures/ 

**Please note that seasons, shows, parades and similar events at Disney Parks may be changed, delayed or cancelled at any time without notice for reasons beyond our control.

*** This Disney+ offer is only valid for new and returning Disney+ subscribers, cannot be shared with any other person or transferred in exchange for money or any other consideration, with or without the NFT, and is only available in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Netherlands, Spain, Mexico, and Singapore.

‘Hocus Pocus 2’ Will Show Sanderson Sisters As Children!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney+

Via DisDining.com

Thackery Binx had to wait 300 years for a virgin to light a candle before he could be with the rest of his family. And it feels like it’s been that long since fans started asking Disney to make a sequel to the film that has become a cult classic — Hocus Pocus. Well, Disney has granted our wish and is now actively producing Hocus Pocus 2, with filming happening in Rhode Island.

Fans have been watching closely for any and all updates on what the new sequel will be about and who will star in it. We know that Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy will all be reprising their roles as Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson, and Doug Jones — who played Billy Butcherson — will also be returning.

Disney has also released a synopsis for the film, which was shared via MovieWeb:

“It’s been 29 years since someone lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the 17th-century sisters who were executed for practicing witchcraft, and they are looking for revenge. Now it is up to three high-school students to figure out how to stop the ravenous witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem before midnight on All Hallow’s Eve.”

Hocus Pocus

While the synopsis doesn’t give us much, it’s something, and now we may have something more. Video shared on TikTok shows the set of Salem Village that has been recreated and some very recognizable red hair can be seen but on a child. The new video seems to indicate that Hocus Pocus 2 will show the Sanderson sisters as children, which could show us their family and how they became the soul-sucking sisters we met in the original film.

You can check out the video below and see if you can spot Winifred running around Salem!

@baniabvr

#HocusPocus2 #90skids #FilmingLocation #ClassicMovie #Halloween #Massachusetts #FYP #ForYouPage #ParaTi

♬ original sound – Bania Beaver

It is also being reported that the stage representing the town of Salem is preparing for huge pyrotechnics to take place. According to The Providence Journal: 

The state Department of Environmental Management sent air quality specialist Taylor Ryan to inspect the site Tuesday as part of the agency’s review of an open burning permit the production had applied for to burn down the village, according to DEM spokesman Michael J. Healey.

(The village includes nine wood-frame buildings, though most of them are missing one or more sides, only the sides that will show in the movie were fully constructed.)

When Ryan arrived on site, she learned, “They are not actually lighting the structure on fire. They are using ‘fire beams’ fueled by natural gas so it looks like the building is on fire from the camera, but nothing will be burnt down,” she wrote in an email, adding that flame-retardant material will be between the beams and the structures.

Between the footage of Winifred as a young girl and the fact that they are going to burn down Salem, it will be interesting to see what direction the new sequel film goes in. Since we saw the town of Salem in the original film, we know that if the village was burnt down, it was rebuilt and the Sanderson’s either didn’t have anything to do with it, or they did not feel a need to leave the village.

It is unknown when filming will be complete, but Hocus Pocus 2 is scheduled to be released on Disney+ in the fall of 2022.