Disney Cruise Line’s 25th Anniversary Season

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Disney Cruise Line’s 25th “Silver Anniversary at Sea” season kicks off today, and if guests are planning to sail this summer, we wanted to round out everything they need to know before stepping aboard! While the Disney Wish’s anniversary sailings begin today, these offerings will be added to each ship throughout the coming weeks.

From a first look at the character ensembles to a celebratory song, new entertainment, merchandise, food and beverage offerings and a Castaway Club tier created for our most frequent cruisers, there are so many shimmering details we don’t want everyone to miss!

New looks for characters

To celebrate the signature color of the celebration – Shimmering Seas – here’s a first look as all our favorite Disney friends join Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie Mouse with coordinated anniversary looks! While our favorite characters will don outfits that feature swirling designs reminiscent of ocean waves and multi-toned fabric, guests can get in the action with their own shimmering ensemble. 

“Shimmering Seas” song

Whether guests are sailing or not, they can celebrate the anniversary season with a brand-new melody! “Shimmering Seas,” a signature song created especially for the “Silver Anniversary at Sea,” celebrates 25 years of magic at sea in an upbeat tribute to Disney Cruise Line’s past, present and future. If guests are on board this summer, be sure they keep their ears peeled for this celebratory tune!

Themed food and beverage

The “Silver Anniversary at Sea” won’t just be pleasing to the eyes and ears, it will be a celebration for your taste buds as well! Sweets treats made just for the season include a 25th cupcake, a Mickey chocolate sphere, chocolate cream cookie, Captain Minnie crisped rice treat – and if that’s not enough, signature desserts in the family dining venues will be getting a tasty enhancement with a special 25th chocolate piece to add to their already stunning presentation!  

For those over 21, the signature Jubilee by the Sea cocktail – complete with sparkly, silver dusting and a shimmering blue sugar rim – will be available at select lounges, while a special anniversary Coca-Cola bottle, specialty coffee mug, 25thanniversary beer mug and a “Silver Anniversary at Sea” popcorn bucket will provide dual use both on the cruise and as a special keepsake at home.

New entertainment 

In 1998, Disney Cruise Line made history as the first cruise line ever to produce a fireworks show at sea, and these sparkling displays have remained a quintessential part of the Disney Cruise Line experience since. During most Bahamian, Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises this summer that are four nights and longer, the night skies will light up with a shimmering new show that will uphold the cherished Disney tradition of fireworks and honor Disney’s continuing legacy of adventure. The dazzling spectacle will be set to the tunes of iconic and beloved Disney music and will be anchored by the new signature song.

Also in honor of our “Silver Anniversary at Sea,” we are reimagining the time-honored tradition of a Captain’s Reception into the Shimmering Seas Soiree, a regal gathering with all the pomp and circumstance this milestone deserves. On one evening each cruise, guests will be invited to join their ship’s captain, cruise director and some favorite Disney friends in the atrium for a festive anniversary toast.

Shimmering touches

Throughout the 25th anniversary celebration, guests may notice shimmering touches across all five ships, as well as special décor in Disney Cruise Line terminals and a limited-time look for Key to the World cards. On board, shimmering blue accents will adorn each ship’s atrium, while a special anniversary icon will provide the picture-perfect backdrop for a commemorative photo. 

Speaking of picture-perfect, the celebratory season isn’t limited to just the high seas! Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s private island in The Bahamas, is also celebrating 25 years and will be decked out with anniversary decorations, along with a special surprise shimmering makeover to Mount Rustmore, a Guest-favorite photo spot. 

Themed merchandise

The Shimmering Seas collection features light blue colorways and sparkling fabrics that are reminiscent of sunshine reflecting upon turquoise waters, along with festive silver accents. Shimmering accessories include a new Loungefly backpack and ear headband, new clothing pieces – including a spirit jersey and embroidered Nike polo – and a new line of commemorative jewelry. Guests can also plan to save a little room in their suitcase for other limited-time gifts, including a “Silver Anniversary at Sea” ornament, trading pin and collectible ship replica.

All-new Castaway Club tier

For nearly two-and-a-half decades, members of the Castaway Club have played an integral role in the Disney Cruise Line story. To honor this special anniversary, a new membership tier named “Pearl” was added to honor the valued relationship we have formed with guests over the years and is inspired by the time it takes for a pearl to be formed in nature. With the launch of Pearl today, cruisers who have sailed on at least 25 Disney Cruise Line vacations will have access to more rewards and perks than ever before, including unlimited digital downloads from Disney Cruise Line professional photographers, an early booking window for new itineraries, the ability to schedule on board activities before anyone else, a special gift (one per stateroom) and complimentary dinner at Palo.

Castaway Club Gift

If guests are still working their way toward the Pearl Castaway Club tier, don’t worry – we still have a special gift for them! Castaway Club members who sail during the “Silver Anniversary at Sea” this summer will receive a limited-edition framed art print (one per stateroom) to commemorate this once-in-a-lifetime celebration while supplies last. As shown above, this design was created by Disney artist Joe Kaminski, whose work is featured in The Art of Disney galleries, Disney resort hotels and Disney Cruise Line ships.

Sailings featuring “Silver Anniversary at Sea” festivities kick off across the fleet this month and will sail through September. We can’t wait for everyone to experience all the shimmering fun as we celebrate 25 years of Disney Cruise Line! Bon voyage!

Disney Unveils Official Movie Releases for the Rest of 2023

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney+, Uncategorized

So far, 2023 hasn’t seen many theatrical releases from the House of Mouse. But not to worry—there’s plenty of good stuff on the way.

Disney recently unveiled their 11-movie release slate at this year’s CinemaCon in Las Vegas, which will fill out the remaining months of 2023. While some films will get a theatrical run, many others will be sent directly to Disney+ and Hulu.

The studio released Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in February, which rang in the MCU’s Phase Five. Other movies like Disney+’s Chang Can Dunk (2023) and Prom Pact (2023) have already made their way to the little screen, leaving 11 more exciting releases that will span across the rest of the year—including some major blockbusters. Here’s what you can expect to see in the coming months:

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” – May 5

Perhaps one of Disney’s most highly-anticipated Marvel Studios collaborations to date, James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will see the titular team reuniting for one last ride—this time, to take down a dangerous new threat known as the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji). The movie will mark the second instillation in the MCU’s Phase Five, and sees Chris Pratt (Star-Lord/Peter Quill), Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Dave Bautista (Drax), Vin Diesel (Groot), Karen Gillan (Nebula), and Pom Klementieff (Mantis) reprising their roles alongside Iwuji and franchise newcomer Will Poulter (Adam Warlock).

“The Little Mermaid” – May 26

The latest in Disney Studios’ ongoing efforts to bring their animated classics to live action, the Halle Bailey-led The Little Mermaid swims into theaters next month—and anticipation is through the roof. A reimagined take on the original story of the same name, the film stars an A-list cast from the likes of Melissa McCarthy, who plays the infamously evil Ursula, Awkwafina as a gender-flipped Scuttle, Antonio Banderas as King Triton, and Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, among others. Bailey’s goosebump-inducing take on “Part of Your World” is available on music streaming platforms now.

“The Boogeyman” – June 2

Originally set to premiere on Hulu, the latest Stephen King adaptation, The Boogeyman, will now get a summer theatrical release, promising haunts and horrors galore. The original short story follows a troubled man named Lester Billings, who believes that “The Boogeyman” is terrorizing him by killing all three of his children. In the upcoming movie, directed by Rob Savage, the plot will deviate slightly from the source material, focusing rather on Sadie Harper (Sophie Thatcher) and her little sister, Sawyer (Vivien Lyra Blair), still reeling from the unexpected death of their mother. Things get stranger when a desperate patient shows up at their house, begging for help from their psychiatrist father (David Dastmalchian).

“Elemental” – June 16

Pixar is going all-out for their upcoming collaboration with Disney, the animated Elemental. Directed by Peter Sohn, the film takes place in Element City, a place where anthropomorphic fire, water, land, and air residents live together. Things start to heat up when fire elemental Ember (Leah Lewis) is forced to form an unlikely relationship with water elemental Wade (Mamoudou Athie) in a world where “elements don’t mix.” Elemental will premiere early at the 76th annual Cannes Film Festival ahead of its theatrical release on June 16.

Ember and Wade stand next to each other in Elemental.

“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” – June 30

Perhaps the most anticipated project on Disney’s 2023 film slate, the final installment of the beloved Indiana Jones franchise is coming to theaters this summer. After a decades-long partnership with Disney and Lucasfilm, its star, Harrison Ford, will be hanging up his hat and bullwhip after Dial of Destiny. But there’s still plenty to be excited about, from Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who plays Indy’s equally as adventurous goddaughter, to Mads Mikkelsen, who stars as the villainous ex-Naxi, Jürgen Voller. The James Mangold-directed movie is sure to be a fitting goodbye to such an iconic character, and will also premiere early at Cannes in May.

Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

“Haunted Mansion” – July 28

Yet another Disney remake, 2023’s The Haunted Mansion will refresh the Halloween classic audiences were first introduced to nearly 20 years ago. Starring a truly impressive cast, from Owen Wilson, to Tiffany Haddish, to Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis, the film will see the ensemble of spiritual “experts” attempting to fight off strange, supernatural entities—with lots of laughs along the way.

Gabbie and Travis in Grand Hall Ballroom scene, Haunted Mansion movie

“A Haunting in Venice” – September 15

Based on Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot mystery series, A Haunting in Venice will see Oscar nominated director Kenneth Branagh and a new cast consisting of Tina Fey, Jamie Dornan, Michelle Yeoh, and Kyle Allen working together to solve a truly head-scratching murder-mystery. Distributed by 20th Century Studios, the movie is scheduled to be released this fall.

“The Creator” – September 29

Directed by Rogue One’s Gareth Edwards, the upcoming sci-fi action movie The Creator, has earned rave reviews after footage was screened at CinemaCon. Starring John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Ralph Ineson, Allison Janney, and other talented performers, the movie is scheduled to be released this fall by 20th Century Studios.

“The Marvels” – November 10

Captain Marvel’s Brie Larson, WandaVision breakout star Teyonah Parris, and Ms. Marvel‘s Iman Vellani are teaming up for the MCU’s next major crossover event in The Marvels. Picking up sometime after the events of Avengers: Endgame (2019), the story will follow the trio of superheroes as they try to figure out why their powers are interconnected with each other. The movie has been postponed and delayed several times by Marvel Studios, but after waiting patiently for the better part of a year, fans can finally look forward to seeing it in theaters this fall.

“Next Goal Wins” – November 17

The sports comedy Next Goal Wins has a very famous director attached to it: none other than Thor: Love and Thunder‘s Taika Waititi. Set to follow a football coach (Michael Fassbender) who tries to turn a fledgling footabll team into superstars, the movie is based on a real-life documentary of the same name. It arrives in theaters this November.

“Wish” – November 22

At CinemaCon, it was revealed that Chris Pine would lend his voice to Disney Animation’s Wish, a movie that will explore how the legend of the wishing star came to be. Pine will play King Magnifico alongside West Side Story‘s Ariana DeBose, who voices Asha. Set in the magical kingdom of Rosas, Asha, a witty and compassionate young woman, finds her plea answered by a far-off, cosmic force after wishing on a star. With the help of the cosmos, Asha sets off face on an adventure to stop the most formidable of foes in order to save her community.

Logo for WISH

First-Look at Disney’s New Hispanic Princess Asha in ‘Wish’ Trailer

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

The first official trailer for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ new musical comedy Wish just dropped. Here’s everything you need to know.

The trailer starts out with Chris Pine’s voice-over as the character King Magnifico. Magnifico narrates, “Imagine a place where wishes come true – where your heart’s desire can become a reality.” The animation is a beautiful combination of watercolor hand-drawn art combined with CGI technology.

A sun rises over a kingdom of Spanish architecture and we get the first glimpse of our new Disney Princess! Princess Asha, voiced by Oscar winner Ariana DeBose, of the Kingdom of Rosas stands on a balcony with her goat friend, Valentino. Valentino gently blows a dandelion into the breeze. The movie’s theme, the power of wishes, is already apparent.

Princess Asha follows King Magnifico into a chamber that presumably holds wishes in blue floating orbs. King Magnifico says that all Asha needs to do is “Give your wish…to ME.” Wait what? This turned kind of sinister. Is Chris Pine the villain of this story?? Look at this extreme close up on his eyes!

Chris Pine King Magnifico Disney Wish November 22

A maniacal laugh echos as Asha runs…so yea, Chris Pine’s King Magnifico is definitely the antagonist in Wish. After this experience, Princess Asha makes a wish on a bright star and it falls right out of the sky! It sprinkles star dust on flowers and suddenly they move like humans. Valentino the goat eats some of the star dust, which then grants his wish – to be able to speak! His part is voiced by Disney frequent, Alan Tudyk.

Then we get our first listen to Ariana DeBose singing as Princess Asha in an original song created for the film. It sounds like a classic Disney “I want” song that talks about her confidence and empowerment to push on. The trailer mentions that this is a “story a century in the making.”

Check it out below!

Visually, Wish already promises to be magical and stunning. The directors are Chris Buck (Frozen) and Fawn Veerasunthorn (Raya and the Last Dragon). Audiences can expect new songs by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Julia Michaels and Grammy-winning producer-songwriter-musician Benjamin Rice. Jennifer Lee (Frozen) writes and executive produces.

Wish make Princess Asha the second Hispanic Disney Princess, after the television character Princess Elena of Avalor, and the first of Disney’s major animated films.

The trailer concludes with DeBose’s Asha softly singing, “So I make this wish / to have something more for us than this.” Only in theaters this November 22!

Disney Springs Shop Owners Break Silence on Reedy Creek Battle

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Yet another afflicted party is speaking up in the battle between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Walt Disney World Resort’s Reedy Creek Improvement District.

DeSantis’s hand-picked Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board held its second-ever meeting on Wednesday, pressing forward despite the hastily-passed King Charles clause. Before transferring power to the new board, Reedy Creek essentially made itself powerless effective until 22 years after the death of the last current living descendant of King Charles III.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Disney Springs business owners appealed to DeSantis’s board for help. Representatives from Wine Bar George, Splitsville, T-Rex Cafe, Yak and Yeti, The Boathouse, and more were present at the meeting to express their concerns after the board voted to void an agreement between the State of Florida and Disney Springs tenants, upping their taxes to fund the battle between DeSantis and Reedy Creek.

Business owners say the change threatens their livelihoods and asked to create an ongoing conversation with the new board members. One told the Orlando Business Journal they felt like “collateral damage” in the battle.

“At the beginning of the meeting, they couldn’t be any nicer. At the end of the meeting, they say they are going to raise taxes,” another said.

Reedy Creek Fire Dept. truck in front EPCOT's Spaceship Earth at Disney World

Hours later, Walt Disney World Resort announced a lawsuit against DeSantis. The Walt Disney Company alleges that its First Amendment right to free speech was violated when the Republican Governor retaliated against former Disney CEO Bob Chapek, who spoke out against the Parental Rights In Education Act (“Don’t Say Gay”).

Nevertheless, DeSantis claims he and his board did nothing wrong. In a press release, the Governor’s communication director wrote that the “lawsuit is yet another example of [Disney’s] hope to undermine the will of the Florida voters and operate outside the bounds of the law.”

Former Pastor’s Disney Trips Made Him One of the FBI’s “Most Wanted” Fugitives

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Over the years, there have been stories of Guests returning home from Disney World with mountains of debt, with unexplained illnesses, and more recently, with COVID, but this story may be the first of its kind, as it involves a pastor whose trip to the Walt Disney World Resort ultimately resulted in his being a fugitive wanted by the FBI. In fact, his Disney trip earned him a spot on the FBI’s “Most Wanted” list.

Chris Burns, a former youth pastor turned financial adviser, is wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for fraud. But his alleged scheme was no ordinary scheme. According to prosecutors, Burns’ carried out a Ponzi scheme for years–one that made victims of residents in three different states. He allegedly operated under the guise of a “peer-to-peer” lending program with promissory notes bearing high interest, and the money he received from his “clients” was then used to fund Burns’ alleged “lavish lifestyle” that included the purchase of a $1 million lake house, several vehicles, a boat, and airtime for his local radio show, as well as multiple trips to the Walt Disney World Resort located near Orlando, Florida.

While Burns was reportedly able to keep us his vicious scheme for several years, everything started to unravel in August 2020. The 40-year-old financial adviser and local financial talk show host from Georgia was contacted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the message was clear: the SEC had opened an investigation into his businesses. One day before Burns was to hand over documents to the SEC, he vanished into thin air. The only traces left behind were a car in a parking garage, registered to Burns, copies of three cashier’s checks totaling nearly $80,000, a string of angry investors, and a family that had just as many questions as the investigators.

“I have [had] to rethink my entire life,” said Philip Burns, Chris Burns’ son, who was only 15 years old the last time he saw his father. “He was my role model. It hurts so much that he left that day. I believe he is still out there somewhere, but [he] is not a part of our family and our lives anymore.”

In the SEC’s complaint, Burns is accused of telling his clients that they would be repaid their principal investment amounts, as well as interest–interest that might reach as much as 20%. He even gave clients a “personal guarantee for each promissory note, in which he promised to repay 100% of any principal loss,” per the complaint. Burns’ indictment further states that he promised his clients collateral that “either did not exist at all or was worth substantially less than he represented.”

Before it all came crashing down, Burns allegedly sold at least 70 promissory notes to multiple investors living in North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia.

Burns worked as a pastor before reinventing himself as a financial adviser and Georgia radio host.

By his family’s account, Burns was obsessed with Disney. Not long after Burns began hosting his own financial radio talk show, he also began spending money profusely–especially when it came to Disney. Burns’ family says they visited the Walt Disney World Resort at least twice a year and enjoyed several Disney cruises, but it didn’t stop there. Thanks to Burns’ fraudulent practices, the family also enjoyed to perks of being Disney Vacation Club members. Burns’ wife Meredith said that at one point, her husband paid for their neighbors to come to Disney World with them. Burns even paid for Disney World VIP tours that contributed to the family’s trip expenses that sometimes exceeded $8,000 per day.

“He was obsessed with Disney,” Burns’ son Philip said. “He was a Disney adult.”

As of the time of this publication, “Disney Dad” Christopher W. Burns is considered a fugitive and is listed among the FBI’s Most Wanted. He has not been seen since September 24, 2020. He told his wife he was driving to South Carolina to see his parents, but when he didn’t return home as planned, his wife contacted his parents, who said they had not seen him and that no plans had been made between Burns and his parents for a visit. A warrant for his arrest was issued on October 23, 2020.

“Burns is charged for allegedly stealing millions of dollars from clients in an illegal investment fraud scheme. Financial crimes of this nature can cause significant disruptions to the lives of those who are victimized, and the FBI is dedicated to holding these criminals accountable,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta.  “The FBI is still seeking the public’s help in locating Burns and will continue to pursue him no matter how long he tries to evade the law.”

Per the FBI website:

Christopher W. Burns is wanted for his alleged involvement in a mail fraud scheme in Georgia. It is alleged that Burns defrauded a number of victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. As part of his scheme, Burns allegedly falsely told victims that he was investing their money in a “peer to peer” lending program in which loans were backed by collateral. In reality, the collateral promised by Burns either did not exist at all or was worth substantially less than Burns represented. He has not been seen since he left his home on September 24, 2020, one day before he was supposed to turn over documents related to his businesses to the Securities and Exchange Commission. A federal arrest warrant was issued for Burns on October 23, 2020, in the United States District Court, Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia, after he was charged with mail fraud.