At D23 Expo, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro offered a first look at exciting news for Disney Cruise Line, including unveiling the sixth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Treasure, and an update on Lighthouse Point, the new beautiful new island destination in the Bahamas.
The sixth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Treasure, will set sail in 2024. Imagineers have dreamed up a new design concept inspired by the theme of adventure, celebrating Walt Disney’s lifelong love of exploration. The Grand Hall — the magnificent three-deck-tall atrium that welcomes guests on board — is inspired by the grandeur and mystery of a gilded palace, drawing on real-world influences from Asia and Africa, and paying homage to the far-off land of Agrabah. At the center, the signature statue will feature Aladdin, Jasmine and their Magic Carpet.
In the Bahamas, progress continues on a beautiful new island destination at Lighthouse Point, which will bring the natural beauty and rich culture of the Bahamas to life for Disney Cruise Line guests.
Sad news coming out of Hollywood today. Actor and comedian Gilbert Gottfried has died at the age of 67 after battling a long illness. Known for his signature voice and over-the-top comedy, Gilbert Gottfried was a comedic legend. Through his more than 50 years in the entertainment industry, Gottfried had more than 180 acting credits to his name. He is probably most well-known to Disney fans for lending his voice talents to Iago — the diabolical sidekick of Jafar in Disney’s 1992 film, Aladdin.
Gottfried began working in the comedy world when he was just 15 years old. His talent landed him a short stint on the iconic sketch show, Saturday Night Live. It was on SNL where Gottfried would meet fellow comedian Eddie Murphy. Murphy would later help land Gottfried his big break in the movie business, casting him in Murphy’s Beverly Hills Cop II.
From there, Gottfried’s career skyrocketed. He appeared in a number of classic films and television shows, including Night Court, Problem Child, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and Mad About You. In 1992, he voiced one of Disney’s most well-known sidekicks, Iago. He returned to voice Iago in 1994 for Aladdin 2:The Return of Jafar and a third time in 1996 for Aladdin and the King of Thieves. Gottfried also voiced Iago for the Aladdin television series, as well as a number of video games based on the film franchise and Disney On Ice.
Gottfried is survived by his wife Dara, his 14-year-old daughter Lily, 12-year-old son Max, sister Karen, and his nephew, Graham.
When it comes to performing in a Broadway production, having a strong and powerful voice is always an asset. However, the performer’s voice also has to blend well with others on stage. Harmony and balance are key. One actress is suing Disney, claiming that the man they cast to play Aladdin opposite her Princess Jasmine did not have balance. She is claiming that having to work with him caused irreversible damage to her vocal cords.
Jade Ewen played Princess Jasmine in London’s West End production of Aladdin from 2016 until 2019. The professional singer claims that everything was fine until Disney replaced her male costar in 2017. According to Ewen, the new actor — Matthew Croke — was unable to harmonize properly if he heard other people singing. This caused him to sing incredibly loud, so he could not hear anyone else. Ewen claims that because he sang so loudly, she was also forced to sing loud, so she could also be heard.
Mr Croke was six foot one inch tall compared to the claimant’s height of five feet two inches. This meant Mr Croke’s mouth was positioned at broadly the height of the claimant’s forehead microphone when he was singing the duets with her.
“Due to Mr Croke’s very loud singing voice and his position in relation to the claimant’s microphone, during the duets his voice was picked up by the claimant’s microphone.
“This caused the claimant’s voice to be ‘drowned out’ so that she could not hear herself when singing at a volume which was comfortable for her.
“The claimant was forced, repeatedly during the eight performances per week, over a period of about 18 months, to sing at a louder volume and with greater strength than was comfortable and/or safe for her.
“Her vocal cords were placed under strain, increasing the risk of damage being caused to her vocal cords.
“Further, there was something of a vicious circle in that the louder she sang, the louder Matthew Croke sang over her.”
The barrister claimed that Miss Ewen complained on “many” occasions about the sound mix on stage and being drowned out, but was told to “sing louder.”
“From about March 2018, the claimant began to experience symptoms of recurrent hoarseness, discomfort and imbalance in her singing voice,” he says.
“To be able to perform satisfactorily in the shows, she started having to take enforced breaks from speaking and singing and to spend her days off in complete silence.”
In 2019, Ewen was diagnosed with vocal cord lesions and a vascular polyp. This means that she had abnormal, benign growths on her vocal cords. These had to be removed through two surgeries. While the problem has been fixed, Ewen claims that the whole ordeal is now making her struggle with “career-damaging anxiety.” Her inability to work as she used to is why she is suing The Walt Disney Company.
Disney is fighting those claims. The company says that it did everything in its power to keep its performers safe and that Matthew Croke was an accomplished stage performer when he was cast as Aladdin. Ewen says that she asked to be provided with an in-ear monitor, but Disney claims that performers on the West End do not typically have in-ear monitors. Disney also claims that Ewen was aware of the demands when she signed on to do eight performances a week.
Ewen’s case against the House of Mouse is currently in pre-trial motions. A court date has not been set at this time. Ewen is suing Disney for £200,000, which is more than $260,000.
There’s an adorable new Disney Parks Wishable collection that has been released and it’s truly something magical.
From a Disney Cast Member;
‘Tis the season for giving! The celebration of Disney and Make-A-Wish® working together for 40 years to grant life-changing wishes continues with the debut of the latest collection of Disney Parks Wishables. Themed to the Magic Carpets of Aladdin attraction, the adorable new series features the original wish granter himself: Genie! This collection is available NOW at select Disney Parks around the world, the Disney store and online at shopDisney.com and is the perfect stocking stuffer for the holidays!
This Disney Parks Wishables is the final collection in the trio of product this fall that began with the debut of the popular Wishes Come True Blue color collection and last month’s lovable Mickey Mouse plush, which unlocked donations to Make-A-Wish! I’m excited to announce that as of today, sales from these two merchandise offerings have unlocked a total donation of $591,100 to Make-A-Wish so far, and we’re not done yet…
That’s right, the Disney Parks Wishables: Magic Carpets of Aladdin series is the first-ever product collection from Disney Parks with 100 percent of the purchase price from each sale being donated to a charitable organization, and just in time for the holiday season!
In the spirit of giving, we also launched a very special edition of Play Disney Parks trivia celebrating the magic of wishes! Don’t forget to check out the app to play now through Friday and stay tuned to the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps later today, where we’ll be sharing even more about Disney and Make-A-Wish!*
So join us in giving back this holiday season with The Wishes Come True Blue color collection, Mickey Mouse vintage holiday plush and the latest Disney Parks Wishables: Magic Carpets of Aladdin series. All available now at shopDisney.com with select products available at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort and Disney stores in North America. To learn more, visit http://wish.org/disney.
Available for iPhone® and AndroidTM smartphones.
Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations, and features may vary by handset, service provider or otherwise. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first. Some app features require separate theme park admission.
Almost as magical as a magic carpet ride, Disney has been unveiling some pretty amazing movie-themed overlays on its Walt Disney World resort buses. In the past, we’ve seen buses themed to the Lion King, Cars and more!
Today, another new exciting addition was found! Disney can show you the world aboard this new Aladdin, themed bus!
Shining, shimmering splendid, we caught a glimpse of this bus featuring an amazing graphic of Aladdin and Princess Jasmine dropping of resort guests at Disney Springs. You can even catch the Toy Story bus looking vibrant in the distance!
