Disney Suspends “Frozen” on Broadway Due To Pandemic

Broadway aficionados and Frozen fans alike are shocked at the announcement that “Frozen” On Broadway will be permanently ending its run and not returning after the COVID-19 shutdown on Broadway.

According to The New York Times, Disney Theatrical Productions stated that its stage adaptation of “Frozen” will not reopen once the pandemic eases, making it the first musical to get permanently shut down due to the health crisis.

“Frozen” was never the Broadway powerhouse that “The Lion King” and “Aladdin” proved to be, and the theatrical company does not believe the crowds will be back once the lockdown is lifted. The production was mildly received by critics and by February, was only averaging $1 million in weekly sales.

Thomas Schumacher, President of Disney Theatrical Productions issued the following statement in a letter to staff:

“This difficult decision was made for several reasons but primarily because we believe that three Disney productions will be one too many titles to run successfully in Broadway’s new landscape.”

Broadway remains closed after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo banned gatherings of over 500 people on March 12. Disney plans on resuming the theatrical tour of “Frozen” once theaters reopen across North America in hopes that it fares better outside of New York.

April 29th Was Make-A-Wish Day

April 29 was World Wish Day! It was the day Make-A-Wish was founded in 1980. DisneyParksBlog shares a beautiful story and video below for this very special day:

To all who make wishes and to those who make wishes come true — Happy World Wish Day!

On April 29, 1980, Make-A-Wish was founded upon the inspirational story of Chris Greicius, a young boy who dreamt of being a police officer. Since that day, Make-A-Wish has grown into a global organization and granted nearly half a million wishes worldwide. 

These special moments have touched the hearts of so many people over the years, leaving a lifelong impact on both the wish child and the roughly 200 people it takes to make every wish come true.

It also marks the 40th anniversary of Disney’s relationship with Make-A-Wish, as Disneyland Resort was part of the first ‘official’ wish for a boy named Frank “Bopsy” Salazar.

Disney and Make-A-Wish have worked together to make over 140,000 wishes come true around the globe. Every one of them is special to us, and a chance to celebrate the hope, courage, and perseverance of the amazing children at the heart of every wish experience. 

We also celebrate the organization that helps make those wishes come true. So from all of us here at Disney – Happy Anniversary, Make-A-Wish! Here’s to 40 more years of making extraordinary wishes come true together.

Disney Authors & Illustrators Offering Courses & Workshops

With the Disney Parks closed due to the COVID-19 spread, Disney is making the most of bringing Disney magic home. What better way to keep us busy than to offer drawing courses and workshops! Check out the details below from DisneyParksBlog:

Interested in sharing some best practices with your aspiring author or getting started writing your own book? Tune into these opportunities to learn from the best in the business, and get started on your own creations!

New York Times best-selling Disney Hyperion author, Rick Riordan, the mastermind behind the beloved Percy Jackson series, is headed to Instagram to live chat with Roshani Chokshi, author of the Pandava series, for the launch of and Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes. Join the duo on April 7 at 5pm PT/8pm ET on Rosh’s Instagram @RoshaniChokshi. Be sure to follow Roshani Chokshi and Rick Riordan on Twitter @camphalfblood for more info!

Follow Percy Jackson & the Olympians Author for live social media chats 

Boost Your Writing Skills with the Author of Sal & Gabi Break the Universe on YouTube

Grab your middle grade student and join Disney Hyperion author Carlos Hernandez on his YouTube channel series of creative writing videos. The award-winning author of Sal & Gabi Break the Universe and its forthcoming sequel, Sal & Gabi Fix the Universe, will provide helpful writing prompts and inspiration for your aspiring author.  

Learn to Draw a Disney Princess with a Disney Artist

Learn to Draw a Disney Princess with a Disney Artist

Another crowd pleaser for the whole family, Disney artist Amy Mebberson, is featuring drawing lessons on YouTube. Join Amy as she gives step-by-step tutorials on how to sketch all of your Disney Princess favorites in comic styles.

Follow @DisneyBooks on social media for more content and updates from our authors, and the Disney Princess YouTube channel for more entertainment!

Order Disney Merchandise From BoxLunch and Help Fight Against Hunger

Purchase fun Disney-inspired merchandise while providing a meal for a person in need! We’re big fans of BoxLunch… as is Disney! Check out the message below from DisneyParksBlog on new merchandise available via BoxLunch and how it benefits those in need:

In celebration of the opening of Mickey and Minnie’s Railway Runaway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, BoxLunch is releasing a set of exclusive styles inspired by the new attraction; the tees are available now for pre-sale at BoxLunch.com and will arrive at BoxLunch stores in the coming weeks. The exclusive merchandise offering is a glimpse of what’s to come as BoxLunch plans to release a full Mickey and Minnie’s Railway Runaway collection in the early fall.

BoxLunch is a specialty retailer offering a curated collection of licensed pop culture merchandise. With every $10 spent across the retailers’ themed product offering of apparel, accessories, home goods, gift and novelty, and collectibles BoxLunch will provide a meal to a person in need through its philanthropic partnerships*. To join the movement and help in the fight against hunger visit BoxLunch in-store or online at www.boxlunch.com to learn more on how you can get involved in your local community. 

*For every $10 spent, BoxLunch will donate at least one meal to Feeding America. $1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America® on behalf of local member food banks. BoxLunch guarantees a minimum of 5,000,000 meals (monetary equivalent of $500,000) to Feeding America and member food banks from February 2, 2020 to January 30, 2021. Meal claim valid as of 12/5/18 and subject to change.

Book Your Disney Vacation Today!

Chris Pratt & Tom Holland Talk About Their New Film, “Onward”

The cast and crew of “Onward” discuss just what makes the film so special in this brand new featurette.

Set in a suburban fantasy world, Disney and Pixar’s “Onward” introduces two teenage elf brothers (voiced by Chris Pratt and Tom Holland) who embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left out there.

“Onward” opens in U.S. theaters March 6, 2020.