Disney Cruise Line Debuts New Experiences

From the magical mountains of Colombia to the bustling streets of New York City, the colorful worlds of two fan-favorite Disney films – Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” and Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” – have come to life for the first time on the high seas with the debut of new family-friendly experiences aboard the Disney Magic. In addition to “Encanto”-themed entertainment and a “Soul”-inspired lounge, the ship’s concierge accommodations were enhanced with new theming and spacious refurbishments during a three-week dry dock project in Freeport, The Bahamas.

“An Encanto Celebration” Brings the Family Madrigal to the High Seas for the First Time

Guests can join the fantastical family Madrigal during an all-new immersive experience, “An Encanto Celebration,” designed to engage families through music, crafts and storytelling. The interactive experience gives guests an opportunity to meet and take photos with Mirabel and the family member we don’t talk about, Bruno, during their Disney Cruise Line debut. Families can also join a spirited sing-along of beloved “Encanto” songs and create butterfly and flower crafts inspired by the film. During the show, guests can experience a true taste of South America thanks to a selection of local Colombian beers, cocktails and sodas along with film-inspired mocktails.

New Soul Cat Lounge Hits the Right Note for Evening Entertainment

The heartfelt story of “Soul” was the inspiration for the brand-new Soul Cat Lounge designed to look like Joe Gardner’s favorite music spot from the film, the Half Note Lounge. The space, located on deck three near Rapunzel’s Royal Table restaurant, instantly transports guests to a classic New York jazz club appointed with decorative details like brick walls, wood accents and plenty of rich leather seating around a stage set for live music, so guests can grab their partner and head to the dance floor for a swinging good time each evening.

The Soul Cat Lounge is adorned with custom artwork from Pixar featuring nods to the film including record labels, concert posters and portraits of jazz legend Dorothea Williams and her bandmates. Thoughtful “Soul”-inspired details are subtly layered throughout the design including record players, instruments and Joe’s hat.

Adults can enhance their big city experience with table-side Manhattans and martinis or choose from a selection of native brews and cocktails made with New York spirits. A fun collection of mocktails, specialty coffees and sodas are also on the menu. In addition to new drink options, guests can take a bite of Little Italy with an order of zeppoles, the classic Italian pastry similar to a fried doughnut, while enjoying the live music.

Redesigned Concierge Retreats Provide an Elevated Experience

For guests seeking the ultimate comfort and service at sea, the concierge spaces aboard the Disney Magic have been elevated and enhanced. The concierge lounge was reimagined and expanded to feature a sophisticated new theme and tropical color palate inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana” and an additional outdoor covered seating area on deck 10 where guests can relax with a refreshing beverage while enjoying the ocean breeze. All concierge suites, including one- and two-bedroom accommodations and the two signature royal suites, have been completely refurbished with fresh fixtures, furniture and elegant artwork, further elevating the premium experience for concierge guests.

Shore power technology was also installed as part of the ship’s dry dock project, continuing Disney Cruise Line’s longtime dedication to minimizing its impact on the environment. When available at the port, this will allow the Disney Magic to “plug in” to the port’s electrical grid, reducing the ship’s emissions.

3D artist gives extensive makeovers to PIXAR characters

An amazing 3D modeling artist has put his unique fingerprints on several PIXAR characters, and the results are amazing.

Hossein Diba has an affinity for makeovers–specifically, giving makeovers to characters from popular video games, trending films, and, of course, PIXAR movies. Just take a look at his impressive ability for creating realistic-looking people with his next-gen software that makes you feel like they’re the real deal.

Joe Gardner is the center of PIXAR’s phenomenal hit from last holiday season, Soul. Joe is a middle school band teacher, but he’s really in the zone as a musician and wants to be able to use his excellent talents as a jazz pianist. His dream comes true when he gets the opportunity of a lifetime to play jazz at the Half Note Club with jazz sensation Dorothea Williams, but he passes away just after his audition for Ms. Williams.

Oh hell ya': musicians react to Pixar Studio's Soul | CBC Music

What ensues is a journey to find self-worth, a quest for Joe to find his joy, his purpose, and that for which he was created.

Hossein Diba has re-created Joe Gardner, and the finished product is a man that looks just like Joe–it has us believing that whomever Diba has created with his 3D modeling software must be the man who inspired the animated Joe Gardner.

Here’s a look at Diba’s makeover of Joe Gardner. We think he is spot on!

When we first meet PIXAR’s Sheriff Woody from Toy Story, he’s a rough and tumble cowboy from the Wild, Wild West, right?

Well, no, but he might have wanted Buzz Lightyear to think so in the first installment of the toy-inspired animated film franchise. But Diba’s makeover of our beloved Sheriff Woody is one that casts him in a bit of a different light. Check out Diba’s video that gives us a full look at Woody, complete with the dusty West and saloon doors in the background.

“Here is how the real Woody that the toy Woody is based on would look like,” says Diba, and though the artist’s rendition of Sheriff Woody is strikingly life-like, I, for one, claim the status of “Woody aficionado,” and I don’t think this is the face of Toy Story‘s Woody. It’s somebody’s face, and it’s darn good, but it’s just not Woody.

Not quite Woody, but nice job on those threads and the background, though, sir.

And we’ve saved the best for last. Has there ever been a more relatable character from PIXAR than the elderly Paradise Springs hopeful Carl Fredricksen from PIXAR’s Up? It seems like everyone has a “Carl” in his or her family, or they know someone that reminds them of Mr. Fredricksen and vice-versa.

10 Uplifting Facts About Up to Celebrate Film's 10th Anniversary - D23

Hossein Diba created perhaps his most realistic makeover when he took on the challenge of Mr. F. from Up. When I first saw the photos, I thought they were of an actual elderly gentleman who posed for the pictures.

Joe Gardner from “Soul” Fab 50 Statue Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

It was announced today via the Pixar Instagram that Joe Gardner will be joining the lineup of Disney Fab 50 statues for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary.

Soul directors Pete Docter and Kemp Powers took to Instagram to announce the newest statue honoring the lead from their film. Joe is seen seated, playing a stream of piano keys. The statue will be showcased at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, alongside Edna Mode who was recently announced as part of the Fab 50 Character Collection at the park as well.

Pixar’s “Soul” Wins Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature

Pixar’s newest film Soul debuted on Disney+ on Christmas Day last year. The animated film was the most-streamed title for its opening week. Now, Soul can add another accolade to its list: a Golden Globe!

Soul has won the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature! The original Pixar film is a heartwarming and humorous story about human connection and finding one’s place in the world.

Two Disney+ Shows on Top 10 Streaming List

Via DisneyTips.com

How did you spend your holidays in 2020? Well, it looks like many of us spent it streaming our favorite shows and films. Nielsen’s Top 10 data from December 21 – 27 has rolled out. It looks like Disney+ has crept in on the usually Netflix dominated list! Two Disney+ hits get high marks as first and fifth spots.

As shared by Variety: Disney+ Soul got over 1.66 billion minutes of viewing time in the span of two days reaching first place. The Mandalorian, the record-breaking champion of the week prior, descended to fifth place over the holidays, obtaining about 1 billion minutes of viewing time. The win marked the first time that a non-Netflix show landed at No. 1 on Nielsen’s streaming ranker.

Nielsen’s rankings are based on the number of minutes consumers who have access to streaming platforms are viewing during the week. Streamers such as Netflix, Amazon and Disney Plus do not release their own detailed stats and these streaming measurements are based on Nielsen estimates. Nielsen also factors Hulu into its top 10 rankings. Here’s the Top 10 in full:

  • “Soul” (Disney Plus) (movie) – 1,669 minutes (millions)
  • “The Office” (Netflix) (192 episodes) – 1,435 minutes (millions)
  • “Bridgerton” (Netflix) (8 episodes) – 1,204 minutes (millions)
  • “The Midnight Sky” (Netflix) (movie) – 1,113 minutes (millions)
  • “The Mandalorian” (Disney Plus) (16 episodes) – 1,024 minutes (millions)
  • “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” (Netflix) (movie) – 705 minutes (millions)
  • “The Crown” (Netflix) (40 episodes) – 700 minutes (millions)
  • “Grey’s Anatomy” (Netflix) (366 episodes) – 691 minutes (millions)
  • “Christmas Chronicles 2” (Netflix) (movie) – 660 minutes (millions)
  • “Criminal Minds” (Netflix) (277 episodes) – 651 minutes (millions)