“The Haunted Mansion: Frights of Fancy” Graphic Novel Releasing August 18; Now Available for Pre-Order

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

The grim grinning ghosts of The Haunted Mansion have materialized in a brand-new graphic novel adventure!

The Haunted Mansion: Frights of Fancy, written by Sina Grace and illustrated by Egle Bartolini, will be released on Tuesday, August 18th.

For years, we’ve heard that Gracey Manor has been home to 999 spirited spirits, but in the graphic novel, it looks like resident number 1,000 has arrived! Here’s the official description:

Welcome, foolish mortals… to the Haunted Mansion, where the crypt doors creak and the tombstones quake. The happy haunts are getting ready to throw a swinging wake, and all the goblins and ghoulies are invited, so be sure to bring your death certificate!

Sydney is the newest resident of the Haunted Mansion, a retirement home for wayward ghosts. Now she has to learn how to scare visiting mortals in order to earn her keep–all while resident mean ghost Constance is out to make it all as difficult as possible! But with the help of our favorite grim, grinning ghosts, Sydney just might pull it off!

The list price of the book is $9.99. And if you’d like to order this book prematurely, you can pre-order it on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, or purchase it at your local book store or comic shop beginning next Tuesday!

‘Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom’ Premieres Sept. 25 with Narrator, Josh Gad

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Disney+

We’re so excited about the upcoming Disney+ series Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom! We’ve learned that the brand-new series will debut and stream on Disney+ starting September 25 with Narrator, Josh Gad. Check out all the details below as shared by DisneyParksBlog.

“Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom,” from National Geographic, will provide an all-access pass to explore the magic of nature within Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT, and it’s the ultimate tribute to the magnificent array of more than 300 species and 5,000-plus animals cared for by our dedicated and highly skilled team at Walt Disney World Resort.

Filmed over the span of five months, the eight-part docu-series introduces viewers to some of our most intriguing animals and incorporates cutting-edge technology, such as custom-built GoPro enclosures, 18-foot cranes and underwater camera systems to highlight the magic found in every corner of the kingdom and the dedication and expertise of our amazing cast members who keep things running day and night. And who better to bring incredible storytelling warmth to these eye-catching visuals than the series award-winning narrator and fan-favorite Josh Gad (“Frozen,” Frozen II”).

Josh Gad

As we eagerly count down the days to the series’ debut on Disney+, I’m pleased to reveal the stunning poster art for the “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom,” which showcases the beauty of the natural world and the passion our team of animal care experts exhibit when caring for the animals who call our parks and resorts home. I’m extremely proud of the work our incredible cast members accomplish each and every day and overjoyed you will soon get to see them in action.

So, mark your calendars for September 25, as we invite you to get an up-close look at the multifaceted aspects of animal care, operations and Imagineering. Be sure to follow my Instagram page (@DrMarkAtDisney) and the Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment Facebook page (@DisneyASE) for more information about the show in the coming weeks.

Disney Is on Board with Renewable Energy

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

What better way to power the magic Disney brings than with renewable energy?! So, how does Disney do this exactly? Check out the details below as shared by The Walt Disney Company.

As part of our long-term goal to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions, Disney is making ongoing investments in renewable energy across our operations. We continue to seek innovative ways to bring clean electricity to our local energy grids and increase our own renewable energy portfolio.

At our corporate campuses, we have implemented multiple renewable energy installations. For example, at our sites in Southern California, we have expanded solar arrays onto a number of rooftop facilities, including a main soundstage and a prominent walkway at our Burbank Studio Lot. At the nearby Grand Central Creative Campus in Glendale, the primary parking structure includes a 460-kilowatt solar rooftop system.

Throughout our parks and resorts, we have also made continued investments in renewable and lower carbon energy, taking into account the unique needs and infrastructure at each location. For example, Disneyland Paris is leveraging geothermal energy to help power its onsite theme parks and resorts. At Castaway Cay in the Bahamas, Disney Cruise Line uses solar power to heat water for our crew on the island. And, at Disney California Adventure, our Radiator Springs Racers attraction is powered by 1,400 solar panels.

This year, we brought online a new 270-acre, 50+-megawatt solar facility near Walt Disney World Resort, built in collaboration with the Reedy Creek Improvement District and Origis Energy USA. This facility generates enough power from the sun to operate two of our four theme parks in Orlando. This installation joins our popular “Hidden Mickey” solar array at Walt Disney World – a five-megawatt installation in the shape of our very own Mickey Mouse.

New Pylons Installed at EPCOT Main Entrance Fountain

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Zach Riddley, Walt Disney World Site Portfolio Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering took to Instagram this morning to share three photos of the new pylons installed last night (August 10) at EPCOT!

Zach shares, “I’m excited to share a first look at the pylons we installed last night as we continue to reimagine the EPCOT main entrance fountain, which has anchored this area since the park opened in 1982. Our design team took special interest in looking back to the original geometry for inspiration and infusing new features with a little bit of added magic to bridge the past, present and future of EPCOT . These majestic pylons also draw your eye upward toward the sky and perfectly frame views of the iconic Spaceship Earth attraction. I can’t wait to reveal the completed look for this fountain later this year!”

Walt Disney World Files Permit for “Project Nugget” Construction on Magic Kingdom Fireworks Launch Site

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

While all fireworks and nighttime spectaculars at the Magic Kingdom are temporarily suspended due to new health and safety regulations across Walt Disney World, a new permit has been filed pertaining to a so-called “Project Nugget”, with the address located at the park’s fireworks launch site.

The Notice of Commencement lists the following description: “MK Project Nugget Main F-B Electrical, 1440 Floridian Way”, with the work described as labor, material, and/or electrical for construction. Typically, this usually means some kind of developments or improvements in the area.

Given that the permit includes a project name, it may be a sign of something larger beyond just your typical construction work. We’ll keep an eye on any further permits pertaining to this project moving forward, and hope to see fireworks return to the Magic Kingdom soon!