Rumor: Club Disney Already Ending at Disney's Hollywood Studios

While this is just a rumor and has not been announced by Disney, Club Disney appears to be at the end of its run at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The dance party with the 'Fab 5' dressed in unique costumes that was just opened at the Sunset Showcase theater in early December will apparently be ending on February 6. Cast members have already told of the closing even with no public announcement by Disney.

Disney had always maintained that the Sunset Showcase is considered a 'flex space' and will be changed accordingly with a variety of options. No word on 'Club Villain' that was very popular on the weekends and it's status at Sunset Showcase. Club Disney could even come back seasonally.

Kenny the Pirate said today that Club Disney could be replaced with something Star Wars related, like Star Wars Rebel Hangar which recently provided a dining experience to guests during the now extinct Star Wars Weekends. Or they could have Star Wars characters roaming around dancing with guests, same concept as Club Disney just replaced with our favorite Star Wars characters.

Considering, the state of Hollywood Studios and everything closing Disney needs to have a quick replacement. Since it is slated to close by end of day next Saturday, you would imagine that this would be confirmed by Disney in the coming days. Stay tuned on more information for the ending of Club Disney.

2016 23rd Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Details; 'Beauty & the Beast' Returning to The Royal Theatre

2016 23rd Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Details:

This year's Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is returning for its 23rd year and will go on for a record 90 days. It will begin March 2 and will run through May 30, 2016. It will include two new Spring-inspired Outdoor Kitchens, three mischievous Disney topiary characters, and a new innovative musical play garden will debut. Here is the press release from Disney:

23rd Spring Festival Will Run March 2-May 30, 2016

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Two new spring-inspired Outdoor Kitchens, three mischievous Disney topiary characters and an innovative musical play garden will debut during the 23rd Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 2-May 30, 2016. The popular spring festival at Walt Disney World Resort, known for its tasty edibles, sweeping floral displays and dazzling topiary creations, expands from 75 days to 90 days in 2016.

The new La Isla Fresca and Cider House Outdoor Kitchens will introduce fresh variety and flavor to the culinary offerings at a record 13 festival kiosks surrounding the World Showcase Promenade. Donald Duck’s mischievous nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie, make their topiary debut with Donald and Daisy in the park’s signature front-entrance garden. Xylophones, drums and chimes will take child’s play to tuneful levels at the new Harmony Gardens play area featuring “leader-of-the-band” Mickey Mouse topiary.

Live Garden Rocks concerts will set the beat with familiar pop tunes each festival weekend. And special “Fun Fresh Weekends” add new adventures to the seasonal event.

Guests of the 2016 festival can celebrate spring with gardens-full of Epcot options:

• New culinary creations at the festival’s Outdoor Kitchens will take guests on a Caribbean tour at La Isla Fresca with flavors like Jamaican Braised Beef with Pigeon-Pea Rice and Jerk-Spiced Grouper or Chicken with Mango Salsa. At the new Cider House, a Field Greens salad with greens harvested from The Land pavilion, heirloom apples, Stilton cheese and dried blueberries will pair well with a blueberry hard cider from Plant City, Fla. Dozens of new food and beverage flavors will debut, as well, at the festival’s 11 other Outdoor Kitchens: Urban Farm Eats, Pineapple Promenade, Fleur de Lys, Florida Fresh, Taste of Marrakesh, Hanami, THE SMOKEHOUSE: Barbecue and Brews, Primavera Kitchen, Lotus House, Bauernmarkt and Jardin de Fiestas.

• The first-ever Huey, Dewey and Louie topiaries will feature floral interpretations of Donald’s nephews inspired by a 1943 Donald Duck comic book called “The Victory Garden” at the Epcot front-entrance garden display with Donald and Daisy.

• A new hands-on Harmony Gardens musical playground will debut featuring Disney’s Fab Five topiaries of “band leader” Mickey Mouse plus Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck topiaries. With the playground’s interactive drums, chimes and xylophones, children can create their own musical sounds when they’re not scampering across innovative outdoor climbing systems with safe, but challenging, net-based structures. Watch for music-themed plants that add harmony to this inspired play area. The popular Cactus Road Rally play garden returns with Disney-Pixar topiary pals Mater and Lightning McQueen from the hit film, “Cars.”

• Fun Fresh Weekends add novel dimension to daily festival fun: April 1-3 — Art in the Garden Weekend spotlights nature through the works of plein air artists; April 8-10 – The new Family Fun Weekend presents outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy and a Festival Center focus on bugs with Disney’s Animal Kingdom specialists; April 22-24 – Earth Day Weekend celebrates our planet with special appearances and activities; and April 29-May 1—Florida Fresh Weekend features the state’s edible bounty from Apalachicola to Zellwood.

• On the south side of Spaceship Earth, Disney gardeners will paint the landscape with a Floral Sun garden and yellow “sunbursts” will sprout in a new Future World topiary garden featuring Minnie Mouse and Pluto.

• The Ranger Mickey topiary garden in Future World will offer a guest selfie and family photo opportunity featuring a Spaceship Earth backdrop to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Parks Service launched in 1916 to conserve the country’s natural scenic treasures.

• Anna and Elsa topiaries will travel to the Norway pavilion festival landscape following their 2015 debut along World Showcase Plaza in a scene from the blockbuster Oscar-winning animated film, “Frozen.” Nearly 100 topiary characters, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Lady and the Tramp, Simba and Peter Pan, will animate the Epcot landscape surrounded by themed gardens featuring herbs, peppers, orchids and more.

• By night, twinkling lights will shine across festival gardens and topiaries.

• The Garden Rocks concert series will present pop bands with music spanning four decades. This year’s lineup kicks off March 4-6 with The Orchestra starring former members of ELO and will also include new-to-the-festival acts like Bad Company.

• A new edible flower garden by The Land pavilion will showcase petals with flavor.

• The Butterflies on the Go garden will return with the story of the Monarch’s epic journey across the continent and featuring butterflies emerging from their chrysalises.

• Each weekend at the Festival Center, guests can dig in for a complimentary hands-on Gardening Seminar experience and create a take-home souvenir or grab a seat to hear tips from experts on a broad range of topics. The center also offers signature festival merchandise, food and beverages.

Forty 8-to-9-foot-tall Disney-crafted “flower towers” and sweeping beds of multi-colored blooms will add to the floral splendor of the park’s landscape.  At least 70,000 bedding plants will surround the Future World east and west lakes alone; on the water, more than 200 mini-gardens will be set afloat.

For more information about the 23rd Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, call 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639). Watch for details at EpcotInSpring.com as they become available. The festival, including all gardening programs and exhibits, is included in regular Epcot admission.

"Beauty and the Beast" Returning to The Royal Theatre at Disneyland:

Today it was announced on the Disney Parks Blog that "Beauty and the Beast" will be returning to The Royal Theatre at Disneyland this spring with 'Tangled.' No exact date has been announced for the return. It will replace "Frozen" that is moving over to the Hyperion Theatre. 

Guests are invited as Messieurs Smythe and Jones take you on an adventure in the great wide somewhere for a whimsical retelling of how Belle and Beast met and fell in love - all with a happily ever after at the end. 

Who's excited for the return of Bell and Beast at The Royal Theatre? 

Fantasmic! Live Stream on Tuesday February 2nd, runDisney Previews Medals for Tinker Bell Half Marathon, and More

Disney Parks Blog Live Stream of Fantasmic! on Tuesday February 2nd:

During the live stream of the New Year's Eve fireworks at the Magic Kingdom, the Disney Parks Blog announced viewers would have a chance to pick the next live stream. The winner of the vote ended up being 'Fantasmic!' at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The live stream will occur on this Tuesday, February 2nd at 6:50 p.m. EST. 

 'Fantasmic!' is a 30-minute nighttime extravaganza that features 50 Disney characters and costumed performers, water effects, pyrotechnics, and one amazing finale. The show takes us on a journey into Mickey's imagination where he envisions wonderful moments from beloved Disney films - but the dream doesn't go as planned when Disney villains show up to turn Mickey's dream into "a nightmare Fantasmic!"

They also ask guests who are joining into the live feed to come early around 6:45 p.m. EST for a behind the scenes look at the show. A fresh blog post will appear at the top of the page with the live stream feed ready and waiting. Guests can also use the hashtag #DisneyParkLIVE on Twitter to join the fun. 

runDisney Previews Medals for Tinker Bell Half Marathon:

The Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend isn't until May but the Disney Parks Blog previewed the medals for the weekend today. The medals are of coursed inspired by our friends of Pixie Hallow and Peter Pan. Here is the star of the weekend the Half Marathon Medal featuring Tinker Bell herself:

Here is the rest of the medals which includes the Never Land 5K, the Tinker Bell 10K, Pixie Dust Challenge Medal for completing both the 10K and the Half Marathon, the Tinker Bell Half Marathon medal, the runDisney kids race medal, and the runDisney Coast to Coast Medal for completing both the Disney Princess Half Marathon in February at Disney World and the Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disneyland in May.

The Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend is May 5-8, 2016 at Disneyland.

Armed Man Arrested at Disneyland Paris Resort Hotel:

This morning trouble arose at Disneyland Paris when an armed man was arrested at the Disneyland Paris Hotel New York. The man, 28-years old was arrested after his bag set off the hotel's metal detectors. The man was carrying two handguns along with ammunition cartridges and a Koran. He did have a reservation at the hotel.

Also arrested was the man's female companion. There was a perimeter placed around his vehicle and was inspected. The Paris counter-terrorism unit was not called into the scene and the police were just handling the case. Disneyland Paris did release this statement:

“During a routine security screening checkpoint at one of our hotels, weapons were discovered in a guest’s luggage, through our x-ray machine. The police were immediately notified and the individual was arrested. We continue to work closely with the authorities; and the safety and security of our guests and cast members is our utmost priority”

No injuries were reported. 

Harrison Ford to Reveal New Star Wars Land Details During ABC Disneyland Anniversary Special

Just a little while ago, it was revealed when we would possibly hear more details about Star Wars Land at Disneyland and at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It appears that during the Disneyland 60 Special on ABC, Star Wars' star Harrison Ford, who plays Han Solo in the films, will be highlighting new details on the land.

The special will be hosted by Master of Ceremonies Dancing with the Stars Derek Hough and will air on February 21, 2016 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET/PT. Stars featured in the show include Sir Elton John, Josh Gad, Tori Kelly, Pentatonix, Jessie J, Meghan Trainor, Fallout Boy, and Witney Carson. The Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by music and artistic director Gustavo Dudamel, will join the celebration performing "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" from Walt Disney's acclaimed animated film, Fantasia.

No word on what kind of details will be announced as the details on the project have been kept quiet since the announcement back in August at the D23 EXPO. We still don't even have an opening date for the new land on both coasts. We will be patiently awaiting what Ford will announce on February 21.

Disney Plans Expansion of ESPN Wide World of Sports, New Clip of "Zootopia" Featuring Chief Bogo, and More

Disney Plans Extensive Expansion of ESPN Wide World of Sports:

Disney has filed plans for an extensive expansion of their ESPN Wide World of Sports at Disney World. The filed the plans with the South Florida Water Management District calling for a new multi-story building behind the current Josten's Center, with 286,000 square feet of space. The plans also call for additional parking being added.

The last time the complex was expanded was in 2008 with the addition of the Josten's Center. The complex originally opened in 1997 and took on the ESPN branding back in 2010. Previous plans for a bowling complex were scrapped during the economic downturn. No word however on what the expansion of the complex will be used for. 

An influx of events are planned for the complex such as the upcoming Invictus Games as well as rumors of an NBA D-League team coming on site to ESPN Wide World of Sports. Stay tuned for details on what will happen with the expansion of the complex once they are officially announced by Disney. 

New Clip Released of Disney's "Zootopia" Featuring Police Chief Bogo:

Idris Elba is Police Chief Bogo in Disney's "Zootopia" due to hit theaters March 4th. In an exclusive clip from USA Today the large and in charge cape buffalo runs through a morning meeting at the police office completely ignoring his new officer Judy Hopps played by Ginnifer Goodwin (ABC's Once Upon a Time), the first ever bunny officer on the force. Here is the clip:

“We need to acknowledge the elephant in the room.” #Zootopia https://t.co/VWof37eSbO

— Zootopia (@DisneyZootopia) January 27, 2016

Disney's "Zootopia" is directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore and is about Hopps joining a shady fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) as they try to crack a missing mammal case before they hit the 48-hour deadline. The film hits theaters nationwide March 4, 2016.

Disney Interactive Announce New Tron-Themed Game:

Disney Interactive today announced a new game themed around Tron called TRON RUN/r due to be released next Tuesday February 2, 2016. It is a new lightning, fast action-adventure runner with a twist. The game will be released to Playstation 4, Xbox One, and Steam. Here is the teaser trailer that was released:

Behind the Scenes: Putting the 'Springs' in Disney Springs, Iger Confirms More Star Wars Films, and More

Behind the Scenes: Putting the 'Springs' in Disney Springs:

Today the Disney Parks Blog, released a behind the scenes look at how Disney Imagineers put the springs in Disney Springs. Construction on the now almost completed renovation of the old Downtown Disney began back in 2013. Here is what they had to say followed by the video:

"Today we wanted to share the story Walt Disney Imagineering created that immerses guests into the rich heritage and natural beauty of Florida through unique architecture, color schemes, horticulture and more. At the heart of Disney Springs is a bubbling spring located in Town Center that represents not only the power and beauty of nature, but optimism and possibilities. More than a century ago, this spring attracted the first settlers and over time, the town of “Disney Springs” grew around the spring, eventually creating three additional neighborhoods: The Landing, Marketplace and West Side – each with its own distinct charm."

"But how do you build a representation of an authentic Florida spring? The answer: research, technology and artistry. In this video, you can see the level of detail the project team went to in recreating a natural Florida spring like the ones they visited on their many research trips. In it, you’ll see how Imagineers used various shades of bright glass pieces as accent colors to make the springs glitter; how nearby live oak and cypress trees were incorporated into the design of the spring’s bank; and how sculpting added even more depth to the area. Simply amazing."

Iger Confirms More Star Wars Films Beyond What Has Been Announced:

Today, news broke out that Bob Iger, Disney Chairman and CEO, has indeed confirmed that more Star Wars films will be made. That is beyond what has been announced past episode IX and the standalone film set to be released in 2020. Here is what he told the BBC:

“There are five Star Wars films – four more with Episode VII: The Force Awakens – that are in varying stages of development and production,” Disney chairman Bob Iger has told Newsbeat.

“There will be more after that, I don’t know how many, I don’t know how often.”
Now what kind of films after Episode IX is completed have yet to be answered but Star Wars fans can't help but be excited that Star Wars films will apparently be here forever. At least for now with what Bob Iger is saying.

El Capitan Theatre to Host Countdown to "Zootopia" Film Festival:

With the release of Disney's "Zootopia" on March 4, the El Capitan Theatre will be hosting a film festival showing the most recent Disney films including "Wreck-it-Ralph" and "Frozen." The festival will begin on February 18th with "Wreck-it-Ralph" and ending February 24 with "The Princess and the Frog." Each film will also be accompanied by a recent animated short including the likes of "Paperman" and "Feast." Each presentation of the films will also include presentations with discussions from the filmmakers and other special surprises. Here is the complete list:

• Wreck-It Ralph (2012) Thursday, February 18 at 10:00a, 1:00p, 4:00p, and 7:00p with special presentation
• Frozen (2013) Friday, February 19 at 10:00a, 1:00p, 4:00p, and 7:00p with special presentation
• Tangled (2010) Saturday, February 20 at 10:00a, 1:00p, 4:00p, and 7:00p with special presentation
• Big Hero 6 (2014) Sunday, February 21 at 10:00a, 1:00p, 4:00p, and 7:00p with special presentation
• Bolt (2008) Monday, February 22 at 10:00a, 1:00p, 4:00p, and 7:00p with special presentation
• Winnie the Pooh (2011) Tuesday, February 23 at 10:00a, 1:00p, 4:00p, and 7:00p with special presentation
• The Princess and the Frog (2009) Wednesday, February 24 at 10:00a, 1:00p, 4:00p, and 7:00p with special presentation

James Wood, Operations and Stage Production at the El Capitan Theatre said, "We are thrilled to be bringing the filmmakers to talk about these special films and this will be the first time that El Capitan guests can hear them talk about their work. Our guests will also have a larger picture of the scope of Walt Disney Animation Studios by seeing the short subjects created during that time."

Tickets are now available online at www.elcapitantickets.com, by calling 1-800-DISNEY6, and can be purchased in-person. Disney's "Zootopia" hits El Capitan Theatre on March 4 and will run through April 10, 2016.

New Ways to Experience PhotoPass at Disneyland; Nine Dragons Restaurant Celebrating 'Year of the Monkey' with New Menu

New Ways to Experience PhotoPass at Disneyland:

Guests visiting Disneyland will get to experience PhotoPass in a whole new way. They will have a new website, be able access photos through the Disneyland mobile app, and some new photo opportunities. Here is what you could look forward too:

Plan Your Visit, Book Your Reservations and View Your Memories
You’re already visiting Disneyland.com to plan and book your visit, and now your photos will also live there too!

Access to Your Memories, at Your Fingertips
Link, view, purchase and download your Disney PhotoPass photos using the Disneyland mobile app.

We are Adding Even More Magic to Our Magic Shots
Our new Animated Magic Shots add animation to your photos to make you the star of your very own video memory.

Capture More Memories than Ever
With new photographer locations and a new product, Disney PhotoPass+ One Day, you’ll be collecting more photos than ever.

The Disney Parks Blog will be sharing even more details on the new experiences throughout the week, so stay tuned.

Nine Dragons Restaurant Celebrating 'Year of the Monkey' with New Menu Items:

The Nine Dragons Restaurant inside Epcot's China Pavilion will be celebrating the 'Year of the Monkey' with a new menu items beginning February 8th. The new menu items will appear along with a prix fixe lunch menu. This will last until January 27, 2017, so you will have plenty of time to try the new menu. 

The prix fixe lunch menu will be 3 courses for $17.95. The meal will begin with either spring rolls (pictured above) or pot stickers. You will have a choice of three entrees: Happily Family with slice chicken breast, beef, and shrimp stir fry; Moo Goo Gai Pan with stir-fried chicken breast, mushrooms, and snow peas; and General Tso's Chicken Buns Lunch Box with three steamed buns and hot and sour soup. For dessert you have the choice of strawberry-red bean ice cream or ginger caramel ice cream. 

New items on the menu will include three new steamed buns for the 'Year of the Monkey.' They are the braised pork belly served with chili aioli (pictured above), sweet-and-sour battered-fried fish buns topped with pork floss (dry, fluffy shredded pork seasoned with soy sauce and sugar), and the General Tso's Chicken Buns  with battered-fried chicken breast. 

The Nine Dragons Restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner. The Disney Dining Plan is accepted along with Passholder, Disney Vacation Club, Tables in Wonderland, as well as Golden Oak discounts are all accepted. For reservations guests may call 407-WDW-DINE or by visitingDisneyWorld.com/dine. 

Star Wars Land Rumors Uncovered

Yesterday, MakingStarWars.net revealed some rumors that they have heard about Star Wars Land at Disneyland and I would imagine for Hollywood Studios as well. Here is what they found out from their sources:

• Poe Dameron’s black X-wing fighter will greet guests at the 3rd entrance to Star Wars Land, although an Episode VIII feature to the fighter might make it different from what we know about it from The Force Awakens.
• Characters and creatures from Star Wars: Episode VIII will be featured in the park.
• The Falcon will be real, life sized, not scaled down at all, and sitting on top of a launch pad.
• The Falcon will be opening and closing its main door and aliens/ troopers will be walking around asking people if they’ve seen anyone leave the ship.
• There will be two major attractions, one larger than “Toon Town” itself.
• Don’t worry about not being able to go inside the Falcon. One of the major attractions will take care of that for you as you fly in the cockpit of the freighter itself.
• The word is the Imagineers loved the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story script, but if that will come into play is still hazy. Initial word was the second major attraction would feature Rogue One content, but now that appears to be somewhat unlikely.

Now if these are true, Star Wars Land will blow everything out of the park. With two major attractions and the Millennium Falcon being a central highlight for the land and possibly the park it will blow Universal and Harry Potter away. It also sounds like WDI is trying to get this done by 2018 which is even more impressive for Walt Disney Imagineering itself since it usually takes them forever to build things anymore. None of this of course is confirmed by Disney and we will just have to wait to see if any of it is true. 

Former Disney CEO at Disney World; Walt Disney World Reorganizes Operational Postions; and More

Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner at Disney World:

It appears that Walt Disney World is getting a visit from its former headman with visits to Disney's Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Former CEO and Chairman Michael Eisner is making a visit to the parks. He's sent out tweets from both parks.

Walt Disney's private plane.I flew in 1980's Little scary in lightening @DisneyParks @WaltDisneyWorld @WaltDisneyCo pic.twitter.com/1lIbGnwmrK

— Michael Eisner (@Michael_Eisner) January 22, 2016

And this morning from Animal Kingdom in front of the Tree of Life.

@WaltDisneyWorld @DisneyParks great day great park at ANIMAL KINGDOM pic.twitter.com/BdUvknp8tI

— Michael Eisner (@Michael_Eisner) January 22, 2016

Walt Disney World Reorganizes Operations at Its Parks:

Yesterday, Disney World President George Kalogridis announced that Walt Disney World will be reorganizing its operations at its parks. No layoff are expected from the reorganization. It is adding additional duty managers that will provide operational support for day-of issues and also operations will move from being department based to a 'land' based organizational structure.

LaughingPlace.com used this as an example of what is changing:

"For example, the Magic Kingdom currently has a General Manager for different parts of the operation (attractions, merchandise, food and beverage, etc.). Now the General Manager will be in charge of an area (e.g. Tomorrowland). Proprietors would manage each part of the operation within that area. Front line managers would report to the proprietor."

The restructuring will affect Disney World parks, resorts, Disney Springs, and Disney Sports. The new organizational plan philosophy is to take a more holistic approach that will focus more on the overall guest experience, Disney said.

Pre-Order "The Good Dinosaur" and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens":

Today, it was announced that Pixar's "The Good Dinosaur" will be coming to Blu-Ray and Digital HD next month. It will hit shelves including on the Disney Movies Anywhere app on February 23. You can now pre-order the film and receive a free lithographs set when you pre-order. 

Although there is no set release date for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens", Disney has opened pre-orders for the film. When you pre-order the film on the DisneyStore.com, fans will also receive a free lithograph set as well as $10 off a future purchase of $40 or more. The film is set to come to Blu-Ray and Digital HD this Spring (tentatively in April). 

Disney's "The BFG" Releases Movie Poster:

This morning, Disney released a poster for its live-action film "The BFG" that is slated for release on July 1, 2016. The film is directed by Steven Spielberg and is based of the book by Ronald Dahl. The film centers around a girl named Sophie and a giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country. The poster states:

"From the human beans that created E.T. and the author of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Matilda"

2016 D23 Member Discounts Announced, 'Darkwing Duck' Coming to Disney XD, and More

2016 D23 Member Discounts Announced:

Today, D23 announced its member exclusive discounts for 2016. Discounts are on shopping, entertainment, and Disney adventures when they present their membership card or they can use special member-only online discounts.  Here are the discounts that can be enjoyed throughout the worlds of Disney:

• 15 percent off all purchases of $60 or more at DisneyStore.com and in all Disney Store locations through March 31, 2016
• A discount on VIP tickets to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens now through February 7, 2016 at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood—as well as special pricing for Lady and the Tramp and Zootopia during their 2016 runs
• Savings of 15 percent off purchases at the ABC Store online, including items from fan favorite shows such as Once Upon a Time and Scandal
• 30 percent off the beautiful Disney Princess: A Magical Pop-Up World book
• Up to 53 percent savings on Disney magazines including Disney Frozen, Disney Junior, and Marvel Super Heroes

D23 is also bringing back discounts and savings on hotels, restaurants, and stores in and around Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts:

• Discounted rates at Howard Johnson Anaheim, Carousel Inn & Suites, and the Anabella Hotel located near Disneyland Resort; as well as at Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa, B Resort & Spa, Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista, and Wyndham Lake Buena Vista, located near Walt Disney World Resort
• 10 percent savings on activities at Sammy Duvall’s Watersports Centre and on merchandise at CURL®by Sammy Duvall at Walt Disney World Resort
• Sweet savings at Ghirardelli Chocolate Company online, in its two Disney Parks shops, and at the El Capitan Theatre
• Dining discounts in and around Disneyland Resort, including Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, Catal, Uva Bar, Naples, Tortilla Joe’s, and Tangerine Grill

Also D23 Members can enjoy savings on visits to the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, merchandise discounts at the Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline, MO, 40% off all online purchases at H2O Plus - the luxury skincare line available at Disney Parks, 10% off purchases at RIDEMAKERZ, online and at all locations including the Disneyland 60th Anniversary RZ Rascar and Rod vehicles available in Anaheim, plus 23% off all merchandise online from SMS Audio, the official headphones of Disney. 

Complete details on all these discounts can be found at D23.com/Discounts. D23 Gold Members receive all these discounts while only some offers may be available to D23 General Members.

'Darkwing Duck' Coming to Disney XD:

Disney's "Darkwing Duck" is coming back to a tv near you, unfortunately you will have to wait until 2018. Disney yesterday announced the famous crime-fighting duck will be making his return to Disney XD.

In the release Disney XD said, "Our new series will bring that same energy and bumbling crime-fighting spirit that fans have come to love about Darkwing Duck. We're also going to add a gritty look that this generation of kids love. It's our goal that fans of old and new will enjoy the new Darkwing Duck."

So who's excited to see Darkwing Duck back to battling on your television. 2018 can't get here soon enough.

Check Out This Year's Princess Half Marathon Weekend Medals:

Yesterday, the Disney Parks Blog showed us a sneak peak of this year's runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend medals. This year's medals are themed around Ariel and "The Little Mermaid." The event takes place next month on the weekend of February 18-21. 

Ariel, Sebastian, and Flounder are featured on this year's Disney Princess 5K.

This year's 10K medal is shell-inspired and better than a crown.

The Disney Princess Half Marathon is magical with the course running through Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom and ending at Epcot. Here is this year's medal:

When you complete the Glass Slipper Challenge by completing the 19.3 mile challenge over two days, you will receive this medal when you complete the 10K and the Half Marathon:

Finally, here's a look at all the medals for the runDisney Kids Races.

Are you attending Walt Disney World's runDisney Princess Half Marathon? Which of the medals are you most excited about?

Star Wars Episode VIII Delayed, 'Pirates 5' Moved Up; Discovering Zootopia Coming to Animal Kingdom

Star Wars Episode VIII Delayed 7 Months, 'Pirates 5' Takes its Place:

Disney and Lucasfilm sent shockwaves for fans this afternoon as they announced Star Wars "Episode VIII" will now be released on December 15, 2017. The film was originally supposed to hit theaters on May 26, 2017 so it is now being delayed 7 months. In its place, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" will instead be released on May 26 instead of its original release date of July 7, 2017. 

Star Wars 'Episode VIII' will be directed and is written by Rian Johnson. The film is currently in pre-production and will begin principal photography in London next month. Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bregman will produce, while "The Force Awakens" director J.J. Abrams, Tom Karnowski, and Jason McGatlin will executive produce.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" will return Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, Geoffrey Rush as Barbosa, the much anticipated return of Orlando Bloom as Will Turner, and a new adversary in Captain Salazar played by Javier Bardem. Jerry Bruckheimer produced and Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg directed the film. The film is currently in post-production.

Discovering the World Behind "Zootopia" Coming to Animal Kingdom:

Guests visiting Rafiki's Planet Watch in Conservation Station at Disney's Animal Kingdom will soon be getting a behind the scenes look at what went into creating the world of "Zootopia", Disney's next hit film. The exhibit will be called Discovering Disney "Zootopia" and will open January 29th. 

For the film, Walt Disney Animation Studios sent its filmmakers to study and research the habitats of the animals in the film for 18 months. Their very first stop in March 2014 was Disney's Animal Kingdom. There they worked closely with the park's team of animal care professionals. 

Oscar-nominated producer of "Zootopia" Clark Spencer said, "Research is such an important part of every animated film we make at Disney, and for "Zootopia" our research began at Disney's Animal Kingdom to meet with some of the best animal experts in the world. Everything that we learned about animal behaviors, personalities, and movement our artists incorporated into the world of 'Zootopia,' and to now be able to share those discoveries and influences with the guests at the park is truly a full circle moment."

Disney's "Zootopia" is directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore and co-directed by Jared Bush. The film hits theaters on March 4th. 

D23 Announces Details on Florida "Alice in Wonderland" Celebration, New Quick-Service Offer for WDW, & More

D23 Announced Details on Florida "Alice in Wonderland" Celebration:

D23 Gold Members are going to celebrate 65 years of "Alice in Wonderland" at AMC Disney Springs 24 on March 19. Tickets are $25/person plus a $5 processing fee, tickets will go on sale on February 2 at 10 a.m. PT. Link to purchase the tickets will be available at D23.com.

Here is the release from D23:

OVERVIEW

Celebrate the upcoming release of Alice Through the Looking Glass with a look back at Walt Disney’s Alice in Wonderland with D23’s Steven Vagnini. Following the behind-the-scenes presentation, enjoy a screening of the 1951 animated classic in honor of its 65th anniversary!

DETAILS

Experience begins at 10 a.m. at AMC Disney Springs 24. Check-in will begin at 9 a.m. Please do not arrive before 9 a.m.

Available to Gold and Gold Family Members

You will be required to show a photo ID. Members will be required to show their D23 Membership Card.

Come join us for a very important date! As we look forward to the May 2016 release of Alice Through the Looking Glass, D23 pays tribute to Walt Disney’s original Alice in Wonderland at AMC Disney Springs 24 at Walt Disney World Resort.

D23’s Steven Vagnini will kick off the event with a look back at the development of the 1951 animated classic using rare, archival photography and footage. The presentation will offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the Disney Studio’s efforts to bring Lewis Carroll’s classic story to the big screen, while also highlighting additional and imaginative ways Wonderland has been depicted in other Disney productions. Plus, learn the history behind the classic Fantasyland dark ride attraction that opened at Disneyland in 1958!

Afterward, sit back and enjoy a whimsical trip down the rabbit hole while enjoying Alice in Wonderland (1951)! Celebrate the film’s 65th anniversary with the Mad Hatter, March Hare, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts, and more unforgettable characters—all on the big screen.

This one-of-a-kind event will also include an exclusive gift created just for you!

NOTE

D23 Gold Members may reserve a ticket for themselves and one (1) guest; D23 Gold Family Members may reserve tickets for themselves and up to three (3) guests. D23 Members will be required to provide their membership number when reserving tickets. Tickets may be picked up only with a valid photo ID AND D23 MEMBERSHIP CARD. D23 Members who do not bring their membership card may not be admitted to the event. Ticketed members who do not attend the event forfeit their place as well as all experiences, benefits, and gifts associated with the event. All D23 Special Events are subject to change without notice. There are no cancellations or refunds, and tickets are not transferable. Video or audio recording of any kind will not be permitted during the presentation and screening. PLEASE BE ADVISED: Filming, photography, and other recording will take place at Walt Disney World during the event you will be attending. The Walt Disney Company will be taking photos and filming at AMC Disney Springs 24 located at 1500 Buena Vista Dr., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. By entering the premises, you irrevocably consent to and authorize The Walt Disney Company, its affiliates, successors, and assigns (collectively “Producer”), to photograph you, make sound recordings of you, and use such photographs and recordings throughout the world, for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity, including, but not limited to, television broadcasts and home entertainment products, including, but not limited to, home video and DVD. All such photographs and sound recordings will be the sole property of Producer.

Photos courtesy: D23

New Quick-Service Offer for Walt Disney World:

A new offer has been released by Walt Disney World today. While it is not free dining that usually is offered during the fall, guests when booking a trip for most nights during May 29-June 30 and July 5 through August 13 at a Value Resort will receive one free quick-service meal per person, per night. The offer must be booked by February 29.

Exclusions include campsites and the Little Mermaid Standard View Rooms at Disney's Art of Animation. Everyone in the room must be on the same package and advance reservations are required. Alcoholic beverages and gratuities are excluded. Minimum 3-night stay required, minimum 2-day park ticket required. All discounts are subject to availability, certain restrictions apply. 

Celebrate National Popcorn Day with New Popcorn Buckets at Disney Parks:

How are you celebrating National Popcorn Day today? Disney Parks is celebrating with new popcorn buckets at its parks. At Disney's Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World a brand new popcorn bucket in the shape of a lotus will be available later this year. The lotus will light up and become a beautiful luminary.

At Disneyland a second edition of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration 60th Anniversary bucket is available now. The bucket is now available in red, blue, and purple with the famous "Disneyland" banner that everyone loves on Mickey Popcorn Balloons.

Now I'm hungry for some popcorn, how about you?

Easter is Hopping into Tokyo Disneyland Beginning March 25

Mickey Mouse says grab your Easter baskets and comfy shoes because Tokyo Disneyland will host a "secret Easter garden" race during "Disney's Easter" where the springtime fun will begin March 25 and run through June 15.

Mickey, Minnie, and their pals will be dressed in new threads and their bunny ears in a new parade called the, "Hippity-Hoppity Springtime" parade. It will include three stops along the way on the parade route for an egg race hosted by Mickey. 

The "Egg Hunt in Tokyo Disneyland" will send guests on an egg hunt around the park, much like the egg hunt around Epcot at Disney World last year. Here guests will have three courses to choose from, all different levels of difficulty, in this separate ticketed event. The Disney Parks Blog asks which character would you want to help with your egg hunt? That's an easy answer Mickey Mouse of course. 

Quick Note:

Not much news today, on this Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Walls have gone up in Disneyland around Rivers of America to prepare for the construction for Star Wars Land. Other than that enjoy the rest of your day and "See Ya Real Soon."

Star Wars Half-Marathon Completed at Disneyland,"High School Musical" Cast Reunite for 10-Year Anniversary, & More

Star Wars Half-Marathon Completed at Disneyland:

Last week, the Walt Disney World marathon began marathon season at Disney Parks. This morning the Star Wars Half-Marathon was completed at Disneyland. The race was completed by more than 13,000 athletes as they ran the 13.1 mile intergalactic course around the Disneyland Resort and Anaheim streets, where a variety of Disney entertainment, including Star Wars characters, cheering on runners at every mile.

This year's men's winner was Nick Arciniaga, a Fountain Valley, CA native who won his second straight Star Wars Half-Marathon at a record-setting pace of 1:05:49. Adam Roach of Pebble Beach, CA finished in second with a time of 1:12:29, while Hunter Sapienze of Seattle, WA was third with a time of 1:12:38. In winning the race Arciniaga said, "This is a race that means a lot to me. I've been a Star Wars fan ever since I can remember."

On the women's side, Annie Bersagel of Colorado won with a light speed pace of 1:15:09. Second place finisher was Jennifer Berry of Denver, Colorado with a time of 1:21:11 and third place was Kendal Sager of Los Altos, CA with a time of 1:25:05. Bersagel joked after winning, "I was the fastest stormtrooper out here today. So that's all you can really ask for, right?"

"High School Musical" Cast Reunites for 10-Year Anniversary:

Just to put this in perspective, 10 years ago I was a junior in high school and this week on Wednesday the Disney Channel will air a special 10-year anniversary special telecast of the channel's hit tv movie, "High School Musical." Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, and Monique Coleman will reunite on Wednesday at 8:00 ET/PT. The group taped segments for the special today in a high school gymnasium in suburban Los Angeles. 

One of the film's stars will be missing in Zac Efron who will appear via a pre-taped message during the telecast to High School Musical fans. "High School Musical" debuted on Disney Channel on January 20, 2006 to a whopping 7.7 million viewers in the United States, at the time the largest rating ever for a telecast on Disney Channel. 

Gary Marsh, President and Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, said, “Seeing the cast of High School Musical back together again reaffirms what made it special 10 years ago. It’s their optimism, their dedication and their extraordinary talent—as a group—that made this such an exceptional movie and cultural phenomenon. Ten years later, the movie continues to delight audiences around the globe, not just for its memorable song and dance numbers, but for its universal themes that continue to resonate with fans everywhere – express yourself, believe in yourself and always follow your dreams.”

Radio Disney's Ernie D also interviewed the cast that will be seen on "Radio Disney Insider" on Thursday, January 21 on Disney Channel and the Radio Disney app. Subsequent telecasts of the hit tv movie and its sequel, "High School Musical 2," will be presented on Thursday, January 21 and Sunday, January 24 on the Disney Channel. Freeform will also air "High School Musical" on Saturday, January 23 at 4:30 p.m. EST and on Sunday, January 24 at 2 p.m. EST. 

Will you be tuning in?

Adam Driver/Kylo Ren Does Hilarious Undercover Boss Skit on SNL:

Finally, last night Adam Driver stole the show on "Saturday Night Live" in a skit where Kylo Ren goes undercover on the Starkiller Base in a sketch parody of CBS' Undercover Boss. In the sketch Kylo Ren goes undercover in the disguise of Matt, a radar technician, on the Starkiller Base. The sketch is pretty hilarious but you'll just have to check it out for yourselves to judge: