Lin-Manuel Miranda & Alan Menken Join Forces for Live-Action "Little Mermaid", New MagicBand Prototype in Development, and More

Lin-Manuael Miranda & Alan Menken Join Forces for Live-Action "Little Mermaid":

We already have heard some of the amazing music Lin-Manuel Miranda is bringing to Disney's next animated film in "Moana." Now news has broken that Miranda and Disney Legend/iconic songwriter Alan Menken will join forces to write songs for the new live-action "Little Mermaid" that is development. Menken won 2 Oscars for the 1989 Disney animated classic sharing Best Song with Howard Ashman and winning Best Score on his own.

The songs they are working on will be a mix of pre-existing songs from the original classic as well as some new ones. Miranda is a huge fan of "The Little Mermaid" even naming his son Sebastian after the famous crab from the film. While no word on what else he will do for the film besides the music it is said they are still working on the details. He won't be writing the script but he will be supervising the story. Miranda besides this new venture with Disney will be starring in the new remake of Disney's Oscar-winning film, "Mary Poppins."

This was first reported by Deadline.

New MagicBand Prototype in Development:

Disney appears to be developing a new prototype for its MagicBands according to MagicBandCollectors.com. The new prototype as seen above was discovered in a new FCC filing by Disney. It appears to be a puck that will fit into interchangeable bands like you would see on FitBit step trackers. 

This will allow guests to keep the puck style MagicBand and interchange straps as they would like. Here is more on what they had to say on the new prototype:

"It would probably lower the cost of graphic straps for guests (because no chips would need to be embedded within each strap), and also help lower costs and IT support for Disney, as they would not need to send a new MagicBand for every trip."

There is no word on when this 2nd Generation of the MagicBand will roll out but nothing before 2017 as Disney has requested some specific information on the prototype be kept secret. The lift on the embargo is February 11, 2017. Stay tuned as we await more details on the 2nd Generation of MagicBands.

Disney PhotoPass Day Being Held This Friday at Disney Parks:

Disney last night announced the very first PhotoPass Day at Disney Parks being held this Friday, August 19. During the day guests will be able to enjoy special character experiences with rare characters, complimentary photo locations inside all Disney Parks & Disney Springs, and Participate in a Disney PhotoPass Challenge. Here are the details:

Special Character Experiences At Magic Kingdom Park & Epcot

Enjoy special character experiences at Magic Kingdom Park and Epcot, where Disney PhotoPass photographers will capture your encounter with Pinocchio, Gideon and Foulfellow in Storybook Circus from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At Epcot, a friend or foe will join some of your favorite Disney characters around World Showcase, including Mushu and Mulan in the China Pavilion; Snow White and Dopey in the Germany Pavilion; and the Queen of Hearts, who will join Alice in the United Kingdom Pavilion. Check the My Disney Experience app or the Epcot Times Guide on August 19 for these Disney characters’ schedule.

Complimentary Photo Locations at All Disney Parks & Disney Springs

There will be one location at each of the four theme parks (and Disney Springs) at the Walt Disney World Resort and at both parks at Disneyland Resort where a Disney PhotoPass photographer will capture your special moment. That photo will be available in the My Disney Experience app at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland app at Disneyland Resort to download and share at no charge as part of the #DisneyPhotoPassDay celebration. (Normal My Disney Experience registration is required to access the image). Check out Disney’s PhotoPass Service Facebook page on Tuesday for a list of participating photo locations.

Participate in a Disney PhotoPass Challenge

Complete a Disney PhotoPass Challenge at any of our parks at the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort to get a Disney PhotoPass photo on us. All you need to do is get your photo taken by a Disney PhotoPass Photographer at each of the designated challenge locations on August 19. Once you’ve stopped by all of the locations, visit a Disney PhotoPass Sales Center to claim your Disney PhotoPass photo. At the Walt Disney World Resort, participants will receive a voucher for one Disney PhotoPass download. Participants at Disneyland Resort will receive one 5×7 print of a Disney PhotoPass photo. Challenge locations and details will be posted on the Disney’s PhotoPass Service Facebook page on Wednesday.

If you are attending Disney PhotoPass Day share your favorite all-time favorite Disney photos on social media by using the hashtag #DisneyPhotoPassDay.