First Look at New Floats for Pixar Play Parade; Disney on Broadway Concert Lineup Announced

First Look at New Floats for Pixar Play Parade to Debut April 13:

Starting yesterday the Disney Parks Blog began their 12 Days of Disney Parks Christmas in which over the next 12 days they will reveal some new and exciting things coming to Disney Parks in 2018. The first day yesterday revealed the three new floats that will debut as part of the Pixar Play Parade which will return to Disneyland on April 13 as part of Pixar Fest.

The parade will begin as all Pixar films have, with an appearance by the iconic and adorable Pixar Lamp. Rolling ahead of the famous lamp will be the familiar yellow Pixar Ball, making a cameo in Pixar Play Parade, as it has in many Pixar films.

Next up to be joining the parade are characters from the beloved film, “Up.” Wilderness Explorer Russell will appear astride the colorful flightless bird, Kevin, with Carl Fredricksen and Dug following behind amid green foliage and snipe chicks, with Carl’s tethered house floating above.

Finally, one more Pixar story coming to Pixar Play Parade is “Inside Out.” Perched atop colorful memory orbs, Joy and Sadness take flight aboard Bing Bong’s rocket wagon, with Bing Bong himself cheering them on! This will be the first time that guests will see Bing Bong in the parks.

Stay tuned over the next 12 days as more exciting things are revealed about Disney Parks in 2018.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Disney on Broadway Concert Lineup Announced for Festival of the Arts:

Believe it or not the Epcot International Festival of the Arts is just over a month away and now we have just who will be performing for the Disney on Broadway Concert Series. Over the six weeks of the festival guests can enjoy musical pairings of Broadway talent singing Disney on Broadway tunes at the American Gardens Theatre. Here is the lineup:

January 12-15, 19-22: Kara Lindsay and Kevin Massay – Tarzan, Aladdin, Newsies, Frozen

January 26-29, February 2-5: Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White – Tarzan, The Lion King, Aida, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid

February 9-12, 16-19: Ashley Brown and Josh Strickland – Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, Mary Poppins, Newsies, Frozen

The 2nd Annual Epcot International Festival of the Arts runs January 12 through February 19, 2018. 

Source: WDW News Today

Epcot International Festival of the Arts Returning This January

Earlier this year the very first Epcot International Festival of the Arts debuted and the good news is it will be returning with a bang in 2018. The very first festival ran Friday through Monday's only, this year the festival will be available to guests visiting Epcot everyday from January 12 through February 19, 2018. 

Check out just some details that Disney has released for the International Festival of the Arts:

A Trifecta of FabulousKick off 2018 with world-class cuisine, remarkable visual art and an extraordinary lineup of live entertainment!
Starting January 12, our most all-inclusive celebration of the arts returns to Epcot for its second sensational year. Introduce your inner aficionado to the annual Festival of the Arts, an exciting extravaganza replete with phenomenal artists, gourmet fare, musical performances, stage productions and other amazing acts. We’ve rolled everything you love about the arts into one spectacular salute!

Of course what would a festival be without food studios celebrating the arts. The first festival had so many amazing art themed food booths all with a Disney twist. Details on the 2018 festival food studios will probably be announced in the coming weeks.

Also yet to emerge are details on the performing acts with the likes of local bands to Broadway stars that graced the stage during the first festival. Stay tuned for more details on the 2nd Epcot International Festival of the Arts coming your way January 12, 2018.

Source: Walt Disney World

Frozen Summer Games Returning to Blizzard Beach; Frozen on Broadway Cast Announced

Frozen Summer Games Returning to Blizzard Beach:

The Frozen Summer Games will be returning to Disney's Blizzard Beach on May 26. After the success of its inaugural year last year, the games return pitting guests against each other with Team Kristoff vs. Team Olaf. Guests will play different games such as the Ice Pail Relays, Snowball Toss, Ski Pole Limbo, and slide races. 

New this year, guests will be able to meet and take photos with Kristoff and Olaf at Blizzard Beach. Either Kristoff or Olaf will be at the designated photograph location inside the water park. Here you can take photos with them telling them which team you chose to play on.

Between crafts, the games, and a DJ spinning some up-tempo tunes, the Frozen Summer Games are sure to be highlight of the day for guests visiting Disney's Blizzard Beach this summer. 

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Frozen on Broadway Cast Has Been Announced:

Disney's Frozen the Broadway Musical won't open until 2018, but today the cast has been announced for the musical. The musical will premiere next year at the St. James Theater.  Here is the stars of the show:

Cassie Levy as Elsa:

Levy has starred on Broadway in Ghost, Wicked, and the 2014 revival of Les Misérables.

Patti Murin as Anna:

Murin was in the original Broadway productions of Lysistrata Jones and Xanadu.

Jelani Alladin as Kristoff:

This will be Alladin’s Broadway debut, and what a debut it will be.

Greg Hildreth as Olaf:

Hildreth previously stared in Peter and the Starcatcher and Cinderella on Broadway.

John Riddle as Hans:

Riddle previously starred in The Visit’s Young Anton.

Robert Creighton as the Duke of Weselton:

Creighton previously starred on Broadway in The Little Mermaid and Anything Goes.

Frozen on Broadway will be directed by Tony-award winner Michael Grandage and choreographed by Tony-award winner Rob Ashford. Music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.  The show will start out of Broadway later this year at the Buell Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, beginning August 17 through October 1, 2017. It will then join The Lion King and Aladdin on Broadway in Spring 2018.

Source: Oh My Disney

Disney Broadway Stars Announced for Festival of the Arts; New Disney ALEX AND ANI in 2017

Disney Broadway Stars Announced for Festival of the Arts:

The very first Epcot International Festival of the Arts begins in just a few weeks on January 13. Today, the Disney Broadway stars were announced for the weekend performances during the festival. In collaboration with Disney Theatrical Productions, each weekend guests will be treated to different pairings Broadway artists during each of the six weekends of the festival. Performances will be at the American Gardens Theatre where guests will enjoy favorite songs from Disney on Broadway's award winning shows. Here is the list of performers coming to Epcot:

Jan. 13-16 and 20-23: Ashley Brown and Josh Strickland performing songs from: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, Mary Poppins and The Little Mermaid.

Jan. 27-30 and Feb. 3-6: Kerry Butler and Kevin Massey performing songs from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, Newsies and Aladdin.

Feb. 10-13 and 17-20: Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White performing songs from Disney’s The Lion King, Aida, Aladdin and The Little Mermaid.

Performances will be at 5:30 pm, 6:45 pm, and 8 pm, Friday through Monday of each festival weekend. Future World Plaza will also be filled with a variety of other visual and live performances including Epcot Living Statues, performances by Central Florida high schools and acclaimed university and college talent appearing through a partnership with Disney Performing Arts. Plus, Epcot’s American Music Machine will also perform on the Future World Fountain Stage.

The festival runs Fridays through Mondays from Jan. 13 – Feb. 20.

New Disney ALEX AND ANI Designs for 2017:

A few weeks ago the Disney Parks Blog ran a poll about which new designs fans of the ALEX AND ANI would like to see in Disney in 2017. Today, the top 3 phrases for the "Words are Powerful" collection, which features Disney sayings and the attributes of favorite characters, on the very popular bracelets. The top 3 vote getters were:

• Make Your Own Path – Pocahontas
• Be Forever Brave – Merida
• Unlock the Magic – Jasmine

The fan-selected bangles will join the "Words are Powerful" collection at Disney Parks in 2017. The “Words Are Powerful” Color Infusion bangles will have a retail of $44.95 plus tax and will be available in both Shiny Gold and Shiny Silver Finishes. You will be able to purchase them on the SHOP Disney Parks App as well as the Disney Store online and these Disneyland and Walt Disney World locations:

Disneyland Resort

• Disney California Adventure park – Elias & Co.
• Disneyland park – Fortuosity Shop
• Downtown Disney District – Disney Vault 28 and World of Disney Store

Walt Disney World Resort

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Discovery Trading Company
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Bayview Gifts
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Keystone Clothiers
• Disney Springs – Tren-D, World of Disney Store, and ALEX AND ANI
• Epcot – Mouse Gear
• Magic Kingdom Park – Emporium

"The Originals" to be Performed at D23 Expo

"The Originals" to be Performed at D23 Expo:

Disney on Broadway is set to perform "The Originals" at this year's D23 Expo. The performance for Saturday August 15, where the highly anticipated broadway performance will be performed twice at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Stage 23.

Disney ob Broadway's "The Originals stars Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins), Josh Strickland (Tarzan), and James Monroe Inglehart (The Genie from Aladdin). "The Originals" will entertain and delight Expo guests by performing favorite musical highlights from the Disney on Broadway catalogue. Inglehart, a Tony Award winner, will also host the 70-minute performance. It will feature a five-piece band of Broadway's best musicians with special behind the scenes videos and interviews that is promised to enthrall Disney on Broadway fans of all ages.

The D23 Expo 2015 will take place between August 14-16 in the Anaheim Convention Center. Tickets for the Expo are available until June 30 at a discounted price for $67 for one day admission for adults and $48 for children ages 3-12. For member of D23 it will be $58 for adults for one-day admission and $42 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. For more information on tickets and more details on D23 Expo 2015, you can visit D23EXPO.com.