Disney Parks Unboxed: Top 10 Disney Parks Merchandise Coming in 2017

Today the great Steven Miller of the Disney Parks Blog unboxed some great merchandise coming to Disney Parks in 2017. From Alex & Ani to Epcot 35th Anniversary Merchandise to Limited Edition Merchandise, Miller today counted down the top 10 Disney Parks merchandise coming in 2017. Here is the video:



Of course this is just some of the amazing merchandise that will be released at Disney Parks in 2017. What item or items are you most looking forward to seeing inside Disney Parks?

R2-D2 Previews Star Wars Land?, 'Jungle Book 2' Already in the Works, and More

R2-D2 Previews Star Wars Land?:

Last week, BB-8 was seen assumedly peeking at the beginning of construction of Star Wars Land at Disneyland. This week, the Disney Parks Blog asks what R2-D2 appears to be looking at? If you look closely it appears the droid seems to be peering from behind Streets of America as a crane can be seen in the distance. 

An announcement should be made in the coming days if not next week about the construction officially beginning. As I said last week, maybe just maybe we will finally get a presumed opening date for the new lands inside Hollywood Studios and Disneyland. Stay tuned.

"Jungle Book 2" Already in the Works:

"The Jungle Book" won't open in theaters until Friday, but it appears the sequel is already in the works. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney is already finalizing details on the sequel of the live-action film. It is being reported that Jon Favreau and Justin Marks will return to direct and write the film. 

Favreau will also produce the film and Brigham Taylor who also helped produce the upcoming film will also return for the sequel.

"The Jungle Book" which hits theaters this Friday, April 15 has a celebrity voice cast which includes Bill Murray as Baloo, Idris Elba as Shere Khan, Ben Kingsley as Bagheera, Scarlett Johansson as Kaa just to name a few of the all-star cast. Disney has been striking gold lately with making the live-action remakes of its animated classics like "Alice in Wonderland", "Maleficent", and "Cinderella" already being huge successes. Not to mention the sequel to 'Alice' in "Alice Through the Looking Glass" in May, the re-make of "Pete's Dragon" in August, and "Beauty and the Beast" due out in March 2017.

Haunted Mansion Tsum Tsum's Out this Friday at Disney Parks:

Haunted Mansion fans get excited cause this Disney Tsum Tsum collection is just for you. This Friday, April 15 a special new collection of our favorite ghosts will be coming to Disney Parks in 3-inch plush inspired by the classic attraction. 

The collection will feature Madam Leota, the bride, the hitchhiking ghosts, and even one resembling the hostesses who work at the attraction. That's not all that was announced as a new collection representing the attractions and characters from Fantasyland. This collection will be out this Summer. 

The Haunted Mansion Tsum Tsum collection will be available at these locations at Disney Parks:

Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawai‘i – Kalepa’s Store.

Disneyland Resort

• Downtown Disney District – World of Disney
• Paradise Pier in Disney California Adventure Park – Tee, Hats & Tattoos
• Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland park – Gag Factory

Walt Disney World Resort

• Disney Springs Marketplace – Once Upon a Toy
• Shops at Orlando International Airport
• Magic Kingdom Park – Curtain Call Collectibles
• Epcot – ImageWorks
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Beverly Sunset
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures

Who's excited about our favorite ghost hosts coming to Disney Tsum Tsum?

Hatbox Ghost Reappears in Disneyland's Haunted Mansion and Disney's Tomorrowland World Premier at Disneyland

I hope all the mother's out there enjoyed their Mother's Day yesterday. It was certainly an enjoyable weekend, the weather is beautiful up here in NEPA and I am only 13 days away from my Disney World vacation.

The Hatbox Ghost Reappears at Disneyland's Haunted Mansion:

On Saturday, the legendary Hatbox Ghost finally made its reappearance in the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland just two weeks away from the start of the Diamond Celebration. Guests lined up and caused long wait times just to see the legendary ghost. The Hatbox Ghost appeared during the parks opening at the attraction and then disappeared just days after the attraction opened never to be seen until finally this past Saturday. Here are two close-up photos of the Hatbox Ghost that Disney released today.

The Disney Parks Blog also along with the two photos showed off a behind the scenes video of the Hatbox Ghost from Disney Imagineering. Another video is from Attractions Magazine as their doom buggy literally stopped in front of the Hatbox Ghost in one of the first rides after the mysterious ghost reappeared. Here is the behind the scenes video from Disney Imagineering:

Here is the Attractions Magazine video from Saturday:

World Premier of Disney's Tomorrowland at Disneyland:

George Clooney, Amal Clooney, Mia Alamuddin (Amal's niece), Disney CEO Bob Iger,
and journalist Willow Bay ride the monorail at Disneyland.

After the exciting reappearance of the Hatbox Ghost in the morning, evening came and the world premier of Disney's "Tomorrowland" took place at Disneyland. The stars took to the 'blue carpet' including the star of the new film George Clooney and his wife, Amal. Disneyland was the hot spot this weekend as we fast approach the park's Disneyland's 60th Diamond Celebration and when "Tomorrowland" hits theaters on May 22. 

Among the guest list of the premier included: George Clooney, Chairman of Walt Disney Studios, Alan Horn, Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, Director Brad Bird, legendary Disney composer Richard Sherman, composer of the film Michael Giachinno, Britt Robertson, producer Damon Lindelof, Keegan -Michael Key, Hugh Laurie, Raffey Cassidy, Tim McGraw, Thomas Robinson, among many others. 

Disney's "Tomorrowland" hits theaters May 22, 2015.

Mysterious Hatbox Ghost Returning to Disneyland's Haunted Mansion

Today, it was finally announced that the mysterious Hatbox Ghost will be returning to Disneyland's Haunted Mansion attraction next month in time for the park's Diamond Celebration. The Hatbox Ghost is sort of a legend since its disappearance from the attraction just days after it opened back in 1969. Although it has appeared in many pieces of merchandise since its disappearance.

Sneak Peak of HatBox Ghost Animatronic released by Disney.

During the 2013 D23 Expo, Disney Imagineers had an audio animatronic on display of the Hatbox Ghost. Now it has been written by Inside the Magic that this particular animatronic will not be the actual one used for when the legendary character returns to the attraction in May. As seen above in the photo Disney released today we can only see the silhouette of the Hatbox Ghost. 

With the Hatbox Ghost's return to Disneyland for the Diamond Celebration, does this mean possibly it also being added to its sister location in Disney World? Nothing has been said if that will happen, but it sure would be nice to see the Hatbox Ghost come to Florida.

My Top 5 Favorite Attractions at Magic Kingdom

This is the first in a series of my top 5 attractions at each park. This is no way in saying these are the best attractions, but these are my favorite that I need to do every time I am in Walt Disney World. The first Top 5 is at the Magic Kingdom. This list will not include the "Seven Dwarfs Mine Train," as I have not had the chance to ride it yet. So without further ado here are My Top 5 Favorite Attractions at Magic Kingdom:

5.) Peter Pan's Flight in Fantasyland:

This ride is literally a classic and every time I go to Magic Kingdom it is a must that me and my family go and ride Peter Pan's Flight. It is one of Disney's classic dark rides taking you right into magic of this classic Disney film. It is my suggestion that you get a fastpass for this ride as the lines are always long. Although now that the queue has been updated you may just want to wait in line just once. The ride itself takes you right into the film starting in the children's bedroom waiting for the arrival of Peter Pan. The ride takes you through Old Town London, to the scene flying over Big Ben, right into Never Land, overseeing the Mermaid Lagoon and Skull Rock. You will also see the notorious Captain Hook and Mr. Smee and of course the ever present crocodile. As you ride through the ride you will hear songs from the classic movie making you actually feel like you're in the movie. The ride lasts 2 minutes and 45 seconds. I love this ride and I put it at number 5 in my top 5 attractions at the Magic Kingdom.

4.) The Jungle Cruise in Adventureland:

The Jungle Cruise in number 4 on my top 5 favorite attractions at the Magic Kingdom. Another classic Disney ride the takes you through the four dangerous rivers: the Amazon, the Congo, the Nile, and the Mekong. I just love this ride from the witty and not so funny tour guides to all the animatronic animals you see along the way. There is nothing like seeing the other side of a waterfall. This ride is a 9-minute excursion through the rivers and to me the magic is always different. The ride is a Walt Disney World original opening in 1971 when the park opened. Another favorite part of the ride is near the end with the shrunken head salesman. There is nothing like the deal three heads for one deal. This ride is another must ride for me and my family when we are at the Magic Kingdom. These are the reasons why number 4 on my top 5 favorite attractions at the Magic Kingdom is the Jungle Cruise.

3.) Splash Mountain in Frontierland:

"It's the truth, it's actual, and everything is satisfactual." In at number 3 everybody's favorite water ride, Splash Mountain in Frontierland. I must admit when I was younger I didn't like this ride but as I grew older it has become one of my favorites. There is nothing like going on Splash Mountain to cool off from the hot Florida sun. It certainly helps that everyone loves this ride so getting a fastpass is a must. The ride itself is based on the adventure of Brer Rabbit who gets into trouble with two enemies in Brer Fox and Brer Bear. The ride takes you through Brer Rabbit's home Chickapin Hill through the Laughing Place and ending after a 50 foot drop into the Briar Patch. The 50 ft drop is where you will most likely get soaked, especially if your in the front row. Splash Mountain is a fun and family friendly ride that assures that everyone will get wet. Plan your fastpass so you can dry off in enough time that if you have other plans you will be dry. Splash Mountain is number 3 on my top 5 favorite attractions at Magic Kingdom.

2.) Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square:

999 happy haunts, but in at no. 2 is the Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square. Hop in a doom buggy for this Disney World original and enjoy one of the best rides in Disney World but it's not my number 1. The Haunted Mansion is another dark ride is home to Madame Leota and her 998 other happy haunts, of course there is always room for one more. You are on the ride which is hosted by your "ghost host" which is voiced by Paul Frees. The 7 and a half minute ride takes you through this mansion as the dead come alive in this classic attraction. Another ride that is always a must do at the Magic Kingdom. This ride is one of the magical things Disney does and everyone in my family loves this ride. Then at the end of ride you have Madame Leota saying, "Hurry Back, Hurrryy Baaack!!!!" Of course who doesn't want to hurry back on this great ride. I love it and I'm sure you do to. The Haunted Mansion is no. 2 in my top 5 favorite attractions at the Magic Kingdom.

1.) Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland:

Who's up for some good old family friendly competition? Number 1 and my favorite attraction in the Magic Kingdom is Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin located in Tomorrowland. How could I go for a simple ride instead of a thrill ride like Space Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain. Easy, Buzz Lightyear is my favorite character in Disney/Pixar history. That is not the only reason although it is a big part of it. This ride where you are here to help Buzz defeat Emperor Zurg by shooting at targets to  get a certain amount of points added to your score while your aboard your XP-38 Space Cruiser. Not only are you facing Zurg but robots and aliens as well. The ride lasts about 4 1/2 minutes and its a competition with your family members on who can become a Galactic Hero. The maximum score is 999,999. My love for this is my family members are always in competition in who can get the highest score. It's lots of fun and there isn't a trip where we don't ride it multiple times over. Number one and my all time favorite ride in the Magic Kingdom is Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin.

This Day in Disney History:

On this day February 7, 1938 the very first Donald Duck daily strip in the USA, drawn by Al Taliaferro, is published.

On this day 75 years ago in 1940, Disney's animated film, Pinocchio, premieres at the Central Theater in New York City.

Daily Disney Quote:

"Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world."

Walt Disney

Well that's all for today, except for tomorrow blog's will probably going up around this time during the week as I return to work on Monday. As always in the words of Mickey Mouse, "See Ya Real Soon."