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. 

Brand New Experiences Coming to Disney Wonder this Fall, Disney Parks Blog Unboxed - Dooney & Bourke

Brand New Experiences Coming to Disney Wonder this Fall:

The Disney Wonder will be getting some new entertainment and experiences this fall. This will include the Marvel Super Hero Academy, a new jazzy restaurant called Tiana's Place Restaurant, an English Pub exclusive for the adults, and many stern to hull enhancements. Along with the Marvel Super Hero Academy more imaginative and fun experiences for the children themed to Frozen, Disney Junior, and Toy Story. The Disney Wonder will hit dry dock in Candiz, Spain for the work from September 9 through October 23.

Inside the new Marvel Super Hero Academy inside the Oceaneer Club, kids will enjoy extraordinary adventures as they play an integral role along with mentorship of Marvel's greatest super heroes. The young trainees will learn the value of teamwork, bravery and problem solving through hands-on play and programs.

Spider-Man will appear to help the children hone their spider senses by perfecting their skills of reflex, speed, and sharp minds. Other Marvel favorites will be available to interact through the digital world. One program will allow children to control the movement of the characters on screen to practice their super hero skills like repulsor blasting (Iron-Man).

Here is a description of the remaining new experiences coming to Disney's Oceaneer Club aboard the Disney Wonder:

• Frozen Adventures is where fun takes the form of imaginative play and hands-on activities. On the digital screen, Olaf leads summery games with a wintery twist and a sing-a-long of “In Summer.”
• In another festive activity, young guests prepare for a coronation and receive a truly royal and in-person visit by Anna and Elsa.
• Club Disney Junior features favorite Disney Junior characters, storytelling and games. During one activity, Doc McStuffins pays a visit to the club to help children diagnose and treat the stuffed animals.
• Andy’s Room where kids feel toy-sized in the multi-level play space themed to the Disney•Pixar “Toy Story” trilogy. As a special treat, Woody appears in person to join youngsters in a hoedown and Jessie stops by to join in a scavenger hunt.

Tiana's Place Restaurant will be inspired by one of our favorite princesses in Princess Tiana from "Princess and the Frog." The restaurant will transport you to an era of southern charm, spirited jazz, and street party celebrations. Guests will be treated to New Orleans dining and entertainment with music that will create a French Quarter supper club atmosphere.

The menu will be inspired by Tiana's favorite recipes that bring flavors and ingredients of the Louisiana bayou. Her personal touch will be evident in the menu, the entertainment, and throughout the entire restaurant. 

In the adult district of the ship a brand new pub that will invite guests to jaunt to an authentic English tavern. The space will be adorned with dark woods, plush leather furniture, brass accents, and will have subtle nods to Disney films set in London with artwork and props. British and specialty beers will create the perfect atmosphere where the adults can sip a pint or just sample a brew especially made for the pub.

Here is what else will be enhanced on the Disney Wonder from stem to stern:

• After Hours – a new adult district featuring the English pub, an all-new night club and a shiny new model of the popular Cadillac Lounge
• A reimagined and relaxing Senses Spa & Salon and a new Chill Teen Spa
• Animator’s Palate main dining restaurant updated to introduce the popular “Drawn to Magic” and “Animation Magic” dinner shows
• Cabanas casual dining location
• Palo specialty restaurant makeover with Venetian-inspired décor
• D Lounge for family games and entertainment
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique providing magical makeovers for children
• Edge club for tweens
• “it’s a small world” Nursery for the youngest cruisers

The ship’s upper decks also will be redesigned for waterful fun:

• Twist ‘n’ Spout water slide provides splashtacular fun
• Dory’s Reef is a splash zone that offers fanciful water play for toddlers
• AquaLab is a pool and interactive water play area for kids and families

The new enhancements and experiences will be available to the public on the sailings from Galveston, Texas starting November 10 with sailings to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. The ship will then sail to San Juan, Puerto Rico to January 20, 2017. On January 26, 2017, a three-night cruise will take guests from San Juan to Port Canaveral, Florida where the ship will homeport for the spring. 

Disney Parks Blog Unboxed - Dooney & Bourke:

Today, Steven Miller unboxed some brand new Dooney & Bourke products that will feature patterns of "it's a small world" handbags and retail Magic Bands that will be released in July and "Beauty and the Beast" and "Dumbo" handbags that will be released in August.

More details will released in a future article on the Disney Parks Blog including news on a release event on July 23 at the Marketplace Co-op in the Disney Springs Marketplace.

New Custom 'On-Demand' Magic Bands Coming to Walt Disney World; Chef Rick Bayless Opening Restaurant in Disney Springs

New Custom 'On-Demand' Magic Bands Coming to Walt Disney World:

This news broke this morning but was quickly taken down by the Disney Parks Blog. We can only assume that this will officially be announced soon enough. Guests will be able to create custom Magic Bands on Disney World property, its first location in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom. The location of the kiosk is at the exit of Space Mountain inside the Tomorrowland Power & Light Co. building.

Guests will be able to choose from eight different colors including the long awaited purple magic band. You will also be able to choose from 40 different graphics for the custom magic band. Some of the graphics can be seen above, also some will only be available at certain locations with salute to classic Magic Kingdom attractions and icons. 

Guests will also be able to personalize their bands with their names on the outside for a little more. Once designed, the band will be printed right their using UV ink which dries immediately and requires no cooling time. You can have the magic band either linked to your My Disney Experience account or they can be given as a gift to family and friends who may be visiting Walt Disney World soon. The cost of the regular customized Magic Band will be $21.95, while the personalized retails bands will be $29.95. 

Chef Rick Bayless to Open Restaurant in Disney Springs:

Another famous chef is set to open a new restaurant in Disney Springs, Chef Rick Bayless will open Frontera Fresco will open soon. No official opening date was announced. Chef Bayless is known for his authentic Mexican cuisine and Frontera Fresco will feature specialty meals such as hand-crafted tortas, tacos, salads, fresh-made guacamole, and classic Mexican braised meat entrees that are all crafted with his time-honored recipes. You also can't forget the drinks including margaritas and more cocktails (including beer and wine as well).

Bayless is a six-time James Beard Award Foundation Award winner, but he is probably best known for winning on Bravo TV's "Top Chef Masters" and his National Television Series, "Mexico - One Plate at a Time," which is in its Tenth Season. Chef Bayless has restaurants all over the country including his Chicago restaurants: Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, Xoco, and several locations for Frontera Fresco. Bayless on opening a restaurant in the newly opened Disney Springs said, "I'm thrilled to bring Frontera Fresco to Disney Springs to share my for Mexican cuisine with the families who visit Orlando every year."

Breaking News: Disneyland to Start Testing Fastpass+ in August; Hong Kong Disneyland in 2016

While everyone is preparing for tomorrow's big kickoff to the Diamond Celebration at Disneyland to celebrate its 60th anniversary, there appears to be some breaking news out of California. For just over a year now, Disney World has successfully brought out the Fastpass+ system. Now announced today over several outlets out there, Disneyland will begin testing the system this year in August and Hong Kong Disneyland in 2016.

Now that the bugs and kinks have been worked out in Florida at Disney World, Disney Parks and Resorts is ready to take Fastpass+ and MyMagic+ globally. Hong Kong Disneyland will officially begin testing the system with the opening of the new Iron Man Experience in 2016. 

Fastpass+ is taking the Fastpass ticketing system into the digital age by removing the paper fastpass distribution systems at attractions. Like guests in Disney World, guests will be able to book fastpass+ attractions online, in the My Disney Experience app, or at designated kiosks throughout the park. The fastpasses will then be linked to magic bands (pictured above). Nothing has been said so far from Disney to confirm this or when the old Fastpass ticket distribution points will be removed. Tune into It All Started With a Mouse as more information about Fastpass+ coming to Disneyland and around the globe at Disney Parks and Resorts.

Happy Star Wars Day and May the Fourth Be With You

It is almost over but it feels like the day has just begun, Happy Star Wars Day everyone. May the Fourth be with you. The Disney Parks are celebrating the next two days with new merchandise and Star Wars Weekends at Hollywood Studios is just around the corner. Today, of course is the official Star Wars Day with the term 'May the Fourth Be With You.' Tomorrow, the celebration continues with Revenge of the Fifth. New merchandise was released just in time for the celebrations today with t-shirts, pins, water bottles, and more are now available at the Disney Parks. The water bottles are available at Walt Disney World only.

Other merchandise released today included a new ewok plush named, Teebo, will be available on both coasts. Two open edition magic bands are being released today at Hollywood Studios. One is of Luke Skywalker the other a Stormtrooper. Both will be sold for $19.95 each and can be linked later. New Star Wars SMS headphones will be released a second edition on both coasts. The second edition themes this year consist of TIE-fighter, R2-D2, Chewbacca, and Darth Vader. 

 Also on DisneyStore.com, a limited edition 'I am your Father's Day' shirt is being sold online today through Sunday, May 10. The shirt will be available on Disney Parks Online and will be shipped in the next 3-5 weeks. 

The Disney Parks Blog also announced a new contest in honor of Star Wars Day. You can share your 'Star Wars Style' for your chance to win a grand prize trip to Walt Disney World. Entries for the contest can be entered on www.StarWarsStyle.com from May 4, 2015 until June 1, 2015.

The grand prize is a trip for two to the Walt Disney World Resort plus a Star Wars gift basket, that is exclusive to Disney Parks. Eight semifinalists will also receive special edition Star Wars gift baskets. Official rules of the contest can be seen here. 

Star Wars Weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios begins May 15 and will continue on weekends through June 14. Once again May the Fourth be with you. 

Your Daily News From Around Disney 2/2/15

I hope everyone enjoyed the weekend and the game last night. Up hear in NEPA we are once again recovering from another snow storm. It is 110 days until my next trip to the world and it can't get here fast enough. Anyways let's get down to business with your daily news from around Disney.

The Patriots Win and Stars Julian Edelman and Malcolm Butler are going to Disney Land:

In yesterday's post we talked about the Super Bowl and Disney. Today, the topic continues as the Patriots won Super Bowl 49 28-24 of the Seahawks. After the game ended as the confetti fell on all the players, two stars of the game WR Julian Edelman and CB Malcolm Butler did their takes for the Disney commercial. In celebration the two yelled, "We're going to Disney Land!" They also did a take for Disney World. Today the two will be featured in a parade in Disney Land as grand marshals. Here is a look at the commercial that is airing.

Tomorrowland Preview is Shown during Super Bowl:

Last night, one of the commercials during the Super Bowl a preview for Disney's Tomorrowland was featured. The film which will be released in a theatre near you on May 22, 2015 starring George Clooney, Britt Robertson, and Hugh Laurie. The 30 second special look into the film looks into amazing. Here is the special look from last night.

10 Million Magic Bands have been distributed at Disney World:

Late last week Disney announced that 10 million magic bands have already been distributed to guests since the product started. Magic bands are the key to everything to your trip around the World. From your key to your guest room, your key to the parks, holding all your fast passes, as well as being a charge card magic bands are essential to your trip. They have been a hit with guests around the parks.

This Day in Disney History:

On this day February 2nd in 1922, 20 year old Walt Disney began work at his first cartoon company Laugh-O-Gram films in Kansas City, Missouri.

Also on this day in 1967 Roy O. Disney outlines Walt's plans for Disney World's EPCOT, the world's first futuristic metropolis.

Daily Disney Quote:

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."

Walt Disney