Full Cast for "The Lion King" Revealed; Mickey's Birthday Celebration at Disney Parks

Full Cast for "The Lion King" Remake Revealed:

Disney just revealed the full cast for the live-action remake of "The Lion King." We already knew some of the cast such as Donald Glover (Simba), James Earl Jones returning as Mufasa, and Beyonce as Nala. Here is the full cast besides these amazing stars.

Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar

Alfree Woodard as Sarabi

John Oliver as Zazu

John Kani as Rafiki

Seth Rogen as Pumbaa

Billy Eichner as Timon

Eric Andre as Azizi

Florence Kasumba as Shenzi

Keegan-Michael Key as Kamari

JD McCrary as Young Simba

Shahadi Wright Joseph as Young Nala

"The Lion King" live action film which is being directed by Jon Favreau is due in theaters Summer 2019.

Mickey's Birthday Celebration at Disney Parks:

Mickey's big day is fast approaching once again as it will be celebrated at Disney Parks around the world. Mickey's Birthday is November 18 as he heads out on another epic adventure around the world. Here is what is in store at Disney Parks:

Walt Disney World:

Will celebrate with special “Happy Birthday, Mickey!” buttons, merchandise and Sorcerer Mickey Cake. To commemorate the occasion, guests can sing and dance along with “Happy Birthday” during Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It!, Cosmic Dance Party in Tomorrowland and performances by the Dapper Dans. Plus, birthday photo props will be available at all four theme parks, and everyone who collects their photos at the parks will receive a folder with a commemorative sticker.

Disneyland:

Will host a celebration cavalcade for Mickey Mouse, featuring some of his special friends and the Disneyland Band, starting at “it’s a small world” and pausing for a special moment at Sleeping Beauty Castle before continuing down Main Street, U.S.A., to Town Square. There will be plenty of chances to sing “Happy Birthday” along the way, and of course, “Happy Birthday, Mickey!” buttons will be distributed to park guests.

Disneyland Paris:

On Main Street, USA is where the party's at. Be prepared to celebrate Mickey’s birthday just before “Disney Magic on Parade,” as well as during the Lucky Nugget Saloon show at Disneyland park and in “Mickey and the Magician” at Walt Disney Studios park. And what’s a birthday without cake? Guests can find plenty to snack on at locations around the resort.

Guests at Hong Kong Disneyland can pick up a special Mickey Birthday pin and a special edition Times Guide in honor of everyone’s favorite mouse. At Shanghai Disney Resort and Tokyo Disney Resort, guests will have the chance to sing “Happy Birthday” and join in unique photo opportunities.

Mickey will also be visiting several places around the world leading up to his big day such as Japan, Chile, Canada, China, England, and the United States on his Instagram and Facebook pages. On November 15 there will be even more surprises when he visits Good Morning America on November 15. 

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Shanghai Disney Resort has Officially Opened

Last night here in the United States it may have been June 15, but over in China it was already June 16 which meant that the Shanghai Disney Resort was opened. At around 10:30 a.m. in Shanghai the resort was officially dedicated by Bob Iger, Wang Yang (the vice premier of China), and many Chinese dignitaries and Disney executives along with thousands of guests.

Tune in tonight on Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD will air the special, Shanghai Disney Resort Grand Opening Special at 8 p.m. ET. It will be hosted by Disney Channel star and singer Sofia Carson (Descendants). It will re-air tomorrow on Freeform. The Walt Disney Company released this press release on the opening of Shanghai Disneyland:

Shanghai Disney Resort Opens in Mainland China

“This is one of the proudest and most exciting moments in the history of The Walt Disney Company,” said Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger on stage at the Grand Opening ceremony of Shanghai Disney Resort on Thursday, June 16.

Chinese dignitaries, Disney executives and thousands of guests were also in attendance to welcome the latest addition of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts family—and Disney’s first destination resort in Mainland China.

Iger continued a tradition started by Walt Disney himself—one that has occurred at the opening of every Disney park around the world—by reading the park’s dedication: “To all who come to this happy place, welcome. Shanghai Disneyland is your land. Here you leave today and discover imaginative worlds of fantasy, romance and adventure that ignite the magical dreams within all of us. Shanghai Disneyland is authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese. It was created for everyone, bringing to life timeless characters and stories in a magical place that will be a source of joy, inspiration and memories for generations to come.”

During the ceremony, Iger read a congratulatory letter from U.S. President Barack Obama that stated the resort blends “American business with the beauty and rich cultural heritage of China.” President Obama also wrote that Shanghai Disney Resort “captures the promise” of the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and China.

Wang Yang, the vice premier of China, also shared a letter of congratulations written by Chinese President Xi Jinping. In the note, President Jinping congratulated “the successful cooperation between Shanghai and The Walt Disney Company.” He also mentioned, “By adding to the classic Disney style a stroke of Chinese characteristics, and by blending international standards with best local practices, the resort demonstrates our commitment to cross-cultural cooperation and our innovation mentality in the new era.”
In 1955, Walt Disney envisioned Disneyland, a place where millions of guests could interact with beloved stories and characters—and with their families—in new ways. More than 60 years later, with the opening of the most technologically innovative theme park Disney has ever built, Shanghai Disney Resort continues this time-honored legacy.

Inside Shanghai Disneyland lie six themed lands, each one a unique experience, imagined and created especially for China: Adventure Isle, Fantasyland, Gardens of Imagination, Mickey Avenue, Tomorrowland and Treasure Cove. At the heart of the park is Enchanted Storybook Castle, the tallest, biggest and most interactive of all Disney castles the world over.

Beyond the park, the resort boasts Disneytown and two imaginatively designed hotels—the elegant Art Nouveau-influenced Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and the colorful Toy Story Hotel, inspired by Disney·Pixar’s hit films. Wishing Star Park offers a relaxing natural escape with a promenade and lake.

“It’s the privilege of a lifetime to lead this phenomenal company as we continue to find new ways and new places to bring our stories to life and to bring people together to create cherished memories that last forever,” Iger said. “Today is a celebration of creativity and collaboration, commitment and patience, the triumph of imagination and innovation, and a testament to the strong partnership between Disney and China. Together, we have created an extraordinary destination.”

Just watching the dedication ceremony last night brought me to tears and made wish I was there to join in on the celebration of the grand opening of this amazing theme park. I could only hope that one day I will get to experience Shanghai Disneyland in person. I believe in my heart that Walt would be proud of this park. 

New "Pete's Dragon" Photos, Trailer Out Tomorrow; New Look Inside Shanghai Disneyland Ahead of Grand Opening

New "Pete's Dragon" Photos, Trailer Out Tomorrow:

We will be getting a new trailer for "Pete's Dragon" tomorrow live on Access Hollywood with Bryce Dallas Howard there for the debut. We also got a new poster as well as a new still from the film featuring both Pete and Elliott. Check them out below:

Synopsis: For years, old wood carver Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford) has delighted local children with his tales of the fierce dragon that resides deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. To his daughter, Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard), who works as a forest ranger, these stories are little more than tall tales… util she meets Pete (Oakes Fegley). Pete is a mysterious 10-year-old with no family and no home who claims to live in the woods with a giant, green dragon named Elliot. And from Pete’s description, Elliot seems remarkably similar to the dragon from Mr. Meacham’s stories. With the help of Natalie (Oona Laurence), an 11-year-old-girl who father Jack (Wes Bentley) owns the local lumber mill, Grace sets out to determine where Pete came from, where he belongs and the truth abut this dragon.

Disney's remake of its cherished family film will be released on August 12, 2016 in theaters.

New View of Shanghai Disneyland Ahead of Grand Opening:

We are just days away from the grand opening of Shanghai Disneyland this Thursday. Today, Disney released a new look inside the new theme park (the first of its kind on the main land of China). In almost time lapse of a day inside the park it travels through each and every land of the new park including an ending of fireworks above Enchanted Storybook Castle. Check it out below:

Get a new view of Shanghai Disney Resort.https://t.co/RyM9UFybbn

— Disney (@Disney) June 13, 2016