More Details on The NBA Experience at Disney Springs

The NBA Experience coming to Disney Springs in the Summer 2019 now has a few more details of what will be inside the new experience. WDW News Today gave some details on just what will be inside including some of the interactive guests will be able to enjoy.

For the ticketed experience inside, exhibits will be distributed over 2 very tall floors, so many of the activities will be quite large and surround a “Center Court” atrium area.

On the first floor, guests will enter through the ticketing area, then go through an entry tunnel, and walk out on to Center Court. Exhibits downstairs will include the Locker Room, Hall of Champions, Hoop Sciences, and a pair of large VR Theaters. The retail shop and dining venue will also be on the ground floor, but will not require tickets.

The second floor will feature Pop-A-Shot, Dream Dunk, Big Shot, You Make the Call, the Dream Court. One of these experiences is rumored to utilize the simulators from Cyberspace Mountain, as they were maintained and removed from Disney Quest with labels marking them as the property of the NBA Experience.

While none of this is confirmed to be exact it sure does seem to be coming along quickly as Disney Quest has already been demolished to fit the new experience coming to the West Side of Disney Springs.

Source: WDW News Today

First Look at The NBA Experience Coming to Disney Springs Summer 2019

Today, the Disney Parks Blog shared with us our first look at The NBA Experience at Walt Disney World which is coming to Disney Springs in Summer 2019. Taking the place of the old Disney Quest, which closed back in July, the new experience and building is inspired by the modern architecture of new NBA arenas around the country. 

It will exude the same spirit and energizing impact all while creating an unmistakable and entertaining connection to the NBA in a way that only Disney can. The state of the art space will include interactive games and competitions, immersive experiences, a retail store, and an adjacent restaurant. 

“We are inspired by the design of the new building and the energy that it will bring to the West Side of Disney Springs,” said Senior Vice President of Disney Springs and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Maribeth Bisienere.

“This one-of-a-kind experience is sure to be enjoyed by basketball and Disney fans of all ages who visit Disney Springs from around the world," recently said by Sal LaRocca, NBA President of Global Partnerships. 

Stay tuned for more updates in the future on The NBA Experience coming to Disney Springs' West Side Summer 2019.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Disney Quest to Close July 3 Making Way for The NBA Experience

After rumors have been swirling that the deal between the NBA and Disney had broken things off, many said The NBA Experience although announced last year wouldn't be coming to Disney Springs. Well, the issues have been worked out as Disney just announced that Disney Quest will close on July 3 to make way for The NBA Experience. 

"Until July 3, DisneyQuest will continue to offer a great interactive experience for all guests. Disney fans of classic arcade game favorites and virtual worlds featured at the indoor theme park are invited to come out and enjoy the experiences.

As we’ve previously shared, The NBA Experience at Walt Disney World Resort will be a one-of-a-kind basketball-themed experience featuring hands-on activities that put guests of all ages right in the middle of NBA game action. There will be immersive NBA video productions and numerous interactive experiences, as well as a restaurant and a retail store." - Thomas Smith, Disney Parks Blog

No set opening date was announced for The NBA Experience but stay tuned in the future for updates. This was definitely a surprise as this news wasn't expected. 

Source: Disney Parks Blog

Menken Reveals Details about New Songs in "Beauty and the Beast"; Disney Quest to Remain Open into 2017

Menken Reveals Details About New Songs in "Beauty and the Beast":

Photo Credit: Entertainment Weekly

In the Entertainment Weekly special edition for "Beauty and the Beast," Disney Legend and composer Alan Menken revealed details on three songs that will be brand new for the live action remake of the 1992 animated classic. The songs are called, "Our Song Lives On," "For Evermore," and "Days in the Sun." Here are the details he revealed:

Our Song Lives On:

“The first time it’s sung, it’s Belle’s father singing as he’s completing a music box, and basically it’s [about], ‘How does a moment live forever? How do you hang on to precious moments?’ Then, it’s reprised by Belle, and then it’s the song that’s actually over the end credits at the end of the movie.”

For Evermore:

“‘For Evermore’ is this moment where the Beast now loves Belle, and he realizes that she misses her father, and he acknowledges she’s no longer a prisoner, and when she sees her father’s in trouble, he says, ‘Go to him, go.’ And he voluntarily lets her go,” Menken continues. “He’s basically singing about how he now knows what love is, as he watches her leave, and he’s climbing up the turret of the castle as she recedes into the distance, just watching her go further and further away.”

Days in the Sun:

‘Days in the Sun’ is a moment when all of the objects in the castle —and Belle — are going to sleep. Basically, everybody in the castle is having memories of what it used to be when they had their days in the sun. It’s sort of a combination of a lullaby and a remembrance of happier days for everybody.”

The live-action version of "Beauty and the Beast" hits theaters March 17, 2017.

Disney Quest to Remain Open into 2017:

In what Disney reported would close in 2017, Disney Quest will now remain open into the new year. Last year, Disney announced that the game entertainment complex would close and a new NBA-based attraction would be taking its place. 

For months, rumors have been swirling that talks between the National Basketball Association and Disney had fallen through. Now those rumors are seem to be coming true as Disney announced today that Disney Quest will remain open at least until 2017. In an email they said the entertainment venue, "will be operating into 2017, with no closing date to mention...We will be running the operation as normal until we hear otherwise."

So the question remains what will eventually become of Disney Quest inside Disney Springs?

Disney Quest to Close, Rasulo's Replacement Named, and Mickey Mouse Club to be Celebrated at D23

Disney Quest to Close:

Yesterday after news broke that The Magic of Disney Animation will be closing at Hollywood Studios, more news broke last night. Disney Quest, located in Downtown Disney, will be closing sometime next year as a date has yet to be announced. It will be closing to make room for the recently announced NBA Experience at Walt Disney World Resort also set to open next year. 

Disney Quest opened in 1998 and was an indoor interactive theme park where guests would pay one fee to enter and be able to play all the games. Annual passes for Disney Quest as well as Water Park/Disney Quest combo passes are no longer available. Current attractions inside Disney Quest that are set to close are: CyberSpace Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's Astroblaster, Virtual Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold, Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam, Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride, and Invasion! Extraterrestrial Alien Encounter.

Rasulo's Replacement Named: Christine M. McCarthy Named Chief Financial Officer:

As of today Jay Rasulo is no longer the CFO of The Walt Disney Company as he announced his resignation last month. Today, The Walt Disney Company and CEO and Chairman Bob Iger named Rasulo's successor as he named Christine M. McCarthy as Chief Financial Officer of the company. The company also named Kevin Mayer Chief Strategy Officer today. 

Iger said in a statement on McCarthy, "Christine has done an incredible job as Disney's treasurer over the past 15 years, and her strong leadership and keen financial acumen make her an ideal Chief Financial Officer. She is highly respected in the finance sector,  and in this new role she will have even more impact on creating value for Disney shareholders."

McCarthy will now oversee Investor Relations, Corporate Planning and Control, Tax, Corporate Treasury, Corporate Real Estate, Facilities, Integrated Supply Chain Management, and Corporate Citizenship. She will report directly to Iger. She was most recently the Executive Vice President, Corporate Real Estate, Alliances and Treasurer where she developed a finance team responsible for treasury, corporate finance, capital markets, financial risk, international treasury and investments, credit, and risk management. 

McCarthy said this in release, "I am humbled and honored to be entrusted with the role of CFO of this incredibly dynamic company. Under Bob's leadership, Disney has delivered record results, and I look forward to working with our talented senior management team as we build on the company's financial strength and strong balance sheet to deliver shareholder value."

Mr. Mayer has been the Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Business Development since 2005. In his new role as Chief Strategy Officer he will oversee Corporate Strategy, Business Development, Acquisitions, Enterprise Information Technology, Innovation, Brand and Franchise Management, and Global Corporate Alliances. Mr. Mayer will report jointly to Mr. Iger and Tom Staggs, COO of Disney. 

Igor said in the statement release on Mayer, "Kevin has overseen Corporate Strategy and Business Development at a time of unprecedented growth for Disney, playing an integral role in our successful acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilms. With this promotion to the new role of Chief Strategy Officer he will continue to focus on growth opportunities and help position the company for the future." 

In the release Mayer also released a statement saying, "I'm extremely gratified to be given this opportunity to further expand Disney's assets and businesses. Disney's growth has been incredible these past several years, and I am proud of the role my group has played in facilitating that expansion and excited by the strategic opportunities that lie ahead for the company."

It All Started With a Mouse would like to congratulate both Ms. McCarthy and Mr. Mayer on their promotions within The Walt Disney Company.

Mickey Mouse Club's 60th Anniversary and More to be Celebrated at D23 EXPO:

The D23 EXPO is saying come along and join the jamboree as it is set celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Mickey Mouse Club in a presentation set for Sunday, August 16th at 5 p.m. in Stage 23. The presentation will be hosted by author Lorraine Santoli (The Official Mickey Mouse Club Book). The presentation will also include original Mouseketeers: Sherry Alberoni, Sharon Baird, Bobby Burgess, Tommy Cole, Darlene Gillespie, Cubby O'Brien, and Doreen Tracey, along with actors Tim Considine (Spin Evans) and David Stollery (Marty Markham) will include a one-of-a-kind performance filled with memories, music, and magic.

In addition to the panel, the Disney Dream Store will offer a small collection of 60th anniversary Mickey Mouse Club items to mark the occasion. Also, several of the Mouseketeers will be available for a signing opportunity at D23 EXPO Autograph Central on the show floor on Sunday from 2:30–3:30 p.m. Plus, guests will be able to see Mouseketeer Annette Funicello’s original Disney Legend handprints on display for the first time outside the Walt Disney Studios lot. The handprints, taken on October 21, 1992, when Funicello was inducted as a Disney Legend, will be presented in one of the show floor’s “photo spots.” There will also be a collection of props and costumes from Mickey Mouse Club Circus in “Walt Disney Archives Presents—Disneyland: The Exhibit.”

Other presentations planned include:

Charles Phoenix: Big Retro Disneyland Slide Show!
Friday, August 14, 10 a.m., Stage 28

Be prepared for your Disneyland-loving spirit to soar when the Ambassador of Americana takes you to the granddaddy of all theme parks when it opened. With his spectacular collection of “found” mid-century-era Kodachrome images, unbridled enthusiasm, and keen eye for detail, Charles shares the early days of Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Tomorrowland. See long-gone attractions, including the Phantom Boats, Flying Saucers, the Indian Village, PeopleMover, House of the Future, Carousel of Progress, and the original Tomorrowland—promoted as “The World of 1986”—and the all-new Tomorrowland in 1967. Your imagination will be inspired!

Disneyland Home Movies
Friday, August 14, 4:30 p.m., Stage 28

While Disneyland is one of the most photographed places on earth, this collection of one-of-a-kind footage and photography offers a unique viewpoint from another time. From the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, Randy Haberkamp, Managing Director of Preservation and Foundation Programs; Lynne Kirste, Special Collections Curator; and surprise special guests will take guests on a journey from Walt’s inspirations for Disneyland to the park’s opening and evolution, as captured on film. Suzanne Lloyd joins the presentation to showcase her grandfather Harold Lloyd’s stunning photography of Disneyland taken the week before the opening and on opening day.

A Goofy Movie 20th Anniversary Reunion!
Friday, August 14, 6 p.m., Stage 28

Fans of A Goofy Movie won’t want to miss this special commemoration of the beloved Disney animated feature, which turns 20 in 2015. Film producer Don Hahn hosts a panel of A Goofy Movietalent––including Disney Legend Bill Farmer (Goofy), Jason Marsden (Max), Jim Cummings (Pete), Rob Paulsen (P.J.), and writer Jymn Magon––who will share behind-the-scenes stories and surprising anecdotes from the fan-favorite musical.

The Making of American Experience: Walt Disney
Saturday, August 15, 4:30 p.m., Stage 28

This fall, PBS will premiere a new two-part, four-hour film exploring the life and legacy of Walt Disney as part of the American Experience series. Go behind the scenes with the team who brought the project together for a special sneak peek of the film: moderator Don Hahn (film producer, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King), Sarah Colt (director/producer, American Experience: Walt Disney), Neal Gabler (biographer, Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination), and Becky Cline, the Director of the Walt Disney Archives.

Best of Destination D
Sunday, August 16, 4:30 p.m., Stage 28

Since 2010, D23 Destination D events have offered D23 Members the chance to celebrate their favorite Disney subjects with unique and in-depth presentations from Disney Legends, Imagineers, animators, and others who have made magic on film, at Disney theme parks, and beyond. At D23 EXPO 2015, D23 is bringing two popular presentations from prior Destination D events together for a celebration of Walt Disney World® Resort—including a look back to its construction, early development, and favorite attractions of the past with Disney Legend and Walt Disney Archives founder Dave Smith. Then, Imagineer Jason Grandt will provide a modern look at Disney Parks and offer a designer’s point of view of details and “Easter Eggs” found throughout different attractions.

The D23 Expo will take place August 14-16, 2015 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Tangled Coming to Disney Channel in 2017 and NBA Experience Coming to Disney Springs

Tangled to Debut TV Series on the Disney Channel in 2017:

This morning the Disney Channel made a big announcement of a new animated series based of one of  its favorite feature films, "Tangled" in 2017. It is being produced by Disney Television Animation and  Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi will be reprising their roles as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.

The series will also reunite Disney Legend and Academy Award-winning composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater. The series was developed by animation veterans Chris Sonnenburg (Disney's "Enchanted") and Shane Prigmore ("The Lego Movie").

Gary Marsh, President and Chief Creative Officer of Disney Channel Worldwide, said this about the new animated series. "The genius of the original movie was its seamless blending of cinematic adventure, character-driven comedy, and touching emotion. And we are fortunate to have several of the creative talent from that movie on board with this new production. With the addition of Chris and Shane as executive producers, we have the perfect team in place to create a series worthy of the original film."

The new series will take place between the events of the feature film and the beginning of the 2012 short, "Tangled Ever After," as Rapunzel acquaints herself with her parents, her kingdom, and the people of Corona. Her irrepressible spirit and natural curiosity about the world drives her to the realization that there is so much more she needs to learn before she can truly accept her royal destiny. Rapunzel boldly puts her crown and impending marriage on hold to seek out epic adventures, much to the dismay of her father the King, who, after missing out on his daughter's youth, must accept that she is now an independent woman. 

All the original and favorite character are returning for the tv series including: Eugene (Flynn), Maximus the horse, the Snuggly Duckling Pub thugs, a new character, Cassandra - a tough as nails handmaiden, and Paschal everyone's favorite chameleon. "Tangled" the tv series is already in production and is set to premiere in 2017.

NBA Experience is Coming to Disney Springs:

The NBA Finals start tomorrow but Disney and the NBA are joining together for a new experience to open in the new Disney Springs, formerly Downtown Disney. It will be an extraordinary entertainment experience for all ages called, "The NBA Experience at Walt Disney World Resort." The experience will be a one-of-a-kind destination featuring hands-on activities that put families and guests of all ages right in the middle of NBA game-action. Guests will be able to explore inside the world of professional basketball with numerous interactive experiences and enjoy a restaurant and a retail store.

Bob Chapek, chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts, said this after the joint announcement with the NBA, "We're excited to join the NBA in offering this unique form of family entertainment. It will be a terrific addition to the world-class lineup of shops and restaurants coming to Disney Springs." The NBA Experience will join more than 150 shopping, dining, and entertainment venues at the new Disney Springs when work is completed in 2016.