Behind the Scenes Look at "The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic"; 'Speak Like a Whale Day at Disney Parks on June 11

Behind the Scenes Look at "The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic":

"The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" premieres at Disney's Animal Kingdom in just a few days when it debuts this Saturday, May 28. Today, the Disney Parks Blog just gave us a behind the scenes look of the new nighttime show. 

"The show springs to life on the Discovery River, with dozens of performers filling five immense floating stages and spilling out into the audience with colorful production numbers that combine the most memorable story moments and songs from the film with an incredibly authentic Indian cultural influence."

Here is a video where the Creative Entertainment Team give us a look at how hard they have been working as "The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" is set to debut.



"The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic" is set to debut in just 3 days. Is anybody else as excited as I am for the new nighttime experiences at Animal Kingdom!

'Speak Like a Whale Day' at Disney Parks on June 11:

In honor of "Finding Dory" being released to theaters on June 17, Disney Parks will be celebrating one of Dory's favorite past times on June 11. Disney Parks will be celebrating 'Speak Like a Whale Day' on Saturday, June 11 with the help of her new friends, Bailey the beluga whale and Destiny the whale shark. Guests can learn how to speak whale while taking part in the fun. Here are the details:

• Guests at Disneyland Resort in California, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disney Cruise Line ships will receive a complimentary button to celebrate the day on June 11 (while supplies last).
• At the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort and Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, families can dive into “undersea” themed activities, including a live DJ, games and giveaways. Young guests can attend “Whale Speak University” and give speaking the language a try.
• At The Seas with Nemo & Friends in Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort, guests can learn about the real-life counterparts of the characters from the film and see them in their massive 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium home. Experts from Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment Team will be on hand throughout the day to help guests find Dory and her friends and get a closer look at their world.
• Dory and some of her new friends from Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory” have joined Crush at the Turtle Talk with Crush attraction at Epcot and Disney California Adventure park. Guests can meet Destiny the whale shark, Bailey the beluga whale and Hank the “septopus.”

Here is the announcement from two of the films star in Ty Burrell and Kaitlin Olson as they practice their best whale voices:

Join in the fun at Disney Parks on June 11 and on June 17 when "Finding Dory" hits theaters nationwide.

Final Day of Awaken Summer Media Event Reveals Tons of News

Names for Toy Story Land Attractions and More Details:

On the final day of their Awaken Summer Media Event, Disney revealed major details on plenty of their future attractions, shows, and dining. First up was an update on Toy Story Land. Guests will shrink down to the size of Buzz and Woody to explore the world of Andy's backyard with their favorite Toy Story characters. Today, they announced the two names of the attractions: Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers.

Slinky Dog Dash will be a family style coaster that guests will want to ride again and again. The attraction features a coaster track assembled by Andy all across his backyard with his Mega Coaster Play Kit. He's used his pretty amazing imagination so he's combined it with some of his other toys. Kathy Mangum shared a concept video of the ride that zips, dodges, and dashes around many turns and drops that Andy has created to really make Slinky and his coils stretch to their limits. Check it out:

Alien Swirling Saucers will be an attraction that has been built from a play set that Andy got from Pizza Planet. Aliens will be flying around in their flying toy saucers as they attempt to capture your toy rocket vehicle with "The Claw."

"As you rotate around the toy planets and satellites as part of the game, you’ll swirl to the beat of fun “Space Jazz” music developed just for this experience, Mangum said. The music, the lighting, and the sound effects will add to the flurry of your adventure while “The Claw” looms ominously over you."

While Toy Story Land and its two brand new attractions won't open for a while some good news on the third track at Toy Story Midway Mania was announced by Mangum. The third track will open in time for this Memorial Day Weekend so even more guests will be able to experience the popular attraction.

Update on Star Wars Land:

During today's event, Scott Trowbridge gave an update on Star Wars Land. While not much was updated we did get a look at a small clip for the battle with the First Order attraction and a look at some new concept art. We also found out that the Cantina will be a quick-serve and the dinner club that will be fine dining to the max. For the full update watch this video from The DIS Unplugged team of today's event:

Soarin' Around the World will Debut at Disney Parks Beginning June 17:

Yesterday, Disney released the first look at Soarin' Around the World, today during their Around the World event they announced just when the Soarin' sequel will be taking off at Epcot and at Disney California Adventure. Beginning June 17, guests will hang-glide across the world just a day after the premiere of the ride which will make its official grand opening at Shanghai Disneyland. 

Guests will board the exhilarating aerial adventure that will immerse them in a multi-sensory experience, complete with stunning sights, spectacular sounds, and even those famous subtle scents. Guests can begin booking their FastPass+ for Soarin' Around the World tomorrow, April 21. 

That's not all as the third theater at Epcot will also be opening on June 17 when the attraction re-opens. Here is the clip again where guests glide over China and Australia:

Frozen Ever After Will Debut in June at Epcot's Norway Pavilion:

While an exact date wasn't announced for the opening of Epcot's other newest attraction, Frozen Ever After, one can take a guess that it will be opening along with Soarin' Around the World on June 17. Here is the description from the Disney Parks Blog announcement today:

Frozen Ever After will take guests on an adventurous boat tour through the kingdom of Arendelle. Once inside, guests will be transported to the “Winter in Summer” Celebration where Queen Elsa embraces her magical powers and creates a winter-in-summer day for the entire kingdom. Guests will pass Troll Valley on their way up the icy North Mountain to Queen Elsa’s Ice Palace, and later on return to the Bay of Arendelle.

After guests take a ride on this amazing new attraction, they can top off their experience by visiting both Queen Elsa and Princess Anna in their new meet & greet location inside the Royal Sommerhus. The summer home of the royal sisters is inspired by a Norwegian countryside cabin.

"Finding Dory" Characters will Debut at "Turtle Talk with Crush" Next Month:

Characters from Pixar's next hit film "Finding Dory" the sequel to "Finding Nemo" will debut at Epcot's "Turtle Talk with Crush" next month in May. Some of the new characters coming to the attraction will be Destiny the whale shark, Bailey the beluga whale, and Hank the 'septopus' (a seven-legged octopus). 

That's not all as Squirt, Crush's son, will be swimming by the attraction for the first time ever. You may even spot Nemo and his dad Marlin inside the show. "Finding Dory" will be swimming in to theaters June 17, 2016.

"Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire" to Open in June:

At Magic Kingdom, we just said goodbye to "Dream Along with Mickey" and soon we will be saying hello to "Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire." The new stage show in front of Cinderella Castle will debut in June. Special appearances from Tiana and Naveen from "The Princess and the Frog," Rapunzel and Flynn from "Tangled," and Anna and Elsa from "Frozen." 

The show will bring to the stage fantastic costumes, lively dancing, special effects magic, and memorable musical moment including an original song, "On This Day," by songwriters Brendan Millburn and Valerie Vigoda ("Toy Story the Musical" and "Tinker Bell: The Secret of the Wings").

Here is the description of "Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire" that appeared on the Disney Parks Blog:

In the show, Mickey and his troupe of Merry Makers have been preparing to host a joyous festival and have ventured far and wide to invite friends from other lands to join their celebration. From the Land of the Bewitching Bayous, Goofy has invited Tiana, Naveen and Louis to add a little spice of New Orleans jazz to the party. From the Land of the Enchanted Woods, Donald Duck brings some new friends he met at the Snuggly Duckling, and Daisy introduces us to her special guests, Rapunzel and Flynn. Finally, Mickey shares a surprise with Minnie, as he has traveled to the Land of the Mystic Mountains to invite Olaf, Anna and Elsa, who contributes a blast of her icy magic. It all culminates in a grand dance, as the Merry Makers invite all their new friends to join in the fun on this special day in Magic Kingdom Park.

The fun will begin in June, again probably June 17, Disney is known for opening multiple things on the same day. Are you excited for "Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire."

Small Announcement:
Sorry for the blog being up late, there is a reason as I said a few days ago on Twitter, that I was trying for a trip back to the Kingdom in September. Well, that trip has become to fruition as I will be in Walt Disney World from September 18 through September 24. Only 150 days until I'm home.

Disney Cruise Line Announces Summer 2017 Itineraries, D23 Holding California Finding Nemo Event, and More

Disney Cruise Line Announces Summer 2017 Itineraries:

Today on the Disney Parks Blog, the Disney Cruise Line announced their Summer 2017 itineraries for their cruise ships. New destinations to Alaska and Europe have been announced as well as return stops in Norway, the British Isles, the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and the Bahamas. Here are the details released on the Disney Parks Blog:

New Alaska Itinerary: Icy Strait Point and Hubbard Glacier

For the first time, we’ll take guests to Alaska’s Icy Strait Point and Hubbard Glacier. These dramatic locations are part of a new nine-night itinerary on the Disney Wonder. Departing from Vancouver, British Columbia, on July 24, 2017, this itinerary also sails to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Tracy Arm Fjord.

Icy Strait Point offers a variety of Alaska nature adventures, including a zip line attraction that is one of the longest and highest zip lines in the world. Nearby, Glacier Bay National Park is a spectacular highlight of Alaska’s Inside Passage and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another highlight of this cruise is seeing Hubbard Glacier, the largest and most active tidewater glacier in North America. Displaying extraordinary blue hues and immense beauty, this spectacular glacier is more than six miles wide where it meets the ocean.

A new seven-night Alaska sailing from Vancouver, departing July 17, 2017, includes a call on Icy Strait Point, in addition to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. On Aug. 2, 2017, the Disney Wonder will sail its first five-night Alaska cruise from Vancouver to Tracy Arm and Ketchikan.

New Europe Destinations: Amsterdam and Stonehenge

Also for the first time, we’ll visit Amsterdam, Netherlands, known for its elaborate canal system, tulip fields, windmills and world-class museums housing works by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh.

On May 13, 2017, the Disney Magic embarks on a 15-night transatlantic crossing from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Copenhagen, with a stop in Amsterdam along the way. This itinerary also includes a call on Portland, England – another first-time port for Disney Cruise Line. Portland is a short distance from Stonehenge, the prehistoric ring of standing stones monument that is one of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World.

A visit to Amsterdam also will be part of a 10-night northern Europe itinerary that departs June 18, 2017, from Copenhagen, Denmark, to Dover, England. Other ports on this sailing include Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany; Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia; and Tallinn, Estonia.

The grand tour of Europe continues throughout the summer with limited engagements in the Baltic, Norwegian fjords, Iceland, British Isles and the Mediterranean.

New Disney Fantasy Itineraries: Southern Caribbean

The Disney Fantasy will sail from Port Canaveral on longer itineraries for the first time – new 10- and 11-night cruises to the southern Caribbean.

On June 17, 2017, a new 11-night itinerary will visit Aruba, Barbados, Martinique, St. Kitts, Tortolaand Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. On June 28, 2017, a new 10-night itinerary will call on Aruba, Curacao, St. Kitts, Tortola and Castaway Cay.

More Castaway Cay

As you probably know, Castaway Cay, our private island in the Bahamas, is consistently rated a top port-of-call by our guests. To give you more time at this island paradise, select Disney Dreamsailings from Port Canaveral will include two stops at Castaway Cay.

Special five-night sailings, departing June 2, 11, 16, 25, 30 and July 9, 2017, will call on Castaway Cay twice and include a stop in Nassau, Bahamas. Special four-night sailings, departing June 7, 21 and July 5, 2017, will visit Castaway Cay twice, also with a stop in Nassau.

Guests can begin booking for the Summer 2017 itineraries this Thursday, April 14, 2016. You can find even more information on the newly announced itineraries on disneycruise.com.

D23 Holding California 'Finding Nemo' Event:

Much like the event D23 is holding in Florida, the Disney fan club will be holding a similar event at the Walt Disney Studios lot in California. The event will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2016 called, D23's Afternoon in the Sea: Finding Nemo. Tickets will cost $30 plus a $5 processing fee. Tickets will go on sale April 26 at 10 a.m. PT.

The event will celebrate the upcoming release of "Finding Dory" as D23 invites its member to take the plunge into the world of "Finding Nemo" and get an insider's look at the making of Turtle Talk with Crush at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. Here are the remaining details:

Experience begins at 2 p.m. at The Walt Disney Studios lot. Check-in will begin at 1 p.m. Please do not arrive before 1 p.m.

Available to Gold and Gold Family Members:

You will be required to show a valid photo ID. Members will be required to show their D23 Membership Card.

Calling all dudes and dudettes! As we look forward to the upcoming release of Disney•Pixar’s Finding Dory, D23 invites members to plunge into the world of Finding Nemo (2003) at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank!

Before watching the award-winning film, D23 Gold and Gold Family Members will get an insider’s look at the making of Turtle Talk with Crush, the popular interactive Disney Parks show starring everyone’s favorite totally tubular turtle. Join Disney Imagineer Steven Spiegel, Executive Story Development, in an exclusive presentation exploring the show’s development at Disney California Adventure, Epcot, Tokyo DisneySea, and beyond!

Then, grab shell and ride the EAC (that’s East Australian Current) with a special screening of Disney•Pixar’s Finding Nemo (2003)! Follow Marlin as he launches a search in the big blue world to find and rescue his son, Nemo, who hatches a few daring plans of his own to return safely home.

The event will also include an exclusive gift created just for you!

When tickets go on sale on April 26, check out the D23 Event page for details.

Is this Rogue One's Darth Vader?:

While most assumed Hayden Christensen would be reprising the role of Darth Vader when "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" hits theaters in December that doesn't appear to be happening anymore. According to the Flickering Myth, Spencer Wilding has now taken on the role of the Sith Lord. Wilding who is mostly known as a stunt actor, did appear in a recent Marvel film in "Guardians of the Galaxy." Here is what Flickering Myth is reporting:

It was reported last year that the Sith Lord would feature in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and that Hayden Christensen would be reprising the role for the movie. We teased last month that the rumour was correct, but Christensen would not be playing the part. That’s because our sources are telling us that in fact British actor Spencer Wilding has been cast to play the body of Darth Vader in Rogue One.Our source also confirms that Wilding has been running lines while on set, so Darth Vader will have a speaking role in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. However he will likely be dubbed by James Earl Jones just as David Prowse was when he played Vader in the Original Trilogy. We sadly don’t have confirmation that Jones will be coming back to reprise his role, but it seems rather likely (Making Star Wars were very sure though, and they’re a good source to trust).

While we did not see Vader in last week's trailer release of "Rogue One" one would assume we will be seeing the all powerful Sith Lord very soon.

Disney World News: Rivers of Light to Debut April 22, Kristoff & Olaf to Host Frozen Games at Blizzard Beach, and More

Today, tons of news came out of Disney World so I will try to break it down in two blogs. I will begin with news on Rivers of Light at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Rivers of Light to Debut April 22 at Disney's Animal Kingdom:

Today, it was announced that Rivers of Light will debut at Disney's Animal Kingdom on April 22. The show is set on Discovery River in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom. It will depict an ancient lantern festival that will be guided by two storytellers. The storytellers will call forth four animal Spirit Guides: an Asian Tiger, Tropical Turtle, African Elephant, and Great Horned Owl. The Spirit Guides will each return at certain points during the show to lead to lead the audience through their journey through the Rivers of Light. 

We also got a first look of a video that shows some of the illuminated lanterns, water screens, moving fountains, light projections and other amazing elements that will featured in Rivers of Light. The Disney Parks Blog will also be hosting a live chat on March 8th at 1:15 p.m. EST with two of the show's creative team members, Michael Jung and Mark Renfrow. They'll be ready to answer questions on the show's theming, storyline, technology, staging, music, and much more. Here is the first look at Rivers of Light:

Kristoff and Olaf to Host Frozen Games at Blizzard Beach:

More news announced today from Disney World with Kristoff and Olaf set to host the first annual Frozen Games at Disney's Blizzard Beach this summer. Here is the description from the announcement on the Disney Parks Blog:

"The Winter Games Committee has taken advantage of the freak snowstorm over Central Florida and will host an impromptu sporting event known as The Frozen Games. They’ve even invited Kristoff and Olaf to lead teams of guests in a day full of fun “Frozen” activities, before the warm sun melts the snow away. 

Guests visiting the waterpark can to join “Team Kristoff” or “Team Olaf” and participate in a variety of activities, including Ice Pail Relays, a Snowball Toss to Ski Pole Limbo and Slide Races.

Olaf and Kristoff will join the Winter Games Committee members in the games’ Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and will give updates throughout the games to report on their team’s achievements."

No official date has been set for the Frozen Games to begin at Blizzard Beach, so stay tuned for details.

Dory & Friends will join Turtle Talk with Crush this Summer, New "Finding Dory" Trailer:

Dory and her friends from "Finding Dory" will be joining Crush in "Turtle Talk with Crush" at both Epcot and Disney California Adventure this summer. Here you'll be able to meet Destiny the whale shark, Bailey the Beluga whale, and Hank the "septopus" (the seven-legged octopus). Squirt will also be swimming for the first time with Crush and the gang. Plus, you might even catch a glimpse of Nemo and Marlin. 

That wasn't all the news as another trailer was released for "Finding Dory." The film will be released in theaters on June 17 and is directed by Andrew Stanton and produced by Lindsey Collins. The film stars the voices of Ellen Degeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O'Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Eugene Levy, and Diane Keaton. Here is the trailer: