Category Archives: Disney (Unofficial)

Whether you’re a fan of Disney movies or merchandise, are planning a trip to a Disney Theme Park or Resort, watch Disney television with your kids or just grew up on the Wonderful World of Disney, you’ll find something to enjoy here at the Families.com Disney Blog.

Wintry Fantasies at the Disney Parks

Disneyland’s new Fantasy Faire doesn’t open until March 12, but details are starting to emerge about what the attraction will entail.  It draws some inspiration from Disney World’s Fantasyland expansion; the Faire as a whole will take the form of a medieval village.  That reminds me a lot of Belle’s village at the new Fantasyland. That shouldn’t be too surprising, because the Fantasy Faire is an expansion of Disneyland’s Fantasyland.  It’s not as large or ambitious as the one at Disney World, but it’s still going to be similar.  Unlike the one in Orlando, however, the one in Anaheim won’t … Continue reading →

Become a Wilderness Explorer at the Animal Kingdom

If “Up” is one of your favorite Disney/Pixar movies, then Disney World’s Animal Kingdom has a great new surprise coming for you this spring.  Soon guests to the Animal Kingdom can become Wilderness Explorers, just like Russell from “Up.” Wilderness Explorers was the Boy Scout-style troop to which Russell belonged in the film.  An early version of this new experience was tested at the Animal Kingdom way back in the fall of 2011, and now it’s finally going to be making its debut this spring.  Wilderness Explorers isn’t a proper game like Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom; it’s closer to … Continue reading →

The Biggest Disney Headlines

Last week there were two big pieces of Disney news announced: the director for the first “Star Wars” sequel, and more information on concerns over privacy relating to the MyMagic+ wristbands.  Let’s look at them both. In a move that is both surprising and not, Lucasfilm has chosen J.J. Abrams to direct the next “Star Wars” film.  The director/producer is best known for television shows like “Lost” and “Alias,” and for famously rebooting the “Star Trek” film franchise.  J.J. Abrams was rumored as a director for “Star Wars” early on, but he denied it; or really, he claimed he had … Continue reading →

“Aladdin” Next Up on Broadway

Fresh off of the Broadway success of “Newsies,” Disney Theatrical Productions has announced its latest project: “Aladdin.”  The hit 1992 film is the next Disney movie to be converted for the Great White Way.  AP News has the scoop. Thomas Schumacher, president of Disney Theatrical Productions, said that he wanted the company’s next musical to be a big, lavish production.  “Aladdin” is the perfect story for that.  The musical will copy some of the success of “Newsies,” in that composer Alan Menken is coming back to the story to add some new songs.  New characters and even some magic tricks … Continue reading →

The Noble Efforts of the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund

One thing I will never criticize Disney about is the good work done by the Animal Kingdom and its sometimes-partner the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.  The two might technically be separate entities – the Animal Kingdom is a part of Disney World, and the DWCF is a philanthropic branch of the Walt Disney Corporation – but they often work together. Work together, of course, being an operative word.  The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund is what it’s called: a fund.  While some employees might actually go out and do something, the primary purpose of the division is to provide financial support for … Continue reading →

Disney Interactive Unveils New Game, Console Plans

Disney’s never been much of a name in gaming.  Disney Interactive is the only branch of the company that has reported consistent losses.  In the past few years, Disney hasn’t even put that much of an effort into console gaming, choosing to focus on simple games played on websites like Facebook or on mobile devices.  But that might be about to change. Gaming website CNET reports that Disney’s taken out a patent for a gaming console that employs augmented reality.  This isn’t the first of Disney’s augmented reality patents; late last year I blogged about one involving images projected over … Continue reading →

MyMagic+ to Record Disney Guest Experience

Disney’s always looking for a way to get ahead in its parks, including providing the best customer service around. Its constant raising of prices might seem counter intuitive to that, but at least it keeps upgrading its services.  The New York Times has a fascinating new report on the Disney Parks’ latest effort: MyMagic+. MyMagic+ takes the physical form of a wristband park guests wear in place of tickets.  Guests won’t have to trade in paper tickets anymore, instead waving their bands in front of the new FastPass monitors (even if they didn’t purchase a FastPass, those Mickey monitors are used).  MyMagic+ … Continue reading →

Limited Time Disneyland Discounted Tickets

Disneyland has rolled out a special deal for the new year: savings of up to $30 per ticket.  From now through February 27, 3-Day park hopper tickets are on discount.  The offer applies for visits between now and March 11, and means that you can get the above tickets for $220 (per ticket), or $205 for kids aged 3-9. This offer is only available for tickets purchased in advance.  It’s not applicable on tickets bought at the box office.  The discounted tickets also include one Magic Morning early admission into select rides at the park.  Which rides depends on the … Continue reading →

Couple Visits Disneyland Every Day in 2012

At the end of 2012 I came across an interesting post on the official Disney Parks blog: a couple visited Disneyland every single day in 2012.  On December 31, Jeff Reitz and Tonya Mickesh received special gifts personally from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs.  It was a typical fancy Disney ceremony: as the two made their way down Main Street, Staggs was waiting for them to present their honors in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Their honors included being made honorary citizens of Disneyland, and a stay in the Disneyland Dream Suite, a luxury apartment off the … Continue reading →

Newsies: Big Broadway Success

It may be one of my Most Underappreciated Disney Films, but it’s no flop on the stage: The Hollywood Reporter reveals that the Broadway version of “Newsies” has already recouped its expenses.  For a Broadway show that’s fast; in fact, “Newsies” sets a record for Disney Theatrical Productions as the show that’s made back the money spent to make it in the quickest amount of time. “Newsies” cost Disney Theatrical Productions $5 million.  It made that back in nine months after opening (on Broadway; its pre-Broadway run in New Jersey isn’t being counted here).  That’s even faster than Disney Broadway … Continue reading →