Big Delays for Marvel’s Phase 5 TV Shows. Marvel’s Phase 5 has begun with Ant-man and the Wasp: Quantunmania, which hit theaters three weeks ago. Now it looks like fans will have to wait a little longer to get the continuation of Phase 5, as all the release schedules have changed to “Coming Soon’ rather than having fixed dates.
MovieWeb reports the following. “Following previous reports of many MCU projects being hit with substantial delays to their release schedules, Disney+ seems to have confirmed huge changes for the comic book franchise. While there are rumors starting to circulate that Marvel Studios are about to push back the release of their upcoming Avengers movies, Disney+ has altered the release windows of previously announced MCU shows to simply show “Coming Soon.”
The original plan for Phase 5 and 6 appeared to be a wall-to-wall rollout of Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and TV shows, with all of the projects of Phase 5 being given specific release windows. In the last few months, the output of Marvel Studios has come under scrutiny from returning Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger, and it seems that many of the complaints about rushed CGI, overworked VFX artists and tight deadlines have led to a huge shake-up in the speed that MCU projects are released in future.
This year originally had several Marvel TV shows penciled in for release, but last month it was said that only two shows were guaranteed to be released in 2023. Those shows are Secret Invasion and Loki season two, both of which have seemingly been pushed back compared to their first release windows that were announced last year. While this seems to be a good thing for the quality of the MCU output, for fans who are eager to see the MCU’s next chapters, it could signal a much slower release schedule going forward.
Whatever the truth behind the recent updates, it does seem that the future of the MCU is not going to be the never-ending stream of new content that we have seen over the last couple of years. For many reasons, this is the best outcome for the mega-franchise, as there is no one about to complain about waiting a little longer if their next Marvel adventure is better for it.”
In the reimagined Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park Anaheim, Calif., families can explore, play, discover and unwind together while enjoying new interactive experiences, returning familiar favorites, meet and greets with Mickey Mouse and his pals and the new attraction Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. The land was thoughtfully designed by Walt Disney Imagineering to try to remove as many barriers to play as possible, with more open green spaces for gathering and play. Guests will experience thoughtful elements for different needs of young families, from companion restrooms and a quieter area for decompression to a curb-free land that helps make navigation easier for guests of differing abilities. (Richard Harbaugh/Disneyland Resort)
Closer Look at the Newly Opened Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland
Disneyland Resort continues the Disney100 anniversary celebration with the reopening of the reimagined Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland TODAY! At this animated neighborhood, families can explore, play, discover and unwind together while enjoying new interactive experiences, returning familiar favorites and the new attraction Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
In Mickey’s Toontown, guests can play in their own way and invite others to play and play together. The environment and the experiences in this land were designed to allow guests to see, hear, feel, and interact with one another in various ways.
The reopening of Mickey’s Toontown offers young families even more experiences to enjoy together in a distinct area of Disneyland, adjacent to Fantasyland, home of “it’s a small world” and the Fantasyland Theater, which features the uplifting “Tale of the Lion King” live show on select days.
The reimagined Mickey’s Toontown was thoughtfully designed by Walt Disney Imagineering to try to remove as many barriers to play as possible, with more open green spaces for gathering and play. Guests will experience thoughtful elements for the different needs of young families, from companion restrooms and a quieter area for decompression to a curb-free land that helps make navigation easier for guests of differing abilities.
CenTOONial Park is the first space guests see when they enter the land. CenTOONial Park will be anchored by two new interactive play experiences: a beautiful fountain featuring water tables designed for play that invite guests to have a sensory experience, plus a nearby dreaming tree with sculpted tree roots for children to crawl around and explore.
Goofy’s How-To-Play Yard incorporates a whimsical sound garden where kids will discover new ways to make wacky noises, as well as an all-new, elevated clubhouse. Inside Goofy’s House, guests can help operate a fun, interactive candy-making contraption that only Goofy could imagine.
Donald’s Duck Pond will help little ones get the wiggles out and make a splash. Perched in the duck pond, Donald’s Boat is surrounded by larger-than-life spinning water lilies, balance beams and rocking toys. Explorers can look into the boat’s portholes to witness bubbles of fun inside featuring familiar ducklings Huey, Dewey, Louie and Webby.
Mickey’s Toontown is also home to the new, family-friendly attraction Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, which debuted Jan. 27, 2023. The attraction features no age/height restriction, so families can travel all together into the wacky and unpredictable cartoon world of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. More details on how guests can experience this attraction can be found on Disneyland.com.
Guests are also able to enjoy favorite attractions like Mickey’s House, Minnie’s House and Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin once again. Plus, the fun-sized attraction has transformed into Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster, where guests can go nuts on a coaster created by the resident tinkerer of Mickey’s Toontown, Gadget Hackwrench.
Classic characters, cartoon cuisine and whimsical wares
While visiting this whimsical world, guests may spot and take photos with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their pals Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Pluto, Clarabelle and Goofy. For the first time at any Disney park, Pete will also make appearances as he causes mischief around the neighborhood. Mickey Mouse will sport a new outfit specifically for when he is greeting guests outside of his home.
Two all-new dining locations in Mickey’s Toontown will serve colorful comfort foods and scrumptious snacks that are sure to satisfy kids and kids-at-heart. Café Daisy, which offers food and beverages via mobile ordering through the Disneyland app*, serves up playful spins on diner classics – including a plant-based option. The Good Boy! Grocers farmers market stand offers grab-and-go drinks, snacks and novelties. For a memorable mealtime and while supplies last, families can pick up the Souvenir Slushee Sipper or Perfect Picnic Basket novelty, which includes guests’ choice of three snack-sized items. Guests can also add on the Perfect Picnic Blanket to go with their baskets. While supplies last, the popcorn cart near Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster will feature a “yummy” souvenir popcorn bucket.
Located next to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, EngineEar Souvenirs features a selection of Mickey Mouse and pals toys, apparel, headwear and more to “choo-choo-choose” from – including the new Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Remote Control Trackless Train.** EngineEar Souvenirs offers merchandise mobile checkout, which enables guests to scan and pay as they shop for select items right from their phones using the Disneyland app.
Disney100 anniversary celebration at the Disneyland Resort
Mickey’s Toontown is among the new experiences debuting as part of the Disney100 celebration at the Disneyland Resort, which honors Disney’s 100th anniversary with new and limited-time offerings throughout the year. The celebration also features exciting entertainment, including two all-new nighttime spectaculars, “World of Color – ONE” at Disney California Adventure Park and “Wondrous Journeys” at Disneyland Park, and the return of the “Magic Happens” parade at Disneyland Park.
Yesterday Disneyland had the Dedication Ceremony for Mickey’s Toontown. Check out the video of the dedication below:
Bob Iger Tells Disney Management To Identify Layoff Candidates Aims to Cut $5.5 Billion
Reports online indicate that management for the Walt Disney Company are being directed to identify layoff candidates as CEO Bob Iger aims to cut $5.5 Billion in Spending.
It is uncertain if Disney will begin layoffs in small waves or cut thousands of employees all at once, but it has been confirmed that Disney will announce at least 4,000 current employees will be out of work sometime in April, according to Business Insider.
Bob Iger announced back in February during the Walt Disney Company 1st Quarter 2023 call that Disney would be cutting some 7000 jobs across the company as a cost-cutting measure.
It was reported that Iger would be making a $5.5 billion cut in costs as part of its restructuring process which equates to about 3.2% of Disney’s workforce.
Back in February, it was mentioned in the Disney First Quarter Earnings call that Bob Iger and Josh D’Amaro got together to discuss expansions at the Disney Theme Parks. Now that Tron Lightcycle Run is complete Disney is looking at the future of Disney World and Disneyland Parks.
Earlier this month at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference Disney CEO Bob Iger said that Disney has been a little too aggressive with the pricing at the parks and needs to retain the brand value of accessibility.
It will be interesting to see how Disney Balances expansion with cutting cast member jobs.
Virtual Queue for Tron Lightcycle Run Added to My Disney Experience App
Tron Lightcycle Run has just been added to the Virtual Queue Section of the My Disney Experience App. When you open the My Disney Experience App and Open the Virtual Queue for the Magic Kingdom you will now see Tron Lightcycle Run.
We reported the news on Friday that Tron Lightcycle Run would be having a soft opening from March 20th through April 3rd.
Access to the attraction will be by a Virtual Queue or Lightning Lane access via Individual purchase, using My Disney Experience. Virtual Queues will open at 7:00 A.M. and 1:00 P.M.
A Standby queue will not be available. Each Guest can request to enter the virtual queue no more than once per day throughout regular park hours during the soft opening.
Walt Disney World Phasing Out Complimentary Plastic Bags at the Theme Parks. In 2019 Disney introduced reusable shopping bags at stores around the Walt Disney World Resort, with the thought that plastic bags would be phased out over the next few years. Now is the time for Disney to end bagging your merchandise for free.
Over the next few months, it seems Disney will end giving out bags for free. They will be going to reusable shopping bags exclusively—the reusable bags costs on average $1.50 to $3.50.
Disney has also expanded Mobile Checkout to make your shopping a bit faster.
Disney News Highlights: Prices for TRON Identity Program, Photopass Returns to Cinderella’s Royal Table, New Lotso Dress in Disney Springs, 7DMT to Remain on Lightning Lane.
New Experiences Coming to Disney World this Year Disney released a LOT of information yesterday! There are some awesome new experiences coming to Disney World this year and we can’t wait! Here’s a roundup of everything Disney announced yesterday.
Jon Kasdan Offers an Update on Willow Season 2 has been Delayed Not CanceledWillow Producer Jon Kasdan is setting the record straight regarding the “cancellation” of Willow after news broke yesterday that Disney was scrapping the series after only one season. Kasdan took to Twitter with a lengthy and nuanced discussion of the franchise’s future and the series. You can see his original tweet below
Tron Producer Offers Update on Third Movie Long-time fans of the Tron franchise are living their best digital lives these days. Tron Lightcycle Run recently opened for previews at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Earlier this year, it was revealed that Disney was working on a third feature film in the Tron saga with Jared Leto starring and Joachim Rønning directing.
Disney is Offering 30% off Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser for Disney Vacation Club Members
Disney’s newest immersive experience, the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser, hasn’t been filling up like it did when it first opened. Now, Disney Vacation Club Members can get 30% off their voyage on the new Starcruiser.
Disney Vacation Club members can save 30% on the Galactic Starcruiser voyage from August 19 to 21, 2023. Registration for this discounted voyage begins on March 21.
Here’s the information and details:
Board a launch pod and rendezvous with the magnificent Halcyon starcruiser, where your onboard cabin or suite offers an exquisite view of space. Throughout the ship, you’ll interact with your fellow Members (and an eclectic collection of Characters), sit down to galactic cuisine and perhaps even plot a secret mission together.
As a bonus, when the launch pod returns to the terminal at the end of the voyage, you’ll receive special parting gifts to forever remember your time in a galaxy far, far away.
It’s an out-of-this-world adventure fueled by Membership magic. Get ready to feel at home in hyperspace.
You will enter a virtual waiting room, which secures your place in line. Do not refresh the page.
When it’s your turn, you’ll be sent to the registration form to reserve your spot on the Member Voyage!
Important Details:
Members must be eligible for Membership Extras to take advantage of this special offer. Maximum of 3 cabins per Membership.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser – Member Voyage can be booked using Points or cash. Not transferable or redeemable for cash and may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice.
Activities, entertainment and Characters are subject to change.
Reservation is subject to Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser terms and conditions—which can be found on the booking confirmation email received after booking—and the Disney Vacation Club cancellation policy.
There is no $95 transaction fee required for this Disney Collection reservation. You will receive a call requesting payment within 72 hours of completing your booking. If payment is not received within 72 hours following this call, Disney Vacation Club reserves the right to cancel the reservation.
Cancellation valid up to 30 days prior to travel.
If you’d like to plan your next voyage onboard the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are free, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!
A Look at the Disney’s Pixar Place Hotel Construction
Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel at the Disneyland Resort is currently being transformed into Disney’s Pixar Place Hotel. We recently had a chance to stay at the hotel and see some of the areas that are under construction.
Currently, the ballroom on the main floor is being used as the lobby of the hotel. The one hallway that guests have access to shows concept art for the rethemed hotel as well as some Pixar touches like the Luxo lamp and Pixar ball on the walls. You’ll also hear Pixar music being played.
From our room, we could see lots of construction materials and work happening on the front entrance of the hotel.
The pool is also closed while undergoing construction. The area will be getting themed to Finding Nemo. There is a pool, whirlpool, and water slide. Guests staying at the hotel while it’s under construction can use the pools at the Disneyland Hotel.
While none of the new rooms are open for guests to stay in just yet, we did find a small area on the fourth floor that looks to be updated. A few of the walls had a new white and light gray textured pattern. Another wall around one of the room doors is orange and the room number sign is new. Across the hall was another door that has been painted gray. It looked like it could’ve been another guest room but there was no room number.
The coloring of the walls seems to match the more modern look Disney is going for on the outside of the hotel.
What do you think about the retheme of Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel?
If you’d like to plan your next stay at the Disneyland Resort, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are complimentary, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!
Fantasmic Will Be Performed Twice Nightly Through April
Now through April 22, Fantasmic! will be performed twice a night at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Previously, guests only had one opportunity to see the nighttime spectacular each day.
Through April 22, guests will have two opportunities each night to experience Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The show will be performed at 8:30 pm and 10 pm. Previously, there was only one show scheduled at 8:30 pm each night.
The Disney World website describes Fantasmic! as:
“Featuring stunning effects, thrilling stunts, dazzling pyrotechnics and rousing music, this larger-than-life show is painted on a grand canvas of dancing water and light. Overflowing with silly and suspenseful surprises, it will leave your entire family smiling from ear-to-ear!”
Is Fantasmic! on your must-see list?
If you’d like to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios, contact me today to start planning your trip! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are free, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!
Guests using the Disneyland app can now see the new Mickey’s Toontown on the map. The shopping, dining, and attractions are all labeled. Mickey’s Toontown now includes Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at the El CapiTOON Theater, CenTOONial Park, Café Daisy, and more.
The land is now more inclusive and accessible to all guests along with being interactive and fun!
Want to experience Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland? Contact me today to start planning your visit! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are complimentary, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!
New Sunrise Yoga and Spa Treatments at the Disneyland Resort
The Disneyland Resort is now offering new Sunrise Yoga and Spa treatments at Tenaya Stone Spa. Awaken to energizing new yoga classes in unique theme park locations, or gain a beautiful glow with skin-rejuvenating treatments!
Tenaya Stone Spa is a beautiful retreat at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, bringing a modern mix of soothing spa treatments, invigorating fitness classes and pampering salon services.
See what’s new and what you’d like to experience during your next visit!
As an overnight guest of any of the three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort, you can enjoy an exciting new Sunrise Yoga experience at Disneyland park, in a special location such as the Space Mountain concourse in Tomorrowland, or elsewhere, depending on the park’s schedule for the day. Designed for all skill levels, the class includes a fitness towel, light snacks, bottle of water and a Disney PhotoPass digital photo download. Yoga mats are provided for use during the session.
Yoga in Disney California Adventure Park
Enjoy an intimate yoga class in Redwood Creek in Disney California Adventure park, or elsewhere, depending on the park’s schedule for the day. Connect with nature and soak in a rejuvenating capstone sound meditation—a unique blend of peaceful sounds and imagery you won’t soon forget. This practice is designed for all levels and incorporates various yoga flows that engage the body and mind and is only available for overnight guests of the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. Yoga mats are provided for use during the session.
Group fitness classes are offered to overnight Disneyland Resort hotel guests for an additional fee, based upon availability. Class reservations are required and can be made online, by phone or by visiting the spa directly.
Citrus Groves Face and Body Treatment
Treat yourself to an uplifting face and body treatment, inspired by the Anaheim orange groves. This full body exfoliation uses a citrus-infused sea salt scrub, paired with a luxurious body mask infused with tangerine peel, lemon peel and organic oranges, designed to brighten and balance your skin. This is followed by a firming, hydrating and antioxidant-rich facial moisturizer. Completing the body treatment is an emollient body milk scented with grapefruit, lime, cucumber fruit extract, sweet almond and avocado oils, leaving your skin silky smooth.
The Ultimate Scalp and Foot Massage
Experience true bliss as two therapists work in unison to massage your scalp and feet simultaneously during a relaxing treatment designed for you to drift into relaxation. This is a perfect add-on to a 50- or 80-minute service.
California Artisanal Poultice Massage
This massage melts away muscle tension by combining pressure and heat from steamed compresses of wild herbs found throughout California and North America. Choose one of four different handcrafted blends of herbs made for Tenaya Stone Spa.
HydraFacial
This treatment cleanses, exfoliates and uses lymphatic therapy to help improve skin tone while the LED light therapy is designed to stimulate collagen and elastin to tighten skin and increase product absorption.
While at Tenaya Stone Spa, be sure to spend some time in the Relaxation Lounge to unwind into sublime tranquility.
Spa treatments are open to non-hotel guests and reservations can be made online, by calling or visiting Tenaya Stone Spa.
Want to plan your next stay at the Disneyland Resort? Contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are complimentary, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!
Disney Imagineers travel to New Orleans for Inspiration on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Disney Imagineers recently traveled to New Orleans to get inspiration for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The new attraction is opening in Magic Kingdom and Disneyland next year.
The team of Imagineers, including Executive Creative Producer Charita Carter, recently traveled to New Orleans to capture the true essence of the Mardi Gras celebration, the energy, the colors, the rhythms of the music, all that and more to infuse into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to create lots of memorable fun for guests!
Are you looking forward to experiencing the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction?
If you’d like to plan your next Disney vacation, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are complimentary, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!
