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“Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” casts its spell in sneak peeks at Disney’s theme parks

Maleficent, Aurora

Disney’s “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” continues the story of Princess Aurora, aka Sleeping Beauty, but from the perspective of the fairy queen Maleficent. The first movie was a major success and the sequel will hit theaters October 18th. If you happen to be visiting one of these popular Disney theme parks, you will soon be able to take in a special preview of Mistress of Evil.

  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios will host the sneak peek inside the Walt Disney Presents attraction starting September 27.
  • At Disney California Adventure park, the sneak peek will be presented in the evenings at the Sunset Showcase Theater, following daily performances of Mickey’s PhilharMagic.
  • Starting September 28 at Walt Disney Studios Park in Disneyland Paris
  • On board Disney Cruise Line ships beginning September 28.

About the film:

The years have been kind to Maleficent and Aurora. Their relationship, born of heartbreak, revenge and ultimately love, has flourished. Yet the hatred between man and the fairies still exists. Aurora’s impending marriage to Prince Phillip is cause for celebration in the kingdom of Ulstead and the neighboring Moors, as the wedding serves to unite the two worlds. When an unexpected encounter introduces a powerful new alliance, Maleficent and Aurora are pulled apart to opposing sides in a Great War, testing their loyalties and causing them to question whether they can truly be family.

“Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” is directed by Joachim Rønning from a story by Linda Woolverton and a screenplay by Linda Woolverton and Noah Harpster & Micah Fitzerman-Blue. Many of the original cast are returning including Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning. Michelle Pfeiffer joins the sequel.

Watch the trailer:

More context:

Walt Disney was the king of cross-promotion, or as we call it now ‘synergy.’ He used television to promote Disneyland as it was being built and then used Disneyland to promote his movies. Walt went so far as to build “Sleeping Beauty Castle” 6 years before the movie even came out. Although a movie preview doesn’t rise to the same level of promotion, I do like seeing them in the parks.

I do remember the not too distant past when a movie might get a pre-parade float and a meet and greet or even an entire parade or park-wide celebration. Do you think Disney will ever return to that level of cross-promotion from the studios to the parks?