While it may not seem like such a surprise to us loyal fans, The Walt Disney Company was chosen as the best overall company in 2013 by the writers and editors at Yahoo Finance. Their study was based on factors such as financial performance, stockholder… Read More »Yahoo Finance Names Disney the Best Company of 2013
“World of Color—Winter Dreams,” the holiday version of Disney’s spectacular nighttime show “World of Color,” has arrived in Disney California Adventure Park and will be showing until January 6th, so there’s still time to get out there and see it. The show will be hosted by Olaf, the adorable snowman from “Frozen,” and one of the highlights will be Pixar’s Toy Story Nutcracker segment.
In the mini show, everyone’s favorite toys will dance and perform in a parody of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker,” directed and arranged by Woody. The performance will feature the characters in several hilarious scenes, from Woody and Jessie dancing to their western version of the “Russian Dance” to Rex in his tutu continuously creating problems for the little green aliens, which was inspired by the mushroom scene in “Fantasia.”
I like the fact that Pixar is expanding their reach beyond full-length films with Toy Story of Terror and now Toy Story Nutcracker, because it’s fun to see these characters beyond the big screen. Now if only Pixar would continue this trend with their other beloved movie characters…
Haven’t been able to make it to see World of Color — Winter Dreams in person, me neither, but thanks to Attractions Magazine, we can watch the whole thing on Youtube. So pour yourself a nice cup of joe and follow us below the jump:
Read More »Pixar Creates ‘Toy Story Nutcracker’ for ‘World of Color—Winter Dreams’
Nothing brings in the new year quite like a brand new set of 2014 Disney Parks pins! Whether you’re a longtime collector looking to add to your stash or a newbie ready to jump on the pin bandwagon, there will be something for everyone this… Read More »Sneak Peek at Disney Parks Pins Arriving in 2014
Normally at this time of year, I write a retrospective piece looking back at the year in Disney, but for personal reasons, I’ve decided now is the time to look forward, not back. Instead of recollections, I’m writing prescriptions.These are the things I believe will help Walt Disney World continue to compete for the hearts and wallets of their fans while fending off challenges from other entertainment options both near (Universal Orlando) and far (changing TV viewing habits at home, for instance)
I’ll try and limit myself to one or two recommendations each and something that can at least get started in 2014. I don’t intend each prescription to solve every woe, but it will at least make a significant difference in one or two major problem areas.
Magic Kingdom
The oldest theme park in Central Florida is showing its age more and more and suffers from serious stagnation in both attractions and entertainment (translation: a serious capacity issue). There is something they can do quickly to make a dent. As part of an overall project to update Tomorrowland, I prescribe for the park an indoor air-conditioned high-capacity theater capable of hosting shows similar to the Hyperion Theater at California Adventure. With multiple shows a day, this adds a lot of capacity, gives guests a place to cool off in the heat and humidity, and allows for a showcase for Disney’s latest animated musicals (Rapunzel Stage show anyone?). This is also something that could be accomplished quickly and with minimal in park disruption by setting the theater outside the berm. Additional revenue can be raised by hosting events in the space, something the Magic Kingdom is currently lacking.
EPCOT
This park has the highest capacity of all four parks. It has two wonderful festivals and an enjoyable Christmas overlay. These are wonderful for what they do to attract guests. However, the mission and vision of EPCOT has been ignored for too long, and many areas of the park are in serious need of rejuvenation. Let’s tackle the two sections of the park separately.Read More »Dr. John’s 2014 Prescriptions for Walt Disney World
How was your New Year’s Eve? If you were out partying or watching fireworks at the parks, you probably missed this cute little video from The Muppets as they counted down the new year to promote the upcoming Muppets Most Wanted movie. It’s easy to… Read More »The Muppets Countdown New Years Eve
Update: 2015 movie slate now available.
Hang on to that popcorn bucket and suck down that soda, the 2014 line of movies from the Mouse House is looking absolutely amazing. Disney’s movie empire has expended greatly (and Lucasfilm still hasn’t been added to the mix) and there are a lot of films on the list. There are three or four potential question marks, but the slate looks very respectable.
I’ve included the full list with a synopsis and trailer video when available. Set your calendar appointments now and let us know which you’re looking most forward to.
February 28, 2014 – The Wind Rises
Acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki’s final film.
In “The Wind Rises,” Jiro dreams of flying and designing beautiful airplanes, inspired by the famous Italian aeronautical designer Caproni. Nearsighted from a young age and unable to be a pilot, Jiro joins a major Japanese engineering company in 1927 and becomes one of the world’s most innovative and accomplished airplane designers. The film chronicles much of his life, depicting key historical events, including the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, the Great Depression, the tuberculosis epidemic and Japan’s plunge into war. Jiro meets and falls in love with Nahoko, and grows and cherishes his friendship with his colleague Honjo. Writer/director Hayao Miyazaki pays tribute to engineer Jiro Horikoshi and author Tatsuo Hori in this epic tale of love, perseverance, and the challenges of living and making choices in a turbulent world.
Read More »Release Dates for Disney’s 2014 Movie Slate
It’s been a slow few weeks for new Marvel news, but slow does not equal boring so let’s get to it. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will be introducing a new super-villain when it returns in January. In the comics, Donnie Gill is Blizzard (take a guess… Read More »Marvel News Roundup – Slow, but Not Boring
Walt Disney Animation Studios has a lot to be happy about. Its latest animated feature, Frozen, is freezing out nearly all the competition with a 2nd place take of $28.8 million at the domestic weekend box office, second only to the Hobbit sequel, which squeaked… Read More »Congratulations to Disney Animation on Frozen’s Success