By Courtney Potter
Bring Toy Story 4’s newest pal home, and reacquaint yourself with an iconic anti-hero… See more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!
Toy Story 4’s Forky Inspires Adorable New Merchandise
Disney•Pixar’s upcoming Toy Story 4 finds Sheriff Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (voice of Tim Allen), and all their toybox pals meeting a brand-new friend: a spork-turned-craft project named Forky (voice of Tony Hale). While Forky himself might not be particularly ready for adventure—he’s fairly convinced he’s not a toy, y’see—he has inspired some adventure-ready merchandise now available at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.
These new Forky-related creations include special plush, apparel, figurines, a ridiculously cute Magic Band (available only at Walt Disney World beginning June 21), and more! Find Forky merch at Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure park; World of Disney at Downtown Disney District; Beverly Sunset Boutique and Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios; and World of Disney at Disney Springs.
Meet Forky when Toy Story 4 debuts in a theater near you on June 21!
Save the Date!
Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar:
| D23 and Walt Disney Archives May 16, 2019 D23 Celebrates Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World June 1, 2019 D23’s Behind-the-Scenes Experience: Return to Walt’s Chicago June 8, 2019 Lunch with a Disney Legend – Paige O’Hara June 10, 2019 The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23 June 13, 2019 Mickey Mouse’s Roller Disco Party June 22, 2019 The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour – Presented by D23 August 23-25, 2019 D23 Expo 2019 Parks March 6-June 3, 2019 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival May 31, 2019 Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opening at Disneyland Resort August 29, 2019 Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Opening at and Walt Disney World Resort August 29—November 23, 2019, 2019 2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival November 29—December 30, 2019, 2019 2019 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays |
Studios May 24, 2019 Aladdin opens in U.S. theaters June 21, 2019 Toy Story 4 opens in U.S. theaters July 19, 2019 The Lion King opens in U.S. theaters October 18, 2019 Maleficent: Mistress of Evil opens in U.S. theaters November 22, 2019 Frozen 2 opens in U.S. theaters December 20, 2019 Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens in U.S. theaters Television June 21, 2019 Final episodes of Andi Mack begin airing (8 p.m. EDT/PDT) Summer 2019 Descendants 3 premieres on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW |
Don’t Miss the New Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Trailer
Are you ready to reacquaint yourself with the Fairy Queen of the Moors? Yes, Angelina Jolie is back as the iconic anti-hero in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, the sequel to Disney’s 2014 film… take a look at the brand-new trailer right here at D23.com, and make sure to mark your movie-going calendar for October 18!
Disney Skyliner Gondolas Take to the Skies Above Walt Disney World
Our friends at Walt Disney World Resort are as busy as ever, getting Disney Skyliner—the innovative gondola system that’ll begin transporting guests between Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and four resort hotels this fall—ready for lift-off… and a key milestone in that journey was just reached! Check out the video above to see 55 of these Disney Skyliner gondolas (in all their colorful, unwrapped glory) making a special test run between Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Once the Disney Skyliner system officially opens, guests will be able to ride alongside a host of favorite characters—including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse; Chip & Dale; Star Wars’ C-3PO and R2D2; Guardians of the Galaxy’s Groot and Rocket Raccoon; and even the Hitchhiking Ghosts from the Haunted Mansion. Look for more information in the coming months!
Coming Soon: Feel Your Feelings with Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
One of last week’s biggest announcements concerned Disney California Adventure park… Beginning this summer, guests will get in touch with emotions a-plenty when Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind opens at Pixar Pier! See what the new attraction (located at the western end of the pier) has in store by clicking here.
Latest Aladdin Trailer Drop… Plus, Tickets on Sale Now!
We’re mere days away from the release of Disney’s Aladdin, the live-action retelling of the 1992 animated hit. To celebrate, watch as the all-powerful Genie “fabulizes” everyone’s favorite street rat in the latest trailer for the Guy Ritchie-directed film; take a gander at the colorful clip, above.
Plus, you’ll be happy to know you can now purchase tickets for the film by rubbing the nearest magical lamp—err, wait, no… wherever movie tickets are sold.
Written by John August and Guy Ritchie, Aladdin stars Will Smith as the Genie; Mena Massoud as Aladdin; Naomi Scott as Jasmine; Marwan Kenzari as Jafar; Navid Negahban as the Sultan; Nasim Pedrad as Dalia; and Billy Magnussen as Prince Anders. Look for it at a cineplex near you on May 24.
Disney+ Announces Secret Society of Second Born Royals
Actress Peyton Elizabeth Lee—a Kid’s Choice Award nominee recently seen as the title character on Disney Channel’s Andi Mack—is now set to headline a brand-new series for Disney+, Disney’s streaming service launching this November. Read up on what to expect from Secret Society of Second Born Royals here on D23.com.
This Limited-Release Disney Parks Designer Ear Collection is Decidedly Dazzling
When it comes to this announcement, we’re truly “all ears”: Starting May 24, a series of amazing, limited-release Mickey Mouse ear hats and Minnie Mouse ear headbands—created, for the first time ever, by notable designers, artists, and celebrities—will be available at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, as well as online at shopDisney.com.
Each month, new designs will be released, including a bridal-inspired design using hand-sewn crystal and pearl embroidery by Vera Wang; a crystal-encrusted ear hat from The Blonds; a classic pink-puffed ear headband by Betsey Johnson; a mother-and-daughter set by Cupcakes and Cashmere; and a genuine crafted leather, floral-inspired ear headband by COACH. Plus, legendary supermodel and TV host Heidi Klum has designed a pair of ears coming this fall—and in early 2020, another ear headband will hit the shelves from model and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss. And be on the lookout for a Star Wars-related design from friend-of-D23 Ashley Eckstein, voice of Star Wars’ Ahsoka Tano and creator of Her Universe!
Artists from around the world will also expand upon the stories of beloved Disney characters and attractions in a whole new way. As featured in the WonderGround Art Galleries, these artisans include NOAH, Jerrod Maruyama, Dave Perillo, John Coulter, and SHAG.
To keep up with the release schedule (including artist appearances), or for more information, visit DisneyParksBlog.com or shopDisney.com.
Disney Channel Orders a Second Season of Amphibia Ahead of its June 17 Premiere
The new frog-out-of-water animated comedy series Amphibia leaps onto Disney Channel and DisneyNOW on Monday, June 17 (10–10:30 a.m. EDT/PDT), and we’re happy to say it’s going to stay for a while: Disney Channel announced that a second season of Amphibia is officially in the works. We’re eagerly awaiting Brenda Song’s return to Disney Channel as the voice of Anne Boonchuy—the independent and fearless teen at the center of Amphibia who finds herself living amongst frog people, including the excitable young Sprig Plantar. The series’ inaugural season boasts a stellar lineup of guest stars, including Tony Hale (Veep), Chris Sullivan (This Is Us), Olympic figure skaters Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir, Jack McBrayer (30 Rock), Kristen Johnston (Mom), and Matt Jones (also of Mom).
