By Courtney Potter
Gorgeous new character posters for Marvel Studios’ upcoming adventure, and a new scene comes to the legendary Disney Parks attraction … Read more, along with other news from around Disney, in this week’s news briefs!
Brand-New Character Posters for Marvel Studios’ Black Panther
The excitement at your local cineplex just doesn’t quit over the next few months, what with Disney•Pixar’s Coco opening in a little over a week; Star Wars: The Last Jedi making its debut in December; and Marvel Studios’ thrilling Black Panther leaping onto the big screen this spring. Lucky for us, the Marvel powers-that-be just released some new—and seriously gorgeous—character posters… check out a few of them, above.
Black Panther follows T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), who—after the events of Captain America: Civil War—returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as King. But an old enemy reappears on the radar, T’Challa’s mettle as King and Black Panther is tested as he’s drawn into a conflict that puts the entire fate of Wakanda and the world at risk. Directed by Ryan Coogler, the film also stars Michael B. Jordan, Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong’o, Martin Freeman, Angela Bassett, and Andy Serkis. Mark your calendars for February 16!
Save the Date!
Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar:
| D23 and Walt Disney Archives November 17, 2017 Lunch with a Disney Legend: Russi Taylor November 18, 2017 D23’s Magical Screening Series: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in Florida November 18, 2017 Mickey’s of Glendale—Orlando Shopping Event November 18, 2017 The Official Walt Disney Studios Tour—Presented by D23 November 21, 2017 Enjoy Complimentary Tickets to a Special 3-D Advance Screening of Disney•Pixar’s Coco November 26, 2017 Join D23 at the Saks Holiday Breakfast with Snow White December 6, 2017 D23’s Holidays in Hollywood Studios December 10, 2017 D23’s Light Up the Season December 10, 2017 D23’s Holiday Shopping Day at Mickey’s of Glendale February 2, 2018 D23 Member Night at Disney’s Aladdin at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre Parks November 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 26 and 28. December 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 22 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World Resort November 10–January 7 Holidays at the Disneyland Resort December 16 Star Wars: Galactic Nights returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios 2019 April 13, 2018 Pixar Fest begins at the Disneyland Resort February 28–May 28, 2018 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Summer 2018 Star Wars: Pixar Pier opens at Disney California Adventure 2019 Star Wars-Themed Lands Opening at Disneyland and Walt Disney World |
Studios November 22, 2017 Coco opens in theaters December 15, 2017 Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in theaters February 16, 2018 Marvel Studios’ Black Panther opens in U.S. theaters Television November 20, 2017 Big Hero 6 The Series launches with a one-hour movie on Disney XD and Disney Channel (8 p.m. ET) December 1–25, 2017 Disney|ABC’s 25 Days of Christmas |
New Scene Coming to Star Tours—The Adventure Continues at Disney Parks
Just in time for next month’s massive Star Wars: The Last Jedi premiere, Disney Parks on both American coasts will be adding a brand-new scene to the legendary Star Tours—The Adventure Continues attraction!
Beginning November 17, a scene inspired by the film—in which a Starspeeder is caught in the middle of a truly epic battle through salt-covered terrain on Crait—will start thrilling guests at both Disneyland park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Check out an image from the new scene, above. And guess what? According to our pals over at the Disney Parks Blog, there might be something else added to the attraction too… so keep your eyes ‘n’ ears peeled.
Disney Cruise Line Unveiling New Fun in 2018
Listen up, people who like fabulous vacations (read: all of us!): Thrilling new spaces and a host of amazing new experiences—designed for guests both young and young-at-heart—are coming to the Disney Magic this March.
An enchanting new dining experience for families, called Rapunzel’s Royal Table, will delight in a meal themed (for the first time) to the beloved story of Disney’s Tangled. The nightly adventure will transport Disney Magic guests to the kingdom of Corona for an evening of music and interactive fun featuring Rapunzel, her parents—the King and Queen of Corona—and even the mischievous Snuggly Duckling Thugs. And the best part? Rapunzel’s Royal Table is the perfect complement to Tangled: The Musical—the original production charming guests during Disney Magic sailings.
Meanwhile, teens will revel in a brand-new space on the ship reserved just for them, called “Vibe”; it’s themed after a trendy urban loft environment and will include a coffee and smoothie bar, video games, and even special events like DJ spin-offs and movie-making. And the adults in your group may rest and relax at a reimagined Cove Café—the perfect place to sip a specialty coffee (or a cocktail) and enjoy some light bites.
Learn more about these fabulous new Disney Magic offerings—as well as all DCL sailings—at disneycruise.com!
Disneyland After Dark: New Event Series Celebrates Vintage Disneyland
Here’s something cool for all you “vintage Disneyland” fans out there: A brand-new, after-hours series of events, allowing guests to step back in time to the 1950s and ‘60s, is kicking off on select evenings at Disneyland park beginning this January.
Disneyland After Dark will give guests the opportunity to dress up and celebrate—under a million twinkling lights—to the tunes of fun live bands while enjoying favorite rides ‘til 1 a.m. Original attraction posters of Disneyland experiences from yesteryear will welcome one and all, and special photo locations will allow guests to commemorate the evening. (Unlimited digital downloads are included with your event admission!) Live music and dancing will bring the bygone era to life throughout the park, and the sky will light up with an exclusive showing of Fantasy in The Sky fireworks. But that’s not all: Guests will receive a commemorative lanyard and a vintage-inspired park map that will highlight the special experiences taking place throughout the evening.
Tickets for the first Disneyland After Dark event, January 18’s Throwback Nite, go on sale for Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders on November 30, and to the general public beginning December 7. Each Disneyland After Dark “nite” will feature specialty entertainment, themed food, exclusive merchandise, and so much more… look for more information on future “nites” soon!
American Idol Voting Kicks Off with ABC’s 2017 American Music Awards
This spring, American Idol will begin another search for the next great music superstar—and this Sunday, November 19, fans across the nation will have the chance to vote an Idol hopeful through to Hollywood ahead of the season premiere… it all kicks off live during the 2017 American Music Awards (AMAs) on ABC at 8 p.m. EST.
Idol’s panel of all-star judges—Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie—recently traveled the country on their search… and for some lucky auditionees who nearly made the cut, the journey isn’t over. Bryan, Perry, and Richie will select singers to re-audition for a second chance at the competition; those new audition videos will be broadcast live during Sunday’s AMAs, and viewers will then have the opportunity to vote for their favorite singer by visiting www.americanidol.com/vote. The singer who gets the most votes will receive a Golden Ticket to Hollywood—and they’ll be revealed by Lionel Richie himself, live, during a special appearance on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars this coming Monday, November 20.
So make sure to tune into the 2017 American Music Awards—hosted by black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross—to help make an Idol hopeful’s dream come true!
Dates Announced for Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival 2018
Yes, it’s true—spring won’t be “sprung” until a few months from now… but that doesn’t mean we can’t start planning for the future. Example: We’re marking our calendars now for Epcot’s 25th International Flower & Garden Festival in 2018 at Walt Disney World Resort. It’s a milestone anniversary for the lush event, and it all takes place February 28 through May 28—free with your Epcot admission.
The fest’s “silver anniversary,” a 90-day celebration of all things beauteous, will feature fan-favorite exhibits, events, and tastings—including 15 different Outdoor Kitchens; the “Garden Rocks” concert series (bringing classic rock ‘n’ roll stars from the ‘60s through the ‘90s to the Festival stage); a brand-new interactive play area for children; all manner of plants, trees, shrubs, flowers, and themed gardens; and the return of Epcot’s “Egg-Stravaganza” scavenger hunt.
For more information on the big 25th anniversary Festival, visit epcotinspring.com.
Cool New Walt Disney World Resort Enhancements
Speaking of Walt Disney World Resort, our intrepid D23 team revealed a great rundown of fantastic enhancements coming to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and Yacht & Beach Club Resorts over the next few years. Take a look at some of the colorful enhancement renderings, and read all about what’s in store, right here.
