By Courtney Potter
Marvel Day at Sea Offers Up Heroic Eats and Treats
Marvel Day at Sea, a themed celebration on select Disney Dream sailings in 2024, features all-day entertainment including exciting meet and greets and thrilling stage shows… and the cherry on top? The food and beverages, from Iron Man brownies to Marvel-themed lattes!
Cabanas, the main buffet on board the Disney Dream, will undergo an overnight Marvel makeover with Super Hero posters and banners across the eatery—and lavish food displays and specialty desserts will be featured on the menu. Meanwhile, over at Vanellope’s Sweets and Treats, special snacks will include Groot marshmallow sticks, Captain America brownies, and Marvel-themed gelato flavors.
Those craving caffeine can head to the onboard coffee shops, which will serve the special Captain Marvel mocha latte. Plus, designs like Captain America and Black Panther will decorate the foam of other hot drinks.
The food will truly shine at the rotational dining dinners… The Marvel Day at Sea menu is consistent across all scheduled locations, complete with themed place settings and costumed servers. So, what can you expect? Look for delicious dishes such as Black Panther Kachumbari Salad, featuring a romaine wedge served on a bed of diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions with a lemon-cilantro mayonnaise; Thor Mjolnir Meatballs and Pasta, with beef and veal meatballs in a rustic tomato sauce with penne pasta, broccoli, ricotta cheese, buttered breadcrumbs, and basil; Ravagers’ Devil’s Food Cake, with its layers of chocolate cake filled with chocolate Chantilly crème; and themed beverages like the Multiverse, containing Zignum Mezcal, Reposado, blueberry, grapefruit, and Electricops.
Marvel Day at Sea will be offered on 10 five-night Caribbean and Bahamian cruises sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The itinerary for cruises sailing January 7, January 21, February 4, February 18, and March 3, 2024, include George Town, Grand Cayman, and Castaway Cay; for cruises sailing January 12, January 26, February 9, February 23, and March 8, the itinerary includes Cozumel, Mexico, and Castaway Cay.
ICYMI—Icons of Disney Storytelling: Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
In D23’s continuing series with some of the most prolific storytellers from around the worlds of Disney, we hear from Emmy®, Grammy®, and Oscar® winners Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez—the songwriting team behind Frozen, whose most recent work, the Hulu Original series Up Here, is now streaming. See what they had to say about working for The Walt Disney Company and telling stories through song by clicking here.
Disneyland After Dark Celebrates First-Ever Pride Nite—This June
Big news from the good folks at Disneyland Resort: During Pride Month this June, Disneyland After Dark will bring the first-ever Pride Nite for two unforgettable evenings at Disneyland Park: Tuesday, June 13, and Thursday, June 15.
Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite is a separately ticketed event inside Disneyland Park that celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community and allies, and will include themed entertainment, Disney characters, one-of-a-kind photo opportunities, specialty menu items, event merchandise, and more. It begins with a three-hour, pre-party mix-in from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. PT, then the private party runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. PT—when guests can ride some popular attractions after regular park hours. (A theme park reservation is not required.)
So, what can you expect? A Pride Nite Cavalcade down Main Street U.S.A., featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Clarabelle, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and Goofy dressed in fun special attire; the Ohana Dance Party at Tomorrowland Terrace, where a DJ (alongside Stitch) will be spinning great tunes; a Pride Nite Dance Club along the Rivers of America; and even country line dancing at the Golden Horseshoe!
But that’s not all: In addition to the special offerings during this event, guests will receive unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos taken during the party, along with commemorative keepsakes including a souvenir credential and event guide map. (Separately priced Disney PhotoPass packages are not included.)
A limited number of tickets will go on pre-sale for Magic Key holders beginning April 18 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), and to the general public on April 20 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT) on Disneyland.com, subject to availability—so mark those calendars! And for more info, visit the Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite page at Disneyland.com…
5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®
So, wondering what to watch this weekend from around the worlds of Disney? Let us help you decide! There are brand-new episodes of Kiff and Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur on Disney Channel; the birth (so to speak) of a Super Hero in Captain America: The First Avenger on FX; the always enjoyable Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa episode of American Idol on ABC; and so much more…
2023 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Begins July 27
Amazing news for food fanatics: Our pals at the Disney Parks Blog have announced that the 2023 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE® will officially dish up delights at Walt Disney World Resort from July 27 through November 18! Sip and savor mouthwatering dishes at more than 25 Global Marketplaces throughout EPCOT—including returning favorites The Fry Basket and Flavors from Fire. Several new Global Marketplaces will open later during the festival, as summer turns to fall…
As per usual, the fun doesn’t stop with the food; there will be many ways for folks to enjoy this year’s event: Fromage fans can take part in Emile’s Fromage Montage, a cool way to try tasty cheese dishes from around the world (using your Festival Passport) that concludes in a sweet treat; and families can embark on Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak—a Ratatouille-inspired adventure where guests both young and the young at heart can search for Remy throughout World Showcase and the Global Marketplaces.
Meanwhile, during the Halloween season, guests can partake in Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit, a special pumpkin scavenger hunt from September 29 through October 31. The festival will also welcome back the popular Eat to the Beat Concert Series presented by Florida Blue Medicare at America Gardens Theatre; performers will be announced at a later date. Plus, bring the festival magic home with official event merchandise including apparel, home décor, trading pins, and so much more.
Planning an EPCOT visit from July through November? Make sure to check out TasteEPCOT.com for more info…
The Adventure Begins in New Crater Trailer
Disney+ recently premiered the trailer for their Original Movie Crater, which debuts exclusively on the streaming service next month. Directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez, the coming-of-age sci-fi adventure stars Isaiah Russell-Bailey, Mckenna Grace, Billy Barratt, Orson Hong, Thomas Boyce, and Scott Mescudi.
Crater is the story of Caleb Channing (Russell-Bailey), who was raised on a lunar mining colony and is about to be permanently relocated to an idyllic faraway planet following the death of his father (Mescudi). But before leaving, to fulfill his dad’s last wish, he and his three best friends—Dylan (Barratt), Borney (Hong), and Marcus (Boyce)—and a new arrival from Earth, Addison (Grace), hijack a rover for one final adventure on a journey to explore a mysterious crater.
The film, written by John Griffin and produced by Shawn Levy, Dan Levine, and Dan Cohen, begins streaming on Friday, May 12.
Updates From Disneyland Paris, Including Walt Disney Studios Park
As we celebrate Disneyland Paris’ birthday this week, they added to the festivities by announcing—via the Disney Parks Blog—some amazing updates coming to the resort this year.
In the clip above, Walt Disney Imagineers look over (and work on) the in-progress Frozen-themed land at Walt Disney Studios Park, inspired by the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios films. Near the Arendelle Castle, the teams have already welcomed their very first trees; all told, more than one thousand trees will be planted by the end of the expansion project!
This summer, it’ll be the season of Pixar at Disneyland Park, when Pizzeria Bella Notte will soon debut a new room inspired by the Disney and Pixar film Luca. Additionally, the Mexican-themed restaurant Fuente Del Oro in Frontierland will transform into Casa de Coco – Restaurante de Familia. Plus, cross the way at Walt Disney Studios Park, “Toon Plaza” will soon be transformed into an immersive experience paying tribute to Pixar films; this whimsical space will soon include a new raised backdrop featuring Ember and Wade from Disney and Pixar’s upcoming feature Elemental.
But that’s not all: Walt Disney Studios Park will also be home to the new show “Together: a Pixar Musical Adventure,” coming to the Studio Theater. This 30-minute show blends together both French and English dialogue in an original story (based on the worlds of Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., and more) featuring spectacular effects and a live eight-person orchestra! And there’s more: it’s a small world at Disneyland Paris will make its big comeback on May 5, and Les Mystères du Nautilus will soon open after getting a complete subsea refresh.
Exciting New Trailer for The Marvels—Coming This November
Carol Danvers is off to save the world once more in The Marvels, which released a thrilling first trailer earlier this week…
The film follows Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), aka Captain Marvel, who has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. Unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris). Together, this unlikely trio must team up and learn to work in concert to save the universe as… The Marvels.
Also starring Samuel L. Jackson, Zawe Ashton, and Park Seo-joon, The Marvels is directed by Nia DaCosta and produced by Kevin Feige. The Marvel Studios film releases in its full glory in theaters on Friday, November 10!
Disney+ Reveals Official The Muppets Mayhem Trailer and Series Guest Stars
More exciting Electric Mayhem news for all you Muppets fans out there: Disney+ has debuted the official—and hilarious!—trailer for the new Original series The Muppets Mayhem, starring Lilly Singh, Tahj Mowry, Saara Chaudry, and The Electric Mayhem band. The musical comedy series premieres with all episodes on Wednesday, May 10, only on Disney+.
The series follows the iconic sextet—Dr. Teeth on vocals and keyboards, Animal on drums, Floyd Pepper on vocals and bass, Janice on vocals and lead guitar, Zoot on saxophone, and Lips on trumpet—on an epic, music-filled journey to record their first-ever studio album. With the help of a driven young music executive, Nora (Singh), the old-school Muppet band comes face-to-face with the current-day music scene as they try to finally record their first studio album.
Disney+ also announced a truly star-studded lineup of guest stars—in addition to the previously announced Anders Holm—joining The Electric Mayhem Band on their journey: Paula Abdul, Steve Aoki, Rachel Bloom, Nicole Byer, Sofia Carson, Morgan Freeman, Kesha, Tommy Lee, Lil Nas X, Kristen Schaal, Ben Schwartz, Ryan Seacrest, Kevin Smith, Chris Stapleton, Danny Trejo, and “Weird Al” Yankovic, to name a few. What a cavalcade!
The sure-to-be-rockin’ The Muppets Mayhem soundtrack will be available on streaming platforms also beginning May 10—and the band’s debut album, The Electric Mayhem, is set for release on vinyl on Friday, May 12. Pre-save/pre-add the digital soundtrack and pre-order the vinyl album here… and listen to your favorite tracks from the Muppets on the official playlist here.
All the Coolest News from Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023
Unless you were off-planet this last weekend—and how exciting if you were—you probably heard about all the incredible updates to come out of Star Wars Celebration Europe. Should you need a refresher… or, y’know, if you did just come back from that space vacay and you haven’t seen all the amazing trailers (Ahsoka, anyone?) and casting news, click here and rejoice in the galactic revelry!
Rogers: The Musical Debuts June 30 at Disney California Adventure Park
We could watch this all day… yes, Rogers: The Musical will officially premiere at Disney California Adventure Park on Friday, June 30, for a limited time.
Based on the life of Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, the show first debuted as a fictional Broadway musical in the Disney+ Original series Hawkeye. Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, then treated guests at the D23 Expo 2022 to a pop-up version of the musical’s climactic number, “Save the City,” based on the battle of New York from the first Avengers film.
Our friends at the Disney Parks Blog revealed earlier this week (with concept art, seen above) that the 30-minute production will arrive at the Hyperion Theater at Disneyland Resort this summer, with musical numbers including “Save the City” from Hawkeye as well as “Star Spangled Man” from the film Captain America: The First Avenger and five brand-new, original songs.
This production follows the story of Steve Rogers from his humble beginnings during World War II to his ascent as Captain America. He’ll be joined by Peggy Carter, Nick Fury, and members of the Avengers.
Rogers: The Musical will run from Tuesday through Saturday most weeks.
See the Epic New Trailer for Peter Pan & Wendy
Disney+ recently debuted a thrilling new trailer for the original film Peter Pan & Wendy. The live-action reimagining of the J.M. Barrie novel and the 1953 animated classic Peter Pan premieres Friday, April 28, exclusively on the streaming service.
The film introduces Wendy Darling (Ever Anderson), a young girl afraid to leave her childhood home behind, who meets Peter Pan (Alexander Molony), a boy who refuses to grow up. Alongside her brothers and a tiny fairy, Tinker Bell (Yara Shahidi), she travels with Peter to the magical world of Never Land. There, she encounters an evil pirate captain, Captain Hook (Jude Law), and embarks on a thrilling and dangerous adventure that will change her life forever.
Peter Pan & Wendy, directed by David Lowery, also stars Alyssa Wapanatâhk, Joshua Pickering, Jacobi Jupe, Molly Parker, Alan Tudyk, and Jim Gaffigan.