In a promo image for Fantasmic! returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort, Mickey Mouse is seen with sparks flying out of his fingertips. He’s wearing a sparkly black tailcoat, red pants, and a yellow bow tie. The logo for Fantasmic! is seen in the lower right of the image, and beneath it are the words “Returns November 3.”

Fantasmic! Returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios—Plus More in News Briefs

By Courtney Potter

Dream an Amazing Dream—Fantasmic! Returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Big news from our pals at Walt Disney World Resort: Forces of good and evil will once again battle it out in Mickey’s dream with the long-awaited return of Fantasmic! on Thursday, November 3, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The legendary nighttime spectacular invites guests into Mickey’s imagination for a larger-than-life show painted on a grand canvas of dancing water overflowing with both silly and suspenseful surprises…

The elaborate 29-minute spectacular takes place nightly—a kaleidoscope of entertainment featuring thrilling stunts, dazzling special effects, and a rousing score based on classic Disney animated films. But that’s not all: Its return will include the debut of an all-new sequence that brings to life heroic moments from Disney stories such as Moana, Mulan, Aladdin, Pocahontas, and Frozen 2.

In a promo image for Fantasmic! returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort, the Sleeping Beauty dragon from the finale of the spectacular is seen—somewhat shrouded in darkness; its eyes and mouth are glowing, and its wings can be seen in the background. The logo for Fantasmic! is seen in the lower right of the image, and beneath it are the words “Returns November 3.”

Fantasmic! is just one of many new and returning live-entertainment experiences guests can enjoy during the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration. Look for it nightly at Disney’s Hollywood Studios; guests can enter the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater up to 90 minutes prior to the show’s start—but since it is an outdoor venue, the show is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather, and showtimes are also subject to change.

Beginning Wednesday, October 26, dining packages for select restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be available to purchase to secure reserved seating for performances occurring on Wednesday, November 30, and beyond. To experience Fantasmic!, guests need both a valid park admission and a park reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios on the same date; visit DisneyWorld.com for more info!

“Some imagination, huh?!”

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend Presented by State Farm®

How is it almost Halloween? And to that end, how is it almost November?! If these questions leave you seeking some comfort viewing from around the worlds of Disney, never fear—there’s much to choose from. Look for a new episode of The Villains of Valley View on Disney Channel; the new docuseries The Hair Taleson Hulu; the premiere of Peyton and Eli’s Spooky Adventure: A Places Universe Special on ESPN+; and so much more.

In a still from 1992’s Beauty and the Beast, the Beast is wearing his blue waistcoat and dark blue trousers, and Belle is wearing her iconic gold ballgown; the couple is dancing in the golden ballroom, holding hands. There is blue bunting hanging from the marble columns, and stars can be seen in the night sky through the windows at the top of the room.

New Cast Members Announced for ABC’s Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration

Earlier this week, ABC announced six additional performers joining the highly anticipated animated and live action blended special Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration… and all told, the cast is shaping up to be a veritable who’s who of talent!

Celebrated comedian and Emmy® Award-winning actor Martin Short will play Lumière; Tony Award® winner David Alan Grier will play Cogsworth; Rizwan Manji will play Gaston’s sidekick, LeFou; and Jon Jon Briones will play Belle’s father, Maurice. Additionally, five-time Grammy Award® winner and top-selling female country pop artist Shania Twain and Leo Abelo Perry will play mother-son duo Mrs. Potts and Chip, respectively.

As previously announced, H.E.R. will play the role of Belle; Josh Groban will play the Beast; Joshua Henry will play Gaston; and Rita Moreno will narrate. Jon M. Chu executive produces the special, with Hamish Hamilton directing—taking viewers on a memorable journey through the classic enchanted tale.

Presented by The Wonderful World of Disney, this two-hour reimagining of the beloved story will be taped in front of a live audience at Disney Studios and will air Thursday, December 15, from 8 to 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and stream on Disney+ the next day.

Let D23 Help You Take the Perfect Halloween Photo at Disneyland Resort

As Jack Skellington and crew once warbled, “This is Halloween, everybody make a scene”—and what better place to do that, in front of one’s camera (natch), than at Disneyland Resort? D23 has your guide to the spookiest places across the resort to take the perfect Halloween photo, including a Hocus Pocus 2 photo op at Downtown Disney. What spell-tacular fun will you come up with?

A promo image for Adventures By Disney’s new Adriatic Sea Expedition Cruise. A ship is seen in the middle of a clear blue sea, surrounded by several tree-covered islands, and some low mountains in the distance. In the foreground of the image are some homes with orange-tiled roofs. The sky is blue, with no clouds. At the bottom of the image are the words “Announcing 2024 Adventures By Disney Expedition Cruise Itineraries.”

Adventures by Disney Sails the Adriatic Sea in 2024

The good folks at Adventures by Disney have announced an incredible new destination and expedition cruise to complement their global itineraries: the Adventures by Disney Adriatic Expedition Cruise! In 2024, Adventures by Disney will take guests to Croatia and points along the beautiful Adriatic Sea with two departures.

Starting in Venice, Italy, guests will board the Ponant’s ship, Le Bougainville, a small purpose-built ship designed to access remote locations, and make stops at seven ports in Croatia and Montenegro. The eight-day, seven-night round-trip family sailing includes the Disney-trained Adventure Guides, who deliver their signature service and storytelling, ensuring guests enjoy a hassle-free vacation.

Adventure Guides lead activities aboard and ashore for every member of the family. While the Junior Adventurers enjoy a Pirates of the Adriatic swim party or a Dalmatian Dash scavenger hunt, the adults can participate in a cocktail workshop, try out a fitness class, or simply relax on deck, overlooking the exquisite sites.

Additional activities available during the Adventures by Disney Adriatic Expedition Cruise include kayaking along the Pakleni Islands; biking through vineyards and lavender fields of the UNESCO Stari Grad Plain; visiting Predjama Castle in Slovenia; and much more.

Thinking of planning a ’24 vacation? For more info about this family-fun Adriatic Sea expedition cruise—or any other exciting expedition cruise destinations, including Antarctica, the Arctic, or Galapagos Islands—visit the “Expedition Cruising with Disney” page at AdventuresByDisney.com.

Official Trailer Unveiled for Disney+’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules

Disney+ just released the official trailer for Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, an all-new animated movie based on the second book in Jeff Kinney’s wildly popular book series. The original song from the movie, “Can You Smell Us Now”—written and produced by Jon Levine, with lyrics by Jeff Kinney, and performed by Jimmy Tatro—is also now available.

The hilarious antics of angst-ridden, disaster-prone middle school student Greg Heffley (voiced by Brady Noon) continue in Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, focusing this time ’round on his complicated relationship with older brother Rodrick (voiced by Hunter Dillon). A spiky-haired high school student, Rodrick is lazy and undisciplined and spends way too much time practicing with his rock band, Löded Diper. While he loves to torment Greg, he ultimately has a deep affection for his younger brother.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is directed by Luke Cormican and written and produced by Kinney. The movie also features the voices of Ethan William Childress as Rowley Jefferson; the late Edward Asner as Grandpa Heffley; Chris Diamantopoulos as Frank; and Erica Cerra as Susan. Look for it beginning Friday, December 2, on Disney+.

ICYMI: Everything You Need to Know About MagicBand+ Coming to Disneyland Resort

They’ve had it at Walt Disney World Resort for a while, and now those of us on the West Coast will get to experience the fun too… Learn about what to expect from MagicBand+ when it launches at Disneyland Resort on October 26—including info on what’s to come in the very near future—by clicking here.