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This may be the closest thing to a park map that has been released so far from the Shanghai Disney Resort.
This concept art—a birdseye view of the new resort—plus a first look at two themed hotels, and what’s planned for an area called Disneytown—a spectacular shopping, dining, and entertainment district—were recently released.
The signature hotel of Shanghai Disney Resort will be the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, an elegant Art Nouveau-inspired hotel with a touch of Disney magic and imagination.
Also, the recently announced Toy Story Hotel will transport guests to a world inspired by the toys from the Disney•Pixar series of “Toy Story” animated films.
Also announced, Disneytown will be located near the two resorts and Shanghai Disneyland and feature world-class entertainment in China at the Walt Disney Grand Theatre—along with distinctive dining and unique shops. This Art Deco theatre in Broadway Plaza will host the global premiere of the Mandarin version of The Lion King, the highest-grossing Broadway show ever.
At the heart of Disneytown will be the Marketplace—a location filled with specialty shops with Disney merchandise, musicians, and entertainers. Next to the Marketplace will be an area called Spice Alley, offering a variety of popular Asian cuisines in a casual, yet romantic environment. The al fresco dining spots are perfect for lunch with friends or a more formal date. And the intimate streets and festive lights encourage leisurely after dinner strolling. Broadway Boulevard at Disneytown will have stylish boutiques that create an upscale atmosphere. Guests will discover an exciting array of popular labels and trendsetting products. Also near Disneytown will be the resort’s central lake area, offering guests from Shanghai and around the world an opportunity to commune with nature, surrounded by peaceful greenery and a beautiful lake. The area includes a walking path and various beautiful gardens, which present guests with awe-inspiring natural views and beautiful sunsets.
Animation scholar John Canemaker’s The Lost Notebook: Herman Schultheis and the Secrets of Walt Disney’s Movie Magic is both a reproduction of Schultheis’ private notebook and the utterly fascinating story of the most enigmatic men in Disney history.
The facts are these.
Herman J. Schultheis, a talented engineer, musician, and photographer, emigrated to New York City from his native Germany in 1927 with the intent of establishing himself in the movie business. He spent the next decade bouncing around sound-recording jobs—this was in the days when movies were moving from silent to sound—before heading to Los Angeles in 1937 to make it big. In 1938, after months of unemployment, he finally landed a job in the Special Effects department with the Walt Disney Studio.
This page from Schultheis’ “Special Effects” notebook shows the Disney Special Effects team at work on Fantasia. The technicians are testing ways to depict the surface of the Earth as the camera approaches. The name of the man in the upper left is lost to history; Disney Legend Bob Jones is seen at theupper right. Photo courtesy of the Walt Disney Family Museum.
Though talented, Schultheis was in many ways an eccentric man—or at the very least, misunderstood. To some of his co-workers, he seemed to be a shameless self-promoter, always carrying a camera and prone to taking credit for the technical achievements Walt’s production team achieved in pulling off miraculous scenes in Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo, and Bambi. Schultheis stayed in the Disney fold for a little more than two years, but throughout his nearly thousand-day tenure with Disney, he documented everything he did at the studio in a notebook he titled “Special Effects.” The notebook was lost to history until 1990, when Disney historian Howard Lowery discovered the notebook in a chest of drawers at Schultheis’ former Los Angeles residence. John Canemaker’s recently released book, The Lost Notebook: Herman Schultheis and the Secrets of Walt Disney’s Movie Magic is both a splendid reproduction of this important notebook and an incredible look into the spectacular life of an otherwise forgotten man. The notebook, Canemaker says, is nothing less than the “the Rosetta Stone of Disney animation.”
One of several pages in which Schultheis documents the “Rite of Spring” segment in Fantasia. Canemaker writes, “As Schultheis’ six photos show, cups containing paint were attached upside-down to a large fish tank filled with water. A movie camera shot the gag upside-down. In one experiement, two Special Effects men funneled white paint through syringes into the water in synchronization with the Stravinsky music they heard through their headphones.” The effect, as seen on the page, was captured March 12, 1940. Photo courtesy of the Walt Disney Family Museum.
Those are the facts behind Herman Schultheis and his work at the Disney Studio.
But to read the full story of how Schultheis’ spy novel-like fascinating life turned out, you’ll have to read the winter issue of Disney twenty-three—or pick up a copy of The Lost Notebook.
Schultheis called this page “Production of shot in Technicolor of long village scene, made on Universal multi-plane camera in Special Effects Dpt.” Toward the bottom he includes pictures of workmen from W. P. Fuller paint and glass company as they unloaded background elements used in the scene.
On each of its sailings—more than 100 in any given year—the Disney Dream serves as home away from home to approximately 4,000 guests and 1,400 crew members, who hail from more than 60 nations around the world.
Travel along with Disney twenty-three for an exclusive “behind-the-seas” look at how the award-winning Disney Cruise Line (DCL) makes magic on the high seas—providing luxe accommodations, gourmet cuisine, unforgettable at-sea entertainment and, of course, the unparalleled service guests have come to expect from Disney.
Guests set sail under the stewardship of Captain Henry Andersson, a 44-year veteran sea captain.“Island Chicken,” DCL’s signature dish, marinates on-ship for 48 hours before it is prepared and served on Castaway Cay, Disney’s own Bahamian island.The wait staff is a well-oiled machine serving as many as 12,000 meals every day the ship is at sea.Only the freshest produce and ingredients make their way to a Disney Cruise Line voyage.A DCL pastry chef readies some sinfully decadent chocolate desserts, giving an impeccable dinner the proper finish.Executive Chef Edward D’Costa holds a pineapple, a symbol of warmth and welcome, in the ship’s vegetable and fruit cold storage.Cruise Director Christiaan Abbott pays a visit to a rehearsal at the ship’s Walt Disney Theatre.Performers rehearse a “Step-in-Time”-themed number for one of the original, Broadway-caliber DCL productions.No detail is too small when rehearsing an original DCL production.Chairs in the Animator’s Palate restaurant lend some of Mickey Mouse’s charm to a family-dining experience.Manager of Dining Services Pietro Gennaro oversees a brigade of more than 300 in the ship’s three dining rooms, including Royal Palace, shown here.Just one aisle of a wardrobe department equipped to dress more than 1,400 crew members for service on the Disney Dream.Guenter Schmid is one of the “cays” to success at Castaway Cay.Kris and Stan provide a warm welcome to guests at Castaway Cay’s Stingray Adventure.Guests get up close and personal with a ray while on Castaway Cay.Guenter, the de facto leader of Castaway Cay, is on hand to make sure the island is ready for the next shipload of guests.Daniele Ascherogu, staff captain, shows off the champagne bottle that was used to christen the ship upon its inaugural sailing.The sun sets on Disney twenty-three’s spectacular journey behind the scenes on the Disney Dream.
Read the full story of Disney twenty-three‘s visit with the “Happiest Crews that Ever Sailed” in the Winter 2014 issue of our magazine.
A closer look at one of the sections of the Main Street, U.S.A., Christmas tree. Notice the size and variety of the ornaments.
In the winter 2014 issue of Disney twenty-three, we gave readers an inside look at how Disneyland and Disney California Adventure dresses up for the holidays. One of the groups we spoke to was the Resort Enhancement team, who tirelessly work every day—and sometimes night!—to deck each hall, alley, tree, lamp post and more.
In touring their warehouse, D23 was able to capture up-close details of some of the team’s decorations and trimmings. One of our favorite shots was the Main Street, U.S.A., Christmas tree, shown in sections. We thought we’d never get that close to the tree top!
Take a look at the photos below, where you can also put faces to some of the Disneyland “elves” featured in the “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” story, which appears in the winter 2014 issue of Disney twenty-three.
A closer look at one of the sections of the Main Street, U.S.A., Christmas tree. Notice the size and variety of the ornaments.The snowy rooftop of Sleeping Beauty Castle—complete with lots of glitter.A mere fraction of the ornaments in a variety of colors and sizes that are used around the parks.An up-close look at the garland that will adorn the exterior of The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure.An up-close look at the garland that will adorn the exterior of The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure.(L-R) Ali Irvine and Mark Apepe pose with the colorful and under-the-sea-themed garland they created for The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure.Mary Ellen Riva lights up a garland in the Resort Enhancement Warehouse.Ray Leiker adds the finishing touches on another festive decoration for Disneyland Resort.Na ri Ho, ornament extraordinaire, creates another merry adornment in the Resort Enhancement Warehouse.Frank Franco frosts one of may trees for the parks.Rachel Gibas poses in front of what seems like an endless aisle of ornaments inside the Resort Enhancement Warehouse.
The Lion King, the award-winning best musical, celebrates its 17th anniversary on Broadway today at the Minskoff Theatre.
Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 22 global productions have been seen by more than 75 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 112 years. Having played 19 countries on every continent except Antarctica, The Lion King‘s worldwide gross exceeds that of any entertainment title in box office history.
Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), The Lion King is only the second show in history to generate five productions worldwide running 10 or more years. Translated into seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese), productions of The Lion King can currently be seen on Broadway, London’s West End, Hamburg, Tokyo, Madrid, Sao Paulo, Sydney, Australia and on tour across North America, the U.K., and Japan. The Australian production marks the 10th concurrent worldwide production of The Lion King, the highest number of productions running at any one time in the show’s history.
The Lion King is playing at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street). For tickets, show information and performance schedule, call Ticketmaster’s Disney on Broadway hotline at (866) 870-2717 or visit online, LionKing.com.
Disney’s leading lady and global fashion icon, Minnie Mouse, was spotted at World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto.
Through a new partnership with Disney Consumer Products, Mercedes-Benz Start Up Competition finalists were tasked with the creation of one look inspired by Minnie Mouse. At a private reception hosted by Samantha and Caillianne Beckerman and Minnie Mouse, Sid Neigum was crowned the winner.
—Anna and Elsa from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ hit Frozen join the annual holiday celebration at the Disneyland Resort. The holidays bring themed entertainment, sparkling decorations, delicious treats, festive traditions and holiday shopping to locations throughout the Resort.
Among the highlights of the season, November 13 through January 6, 2015, is the return of the breathtaking World of Color – Winter Dreams holiday spectacular—with new songs added from the Frozen soundtrack. Also returning to Disney California Adventure Park is the festive Disney ¡Viva Navidad! holiday celebration and the grand finale of the season, a five-day celebration of Three Kings Day.
Holiday time at Disneyland Resort has become an annual tradition for many guests, filled with an abundance of merriment, tradition and magical memories. This year Disney Parks invites guests to “Show Your Disney Side” as they explore all there is to see and do. Expanded hours at both Disneyland Resort theme parks extend the family fun time, while the Downtown Disney Winter Village offers a chance to play and skate at Olaf’s Frozen Ice Rink.
Over the past 10 years, Disney Channel has provided thousands of hours of content to many generations of viewers in Hong Kong.
In celebration of this special milestone and the festive holiday season, Disney Channel Hong Kong is inviting fans and families to a month-long party at a popular local shopping mall featuring six of the most beloved Disney franchises, including Mickey Mouse, Sofia the First, Phineas and Ferb, Toy Story, Cars and Stitch in a 10,000-square-foot space.
In addition to a variety of interactive activities designed to connect with fans, there is also a timeline tunnel that showcases Disney Channel’s key milestones over the decade, and a special pop-up store featuring a wide range of new and exclusive products, including limited-edition 10th anniversary items.
ABC’s Holiday Lineup Makes Staying Home for the Holidays More Festive
So many big announcements were made this week. Toy Story 4—it’s happening! So is Strange Magic! Star Wars: Episode VII—it has a name! Alas, we’re going to have to wait until 2017 to see the next chapter of Woody, Buzz, and the gang’s adventures and it’s almost a year until the Force—officially—awakens. (Read more about this news below!) But in the meantime, there’s a new issue of Disney twenty-three coming to your mailbox in just a few weeks and ABC announced their Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s special programming for the holiday season. Here are just a few of the highlights that we’ll be staying in to watch:
One of our newer favorite holiday traditions, Disney Prep & Landing airs Friday, November 28, at 8 p.m. Wayne and Lanny, the beloved elves from the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ special, are also front and center in the sequel, Prep & Landing 2: Naughty vs. Nice, which airs immediately following, at 8:30.
To tide us over until Toy Story 4, Pixar Animation Studios is premiering a second new TV special, Toy Story That Time Forgot, Tuesday, December 2 at 8 p.m. You can learn more about this special and the new toys in town in the Winter 2014 issue of Disney twenty-three.
Looking for decorating inspiration—times ten? The Great Christmas Light Fight returns to ABC for its second season on Monday, December 8, at 8 p.m. There are six one-hour episodes, culminating with the season finale Monday, December 22.
On Tuesday, December 16, at 9 p.m., America’s Funniest Home Videos Christmas Spectacular will be celebrating the holidays from the Happiest Place on Earth, Disneyland Resort.
After our presents are opened, we’re going to spend Christmas morning (December 25) watching the Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration (10 a.m.–12 p.m.), now in its 31st year. Besides all of our favorite Disney characters, we’ll be tuning in for Santa Claus, the top musical guests, and some extra-special Frozen fun.
And, of course, Disney fans will welcome in 2015 with Dick Clark’s Primetime New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest on December 31. There’ll be more than 38 performances and five-and-a-half hours of music—including Taylor Swift!
Be sure to check your local listings—and D23.com—for more holiday highlights that you won’t want to miss.
Save the Date!
Be sure to mark these upcoming Disney events on your calendar:
D23 and Walt Disney Archives November 11 The Hunchback of Notre Dame VIP Experience November 15
An Afternoon Under the Sea: Celebrating 25 Years of The Little Mermaid November 22-23 Destination D: Attraction Rewind at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in Walt Disney World Fall 2014-2015 D23 Member Nights at Newsies—On Tour Through January 4, 2015 Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives, presented by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago August 14-16, 2015 D23 Expo 2015 returns to Anaheim, California Television December 1–25 ABC Family’s “25 Days of Christmas” December 2 Toy Story That Time Forgot premieres on ABC at 8 p.m. ET January 6 Marvel’sAgent Carter premieres on ABC at 9 p.m. ET
Parks November 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21, and 30; and December 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 19 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties at Magic Kingdom Park Studios December 25 Into the Woods opens in theaters. February 20, 2015 MacFarland, USA opens in theaters. March 13, 2015 Cinderella opens in theaters. May 22, 2015 Tomorrowland opens in theaters. June 19, 2015 Inside Out opens in theaters (along with the short Lava).
Announcing Strange Magic from Lucasfilm, Ltd.
It looks like 2015 is going to be a great year for animation fans right out of the gate! It was just announced that Strange Magic, a new animated film from Lucasfilm Ltd., will be released by Touchstone Pictures on January 23, 2015. The film is described as “a madcap fairy tale musical inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Popular songs from the past six decades help tell the tale of a colorful cast of goblins, elves, fairies, and imps, and their hilarious misadventures sparked by the battle over a powerful potion.” The story is by George Lucas (A “little” saga called Star Wars. We’ll leave it at that.), the screenplay is by David Berenbaum (Elf), Irene Mecchi (Brave, The Lion King), and Gary Rydstrom, and the film is directed by Rydstrom (Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation, Lifted). The talented voice cast includes Alan Cumming, Evan Rachel Wood, Kristin Chenoweth, and Maya Rudolph, to name just a few. That will make for a happy new year, indeed!
The Toys Are Back!
There’s nothing like a favorite toy—or a whole group of them. We couldn’t be more excited about last week’s announcement that Toy Story 4 will be coming to theaters June 16, 2017. Visit D23.com to read the whole story.
The Force Awakens
We learned two things this week about Star Wars: Episode VII. Principal photography has been completed. And the film’s official title is The Force Awakens. The film opens in theaters December 18, 2015—which means that we have just a little more than a year to ponder that name and try to figure out how the characters and story we know and love might play into the characters and story we’re dying to learn more about!
We Can’t Wait To Go Into the Woods
Into the Woods has been a must-see for us since long before we began working on the cover story for Disney twenty-three‘s Winter 2014 issue. More information ►
But the latest trailer for the film, from Walt Disney Studios, features Meryl Streep singing, Stephen Sondheim’s breathtaking score, and the amazing cast—which includes Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Emily Blunt, James Corden, and Johnny Depp as The Wolf—who are also spotlighted in a series of character posters Disney unveiled last week. Into the Woods opens on December 25, Christmas Day, and is a present we’re so eager to unwrap.
See a Poster for McFarland, USA
Continuing its tradition of sports-themed movies that both entertain and inspire, Walt Disney Studios has released a poster for McFarland, USA, starring Kevin Costner as Coach Jim White, a newcomer to the economically challenged California town’s predominantly Latino high school. He and his novice runner students ultimately bond to build not only a championship cross-country team, but an enduring legacy as well. The film, based on the 1987 true story, opens February 20, 2015.
Premiere Date Set for Marvel’s Agent Carter—Plus, Watch a Sneak Peek of the Show
We finally have a date that we can mark on our calendars for the debut of the new series Marvel’s Agent Carter. The show will premiere on ABC Tuesday, January 6, at 9 p.m. ET, and when its eight-episode run concludes, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will return to the time slot, beginning Tuesday, March 3, for the second half of its sophomore season. And if, like us, you’re having a hard time waiting for January, enjoy the above clip, which gives you a first look at the original Jarvis and the return of Tony’s dad, Howard Stark.
See Hiro and Baymax on the Big Screen and See Them at Disney Parks
Big Hero 6 is now playing at a theater near you, and its loveable heroes are now greeting guests at a Disney Park near you, as well. Meet Baymax and Hiro inside The Magic of Disney Animation attraction at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios, and if you’re headed to Disneyland, be sure to catch the duo in Tomorrowland, near the Starcade and Magic Eye Theater.
Save the Dates for Zootopia and Moana
Disney fans have a lot of important dates to save, and now there are two more: Walt Disney Animation Studios has announced release dates for two upcoming films. Zootopia is slated to hit theaters March 4, 2016, and the recently announced Moana is scheduled to open later that year, on November 23, 2016. And of course, D23.com will try to help the time go by more quickly with coming attractions and updates as they’re announced.
Disney Animators’ Collection Unveils New Sets and Updated Doll Designs
The award-winning Animators’ Collection from Disney Store brings together your favorite characters from your favorite Walt Disney Animation Studios’ films, created under the guidance of some of Disney’s most renowned animators, like Glen Keane (lead animator for Aladdin and Beast from Beauty and the Beast), Mark Henn (who animated Tiana in The Princess and the Frog), and Bill Schwab (character design supervisor for Frozen). The dolls are perfect for collecting or playing—or both! Each princess now comes with a plush friend—and you can purchase a Rapunzel Doll Gift Set with both Pascal and Maximus. Visit DisneyStore.com to check out the entire collection.
Watch Walt Disney World’s Main Street, U.S.A. Get Merrier
If you’re like us, you love the magical transformation Main Street, U.S.A. undergoes every holiday season. And if you’re like us, you’ve always wanted to see what’s involved in the process—which seems to take place overnight. And thanks to the Disney Parks Blog, we now know that it does take place overnight—in the wee hours of the morning. Enjoy the video above, which provides a behind-the-scenes look at how Walt Disney World’s Holiday Services department works through the night to install holiday décor that’s in the spirit and accommodates the sizeable floats from Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade, which makes its way down Main Street, U.S.A. daily.
Reserved and Stand-by Viewing coming to Fantasmic! at Disneyland Park
The Fantasmic! viewing experience is about to get more… fantastic. Beginning December 12, guests at Disneyland Park will need a Fantasmic! FASTPASS to access the show’s reserved viewing space—much in the way they do for World of Color at Disney California Adventure. FASTPASS distribution will be available along Big Thunder Trail in Frontierland, on a first-come, first-served basis until one hour prior to show time or while supplies last. The passes will indicate show time, suggested return time, and assigned viewing session. Limited stand-by viewing will still be available in a non-ticketed area. And making the experience even more convenient, guests may also opt to take advantage of several Fantasmic! dining experiences that include a FASTPASS. Check the Disney Parks Blog to see all of your delicious dining options.
