Skeletons Take Over Disney TokyoSea!

Disney’s Halloween takes over Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea parks from September 8 through October 31, 2014!

What’s New at Disney Parks for Halloween 2014 ►

Tokyo DisneySea will host a unique event themed to a Halloween carnival with a brand-new program. Skeletons join in the carnival from different areas of Tokyo DisneySea to liven up the atmosphere with the Disney characters.

At American Waterfront, the show New York Halloween Follies will be presented. The skeletons and the Disney friends, dressed in 1920s style, will entertain Guests in a Halloween party with music, dance, and great fashions.

Also new this year is the entertainment program, Welcome Skeleton Friends, presented at Lido Isle in Mediterranean Harbor. Wishing to become even better friends with the Guests visiting Tokyo DisneySea, the skeletons host this show full of smiles and excitement that the Guests can participate in.

And at Lost River Delta, the colorful parade Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Skeleton Fiesta will be presented again in 2014. The skeletons will make their first appearance in this show this year.

Additionally, a special program titled Skeletons’ Street Party will be offered in various areas around the Park. In this spooky-but-fun program, the skeletons dance and play music, greet Guests while they are dining, get Guests to join in the fun, and lots more.

Presented again this year at Tokyo Disneyland is Happy Halloween Harvest. In this parade, the Disney characters will be joined by Halloween ghosts and pumpkins, which have expressive personalities, as they put on a happy Halloween fair. When the floats come to a stop, the guests are invited to join in the fun for even more excitement. The Halloween spirit around the park is enhanced even more with attractions, special menus, and decorations that are linked to the Halloween fair.

In the Plaza at Tokyo Disneyland, guests will find decorations of a traveling fair where Mickey and the Halloween ghosts play on a merry-go-round, and photo locations depicting the Disney pals and the ghosts enjoying the Halloween fair.

Guests can enjoy the Halloween atmosphere at other locations within the park, such as Crystal Palace Restaurant, with its sweet shop decoration, and Westernland Shootin’ Gallery, decorated like a Halloween fair game booth. Again this year, Westernland, Fantasyland, and Toontown will be decorated with pumpkins and more for a lively and cheerful atmosphere.

Guests can also enjoy the Halloween atmosphere at the Disney Hotels and on the Disney Resort Line. The Disney-style Halloween is sure to provide families and friends—together with the Disney characters—even more enjoyment.

The Disney Ambassador Hotel will offer a number of guest rooms that are specially decorated for Halloween. Guests will find the bedspread, designed with pumpkins and the Disney characters dressed in Halloween costumes, setting the mood for Halloween even more. In conjunction with the special event at the Parks, the restaurants and lounges at the Hotels will offer a special course from September 1. The course menu—with an original product designed with the Disney characters from Disney’s Halloween, as well as dishes using seasonal ingredients—will provide some Halloween fun as only the Disney hotels can offer.

About 120 types of merchandise will be available at both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. For the first time this year, the shared designs will feature the spooky-but-cute “funny monsters,” including Mickey Mouse dressed up as a vampire and Donald Duck as a mummy. There are also other items that feature a pumpkin motif.

In addition, guests can enjoy Halloween treats such as a sundae topped with “ghost” chocolates, a special menu with a souvenir item, and Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse buns in a Halloween version.

Maleficent Brews Up Halloween Fun at Disneyland Paris

From October 1 to November 2, 2014, Disneyland Paris is the place to be to meet the Halloween gang of Disney Villains.

What’s New at Disney Parks for Halloween 2014 ►

Every day, Maleficent will bring together the Disney Villains in a cheerfully ominous atmosphere, promising Disneyland Paris guests encounters to die (laughing) for. The Sleeping Beauty Castle Courtyard will be transformed to welcome the good Disney Villains who will take mischievous pleasure in taking over Disney’s Halloween Festival.

And that’s not all! During this delightfully frightening month, ghosts and Disney’s Funky Pumpkins will take possession of Main Street, U.S.A., astonishing pumpkins will take over the flowerbeds in Central Plaza, and Frontierland will be transformed into an autumn garden where sunflowers and pumpkins will take center stage.

Finally, Mickey and friends will offer guests a special Harvest festival-themed cavalcade, not far from Minnie’s Halloween Costume Corner or the incredible candy-making machine invented by greedy Goofy, all designed to ensure Disney’s Halloween Festival is a laugh a minute!

Maleficent’s Court

This year, Maleficent will cast a spell on the Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Disneyland Park and will invite some of the Disney Villains to join her in the Castle Courtyard. Maleficent, surrounded by her friends, the Disney Villains, will take over the place—it has now been invaded by imposing brambles, which guests will be able to pose in front of, next to the Disney Villains. That is how huge brambles mysteriously appear in the Castle Courtyard. Shaped like the famous horns of Maleficent herself, these brambles form the outline of an imposing dragon. As night falls, the bramble will take on a more disquieting look, immersing guests in a universe of bright, unsettling colors.

Mickey’s Halloween Celebration

To celebrate Halloween and to provide guests with a unique party, Mickey and friends will offer guests a cavalcade specially dedicated to the Harvest festival, and have naturally been inspired by the autumn and Harvest theme. Several times a day, Mickey and friends will parade in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle and along Main Street, U.S.A., surrounded by dancers wearing autumn colors.

This year, the lovely Daisy will open the cavalcade. The Three Little Pigs and Horace will join Mickey’s Halloween Celebration on their brand new float “Raise the Rafters!” Surrounded by owls, black cats, spiders, and bats, the Three Little Pigs, Horace, and Clarabelle will dance to country music in front of their farm. A tree and an enchanted mushroom will come to life as if by magic.

As for the Disney Characters, they will be showing off their most stunning seasonal costumes. Donald will explore the wonders of autumn in a world made of straw and pumpkins, together with his inseparable nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie. Meanwhile, Uncle Scrooge will bring up the rear, determined to keep careful watch over a strange pumpkin that appears to be worth its weight in gold…

Mickey and Minnie pay homage to the Harvest season from their huge horn of plenty, filled with autumn leaves, fruits, and pumpkins. Behind them, Chip and Dale, accompanied by the charming Clarice, have taken advantage of the Harvest to steal and hoard as many hazelnuts as they can lay their hands on!

Ghosts invade Disneyland Park

The ghosts of the former residents of Main Street, U.S.A. will use Halloween as the perfect opportunity to make their grand appearance. Delighted to be able to make an appearance during Disney’s Halloween Festival, they will take over Main Street, U.S.A., trying to blend into the scenery. The park’s apprentice ghost hunters will be invited to unmask them, armed with their cameras.

Halloween Costume Corner

Passionate about sewing and fashion, Minnie will invite guests to discover her amazing sewing workshop—specially created for Halloween—an extravagant, colorful world where everyone is encouraged to let their imagination run wild. Minnie, in her fabulous Halloween-inspired dress will no doubt jump at the opportunity to pose with her admirers.

Goofy Bonbons

Halloween would not be the same without bonbons and spells. For that reason, Goofy has designed and created a truly amazing candy-making machine to dazzle those with a sweet tooth, young and old! Fans of bonbons and Goofy will not miss the opportunity to stop in front of this astonishing machine. Goofy might even join them to make sure everything is in good working order. A moment to treasure and a chance for everyone to persuade him to share his confectionery secrets!

Jack and Sally’s Cemetery

The famous couple created by Tim Burton will be at Disneyland Paris during Halloween for a mortally enchanting encounter. The set recreates the universe of the film The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Jack and Sally—in person—will welcome those courageous enough to meet them. A reproduction inspired by the universe of Tim Burton, Jack and Sally’s Cemetery is a unique place.

Disney’s Halloween Party

The now famous Disney’s Halloween Party will be held on October 31 in Disneyland, a unique experience to share with family or friends from 8.30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Disneyland Park will reopen its doors after dark and guests will see it as they have never seen it before—in a more mysterious atmosphere than ever, with unexpected animations, terrifyingly delicious surprises, and a “hellish” atmosphere. The moon will bring out the ghosts, Disney Villains, and other creatures for the party, who are all ready to play their tricks around the most mysterious of places. After enjoying the many attractions Disneyland Park has to offer, guests will be able to immerse themselves in the magical extravaganza of the Disney Dreams nighttime show.

Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look at Disney On Ice Presents Frozen

It seems like it was yesterday when Frozen swept across movie screens and dazzled audiences around the world with its heartwarming story and unforgettable soundtrack. But believe it or not, it debuted almost a year ago, and the film’s gone beyond the box office in generating what’s become a booming franchise for Disney. Turns out no one can let “it”—the phenomenon that is Frozen—go.

This month, fans can enjoy Disney On Ice presents Frozen, a brand-new experience inspired by the film, which kicks off its domestic tour in Orlando, Florida. For producer Nicole Feld, this wintery tale was a perfect fit for the arena medium. We recently sat down with Nicole to get a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming production.

What has it been like to develop this show with Disney Theatrical Group?
We have such a great relationship with Disney. The team always keeps us apprised of new content, and Frozen has been in that pipeline. The expectation is very high, and not just because of the quality we like to create for our Disney On Ice shows. Our audience knows every line, music chord, and character so well.

When did your team decide to adapt Frozen for the ice?
We were invited to early screenings of the film, and we felt it would be a beautiful story for the ice.

We heard you partnered with Frozen directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, along with Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter to bring Disney On Ice presents Frozen to life. What was it like to work with them?
They are wonderful partners and have been involved every step of the way. Everything from just looking at costume designs to giving our team really great feedback and insight about these beloved characters and character development.

What was your favorite scene from Frozen to re-imagine for the show and—we have to ask—will there be snow?!
We spent untold hours conceiving the “Let It Go” scene. We’ll even have special effects to form different types of snow. Anything from light snow to heavy snow and a full-on blizzard!

What are you most looking forward to with this production?
This Disney On Ice production is sure to touch audiences emotionally though the innovative show elements we’ve developed and world-class skating. And there’s nothing more exciting than enjoying an experience with people who share the same passion.

And lastly, which Frozen character do you identify with the most?
I definitely identify with the sisters, especially Elsa, because I have two younger sisters and I’m the oldest. The power of love between sisters is so special; it really is an unbreakable bond.

ABC Announces Season 19’s Dancing with the Stars Cast

September 4, 2014March 27, 2018

Season 19’s cast of celebrity dancers includes a fashion icon, a YouTube sensation, a NASCAR legend and a movie star, to name a few. The stars will grace the ballroom floor for the first time on live national television with their professional partners during the two-hour season premiere of “Dancing with the Stars,” which airs Monday, September 15 (8–10:01 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network. One couple will be eliminated on the Dancing with the Stars results show the following day, Tuesday, September 16 (8–9 p.m. ET).

The 13 professional dancers teaching the celebrity cast how to bring heat to the dance floor are Mark Ballas, Cheryl Burke, Sharna Burgess, Witney Carson, Artem Chigvintsev, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Tony Dovolani, Allison Holker, Derek Hough, Keo Motsepe, Peta Murgatroyd, Emma Slater and Karina Smirnoff. Two-time Mirrorball champion and movie star Julianne Hough joins Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba at the judges’ desk.

As announced this morning on ABC’s Good Morning America by Dancing with the Stars hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, the 13 celebrities (in alphabetical order) heading to the dance floor this season with their professional partners are:

Jonathan Bennett—Though his striking good looks may have made Jonathan Bennett an object of affection for the ‘plastics’ in Mean Girls, his talent and commitment are what have led him to become one of the most sought-after young actors in Hollywood.

Tommy Chong—Grammy®‎-winning comedian Tommy Chong is legendary for his invaluable contribution to comedy and American counterculture as part of the legendary comedy team Cheech & Chong.

Randy Couture—As a six-time World Champion and Hall of Famer in the fastest growing sport in the world, Randy Couture is a true icon in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Betsey Johnson—Known for her over-the-top celebration of the exuberant and the embellished, Betsey has been rocking the fashion industry with her unique and original designs since the 1960s.

Lolo Jones—Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Lolo Jones is one of the greatest track athletes of her generation and one of the greatest American hurdlers of all time. In addition to appearances at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics for hurdles, Lolo became just the 10^th American in history to compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympics, as a member of the U.S. Bobsled Team for the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia.

Bethany Mota—In only five years, YouTube sensation, fashion designer and beauty expert Bethany Mota has become one of the most recognizable names on social media. Today, Bethany’s YouTube channel has more than seven million subscribers, and her videos have been viewed almost 500 million times.

Janel Parrish—Born in Hawaiʻi, Janel Parrish plays Mona in the top-rated ABC Family TV series Pretty Little Liars.

Alfonso Ribiero—Alfonso’s interests and loves vary from acting, best known for his role as Carlton Banks on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, to his active career today as a television director, host and voice-over.

Sadie Robertson—Sadie Robertson is well known for her dimples and engaging smile, but there is more to the 17-year-old charmer and star of A&E’s Duck Dynasty than that. She’s also a high school athlete and motivational speaker.

Antonio Sabato Jr.—Antonio is widely known for his fan-favorite role as Jagger Cates on ABC’s General Hospital and for playing Jack Parezi on Melrose Place. He was also featured in People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” issue. He’s also a fitness and auto-racing enthusiast and an accomplished author of No Excuses: Workout for Life.

Tavis Smiley—Tavis Smiley is currently the host of the late-night television talk show Tavis Smiley on PBS, as well as The Tavis Smiley Show from Public Radio International.

Lea Thompson—Lea Thompson is perhaps best known for her role as the various incarnations of Lorraine McFly in Back to the Future I, II and III and as the star of Caroline in the City.

Michael Waltrip—Michael Waltrip is a winning professional racecar driver, founder and co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, a widely recognized network racing commentator and author of a best-selling biography.

Casting Announced for North American Tour of Disney’s Newsies

Disney Theatrical Productions is pleased to announce full casting for the eagerly anticipated North American tour of Broadway’s Tony® Award-winning smash hit musical, Disney’s Newsies. Rehearsals began on Wednesday, September 3 in New York City in preparation for the first performance on Saturday, October 11 in Schenectady, New York, at Proctors. During its first year of touring in the 2014–15 season, the production will play 25 cities, over 43 weeks.

The production features Dan DeLuca as Jack Kelly, Steve Blanchard as Joseph Pulitzer, Stephanie Styles as Katherine, Angela Grovey as Medda Larkin, Jacob Kemp as Davey, Zachary Sayle as Crutchie, and Vincent Crocilla and Anthony Rosenthal alternating the role of Les.

Rounding out the cast are Mark Aldrich, Josh Assor, Evan Autio, Bill Bateman, Joshua Michael Burrage, Kevin Carolan, DeMarius Copes, Benjamin Cook, Julian DeGuzman, Nico De Jesus, Sky Flaherty, Steve Greenstein, Jon Hacker, Jeff Heimbrock, Stephen Hernandez, James Judy, Meredith Inglesby, Eric John Mahlum, Ginna Claire Mason, Michael Ryan, Jordan Samuels, Jack Sippel, Melissa Steadman Hart, Andrew Wilson and Chaz Wolcott.

Newsies, the new American musical, features a Tony Award-winning score with music by eight-time Academy Award® winner Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman, a book by four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein and is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions. Newsies is directed by Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, who won a 2012 Tony Award for his work. The entire creative team is reuniting to bring the breakout, smash musical to audiences across North America.

For more information, visit NewsiesTheMusical.com/Tour, Facebook.com/Newsies and Twitter.com/Newsies.

Watch a Sneak Peek of Big Hero 6

Get a first look at Walt Disney Animation Studios’ next feature film, Big Hero 6, with this special two-minute sneak peek, featuring Hiro and Baymax.

Walt Disney Animation Studios Announces Frozen Fever Animated Short

From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes the new animated short Frozen Fever, welcoming back to the big screen Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf.

Directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, and produced by Peter Del Vecho, with an all-new original song by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Frozen Fever marks the first project reuniting the Oscar®-winning original team from Disney’s Frozen.

The announcement was first made within the ABC Television Network special The Story of Frozen: Making an Animated Classic, which aired September 2.

In Frozen Fever, it’s Anna’s birthday and Elsa and Kristoff are determined to give her the best celebration ever, but Elsa’s icy powers may put more than just the party at risk. The short debuts Spring 2015.

Happy Haunts Delight During Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World Resort

Not-so-spooky ghosts and goblins return this fall

—while dastardly villains unleash some mischief—during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, delighting fun-seekers of all ages in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.

What’s New at Disney Parks for Halloween 2014 ►

On 26 select nights now through Halloween night, October 31, Magic Kingdom will host this spooktacular after-hours party from 7 p.m.–midnight.

Disney villains take center stage in 2014 with the Villains Mix & Mingle—Live on Stage castle show, and Club Villain, an all-new nightly character dance party experience that takes over the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon in Frontierland. Mischievous villains will also be available for guests to meet all night long in locations throughout the park.

Presented in a decorative box, the limited-edition graphic MagicBand will include the event logo. It will have an edition size of 5,000 and will retail for $29.95 (plus tax). Guests must present one of the following for the MagicBand to be linked to at the time of purchase.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party features Disney characters donning their favorite Halloween costumes, while partygoers navigate treat trails and candy galore throughout the Magic Kingdom themed out for happy haunts. Partygoers can show their Disney Side and dress up in favorite costumes and explore classic Magic Kingdom attractions as well as the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Guests attending the event will also find a few apparel items for adults and kids, including both long and short sleeved options plus a ladies’ cut T-shirt. A slightly altered event logo was used for the limited-release pin.

Eerie entertainment features the twice-nightly Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade, led by the infamous Headless Horseman, at 8:15 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. And HalloWishes, a green-and-orange fireworks spectacle complete with Disney villains, caps the evening festivities at 9:30 p.m.

Party dates for 2014 are: September 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26 and 28 and October 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 13, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30 and 31.

Get a First Look at Disney•Pixar’s Lava

Inspired by the isolated beauty of tropical islands and the explosive allure of ocean volcanoes, Lava is a musical love story that takes place over millions of years.

Pixar’s Inside Out Brings Fear and Sadness But Mostly Joy ►

From Pixar Animation Studios, director James Ford Murphy and producer Andrea Warren, Lava opens in theaters on June 19, 2015 in front of Inside Out.

23 Jobs Donald Duck Has Attempted

In celebration of the 90^th anniversary, we are taking a look at Donald Duck’s job history.

In the early days, Donald had an exaggerated waddle because the animators found it difficult, on paper, to distinguish between a duck and a goose—we’re assuming that’s what made him so cranky. But his waddle has never held him back from his ambitions. He’s tried many, many jobs. Somehow, though, nothing ever works out as planned.