Hall D23 — The Mouse & The Desklamp

Disney released the whole schedule for Hall D23. Hall D23 being the biggest stage at the D23 Expo. The more they have released for D23 the more I wish I could find the time/money to go this year. I'm kinda on the wrong coast, & with so much in the works right now though, it's probably not feasible. But alas, there will always be another. So now I'm just putting all my hopes toward them live-streaming D23 like they did Star Wars Celebration earlier this year. With that in mind here's the lineup for Hall D23:

Friday, July 14

Disney Legends Awards Ceremony (10:00 AM) - Disney CEO will kick off the event with this year's Disney Legends Award recipients. To see the 2017 Legend lineup click here.
Walt Disney Animation Studios & Pixar Animation Studios (2:30 PM) - This is where we see what's upcoming from what I personally feel are the best animation studios in the world. We'll talk this year's lineup as well as even more things to come I'm sure.

Saturday, July 15

The Walt Disney Studios Live-Action Films (10:30 AM) - In 2015 this is where we got our first look at Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Beauty & the Beast, Doctor Strange & more. Disney, Marvel, & Lucasfilm will all be here together with their plans for the future. This is in close running with the animation showing as what I'm probably most excited for.
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts (3:00 PM) - Bob Chapek, Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman will reveal some of the many new things as well as some of what's to come. With all the things going on in the next few years at the Disney Parks worldwide this will probably be an overload of awesomeness.

Sunday, July 16

A Whole New World of Alan Menken (1:30 PM & 5 PM) - The big stage devotes it's last day to 8 time Oscar winner Alan Menken as he takes you on a musical journey through Disney in his brand-new one-man show. See here.

Jun 18, 2019

Michelle Rejwan Now Senior VP Live Action Development And Production For Lucasfilm

Hollywood Reporter reports Michelle Rejwan is now the Senior VP of Live Action Development & Production. She will oversee new feature films as well Disney+ series while still producing with president Kathleen Kennedy. That seems like a hefty responsibility to drop on someone who's previous credits at Lucasfilm are producing The Force Awakens & The Rise of Skywalker. Kennedy really sees something in her though, having “seen first-hand her skills collaborating with writers and directors, and I've been incredibly impressed with her creative skills and her ability to manage the complexity surrounding these massive projects.” Can she be the Feige of Star Wars? Time will tell. After the hate Kennedy got from the last installment, which I loved by the way, one could think this is just to give her a scapegoat if things don't go as well over the next few projects. Curious to see how much influence this winds up having as a whole. What do y'all think? Trust in Kennedy? Or do you think maybe a more vetted choice would have been better? Put it in the comments, like, & share.

May 21, 2019

Disney Reveals Name of Tokyo DisneySea's 8th Port

After breaking ground in what is to become Tokyo DisneySea's 8th port, we now have its official name. Fantasy Springs will be the title, but that's not all Dismey released on the subject. They also released some beautiful day & night concept art depicting the look of the new lands. Oriental land is investing 250 Billion Yen on this project that will feature lands themed to Frozen, Tangled, & Peter Pan. Frozen's land of post film Arendelle will feature an attraction that tells the story of Elsa and her beloved sister, Anna. Sounding like the familiar Epcot ride, suests will board boats and experience the sisters’ heartfelt journey, enjoying songs from the film, and encountering surprising thrills. There will also be a restaurant set inside the beautiful Arendelle Castle. Tangled's land will naturally feature Rapunzel’s tower rising above the forest. It will also include an boat attraction where guests will board gondolas for a romantic boat tour of Rapunzel’s “Best Day Ever” as she journeys with Flynn to the lantern festival. Flickering lanterns illuminate the attraction’s climactic scene while Rapunzel and Flynn sing an iconic song from the film. The pand will also feature a restaurant, inspired by the hideout of the band of thugs who appeared in the film in the "I've Got A Dream" sequence. Neverland will also be home to two attractions and a restaurant. Featuring landmarks including verdant mountains, Captain Hook’s pirate ship and Skull Rock. One attraction will fly over the jungles of Neverland into a battle with Captain Hook and his crew of pirates to rescue Wendy’s younger brother, John, who has been kidnapped by Captain Hook and his pirates. You'll board boats and follow the Lost Boys down a river until Tinker Bell sprinkles the boats with pixie dust, & you take off flying through Neverland on an adventure that featuring iconic music and dynamic 3D imagery of the characters from the film. The second attraction immerses us in the oversized world of Pixie Hollow, while the restaurant is inspired by the Lost Boys and their hideout. There will also be a new Disney Hllyel in the park. Themed to Disney fantasy, it will rise above and around the magical springs that serve as the core of the new themed port’s story. Offering 475 deluxe-type and luxury-type guest rooms, this park facing hotel will also feature a merchandise shop that helps share the story of the magical springs. One day I'll make it out here to see all the amazingly beautiful things TokyoSea has to offer. Luckily, I have one more reason to postpone that adventure until this amazing new addition is done.