Disney News Round Up - November 21, 2022
There’s always plenty happening in the world of Disney but this week has truly been a doozy! We’ve gathered up some highlights from the amazing team at Disney Parks Blog and the Walt Disney Company - some incredible resources to keep you up to date on all things Disney!
Photos and Story Sources: Disney Parks Blog, The Walt Disney Company
In a surprising turn of events Disney announced that Bob Iger is returning to Disney as CEO, effective immediately. Iger has agreed to serve as Disney’s CEO for two years and will work with the Board to develop a successor to lead the company at the end of that term. Chairman of the Board, Susan Arnold said “We thank Bob Chapek for his service to Disney over his long career, including navigating the company through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. The Board has concluded that as Disney embarks on an increasingly complex period of industry transformation, Bob Iger is uniquely situated to lead the company through this pivotal period.”
Read the full announcement here - https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/robert-a-iger-appointed-chief-executive-officer-by-the-walt-disney-company-board-of-directors/
Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland Park is reopening on March 8, 2023! This area of Disneyland has been under renovation for months and fans are excited to see how Imagineers have reimagined this area! Described as a “vibrant symphony of sights, sounds and sensations”, guests can look forward to interactive play experiences, grassy play spaces to unwind, fountains featuring water tables designed for play and more! Mickey’s Toontown will also be home to Mickey and Minnies Runaway Railway plus guests will have plenty of new experiences in Goofy’s How-To-Play Yard and Donald’s Boat along with old favorites like Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin plus so much more!
Read more about the changes coming to Mickey’s Toontown here! - https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/11/mickeys-toontown-to-reopen-at-disneyland-park-on-march-8-2023/
Disney Cruise Line has announced an acquisition of a new ship with plans to expand their sailings into new global destinations! Disney has acquired a ship previously known as the Global Dream in Wismar, Germany. This ship will be reimagined under the expertise of Imagineers and completed at the MV Werften Shipyard under the management of Meyer Werft, the company responsible for the Disney Dream, Fantasy and Wish! This 208,000 gross ton ship is expected to be among the first fuelled by green methanol and expects that passenger capacity will be about 6000 with approx. 2300 crew members.
Read more here! - https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/11/disney-cruise-line-announces-acquisition-of-ship-with-plans-to-visit-new-markets/
Derek Hough and Julianne Hough are returning as hosts for ABC’s festive special “The Wonderful World Of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration” on Sunday Nov 27 AND will be joined by Sherry Cola and Marcus Scribner as they host “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade” on Sunday Dec 25. Fans can watch a replay of the Nov 27 special the following day on Disney+ and Hulu while the Christmas Day parade will air on ABC and stream live on Hulu. Musical guests include Becky G, Black Eyed Peas, Il Volo, Maren Morris, Meghan Trainor, Run DMC and more!
See the full performance line up here! - https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/11/abc-and-disney-parks-are-decking-the-halls-with-holiday-cheer-twice-this-year/
Luca is being added to the iconic theming of Pizzeria Bella Notte Restaurant in Disneyland Paris! This restaurant offers a peaceful and romantic atmosphere with decor that includes touches from the classic Disney stories “Lady and the Tramp” as well as “Fantasia’. Now as the restaurant is undergoing an expansion, Imagineers are excited to bring touches from the incredible Pixar film, Luca, into the theming! The new area of the restaurant will bring a seaside atmosphere with details evoking the Italian Riveria where the film takes place.
Read more here! - https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/11/luca-makes-a-splash-at-disneyland-paris-with-new-inspired-restaurant-area/
Walt Disney World has announced the location and the developer for it’s affordable and attainable housing initiative! The development site is located west of State Road 429 in Central Florida near schools and shopping and is expected to include more than 1300 units and will be limited to applicants within a certain income range. The Michaels Organization has been selected to build, own and operate the property. They are a developer known for creating high quality homes in many states including Florida with a long standing track record of creating and managing attainable housing communities. CEO John J. O’Donnell stated “Our goal is to create a repeatable model that we hope will inspire other companies and municipalities to create high quality, attainable housing in their own communities.”
Read more details here! - https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/11/walt-disney-world-announces-location-developer-for-affordable-and-attainable-housing-initiative/
The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays will be in full swing from November 25-December 30! There are holiday storytellers throughout World Showcase sharing each country’s holiday traditions; guests can participate in Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt; and of course don’t miss the Candlelight Processional - a beautiful retelling of the Christmas story with celebrity narrator and incredible performance by an orchestra and choir. And of course that means there are plenty of delicious food and beverage offerings available! The festival will have over 15 Holiday Kitchens offering holiday favorites from around the world!
Guests can enjoy treats like Haupia, a Hawaiian coconut pudding with macadamia nuts and shaved coconut at Mele Kalikimaka; Alfajores, vanilla shortbread cookies with dulce de leech at Nochebuena Cocina; Maple Bûche de Noël, maple mouse and cranberry rolled in a gingerbread chiffon cake at Holiday Hearth Desserts; Snickers-Doodle Cookie, a snickerdoodle made with Snickers bar pieces at Yukon Holiday Kitchen and so much more!
Of course we can’t forget about the savory dishes! Guests can try delicious dishes like the Smoked Salmon Potato Latke at L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen; Slow Roasted Turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans and cranberry sauce at American Holiday Table; Pork Schnitzel with mushroom sauce, Spätzle and braised red cabbage at Bavaria Holiday Kitchen; Beef and Noodle Soup Bowl at Shanghai Holiday Kitchen plus plenty of beverages both alcoholic and non-alcoholic throughout the festival!
See the complete Foodie Guide for the festival here! - https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/11/disney-eats-foodie-guide-to-epcot-international-festival-of-the-holidays-presented-by-adventhealth-2022/
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