If you were taking in the Disney Night delights of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars on Monday evening, you probably noticed a very special debut… a brand-new look at Mary Poppins Returns! In case you missed its tuneful goodness the first time ‘round—or just want to enjoy it again—do check out the clip, above.
Featuring all-new songs with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman (Hairspray), and directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago), Mary Poppins Returns finds everyone’s favorite nanny (Emily Blunt) returning to help the next generation of the Banks family find the joy and wonder that’s missing from their lives following a personal loss. Also starring Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, and Colin Firth, the film will fly its proverbial kite into a movie theater near you on December 19.
Freeform is looking to bring an updated version Party of Five, the beloved series that aired from 1994 to 2000, back to TV—and just this week, they announced casting for the highly anticipated reboot.
The series will follow the Buendía siblings, who struggle to survive together as a family after their parents are deported to Mexico. Brandon Larracuente (13 Reasons Why) will portray Emilio, the oldest (and least responsible) of the siblings; Emily Tosta (Mayans M.C.) will play Lucia, a straight-A student who becomes politically radicalized and defiant to her older-sister duties; Niko Guardado (ABC’s The Goldbergs) portrays Beto, the second oldest brother who steps up in the midst of the family’s turmoil; and newcomer Elle Paris Legaspi rounds out the cast as 10-year-old Valentina, the precocious (but resourceful) youngest sister.
As if reuniting with Wreck-It Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) in Disney’s upcoming animated adventure Ralph Breaks the Internet isn’t exciting enough, we were just this week gifted with the music video (seen above) for the movie’s end credits—featuring a brand-new song by Grammy® winners Imagine Dragons!
“Zero” will be featured on Walt Disney Records’ Ralph Breaks the Internet original motion picture soundtrack—available digitally on November 16. Look for Ralph and Vanellope as they surf the information superhighway to a theater near you beginning November 21.
Visiting Disneyland or Walt Disney World Resort in the near future? Do make sure you check out the reimagined World of Disney stores, which have just reopened at Downtown Disney District in California and Disney Springs in Florida. For a glimpse into the West Coast’s incredibly cool outpost, check out this first-look video (above) from our friends at the Disney Parks Blog.
These reimagined World of Disney stores are being transformed into fresh, distinctly Disney retail settings—inspiring guests young and young-at-heart with an amazing selection of merchandise; improved store layouts; and super fun new design elements that’ll make guests feel like they’ve stepped inside an animator’s studio!
But that’s not all: Both World of Disney stores will feature awesome new reusable merchandise bags, made from 80 percent recycled materials and featuring classic Disney characters including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Donald Duck. And keep your eyes peeled for exclusive new collections—our current favorite is the one themed to Disney’s classic 1950s TV series The Mickey Mouse Club!
It’s almost time to venture with Clara (Mackenzie Foy) into the Land of Sweets, Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers, and the mysterious fourth realm in Disney’s upcoming holiday film The Nutcracker and the Four Realms—and in advance of that debut, Grammy®-nominated singer Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo have released their song from the film’s soundtrack, “Fall on Me.” Have a listen to this poignant new ballad by watching the colorful clip, above.
Also starring Keira Knightley, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, and prima ballerina Misty Copeland, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms will jeté and pirouette into theaters on November 2.
Who doesn’t love cute babies? Or cute animals? When it’s a combo of both, we’ve really hit the jackpot… So when we saw that a baby was born in early October at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, we just had to celebrate.
A rare okapi—an endangered mammal also known as a “forest giraffe”—was born to mom Zelda on October 1. Weighing in at 54 pounds (!), the calf was already up and walking around within an hour of his birth. The pair will remain in a behind-the-scenes habitat for the next few months, before joining the other animals on the Animal Kingdom Lodge savanna. See the cutie patootie for yourself in the above video!
The calf’s parents, mom Zelda and dad Mandazi, were chosen to breed through the Species Survival Plan (SSP)—which is overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and ensures responsible breeding of threatened and endangered species.