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Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Porte Cochere Open!

25 July 2021 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is going through a major makeover, and it’s almost complete! The Polynesian resort recently reopened all guest rooms after being open for only DVC rooms since the resort opened after pandemic closure. However, the monorail station and porte cochere have been closed since around November of last year, and did not open with the rest of the resort last week. We recently visited Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (today!) and saw that the porte-cochere is now open to guest vehicles!

The main lobby entrance is still not open, but bell services is available to take luggage around to the check-in area. We thought we’d share some photos of the open porte cochere at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort here with you all:

You can see that cars can now drive under, but the lobby entrance is still walled off. Notice the beautiful new thatched roof and unique lighting, reminiscent of the lobby lighting, only rather than multi-colored glass balls, these are all white, and look a little odd in my opinion, but maybe at night they’ll fit right in.

As of now, the monorail station is still not reopened, and we have no official date as to when that will open to guests. Those staying at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort must use alternate transportation, such as boats, buses, or walking to the TTC to get elsewhere in Walt Disney World (or use your own car or car service).

As a reminder, here’s what the finished porte cochere at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will look like:

What do you think of the Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort’s newly opened porte cochere? Are you excited to experience it any time soon? Let us know! ‘Ohana also recently reopened, you can check out our vegan food reviews on VeganDisneyFood.com, our sister site!

Teaser Trailer Released for Disney and Pixar’s TURNING RED

13 July 2021 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

Pixar fans who can’t get enough after last month’s Luca are in for a treat this morning as Disney and Pixar release the first teaser for their next project.

Slated for 2022, TURNING RED is the all new original feature film from Pixar Animation Studios’ director Domee Shi, who won an Academy Award for her 2018 short film, “Bao.” Young actress Rosalie Chiang lends her voice to Mei Lee, a 13-year-old who suddenly “poofs” into a giant red panda when she gets too excited. Sandra Oh (“The Chair,” “Killing Eve”) voices Mei Lee’s protective, if not slightly overbearing mother, Ming, who is never far from her daughter—an unfortunate reality for the teenager.

Check out the teaser below.

Fans of Bao, which released alongside Incredibles 2 in 2018 will recognize the director’s style immediately. And those excited for Turning Red after this teaser can expect the film in 2022. We’ll have more updates on the film as they are released!

Check out some of our other Pixar updates here.

LEGOLAND Florida Resort Announces Holiday 2021 Lineup

13 July 2021 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

This morning, LEGOLAND Florida Resort has announced that it’s classic events Brick or Treat and Holidays at LEGOLAND are returning later this year.

Brick or Treat

Saturdays & Sundays in October

(October 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 30-31)

Activities at this event include trick or treating around the park at fun character interactions, life-sized LEGO builds, and meet-and-greet opportunities with seasonal characters. Guests can also enjoy “one-of-a-kind” live shows, and Halloween-themed snacks, all while the park is completely decked out for the event.

See our coverage of previous Brick or Treat events here.

Holidays at LEGOLAND

Select Dates in November & December

(November 26-28 & December 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 24-31)

Guests will “dance, sing-along, and deck the halls” with interactive experiences, including a 30-foot tall LEGO tree. Get ready to meet LEGO Santa and create memories with giant holiday-themed LEGO builds.

Our coverage of previous Holidays at LEGOLAND events is available here.

All of the events this holiday season are included with LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s general admission and select annual passes – which can be purchased here.

Stay tuned for more updates from this year’s exciting events!

Disney Parks and Cruise Line Plans for the Holidays 2021

12 July 2021 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Disney Parks Blog just announced tons of holiday news for the happenings, merchandise and more for Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line in 2021. It looks like some old favorites (Candlelight Processional) still aren’t returning, along with some new favorites (Merry Menagerie at Animal Kingdom) not coming back either. There is still a lot to see and do, including the Christmas version of the After Hours event similar to the Halloween Boo Bash. Keep reading for all of the official news:

All-New After Hours Event Coming to Magic Kingdom Park

Here’s a sneak peek of some of the magical experiences you can expect this season at Walt Disney World Resort:

Magic Kingdom Park

Holidays are sure to be enchanting at Magic Kingdom Park, where quintessential decorations will return to Main Street, U.S.A. When the sun sets, special holiday projections will appear most nights on Cinderella Castle, alternating periodically with the castle’s transformation into a Beacon of Magic.* What a great way to celebrate the holidays and the 50^th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort!

Now, talk about an early holiday gift… “Disney Very Merriest After Hours,” a new special-ticketed event, will debut Nov. 8 before all the rest of the festive fun. It will be available on select nights through Dec. 21. The four hours of festivities will delight guests with “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks,” Disney characters throughout the park, holiday music and décor, treats included and so much more! As with other Disney After Hours events, a limited number of tickets will be sold for this event. It’s held after regular park operating hours, with lower wait times and access to more than 20 select attractions.

Tickets will go on sale next month, with an early purchase window available to guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Sunset Seasons Greetings returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as the Hollywood Holiday Tower Hotel on Sunset Boulevard will twinkle once again with projection effects, magically transforming into a snowy corner of Arendelle, a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a Toy Story toy hotel, and a Dickensian village inspired by “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.” This holiday show will also alternate with the tower’s nightly transformation into a Beacon of Magic.

Santa Claus will bring some North Pole cheer to a motorcade down Hollywood Boulevard. You will also be able to enjoy “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration,” with its festive finale featuring everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf. Minnie Mouse is also returning to host her festive meal at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Minnie and her friends will be donning their holiday best – even Santa Goofy will be there! And throughout the season, vintage-themed holiday décor will shine bright across the park.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

It will be a wild holiday time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park with the return of seasonal décor and festive Disney character flotillas sailing down Discovery River to the sounds of joyful songs of the season. The park’s centerpiece – The Tree of Life – becomes another Beacon of Magic most nights during the 50^th anniversary celebration. During the holiday season there’s even more magic inspired by nature as the holiday edition of Tree of Life Awakenings also takes place most nights.

Disney Springs

You can happily discover whatever you’re after this holiday season at Disney Springs. The shopping, dining and entertainment destination will transform into a winter wonderland, full of sparkling lights, enchanting décor and holiday surprises. This year sees the return of the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll, with elaborately decorated, Disney-themed trees – some new and some inspired by “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.”

A magical snowfall will add a touch of wonder for holiday shoppers in Town Center.

Here, you can find the perfect gift for everyone on your list, including yourself. Discover holiday ornaments, matching family pajamas, festive Spirit Jerseys, and more – be sure to check your list twice so you don’t forget any holiday must-haves! There will even be themed food and beverages; one of my favorite spots, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, will once again transform into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar, with delightful décor and a delicious limited-time menu filled with festive favorites.

Disney Resort Hotels

Our Disney Resort hotels will be decked for the holidays, with iconic trees and other seasonal touches. And a guest favorite will return this year, as select gingerbread displays will once again be part of our holiday season! Also at select resorts, you will find restaurants offering holiday menus and specialty food and drink.

EPCOT

Where can you enjoy traditions from around the world, with inspiring music, tasty treats and family-friendly experiences? If you guessed EPCOT … … you are correct! The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will return this year, from Nov. 26 – Dec. 30, with Holiday Kitchens around the park, performances by Voices of Liberty, the guest favorite Cookie Stroll and more!

We’ll have so much more Walt Disney World Resort holiday fun to share with you in the months to come. In the meantime, be sure to be on Santa’s nice list and keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for all of our holiday news!

*Beacons of Magic will be available nightly at select theme parks.

Season’s Screamings! As we announced last week, the Halloween season will once again return to life at the Disneyland Resort from Sept. 3 – Oct. 31. We are pleased that Haunted Mansion Holiday will also return for its 20th season! This merry makeover of the eerie estate, inspired by “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” celebrates the collision of Halloween and Christmas.

A favorite tradition is the yearly changing gingerbread house, which graces the mansion’s Grand Hall. Since today marks our Halfway to the Holidays, we’re excited to give you a first look at this year’s gingerbread house!

We chatted with Tim Wollweber, associate art director for Disney Parks, who designed this year’s house. For 2021, the team decided to pay homage to all previous houses in celebration of this beloved tradition’s 20th anniversary. Tim mentioned, “we went back to the graveyard to dig up all of our ideas from the past 19 years. This year’s Franken-house stitches together favorite elements from the previous 19 houses!”

Graphic showing past elements in the 2021 Haunted Mansion Holiday Gingerbread House at Disneyland Park

The houses seem to get more elaborate each year, and for 2021, it’s no exception! As you can see in the rendering above, a piece from each house is represented in this year’s house to create a visually chaotic, yet perfect Dr. Finkelstein-esque mashup! Tim’s favorite element? The giant man-eating wreath from 2005!

2001 – Monster House
2002 – Present House
2003 – Giant Oogie Boogie House
2004 – Zero’s Dog House
2005 – Giant Man-eating Wreath House
2006 – Monster-infested House
2007 – Jack-in-the Box House
2008 – Giant Gingerbread Coffin House
2009 – Scary-Go-Round House
2010 – Pop-Up Sandy Claws House
2011 – Mimic Monster House
2012 – Jack Skellington’s House
2013 – 13 Days of Christmas House
2014 – Gingerbread Zombie House
2015 – Gingerbread Card House
2016 – Stitched-Up-Patchwork House
2017 – Oogie Boogie Bug-infested House
2018 – Giant Gingerbread Spider House
2019 – Haunted Mansion 50 Years of Hauntings House
2021 – Gingerbread Franken-House

Disneyland Paris Celebrates the Season

Beginning Nov. 13, Disneyland Paris guests can celebrate the holiday magic with Disney’s Enchanted Christmas! at Disneyland Park with iconic characters dressed in their holiday best, snowflakes falling from the sky on Main Street, U.S.A, and more.

Limited Time Holiday Drink Offerings + First Look at Merriest Merchandise

Now through July 18, guests can pick up some jolly java at Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company’s The Landing at Disney Springs with the return of their Peppermint Mocha Latte. At Downtown Disney in Disneyland Resort, Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer is bringing back their Peppermint Classic Shake. And, get the first look at the new holiday themed ornaments, ear headbands and more that are coming to Disney Parks and shopDisney.com this holiday season.

Disney Cruise Line Very Merrytime Cruises Return

From early November through December, the Disney Cruise Line fleet is decked out in holiday cheer and entertainment during special holiday sailings.

Whether you are looking for a new family tradition or just simply want to add some cheer to the season, Disney Cruise Line has an option to make the magic of the holidays come alive – Very Merrytime Cruises!

From early November through December, the Disney Cruise Line fleet is decked from bow-to-stern with holiday cheer and entertainment during Very Merrytime Cruises. Holiday magic is unwrapped for the whole family with festive holiday decor, favorite characters in their finest holiday attire and a special visit from none other than Santa Claus.

But don’t just take my word for it! Here are some of my favorite things about these special holiday sailings on board Disney Cruise Line.

Holly Jolly Decor

When you enter the atrium for the first time on your Very Merrytime Cruise, your eyes will likely be immediately drawn to the three-deck-tall Christmas tree. That’s right – from garlands, poinsettias and shimmering lights, décor will fill the nooks and crannies of our ships during these holiday sailings, filling your vacation with holiday merriment from the moment you step on board!

Santa Claus!

What’s a holiday cruise without Santa and Mrs. Claus? We may not be at the North Pole, but you can still be on the lookout for sightings of ‘Old Saint Nick’ while you’re on board, and you won’t want to miss one of our favorite Disney Cruise Line traditions – Storytime with Mrs. Claus.

Characters in holiday attire

Whether it’s Mickey in his winter sweater, Pluto with antlers or Goofy in a full-fledged Santa suit, your favorite characters will be dressed in their finest holiday garb during Very Merrytime Cruises.

Castaway Cay

My favorite thing to do for the holidays is trade in white snow for the white sand beaches on Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s private island. But even though you may be in the Bahamas, this slice of paradise is decked for the holidays as well – with a tropical flair, of course! A massive Christmas tree, holiday island music and even “snow” flurries await your family, guaranteeing that the only “blue” you’ll be feeling this holiday season is the color of the crystal-clear waters!

Has your family ever been on a Very Merrytime Cruise? If so, let me know in the comments below your favorite activities on board and holiday traditions with Disney Cruise Line!

I’ve done a Merrytime Cruise and it truly makes a Disney Cruise even MORE magical, if that’s even possible.

Disney Wish News – Worlds of Marvel, Marceline Market and More

8 July 2021 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

More exciting news from Disney Cruise Line today regarding the Disney Wish. We heard news would be coming about the Worlds of Marvel restaurant but we also got some more info on the other dining spots aboard the Disney Wish. Here’s the official scoop from DCL themselves:

Disney Cruise Line is upping the “ant-e” on immersive family dining with the debut of “Avengers: Quantum Encounter” at Worlds of Marvel restaurant aboard the Disney Wish. Premiering in summer 2022, this all-new cinematic dining adventure will assemble some of Earth’s Mightiest — and tiniest — Super Heroes in a larger-than-life showcase of revolutionary quantum technology and world-class cuisine.

Guests aboard the Disney Wish will also enjoy Marceline Market and Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods, two new quick-and-casual dining options for relaxed meals throughout the day.

‘Avengers: Quantum Encounter’ at Worlds of Marvel

Worlds of Marvel is the first-ever Marvel cinematic dining adventure, where Guests will play an interactive role in an action-packed Avengers mission that unfolds around them, complete with a worldly menu inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Here’s the latest video update from the Disney Wish dining locations:

Cinematic Dining

“Avengers: Quantum Encounter” will follow Ant-Man and The Wasp as they embark on their first public speaking engagement on behalf of the Avengers. Anxious to impress, they are hosting a special presentation of the most powerful Super Hero technologies, such as Captain America’s shield, Iron Man’s arc reactor and Ant-Man’s Pym Particles, giving Guests an up-close look at holographic models, field reports and iconic scenes from Marvel movies displayed on the screens surrounding the room.

The highlight of this special event is a hands-on demonstration of the latest and greatest Pym Tech, the Quantum Core, which uses cutting-edge — and highly unstable — technology to shrink and grow targets at the push of a button. A few “misfires” result in hilarious Ant-Man-style hijinks, but the real trouble begins when an unexpected villain shows up with a fearsome army in tow, eager to get their hands on this powerful quantum technology. Ant-Man and The Wasp will need all the help they can get to save the day, calling on Captain America, Captain Marvel and the brave diners of the Disney Wish for back-up.

Quantum Core Technology

Every table at Worlds of Marvel will feature an interactive Quantum Core, “a brand-new device that can cause objects to shrink and grow remotely.” Guests will assist Ant-Man and The Wasp as they attempt some small-scale trials, perhaps shrinking oversized luggage for easy stateroom storage.

When enough of the Quantum Cores are activated at the same time, the entire venue will become supercharged as energy pulses through the power channels in the walls and ceiling. Outfitted with state-of-the-art Pym Tech and decked out in signature Stark-itecture style, the design of Worlds of Marvel will offer surprises in all shapes and sizes, from a distinctly Marvel hexagonal motif to the various “Easter eggs” and unknown details embedded in the show.

Globally Inspired Menus

True to its name, Worlds of Marvel will take families on a flavorful tour of the real and fictional settings of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with dishes inspired by legendary locales like African Wakanda, Eastern European Sokovia and the Avengers’ home base of New York City. Though menus are still in development, Guests can expect to find a diverse array of globally influenced items and playful nods to the worlds and characters they know and love from Marvel Studios films.

New Quick-and-Casual Family Dining

While the Disney Wish will offer upscale table-service experiences throughout the day, families will also be able to enjoy quick, convenient meals and snacks with more casual walk-up dining options than ever before.

Marceline Market

Named for Walt Disney’s early childhood hometown in Missouri, Marceline Market is a stylish food hall inspired by popular marketplaces around the world. Here, Guests will find an ever-changing menu of specialized offerings in a vibrant, free flow setting with both indoor and outdoor seating and breathtaking ocean views all around.

Featuring 10 food stalls and a café-style beverage bar in the center, Marceline Market will be styled as an old industrial loft converted into a bustling marketplace, but with a distinctly Disney design twist: At this food hall, the local proprietors are Disney characters themselves, as each station is themed to beloved animated films such as “Tangled,” “Ratatouille,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Zootopia” and more.

These storied shopkeepers will curate a wide-ranging variety of freshly prepared cuisines for the whole family to enjoy, including American classics, international specialties, comfort foods, seafood, soups and salads, vegetarian and plant-based fare, baked goods, and desserts.

Marceline Market will offer a casual, walk-around dining experience for breakfast and lunch, followed by table-service dining at dinnertime with entrees cooked to order.

Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods

Located right in the middle of the fun on the upper decks, Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods will be the perfect place for families to grab a quick bite for lunch, dinner or anytime in between. Avid Disney cruisers will be particularly pleased by the mix of fan-favorite treats, like Disney Cruise Line’s signature soft-serve ice cream, with two brand-new selections: The Disney Wish will feature the fleet’s first dedicated quick-service venues for barbeque and Mexican-inspired fare.

Also offering delectable American classics and other snackable delights, this open-air eatery comprises five uniquely themed food stalls: Mickey’s Smokestack Barbecue, Donald’s Cantina, Daisy’s Pizza Pies, Goofy’s Grill and Sweet Minnie’s Ice Cream.

The whimsical design is inspired by the seaside boardwalk setting featured in popular “Mickey Mouse” animated shorts, a fitting addition to the Mickey and Friends-themed family district on the upper decks. A sizable, shaded seating area will provide convenient and comfortable accommodations for families to relax and enjoy their meals.

Previously Announced Disney Wish Dining Experiences

These new restaurants join an exciting line-up of previously announced dining experiences for families and adults. In addition to Worlds of Marvel, families will embark on a culinary journey to the “Frozen” kingdom of Arendelle and the golden age of Hollywood at two new restaurants aboard the Disney Wish.

Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure is Disney’s first “Frozen”-themed theatrical dining experience, bringing the kingdom of Arendelle to life through immersive live entertainment — featuring favorite characters like Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf — and world-class cuisine infused with Nordic influences.
1923 is an elegant celebration of The Walt Disney Company’s legacy, paying homage to the golden age of animation and offering a tasteful tribute to its Californian heritage.

The Disney Wish will continue Disney Cruise Line’s innovative family dining concept, where Guests experience one of three imaginative restaurants each night accompanied by a dedicated service team that is assigned to their family throughout the voyage. With exceptional attention to detail, families will indulge in a variety of dining experiences with friendly, familiar, personalized service every evening.

Adult Guests ages 18 and older will savor gourmet meals and exceptional beverages at Palo Steakhouse, Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement and The Rose, an upscale suite of epicurean excellence exclusively for adults, inspired by the elegant icons of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Beauty and the Beast.”

In true Disney Cruise Line tradition, the Disney Wish will also offer complimentary 24-hour room service, specialty treats and gourmet cafes.

Maiden Voyage and Inaugural Season

The Disney Wish will sail its maiden voyage on June 9, 2022, followed by a season of three- and four-night cruises to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, from Port Canaveral, Florida.

We’ll be sailing on the Disney Wish in September of 2022, and we can’t wait to experience it and share it all with you! Are you booked to sail away on this amazing new ship?

Disney Releases New JUNGLE CRUISE Featurette

7 July 2021 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

Set sail for adventure in this new featurette of the upcoming JUNGLE CRUISE film. Stars Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt give an inside glimpse at the film, which releases simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on July 30.

Below is the Big Adventure featurette for Disney’s JUNGLE CRUISE.

Inspired by the famous Disneyland theme park ride, Disney’s “Jungle Cruise” is an adventure-filled, rollicking thrill-ride down the Amazon with wisecracking skipper Frank Wolff (Dwayne Johnson) and intrepid researcher Dr. Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt).

The film premieres later this month, and those looking to watch it on Disney+ with Premier Access can pre-purchase the film here starting July 14.

Check out our other updates on Jungle Cruise here, and stay tuned for more as the film is released.

Pixar-Inspired Mini Golf Takes Over NYC’s Battery Park This Summer

6 July 2021 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

This summer, Pixar is opening a brand new pop-up experience in Manhattan.

Pixar Putt is a new open-air mini golf pop-up, arriving in Battery Park’s Pier A on August 1. Made up of 18 interactive holes inspired by some of Pixar’s most beloved films, Pixar Putt is set to take guests to infinity… and beyond!

The pop-up will open August 1 and run through October 31, 2021. The course will be open seven days a week. Also appearing is Pixar Putt After Dark, an evening session “for guests aged 18+”.

Following its run in New York City, Pixar Putt will continue touring nationally, currently slated to be presented in San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago – and Disney says more locations will be announced.

Tickets are expected to sell out fast, and tickets, as well as information like daily hours, are available here.

Stay tuned on all of our Pixar updates here.

Disney On Ice Returns to Orlando This September

25 June 2021 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

For the first time in forever, Disney On Ice returns to Orlando this September with a brand new show. Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party will bring magic to guests from September 3-5, 2021 at the Amway Center.

Disney writes,

Embark on a quest with Mickey Mouse and pals as they follow Captain Hook’s treasure map for clues to find Tinker Bell after he attempts to capture her magic. Journey across the Marigold Bridge with Miguel from Disney●Pixar’s Coco into the magnificent and mystical Land of the Dead and discover a vibrantly colorful performance with skeletons atop sway poles dancing over the audience in a beautiful cultural celebration of family. Travel to the wintry world of Arendelle and sing along with Elsa as video projection creates a kaleidoscope of crystals to help build her ice palace. And make memories with your whole family during Aladdin and The Little Mermaid as the search party becomes an all-out celebration.

To purchase tickets, or to view times while the show is in Orlando, visit here starting July 27.

Stay tuned for more updates on the show, and check out our previous updates on Disney On Ice here.

REVIEW: F9 – The ‘Olive Garden’ of Movies

22 June 2021 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

Before we begin, there are no spoilers in this review. I typically don’t watch trailers before I see a movie, but I have since gone back and watched the trailers for F9 so this review will only explicitly mention scenes that are already publicly available.

I didn’t think we’d be at the point where I would be writing a review for a Fast and Furious movie, but here we are. Up until about five days ago, I hadn’t seen any of the films, so I binged them all before watching this one. I’m now fully caught up on the Fast Saga, and ready to discuss where F9 sits in this massive franchise.

F1: THE FAMILY

(from left) Dom (Vin Diesel) and Jakob (John Cena) in F9

The family is back together on another crazy mission, provided by Kurt Russel’s Mr. Nobody – one of the best recent additions to the cast. Dwayne Johnson is absent, as is Jason Statham, presumably due to some events that transpired in Hobbs and Shaw – the one film I didn’t see before F9. Luke Hobbs has been one of the strongest characters for me personally, so that lack of presence is pretty noticeable.

Conversely, there are some great reprisals here as well: Jordana Brewster returns, as do Bow Wow and Lucas Black (my favorite character, which I’ve heard is an unpopular opinion). But this film also brings back Sung Kang as Han, a character who already died in Tokyo Drift, came back, and died again.

According to my research, this is because Tokyo Drift actually takes place after Fast & Furious 6, and he only really “died” once – though F9 reveals that even that was just another ruse. I did not gather this at all via just watching the films, but apparently Tokyo was stuck in 2006 until about five years ago.

But that’s not the only surprising character update here. Dom Toretto, the family man himself, once turned his back on his own brother (John Cena), who has now come back with a vengeance. I like to think he was actually in every previous film, we just couldn’t see him.

F2: BACK FOR FUN

(from left) Tej (Chris “Ludacris” Bridges) and Roman (Tyrese Gibson) in F9

As a whole, F9 is a bit of a return to form for the series in my eyes. Not that I’m necessarily a long time fan, but this is definitely not one of the Fast Saga’s worst entries. 2017’s Fate of the Furious notably ditched some of the over-the-top stunts for a more reserved (if you could call Dwayne Johnson grabbing a torpedo ‘reserved’) spy romp. In a more devastating blow to fans, Fate also threw away one of the biggest aspects of the series: family. That is thankfully not the case with F9.

While Fate saw Dom turn against his new ‘family,’ in F9, we learn that once he did the same thing to his brother Jakob. I usually dislike the addition of family members late into a series who go completely unmentioned prior to their new introduction, but I wasn’t incredibly hung up on it here.

Story-wise, the Fast Saga has never been anything to write home about, at least not after the franchise reboot in 2009. I obviously wasn’t expecting anything grand here either, but I’ve seen worse. After the disaster of Fate’s story, the only place F9 could go was up. Fast and the Furious is the Olive Garden of film franchises – when you’re here you’re family. And this was perhaps the ‘family-est’ of them all.

The movie even has a few moments with Roman and Tej (who are both great here) that poke fun at the insanity of the series as a whole. Roman asks “Are we invincible?” to which the movie essentially answers, “lol.” It’s just a carefree action flick that is cool for the sake of cool and doesn’t take itself too seriously, and it’s way better because of that.

F3: FAMILIAR FOE

(from left) Jakob (John Cena) and Cipher (Charlize Theron) in F9

For me, the biggest hurdle for these films is the portrayal of their villains. I think to-date, Luke Hobbs was the only one enjoyable to watch, every other villain character has felt boring and dry, lacking an emotion that isn’t ‘Kill those people before they destroy my new tech-MacGuffin-weapon.’ Even Deckard Shaw, the villain that can’t seem to die, falls into this category for me, only really assisted by his evil British accent.

In F9, the family faces off against Cipher, the villain introduced in Fate of the Furious, played by Charlize Theron. While I thought her performance in Fate was one of the driest of them all, they really improved her here. She has a ‘smartest in the room’ energy that makes her almost seem like the mastermind villain in a great anime or an HBO series. She even has the same haircut!

The cast was fun to watch, the story was acceptable, and the stunts were once again out of this world. F9 wasn’t my favorite entry into the series, but it was a dang good one. I was anticipating making a reference to the F9 key – a button which these days has little to no default use – somewhere in this review, but F9 the film is worth more than that one joke.

F4: IN REVIEW

Jakob (John Cena, center) and Otto (Thue Ersted Rasmussen, right) in F9

So where does this put the series? That’s a good question. Just about every film since Fast Five ends in a way that could be the end of the series if it needed to. That’s the case with F9 as well, but they’ve already announced a tenth film, so it seems like it won’t be the true end quite yet.

In a series that’s so committed to retcons that they changed a film from 2006 to be set in 2014 to bring back an actor, anything can happen. I would like to see the films end before it just writes itself into the ground, but given how much money they generate, I don’t think that’ll be any time soon.

The past year or so has been rough for big blockbuster films, because they truly benefit from the biggest screen possible. F9 is definitely the great summer blockbuster that theaters have needed. Go see it in person to experience all the magic of a truck with super magnets pulling a car through a building the way it’s meant to be experienced.

Those interested in my ranking of the Fast Saga as a whole can check it out here. Or, check out another review I’ve done for this site.

After this week I can say that these movies have changed me. I am truly a member of la familia. I am secretly Dom Toretto’s first cousin twice removed. I am played by Timothee Chalamet but he’s incredibly ripped now. I drive a Toyota Prius with a V12 engine and helicopter blades on top. I will be introduced in F13: Revenge of the Cars, a movie that was filmed in 1983 but will be released in 2024 with zero context.

New Disney Nighttime Spectaculars and More for Walt Disney World’s 50th

22 June 2021 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

VERY exciting news out of Walt Disney World this morning! Lots of nighttime spectaculars and other Walt Disney World 50th Celebration news! Here’s the official scoop from Disney:

Beginning Oct. 1, “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” honors the 50^th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, and, wow, do we have some great new details to share with you about this incredible 18-month event.

A new nighttime spectacular, “Disney Enchantment,” will help kick off the 50^th anniversary festivities when it debuts Oct. 1 at Magic Kingdom Park. Created to launch with “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” this evening extravaganza will take Guests on a journey filled with adventure, wonder and empowerment. Inspiring everyone to believe in magic, “Disney Enchantment” will feature music, enhanced lighting, stunning fireworks and, for the first time, immersive projection effects that extend from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A.

Joining “Disney Enchantment” on Oct. 1 will be “Harmonious” at EPCOT, one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney park. This new show will bring the globe together at World Showcase Lagoon in a celebration of Disney music that inspires people worldwide. It’s a grand, powerful tribute to the stories and songs that unite us, embracing new technical magic that incorporates pyrotechnics, choreographed moving fountains, lighting and media in new ways. “Harmonious” will invite Guests to travel the globe through new interpretations of classic Disney songs as you’ve never heard them before, reimagined in more than a dozen languages by a diverse group of 240 artists from around the world.

There’s also new daytime entertainment stirring at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Check out this artist rendering of “Disney KiteTails,” which will come alive several times daily at the Discovery River Amphitheater beginning Oct. 1. Performers will fly windcatchers and kites of all shapes and sizes, while out on the water elaborate three-dimensional kites – some stretching to 30 feet long – will depict Disney animal friends, including Simba, Zazu, Baloo and King Louie. These colorful creations will dance through the sky to the beat of favorite Disney songs in an uplifting, vibrant experience for the whole family.

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will be the hosts for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” and they’ll be decked out in sparkling new EARidescent fashions for the 50^th anniversary. As you can see in the photo above, their best pals want to get in on the shimmer, too, as Donald Duck and Daisy Duck, Goofy and Pluto, and Chip ‘n’ Dale will be sporting their own custom-made EARidescent looks beginning Oct. 1. Guests will get a chance to see them when they travel through Magic Kingdom Park several times daily in the new “Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade.”

These eight friends will also be featured in special golden character sculptures debuting Oct. 1 at Magic Kingdom; in this artist rendering, you can see Mickey and Minnie shining in the sunlight near Cinderella Castle. There will be 50 characters total in this series of sculptures that will be displayed across all four theme parks. We’ll soon reveal more of the “Disney Fab 50” as excitement builds for the big day, as well as the surprising ways Guests will be able to interact with these beautiful sculptures as part of the 50^th anniversary celebration.

This fall, Guests can bring home “Walt Disney World: A Portrait of the First Half Century,” a beautiful new coffee table book from Disney Editions. You can see the cover art above for this insider’s look at the history and evolution of Walt Disney World, written by Kevin Kern, Tim O’Day and Steven Vagnini. The book will be available for purchase beginning Sept. 28 at Walt Disney World, shopDisney.com and wherever books are sold. We can’t wait to add this to our collection!

“The World’s Most Magical Celebration” will also see the grand opening of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT, icons at each of the four parks transforming into Beacons of Magic at night*, EARidescent décor all across the resort, plus much more. Our Walt Disney World cast members – who will be wearing new EARidescent nametags designed especially for this occasion – are looking forward to sharing all this magic with Guests, as they are the heart of this momentous event. Stay tuned as we continue to share more details about the 50^th anniversary of Walt Disney World in the weeks and months to come as we get ready for the festivities to begin!