Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2022 Edition

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Harambe to Monstropolis, Princesses to Turtles: Disney World Begins Holding Entertainment Auditions Again

After weeks and weeks of no new auditions, Disney World has posted a number of new audition opportunities for a wide range of roles. Here’s a list of the various roles available at Walt Disney World:

  • Disney Character Look-alikes: Jasmine, Mulan, Tiana, Moana, Pocahontas, Raya, and Elena
  • Disney Character Look-alikes: Ariel, Rapunzel, Belle
  • Dancers for Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire
  • Dancers for Festival of the Lion King
  • Vocalists for Festival of the Lion King
  • Comedic/Improv Actors for Monsters Inc, Laugh Floor
  • Comedic/Improv Actors for Turtle Talk with Crush
 
Disney Senior Vice President of Communications Leaving Company After 17 Years

According to Variety, Heather Hust Rivera, the senior vice president of communications at Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution (DMED), is exiting the company after nearly two decades.

The moves come as returning CEO Bob Iger looks to restructure the company following the sudden removal of Bob Chapek. Chapek had himself reorganized Disney with the creation of DMED, with the aim being to focus the company more toward its streaming business. Iger stated more changes were coming after Chapek’s right-hand-man Kareem Daniel gave his resignation shortly after the ousting.

Hust Rivera was named to her role at DMED in March 2021. She oversaw global communications for all of DMED, which included Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, and Star+ as well as linear television channels including ABC, Disney Channel, ESPN, Freeform, FX, and National Geographic. Her purview also included comms for ABC owned-stations, advertising sales, Disney Music Group, content licensing and distribution, and theatrical film distribution.
 


Disney Announces Restoration and Recreation of the Interior of Walt Disney’s Plane to Its 1960s Design

Today the Palm Springs Air Museum celebrated Walt Disney’s birthday with a VIP party and the opening of a new exhibit to accompany Walt Disney’s Grumman Gulfstream I airplane. Rarely exhibited items from the interior of the aircraft—also known affectionately as “The Mouse”—are now on display for visitors to the Palm Springs Air Museum. Items include a customized instrument panel originally located near Walt’s favorite onboard seat that allowed him to monitor flight conditions; a telephone handset that gave Walt a direct line of communication to the pilot in the cockpit; a flight bag featuring an image of Mickey Mouse sitting on the tail of the iconic plane; and more. These items are on long-term loan from the Walt Disney Archives to the museum.

A panel from Walt’s plane featuring pressure and air speed monitors flanking a Mickey Mouse clock.


During the event, Rebecca Cline, director of the Walt Disney Archives, announced that the Palm Springs Air Museum, in conjunction with Phoenix Air, will restore and recreate the interior of the Gulfstream I to resemble what it looked like when Walt flew it in the 1960s. Museum Vice Chairman Fred Bell said, “We are so thrilled to partner with the Walt Disney Archives on this amazing restoration project. The Palm Springs Air Museum has restored over 60 aircraft in its 26-year history. Phoenix Air Group out of Cartersville, Georgia, has offered to donate any parts we need. Phoenix Air Group is a worldwide provider of aviation services, and at one point, owned and operated 20% of the world fleet of Gulfstream I’s flying at the time. We know that we have a special responsibility to Walt Disney, to the Archives, and to the millions of Disney fans around the world to do this work as accurately as possible so that the airplane can be enjoyed for decades to come.”

The restoration and recreation are anticipated to take approximately two years.
 
Actress Kirstie Alley Passes Away at 71

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Kirstie Alley was a well-known American actress, beloved by fans. She became a household name in 1987 when she starred as Rebecca Howe in Cheers, for which she won an Emmy Award.

In the ’80s and ’90s Alley appeared in several films. In 1994, she won her second Emmy for the television movie David’s Mother.

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Disney fans may remember the actress from a television film called Toothless. She also made a guest appearance in the television special, Mickey’s 60th Birthday as her character on Cheers.
 
New Indian-Inspired Disney Princess Animated Musical In the Works

Deadline recently reported exclusive information that Disney had commissioned a new original musical feature from Bend it like Beckhamfilmmakers Gurinder Chadha and Paul Mayeda Berges. The new project is said to spotlight a new Disney Princess inspired by Indian history. Not much is known about the specifics of this exciting new venture, though Deadline did note “the project is under the umbrella of Sean Bailey, President of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production.”
 
Rumor: Avatar 2-Inspired Tree of Life Awakening Coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

According to a rumor, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park may be getting ready to introduce a new Tree of Life Awakeningsequence to celebrate the release of Avatar: The Way of Water. This projection show would be presented multiple times each evening along with the existing sequences Tree of Life Awakening projected on the park's icon.
 
Disney Eats: What’s Cooking at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Shrimp Bakuli, Multigrain Tabbouleh, Spiced Pork Nacho and Short Rib Grilled Cheese from Maji Pool Bar

Starting out at Maji Pool Bar, this spot will be refreshing its menu starting on Dec. 8 to add poolside snacks with an African twist. First up is the Shrimp Bakuli, which means bowl in Swahili. This dish is inspired by the open-air food markets found in Zanzibar, Chef Sahib Bhatti’s home country, where each evening as the sun sets, the vendors prepare seafood delicacies with the day’s catch. The bakuli includes chilled poached shrimp, pickled carrots, and Basmati rice with a flavorful soy-ginger dressing and berbere aïoli.

For plant-based diners, the chefs have also created a new offering just for you – the Multigrain Tabbouleh. This bowl is a vibrant salad with protein-rich grains, fresh herbs, and grilled vegetables. How delicious!

For those with a less adventurous palate, the team has developed two more traditional offerings with African flair. The Spiced Pork Nachos are topped with spiced pork, beans, herbed crema, and kachumbari. The “spiced pork” used is pork vindaloo, originally from Goa but based on a Portuguese dish “carne de vinha d’alhos.” This tender pork is prepared with flavors of paprika, garlic, tomato, vinegar, and a house-made spice blend.

Another mouth-watering option available is the Short Rib Grilled Cheese. The short ribs are slow-cooked with a house-made spice blend, tamarind, and red wine until tender. The buttery brioche bread is topped with short ribs, gouda cheese, and pickled onion and pressed to order. Yes, please.

Marinated Sun-dried Tomato and Herbed Ricotta Flatbread from The Mara

The Mara will also be adding a few items to the menu starting on Dec. 8. For those who are looking to keep their safari on the tamer side, there is the Marinated Sun-dried Tomato and Herbed Ricotta Flatbread with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herb ricotta, tomato sauce, four-cheese blend, and arugula.

Chermoula-spiced Shrimp Bowl and Oak-grilled Chicken Bowl from The Mara

For those looking to walk on the wild side, the chefs have created three new bowls that are sure to please. The Chermoula-spiced Shrimp Bowlis a must-try with grilled shrimp, pilau rice, kale slaw, cucumber-tomato salad, and chermoula sour cream. Pilau rice is similar to rice pilaf, and this version is simmered with The Mara’s unique spice blend and utilized as the base for all three bowls. Also available is the Oak-grilled Chicken Bowlmade with marinated chicken thighs, slow-roasted over the oak-fired spit.

South African Vegetable Bowl from The Mara

Rounding out the new additions at The Mara is the plant-based, and very tasty, South African Vegetable Bowl, a perfect balance of flavors! Chef Wendy Welcovitz and Sous Chef Khuloud Abu Samra drew inspiration from South African cuisine to thoughtfully craft each component: curried vegetable stew, pilau rice, kale slaw, dried fruit achar, and avocado-tahini sauce. You’ll be saying “Hakuna Matata” once you try this masterpiece.

Sweet Potato-Groundnut Soup from Jiko: the Cooking Place and the Way of Water beverage from Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Of course, no trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is complete without experiencing the vibrant flavors simmering at Jiko: The Cooking Place and this winter is no exception. You can always enjoy fan-favorites like the Oak-grilled Filet Mignon or Braaied Wild Boar Tenderloin, but there is a new appetizer to try – Sweet Potato-Groundnut Soup. This soup features spiced groundnuts, finger lime, pickled red chilies, and sorrel. Now, you may be asking “what is a groundnut?” Popular in modern African cuisine, you know this ingredient as a peanut, the name is used in reference to how these legumes grow … in the ground!

Last, but certainly not least, to celebrate the premiere of “Avatar: The Way of Water” on Dec. 16, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will be introducing a signature beverage for those over 21 to “sivako!” Available at Boma: Flavors of Africa, Sanaa, and Victoria Falls Lounge, Way of Water is a shimmering blend of African Starr Rum, BACARDÍ Raspberry Rum, Bols Blue Curaçao, and lemonade garnished with a glowing lotus flower and mint.
 
Disney Eats: What’s Cooking at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Shrimp Bakuli, Multigrain Tabbouleh, Spiced Pork Nacho and Short Rib Grilled Cheese from Maji Pool Bar

Starting out at Maji Pool Bar, this spot will be refreshing its menu starting on Dec. 8 to add poolside snacks with an African twist. First up is the Shrimp Bakuli, which means bowl in Swahili. This dish is inspired by the open-air food markets found in Zanzibar, Chef Sahib Bhatti’s home country, where each evening as the sun sets, the vendors prepare seafood delicacies with the day’s catch. The bakuli includes chilled poached shrimp, pickled carrots, and Basmati rice with a flavorful soy-ginger dressing and berbere aïoli.

For plant-based diners, the chefs have also created a new offering just for you – the Multigrain Tabbouleh. This bowl is a vibrant salad with protein-rich grains, fresh herbs, and grilled vegetables. How delicious!

For those with a less adventurous palate, the team has developed two more traditional offerings with African flair. The Spiced Pork Nachos are topped with spiced pork, beans, herbed crema, and kachumbari. The “spiced pork” used is pork vindaloo, originally from Goa but based on a Portuguese dish “carne de vinha d’alhos.” This tender pork is prepared with flavors of paprika, garlic, tomato, vinegar, and a house-made spice blend.

Another mouth-watering option available is the Short Rib Grilled Cheese. The short ribs are slow-cooked with a house-made spice blend, tamarind, and red wine until tender. The buttery brioche bread is topped with short ribs, gouda cheese, and pickled onion and pressed to order. Yes, please.

Marinated Sun-dried Tomato and Herbed Ricotta Flatbread from The Mara

The Mara will also be adding a few items to the menu starting on Dec. 8. For those who are looking to keep their safari on the tamer side, there is the Marinated Sun-dried Tomato and Herbed Ricotta Flatbread with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herb ricotta, tomato sauce, four-cheese blend, and arugula.

Chermoula-spiced Shrimp Bowl and Oak-grilled Chicken Bowl from The Mara

For those looking to walk on the wild side, the chefs have created three new bowls that are sure to please. The Chermoula-spiced Shrimp Bowlis a must-try with grilled shrimp, pilau rice, kale slaw, cucumber-tomato salad, and chermoula sour cream. Pilau rice is similar to rice pilaf, and this version is simmered with The Mara’s unique spice blend and utilized as the base for all three bowls. Also available is the Oak-grilled Chicken Bowlmade with marinated chicken thighs, slow-roasted over the oak-fired spit.

South African Vegetable Bowl from The Mara

Rounding out the new additions at The Mara is the plant-based, and very tasty, South African Vegetable Bowl, a perfect balance of flavors! Chef Wendy Welcovitz and Sous Chef Khuloud Abu Samra drew inspiration from South African cuisine to thoughtfully craft each component: curried vegetable stew, pilau rice, kale slaw, dried fruit achar, and avocado-tahini sauce. You’ll be saying “Hakuna Matata” once you try this masterpiece.

Sweet Potato-Groundnut Soup from Jiko: the Cooking Place and the Way of Water beverage from Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Of course, no trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is complete without experiencing the vibrant flavors simmering at Jiko: The Cooking Place and this winter is no exception. You can always enjoy fan-favorites like the Oak-grilled Filet Mignon or Braaied Wild Boar Tenderloin, but there is a new appetizer to try – Sweet Potato-Groundnut Soup. This soup features spiced groundnuts, finger lime, pickled red chilies, and sorrel. Now, you may be asking “what is a groundnut?” Popular in modern African cuisine, you know this ingredient as a peanut, the name is used in reference to how these legumes grow … in the ground!

Last, but certainly not least, to celebrate the premiere of “Avatar: The Way of Water” on Dec. 16, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will be introducing a signature beverage for those over 21 to “sivako!” Available at Boma: Flavors of Africa, Sanaa, and Victoria Falls Lounge, Way of Water is a shimmering blend of African Starr Rum, BACARDÍ Raspberry Rum, Bols Blue Curaçao, and lemonade garnished with a glowing lotus flower and mint.

Okay, that Short Rib Grilled Cheese is looking pretty tasty!
 
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