AUTHOR: Leah Zanolla

Leah grew up in a little farming town in Illinois, right on the Mississippi River. Her Chicago-born husband, David, left the city for her, and they're now raising their three children (Jacob, Jonah and Lydia) just 12 miles from her hometown. As the Senior Editor of the DIS (wdwinfo.com), Leah spends a lot of time writing about, reading about, and discussing Disney. So, it should come as no surprise that one of her family's favorite ways to spend time is going to Walt Disney World and traveling on Disney Cruise Line. She also enjoys shopping, watching movies with her husband and doing crafts with and for her kids.

Disney has top three highest grossing films of 2016

By Leah Zanolla | Published January 2, 2017

Disney came out of 2016 with the top three highest grossing films of the year. Finding Dory came in first with $486 million, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story follows with $438.8 million, and number three is Captain America: Civil War with $408 million. What’s astonishing about those numbers is that Rogue One was only … Disney has top three highest grossing films of 2016

First look at Emma Watson singing as Belle in upcoming “Beauty and the Beast”

By Leah Zanolla | Published January 1, 2017

The first snippet of Emma Watson singing in the upcoming Beauty and the Beast film has been shared on the film’s official Twitter account. Here’s your exclusive first listen of @EmmaWatson singing ‘Something There’ from Beauty and the Beast. #BeOurGuest pic.twitter.com/AWpcrDmELY — Beauty and the Beast (@beourguest) December 31, 2016 The live-action version of the … First look at Emma Watson singing as Belle in upcoming “Beauty and the Beast”

Report: Themed nights at Atlantic Dance Hall to continue

By Leah Zanolla | Published January 1, 2017

We shared last month that Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s Boardwalk was holding themed dance nights three nights a week. At the time, it wasn’t clear if this was just for the month of December, or if it was to be extended. It appears that, for the time being at least, these nights will be … Report: Themed nights at Atlantic Dance Hall to continue

Report: Disney set to receive $50 million in life insurance due to Carrie Fisher’s death

By Leah Zanolla | Published December 31, 2016

According to the Insurance Insider blog, Disney is in line to receive nearly $50 million from a “contract protection” policy it took out in the event Carrie Fisher would be unable to complete her three-film-commitment in the new Star Wars trilogy. Fisher’s character, Leia Organa, will allegedly have a larger role in December’s Episode VIII. … Report: Disney set to receive $50 million in life insurance due to Carrie Fisher’s death

New tax rate in 2017 for Disney’s All-Star Resorts

By Leah Zanolla | Published December 30, 2016

The tax rates at Disney’s All-Star Resorts will be raised to 7.5% beginning January 1, 2017. This part of property is in Osceola County (the rest of property is Orange County), so they operate under a different tax rate. This only affects room rates and will not affect any theme park tickets purchased at those … New tax rate in 2017 for Disney’s All-Star Resorts

New look coming to Characters in Flight Balloon at Disney Springs

By Leah Zanolla | Published December 30, 2016 | Updated October 30, 2022

The Characters in Flight Balloon at Disney Springs will have a new look in mid-January. The balloon will be closed from January 9-13, and will have a new color scheme when it reopens on January 14. The balloon is tethered and takes a 6-minute trip 400 feet into the air, giving up to 30 guests … New look coming to Characters in Flight Balloon at Disney Springs

Rumor: Girl Meets World to be cancelled after this season?

By Leah Zanolla | Published December 30, 2016

Rider Strong, who played Shawn Hunter on Boy Meets World, hinted on his podcast that the show’s spinoff Girl Meets World would end after the current season wraps up in January. Strong said, “We finished the third season of Girl Meets World – my brother and I were directing a lot of episodes and I … Rumor: Girl Meets World to be cancelled after this season?

Disney-Pixar wins lawsuit in Chinese courts over knockoff Cars film

By Leah Zanolla | Published December 29, 2016

Disney-Pixar has won a lawsuit in China against a company who released a “knockoff” version of the Cars films. Blue MTV, a Chinese movie studio, released The Autobots in July 2015. Disney filed a lawsuit in Chinese courts stating that the movie was a copy of their intellectual property, referring to the Cars film franchise. … Disney-Pixar wins lawsuit in Chinese courts over knockoff Cars film

Actress Debbie Reynolds passes away just one day after daughter Carrie Fisher

By Leah Zanolla | Published December 29, 2016 | Updated October 22, 2022

Debbie Reynolds, legendary Hollywood actress, has died after suffering a stroke on Wednesday, December 28. موقع 1xbet Reynolds is the mother of Carrie Fisher, the actress who portrayed Star Wars’ Princess Leia, who passed away yesterday, December 27. Debbie was at the house of her son, Todd Fisher, making plans for Carrie’s funeral, when 911 was … Actress Debbie Reynolds passes away just one day after daughter Carrie Fisher

Carrie Fisher was done filming Star Wars: Episode VIII at time of death

By Leah Zanolla | Published December 28, 2016 | Updated October 17, 2022

With the death of Carrie Fisher Tuesday, December 27, fans wondered what would become of her character in the upcoming Star Wars films. Fisher reprised her role of Princess Leia in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and was set to appear in the next two films. Variety is reporting that Fisher was done filming her … Carrie Fisher was done filming Star Wars: Episode VIII at time of death