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.



First look at Pixar’s upcoming film “Coco”

Coco, planned for release late next year, will be Pixar’s newest original film. The story revolves around Miguel, a 12-year-old boy, who comes from a family of shoemakers, who have banned music for several generations. Entertainment Weekly share this synopsis: “Ever since his great-great-grandmother Imelda was left alone by her husband (who abandoned his family First look at Pixar’s upcoming film “Coco”





High-end sock store “Stance” opens at Disney Springs

A new store, Stance, has opened up at Disney Springs in the Town Center area. Located between Superdry and Shore, Stance offers high-end socks and underwear for all ages. A wide variety of original patterned socks are available, as the brand “encourages creative self-expression through its eye-catching designs for all ages and genders.” A Disney High-end sock store “Stance” opens at Disney Springs





Disney shares sneak peek of upcoming AVATAR land

Viewers watching the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Celebration on ABC this Christmas morning were treated to a glimpse into Pandora: The World of AVATAR, planned for Summer 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. James Cameron, director of Avatar, and Joe Rohde, senior vice president of creative Imagineering for Disney, spoke about the new land. Rohde said, “I Disney shares sneak peek of upcoming AVATAR land





Families displaced by Kissimmee fire given hotel rooms at Disney

A fire at a Kissimmee extended-stay hotel Friday morning (December 23, 2016) left 250 people with nowhere to stay for the holidays. They were moved to the Kissimmee Middle School, but found out on Saturday, December 24, that they would be spending the next two nights at Walt Disney World. Darren Soto, a Republican congressman Families displaced by Kissimmee fire given hotel rooms at Disney





Disney guests should expect transportation delays during Marathon Weekend

The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend is fast approaching. Guests who will be on Disney property January 4-8 will need to be aware of transportation changes as they make their way to the Disney parks. There will be some road closures in the area. Several major roads (Osceola Parkway, Victory Way, World Drive, and Epcot Disney guests should expect transportation delays during Marathon Weekend





Update: Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher suffers massive heart attack on plane

Update 7:30pm EST 12/23/16: Fisher’s brother, Todd, has spoken with the Associated Press and reports that she is in stable condition at this time. Update 11:30pm EST 12/23/16: According to Variety, Fisher’s brother Todd was misquoted when he said Fisher was in “stable condition.”  Todd gave a phone interview to Variety, saying, “She’s in the Update: Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher suffers massive heart attack on plane





New Year’s Day brunch to be offered at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort will offer a table-service brunch on Sunday, January 1, 2017. This all-you-care-to-eat meal will be available from 9:30am-2:00pm in the back section of the Intermission Food Court and will not accept reservations, but be strictly walk-up. The meal will be priced at $21.99 for adults and $11.99 for children.  





Casting call put out for Chinese actress to play Mulan in upcoming Disney film

We reported back in October that Disney was working on casting a Chinese actress to play the role of Mulan in a new live-action version of the 1998 animated film. TeenVogue is sharing a few of the characteristics Disney is looking for in the actress. In the Mulan casting call, the description is looking for someone Casting call put out for Chinese actress to play Mulan in upcoming Disney film





Disney-ABC teams up with Snapchat to create original shows

The Disney-ABC Television Group will be producing several original shows for Snapchat. لعبة قمار The first will be an 11-episode aftershow for ABC’s The Bachelor. The episodes will be 3-5 minutes long and will debut after the season premiere on January 3. They will be in the Snapchat Discover section and will be available for Disney-ABC teams up with Snapchat to create original shows