According to Deadline, industry estimates indicate that “The Little Mermaid” is trending toward a strong opening weekend at the box office. It is being propelled by an $80M promotional campaign, the largest for a Disney live-action film ever.

“The Little Mermaid” Opening Weekend

Early Sunday reports show that “The Little Mermaid” had a $30M Saturday, the same amount that the live-action remake “Aladdin” made over its Memorial Day weekend Saturday. That strong performance spurred a revised outlook for the film of $95.5M over three days and $117.5M over four per Disney this AM.

“Aladdin” grossed $116.8M over a 4-day premiere over Memorial Day weekend in 2019. Some projections have “The Little Mermaid” landing between $121M-$123M for its opening weekend.

“The Little Mermaid” box office success is being driven by the biggest global promotional partner campaign for a Disney-branded live-action title (not Lucasfilm or Marvel Cinematic Universe) ever. The total campaign spend is estimated at $80M in value. Disney partnered with brands like Target, Spotify, McDonald’s, HSN, Booking.com, Mattel, ULTA, Kellogg’s, and more to help promote the film.

Audience response has also been overwhelmingly positive. The film has an “A” CinemaScore (the same grade as Disney’s live-action “Cinderella”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Aladdin” and “The Lion King”). Screen Engine/Comscore’s PostTrak notched 91% positive and a 76% definite recommend, while kids under 12 were 92% positive and a 69% definite recommend. 

Live-Action “The Little Mermaid”

Oscar-nominated Rob Marshall, known for his work with “Chicago” and Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns,” directs “The Little Mermaid.” The remake stars Halle Bailey as mermaid princess Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian the crab, Awkwafina as diving bird Scuttle, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, Javier Bardem as King Triton, and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula. Noma Dumezweni will portray the new character Queen Selina, Eric’s mother.

The full trailer debuted during the Oscars, and a teaser trailer was released in April. Alan Menken, who wrote the score for the original 1989 “The Little Mermaid,” made some lyrical updates for the live-action remake, with help from Lin-Manuel Miranda.

“The Little Mermaid” released in theaters on May 26, 2023. Bailey and Jodi Benson, who voiced the animated Ariel, united at the film’s premiere.

This wasn’t the first time that Bailey and Benson had interacted. According to the LA Times, Benson makes an on-land cameo in the film and was on set for the filming of “The Little Mermaid.” Benson was a source of on-set support for Bailey. “She told me how proud she was of me and how I’m handling everything, and encouraged me to just go for it,” Bailey said regarding Benson. “I appreciate her for being so warm and welcoming to me because she’s the GOAT, and it was important to me to get her stamp of approval.”

Take a look at some of the live-action-inspired merchandise for “The Little Mermaid” now available at Walt Disney World Resort:

• New Live Action ‘The Little Mermaid’ MagicBand+ at Walt Disney World
• Live Action ‘Little Mermaid’ Loungefly Mini Backpack Available at Walt Disney World
• PHOTOS: New Merchandise With Prices For ‘The Little Mermaid’ Live Action Remake in Walt Disney World

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The post “The Little Mermaid” Headed Toward $121M+ Opening Weekend, Propelled by $80M Promotional Campaign appeared first on WDW News Today.

Pixar’s new film “Elemental” debuts in theatres on June 16, 2023. We found new merchandise from the film in EPCOT at Creations Shop.

“Elemental” Ear Headband — $34.99

This ear headband features the film’s main characters: Ember Lumen and Wade Ripple.

Ember’s ear is surrounded in flames while Wade’s ear features a rush of water.

In the middle of the headband fire and water collide.

The back side of the ears have a design that showcases the four elements that appear in the film: fire, water, earth, and air.

That same design runs down the headband itself as well.

“Elemental” Water Bottle — $22.99

This water bottle has a blue base and lid, along with a red handle and sipper on top.

The design showcases the four elements from the movie along with some of the film’s characters: Wade, Ember, Clod, and Gale.

“Elemental” Deluxe Figurine Set — $29.99

This deluxe figurine set has nine different figures from the film.

The premise of the film surrounds how these different characters, representing different elements, interact with each other when they are natural opposites.

Clod Plush — $22.99

There are also several plush figures available for sale. This one is Clod, a character from the film that is made of “earth”.

Clod is a young earth kid who lives in Firetown in the film. He has a crush on Ember Lumen.

Gale Cumulus Plush — $22.99

Gale Cumulus is the character representing the element “air”.

Gale’s hairstyle resembles a cumulus cloud.

Gale’s shirt reads “Wind Breakers.”

Wade Ripple Plush — $22.99

Wade Ripple of course represents water.

He is wearing a shirt and tie, with a name tag that reads “Inspector Wade Ripple.”

Ember Lumen Plush — $22.99

The Ember Lumen plush is also available.

Ember is wearing a brown and yellow dress with diamond-shaped checkers.

We found all of these new items at Creations Shop in EPCOT. Are you excited to grab any of these for yourself? Let us know in the comments below.

First Full Trailer for Pixar’s ‘Elemental’ Released

A few months after the teaser trailer was released, the first full trailer for Pixar’s “Elemental” has debuted. Watch it below.

This Summer, meet the residents of Element City

Watch the new trailer for Disney and Pixar’s #Elemental and see the movie in 3D, only in theaters June 16! pic.twitter.com/YXnW44GhZK

— Pixar (@Pixar) March 28, 2023

“Elemental” is described as follows: ”In a city where fire, water, land, & air residents live together, a fiery young woman & a go-with-the-flow guy will discover something elemental: How much they have in common.” It stars Mamoudou Athie and Leah Lewis as Wade and Ember, respectively. The screenplay is by Brenda Hsueh and it’s produced by Denise Ream. Pixar veteran Thomas Newman composed the score.

It’s directed by Peter Sohn, who previously directed Pixar’s “The Good Dinosaur.” Sohn drew on his youth as a child of immigrants growing up in 1970s New York City for the story of “Elemental.”

“Elemental” is coming out a year after Pixar’s last film, “Lightyear,” a “Toy Story” spinoff. Another “Toy Story” sequel is in the works.

After “Elemental,” Pixar’s sci-fi adventure “Elio” is on the release schedule for March 2024, followed by “Inside Out 2” in June 2024.

“Elemental” will be in theaters on June 16, 2023.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The post New Ear Headband, Water Bottle, and More Pixar’s ‘Elemental’ Merchandise Arrives at Walt Disney World appeared first on WDW News Today.

We stopped by Tomorrowland Launch Depot today and noticed a new machine selling TRON pressed pennies.

TRON Pressed Pennies — $1 each, or $5 for All 8 Designs

You can find this new pressed pennies machine near the exit doors at Tomorrowland Launch Depot.

All pressed pennies at Walt Disney World are $1. Or you can get all eight designs in a machine for $5.

The different designs include lightcycles, phrases like “Enter the Grid” and “Battle to the End”, and even a Mickey Mouse.

Guests can pay for pressed pennies with cash, card, or contactless payment.

If you’re a collector of pressed pennies from Walt Disney World, you can check out this full list with locations of Disney100 pressed penny machines available during the 100 Years of Wonder celebration.

Space Mountain Exit

The Space Mountain exit at Magic Kingdom has recently been restored! Guests now exit the roller-coaster through Tomorrowland Launch Depot, which was the ride’s exit before it closed for a TRON makeover.

Guests exit Space Mountain through doors in the side of the store and can enjoy the air conditioning a little longer. While the store was closed for refurbishment, guests exited directly outside.

Tomorrowland Launch Depot was previously Tomorrowland Light & Power Co., the largest Tomorrowland gift shop. It now acts as both the Space Mountain and TRON Lightcycle Run gift shops, and is full of new TRON merchandise.

Check out our photo tour of Tomorrowland Launch Depot or watch the video below.

Also, read our breakdown of the n

TRON Lightcycle Run

TRON Lightcycle Run is located right behind Space Mountain in Tomorrowland. It’s outside the park’s berm and is housed in a sweeping white canopy, which helps hide a boxy show building. A walkway between Tomorrowland and Storybook Circus is also available.

Guests enter by walking under the canopy, known as the Upload Conduit. Upon uploading to The Grid, guests will join Team Blue in a race to cross through eight energy gates before the opposing Team Orange.

As you approach the entrance, there are two TRON ride vehicles to the left. They serve two purposes – so you can try them out and know what to expect when you get inside, and they provide a nice photo op.

We previously reported that some individuals have reported issues with being able to fit into the ride vehicles, so this is a great place to try them out and make sure.

There are double-sided lockers before the load area so guests can safely stow their personal belongings. Lockers are unlocked with MagicBands or plastic ticket cards; MagicMobile tickets on smartphones do not work, and guests without physical ticket media must request a white RFID card from Cast Members.

Here are a few headlines related to the attraction’s location and Tomorrowland, if you’d like to take a look!

• TRON Lightcycle Run and Energy Bytes Added to Magic Kingdom Map on My Disney Experience
• TRON Lightcycle Run On-Ride Photo, Video, and Prop Photo Announced for Magic Kingdom
• BREAKING: Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. Renamed Tomorrowland Launch Depot, Signage Installed
• First Look at TRON Theming Inside Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. at Magic Kingdom

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” may be the best live-action adaptation of a classic animated film since the 1996 “101 Dalmatians.” It doesn’t strive to replace the original, but to share its own version of the oft-retold Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale while honoring the established Disney version.

“The Little Mermaid” (2023)

There was a lot of hootenanny before the film’s release about the changes being made to bring the movie into modern sensibilities. Rest assured, the changes are so minor and work so smoothly that you may not even notice most of them.

Halle Bailey nails her performance as Ariel. Her voice is beautiful, and “Part of Your World” is done and reprised well.

Jonah Hauer-King brings new depth to Prince Eric and looks as if he was pulled from the 2D film into our world. He has great chemistry with Bailey and a good dynamic with the rest of the cast.

One of the best changes was the expansion of Eric’s backstory and character development. His dynamic with his mother, Queen Selina (Noma Dumezweni), and butler Grimsby (Art Malik) add a layer of dimension to the story that draws attention to how flat Eric was in the animated film. In addition, they paired Eric’s recklessness nicely with a genuine sense of wonder and true bravery beyond foolhardiness. The writers also cleverly gave Eric a common interest with Ariel: collecting artifacts. Ariel stumbles upon his room of treasures from his adventures, and the two are given a chance to create a real bond over their shared love of exploration and discovery.

Sebastian and Scuttle were far less unnerving than Flounder when it came to their “realistic” CGI designs. Diggs does well with Sebastian’s sarcasm and frustration. Awkwafina’s Scuttle was fine, but her voice is indistinguishably hers to the point of distraction.

A few places struggle with dialogue. Javier Bardem’s King Triton is saddled with some awkward lines, while Melissa McCarthy’s Ursula is forced to rattle off exposition to herself in not one, but two shoehorned scenes in the beginning of the film.

Ursula is one of my favorite Disney villains, and I admit, I was skeptical of McCarthy’s casting. I didn’t think she had the gravitas — probably because, even as she’s grown famous in other roles, I still only see her as Sookie from “Gilmore Girls.”

I was wrong.

She carries herself with a grand ego and malevolence befitting the Sea Witch. And yes, they expounded on her tragic backstory, but not enough to even flirt with the idea of redemption. We don’t know exactly what she did to be cast out, but it’s clear that she’s a villain through and through. And she brought out every “Poor Unfortunate Souls.” Parents, be warned: my preschooler was legitimately scared by Ursula (my preteen, not so much).

Jessica Alexander, who plays Ursula’s human form, Vanessa, managed to encapsulate McCarthy’s mannerisms and bring her own level of rabid rage in her brief scenes.

The new additions to the soundtrack are notably weaker than the originals. The three new tracks are penned by Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda (whose signature style is apparent). Of the three, Ariel’s “For the First Time” is the least obtrusive and has the most to offer, giving insight into her first experiences on land.

Hauer-King has a nice voice, and Eric’s new song, “Wild Uncharted Waters,” is performed well. However, the lyrics are uninspired, and the song adds nothing to the film.

The third new song is “Scuttlebutt.” If you didn’t know Manuel-Miranda worked on this beforehand, you’ll surely know when this kicks off. In a duet between Sebastian (Daveed Diggs) and Scuttle (Awkwafina), Ariel learns of Eric’s sudden change of heart after the arrival of Vanessa (Ursula’s human disguise). It’s catchy and has comedic moments, but it strays too far tonally from the rest of the soundtrack.

Without spoiling anything, there was an addendum to Ariel’s deal with Ursula that served her malicious intent but inadvertently gave Ariel more agency and allowed the relationship with Prince Eric to develop. True Love’s Kiss still matters. And while they did change the lyrics to “Kiss the Girl,” it’s barely noticeable.

The original lyrics, “Possible she want you too, there is one way to ask her/It don’t take a word, not a single word/Go on and kiss the girl” is replaced with “Possible she want you too/Use your words, boy, and ask her/If the time is right and the time is tonight/Go on and kiss the girl.” If you don’t know the song by heart, you may not even notice.

The subtle changes don’t feel like an agenda. They feel like choices made in order to bring more character development to both Eric and Ariel, and it pays off.

The cast was great, and the movie, overall, felt like a tribute to the original rather than a reinvention. The new songs and some of the dialogue were the weak spots, but it’s still an enjoyable film.

Overall, I give “The Little Mermaid” 8/10.

Oscar-nominated Rob Marshall, known for his work with “Chicago” and Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns,” directs “The Little Mermaid.” The remake stars Halle Bailey as mermaid princess Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian the crab, Awkwafina as diving bird Scuttle, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, Javier Bardem as King Triton, and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula. Noma Dumezweni will portray the new character Queen Selina, Eric’s mother.

“The Little Mermaid” at Disney Parks

Walt Disney World Resort

A sand sculpture featuring Ariel and Ursula is on display at Disney Springs.

The AMC theater at Disney Springs has banners and a “blue carpet” out for the film’s release.

Guests can meet Ariel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a limited time. There are also themed treats, including the Bubbles of the Sea drink and Little Mermaid milkshake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Part of Your World soft-serve at Magic Kingdom.

Take a look at some of the live-action-inspired merchandise for “The Little Mermaid” now available at Walt Disney World Resort:

• New Live Action ‘The Little Mermaid’ MagicBand+ at Walt Disney World
• Live Action ‘Little Mermaid’ Loungefly Mini Backpack Available at Walt Disney World
• PHOTOS: New Merchandise With Prices For ‘The Little Mermaid’ Live Action Remake in Walt Disney World

Disneyland Resort

Guests can meet Ariel at Disneyland Park for a limited time.

A selection of merchandise for the live action movie is also available.

Disneyland Paris

Ariel can be seen in a musical street show at Walt Disney Studios Park.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The post REVIEW: ‘The Little Mermaid’ – The Best Live Action Remake Yet? appeared first on WDW News Today.

It’s Memorial Day Weekend, and yes, that means a busy weekend in Disney World, as well as Memorial Day sales in stores and online.

However, Memorial Day also honors those military members we’ve lost in the line of duty throughout history. Now, a Disney Springs snack spot is honoring those currently serving in the military with a special discount.

Sprinkles Cupcakes in Disney World are offering a 10% discount to all visitors who bring in a valid military ID as a way to say thank you for your service. This offer is valid throughout the three-day weekend.

This is a good chance to try out Sprinkles’ special Memorial Day Cupcake or any of its special monthly flavors, which include Vietnamese Coffee, Tequila Patrón Margarita, Strawberry Shortcake Bar, and Lemon Meringue.

So if you’re a member of the military, be sure to stop by Sprinkles in Disney Springs to get a discounted sweet treat. If you still need to satisfy your sweet tooth, we can also recommend a trip over to Amorette’s Patisserie for pastries, Gideon’s Bakehouse for cookies, and Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew for over-the-top donuts.

WE KNOW – there are SO many great snacks at Disney World! How do you choose (we don’t want to choose but will blow our budget on Day 1 otherwise)? We’ve got you covered! We have reviewed nearly EVERY snack available at Disney World, and we’ve written a series of DFB Guides about them! Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining + Snacks Bundle for all the details you need to plan your snackin’ and spending. You can even download them to your smartphone – it’ll be like we’re right there with you in the parks!

Here Are 9 of the Best Snacks Under $10 in Disney Springs

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Will you be visiting Disney Springs this weekend? Let us know in the comments!

The post EXCLUSIVE Discount Announced for Disney Springs Snacks first appeared on the disney food blog.

There’s been a lot of discourse on the summer crowds in Disney World lately. Will people show up en masse, or will we finally see a deserted Main Street, U.S.A. this June? If you’re planning a trip to Disney World this summer, you’re probably hoping for low crowds and even lower wait times. We certainly are keeping our fingers crossed — no one likes a long line for a cup of Dole Whip!

As we approach hotter temperatures and rising humidity levels, are more people showing up to the parks and resorts? Come with us to see if Memorial Day brought big crowds to the Disney parks!

This May, even some of the most popular Disney attractions had surprisingly low wait times, proving that things may be slowing down now that the Magic Kingdom’s 50th Anniversary celebration is over.

But let’s be honest, the REAL test comes when a holiday weekend rolls around. Despite the recent trend we’ve noticed, could Memorial Day bring the crowds back to Disney World? That’s the gamble you take when visiting Disney World right now, but let’s see what’s going on in the parks.

Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we would say that things feel slightly busier than earlier in the week.

But the park doesn’t feel overwhelmingly crowded.

Toy Story Land was pretty busy, but we’ve seen it WAY more crowded than this in the past.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge brought the Stormtroopers out to keep the crowds in line.

On our way into Magic Kingdom, the Monorail  line was getting pretty long. Pro tip: if the Monorail is long, see if the Ferryboat line is shorter!

Tomorrowland felt a little busy, but we wouldn’t call it crowded like we’ve seen in the past.

However, Space Mountain already had a 75-minute wait time before noon.

Fantasyland had moments where it felt pretty crowded, too.

EPCOT wasn’t TOO bad either, but there are more people around than we’ve seen earlier this month.

We did see quite a few people making their way around World Showcase. It did not feel too congested.

Here’s an overview of how many people were walking around the Japan Pavilion:

While the parks were pretty moderate, Disney Springs was HOPPING. Here’s what it looked like just getting INTO Disney Springs.

Maybe everyone decided to check out Memorial Day Weekend sales here. This area has felt the most packed so far this weekend.

Now that many students are starting their summer vacations, we’ll be interested to see how many families visit the parks this year. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more!

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WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

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Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023.

GET YOUR GUIDE NOW

 

Are you planning a trip to Disney World this summer? Let us know in the comments!

The post The BIG Gamble You Take When Visiting Disney World Right Now first appeared on the disney food blog.

It’s been a HUGE month for Disney World fans. Park passes are going away (eventually), hotel perks are being extended into next year, and…

…the Disney Dining Plan is (finally!!!) coming back! The day we have all been waiting for is finally coming, and if you ask us, that’s reason enough to celebrate. While it may not be returning until next year, an important Disney Dining Plan date is quickly approaching, and we’re sharing everything you need to know.

The Disney Dining Plan will return to Disney World on January 9th, 2024! Disney shared that the Dining Plan is coming back for those with hotel stays with a start date of January 9th and we could NOT be more excited. And, while that may seem like it’s a long way away, that doesn’t mean you can’t already start planning. Disney shared that Dining Plan bookings will begin on May 31st! 

Get all the info on the new dining plans by signing up for our 2024 Dining Plan & daily newsletter!

But before we get into the details, we wanted to shout out our friends over at Small World Vacations! They’re Disney Travel Agents who seriously know their stuff and can help you plan, book, and whatever else you might need for your Disney World trip. 

The Quick Service and Standard Disney Dining Plans will be the only options to return for now, and they must be booked as part of a hotel package.

Disney Dining Plans are pre-purchased and added onto a Disney Vacation Package (i.e. you must be staying on a Vacation Package at a Disney owned-and-operated hotel, and have purchased at least one ticket per person), so that all you have to do when you get to Disney World is head to a restaurant on the list, eat, and scan your card.

Here’s a look at what Disney says you can expect from the Standard Dining Plan:

• Everyone in the travel party will receive 1 Table-Service meal per night, 1 Quick-Service meal per night and a snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay—along with 1 Resort-refillable drink mug. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during the stay.
• For example, if you book a 4-night package with a Disney Dining Plan, each Guest in your party would receive 4 Table-Service meals, 4 Quick-Service meals and 4 snacks or nonalcoholic beverages—which can be used at any time during your 4-night stay.

And as for the Quick Service Dining Plan:

• Everyone in the travel party (ages 3 and up) will receive 2 Quick-Service meals per night, a snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay – along with 1 Resort-refillable drink mug. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during the stay.
• For example, if you book a 4-night package with a Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, each Guest in your party would receive 8 Quick-Service meals and 4 Snacks or Nonalcoholic Beverages—which can be used at any time during your 4-night stay.

Not only that, but Annual Passholders will be able to book rooms only and add the Dining Plan, instead of needing to buy the full package with tickets. For DVC Members, Dining Plans can be booked on a points reservation — but Members will need to call the DVC line to do so, as online booking will not be available just yet.

Check out our whole FAQ on the Disney Dining Plan here!

We’ll be covering the return of the Disney Dining Plan and all of its intricacies! If you’re considering purchasing the Dining Plan on your next vacation, then you may want to check our DFB Guide. Our guide has full chapters on whether the Dining Plan is worth the cost, how to get the most out of the Dining Plan, and recommendations for those using the Dining Plan. It will really help you get the most bang for your buck!

Stay tuned to DFB for additional details on the Dining Plan once Disney shares more!

Learn More About the Disney Dining Plan Here

Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know

• The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining!

• See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide

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• The Best EPCOT Restaurant Restaurants

• The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• The Best Restaurants in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• The Best Disney Springs Restaurants

• The Best (and Worst) Disney World Hotel Restaurants

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• Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants

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The post Why May 31st Is Such a BIG DEAL for Disney Fans This Year first appeared on the disney food blog.