There’s been a lot of talk about Disney and ESPN lately, especially since Disney recently launched BET — a “branded sportsbook for fans in the United States.” Now, it looks like even more changes could be on the way for ESPN.

©ESPN

Disney is reportedly in talks with Amazon about a new ESPN streaming partnership!

The Information reported that Amazon and Disney are in early talks about a streaming service for ESPN. Amazon would likely take a minority stake in the sports network.

©Amazon

Although Disney and ESPN are still discussing the appropriate price for the new service, The Information reports that ESPN is considering charging between $20 and $35 per month.

Disney CEO Bob Iger recently commented on the profitability of ESPN, especially when it comes to advertisers. In an interview earlier this year, Iger said that “sport stands tall in a sea of tremendous choice… It’s an advertiser’s dream” (Squawk Box).

©Reuters | Disney CEO Bob Iger

In the same interview, Iger also revealed that Disney was looking for strategic partners that could help ESPN with content production and longevity as the streaming industry continues to expand and grow. He noted that he would be open to sharing stakes in the ownership of ESPN.

Although it’s clear that Disney is very interested in the potential of ESPN, they aren’t as confident in other aspects of the company’s entertainment portfolio. Iger has alluded to the fact that Disney may sell off linear networks, potentially including ABC, FX, and National Geographic.

National Geographic area in Disneyland

During a recent Earnings Call, Bob Iger said that he’s very interested in “increasing the content that ESPN offers.”

We’ll be watching for more updates from Disney, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest news.

Click here to learn more about the new ESPN BET service.

What do you think of this new development? Let us know in the comments.

The post NEWS: Disney In Talks with Amazon About NEW ESPN Streaming Service first appeared on the disney food blog.

There are all kinds of Disney transportation options available, ranging from the classic buses to the iconic Monorail. But we just saw what might be officially the fanciest Disney transportation EVER.

EPCOT

Are you ready to see this? Maybe not, but we HAVE to show you anyway!

Earlier this year, we got a first look at a brand NEW carriage that Disney is creating for Disney Fairytale Weddings. Now, Disney has shared more details about it!

©Disney

It will be called the Cinderella Platinum Coach in honor of Disney’s 100th anniversary. The coach is coming to Disneyland Park and will transport couples to and from their wedding location.

©Disney

The design for the Cinderella Platinum Coach is of course inspired by the iconic Disney film Cinderella, with a pumpkin shape, gold accents, scrollwork, and lantern details.

©Disney

Artists also studied 18th-century European Rococo surface design as they worked on the project, and they looked at real-life royal carriages for structural details and proportions.

©Disney

Disney also highlighted some other elements of Disney Fairytale Weddings, like the beautiful princess-inspired dresses…

©Disney

…the Disney-inspired decor…

©Disney

…and of course the incredible venues.

©Disney

Don’t forget about the cakes!

©Disney

You can also have your wedding pictures taken in a private portrait session inside the Disney Parks. We thought this photo in Disney World was hilarious because those are actually the Tangled-themed bathrooms in Fantasyland. But hey — the area is gorgeous, the lighting is sublime, and who would even know your wedding pictures are in front of the restrooms?

©Disney

We’ll be on the lookout for more updates from Disney, so stay tuned for all the latest news!

Click here to see Disney’s new princess-inspired wedding dresses!

Would you ever get married inside a Disney park? Let us know in the comments!

The post It’s Official. This Is the FANCIEST Disney Transportation EVER. first appeared on the disney food blog.

Previously, we gave you a look at construction for Paseo and Centrico from below — now, here’s a more detailed look from above. The new Mexican restaurant by Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytan is taking over the space previously occupied by Catal Restaurant and Uva Bar, all part of the ongoing reimagining of the Downtown Disney District.

Paseo and Centrico

The “Catal” sign remains on the side of the tower overlooking the exterior construction site.

Since the outside bar was completely demolished, new pavement has been laid and a round steel structure erected.

One patch of dirt remains exposed near the restaurant’s entrance. Sprinkles was located next door but it suddenly closed in 2021 and the interior was later gutted.

The steel structure will cover an outdoor seating area.

Brown scrim hangs over the second-floor railing overlooking the construction site.

The stores on the other side of the construction site (Pele and Lovepop) are still open, just facing construction walls.

There are square bases around some of the steel structure’s supports.

Multiple scissor lifts were on site, though no construction was happening during our Friday visit.

More decorations will be added to the circular structure, as seen in concept art below.

The Paseo and Centrico announcement stated:

The restaurant and central courtyard bar and dining area will offer guests a multi-sensory journey to the heart of Chef Gaytan’s homeland.

Downtown Disney District Reimaging

The Downtown Disney District reimagining is inspired by the mid-century space age look, which was popular in California during the 1950s and 60s, when Disneyland first opened.

This project has been ongoing for the last few years; however, Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock announced this year an 18-month completion timeframe, which roughly sees the District embracing its fresh face by the end of 2024.

The Downtown Disney District Monorail station was also recently refurbished.

Other new outlets coming to the Downtown Disney District include the beloved Porto’s Bakery and a new permanent home for Earl of Sandwich. Currently, the sandwich shop sits in the former home of La Brea Bakery, which will be the site of Porto’s in the near future.

All of this work on the resort’s entertainment, shopping, and dining hub is merely one minuscule portion of larger plans connected to the DisneylandForward initiative — a multi-year public planning effort that seeks to map out the next thirty years of vision with the City of Anaheim and Orange County.

DisneylandForward primarily aims to obtain more flexibility for land the resort received approval to develop in the 1990s, ideally adding a mix of theme parks, hotels, retail, dining, and entertainment on the eastern and western edges of the resort. Currently, Disneyland has used less than half of the millions of square feet already approved for development, according to the Orange County Register. All plans stay within the existing 500-acre property in Anaheim with no physical expansion or additional acreage.

Are you excited about the Downtown Disney District reimagining? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.

The post PHOTOS: Catal Sign Remains as Space Transforms into Paseo & Centrico Mexican Restaurant at Downtown Disney District appeared first on WDW News Today.

The Boulder Ridge Cove Pool at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will close for a brief refurbishment in September 2023.

Boulder Ridge Cove Pool

Boulder Ridge Cove Pool first opened in 2017. It’s near the Sturdy Branches Health Club and the resort’s Disney Vacation Club section. It will be closed from September 11 through September 15, and is expected to reopen on September 16.

Work will take place during daytime hours. Copper Creek Springs Pool, which was refurbished earlier this year, will remain open. The deck around Boulder Ridge Cove Pool was also refurbished in May.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge opened in May 1994, near Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. It’s modeled after American national parks and the Pacific Northwest, with the main building designed to look like the Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone. The resort includes its own artificial geyser, Fire Rock Geyser.

Restaurants at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge include Storybook Dining at Artist Point with “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” characters, Whispering Canyon Café, Geyser Point Bar & Grill, Roaring Fork, and Territory Lounge.

The Boulder Ridge Villas opened as The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge in November 2000. Inspired by United States railroads, it is home to the Iron Spike Room. This “train room” includes model trains and other decorations inspired by Walt’s love of rail transportation. The Boulder Ridge lobby and Iron Spike Room were recently refurbished. Take a tour of a remodeled 1-bedroom at Boulder Ridge here.

Copper Creek Villas & Cabins opened in the summer of 2017, for which we also have a tour of a 2-bedroom Copper Creek villa.

Have you ever stayed, or wanted to stay, at the Wilderness Lodge? Let us know in the comments.

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

The post Boulder Ridge Cove Pool Closing for Four-Day Refurbishment at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge in September appeared first on WDW News Today.