News
Disney Fanatic is here to deliver the latest in Disney news from The Walt Disney Company and beyond.
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Jan- 2024 -20 January
‘Star Wars’ Could Have Been VERY Different With the Original Princess Leia Casting
There are always fun stories when it comes to casting iconic roles, and today, we have another fun tidbit for you! Over the years, there have been myriad fascinating stories about the behind-the-scenes happenings of some of our favorite films. Today, we have an incredible story from the Star Wars franchise. Per a recent report, it turns out there's a universe in which Carrie Fisher might not have
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20 January
What Big News Are We Expecting from Disney in 2024?
There is a lot of news we've been expecting from Disney and relating to the Walt Disney World Resort; here's what we're looking forward to. There has been much going on in the world of Disney and the Disney Parks. 2023 saw major upheaval as it followed through on the major event of 2022: former Disney CEO Bob Chapek being ousted from his position and being replaced by his predecessor, Disney CEO B
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20 January
Labor Union Wants Disney Out of Politics
In 2022, the FBI alleged that officials in Anaheim were engaged in a “cabal” that included executives from Disneyland. The mayor of Anaheim was forced to resign over the corruption scandal. The FBI also alleged that The Walt Disney Company used its power in Orange County to influence policymakers to ensure they would create policies that were friendly to Disney. A year later, an indepe
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20 January
Booze Is a Cash Cow For Disney, So Why Was Walt So Against It?
Walk around the Walt Disney World Resort, or any Disney Park for that matter, and it's everywhere. It was one of the items that Walt Disney banned from his parks, but now it has become as ubiquitous as Mickey-shaped ice cream bars or popcorn. It is alcohol. Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort have embraced the sale and consumption of alcohol. You can add a shot to your coffee at Hollywood Stud
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20 January
Disney Has a Hollywood Studios Problem That Only Expansion Can Solve
Last year, when Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Josh D'Amaro announced at the D23 Expo that Animal Kingdom would be the next Disney World park to be expanded, it made perfect sense. Animal Kingdom has the lowest park attendance at Disney World and has not had a meaningful expansion since Pandora: The World of Avatar opened in 2017. Animal Kingdom desperately needed an update, a
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19 January
Internal Squabbles Over Money and Creative Direction Have Hampered Disney World Expansion Plans
Right down the street from the Walt Disney World Resort, its main rival, Universal Studios Orlando, is about to unveil its new Epic Universe. It will add thousands of hotel rooms and a third gat to Universal, positioning it as the grown-up alternative to Disney World. But beyond its expansion in Central Florida, Universal has also announced plans to build theme parks in Texas and the United Kingdo
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19 January
‘Employees Are Smiling Because They Don’t Own Disney Stock,’ Peltz Takes His Proxy Battle to Disney World
He's back! And this time, he's out for blood. A little over a year after activist investor Nelson Peltz launched his first attack on the Board of the Walt Disney Company, he's back for a second proxy battle. Disney CEO Bob Iger was able to satisfy Peltz last year with a round of job cuts and cost-saving measures, but Peltz still isn't satisfied with where Disney currently finds itself. This time a
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19 January
City Permits Show Big Changes Coming to TWO U.S. Disney Parks
The Walt Disney Company often plays things close to the chest. Despite big announcements at D23 or during stockholder meetings, there are many projects Disney tries to keep hushed up. Related:Â Disney Channel Alum Airs Dirty Laundry…Ignites Potential Lawsuit Building Permits for Disneyland Resort But one of the easiest ways to see what plans are actually in the works is to review City Buildin
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19 January
Dolly Parton Gives Fans a Birthday Gift After Singer Fails to Get Her Canceled
Since Betty White died in 2021, we have very few “National Treasures” left. You know, those people who are universally beloved and even the worst internet troll can find something at least decent to say about them. There is, of course, Tom Hanks. Americans see the Toy Story (1995) and two-time Academy Award winner as one of the few good human beings left in the world. His reputation of
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19 January
Disney Has a Gold Mine On Its Hands… But Is Ignoring It
Some argue that Disney has the perfect franchise on its hands but is ignoring it, and it's unclear why they're doing this. The Walt Disney Company has been a trendsetter and innovator in the field of entertainment for decades now. The Mouse House—while admittedly going through a rough patch—has years of hits and franchises that have been incredibly popular with fans. There's one particular franchi
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