It's Official: Downtown Disney now Disney Springs

Yesterday, after an official ceremony, Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World officially changed its name to Disney Springs.

Image via Disney Parks Blog.

Previously, road signage around Walt Disney World displayed the name change, and new maps were slowly introduced.

Image via Inside the Magic's Facebook page.

Watch this video of the name-changing ceremony:

The same day, two new restaurants had their grand openings. The first is Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar, which is Indiana Jones-themed. The second is Morimoto Asia, inspired by Iron Chef Morimoto. Yesterday, Morimoto made a 60 foot sushi roll at the grand opening!

Morimoto is making a 60-foot long sushi roll! @WaltDisneyWorld
Posted by Inside the Magic on Tuesday, September 29, 2015

I'm not against the Disney Springs name change, but I didn't see any problem with Downtown Disney. I liked the idea of going "downtown," just like at home. It will definitely take some getting used to the new name, of course!

What are your thoughts? Are you excited to try out the two new locations? Comment below!

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Duffy the Disney Bear Will Permanently Leave EPCOT Oct. 3

The rumors had been swirling around for months: not-so-popular-in-the-US Duffy the Disney Bear would be retired from his meet and greet spot in EPCOT sometime this year.

In the end, the rumors were confirmed.

Duffy will indeed be retired from his meet and greet area on Oct. 3 this year. Daisy Duck will replace him.

Image courtesy of Disney PhotoPass.

I find this news sad, but I'm in the minority. Duffy is Mickey Mouse's teddy bear, and he was first introduced in America but never gained a popular following. So Disney brought him to Japan, where cute things are absolutely the rage. As expected, he became quite popular there, and Disney brought him back to the US Disney Parks in hopes that he would become popular here, too. He's got a pretty good fan following, but he never really caught on with enough people.

So, now, Disney is saying goodbye to this hug-loving teddy bear. In truth, this comes as no surprise, as he'd already been retired from Disneyland.

Fortunately, I've been able to meet Duffy twice so far during my program. I have plans of meeting him a few more times before he's retired, as well.

Watch the videos of me meeting Duffy for the first time and then introducing him to my very own Duffy:





Are you sad, happy or neutral about the news of Duffy's retirement? Comment below with your answer!

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WATCH: Full Walt Disney Documentary from PBS

The much-anticipated documentary on Walt Disney's life and accomplishments aired on PBS Sept. 14-15.

Image via bloglikeaprincess on Tumblr

In Disney Housing, TVs are not provided, so I, like many, was unable to watch the documentary.

But, PBS heard the pleas of those who missed the airing and responded by posting the entire video to their website, and I have embedded it here!



I don't know about you, but I'll be watching this for years to come!

The fact that this documentary was finally made fills me with so much happiness. Walt is the reason I am the person I am today. Thank you, for teaching me to believe in magic.

#mcm goes to the man who taught me "it's kind of fun to do the impossible." Thanks for the magic, Walt. #MollyDCP #mollyinflorida #mancrushmonday #waltdisneyworld #HollywoodStudios #waltdisney #instadisney #disneygramer #disneygramers #disneygram #quoted #quote #quotable #unclewalt #kiss #goof #goofy #dcp2015 #dcpfall #dcpfall2015 #dcpfa2015 Photo cred: my twin @anilureinoso (sorry to crop you out, babe! Te quiero!)

A photo posted by Molly the Disney Freak (@mollythedisneyfreak) on Sep 21, 2015 at 10:18am PDT

See ya all real soon!

'The Good Dinosaur' International Trailer: Hear the Dinos Speak!

The first trailer for Pixar's upcoming The Good Dinosaur never highlighted the voices behind the dinos. But now we get to hear them in the first international trailer for the film!

Aren't you curious to hear what they sound like?
Image via dragonlikecats.tumblr.com

The trailer is similar to the US version, just with talking and a few different clips. Watch it below:



I'm still getting a The Land Before Time vibe from this movie, but I'm absolutely in love with Arlo's human friend. He's just so cute!

Who's your favorite character from the trailer? Comment below!

The Good Dinosaur opens this Thanksgiving.

A single moment can change everything... Check out the poster for Disney.Pixar's new movie: #TheGoodDinosaur! Coming to theaters everywhere ( November 25, 2015. ) #Disney #Pixar

A video posted by Disney Magic Hour ® (@disneymagichour) on Sep 17, 2015 at 2:43pm PDT

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Sanderson Sisters Debut in Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular at MNSSHP 2015!

Disney announced many months ago that the Villains' Mix and Mingle would not be returning to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) this year.

A few weeks later, further details were announced: the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus would be starring in the new show, making it their Disney Parks debut!


The first day of MNSSHP was Tuesday, September 15. I was lucky enough to be there and see the first show -- during which there were many, many excited screams from Hocus Pocus fans!

Their first appearance!
Images via mgmpluto.tumblr.com

Watch the full debut Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular stage show below:




As sad as I was about Villains' Mix and Mingle being replaced, I'm actually really in love with this new show. I think it's absolutely incredible!

The coolest part about the whole show? It really seemed the sisters had walked right out of the movie. I read in a Cast Member magazine that Costuming was able to get their hands on the original dresses Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker wore in the film in order to make the most accurate replicas. And also, fun fact: that's live dialogue and singing from the sisters!

Of course, the video doesn't do the show justice -- you really need to go in person and see it! Along with HalloWishes and the Boo to You Parade, MNSSHP is an absolute must for any Disney or Halloween fan!

"The Sanderson Sisters are back!"

Interested in attending MNSSHP? It requires an extra ticket, which you can get by clicking HERE. The party happens on select nights until November 1!

Happy (early) Halloween! See ya real soon.

Behind the Scenes Look at 'Tangled: The Musical'

Disney Cruise Line is debuting Tangled: The Musical, a brand-new stage show which even features a few new songs by Alan Menken!

Image via Disney Cruise Line Blog.

And for the first time, Disney Parks Blog is giving us a backstage look at cast rehearsals for the show!



I'm eager to know the theatre magic behind Rapunzel's hair. And I cannot wait to see the stage makeup for Mother Gothel, something we unfortunately don't get a glimpse of here.

But, all in all, it's looking to be a fantastic show!

Tangled: The Musical opens on the Disney Magic in November. Want to catch a cruise and see the show? Book your cruise with Jennifer Hardy by clicking HERE!

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Update: Dream Along with Mickey Returns, Despite Closing Rumors!

Months ago, a rumor spread that Dream Along with Mickey would be closing after its brief refurbishment period. (And by "brief," I mean a month-long.)

But happily, the show did not close and returned to its normal performance schedule on August 23!

Image via clarabellecows.tumblr.com

Of course, the only problem was that castle hub construction was still going on, so the show and its audience were separated by a tall and wide wall.

#dreamalongwithmickey is back, just with a construction wall between the show and the audience. #mollydcp #mollyinflorida #mickeymouse #waltdisneyworld #magickingdom #cinderellascastle #minniemouse #donaldduck #goofy #dawm #dcp #dcpfall #dcpfall2015 #dcp2015 #dcpfa2015 #nozoom

A photo posted by Molly the Disney Freak (@mollythedisneyfreak) on Aug 24, 2015 at 5:33pm PDT

Even with the wall, it was nice to be able to once again share in the castle party with all your favorite Disney friends!

See ya real soon!

Theory: Kopa in 'The Lion Guard'?

Being the huge The Lion King fan that I am, of course I took the "Which Character from The Lion King Said It?" quiz at Oh My Disney. And it was during the quiz that something caught my eye.

Screenshot by Molly the Disney Freak.

You probably don't see the importance of this image. So let me explain.

Of all the characters given as answer options, which one do you not recognize? You should be saying Kopa right now. Because Kopa is a very obscure Disney character, if we can even call him that.

Kopa is the son of Simba and Nala.

Say what?!

Yes, that's right: Kopa is Simba and Nala's son.

But not by an official canon. He's their unofficial son, a character never actually recognized by the Walt Disney Company.

He was created by Alex Simmons, who wrote a children's book with six short stories after The Lion King was released. The stories featured our favorite The Lion King characters, as well as introduced some new friends. One of these new characters was Kopa.

Kopa is sitting in front, next to Zazu.
Image via the Disney Wiki.

But here's the catch: while the books were permitted by the Walt Disney Company, they were never actually recognized as official canon.

That's right. The books exist...but also don't exist.

So, Disney has never made a mention of Kopa in any sense, because in a way, he doesn't exist to them.

Until this quiz.

Leading us to the final question: could Kopa be appearing in The Lion Guard, Disney Junior's upcoming TV movie and series based on The Lion King? Kiara has been announced to appear, along with our favorite characters from the franchise.

Only time will tell. But for now, watch this extended clip which shows the first few minutes of The Lion Guard.



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