In Disney News...

It's time for this month's roundup of Disney news!

...We must begin with some very sad news, the passing of Walt Disney's oldest daughter, Diane Disney Miller, on Tuesday, November 19th. Diane was 79 and died at her home due to complications from a recent fall. Diane and her sister Sharon (who died in 1993) inspired their father to create Disneyland, and, as portrayed in the new film SAVING MR. BANKS (2013), the girls' love of MARY POPPINS started their father on a two-decade-long quest to obtain the movie rights from author P.L. Travers. Diane did much to preserve her father's history and legacy, and she was the driving force behind two special California institutions, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, which opened in 2003, and The Walt Disney Family Museum, which opened in 2009.

...Here are obituaries and remembrances from The Walt Disney Family Museum, the Disney Parks Blog, D23, The Hollywood Reporter, and Leonard Maltin.

...Photos were Tweeted today of tributes at Walt Disney Studios, Disneyland, and Disney California Adventure.

...The Winter issue of Disney Twenty-three magazine has SAVING MR. BANKS on the cover and is devoted to celebrating the upcoming 50th anniversary of MARY POPPINS (1964), with numerous articles on all aspects of Disney's classic movie. I'm especially looking forward to the article on Irwin Kostal's musical scoring, which is both memorable and moving; if I'd been an Academy voter I'd have given this award to MARY POPPINS over MY FAIR LADY. Composer Richard Sherman shares reminisces on Kostal and his work.

...In case you missed it, here's my review of a preview of SAVING MR. BANKS, along with a report on Leonard Maltin's pre-movie interview with Emma Thompson.

...Speaking of Leonard Maltin, he recently shared his thoughts on attending the ceremony for the unveiling of longtime Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter's tribute window at Disneyland.

...Here's the first teaser trailer for Disney's MALEFICENT (2014) starring Angelina Jolie:



...The mysterious TOMORROWLAND (2015) film, starring George Clooney, has had its release date pushed back from Winter 2014 to Summer 2015. The film's opening date is now May 22, 2015.

...THE JUNGLE BOOK will be released in a Blu-ray/DVD combination Diamond Edition on February 11, 2014.

...Disney and Netflix recently made a deal for Disney to produce brand-new Marvel live-action TV series exclusively for Netflix. Four different series will begin airing in 2015.

...FAIRY TALE WEDDING, a project in the works at Disney, sounds like fun. Deadline says "Pic’s in the vein of ENCHANTED, and is the story of a wedding planner in a fairy tale land who cannot find love."

...The "world's largest Disney Store" will be opening in Shanghai in 2015.

...Disney's latest Broadway musical, ALADDIN, will open at the New Amsterdam Theatre in February 2014. Meanwhile, there's news that Disney Theatrical Productions is working on a stage production of THE PRINCESS BRIDE, with the participation of the film's screenwriter, William Goldman.

...Disney's NEWSIES will have a North American tour in 2014, including a stop at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles.

...Here's the latest MiceAge roundup of Disneyland Resort news and gossip.

...The official name of the upcoming RATATOUILLE ride at the Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris is "Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémi," which roughly translates to "Ratatouille: Remi’s Totally Crazy Adventure."

...Last weekend I mentioned taking our first ride on the new "Jingle Cruise," a holiday overlay at Disneyland's classic Jungle Cruise ride. I think my favorite part of the new holiday attraction may be the terrific poster!

...Viva Navidad!, a new celebration at Disney California Adventure, features a special temporary menu at the Paradise Garden Grill, as well as terrific Chorizo Flatbread at Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta.

...I've got to try the Alfresco Lounge at California Adventure, I've never been there!

...Billy Hill and the Hillbillies will be retiring from performing at Disneyland as of January 6, 2013, an announcement which has dismayed their many fans. There's a petition asking Disney to keep them on.

...I plan to attend tomorrow night's special screening of MARY POPPINS (1964) at Disney's El Capitan Theatre, and I'll be sharing more about that in the near future!

...FROZEN (2013) will be playing at the El Capitan starting Friday, November 22nd, and running through January 5th.

...It's almost time for fresh-made candy canes at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure! We've enjoyed watching them made in the past; I'm hoping that this year we'll be able to arrive early enough to get a wristband and purchase one!

For more recent Disney links, please visit the Disney roundups for September and October.