In Disney News...

Time for a roundup of the latest Disney news!

...Disneyland recently announced plans for its 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration, including a brand-new World of Color show, new fireworks, and a new parade, not to mention new popcorn buckets and merchandise with special Diamond Celebration logos.

...Until the 60th Anniversary fireworks show begins later this year, Disneyland is currently featuring the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks show, last seen in the park in 2004.

...Disney just promoted Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs to COO, and he is now considered the front-runner to replace Bob Iger as CEO in 2018. The Los Angeles Times provided some background and analysis regarding his selection.

...The Luigi's Tires ride in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure closes on February 16th, two and a half years after the opening of Cars Land. It will be replaced by a new ride which is expected to open in early 2016.

...Movie glamour photographer George Hurrell was at one time married to Walt Disney's niece. The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco has a new exhibit opening on February 11th, Lights! Camera! Glamour! The Photography of George Hurrell. It runs through June 29th.

...D23 has photos of a tribute to Diane Disney Miller which took place in Griffith Park in December. The event included the presentation of a bench engraved with the names of Walt, Diane and Sharon Disney.

...Due out this week, on February 10th: A WISH YOUR HEART MAKES: FROM THE GRIMM BROTHERS' ASCHENPUTTEL TO DISNEY'S CINDERELLA by Charles Solomon.

...The publication date of J.B. Kaufman's PINOCCHIO: THE DISNEY EPIC has been pushed back from this month to May.

...Emma Watson, best known for starring as Hermione in the Harry Potter film series, has been cast as Belle in Disney's live-action film version of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (2016).

...Disney is also looking at a live-action version of PETE'S DRAGON (1975) starring Bryce Dallas Howard and Robert Redford.

...Disney's live-action CINDERELLA (2015), directed by Kenneth Branagh, opens on March 13th. The trailer can be found here.

...This is an older article but it's an interesting read, on how Disneyland manages its population of feral cats.

...My friend Kristina recently shared photos of some special Disney treasures in her collection, including a MARY POPPINS book in Croatian!

...Oh My Disney takes a detailed look at all the "inside" Disney tributes in ENCHANTED (2007).

...A lost Disney cartoon starring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, EMPTY SOCKS (1927), has been found in Norway's National Library vault at the Arctic Circle.

...According to this MiceAge Update, it's expected that the star which topped Disneyland's Matterhorn in the '60s will return this Christmas.

...Andy Castro of Dateline Disneyland looks back at Disneyland in 2014.

...At The Movie Rat Bernardo Villela takes a look at SONG OF THE SOUTH (1946) for last month's Contrary to Popular Opinion blogathon.

...The Orange County Register reported in January that Orlando's infamous Magic Bands will be coming to Disneyland soon. Ugh.

...Disneyland is also reported to be building a high-end restaurant adjacent to the private Club 33.

...For those who may have missed the news previously, in late November Disney and Turner Classic Movies announced joint projects. TCM is helping to revise the Great Movie Ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, and there will also be quarterly evenings of Treasures from the Disney Vault on the channel. The first evening of Disney movies, cartoons, and other programming aired Christmas week, and the next evening of Disney programming  on TCM will be on Sunday, March 15th. Details on the March schedule can be found in my post Quick Preview of TCM in March.

...The Public Transportation Snob recently reviewed TCM's screening of THE RELUCTANT DRAGON (1941).

...Thursday evening, February 12th, I'll be attending the "Throwback Thursday" screening of ALICE IN WONDERLAND (1951) at Disney's El Capitan Theatre. Throwback Thursday tickets are discounted to $10 and include popcorn and soda. I'll be sharing details here at week's end! (Update: Here is my account of a wonderful evening.)

...On February 24th I'll be attending the Royal Celebration Annual Passholder private party at Disneyland.

...There are hints that this spring's MouseAdventure game will have a retro computer game theme of some sort. (Update: This afternoon it was announced the next MouseAdventure date is Sunday, March 15th.)

...The Happy Lunar New Year Celebration returns to California Adventure from Thursday, February 19th, through Sunday, February 22nd. (Update: Here are some photos I took at the celebration on February 21st.)

...There's currently a large exhibit of Disneyland memorabilia on display at Van Eaton Galleries in Sherman Oaks. The items will be auctioned later this month.

...For more Disney news of recent months, please check out the Disney link roundups for November and August.