Written by Sue Nowicki

July 5 – Mickey Mouse has an uncharacteristic frown on his face. Disney legend Blaine Gibson, sculptor and animator for Walt Disney Studios since 1939, passed away at the age of 97. Gibson not only animated Disney classics such as 101 Dalmatian, Fantasia, Bambi and Peter Pan, he also sculpted the ‘Partners’ statues in Walt Disney World and Disneyland as well as all of the presidents in the Hall of Presidents through George W. Bush. According to a family friend, Gibson was watching 101 Dalmatians with his grandson before he ‘took his final nap’. (Link)

July 7 – Readers of Travel & Leisure recently voted on the 2015 World’s Best Awards and Disney Cruise Line came out on top of the #1 Mega-Ship Ocean Cruise Line for Families and Top Mega-Ship Ocean Cruise Line for the second time in a row. (Link)

July 7 – Comic-Con is coming! Comic-Con is coming! You know what that means? Star Wars news. The first bit of news to hit the media is that makers of The Lego Movie are teaming up again to write and direct a new Star Wars movie which will focus on a young Han Solo. The projected release date is May 25, 2018. (Link)

July 8 – Johnny Depp, dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow, took a break from filming the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie to visit a children’s hospital in Brisbane, Australia. The video of the encounter will make your heart smile while you reach for a hankie. (Link)

July 7 – Who will be the next royal to grace the silver screen in a live-action Disney movie? It appears that it will be Prince Charming. A writer and producers are already attached to the project. (Link)

July 8 – A state of the art wine service machine called the WineStation is now in use at Disneyland’s Grand Californian Resort. The machine allows sommeliers to serve vintage wines by the glass which average guests might find too expensive to buy by the bottle. (Link)

July 8 – A partial listing of Candlelight Processional narrators was released featuring Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, Joe Morton, Meredith Vieria, Edward James Olmos and Amy Grant. Candlelight Processional Dinner packages have also gone on sale for most dates. (Link)

July 8 – As reported in the last Disney News post, the city of Anaheim was voting to give Disneyland a 30 year tax abatement on ticket gate tax. After rather contentious debate, including the Mayor, Tom Tait, adamantly arguing against the abatement, the Council voted 3-2 to approve the deal. For their part, Disney has agreed to spend $1 billion by enhancing and adding to the park and building a new 5,000-space parking lot. Also, if Disney spends another $500 million the agreement is extended to 45 years. (Link)

July 10 – Recently filed permits indicate that the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights will indeed be back for 2015. (Link)

July 10 – It appears that 300-plus cabins at the Campsite at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort are getting a rehab. (Link)

July 13 – When the 20th edition of Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival begins in September it will not only take place in the World Showcase, it will expand this year into Future World. (Link)

July 14 – At the D23 Expo in August, eight Disney legends will be recognized for their contributions to the Disney legacy. These legends include George Bodenheimer (retired Executive Chairman of ESPN), Andreas Deja (Disney animator), Eyvind Earle (Disney artist), Danny Elfman (Musician), George Lucas (filmmaker), Susan Lucci (actress), Julie Reihm Casaletto (first Disneylany Ambassador) and Carson Van Osten (Disney Executive). (Link)

July 14 – Registration for the 2016 Princess Half Marathon weekend events have opened. However, if you are reading this and haven’t registered you might be out of luck. The half marathon, 10K and Glass Slipper Challenge are already sold out. If you missed out on registering for one of these events you can consider running for a charity or possible getting a registration through one of the approved travel agencies. (Link)

July 14 – Prince Harry’s Invictus Games are coming to ESPN Wide World of Sports in May, 2016. The Invictus Games is a competition for wounded servicemen and women. This is the first time the Invictus Games will take place in the United States.

July 14 – New details on Shanghai Disneyland were shared by Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger including the names of the six themed lands: Fantasyland, Treasure Cove, Adventure Isle, Tomorrowland, Mickey Avenue and Gardens of Imagination where ‘Ignite the Dream, a Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and Light’ will take place. (Link)

July 15 – Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland is expanding in 2015. There will be 17 parties this year beginning on September 11 and culminating on October 31. (Link)

July 16 – And the future hits keep on coming. Have you ever wondered how the Genie from Aladdin got stuck in that magic lamp? Disney is going to answer that question in their latest live-action prequel, Genies. Genies does not have a release dates yet. (Link) (Manager Note: Look out for a blog post summarizing all the upcoming Disney movies in the next few weeks.)

July 16 – As part of Disney’s Hollywood Studios Frozen Summer Fun, the Ice Palace Boutique is opening beginning on July 26. The boutique will transform guest ages 3-12 into their favorite Frozen character. It will be located on Commissary Lane across from ABC Commissary. (Link)

July 17 – Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday Dear Disneyland! Happy Birthday to you! (Link)

That’s all the news for now. Follow me on Twitter @JazzinDisneyMom for more Disney news.

Latest News From the World of Disney: September 25, 2015

Other posts by this author:
”The Descendants” Movie Review
Disney by Land, Disney by Sea: Part 1 & Part 2
”Tomorrowland” Movie Review
Best Walt Disney World Smartphone Apps
Restaurant Review – Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – The Way Life Should Be
A Day in the Life of Disney’s FastPass+ Service