Category: InsideTheMagic

A member of the Superman team has died. Credit: DC Studios Related: Report: James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ Will Explore Man of Steel’s Dark Side Even Further Following the merger of Warner Bros. and Discovery (WBD), significant restructuring of DC films based on the DC Comics led to the departure of former DC head Walter Hamada. James Gunn, a renowned director recognized for his work in the Kevin Feige-led Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) at Marvel Studios, including the Guardians of the Galaxy series, has now taken on the role of CEO alongside co-CEO Peter Safran. Credit: DC Studios Gunn was no stranger to DC before taking his new role as CEO, having worked on The Suicide Squad (2021) (distinct from the 2016 Suicide Squad featuring Jared Leto as the Joker), and spinoff Peacemaker (2021) starring John Cena in the eponymous role of Peacemaker. The previous iteration of the DC Film Universe, referred to as the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), prominently showcased Zack Snyder’s Justice League. This “Snyderverse” introduced viewers to Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent, Ben Affleck as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince, Ezra Miller as The Flash/Barry Allen, Jason Momoa as Aquaman/Arthur Curry, and Ray Fisher as Cyborg/Victor Stone. Credit: DC Studios Related: DC Universe’s New ‘Supergirl’ Movie Debuts First Look: Report The first film to debut in the new DC Universe (DCU) will be Superman (stylized SUPERMAN), formerly Superman: Legacy. With a release window in 2025, Superman is

Marvel Studios just hit its fanbase with a tidal wave of fan service as Deadpool & Wolverine 2024 roared into theaters today. While we were all thrilled to see the legendary Hugh Jackman don the yellow suit and reprise his most iconic role, fans were undeniably amazed with the sheer number of characters the film brought to the big screen, including a certain Gambit variant fans have longed to see. Credit: Marvel Studios Thanks to the wild styles of Ryan Reynolds and director Shawn Levy, Tatum’s Gambit finally made his MCU debut alongside Wesley Snipes as Blade, Jennifer Garner as Elektra, and a whole slew of other Marvel legends. Of course, it wasn’t easy getting him to the big screen. Related: Stan Lee Officially Rejoins the MCU in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Channing Tatum as Remy LeBeau/Gambit might have been an odd casting choice at first glance, but longtime Marvel buffs know that this character was years in the making. After years in development, the project was ultimately shelved and (like the character) was banished to the void. Marvel Gambles on Gambit Credit: Marvel Comics Longtime Marvel fans and comic book buffs alike will know the Ragin’ Cajun from his tenure with the X-Men. The card-slinging mutant with the freaky eyes and thick accent was a big player for the team in the ’80s, then a prominent fixture in the ’90s animated series and its 2024 sequel, but his story doesn’t end there. Related: Marvel Kills Charles Xavier for

Disney CEO Bob Iger is going to have some explaining to do. On August 7, Iger will have to face investors at Disney’s quarterly earnings report, and he will have to dig deep to explain things to them. Credit: Pixar Animation Studios Related: Disney World’s Dip in Attendance is Costing Cast Members Their Jobs Sure, Iger will have the box office from Inside Out 2 (2024) and Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) to brag about, but something is hanging over Disney that Iger won’t be able to explain away. By all accounts, the Walt Disney World crowd level has been very low this summer. According to most crowd calendars, attendance has been between three and five, well below the usual summer crowds. This Fourth of July saw the lowest Disney World crowds in a decade, and things haven’t improved much as the summer has gone along. While this could be an aberration, some pundits see it as a sign of things to come for the Walt Disney World Resort. Perhaps a manifestation of what @SirBrayden has been saying about money not being spent on restaurants and merch because of the costs of Genie+, and the economy in general.https://t.co/JdrXHhhlcf https://t.co/7pA86xUgKj — Disney Clips Guy (@disneytipsguy) July 22, 2024 Related: There’s A Landry List of Reasons Disney World is Empty This Summer While there have been many theories about why Disney World crowds are so low this year, one stands out more than the others: the cost. By

As summer continues, the heat waves are not slowing down. From insane heat indexes to skyrocketing temperatures, Walt Disney World Resort has taken action to ensure the safety of its cast members. Credit: Disney World PhotoPass Walt Disney World Resort Adds Safety Measures for Select Cast Members Amidst Heat Epidemic Walt Disney World addresses the challenges Disney PhotoPass photographers face, who spend extensive time in direct sunlight, by introducing tiny umbrellas at some of the park’s most exposed photo locations. Many outdoor PhotoPass sites offer little to no shade, making these umbrellas welcome as summer temperatures rise. The umbrellas were initially seen primarily at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including the Donald Duck and Daisy Duck meet-and-greet on Grand Avenue. Photographers would be left without any shade in these areas without umbrellas. The new umbrellas, which become more effective as the sun rises, aim to provide much-needed relief. Disney has chosen Versa-Brella brand umbrellas for this initiative. These adjustable umbrellas offer SPF protection, helping to shield photographers from the sun’s harmful rays. Florida’s temperatures, comfortable for only a few weeks each year, typically begin to climb in April, peaking in July and August. The heat usually persists through September before easing slightly in late October. Credit: Disney World PhotoPass Heat Waves, Record-Shattering Records Reported Across the World This move reflects Disney’s commitment to enhancing working conditions for its staff, ensuring their comfort and safety during the park’s busiest and hottest months. Around Central Florida, heat has exceeded

After its initial eight-episode run, Star Wars: The Acolyte finally concluded its saga last week. As is tradition with any popular piece of episodic media, many wonder when and if there will be a second season. Credit: Disney+ Much has been speculated about The Acolyte season two, especially with what showrunner Leslye Headland and other Lucasfilm creatives have shared on the internet. While the series did reveal some very interesting concepts, reception for the newest chapter of the Star Wars franchise has been far from ideal. Related: “You Didn’t See Me Die,” ‘Mandalorian’ Star Shares Update What began as a tale of intrigue, Jedi masters, and murder soon twisted into a jumble of misguided plot points that demonstrated a disregard for the fans and a clear and blatant misunderstanding of the source material. When “woke” and “lazy” are the nicest things fans have to say about the series, something has to be wrong. And yet, despite everything that has been written or said about the series, talks of a second season still spiral on social media. However, revelations from Lucasfilm might tease new ideas and direction for another chapter, but the way they dance around confirmation does not bode well for the series. Will The Acolyte Get a Second Season? Credit: Lucasfilm Set during the High Republic era, The Acolyte follows Jedi Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae as he investigates the murders of multiple Jedi Masters alongside his former Padawan (Amandla Stenberg), uncovering a sinister

If you plan on visiting the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks anytime soon, you might have noticed a significant change across the entire resort. That change was supposed to improve the overall guest experience, but according to data and the numbers, Disney again went wrong. Let’s dig in. Credit: Inside The Magic Walt Disney World Resort Implements Major Mandatory Upcharge; Genie+ Out, Lightning Lane Is In Line-skipping privileges at Disney parks have undergone significant changes as of July 24. Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort have renamed their Disney Genie Plus service to Lightning Lane Multi Pass and individual Lightning Lane access to Lightning Lane Single Pass. At Disneyland, the functionality of the passes remains unchanged, but at Walt Disney World, the rebranding comes with new planning options for visitors. The critical change at Walt Disney World is guests’ ability to purchase tickets before their visit rather than on the day. Guests staying at select Walt Disney World hotels, including Walt Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, Walt Disney World Swan, Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, and Shades of Green, can now reserve their Lightning Lane passes for up to seven days in advance. Other park visitors can book up to three days ahead. Disneyland guests continue to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass as an add-on to their ticket or vacation package or on the day of their visit, subject to availability. At Walt Disney World, visitors can now buy both the Multi Pass

When you hear the words “Disney park,” visions of Mickey Mouse, Dole Whips, haunted mansions, rollercoasters, and spinning tea cups are likely the first things that come to mind. However, upcoming guests will soon be treated to dick jokes, violent imagery, and an onslaught of crude humor as Disneyland unveils a new R-Rated event that will have certain patrons either clutching their pearls or screaming with delight. Credit: Disney Deadpool recently made his debut at Disneyland Paris, exchanging those loaded guns for a pair of French baguettes, but now he and a comic-accurate Wolverine join Avengers Campus at Disney’s California Adventure. That’s all very exciting for Marvel fans, but should Disney really be utilizing one of the most notorious R-rated characters at a family-friendly theme park? Related: Hugh Jackman Made Grown Men Cry on ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Set In honor of the release of Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), Disney is officially bringing both of its lead characters to the Disney parks with two brand new Character Meet and Greet experiences. The Merc with the Mouth and everyone’s favorite clawed mutant officially made their Disney debut, not but a short trip away from Sleeping Beauty Castle in the announcement below. Parents Beware: Deadpool Goes to Disneyland Deadpool’s newest bestie has arrived at @Disneyland for a limited time. See #DeadpoolAndWolverine (rated R) now in theaters pic.twitter.com/7B982kvOB3 — Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) July 26, 2024 Per the Disney Parks’ official social media pages, Deadpool and Wolverine are now

Florida is gearing up for exciting news: New routings added to several key Florida airports are expected to impact thousands of future Disney World trips. Here’s what’s going to happen. Credit: Allegiant Air Allegiant Air Adds More Stops to Major Florida Airports, Gives Hundreds of Disney Guests More Access to Parks Allegiant Air, commonly known as Allegiant, is a major American airline based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Established in 1997, the airline operates under an ultra-low-cost business model, catering primarily to leisure travelers from small and medium-sized cities often underserved by other carriers. Allegiant’s model emphasizes low base fares with numerous additional fees for optional services. The airline is a wholly owned subsidiary of Allegiant Travel Company, a publicly traded entity with approximately 5,600 employees and a market capitalization exceeding $2.6 billion as of 2016. Allegiant ranks as the fourteenth-largest airline in North America. The airline is expanding into Florida, as more stops will be added to major airports nationwide, giving folks an even better chance to visit Walt Disney World Resort. Allegiant Air is expanding its services to several Florida airports, introducing new routes with attractive fares. Starting November 14, 2024, the airline will begin flights to Punta Gorda/Fort Myers, Florida, via Punta Gorda Airport (PGD), with one-way fares starting at $39. On November 15, 2024, Allegiant will add flights to Fort Lauderdale/Miami, Florida, via Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and to St. Pete/Tampa, Florida, via St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), both with one-way fares as

Every year, fans eagerly count down the days until the Christmas and Holiday seasons officially open at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. With special parades, character costumes, fake snow, and holiday music, the parks during Christmas are incredibly magical. One of the things that fans most look forward to is the retheming of select holiday attractions. While these rethemed typically open on or around November 15, it looks like one holiday retheme will arrive much earlier than fans had hoped… Related: Haunted Mansion Set to Reopen: Disney Teases Major Changes to Guest Experience! Credit: Disney Holiday Retheme Arrives Next Week Prepare to immerse yourself in the magical world of Haunted Mansion Holiday as it makes its highly anticipated return on July 29 at Disneyland Resort. This enchanting seasonal overlay of the classic Haunted Mansion attraction transforms the eerie manor into a whimsical wonderland inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. As you step inside, you will be greeted by the Pumpkin King himself, Jack Skellington, who reigns supreme over the mansion adorned with festive decorations fit for the holiday season. The transformation of the Haunted Mansion into a haunted holiday spectacle is a beloved tradition that guests eagerly anticipate each year. From the iconic Pumpkin King Jack Skellington to the intricate details of the Gingerbread House in the Grand Hall, every corner of the mansion is adorned with a touch of holiday magic. While many fans do love this holiday retheme, it is undoubtedly

Walt Disney World Resort guests will not be happy about this update, but you should know what you are getting into if you plan to visit the parks between now and the end of the Autumn season. Credit: Inside the Magic COVID Cases Surging To Alarming Levels in Florida; Could This Affect Your Disney World Trip? COVID-19 cases are on the rise this summer in Florida. The state Department of Health reported 21,531 cases in the first week of July, an 11% increase from its lowest weekly total in April of 2,390 cases. County totals show high weekly case counts in July, slightly decreasing from Week 1 to Week 2. Miami-Dade reported 4,119 cases in the first week and 3,568 cases in the second week. Broward reported 2,225 cases the first week and 1,718 the following week. Palm Beach, Hillsborough, and Orange counties exceeded 1,000 cases in both weeks. These weekly totals surpass the winter spike from January and align with a rising trend of COVID-19 cases nationwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), viral activity in wastewater has been high, though hospitalizations, severity, and deaths remain low. The majority of reported cases are highly transmissible subvariants of the omicron strain. These strains have mutated to evade most people’s immune systems, resulting in mild infections, said Ira Longini, a professor of biostatistics at the University of Florida. “It’s evolved to a point where it causes more like a cold…although it’s still highly transmissible,”