Strange World is now available in various disc formats and digitally. Walt Disney Animation Studio’s 61st feature film takes you on an adventure with the Clade family. This three generation family must navigate through uncharted territory and deal with a variety of creatures along the way. This action/adventure film was released in theaters in November 2022.

Release date: 2023-02-14

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This collection of classic Disney shorts is part of the ongoing Disney100 celebration this year. The offering includes ten shorts with a new introduction by Mickey and Minnie to each. These introductions are about 25-30 seconds in length during which the two mice reminisce about the adventure/event of the short that follows while a slide show with is played.

Release date: 2023-02-07

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The 2022 Marvel blockbuster takes us back to Wakanda where they are mourning the loss of King T’Challa. The Wakandans face challenges from known and unknown peoples.

I was sent the Blu-ray/Digital version of this release to review. It included the single disc with the film and a half dozen bonus features and a digital code for a streaming version that included the same features plus two minute Coming of Age featurette.

Release date: 2023-02-07

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The Cost of the Kingdom by Carl L. Jablonski is a memoir by the chief estimator (show and ride) for EPCOT and Disneyland Paris. In this book Carl shares his recollections of his time at Disney as well as describes what an estimator does. He also shares stories of the path he took and some of the choices he made in his professional and personal life. Over his 40 years in the business Carl’s volume of work exceeded $5 billion for a number of companies and on a wide range of projects, including Walt Disney Imagineering, LucasArts and NBC.

Release date: 2021-03-21

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The Imagineering Story – The Official Biography of Walt Disney Imagineering by Leslie Iwerks is a deep dive into the history of this storied organization. The book mirrors the six part Disney+ docu-series that shares the same name. In this 700+ page hard cover book you will find the same information as the series plus additional stories and details that were not able to make it into the final program.

Release date: 2022-11-08

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The Disney Animation Renaissance: Behind the Glass at the Florida Studio by Mary E. Lescher is a detailed look at the history of the Feature Animation Studio at Walt Disney World, chronicling and examining the projects that were worked on by the Orlando team and the theme park attraction that coexisted with their facility.  The book also discusses the transformation of the animation process from traditional cell animation to computer-assisted to full computer  3D.   Mary takes a well researched look at the evolution of the attraction and animation studio over the years, examining the intersection and friction of the objectives of each and how they adapted to each other.  She details the changes to the tour content, layout and purpose as the Animation Studio grew and changed over the years.

Release date: 2022-11-22

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Walt’s Apprentice Keeping the Disney Dream Alive by Dick Nunis is the personal memoir of a Disney Legend.  Dick Nunis had a 44 year career with Disney that started on May 26, 1955 being hired by Van France at Disneyland to help with the training program of cast members as the opening of Disneyland approached.  He choose to retire on May 26, 1999, at which time he was Chairman of Walt Disney Attractions.  During those four decades he rose from an hourly cast member through the ranks working the operations side of the parks.  He had the good fortune to walk the park with Walt and absorb his philosophies and respond to his requests for a number of years.  He was an early member of the Orlando team as Walt Disney World was constructed.  He was part of the EPCOT, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris teams.  He was involved in Disney projects beyond the parks too including the Winter Olympics, New York World’s Fair and movie premieres such as Mary Poppins.  Before Disney Dick was a college football player for my alma mater, the University of Southern California.

Release date: 2022-10-11

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Poster Art of the Disney Parks second edition is an excellent follow-up to the original that was released a decade ago.   This book adds 85 posters on nearly 100 additional pages encompassing the attractions, lands and parks that opened since 2012 including Shanghai Disneyland, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and the new series of EPCOT posters that were initially unveiled at the 2019 D23 Expo.

Release date: 2022-10-11

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Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder is now available digitally and various disc formats.   In this film Thor sets off on a cosmic adventure to stop Gorr the God Butcher who is seeking the extinction of the gods.   He is joined by King Valkyrie, Korg and Mighty Thor on his quest.   The film is directed by Taika Waititi who also directed Thor: Ragnarok. 

This initial home video offering includes an assortment of disc formats and digital release choices.  Bonus features can vary based on the offering, but the core set is about a half dozen features in familiar categories – featurettes, commentary, deleted scenes and a gag reel. 

Release date: 2022-09-27

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The Disney Pixar film “Lightyear” is now available digitally and on various disc formats.   This film is the origins story of Buzz Lightyear.   If you have wondered where the action figure came from this is the film that inspired the toy Andy received.

“Lightyear” arrived on Disney+ and other digital platforms on August 3rd.   The Disney+ release was just the film with an enhanced IMAX viewing mode, there were no bonus features beyond a trailer released with it.   Other Digital platforms did include the bonus features to match the disc release. 

Release date: 2022-09-13

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Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is now streaming on various digital platforms and will arrive on Disc on July 26th. The film takes you on a quest through many alternate realities as Doctor Strange battles a surprising villain.

The film premiered in theaters on May 6th nationwide and on Disney+ on June 22nd. Other digital channels also became available on June 22nd and physical discs on July 26th. This home video release features a half dozen bonus features.

Release date: 2021-07-26

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Disney/Pixar’s Turning Red is now on home video, available digitally now and disc Tuesday, May 3rd. Turning Red is the story of 13-year old Mei balancing adolescence with family life. Complicating Mei’s journey is a family issue that when she loses control she turns into a giant red panda.

Release date: 2022-05-03

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The twelve women in this book represent a number of different disciplines and teams within Imagineering and each carved out a unique career path with the company.  The format is each woman has their own chapter (or sometimes two) to share their background & stories, there is a photo section in the middle and some introductions and thank yous as well.

Release date: 2022-03-15

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Not Just a Walk in the Park: My Worldwide Disney Resorts Career is the memoir of Disney Legend Jim Cora. In this book Jim shares stories, insights, and personal reflections on his more than forty year career with the Walt Disney Company spanning early Disneyland through the opening of Tokyo DisneySea. He also imparts stories and thoughts on his management style and the Disney Culture/Way.

Release date: 2021-12-28

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Marvel Studios’ “Eternals” arrives on various disc formats Tuesday Feb 15th. The film follows a group of ancient heroes that have protected Earth for ages. The group reunites in order to fend off the Deviants and save humanity.

Release date: 2022-02-15

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Encanto, Walt Disney Animation Studios 60th film, arrives on home video disc formats February 8th.  The film was originally released on Disney+ December 24, 2021 & various digital formats the same day.   Encanto is the story of the Madrigal family.  Each member of this multi-generational Colombian family receives a magical gift, except for Mirabel.   Mirabel discovers her family is in danger of losing their magic and the film follows her adventure as she tries to help her family.

This initial home video release features over 100 minutes of bonus material exploring the music, Colombian heritage and other aspects of the film.    The short, “Far From The Tree”, is part of the release along with an introduction to it.   A sing along version and ability to jump to each song is available too. 

Release date: 2022-02-08

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Disney Legend Claude Coats (1913-1992) career with the Walt Disney Company spanned over 50 years, starting at the studio in 1935, becoming an Imagineer in 1955 and retiring from Imagineering in 1989. He was named a Disney Legend in 1991. His had an artist background and education earning a fine arts degree from the University of Southern California in 1934.

Release date: 2021-11-16

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Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is now available digital and on Disney+. November 30th the film will be released on various disc formats. This Marvel Studios film explores the origins story of Shang Chi. The film stars Simu Liu as Shang-Chi and follows his journey as he confronts his past and the leader of the Ten Rings Organization, his father.

Release date: 2021-11-30

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Delicious Disney: Walt Disney World: Recipes & Stories from The Most Magical Place on Earth by Pam Brandon & Marcy Carriker Smothers delivers a culinary look at 50 years of Walt Disney World.   The book’s 300 pages features over sixty recipes of guest favorites from around the parks, resorts and Disney Springs including appetizers, main courses, sides, dessert and cocktails.    In addition to these recipes there is a narrative sharing the history of many of the locations and the dishes themselves.

Release date: 2021-09-28

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Disney’s Jungle Cruise is now available digitally and on Nov 16th will be on various disc formats.  Different retailers will also have different packaging and bonus features included.  Here is a release and images of some of the options the have.    The Jungle Cruise stars Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt and you take a journey down the Amazon River as they seek an ancient healing tree.  The film pays tribute to its namesake attraction with puns and other references.  For more on the film, here is Maggie’s Jungle Cruise review from its theatrical release.

Release date: 2021-11-16

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Walt’s Disneyland: A Walk in the Park with Walt Disney by Marcy Carriker Smothers takes you on a tour of Disneyland during Walt’s time. The narrative shares stories and information as you move around the park from land to land. Marcy starts off with a very brief history of how the park came to be and then launches into a grand circle tour of the park during the 50s and 60s. Adding to the experience are a large number of photos and quotes from Walt as well as those that worked with him.

Release date: 2021-11-16

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Birnbaum’s 2022 Walt Disney World: The Official Vacation Guide is now available. I was sent a review copy of the guide as well as the For Kids edition. This annually updated resource dates back to 1981 and has the goal of providing a comprehensive reference to help you plan your vacation to Walt Disney World. Over the years the book has continued to expand along with WDW. This year’s paperback checks in at 350 pages divided into eleven chapters. These include general vacation planning information such as: Getting Ready to Go, Transportation & Accommodations. A chapter devoted to each of the four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom). Each park chapter includes sections on getting oriented, attractions, shopping, entertainment and tips. There are also chapters on Sports & Recreation, Dining, and everything else in the world. The final chapters feature the Disney Cruise Line and a look at the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Release date: 2021-09-21

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Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World 2022: The Official Guide for Kids is now available. This book shares an overview and some planning tips geared towards children ages 7 to 14. The book features descriptions of the theme parks, attractions, and other vacation options at WDW. It includes ratings, tips, and insight from kids for kids as well. The book is substantially less than the regular guide, half the number of pages, larger fonts, and a smaller size but it still packs in all the essential information.

Release date: 2021-09-21

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A Portrait of Walt Disney World: 50 Years of The Most Magical Place on Earth is a coffee table book that celebrates the first 5 decades of the Walt Disney World Resort.  It takes a look at past, present and offers some glimpses of the future of the resort.   The book was released to coincide with the kick off of the 50th anniversary.  The trio of authors (Kevin Kern, Tim O'Day  & Steven Vagnini ), share the history of the parks, resorts, attractions and entertainment but in a nonlinear and somewhat nontraditional approach.  The chapters are organized around themes instead of the expected route of chronologically or by park.   Within in each chapter you will find an assortment of pictures, facts, figures, stories and other nuggets of information not only on current attractions but also some that have been gone for decades.   The authors add to their narration with an assortment of quotes from Imagineers, park leadership and some well known fans.   In addition to the traditional narrative are three guest pieces sharing some personal stories from Dick Nunis, Debby Dane Browne and Roy Patrick Disney.

Release date: 2021-09-28

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To commemorate Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary the Orlando Sentinel published this book containing reprints of a number of articles and images from its archives. The book includes over 100 historical photos and reprints of dozens of articles in its 176 pages organized into 13 chapters that chronicle the history of Walt Disney World. Spanning from the speculation of who was purchasing the land in the 1960s through the announcement of the 50th anniversary celebration this year this book delivers a look at the origins, creation and growth of Walt Disney World from the hometown newspaper’s coverage.

Release date: 2021-10-12

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