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Tag: Disney

  • Fortnite Fans Say New Skin Is A JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Rip-Off

    Fortnite Fans Say New Skin Is A JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Rip-Off

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    I’m seeing double. Must be the work of an enemy Stand.
    Image: Epic Games / David Production / Shueisha / Netflix / Kotaku

    Recently, Fortnite has become a wacky and eclectic ensemble of the best anime characters of all time with its Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, and My Hero Academia crossovers. However, some fans are calling out the battle royale’s latest original skin for not being so original at all, but rather what they see as an egregious JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure knockoff.

    Yesterday, the official Fortnite Twitter account made a post about its newest character skin, Hana. Hana sports a fashionably short chartreuse hairstyle while wearing a blue suit with an exposed midriff and matching chartreuse patterns. Hana’s also got a ghoul-like “inner demon” outfit named Keleritas. If you’ve watched the Netflix anime JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean, you wouldn’t be remiss in thinking I just wrote a word-for-word description of its titular character Jolyne Cujoh and her ghost-like Stand, Stone Free.

    Read More: Netflix’s Binge-Model Release of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean Ruined The Anime’s Hype

    For those without JJBA brain rot, Jolyne Cujoh is the main character of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s sixth part, Stone Ocean. Jolyne utilizes a magical ghost-like being called a stand to assist her in battles. Stone Ocean recently finished streaming on Netflix last month, though the show was poorly promoted online by the streaming service.

    While some fans were more charitable than others when calling out Fortnite’s new character on Twitter for her uncanny resemblance to Jolyne, editing the character into the “Is That A MF JoJo’s Reference” meme and making requests for a future Fortnite x JJBA crossover, others saw it as a blatant rip-off.

    “You gotta love that legally distinct energy,” Reddit user Vera_Verse wrote on the r/TwoBestFriends subreddit.

    “Great Value Jolyne,” wrote one Twitter user.

    “Johnson’s Peculiar Journey,” wrote another.

    Kotaku reached out to Epic Games but did not receive a comment by the time of publication.

    Read More: Netflix Removed A Fan-Favorite JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Scene To Avoid Disney’s Lawyers

    JJBA is no stranger to battle royale games or wacky crossovers. Prior to the release of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R, Bandai Namco released a third-person battle royale action game called JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Last Survivor in Japan back in December 2019. More recently, JJBA announced a collaboration with the fashion company Bradelis New York for a Jolyne Cujoh-themed lingerie line.

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    Isaiah Colbert

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  • Disney Changes Add Fan Favorite Perks, Free Parking at Hotels

    Disney Changes Add Fan Favorite Perks, Free Parking at Hotels

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    After widespread complaints about increased prices and seemingly diminished perks at Disney parks and resorts, the company is making some concessions under its new leadership.


    Courtesy company.

    Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebrations

    On Tuesday, Disney’s Chairman of Parks, Experiences and Products, Josh D’Amaro, wrote a memo to staff saying that he’s “in the parks fairly often, and I listen to you and to our guests about the things that are working, as well as the things that might need some change,” the Wall Street Journal reported.

    At Disney World in Orlando, these changes include free parking (once again) for people staying at Disney hotels, extended hours for those with annual passes to visit parks without a reservation, and added photo perks for people who purchase Genie+, a skip-the-line service.

    The company also announced a relaxed rule about park-hopping and more opportunities and some cheaper options for visits to Disneyland in California.

    CEO Robert Iger returned as Disney’s CEO after the embattled Bob Chapek stepped down in November. As the outlet writes, this is in essence, Iger’s “peace offering,” to fans who became personally disgruntled with Chapek over changes to the park, particularly price increases.

    Over the past year, Disney increased prices on everything from merch to hotels to food at the park, per a WSJ investigation, outpacing inflation and massively boosting customer spend. On top of that, previously free benefits began to cost money.

    Related: Bob Iger Returns as Disney CEO and Bob Chapek Steps Down, Effective Immediately

    Related: ‘I Can Go to Europe for Cheaper’: A Trip to Disney Costs More Than Ever Before

    These changes began to anger hardcore fans of the parks, including people who buy annual passes, which allowed them to enter the parks whenever they wanted throughout the years, without blackout dates in two of the tiers. (They are no longer for sale.)

    The company added blackout dates and a reservation system after the pandemic, which spurred a class action lawsuit from two annual pass holders.

    Disney die-hards were so upset about some of the new rules, they began wearing shirts around Disney resorts that said “Chapek Killed The Magic,” the outlet noted.

    Iger was CEO of the company for 15 years and worked there for around 40. He returned to his post, barely a year after retiring, which was a surprise for many. It came amid tough reputational and financial times for the company, including an employee walkout over the company’s response to Florida’s “don’t say gay” bill, losses on streamer Disney+, and possible layoffs.

    Walt Disney World, Orlando Park Changes

    The company isn’t bending completely on annual passes. At some point in the “next few months,” the company wrote in their blog, annual pass holders will be able to go to theme parks without a reservation after 2 p.m., excluding Saturdays and Sundays at the Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando.

    However, the blackout dates and reservations are here to stay, the latter of which “remains important to manage attendance in our parks,” the company wrote. “We realize our Passholders enjoy more spontaneous visits – and this change will make that possible.”

    Disney is also giving people who already have annual passes a new perk, free Disney PhotoPass Lenses, which allows users to take augmented reality (AR) photos with special lenses around the park, and a free visit to an AR mural at Cinderella’s Castle.

    Free parking is also back for those who stay at Disney hotels in the Orlando parks.

    Another major price-boosting change, as the WSJ noted, was removing Disney’s FastPass system for skipping lines. The new program is called Genie+. It provides entrance to the Lighting Lane on certain rides, which start at $25 a day per person.

    You have to pay extra, to the tune of $10 to $17 a ride, to enter the lane for select rides. Some are included in the $25 and some have to be purchased separately at rides such as the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Flight of Passage, which you can do even without buying Genie+. The implementation has reportedly been a disaster at times, with people completely skipping the regular line, called Standby.

    Starting in the next “few months,” people who buy Genie+ for a visit will also get free photos from Disney PhotoPass, which are taken at places like Space Mountain and Expedition Everest.

    Disneyland Resort, California Changes

    The company’s olive branches in California include an earlier time for people who “park hop” from Disneyland to Disney California Adventure if they have a Magic Key pass (which provides entrance to both parks) or a Park Hopper ticket from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

    Disneyland offers select dates where tickets are $104, a relatively lower price compared to the usual day prices, which vary widely but can cost $164-$239 for a one-day ticket that allows park hopping for someone over the age of 10, for example.

    In the blog post, the company said it added “nearly” two more months’ worth of dates throughout 2023 where people can take advantage of the $104 price.

    The company said it also plans to sell more Magic Key passes in 2023.

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    Gabrielle Bienasz

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  • Disney CEO Bob Iger Wants Employees in Office 4 Days a Week

    Disney CEO Bob Iger Wants Employees in Office 4 Days a Week

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    Robert Iger is shaking things up after returning to Disney as CEO. In addition to staff changes and restructuring of some key departments, he recently issued an internal memo stating that hybrid workers must return to Disney corporate for at least four days a week beginning March 1.


    Charley Gallay | Getty Images

    Yahoo Finance reports Iger wrote that he’d “been meeting with teams throughout the Company over the past few months.” During that time, Iger said he’d “been reminded of the tremendous value in being together with the people you work with.” The memo continued:

    “As you’ve heard me say many times, creativity is the heart and soul of who we are and what we do at Disney. And in a creative business like ours, nothing can replace the ability to connect, observe, and create with peers that comes from being physically together, nor the opportunity to grow professionally by learning from leaders and mentors,” the memo continued. “It is my belief that working together more in-person will benefit the Company’s creativity, culture, and our employees’ careers.”

    Iger has been chipping away at changes made by predecessor Bob Chapek. He revamped Chapek’s pet project, the Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution (DMED) division and has signaled disapproval of Chapek raising prices at Disney World and Disneyland.

    In his email about returning to the office, Iger ended on a positive note, writing: “As we embark on a new year, Disney’s historic 100th anniversary, and all the opportunities before us, we have so many reasons to be excited about the future. Certainly, this is a moment of tremendous change – for our Company, for our industry, and for the global economy – but despite the challenges, at my core I remain an optimist.”

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    Steve Huff

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  • Florida moves to curtail Disney World’s powers as “Don’t Say Gay” feud advances

    Florida moves to curtail Disney World’s powers as “Don’t Say Gay” feud advances

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    Florida lawmakers will move to increase state control of Walt Disney World’s private government, according to a notice published Friday, the latest development in a feud over what law critics have dubbed “Don’t Say Gay.”

    The notice posted on the Osceola County website says the Republican-controlled statehouse will take up legislation changing the structure and powers of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, as the 55-year-old Disney government is known.

    A bill has not yet been filed detailing exactly what changes would be under consideration, but the notice serves as a procedural step in what has become a closely watched process between Disney and Florida.

    Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis last year signed legislation that would dissolve the Disney government in June 2023. The move was intended to punish the company for its public opposition to a law that bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, as well as lessons deemed not age appropriate. Disney also said it would suspend political donations in the state and that it would support organizations working to oppose the education law.

    DeSantis and statehouse Republicans slammed the entertainment giant, accusing it of pushing so-called woke ideologies that are inappropriate for children. 

    Political fallout

    The feud marked an escalation in an ongoing culture war that has made DeSantis one of the nation’s most popular Republicans and a likely 2024 GOP presidential candidate. Disney is a major political donor and one of Florida’s largest employers, with more than 60,000 workers in the state.

    The creation of Reedy Creek district was instrumental in Disney’s decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s. Having a separate government allows the company to provide zoning, fire protection, utilities and infrastructure services on its sprawling property.

    “The corporate kingdom has come to an end,” Taryn Fenske, a spokeswoman for DeSantis, said in a written statement. “Disney will no longer control its own government, will live under the same laws as everyone else, will be responsible for their outstanding debts, and will pay their fair share of taxes. Imposing a state-controlled board will also ensure that Orange County cannot use this issue as a pretext to raise taxes on Orange County residents.”

    The language of Friday’s notice aligns with assurances Republican lawmakers and DeSantis have made regarding the district’s future, including a pledge that the district’s debts and bond obligations would not fall to local county governments.

    The notice also says the legislation would intend to increase state accountability of the district, change how its governing body is selected, and revise permitting rules and the district’s regulatory frameworks, among other things.

    The Legislature is set to meet for its next regular session in March.

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  • ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ Star Discusses The Possibility Of A Sequel

    ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ Star Discusses The Possibility Of A Sequel

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    “The Nightmare Before Christmas” actor Chris Sarandon, who voiced the role of Jack Skellington in the 1993 holiday classic, has revealed what he knows about a potential sequel to the iconic film.

    Sarandon talked to Robert Peterpaul for his “The Art of Kindness” podcast this week about the possibility of a sequel, which Disney reportedly considered as early as 2001. A video game, “The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie’s Revenge,” is considered a sequel for the film and its developers sought “detailed advice” from director Tim Burton during its creation. Talk of another film last surfaced in 2019.

    Sarandon, who once said he would crawl on “his hands and knees” across the U.S. to be in a sequel, told Peterpaul that he wouldn’t be part of a process to greenlight the sequel and he isn’t sure if he’d be in a potential second film.

    “Essentially I have nothing to do with it. I can’t pick up the phone and call Tim Burton and say, ‘OK let’s go! Let’s do Nightmare Before Christmas 2,’” he said.

    “I’m the hired gun in this equation. And whether it would be me in a sequel or not… I don’t know.”

    Sarandon said that he respects Burton’s thoughts, while conceding: “I don’t know how Tim feels.”

    “I’ve heard various things, but they could be true or not,” he said.

    Burton, who discussed a 3D version of the film with MTV in 2006, opened up about his thoughts on a possible sequel and described his desire to keep the “purity” of the film.

    “I was always very protective of [‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’], not to do sequels or things of that kind. You know, ‘Jack visits Thanksgiving world’ or other kinds of things, just because I felt the movie had a purity to it and the people that like it,” Burton said.

    “Because it’s not a mass-market kind of thing, it was important to kind of keep that purity of it. I try to respect people and keep the purity of the project as much as possible.”

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  • INTERVIEW: Mary McCartney Gets Honest About Abbey Road in ‘If These Walls Could Sing’

    INTERVIEW: Mary McCartney Gets Honest About Abbey Road in ‘If These Walls Could Sing’

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    The last two years have been great for fans of The Beatles. For me personally, it has been bittersweet. My graduation gifts from high school included my mom taking me to London where I went to Abbey Road and did the walk across the street and my dad taking me to a Paul McCartney concert. So since his fairly recent passing, it’s been hard for me to watch documentaries about the band he loved so much.

    Get Back was hard and If These Walls Could Sing hurt in a different way because I got to speak with Mary McCartney, director of the documentary and daughter of Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney. It was a big moment in my career when I wanted to call my dad and tell him about it and I couldn’t. I said as much when I got to speak with McCartney about her film, which documents the history of Abbey Road long before the Beatles began recording there and what has happened since.

    Between my own connection to the Beatles and Mary McCartney’s memories of being there with her parents, our conversation was an emotional one. She was so open to talking with me about art, photography, and growing up that it was a beautiful conversation I’ll cherish. And wish I could tell my dad about it.

    One of the best parts of If These Walls Could Sing is learning the history of the studio space, both as it pre-dates the Beatles and the more recent but still iconic history. I asked McCartney what her favorite thing she learned in her research for the documentary was.

    “I think probably the breadth of what’s gone on there was fascinating,” she said. “But also just the longevity. Like, I think the thing that most surprised me was that it opened in 1931 and I was like, okay, I didn’t know that. So what happened from 1931 until The Beatles got there and that was sort of the journey. And then that was it. I didn’t know any of it. So I had to sit down with my team and go right, go through the session sheets, go through Abbey Road. Luckily had a lot of information they could give us. And so I went through and I sort of had a learning curve going through. I was really fascinated when I found out that Fela Kuti had recorded three albums there because I love his music. That was great.”

    This documentary has such a fantastic scope as it looks at everything that took place at Abbey Road, including John Williams composing music and recording it there for Indiana Jones and more.

    The movie journey of Abbey Road

    While watching the movie late at night, I was shocked to suddenly see John Williams being interviewed. He ushered in a section of the documentary where Mary McCartney dived into the movies that got their score recorded there. “Well, the thing is there’s so many films, all of the Harry Potter films, all the Lord of the Ring trilogy. But I invited John Williams, you know, I said, can I interview you? And he agreed,” McCartney explained. “So then I thought from that I’m gonna hang the movie section of him because also when you see the documentary, I mean he’s literally the most eloquent man explaining things, I think it’s probably one of the highlights of the documentary is just the way he talks about the space and how eloquently in a way that nobody else can because he’s just John Williams, he’s a complete one off and he is the most Oscar-nominated, versatile movie composer of all time.”

    “So to have his voice sort of to pin that section on and then have George Lucas as well and that was a real dream. And again, it made me so pleased that I did the documentary because it’s just the opportunity to learn that and speak to him was heartwarming. And I think he gave a lot, I wanted the style of the interviews to be very informal and relaxed and it worked. Because I hadn’t met him before and so a lot was relying on his interview because I did want him to sort of pin that whole film section in the documentary. And he did a wonderful job.”

    The movie as a whole is beautiful whether or not you know a lot about Abbey Road or if you’re a Beatles fan or if you just want to watch a documentary about an iconic recording studio. McCartney was a joy to talk with I’m so grateful she was receptive to me talking about my personal emotional connection to her father’s work and how this documentary reminded me of what makes me love Paul McCartney.

    If These Walls Could Sing is available on Disney+.

    (image: Disney)

    —The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling.—

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    Rachel Leishman

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  • Belle’s Yellow Gown Gets a Fashion-y Update in ‘Beauty and the Beast: a 30th Celebration’

    Belle’s Yellow Gown Gets a Fashion-y Update in ‘Beauty and the Beast: a 30th Celebration’

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    Sure, it’s “a tale as old as time,” but Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” actually turned 30 this year — a full Selena Gomez, for comparison. 

    So, on Thursday, ABC celebrated with a live-action and animated extravaganza directed by “Step Up” and “Crazy Rich Asians” auteur Jon M. Chu, headlined by marquee talent: H.E.R. as Belle, Josh Groban as Beast, Shania Twain as Mrs. Potts, Martin Short as Lumière and more. With clips of the original animation being interspersed with the stage performance, the costumes by Marina Toybina (winner of six Emmys, two of which were for “The Masked Singer”) helped create seamless continuity, while honoring the significance of the 1991 classic to ardent fans.

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    Fawnia Soo Hoo

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  • I Love How Queer ‘Willow’ Is, But I Hate What Happens to This Couple | The Mary Sue

    I Love How Queer ‘Willow’ Is, But I Hate What Happens to This Couple | The Mary Sue

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    I love how unapologetically queer a lot of TV is nowadays. Take Willow, for instance: They don’t have to heavily code or hint at the romance between Princess Kit (Ruby Cruz) and Jade (Erin Kellyman), her champion. The two are simply in love—and check it out, civilization hasn’t crumbled yet!

    In episode 3, “The Battle of the Slaughtered Lamb,” we meet another queer couple: Hubert and Anne, a pair of lesbian homesteaders played by Hannah Waddingham and Caoimhe Farren. Hubert and Anne are living the queer dream! They’re toasting their lunches on an open flame next to their firewood! Their forest cottage has moss on the roof! Also, Hannah Waddingham!! Of Ted Lasso and Game of Thrones fame! What a treat!

    I instantly fell in love with Hubert and Anne, and my interest in the series shot up when their scene made it look like they’d be recurring characters. That’s why their fate was especially disappointing.

    What happens to Hubert and Anne?

    Here’s a quick recap: Elora Danan escapes the monsters (known as “disciples”) sent by the Crone to capture her, and runs through the forest until she stumbles upon Hubert and Anne outside their cottage. Elora warns them about what’s coming, and the couple, awestruck that they’re in the presence of the True Empress, vow to dedicate themselves to the “great host” that’s prophesied to help her defeat the forces of darkness.

    But as they’re getting ready to leave, the disciples show up and attack. Hubert seems to kill their leader, the corrupt Commander Ballantine (Ralph Ineson), but then he swings his sword around and runs her through. Elora and Anne try to escape, but the disciples catch up and take out Anne, too.

    Yep, that’s right. They both die.

    It’s such a tremendous waste. Waddingham is absolutely delightful as Hubert, with her quirky choices of vocabulary and her unflagging cheer. Even though Anne never has a chance to get a word in, Farren’s chemistry with Waddingham is a pleasure to watch. I could hang out with these gals all series. As it is, though, they only get a couple of scenes. There’s a chance they could come back from the dead, but I’m not holding my breath.

    By killing Hubert and Anne off, the show turns them into props to show that the Crone is dangerous, which … um, we already knew. They also prompt Elora to proclaim, later in the episode, that she won’t let anyone else die because of her, but there are plenty of other paths to heroism Elora could have taken.

    Plus, by not surviving even one episode, Hubert and Anne end up as casualties of the “bury your gays” trope, in which queer characters are more likely to die in film and TV. Yeah, a lot of other characters die in this episode, too, but Hubert and Anne’s deaths still feel unnecessary.

    I’m still loving Willow, and I can’t wait to see how Kit and Jade’s relationship continues to unfold. But unless a miracle is in the works, the loss of Hubert and Anne just seems pointless.

    (featured image: Lucasfilm)

    —The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling.—

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    Julia Glassman

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  • What Is Disney World Like for the Holidays? See the Photos

    What Is Disney World Like for the Holidays? See the Photos

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    • Christmas is my favorite holiday, and spending it at Disney World can be a magical experience.
    • But long lines, major crowds, and expensive tickets can easily dismantle the holiday spirit.
    • The annual ticketed Christmas party is very fun, but it’s also a costly added expense.

    This story originally appeared on Business Insider.

    Expect long lines at all four parks.

    Jungle Cruise gets a special holiday overlay at the end of the year. Timothy Moore

    The first time I saw the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios) in 2000, I was hooked on the magic of Disney World at Christmastime.

    But as an adult, I’ve quickly learned that expectations don’t always match reality.

    Unsurprisingly, a lot of people like to go to Disney World for the holidays, so throughout November and December, anticipate longer lines for all the rides.

    Rides that have special holiday overlays, like Living With the Land and Jungle Cruise (seasonally dubbed Jingle Cruise), may have even longer waits.

    Springing for Genie+ or individual Lighting Lane passes, which let you wait in shorter lines, might end up being a good investment — particularly at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.

    Ticket prices can get really expensive around the holidays.

    Crowds gathered outside Magic Kingdom and at the ticket booths. Timothy Moore

    Disney World tickets don’t cost the same all year.

    Prices skyrocket at some of the most popular times to visit, including spring break, summer, and, especially the holiday season. Ticket prices also vary depending on the day of the week.

    One-day single-park tickets for December currently cost between $139 and $159. And one-day Park Hopper tickets (which let you visit multiple parks) are running between $199 and $224.

    For reference, the Disney World site lists $109 as the base rate for a one-day ticket.

    Prepare for longer food waits at quick-service spots.

    Crowds crossing a bridge at Magic Kingdom near Cosmic Rays. Timothy Moore

    If you couldn’t land a reservation at your favorite sit-down restaurants, you can also expect long lines at the quick-service spots.

    You can try to plan around longer lines by using mobile order in the My Disney Experience app. But on super busy days, you may need to place your order several hours before you’re actually hungry.

    The seasonal food booths at Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays don’t accept mobile orders, so popular spots might have long lines all day. Hit these up first thing in the morning if they’re important to you.

    Queue up early for Disney-provided transportation.

    The bus lines at the resort were long during our recent stay. Timothy Moore

    Long lines don’t just exist inside the parks. Even Disney’s transportation options — buses, boats, the Skyliner, and the monorail — fetch longer-than-normal lines at the end of the year.

    It’s important to remember this when planning out your day because even at non-peak times, it can take more than an hour to get on buses at popular Disney hotels.

    If I’m going to a park early in the morning, I set my alarm for two hours before the first bus is scheduled to depart and try to get to the stop an hour early.

    Even then, I’m usually not the first in line.

    It’s hard to get a good spot for the daytime parades.

    “Festival of Fantasy” runs year-round at Magic Kingdom. Timothy Moore

    I’m more of a grab-a-cocktail and hop-on-a-ride kind of guy, but even I like to catch the occasional parade at Magic Kingdom.

    Although they run multiple times a day (weather permitting), they get extra busy during the holidays.

    Plan to be packed shoulder-to-shoulder while watching “Festival of Fantasy” on Main Street.

    The seasonal parades and shows are totally packed.

    You can’t always see everything through the crowds. Timothy Moore

    The holiday parade at Magic Kingdom’s Christmas party is even more crowded than “Festival of Fantasy.”

    If you’re not tall enough to stand behind the crowds — or if you’ve got little ones who want to wave to Mickey — grab a spot along the parade route at least half an hour ahead of the scheduled start time.

    One of the hardest shows to see this time of year is Epcot’s “Candlelight Processional” — people start lining up really early.

    If you aren’t willing to sacrifice a good chunk of your evening, you may not get a seat for the seasonal show at all.

    One reason it’s so popular is that Disney brings in celebrities to narrate it (Neil Patrick Harris is a recurring favorite). You might want to check the schedule ahead of time if you’re set on seeing someone specific.

    Crowds for non-seasonal shows can also get hectic.

    “Festival of the Lion King” runs year-round at Animal Kingdom. Timothy Moore

    The nighttime spectacular Fantasmic recently reopened at Hollywood Studios after a temporary closure.

    Despite lining up 45 minutes before the show started, we were squeezed into the back of the theater and couldn’t see the bottom half of the action-packed stage area (on the water).

    Other year-round shows were also crowded.

    Whether you want to see the “Frozen” sing-along at Hollywood Studios or “Festival of the Lion King” at Animal Kingdom, line up early — and expect lots of chaotic crowds pouring out of the theaters afterward.

    The fireworks crowds are even worse.

    It’s hard to see all the castle projections from the back of Main Street. Timothy Moore

    If you don’t like crowds, it’s probably best to steer clear of Main Street in Magic Kingdom leading up to “Disney Enchantment.” People start grabbing spots several hours before the fireworks show.

    If seeing the fireworks is the ideal nightcap to your park day, call it quits on the rides at least an hour before the show starts.

    We showed up half an hour early and were forced more than halfway down Main Street. I’m tall enough to see over people’s heads, but for many, being this far back means missing the fun castle projections.

    To a lesser extent, Epcot’s World Showcase can get pretty packed ahead of “Harmonious.” But you can usually get a decent view even if you grab a spot just 10 minutes before the fireworks start.

    The ticketed Christmas party comes with some freebies, but they might not be worth the high cost for you.

    Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party offers guests some free treats. Timothy Moore

    I spent $180 to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year. The event is now sold out, but tickets for the busiest nights went for over $200 with tax.

    Although this party is pretty spectacular (special fireworks, a Christmas dance party, and free cookies and hot cocoa), it can also drain your savings if you’re trying to do Disney on a budget.

    The smaller crowds are nice compared to visiting the parks during the day. But paying $200 a person to experience them isn’t so magical.

    If special snacks, exclusive entertainment, and very short wait times sound appealing to you, you might still want to shell out for the event.

    Festive snacks look cute on Instagram, but they’re pricey.

    The $17.99 Lock, Shock, and Barrel sundae at Magic Kingdom. Timothy Moore

    You can drop a lot of cash on exclusive snacks during the Christmas party at Magic Kingdom.

    A chai-caramel Freeze set me back $7.99, and the Lock, Shock, and Barrel sundae was a cool $17.99.

    They were absolutely delicious, but I don’t know if it was worth it to spend over $25 on two snacks.

    The Christmas-themed cocktails also cost a pretty penny.

    The seasonal drinks at Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar cost between $13 and $27. Timothy Moore

    Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar at Disney Springs gets a Christmas makeover every year.

    Its seasonal drinks are full of holiday spirit, but they’re also outrageously expensive, ranging from $13 to $27. Ordering just a couple was enough to blow through my lunch budget for the day.

    I recommend finding a friend and sharing the cocktails so you can taste more of them for less.

    But still, Disney World is pretty magical this time of year, and I have tips to make the most of it.

    There are ways to plan ahead and beat some of the bigger crowds. Timothy Moore

    Large crowds and high prices can quickly deflate your holiday spirit, but I’ve got plenty of tips to find Christmas magic at Disney World.

    First off, I recommend visiting the week after Thanksgiving or the first week of December.

    Holiday crowds are typically much higher during the week of Thanksgiving and the weeks leading up to Christmas. The week between Christmas and New Year’s is often the busiest of all.

    Rope-drop the parks and use Genie+ if you can.

    It’s worth it to get to the parks early. Timothy Moore

    Wait times will be long, so start your day early by “rope dropping” (getting to the park gates an hour or more before they open) to experience a few rides before the crowds swell.

    And although it costs an extra $15 a person each day, paying for Genie+ can help you experience more attractions without standing in long lines because you can book expedited Lighting Lane passes.

    If rides are your priority, stay in the parks as late as you can.

    Wait times are the shortest at night while people are watching the shows. Timothy Moore

    Crowds don’t necessarily thin out at night, but with Disney’s wealth of nighttime fireworks shows, attraction wait times tend to go down.

    That’s the perfect time to catch a ride on Splash Mountain or Soarin’.

    Plan to chill out at your resort on weekend days.

    If you’re staying on the Disney property, plan a rest day for Saturday or Sunday. Timothy Moore

    Since weekends are especially busy at the parks, it’s the perfect time to enjoy your hotel’s pool or hop over to other resorts to see all the seasonal decorations.

    We spent one weekend evening on the BoardWalk and saw live performers with no crowds.

    We also planned a weekend breakfast at ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, which let us meet Mickey, Minnie, Lilo, and Stitch without waiting in any lines.

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    Timothy Moore

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  • Disney Dress Code Forces Woman to Change and Pay Fine

    Disney Dress Code Forces Woman to Change and Pay Fine

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    It seems like Mickey is a bit picky when it comes to his dress code.

    One woman is calling out Disney World after she was “dress-coded” at the Florida theme park for wearing a backless blouse.

    @jordyngraime Disney doesn’t like backs I guess…. #epcot #disneyworld #disney #dresscode #fyp #foryoupage @jessiedipasquale ♬ Castaways – The Backyardigans

    “Disney doesn’t like backs I guess …,” Jordyn Graime wrote on TikTok in a resurfaced video that has been viewed 4 million times.

    Graime’s bare back cost her a $20 fine according to the clip, and she was forced to change into an oversized yellow shirt, which was given to her for free.

    According to Disney’s dress code policy, the park has “the right to deny admission to or remove any person wearing attire that we consider inappropriate or attire that could detract from the experience of other guests.”

    The park considers inappropriate clothing to be “excessively torn” or “loose-fitting” clothing that can potentially be hazardous to other guests and “clothing which, by nature, exposes excessive portions of the skin that may be viewed as inappropriate for a family environment.”

    Graime isn’t the only one to call out Disney’s strict dress code. Previously, women were purposely wearing bikinis to the park to garner a free T-shirt.

    @heleniofficial free shirt hack at Disney World!? #fypシ #disneyworldorlandoflorida #fyp #disneyhacksguide #disneyhacks2022 ♬ original sound – Heleni

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    Sam Silverman

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  • Disney+ Now Available With Ads

    Disney+ Now Available With Ads

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    Disney+ planned ad-supported tier is now available. This new model launches on December 8. Previously, Disney+ merely had one tier, priced at $7.99 monthly, without ads. If you want to keep watching Disney+ without ads, the new price for that tier is $10.99 a month.

    While it’s evident that increasing the price of a previously available service and charging the old fee for a lesser tier isn’t great for customers, it is an option that’s now available. Michael Paull, an executive at Disney, recently offered a statement on the new development. He said:

    Today’s launch marks a milestone moment for Disney+ and puts consumer choice at the forefront. With these new ad-supported offerings, we’re able to deliver greater flexibility for consumers to enjoy the full breadth and depth of incredible storytelling from The Walt Disney Company.

    The issue here is that while yes, there are choices, the subscriber is forced to pay three more dollars a month if they’d like to continue using the service as it existed. If not, they can just stick with the old price, but now be subjected to frequent ad breaks. Not only that, but the ad-supported tier won’t feature other bells and whistles, like downloads, Groupwatch, or Dolby Atmos support.

    Disney has been the majority owner of Hulu since at least 2019, and it seems that they wanted to take a big risk by trying out ad-supported models over there first. Rather than pushing it on the platform that featured their name, they opted for a sneakier approach. When they realized that people would pay more or settle for an ad-supported tier, they expanded the system to other streaming services.

    As far as the bundles go, Disney is offering an ad-supported Hulu/Disney+ bundle for $9.99 a month. For $12.99, you can get Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Hulu with live TV will go for $69.99 a month, which includes Disney+ and ESPN+ in their ad-supported forms.

    Great Disney+ Movies You Might Have Missed

    These excellent films are all waiting to be discovered on Disney+.

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    Cody Mcintosh

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  • Citadel CEO Pays For 10,000 Employees to Party at Disney World

    Citadel CEO Pays For 10,000 Employees to Party at Disney World

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    Tis the season of holiday parties, and when it comes to big bankers, they certainly don’t hold back on the celebrations.


    Citadel

    Citadel employees party it up in Disney World.

    Such was the case for roughly 10,000 Citadel and Citadel Securities employees who were flown to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida by CEO and billionaire Ken Griffin to celebrate for three days among the parks with their families.

    The bash was meant to celebrate Citadel Securities’ 20th anniversary and Citadel’s 30th anniversary (which occurred in 2020 but could not be celebrated due to the pandemic.)

    Covered in the cost were lodging, theme park tickets, and all the food and beverages employees could imbibe.

    Guests were also treated to a casual private Coldplay concert as well as additional performances by Carly Rae Jepsen and Diplo.

    The company oversees around 4,000 employees, and this trip included employees from the U.S., Canada, and Europe — the Asia-Pacific division of the company has a separate event slated for 2023.

    Earlier this year, Citadel employees were treated to a massive Halloween party at Cipriani in New York as well as private movie screenings and tickets to Wimbledon.

    Griffin and the company recently relocated their HQ to Miami, as it was previously stationed in Chicago.

    Griffin’s net worth is an estimated $29 billion according to Bloomberg.

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    Emily Rella

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  • Week In Review: December 4, 2022

    Week In Review: December 4, 2022

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    Read more…

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  • Florida’s tussle with Disney wouldn’t have happened ‘if Bob Iger had been CEO,’ says top DeSantis ally

    Florida’s tussle with Disney wouldn’t have happened ‘if Bob Iger had been CEO,’ says top DeSantis ally

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    Florida lawmakers are reviewing ways to restore some of the privileges that the state stripped from Walt Disney Co., still reducing the company’s benefits dramatically without going as far as ending them all, a key legislator said.

    Earlier this year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law that in 2023 would dissolve a special government district that’s granted sweeping benefits to Disney for half a century, called Reedy Creek, unless it’s reinstated by the legislature. The move was triggered by what the Republican governor saw as Disney’s criticism of a law he signed that limits elementary school teachings about gender identity.

    The sponsor of the law axing the entertainment giant’s Florida perks, state Representative Randy Fine, said he’s encouraged by last month’s ouster of Disney Chief Executive Officer Bob Chapek, who led opposition to DeSantis’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law. Fine said discussions were helped by signs that Disney’s returning CEO Bob Iger will steer clear of Florida politics. 

    “I think Mr. Iger has already said it probably was a misstep on the company’s part and how they handled it,” Fine said in an interview.  “I don’t think we’d be in this situation if Bob Iger had been CEO.” 

    The move pitted DeSantis against one of Florida’s largest and most powerful employers, known for several iconic theme parks in Orlando. DeSantis, who’s widely believed to be plotting a run for president in 2024, has made the blow against Disney a key part of his so-called “anti-woke” agenda. The Florida governor has vowed repeatedly to go after corporations that side against him on culture-war fights over race, gender identity and abortion. Fighting what he called “the woke” was the foundation of a reelection campaign that gave DeSantis one of the largest landslide victories of any Republican in the US midterm elections in November.

    DeSantis won’t make any “U-turns” from the law he signed this year, his chief spokesman said. The governor will not reverse pledges to remove “the extraordinary benefit given to one company,” Press Secretary Bryan Griffin said in an emailed statement.  “A plan is in the works and will be released soon.”

    Iger to ‘quiet things down’ in Florida

    One goal would be to ensure that Disney would be responsible for paying back the nearly $1 billion in municipal bonds issued by the special district, DeSantis has said. “We will have an even playing field for businesses in Florida, and the state certainly owes no special favors to one company,” Griffin said. “Disney’s debts will not fall on the taxpayers of Florida.”

    A Disney spokesperson declined comment. In a recent hall meeting with Disney employees, Iger, said: “Do I like the company being embroiled in controversy? Of course not.” 

    “It can be distracting and have a negative impact on the company. To the extent I can quiet things down, I’m going to do that,” he said, adding that he’s still getting “up to speed” on the situation with Reedy Creek and that he doesn’t have all the details about the ramifications of Florida’s decision.

    Legislation to replace Reedy Creek will seek to strip away benefits that no other company except Disney enjoys, said Fine, who said he’s involved in discussions among lawmakers and the governor. Fine declined to comment on details of the discussions or what privileges might be on the chopping block once a new law is proposed in the legislature. 

    But he cited perks Disney has enjoyed such as government-like powers to seize land via eminent domain and to sell bonds. The Reedy Creek tax district was created by the legislature in 1967 in a deal that led to the construction of Disney World. It gave Disney self-governing power over 25,000 acres, including overseeing its own building code and permits, which helped the company build faster. 

    “I think what you’ll likely see is some of the things that just made no sense,” said Fine. “You know, it isn’t going to be, ‘Oops, let’s go back to the way it was.’ You’re gonna see something substantially different.”

    Iger, in the wide-ranging meeting with employees, said he’s not going to back down on having Disney be a “good citizen of the world,” which is sometimes mistakenly branded as political. 

    “I think there’s a misperception here about what politics is,” he explained. “I think that some of the subjects that have proven to be controversial as it relates to Disney have been branded political, and I don’t necessarily believe they are.” 

    —With assistance from Thomas Buckley

    Our new weekly Impact Report newsletter will examine how ESG news and trends are shaping the roles and responsibilities of today’s executives—and how they can best navigate those challenges. Subscribe here.

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    Michael Smith, Bloomberg

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  • How Gabrielle Union’s Latest Press Tour Wardrobe Came Together

    How Gabrielle Union’s Latest Press Tour Wardrobe Came Together

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    A Gabrielle Union-Wade promo cycle is always a fun time. The actor, producer and multi-hyphenate Scorpio icon is a known lover and appreciator of fashion — she’s made that clear her entire decades-long career, building relationships with the biggest luxury houses in the world (Prada, Miu Miu and Valentino, to name a few) while also supporting emerging labels. (She’s worn Christopher John Rogers, Zankov and Puppets and Puppets, among others, in the last few weeks alone.)

    For years, she’s been collaborating with stylist Thomas Christos Kikis on everything from press tours to #WadeWorldTours. Promoting multiple projects this fall, Union’s been out and about, with a dual focus on the animated Disney film “Strange World” and the A24 drama “The Inspection.” One’s a big-studio, fun-for-the-whole-family event; the other, an emotional awards season vehicle — “two very different projects,” as Christos tells me. 

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    Ana Colón

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  • Disney to Focus on ‘Creativity’ Under Returning CEO Bob Iger

    Disney to Focus on ‘Creativity’ Under Returning CEO Bob Iger

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    Disney owns the right to Return of the Jedi — but Monday, it was the return of Bob Iger.


    Rodin Eckenroth I Getty Images

    Bob Iger in 2020.

    The CEO, who mounted a surprise comeback to the top job at the media and entertainment conglomerate last week, hosted his first employee town hall on Monday, according to news reports of the meeting.

    “I am extremely optimistic for the future of this great company and thrilled to be asked by the Board to return as its CEO,” he said in a statement upon taking the job.

    In the meeting Monday, the veteran CEO discussed his priorities at the company, namely creativity and cost efficiency, as well as the company’s ongoing hiring freeze.

    Related: Bob Iger Returns as Disney CEO and Bob Chapek Steps Down, Effective Immediately

    Iger was Disney’s CEO from 2005 to 2020 and served as executive chairman of the board through 2021. He reigned over the company during a highly successful period, particularly creatively, including the purchase of Marvel Studios and Pixar. Over the past year, he said multiple times he would not return to Disney.

    His predecessor, Bob Chapek, faced difficulties at Disney, namely his response to Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill, a public fight with Scarlett Johansson, a slump in the company’s stock — it’s down nearly 40% from the beginning of the year — and continued heavy lifting to get Disney+ to profitability. Of late, fans have also repeatedly expressed frustration at cost hikes at various Disney institutions.

    Related: ‘I Can Go to Europe for Cheaper’: A Trip to Disney Costs More Than Ever Before

    Chapek earlier this month announced plans to reduce costs, including cutting business travel and curtailing hiring.

    In Monday’s meeting, Iger said that the company will stick with the hiring freeze implemented by Chapek. “It felt like it was a wise thing to do in terms of the challenges, and at the moment, I don’t have any plans to change it,” he said, per CNBC.

    And although Iger feels that creative work is best done in person, he does not have plans to require Disney employees to return to the office, the outlet added.

    The big focus, reportedly, is indeed on creativity. “A number of you who worked with me know I’m obsessed with that… But I’m obsessed with that for a reason. It is what drives the company,” he said, per CNN. He added the focus will be on quality, not quantity.

    Iger will also cut costs through corporate restructuring. He has already announced that Kareem Daniel, chairman of Disney’s media and entertainment distribution department, will leave the company.

    More cost cuts could be on the way, particularly for Disney+ (including Hulu and ESPN+), which lost $1.5 billion in Q4, sending the company’s stock sinking.

    Disney has said from the beginning that its streaming service won’t be profitable until 2024, but shareholders have increased their pressure on the company as economic conditions worsen.

    Disney’s streamers need to focus less on “chasing subs with aggressive marketing and aggressive spend on content,” Iger said, per CNN.

    Instead, Disney+ needs to focus on chasing profitability, which could mean the company will take a “very, very hard look” at the division’s spending, Iger said, per CNN.

    Some have speculated that budget cuts could affect plans to update or create new attractions at Disney’s various theme parks.

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    Gabrielle Bienasz

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  • I Had A Dream Job Playing A Disney Princess. Offstage, I Was In Freefall.

    I Had A Dream Job Playing A Disney Princess. Offstage, I Was In Freefall.

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    In 2012, I booked a dream job playing Princess Jasmine in an “Aladdin” stage show at the Disneyland Resort. At the risk of sounding cheesy, it was magical. The show was a full stage production with gorgeous sets and costumes.The theater held 2,000 seats, bigger than most Broadway houses, and the audience was always packed.

    When I wasn’t playing a literal princess on stage, I was soaring three stories above on a magic carpet as the Jasmine body double during “A Whole New World.” I also had decent pay, health insurance and a 401K.

    But two years later, everything in my life fell apart. I went from having full-time work in a job I loved to being completely unemployed. The show didn’t close. I wasn’t let go. I quit…because I was ashamed that my mental illness was on display for my coworkers to see, and because I was afraid I would be fired. Now I know better.

    I am a professional entertainer, and I also have an anxiety disorder called panic disorder. Those with panic disorder deal with frequent panic attacks during which they experience a surge of adrenaline resulting in symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath and intense fear. The panic attacks are so awful that you start to live in fear of the panic itself, which in turn can cause more panic attacks. It’s incredibly common ― nearly 20% of the US population lives with an anxiety disorder.

    Normally, my performance work isn’t affected much by my disorder. My panic triggers are typically physical: feeling dizzy, faint, dehydrated, overheated or overtired. Being onstage in front of thousands? Not a problem. Invigorating even.

    My antidepressants put a shelf under me that keeps me from falling into panic as easily, I have self-awareness and coping tools I’ve learned in therapy to make it abate when it comes on, and whenever I deal with a panic attack during work I just “do it anxious.” I refuse to let this condition keep me from pursuing my dreams.

    But at the end of 2013, I had a traumatic experience outside of work, and I spiraled into a major mental health freefall. I was panicking every day, for most of the day, and after a few weeks of this I was both physically and emotionally exhausted. Depression set in. I was crying constantly. Eventually, my poor mental health started to affect my work.

    As Jasmine, I was expected to do two shows a day in the lead role, and two shows in the chorus member/body double role. I shared the day with another actress. Being a chorus member is fairly low stakes; if something happens backstage and you don’t make it on for a scene, odds are the show won’t be affected. But as Jasmine, once the show starts it is partly on your shoulders for the next 45 minutes.

    I was so stressed, so in fear of my own body, that stepping into that role felt like being trapped. A spike of anxiety at the five-minute call would cause me to burst into tears and declare I couldn’t do the show. My counterpart for the day would have to rush to put on the costume so the show could start on time.

    I knew I was letting my co-workers down, and I felt deeply ashamed imagining what they were thinking of me. I couldn’t bear to have that feeling confirmed by being fired over poor performance, so I quit. I didn’t want to lose the job, but I knew I needed several months with no stress to get back on my feet. Later that year, I lost my health insurance with the company.

    I spent the next year quietly healing. I found a part-time job as a typist, transcribing behind-the-scenes interviews for Marvel movies. I bought an ACA-subsidized health insurance plan and went to therapy multiple times a week. And then I bought a microphone, started auditioning for animation and audiobooks, and began building a voiceover career.

    I thought about trying to go back to “Aladdin” all the time. I was so embarrassed by the way I had exited the show, I didn’t even maintain many relationships with the cast I loved. I was afraid they thought less of me. (That was my shame talking, they didn’t).

    Even though I was performing again, the thought of playing Jasmine carried so many visceral memories of that darkest period of my life. I reauditioned to join the chorus one year, but I wasn’t accepted.

    Years later, while researching a book I was writing for young adults with panic disorder, I learned something amazing. It would have been illegal for me to be fired from that job, because just like someone with any other chronic illness or injury, or disability, diagnosed mental health conditions are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

    This means that you cannot legally be fired, demoted or given disparate treatment at work on the basis of your mental health condition. So, just like my co-worker who, when experiencing a flare-up of his back injury, was able to sub into a role that didn’t require him to do his usual backflip; I was eligible for reasonable accommodations during the flare-up of my chronic condition.

    According to the Job Accommodation Network (a wonderful resource for anyone who is curious to learn more about their rights at work under the ADA), Reasonable Accommodations can include “job restructuring,” “part-time or modified work schedules,” or even “medical leave.”

    I eventually did go back to working for the Disneyland Resort part-time in a few shows and special events, armed with my newfound knowledge. I had always found the overnight dress rehearsals triggering. A shift that went from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. was basically a guaranteed panic attack.

    I requested an accommodation that would allow me to do my dress rehearsals at the beginning of the shift and permit me to leave by 1 a.m. The application process was complicated and bureaucratic ― a lot of paperwork that had to be filled out correctly by myself and a physician before it went through several departments for review. But in the end my accommodation was granted. (I never got a chance to use the accommodation. Shortly afterward, the pandemic shut down the resort for a year, and I decided to retire from my theme park career).

    If you are having an issue with diagnosed depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder or any other mental health condition you may also qualify to take some time off, work from home a few days a week, be reassigned to a vacant position, or bring a service animal to the office. In my “Aladdin” days, reassignment to a temporary role in the chorus would have been a perfect solution. I could have maintained a paycheck and my health insurance while working through that challenging period in my life.

    Workers, it is up to you to know and stand up for these rights. Employers probably aren’t going to offer them freely. My employer certainly wasn’t sharing these solutions when I was willing to make the “problem” caused by my chronic condition go away on my own.

    Today, my mental health is in a great place. I will always be an anxious person, but I manage it well and now rarely panic. I am blessed to work full-time in voice-over and on-camera work. It’s an exciting job and much more lucrative than a stage career, though I do miss that feeling you can only get standing in a spotlight.

    But here’s what I know now that I wish I had known then: My mental health condition is not a character flaw or personal failing. I deserve the same rights at work afforded to others.

    Reba Buhr, author of Get Thee to a Therapist is an actress, host and voiceover artist based in Los Angeles, California. Reba is also an outspoken mental health advocate.

    Do you have a compelling personal story you’d like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what we’re looking for here and send us a pitch.

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  • ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Star Gets Special Shoutout From James Gunn

    ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Star Gets Special Shoutout From James Gunn

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    While Pom Klementieff’s Mantis has appeared in a number of Marvel titles at this point, starting with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, director James Gunn has called the Holiday Special her “true debut” in a tweet thanking early reviews on its day of release (November 25).

    “Thanks to the early reviews loving the #GuardiansoftheGalaxyHolidaySpecial. I’m especially grateful for all the raves about @PomKlementieff’s performance as Mantis,” the director wrote. “This is Mantis’ true debut as her full-fledged self in the MCU, out of the background & out of the shadow of Ego.”

    Indeed, this is the first time that Mantis’ character hasn’t been overshadowed by a universe-ending threat or an overbearing slave master who makes up an entire planet. While Mantis and Draz have been fan favorites, both of them do seem have taken the backseat in the Guardians group, with Peter Quill, Gamora, Rocket, and even Groot getting more screentime to flesh out their characters.

    By comparison, Mantis has previously been there primarily as comic relief, riffing with Drax in an endearing way but that wasn’t often central to the plot. In the Holiday Special, without giving away any spoilers, Mantis steps up to the plate, given the room to shine outside of a dramatic, world-ending battle.

    The Holiday Special sets up Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, according to a previous statement from Gunn, so this could mean that we can expect to see more of Mantis in future films, particularly with this glowing endorsement from the director.

    (featured image: Netflix)

    —The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling.—

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

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    Rachael Davies

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  • 10 Incredible Games You Should Be Wishlisting Right This Minute

    10 Incredible Games You Should Be Wishlisting Right This Minute

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    Heart Of Muriet's beautiful gloaming skies.

    Screenshot: Microtale

    As the rest of Team Kotaku are off chasing turkeys through their local Macy’s (I’ve done more research about what a Thanksgiving is this year), once more I have the keys to the site, have locked everyone out, and then immediately lost those keys. While I’m stuck here, I figure I should tell you about some awesome-looking indie games that are coming soon.

    Look, it could be worse. I was trying to work out some sort of feedline for the phrase, “May Seize Day Per Raid.” [Ghost of Ari sweeps through Kotaku HQ’s dusty halls] A better use of all our time would be if I let you know about a whole bunch of ace-looking indie games that you’d be in danger of not hearing about otherwise. Let’s get them on wishlists, push up their YouTube views, and then tell all the other kids about them at recess.

    As always, I am not personally vouching for these games. These are randomly selected from a vast pile of emails that I’ve received following a clarion call, and unless I say so, I haven’t played them. It’s all about grabbing the opportunity to use this huge platform to highlight the sorts of games the gaming media usually ignores. So let’s get going!

    Microtale

    Heart Of Muriet

    See, this is what it’s all about. House Of Muriet is a voxel-based RTS, which entirely eschews micromanagement in favor of strategic play. It’s about wizards, building settlements, researching magical abilities, and making stuff explode. Also, OMG, watch that trailer. Normally when I read “voxel” I worry, but not this time. It looks like someone made a stop-motion film in Minecraft, and the result is absolutely spellbinding.

    Developer: Microtale

    Release: Aug 2023

    Demo and wishlist here

    Espiocracy

    Espiocracy

    A Cold War-era spy sim, that lets you pick a nation’s intelligence agency, and then play as them from 1946 to 2020, across a world map. The video above is an absolutely incredible example of how to present a game that’s otherwise primarily a picture of a map, making it look thrilling. With 74 playable countries, and the claim that it’ll let you rewrite history Paradox-style, this is enormously ambitious.

    Developer: Ex Vivo Studios

    Release: TBA

    Wishlist here

    MythicOwl

    Harmony’s Odyssey

    Released last month, I’m most annoyed with myself for still not having made time for Harmony’s Odyssey. Just based on colorfulness alone, it qualifies for anyone’s attention. It’s a gorgeous-looking action-adventure, packed with puzzles where you rearrange reality in a series of dioramas. I’m so glad MythicOwl emailed, because it’s the reminder I needed to finally get on and play this.

    Developer: MythicOwl

    Release: Out now

    Buy here

    Jupiter Moons

    Jupiter Moons: Mecha

    No, you can’t move for “roguelike deckbuilders” right now, so it’s something that Jupiter Moons caught my eye, and for a second time! We’ll be a mecha pilot, fighting off pirates and bandits from the moon colonies of Jupiter, but because it’s now, we’re using cards to do it. This is a case of the trailer really selling it within a crowded market, that combination of intricate build-outs for your mecha, and then the fast pace of action, despite being done by flinging cards around the screen. Also, I really like the look of the art. And it was already wishlisted.

    Developer: RockAndBushes

    Release: 2023

    Wishlist here

    AuntyGames

    Gourdlets

    You can immediately see why Wholesome Games recently got excited about Gourdlets. It’s a city-building sandbox, except, it really means it. So many city-building games that say “sandbox” just mean, “you can put the buildings where you want, while ticking off this list of objectives.” Not this: there are apparently no goals, no objectives, just the pleasure of building a cute little city, and then watching the gourdlet vege-people move in, and interact with what you’ve created. Which sounds just so very lovely.

    Developer: AuntyGames

    Release: 2023

    Demo and wishlist here

    Luis G. Bento

    CORPUS EDAX

    I will be honest: When I read Luis G. Bento’s blurb for the apparently yelled CORPUS EDAX (which I think is Latin for Body Eater…), claiming he was making an immersive sim in the vein of Deus Ex and Fallout, my out loud response was, “No you’re not.” Because a person can’t do that. And then I watched the trailer, and…blimey. He might be. Now, that footage above is described as “pre-pre-alpha,” and it’s not just you, it has no sound, but come on! It looks impressive, right? Also, you’ll note there are no guns in this “retro-futuristic” (no) RPG, where instead you fight only using objects you find lying around. Like in real life.

    Developer: Luis G. Bento

    Release: September 2023

    Wishlist here

    STARS IN THE TRASH – Announce Trailer

    Stars In The Trash

    If you’re of a certain age (it’s called: Old) you’ll remember the heyday of 2D Disney platformers. There was Aladdin, The Lion King, and er that’s it. But both were adored, combining a half-decent platform game with Disney’s animation style. That’s what developer Valhalla Cats aims to do with Stars In The Trash. You can see in the footage that it looks lovely, if more ‘80s Euro-animation than Disney. I really don’t like that title, but the game itself looks like it could be lovely.

    Developer: Valhalla Cats

    Release: Q4 2023

    Demo and wishlist here

    Duppy Detective Tashia – Announcement Trailer

    Duppy Detective Tashia

    Developer Spritewrench has two projects on the go, the first for next year being the brilliantly named On the Peril of Parrots. It looks to be an intriguing puzzle game, where the trailer’s familiar-looking puzzle type then rather surprised me with the menu option to “Destroy all humans.” But grabbing me further is 2024’s Duppy Detective Tashia, a Caribbean-set detective game in which you’re helping the titular Tashia to find her stolen phone and, well, shadow. It’s based the region’s folklore, where “duppy” is a form of ghost, sometimes a malevolent spirit, and the basis for many an excellent tale.

    Developer: Spritewrench

    Release: 2024

    Wishlist here

    GROSS Trailer

    GROSS

    Another bellowed game name, although this time a word that requires it. This is a tower defence (remember them?) with FPS elements! Goodness me, there was a time in the last decade where I wrote, “a tower defence with XXX elements” so many times, but it was never “FPS.” The trailer is bloody brilliant, and makes the whole thing look spectacularly bonkers, even if I’m most confused about how the genres overlap. We’ll find out in a couple of months!

    Developer: Hangry Owl Games

    Release: Jan 11, 2023

    Demo and wishlist here

    Chicken Journey – Trailer

    Chicken Journey

    You could argue I randomly picked this game because it’s called Chicken Journey, and on most other days you’d be right. But after watching the footage, I discovered a pixel platformer that reminded me of when I was a boy, and sprites clung to vines properly. The whole thing looks adorable, with a bunch of puzzle solving and amiable chatting, and really looks like a thing I wish I were playing right now.

    Developer: Loonyware

    Release: March 2023

    Demo and wishlist here

     

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    John Walker

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  • Disney Hit With Antitrust Suit Over Live-Streaming Cost

    Disney Hit With Antitrust Suit Over Live-Streaming Cost

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Disney may face an antitrust lawsuit in a case that targets it for its dual role as a distributor and a content supplier.

    Disney owns ESPN and Hulu, the second-largest US streamer. THR reports that the class action petition alleges that the way Disney manages its streaming businesses amounts to an arrangement giving the House of Mouse a chance to do anticompetitive negotiations with its competition, leading to higher live streaming costs in general.

    YouTube TV subscribers filed the suit Friday in the Central District of California US District Court. It outlines their contention that Disney’s grip on the market lets it establish a “price floor” that is higher than it would normally be and notes that Disney’s live-streaming pay TV contracts require competing services to bundle ESPN in with cheap packages, limiting rival companies from putting together their own choices and leaving ESPN out if they want.

    Remove Disney’s insistence on ESPN and competing streamers will be able to offer a wider variety of small bundles combining a limited choice of live TV viewing.

    THR details how even if the lawsuit is new, complaining about Disney’s stranglehold isn’t:

    Cable TV providers have long criticized Disney’s affiliate fees to broadcast ESPN and its sister networks as part of a cable package. It’s widely regarded that such fees were the primary driver of basic cable price hikes in the last decade. In 2015, ESPN’s affiliate fee was as much as four times as expensive as the fee to broadcast TNT, which had the second highest fee behind ESPN.

    The suit has been filed on behalf of several million YouTube TV subscribers. Read the full filing at THR.

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    Steve Huff

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