Fun Disney Links That Will Make You Happy This May
For more than two years now, I’ve highlighted the best Disney links in a given month. I’m still going to do that today.
However, I realize that times are tough all over. So, I’ve skipped a lot of the negative stuff that’s readily available online.
For May, we’re only going to talk about the best links for Disney lovers. There will be no depressing stuff, I swear!
Walt Disney’s Home Is for Sale…Again
In the history of this column, I’ve posted a couple of articles about Walt Disney’s family homes. The subject keeps coming up because Walt and Lillian owned several houses over the years.
One of them, the Technicolor Dream House, is once again on the market. So, if you’re a huge Disney fan and have $1.1 million in cash or crypto, this place could be yours:
The Palm Springs home was available to rent nightly for a while. An enterprising group brought the property to make a quick profit. Since then, the owners have decided to sell the house instead.
The Disneys’ most famous home is actually the Carolwood Estate, which is currently valued at $90 million. Here’s some video of it:
Of course, I suspect that Walt and Lillian always held the softest spot in their hearts for the Los Feliz property:
This place is where the new parents raised their daughters, Diane and Sharon.
Los Feliz may not be where they lived when they built Disneyland, but it is where Walt spent his nights while creating Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Disney on Digital
Quick, when’s the last time you watched Invincible? Disney’s gotten quite good at movie versions of remarkable sports stories.
In Invincible, Mark Wahlberg portrays Vince Papale, a 30-year-old bartender who somehow becomes the return specialist for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Yes, this sounds totally made. But it’s not.
Papale responded to an open tryout opportunity by demonstrating blazing speed. The team’s unorthodox new coach, Dick Vermeil, took a chance on the old guy with no college experience.
Invincible was one of my favorite movies of 2006. It’s currently available to watch on Disney+, too!
I’m mentioning it because ESPN published this interview with Wahlberg. It includes a Zoom meeting between the actor and the former NFL athlete he once portrayed.
Without real football or sports of any kind, Invincible is the next best option.
Speaking of great Disney movies, the company’s running a bunch of deals during the Great Shut-In.
This week, your favorite digital distributor (probably iTunes or Vudu) is selling a bunch of Disney action movies for $4.99.
However, the real prize comes next week. Eleven Princess titles like Moana, The Little Mermaid, and Cinderella (1950) will sell for $4.99 each!
You’re unlikely to find a deal like this again for a long time, probably Black Friday at the earliest.
Of course, for $6.99 a month, you can stick with Disney+ and watch many of these titles anyway.
Speaking of which, MickeyBlog runs our batch of Disney+ suggestions several times a month.
Still, I’m linking this one because I really like the author’s suggestions.
Disney at the Movies
Since they’re one of the main reasons we love the company, let’s keep talking about Disney movies.
Io9 is one of many sites reporting the hot rumor about a Pirates of the Caribbean reboot. The belief is that Disney has targeted its old friend, Karen Gillen, to lead the new start.
Gillen would portray flame-haired pirate, Redd, in an updated version of the franchise.
MickeyBlog discussed this possibility last year when word spread that Johnny Depp was probably out.
Gillen’s already appeared in two successful franchises, Jumanji and Guardians of the Galaxy. So, she’s proven and a Disney favorite already.
The former Doctor Who actress makes perfect sense as Redd. So, I’m desperately hoping for this rumor to become a reality.
Also, speaking of Moana, Disney is following the lead of CBS. The latter network recently brought back its movie of the week concept as pandemic entertainment.
Disney has decided to follow this strategy on ABC.
Yes, The Wonderful World of Disney will return on May 20. And yes, Moana is the first film Disney has selected.
This turn of events is interesting because Disney has shared a close relationship with network TV going all the way back to the 1950s.
When Disney acquired ABC, analysts expected The Wonderful World of Disney to play a significant role.
Alas, the popularity of premium cable upended this strategy about 15 years ago. However, premium cable is struggling mightily today.
So, the timing seems right for a few broadcast airings of instant classics like Big Hero 6 and Up.
The only questionable selection here is Thor: The Dark World. Maybe Disney has a plan to redeem it.
Other Notable Links for the Month
Have you bought a Disney mask yet? You totally should!
After all, you can’t get back into the parks without one. Also, Disney will donate $1 million of mask sales to charity!
Hey, what did you think of the Disney Family Singalong episodes? Well, one of the stars has a funny story about how he filmed his scenes.
Meanwhile, Katy Perry and her dog dressed up super-weird for the second singalong. Believe it or not, Perry apparently had this outfit in her closet!
Also, since we’ve talked about Disney movies a lot, here’s something relevant.
Insider has evaluated all of Disney’s live-action remakes. Their criteria are how carefully the new versions matched up with the originals.
Finally, here’s a juicy rumor that hasn’t gotten picked up much yet. I’ve previously discussed why Walt Disney World makes perfect season as a place to finish the NBA season.
Well, other sports have taken note. Major League Soccer is contemplating the bubble concept at ESPN Wide World of Sports, too!
ESPN just reported that the NBA idea is picking up steam, too. According to this article, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver…
“has talked about one or two locations for players, and the focus continues to be on Orlando’s Walt Disney World Resort and Las Vegas.”
So, Walt Disney World could host not one but two sports seasons later this year!
Obviously, fans can’t attend these events, at least not at the start. Still, it’s an exciting possibility, right?
Okay, that’s everything I’ve got for this month. Stay safe and happy, everyone!