Festivals
At D23 Expo 2022, Chairman Josh D’Amaro Shares a Boundless Future for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products
Last Updated on October 13, 2025 by Daily News Staff
D’Amaro offers first look at future of Avengers Campus, the Disney Treasure, and preview of Disney 100 Years of Wonder, the biggest celebration in the history of The Walt Disney Company
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Today at D23 Expo 2022, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro shared a look into the future for Disney theme parks and beyond, with announcements that continue to defy expectations and inspire imagination. Highlights included the expansion of Avengers Campus at Disneyland Resort with a third attraction; a first look at the Disney Treasure, the next ship joining the Disney Cruise Line fleet; a closer look at the Frozen-themed lands coming to three park destinations around the world; and a behind-the-scenes look at the blue-sky brainstorming of Disney Imagineers.
At D23 Expo 2022, Chairman Josh D’Amaro Shares a Boundless Future for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products – D’AmaroTweet
“It’s terrific to be together in person and connect with our fans again at D23 Expo. I love sharing in the excitement with them for what we have ahead of us,” said Josh D’Amaro. “As the world’s greatest storytellers, I’m thrilled to share the new and innovative ways we are bringing next-generation Disney magic to life across Disney parks and experiences.”
As D’Amaro welcomed thousands of fans back to the ultimate Disney fan event for the first time since 2019, the audience was wowed by appearances from special guests, celebrities, never-before-seen characters and electric performances that filled Hall D23 with music and excitement.
Singer-songwriter Jordan Fisher kicked off the show with a rousing performance of the popular anthem “Happily Ever After.” Executive Producer and Disney Legend Jon Favreau joined to share a first look at the Mandalorian and Grogu before they encounter guests starting in mid-November inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park in Anaheim. Then, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige shared how Avengers Campus at Disneyland Resort will expand the Multiverse with a third attraction, along with the debut of the Incredible Hulk, who will appear in his Quantum Suit at Avengers Campus in California beginning next week for a limited time.
The audience was brought to their feet with a stellar performance by Disney Legend and Tony Award-winner Anika Noni Rose, the voice of Tiana in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “The Princess and TheF Frog,” as more details were revealed about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure coming to Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort in late 2024. As D’Amaro shared a closer look at the Frozen-themed areas coming to Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Resort and Disneyland Paris, the audience was treated to a moving rendition of the “Frozen 2” hit song “Into the Unknown” performed in Cantonese, Japanese and French.
A highlight of the morning included a look at what’s possible when Disney Imagineers and their collaborators dream big. Disney Animation Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee, the Academy Award-winning writer and director of “Frozen” and “Frozen 2,” shared how the studio is working with Walt Disney Imagineering on concept explorations for Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park and potential expansion opportunities at Magic Kingdom park, both at Walt Disney World. Finally, D’Amaro offered a look at Disney100, the biggest celebration in the company’s history, which will kick off in January.
The presentation was full of exciting announcements with an incredible slate of experiences coming to Disney parks, resorts, cruise ships and beyond:
New Stories Coming to Disneyland Resort
Guests at Disney California Adventure park will soon head into the Multiverse alongside fan-favorite Super Heroes, as details on a never-before-seen third attraction with a brand-new story was announced for Avengers Campus. Joining in battle with the Avengers means facing foes from anywhere and everywhen, including a new threat, King Thanos, a Multiverse variant designed specifically for Avengers Campus.
Just around the corner from Avengers Campus, Pacific Wharf will be reimagined as San Fransokyo from the Oscar-winning Disney Animation film “Big Hero 6,” complete with a place to meet Baymax as well as new spots to eat and shop.
At Disneyland park, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will invite guests into a cartoon world where toon rules apply, and Mickey’s Toontown will step into a new era of inclusive experiences for families of all ages when it opens in early 2023.
Across the way, progress continues on the reimagining of the Paradise Pier Hotel to Pixar Place Hotel, where guests will feel as though they’ve stepped into a Pixar art gallery featuring new interpretations of favorite Pixar pals. Over at the Downtown Disney District, more than a dozen new and reimagined locations will open, including a Southern Californian favorite, Porto’s Bakery & Café. For running fans, runDisney races will return to the resort in 2024.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort
Imagineers joined D’Amaro onstage to discuss new story details for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, coming to Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort in late 2024. Several members of the original film cast will return to lend their voices to the attraction, including Anika Noni Rose as Tiana, Bruno Campos as Naveen, Michael-Leon Wooley as Louis and Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie.
Walt Disney World Resort and the Transformation of EPCOT
The next major milestone in EPCOT’s multi-year transformation will include the completion of the World Celebration neighborhood in late 2023. Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will also open in late 2023, inviting guests to follow the story of water on the planet, inspired by Moana’s connection to the ocean. Fan-favorite character Figment will also appear live to park guests by the end of 2023.
Over at Magic Kingdom, TRON / Lightcycle Run will invite guests to enter the Grid in spring 2023. Popular anthem “Happily Ever After” will play again when an updated nighttime spectacular returns to light up the skies over Cinderella Castle in 2023. At the Haunted Mansion, the Hatbox Ghost will materialize in 2023.
New Horizons for Disney Cruise Line and the Disney Treasure
The sixth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Treasure, will set sail in 2024. Imagineers have dreamed up a new design concept inspired by the theme of adventure, celebrating Walt Disney’s lifelong love of exploration. The Grand Hall — the magnificent three-deck-tall atrium that welcomes guests on board — is inspired by the grandeur and mystery of a gilded palace, drawing on real-world influences from Asia and Africa, and paying homage to the far-off land of Agrabah. At the center, the signature statue will feature Aladdin, Jasmine and their Magic Carpet.
For the first time, Disney Cruise Line is bringing the magic of a Disney vacation to families and fans in Australia and New Zealand during limited-time cruises that immerse guests in Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars stories beginning in late October 2023. Additionally, repositioning cruises for the Disney Wonder will be the first South Pacific voyages for Disney Cruise Line, giving guests the chance to experience destinations like Fiji and Samoa.
In the Bahamas, progress continues on a beautiful new island destination at Lighthouse Point, which will bring the natural beauty and rich culture of the Bahamas to life for Disney Cruise Line guests.
Three Frozen-themed Lands Highlight Expansions at Parks Around the World
Inspired by Disney Animation’s stunning films, World of Frozen will open in the second half of 2023 at Hong Kong Disneyland – the first of three Frozen-themed areas coming to international Disney parks. It will blend Arendelle with the park’s natural landscapes on Lantau Island.
At Disneyland Paris, the Frozen-themed land will be the next major milestone in the ongoing transformation of Walt Disney Studios park. This land will offer a gorgeous lakeside promenade and will immerse guests in the same magical wintry setting from the films. A new Tangled-themed family attraction will join the new gardens leading into the land. Frozen will also be part of the transformation of the Disneyland Hotel, reopening in 2024. As part of the grand finale of the 30th Anniversary celebration underway, a new stage show, “Pixar: We Belong Together,” will debut next year in Walt Disney Studios park.
At Tokyo Disney Resort, Frozen is one of the stories coming to life as part of the Fantasy Springs expansion at Tokyo DisneySea, joining two other Disney Animation stories, “Peter Pan” and “Tangled,” plus a brand-new hotel integrated right into the park. Fantasy Springs will feature several new Audio-Animatronics figures, including Elsa, who sings in Japanese and whose movements sync with the rhythms of the language.
Shanghai Disney Resort will be the first Disney resort to bring the world of the Oscar-winning Disney Animation film “Zootopia” to life. At Zootopia Central Station, guests will find animals going about their daily lives. At the Zootopia Police Department, which doubles as the entrance for the land’s new family attraction, guests will be greeted by an Audio-Animatronics figure of Officer Clawhauser.
Mickey’s favorite teddy bear, Duffy, is a favorite of fans in all three Disney resorts in Asia, and D’Amaro shared that Duffy & Friends will star in their very own six-episode, stop-motion animated series on Disney+ next year.
Disney 100 Years of Wonder
D’Amaro concluded the presentation with a first look at how Disney Parks, Experiences and Products will mark Disney 100 Years of Wonder (Disney100), the biggest celebration in the history of the company. New décor, specialty food and beverages, character experiences and more will come to parks around the world, with the heart of the celebration rooted at Disneyland Resort.
- Two new nighttime spectaculars — “World of Color – One” and the new fireworks show “Wondrous Journeys” — will kick off in late January at Disneyland Resort. “World of Color – One” at Disney California Adventure will celebrate the storytelling legacy started by Walt Disney a century ago. It’s going to be World of Color like you’ve never seen it before, with an all-new inspiring story told through some favorite characters. “Wondrous Journeys” at Disneyland park will ignite the wonder in everyone and feature nods to all 60 Walt Disney Animation Studios films to date, taking viewers on a journey filled with artistry, music, storytelling and heart. Special entertainment moments will also pop up across the resort, including the long-awaited return of the “Magic Happens” parade this spring.
- A brand-new nighttime spectacular will come to the World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT in late 2023 as part of the Disney100 Celebration.
- Hong Kong Disneyland will also unveil a new statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse near Cinderella’s Carousel as part of the Disney100 Celebration.
For more information, visit DisneyParksBlog.com.
About Disney Parks, Experiences and Products
Disney Parks, Experiences and Products brings the magic of The Walt Disney Company’s powerful brands and franchises — including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, ESPN, 20th Century Studios and National Geographic — into the daily lives of families and fans around the world to create magical memories that last a lifetime.
When Walt Disney opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California, on July 17, 1955, he created a unique destination built around storytelling and immersive experiences, ushering in a new era of family entertainment. More than 65 years later, Disney has grown into one of the world’s leading providers of family travel and leisure experiences, with iconic businesses including six resort destinations with 12 theme parks and 52 resorts in the United States, Europe and Asia; a top-rated cruise line with five ships and plans for two more; a luxurious family beach resort in Hawai’i; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Disney’s global consumer products operations include the world’s leading licensing business; the world’s largest children’s publishing brands; one of the world’s largest licensors of games across all platforms; Disney store locations around the world; and the shopDisney e-commerce platform.
These experiences are created by Disney Imagineers, the creative force behind experiences found in Disney theme parks, resort hotels, cruise ships and consumer products — including books, games and merchandise.
SOURCE Disney Parks, Experiences and Products
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animation
Ariel Award-Winning Animated Short ‘SHIMMER’ Makes Its Digital Debut on Short of the Week
Ariel Award-winning animated short SHIMMER by director Andrés Palma premieres on Short of the Week. A stunning exploration of fatherhood and regret created with Unreal Engine 5. Watch now.
Last Updated on December 9, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Ariel Award-Winning Animated Short ‘SHIMMER’ Makes Its Digital Debut on Short of the Week
A haunting tale of fatherhood, obsession, and redemption comes to life through groundbreaking animation technology The world of independent animation just got a stunning new addition. Director Andrés Palma’s SHIMMER, an Ariel Award-winning animated short film, premiered December 8th on Short of the Week, the premier destination for curated short film content reaching millions of viewers worldwide.A Father’s Dream, A Daughter’s Pain
Set against a desolate shoreline littered with the skeletal remains of forgotten shipwrecks, SHIMMER tells the emotionally charged story of Ricardo, a father whose single-minded obsession with building a towering lighthouse blinds him to the emotional wreckage he’s creating within his own family. As he chases what he believes will be salvation, his eldest daughter Lucía grows increasingly resentful—until her choices force Ricardo to face the devastating consequences of his dreams. “Every project that matters to me comes from a place of unresolved emotion,” Palma explains. “Art is how I process pain and transform it into something meaningful. I trust the audience will resonate with that.” This isn’t just animation—it’s personal healing rendered in light and shadow.Gizmodo Premieres Award-Winning Animated Short ShimmerLink to related article: https://stmdailynews.com/gizmodo-premieres-award-winning-animated-short-shimmer/
Technical Brilliance Meets Emotional Depth
Short of the Week’s managing editor Rob Munday didn’t hold back in his praise: “A genuinely compelling, high-quality piece of 3D animation, marked by beautiful design work, strong character rigging, and impressive world-building. There’s tremendous potential here – it’s an exciting calling card for its creators.” What sets SHIMMER apart technically is its innovative use of Unreal Engine 5, blending retro-futuristic aesthetics with cutting-edge visual design. The film’s most striking visual element—ethereal fish that shimmer across the night sky—was created using the Niagara particle system, merging procedural motion with hand-crafted animation cycles to achieve something that feels both organic and otherworldly.A Collaborative Vision
Marking Palma’s directorial debut, SHIMMER benefits from powerhouse executive producers including celebrated Mexican animator Jorge R. Gutiérrez (The Book of Life, Maya and the Three) and Andrés Buzo. The film was developed through a groundbreaking collaboration between professionals and students at Mexico City’s Escena Animation Studio, the project-based learning arm of Escena Animation School. The creative team includes associate producer Karla Vazquez, co-writer Santiago Maza Stern, and composer Alex Otaola—a collective effort that proves the power of mentorship and collaborative storytelling.
Why This Matters for Independent Animation
SHIMMER represents more than just another festival darling. It’s proof that independent creators with vision, backed by the right collaborators and technology, can produce work that rivals major studio productions. The film is currently being considered for FYC (For Your Consideration) in the Best Animated Short Film category—and based on its technical achievement and emotional resonance, it’s easy to see why. For audiences hungry for animation that dares to explore complex emotional territory while pushing visual boundaries, SHIMMER delivers on both fronts. It’s a meditation on the cost of obsession, the weight of parental expectations, and the possibility of redemption—all wrapped in visuals that haunt long after the credits roll.Watch Now
SHIMMER is now streaming exclusively on Short of the Week at ShortOfTheWeek.com/2025/12/08/shimmer For more information about the film and its creators:- Official Film Website: ShimmerShort.com
- Director’s Website: AndresPalma.com
- Follow the journey: @ShimmerShort, @Andres.Palma.c, @EscuelaEscena
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holidays
“Halloween: A Magical Night of Costumes, Candy, and Community”
“Experience the enchantment of Halloween with costumes, candy, and a sense of community. Join the festivities and let your imagination run wild!”
Last Updated on October 31, 2025 by Rod Washington
Halloween is a magical time when the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary. The streets are adorned with spooky decorations, while the air becomes charged with anticipation and excitement. It’s a night of imagination and creativity, as costumes come to life and take on a new persona.
Pumpkins, with their toothy grins, light up the night, casting an eerie glow on the festivities. They stand as beacons, welcoming trick-or-treaters to doorsteps adorned with spiderwebs and skeletons. The young and the young at heart embark on a quest for sugary treasures, their laughter echoing through the streets.
But Halloween is more than just costumes and candy. It’s a celebration of community and tradition, where neighbors come together, sharing stories and treats. It’s a time to embrace the spooky and face our fears, knowing that they’re just a playful illusion.
As the night winds down and the moon casts its final spell, Halloween fades into the realm of memories. But its spirit lingers, reminding us of the power of imagination, the joy of connecting with others, and the thrill of embracing the unknown.
Looking for an entertainment experience that transcends the ordinary? Look no further than STM Daily News Blog’s vibrant Entertainment section. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of indie films, streaming and podcasts, movie reviews, music, expos, venues, and theme and amusement parks. Discover hidden cinematic gems, binge-worthy series and addictive podcasts, gain insights into the latest releases with our movie reviews, explore the latest trends in music, dive into the vibrant atmosphere of expos, and embark on thrilling adventures in breathtaking venues and theme parks. Join us at STM Entertainment and let your entertainment journey begin! https://stmdailynews.com/category/entertainment/
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Automotive
AutoMobility LA Launches RACER Creator Awards: Celebrating the New Voice of Automotive Storytelling
AutoMobility LA launches the inaugural RACER Creator Awards on November 20, 2025, celebrating filmmakers, photographers, podcasters, and digital storytellers shaping automotive and motorsports culture. Submissions open now at awards.racer.com.
Last Updated on October 18, 2025 by Daily News Staff
The automotive industry is shifting gears—and this time, it’s not just about horsepower. On November 20, 2025, AutoMobility LA will host the inaugural RACER Creator Awards, presented by Dunlop, marking a pivotal moment where traditional automotive excellence meets the digital-first generation reshaping how we experience cars and motorsports.
Where Red Carpets Meet Racing Culture
The Los Angeles Auto Show and RACER Media & Marketing are partnering to spotlight the filmmakers, photographers, podcasters, and digital storytellers who’ve become the new ambassadors of automotive culture. This isn’t your grandfather’s auto show—it’s a recognition that the future of the industry lives as much on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram as it does on dealer lots and racetracks.
“AutoMobility LA continues to evolve as a stage for innovation,” said Terri Toennies, president of LA Auto Show. “Hosting the RACER Creator Awards highlights the intersection of creativity, technology, and mobility, uniting the traditional industry with the next generation of automotive storytellers.”
What’s Being Celebrated
The awards recognize excellence across multiple categories:
- Content Creation – Honoring those who craft compelling automotive narratives
- Platform Excellence – Celebrating creators who’ve mastered their chosen medium
- Community Leadership – Recognizing those building engaged, passionate audiences
- Special Recognition – Highlighting unique contributions to automotive culture
Winners will be determined through a combination of expert jury evaluation and fan voting—a fitting approach for an awards program that bridges industry expertise with grassroots enthusiasm.
The Sponsors Driving the Vision
Dunlop steps in as presenting sponsor, reinforcing its deep motorsports roots while embracing the creative culture surrounding performance driving. Meanwhile, KYB brings something special to the arrival experience: the KYB Red Carpet Car Show, open to the public and promising to turn the event’s entrance into a celebration of automotive artistry.
How to Get Involved
Submissions are open now at awards.racer.com, with finalists set to take the stage at AutoMobility LA on November 20. Whether you’re a creator with a growing channel, a photographer capturing track-side moments, or a podcaster breaking down the latest automotive tech, this is your moment.
Why This Matters
Since 1907, the Los Angeles Auto Show has been a bellwether for the industry’s direction. By launching the RACER Creator Awards, the show acknowledges a fundamental truth: the people shaping automotive culture today aren’t just engineers and designers—they’re storytellers with cameras, microphones, and editing software.
The event takes place during AutoMobility LA’s press and industry day, which features vehicle debuts, brand announcements, and thought leadership programming. The public show runs November 21-30 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, including Thanksgiving Day.
For an industry built on motion, this feels like the right next move—celebrating the voices accelerating automotive culture into its next era.
Stay Updated:
Follow the LA Auto Show on Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or visit laautoshow.com and automobilityla.com for the latest news and updates.
Submit Your Work:
Visit awards.racer.com to enter the RACER Creator Awards.
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