2019 Academy Award Nominations; Which Disney Movies Made The List?

This morning, the nominees for the 91st Academy Awards were announced and several Disney films were nominated in some major and minor categories. “Black Panther” became the very first MCU movie to be nominated for Best Picture. Both “Incredibes 2” and “Ralph Breaks The Internet” were nominated for Best Animated Feature. “Bao” was nominated for … Read more

WDWNT Weekly Recap: Holiday Treats, Holiday Crowds, and Stolen Animatronics

Every week is a busy week when it comes to Disney news. To help you keep up with all of the updates coming out of Walt Disney World and other Disney resorts, here’s WDWNT’s weekly recap of this week’s Disney news! Walt Disney World Beginning January 18, 2019, you can purchase 4-Park Magic tickets for as low … Read more

BOOK REVIEW: “Practically Poppins in Every Way” Shines When Not Showcasing the Sequel

With the release of “Mary Poppins Returns,” Disney Editions Deluxe has released a tie-in coffee-table read that excels at exploring the rich cultural history of the P.L. Travers’ character once it gets past the rather cursory task of selling you on the sequel.

“Practically Poppins In Every Way” is a trove of insight that delves not only into the literary source material, but also the cultural impact the character has had. Author Jeff Kurtti (who will be heard soon on the WDWNT podcast Dreamfinders) has plenty of passion for Poppins, having produced a documentary on the Sherman Brothers almost a decade ago. Here he offers the broad strokes for the more casual fan and brings in other Disney historians to dig deeper in such areas as the 1949 Poppins TV movie and the plethora of Mary-based merchandise.

In one lovely chapter, Gavin Lee, the actor who portrayed Bert in the Broadway rendition, discusses his first meeting with Dick Van Dyke and, in many ways, it encapsulates the book as a whole – a celebration of a timeless narrative by mostly people who grew up with it.

While such cultural respect plays well when discussing the 1964 original, it also tends to fill much of the chapters that spotlight the sequel. Only diving skin deep on “Returns,” it’s as if the book recognizes it will hit store shelves before the film and wants to remain coy beyond cast or crew showcasing their love of the original.

Oddly, the chapters on the sequel also open the book while the remainder fall relatively in chronological order. In this way, the “Returns” portion feels more like a behind the scenes featurette playing before a more fleshed-out documentary on the original Poppins.

With those considerations in mind, “Practically Poppins In Every Way” is a beautiful book that acts not only as a celebration of the beloved character, but as an excellent compendium on her cultural impact.

Read more

PHOTO REPORT: Disneyland Resort 12/23/18 (Construction Updates, The Tropical Hideaway, and New Merchandise)

disneyland resort mickey and friends parking structure construction

The end of 2018 is near, but the Disneyland Resort continues to thrive. We’re bringing you the latest updates, including what’s going on with the new parking structure and other resort construction. We’ll also take a look at the opening of the Tropical Hideaway. Parking Structures and Downtown Disney The view from Mickey and Friends parking … Read more

REVIEW: New Mary Poppins Sundae at Disneyland

With “Mary Poppins Returns” finally out in movie theaters for people to enjoy, Disneyland has added to its Mary Poppins themed dessert choices with a new Mary Poppins Sundae at the Gibson Girl in Disneyland Park. As with the other dessert choices, you have the option of adding a souvenir Mary Poppins themed spoon to … Read more

REVIEW: Mary Poppins Returns With More Than A Spoonful Of Magic With Her

Mary Poppins Returns

It’s been more than 54 years since Mary Poppins sang her way into the hearts of filmgoers. Although P.L. Travers had written many more stories about our favorite magical nanny, it became increasingly hard to believe we’d ever see a new script, soundtrack, or cast that would even come close to rivaling the film that stole the hearts of a generation. With “Mary Poppins Returns”, they’ve done exactly that.

This wondrous film provides all the magic, music, and mischief found in the original masterpiece and is practically as good as any Disney movie in recent history.

Mary Poppins Returns

The Story

“Mary Poppins Returns” finds us in 1930’s London during the United Kingdom’s version of the Great Depression known as “The Great Slump”. The Banks children are all grown up and Michael (Ben Whishaw) is living in their family home (yep, right there on good old 17 Cherry Tree Lane) with his 3 children; Anabel (Pixie Davies), John (Nathanael Saleh), and Georgie (Joel Dawson). They are frequently visited by Michael’s sister, Jane Banks (Emily Mortimer), who works to help the city’s laborers.

Unfortunately, Michael and his family have recently suffered an enormous personal loss. This leaves them, and their home, in quite a bit of disarray. However, this is also what brings Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) back into their lives.

She, along with her lamplighter friend Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda), lead the family on a new series of escapades, with a little singing and dancing along the way, as they try to get the Banks family back on track.

Mary Poppins Returns

The Cast

This was one of the difficulties we felt would hamper any sequel to the original “Mary Poppins”. I mean seriously, Julie Andrews won an Oscar for her portrayal as Mary Poppins! Despite his, uh, questionable cockney accent, Dick Van Dyke was still terrific as he showcased both his great physical and literal comedic skills as Bert. David Tomlinson also pulled off a very underrated turn as the family’s patriarch, Mr. George Banks.

That cast was amazing!

It was hard to fathom that it could ever be matched. Well, “Mary Poppins Returns” did it. This ensemble could not be more perfect for this film and Writer/Director Rob Marshall does a masterful job leading them.

Mary Poppins

Emily Blunt plays our favorite British nanny exquisitely. She excellently straddles the fence of staying true to the original character while adding her own edge at the same time. And oh her voice. That was something we didn’t expect. Don’t get us wrong. We knew she could sing. She had showcased that ability already for Disney in “Into the Woods” (another Marshall-directed musical). However, it really shines here. It’s not on the level of Julie Andrews (let’s be honest, few people anywhere are on that level), but each time she sings it brought joy to our hearts. Expect her name to come up early and often during award season.

Jack the Lamplighter

Lin-Manuel Miranda also is allowed to showcase so many of his skills in this movie. Yes, he even flashes a little touch of his Hamilton abilities. His Jack steps right into the familiar role of Bert from the original. Always there balancing the reality that is London at the time with those magical moments Mary Poppins provides, and always with a knowing smile. If you didn’t love Miranda before this film, you definitely will at the end.

The Banks Children

Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh, and Joel Dawson provide strong performances as the Banks children who struggle with growing up too early in the wake of their family’s tragedy.

Ben Whishaw (Michael) and Emily Mortimer (Jane) do a phenomenal job of portraying adult versions of the children from the original film who are finding themselves falling into the same traps which many of us find ourselves: becoming our parents.

The Bad Guy

Read more

PHOTOS: The “Art of Mary Poppins Returns” at Disneyland

To celebrate the release of “Mary Poppins Returns” on December 19, 2018, a new exhibit has opened at Disneyland. The Art of Mary Poppins Returns features costumes, props, artwork, and clips from the upcoming film. The exhibit is to the right upon entering the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln lobby on Main Street, USA.   We … Read more

PHOTOS: Kipling’s “Mary Poppins Returns” Line Arrives at Disney Springs

Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-ee! A shopper’s as lucky as lucky can be with Kipling’s new line of “Mary Poppins Returns” merchandise at Disney Springs. The new bag line contains a range of items from backpacks to handbags and pouches. The current sale was 30% off all items, but the new promotion starting later this week was unknown to the store’s staff at the time of reporting.

“Creativity” Extra Large Pouch – $49.00

“Fly a Kite” Large Pouch – $39.00

“Sabian” Mini Bag – $69.00

“Alber” 3-in-1 Convertible Bag – $89.00

“Elephant” Pouch – $29.00

“Highest Heights” Luggage Tag – $19.00

“Practically Perfect” Medium Pouch – $49.00

“Spoonful of Sugar” Handbag – $149.00

“Fly a Kite” Laptop Bag – $139.00

Read more

Advance Tickets For “Mary Poppins Returns” Are Now On Sale; Soundtrack Is Now Available For Pre-Order

ADVANCE TICKETS FOR DISNEY’S “MARY POPPINS RETURNS” ON SALE TODAY DIGITAL PRE-ORDER FOR THE ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK AVAILABLE TODAY ORIGINAL SCORE BY COMPOSER MARC SHAIMAN WITH NINE NEW SONGS BY SHAIMAN, AND CO-LYRICIST SCOTT WITTMAN TO BE RELEASED DECEMBER 7 FULL TRACK LIST WHICH INCLUDES PERFORMANCES BY LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA,EMILY BLUNT, MERYL STREEP, DICK VAN DYKE, … Read more