Savannah Sanders

News & analysis of yesterday, tomorrow, & fantasy | Bylines: @StarWars_Direct @MCU_Direct @TheDirect @TouringPlans | Romans 8

[Savannah Sanders @ProblyatDisney]

That Piston Peak height test balloon?!

The Magic Kingdom's skyline is about to gain some serious altitude with that snow-topped peak

[Drew Smith @ D23 @DrewDisneyDude]

Today’s reveal of Imagineer Jason Grandt leading Piston Peak is a fantastic sign of what’s to come at Magic Kingdom.

My favorite part of covering Disney Parks is the people behind them, and Jason is one of the best creatives to lead such a significant project.

A longtime Imagineer, Jason has contributed to a myriad of projects across Walt Disney World and even wrote the Figment and Orange Bird Little Golden Books. I see that as a win.

The height test balloon in the photo below quite literally represents the scale of what is about to be revealed at D23. As I’ve said before, picture Tokyo Disney Resort-level quality. This is a major project.

The more we learn about this project, the more confident I have become. The same could not be said two years ago when I was extremely upset about the loss of the Rivers of America.

From a strong creative vision led by Jason to the brilliant Zsolt Hormay overseeing Imagineering’s landscape and rockwork throughout the area, this is lining up to be a special project.

Long story short, I expect more excitement and optimism for this part of Magic Kingdom’s transformation after D23. Piston Peak has a very strong project team, and that has me ready to learn more.

[Savannah Sanders @ProblyatDisney]

Brilliant use of Disney+ 🎉

Super shocked (especially for media & ticket holders) that it’s being live-streamed?! 😲

[Boardwalk Times @ D23 @BoardwalkTimes]

NEW: HORIZONS: D23 DISNEY EXPERIENCES SHOWCASE will stream LIVE on Disney+ on August 15 at 7 PM PT/10 PM ET.

[Boardwalk Times @ D23 @BoardwalkTimes]

Muppets Studio vice president Leigh Slaughter on the future of The Muppets after THE MUPPET SHOW special with Sabrina Carpenter.

“It is something we are always working on, and we are always planning our next move, even though it may seem like sometimes there’s a little bit of a gap in time."

(https://t.co/klYZZL2Duy)

[Savannah Sanders @ProblyatDisney]

So, which Disney Channel star is getting cast as the Phoenician?

[Variety @Variety]

Disney+ has ordered a pilot for a "Spaceship Earth" TV series inspired by the EPCOT ride of the same name.

The logline for the pilot states: "When a mission to avert an imminent global cataclysm goes awry, a small band of teenagers from Earth's past and future must join forces to confront a threat as vast and mysterious as time itself."

https://t.co/P9LixNfZZc

[Savannah Sanders @ProblyatDisney]

Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro alluded to Disney Experiences using AI to deliver more elaborate park projects

Interesting to think Piston Peak & Villains Land could be the first-ever Magic Kingdom lands created with the help of AI 🤔

$DIS

[Savannah Sanders @ProblyatDisney]

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Disney will always use FANTASIA wherever and whenever they can...

📍Dandelion Terrace at Disney's Lakeshore Lodge

[Savannah Sanders @ProblyatDisney]

Disney's LAKESHORE LODGE swaps Princess and the Frog-themed restaurant for a Bay Lake theme?

Disney: views of "cypress trees along Bay Lake" + "artful lighting & nuanced design reflect the interplay of light and shadow."🤔

We did ask for fewer IPs after all?

Before vs. After

[Savannah Sanders @ProblyatDisney]

SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY just sent the stock of Disney Parks' upcoming Spider-Man attractions soaring 📈

Could this lead to a new WEB SLINGERS overlay at DCA's Avengers Campus alongside Infinity Defense & Stark Flight Lab??🤞

[Savannah Sanders @ProblyatDisney]

Yes, No Way Home gave us all 3 Spideys, but SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY offers...
🕷️Echoes of 3 franchises
🕷️1st grounded NYC tale
🕷️Holland's take on adult Peter Parker
🕷️MCU connections that work

Don’t know how they did it, but it’s a symphony. All storylines serve the spider.

[Boardwalk Times @ D23 @BoardwalkTimes]

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is just a few weeks away.

That's why we assembled contributors from Boardwalk Times and beyond to share their predictions on what's going to happen at Disney's biggest event of the year.

https://t.co/Fd6fXEiG0m

[Savannah Sanders @ProblyatDisney]

@zzgator They offered families standing nearby who didn’t have a great view to come watch with them so they could see. Had to admit it was a nice gesture

[Savannah Sanders @ProblyatDisney]

@RitasAdventures They were definitely comparing notes

[Savannah Sanders @ProblyatDisney]

Josh D’Amaro & President of Walt Disney World Jeff Vahle at Magic Kingdom tonight reviewing Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away parade 👀

[Savannah Sanders @ProblyatDisney]

I would forgive the Epcot redo if Disney were to finally realize this

[Eddie Sotto @boss_angeles]

Fun concept sketch I did for a Swiss Pavilion at EPCOT with moonlight Ice skating, dining, and Matterhorn ride that leaves the mountain, runs out to the entrance, then "splashes down" in the village lake. Fun departure!

[Savannah Sanders @ProblyatDisney]

🚨 New video! Couldn't help myself. Sharing last-minute Destination #D23 predictions & rumors

🏰 New Magic Kingdom resort?
🌐 Epcot suprises
🚀Tomorrowland’s *Fantastic* future
🎬More for Hollywood Studios

PLUS: What Universal Orlando just announced 👇
https://t.co/3uTqioGNGV

[Savannah Sanders @ProblyatDisney]

Faith in Marvel Studios restored! Yes, #TheFantasticFour juggles genres (period piece, disaster film, documentary, parenting commentary), but it works as the characters - from a 100% perfect cast - are the focus. You can feel the care & effort in this one 💙

Long live Earth-828!

[Savannah Sanders @ProblyatDisney]

Disney World's growing 2026 slate just got a huge boost!

Inspired by "Once Upon a Studio," Hollywood Studios' Magic of Disney Animation is BACK & checking all the right boxes, all while signaling a return to the park's unique identity? 🎬🎨

https://t.co/35uAKa7C5L

[Zach @ D23 @TripleZ_87]

just imagine luthen rael giving a speech during star tours

[Savannah Sanders @ProblyatDisney]

What @UniversalORL doesn't want you to do is one of the reasons why visiting #EpicUniverse is something you should definitely do
https://t.co/UnBIO9tVp4

[Savannah Sanders @ProblyatDisney]

I Visited Universal Epic Universe for 3 Days - This Is What Impressed Me the Most 🤩 #hosted https://t.co/LpzCrCxm7P