Ever since the opening of Walt Disney World in 1971, a Magic Kingdom-style park has debuted in a different locale around the world in each subsequent decade. Tokyo Disneyland: 1983. Disneyland Paris (then called EuroDisneyland): 1992. Hong Kong Disneyland: 2005. On June 16, one of Disney’s most ambitious theme parks finally sees its day. Shanghai Disneyland Park, part of the Shanghai Disney Resort, a project in the works for more than 15 years, is an epic Magic Kingdom with unique experiences, Chinese cultural influences, and technological innovations.

As we anticipate the opening of Shanghai Disneyland, let’s peek through the curtain at what Disney has in store for its future guests.

Add The Finest Hours to the latest string of Disney disappointments that fall under two categories: PG-13 dramas and non-branded films. This amazing true story of the heroic 1952 Coast Guard rescue may have won me over as a viewer, but I was in the minority. Not only did the adventure tale receive mixed reviews, but also few moviegoers have even checked it out in theaters. Disney continues to contend with releasing movies that are neither part of an established brand nor cater to more mature audiences (and, thus, having that PG-13 rating).

This edition of Disney In Depth addresses an issue that more of us film fanatics must discuss: the Mouse House’s failed attempts in recent years to debut successful movies outside of the animation, Marvel, Star Wars, and other live-action brand umbrellas. More vitally, though, how can Walt Disney Studios find that sweet storytelling spot and make one of these projects resonate with the general public?

The Hunchback of Notre Dame has always held a special place in my Mickey Mouse heart, as the film, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, significantly impacted me with its musical magnitude when first premiering in 1996 – at the time I was only a four-year-old kid.

Two decades later, the release of the studio cast recording from the production (which played at two American theaters over the past couple of years) reminds listeners of why Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz have crafted some of Disney’s most gripping and diverse music. The soundtrack’s successful sales figures is indicative that people are ready to embrace Hunchback again, and this serves as a great opportunity to review the studio cast recording, available on Amazon, iTunes, and other retailers.

As the Disney Fantasy nears closer to celebrating four years on the open seas, and I recently returned from setting sail on my third voyage on the magnificent vessel, I wanted to place focus on its five main musical productions in the Walt Disney Theatre.

Two of the three featured musicals are exclusive to the Disney Fantasy, two honor the arrival and departure of guests, and the other is appropriately named Believe. Reviewing these five shows required having seen each of them multiple times and evaluating them in comparison to not only one another on the Disney Fantasy, but also those on Disney Cruise Line’s other ships and within the domestic theme parks. Let’s dive right in!

In Memoriam 2015: The Walt Disney Company…

Reflecting on the past year in the world of Disney entertainment, we remember the premieres of new films and attractions, as well as the moments that helped make 2015 to be one of Disney’s finest in recent decades. But the passing of countless company contributors (artists, actors, and more) always stings. This special edition of Disney In Depth remembers many of the men and women who, in one way or another, shaped how The Walt Disney Company is today.