Disney Teases at a New Way of Flying for the Sanderson Sisters

“It’s been three hundred years ( plus 29 years); right down to the day! Now the witch is back, and there’s hell to pay…”

Sorry, not sorry, that we’ve got that song into your head, and so soon before the Halloween season too! Yes, you’ve guessed it – we’re writing about Hocus Pocus (1993), or should we say Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)!

The sequel to the original Hocus Pocus has been eagerly anticipated by fans since its release back in 1993. The original movie followed a curious youngster who moves to Salem, and after struggling to fit in, resurrects a trio of witches who had been executed in the 17th century, by lighting the Black Flame Candle. Directed by Kenny Ortega, known for directing other Disney classics, including High School Musical (2006), Newsies (1992) and Descendants (2015), Hocus Pocus starred Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as the infamous Sanderson Sisters.

What We Know So Far

Hocus Pocus 2 was first confirmed as a film coming to Disney Plus at the 2019 D23 event, held at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. Initially confirmed as a film that would make its debut on the streaming service in Fall of 2022, an official release date was finally given a date in May of this year. Fans of the Halloween cult classic will be able to stream Hocus Pocus 2 from September 30, 2022.

Whilst the sequel will be directed by Anne Fletcher, known for The Proposal (2009), Step Up (2006) and Hairspray (2007), Hocus Pocus 2 will feature the majority of the same cast as the original movie. Returning cast include the original Sanderson Sisters, as well as Doug Jones who will reprise as Billy Butcherson. However, filming has taken place in a different location to the original. Hocus Pocus was set and filmed in Salem, Massachusetts, whilst the majority of Hocus Pocus 2 has been filmed in Newport, Rhode Island. Production of the film begun in October, 2021 and finished in January 2022, with some retakes having been filmed in New York just a few weeks ago, in the month of June.

Not only have filming locations differed to the original movie, the new movie’s story will also differ to the original. The film is set to see the Sanderson Sisters attempt to wreak havoc in modern day Salem after three young women accidentally bring them back. The teenagers will be played by Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham and Belissa Escobedo, who have the task of putting a stop to the antics of the Sanderson Sisters before midnight on All Hallow’s Eve. Will the child-hungry witches succeed in evoking fear into us all once more?

A New Way To Travel?

Just this week, a new movie poster shared on Disney Plus has indicated that the new movie will see the witches embracing the modern-day world they have returned to. ‘Come we fly’ is a memorable quote from Sanderson Sister Winifred. Fans of Hocus Pocus will also remember that the witches flew in the movie; Winifred and Sarah flew by broom, whilst Mary flew by a vacuum. Differently, in Hocus Pocus 2, it appears that two of the three Sanderson Sisters will travel using 20th-century cleaning products. Whilst Winifred Sanderson will still use her broom, Mary Sanderson will fly on a roomba, and Sarah Sanderson will fly on a swiffer.

A video shared by hocuspocusguide on Instagram in April this year, showed Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker filming a flying scene outside of a Walgreens. Could this be where Mary and Sarah acquire their new ‘brooms’? We’re eagerly anticipating seeing the Sanderson Sisters interacting with the modern-day world!

Popularity Reflected in the Disney Parks

The Sanderson Sisters are hugely popular amongst Disney fans and movie fanatics, which the Walt Disney Company have recognized over the last few years, resulting in these famous witches being part of the Halloween celebrations in the Disney Parks. In 2015, the Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular made its debut at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Magic Kingdom. The show sees Winifred, Sarah and Mary visit the mortal world with a plan to throw the best, evil Halloween party. With the help of favorite Disney villains, the Sisters successful conjure up the ultimate Hocus Pocus Party Potion.

The Disney Parks and Resorts are known to provide Guests with the opportunity to purchase limited edition and seasonal treats and snacks. Such snacks have included Hocus Pocus-inspired treats, including the Hocus Pocus cupcakes that were available at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa earlier this year, and other treats to honor the Sanderson Sisters in Magic Kingdom in previous years.

More recently, Halfway to Halloween celebrations confirmed that the Sanderson Sisters will be cruising with Disney Cruise Line during the fall cruises this year, in a unique way. Halloween on the High Seas is celebrated on Disney cruises leading up to Halloween, and this year, for the first time, Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck and Clarabelle Cow will be dressed as the iconic Sanderson Sisters. It’s just one of the reasons why you shouldn’t miss out on a Disney Cruise this Fall! We’re excited to hear if Hocus Pocus 2 will feature as a film that will be shown on cruises sailing in October; it would be the perfect addition to the other exciting events that take place on a Halloween on the High Seas cruise.

We’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for more exciting teasers ahead of the release of Hocus Pocus 2 on Disney+. In the meantime, make sure that you’ve re-watched Hocus Pocus so you’re fully prepared to enjoy it’s sequel. We certainly will!