The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival opens today at Walt Disney‘s Florida resort, kicking off a 75-day festival that will feature kiosks selling foodie-approved edibles and drinks, as well as stages offering culinary workshops and nightly concerts. It’s a big deal for Epcot, Disney World’s second-most-popular park.
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Fans “Find the Force” and Reveal New Star Wars: The Last Jedi Character BB-9E as Force Friday II Gets Underway
Over 1300 U.S. retail locations will host midnight openings tonight celebrating array of new Star Wars: The Last Jedi products with tech toys front and center
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 31: Sydney, Australia – Sept. 1 – Dennis Wong holding the Sphero BB-9E. He was among the very first fans to meet the new Star Wars: The Last Jedi character BB-9E at midnight retail events in Sydney, Australia as Force Friday II gets underway around the world in celebration of the launch of the new product line for Star Wars: The Last Jedi. BB-9E is one of the dark, gleaming BB astromech units of the First Order featured in the upcoming theatrical release, as well as through the range of new products launching globally today. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media)
As the global Force Friday II celebration kicks off around the world, fans in Australia were the first to officially unveil a new dark side character from the upcoming Star Wars: The Last Jedi film, named BB-9E.
Stores across Australia opened their doors at midnight to welcome fans seeking new Star Wars: The Last Jedi products, and attendees got to meet BB-9E in both AR and toy form to share with other fans via social media.
This new droid, part of the astromech unit of the First Order that keep their starships and machinery operational, is featured across the Star Wars: The Last Jedi product lines, and can also be viewed in life-size AR form at participating retail locations hosting the Find the Force pop-up AR treasure hunt. Using the Find the Force feature in the Star Wars App, fans will be able to unlock an AR version of BB-9E on day one of the three-day initiative (Sept. 1-3), while getting a first look at the new Star Wars: The Last Jedi toys, collectibles, books, comics, apparel, home décor and more.
“Since Star Wars became a cultural phenomenon 40 years ago, consumer products have been a critical part of the fan experience, helping to introduce new audiences to the franchise’s rich stories and characters. Technology-powered storytelling is at the core of the Star Wars: The Last Jedi product line, and will immerse fans in the Star Wars universe like never before,” comments Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media.
Fans will get their first chance to take home products inspired by Star Wars: The Last Jedi over the Force Friday II weekend. The new line is Star Wars’ most innovative yet, infusing technology to allow fans to experience the franchise in whole new ways. Key technology-led products include:
Force Link Starter Set + Figures, Vehicles & Playset by Hasbro: Hasbro’s new Force Link technology combines wearable tech with the beloved characters and vehicles from the Star Wars saga to deliver a play experience that brings Star Wars stories to life like never before. The Force Link technology unlocks an extensive collection of sounds, phrases and lights with over 30 compatible figures, vehicles, and playsets at launch. Starter Set Price: $24.99 USD
R2-D2 and BB-9E App-Enabled Droids by Sphero: Controlled with a smart device, you can drive these droids, watch Star Wars films together, explore holographic simulations and more. Price: $179.99 (R2-D2), $149.99 (BB-9E) USD
Droid Inventor Kit by littleBits: Kids can create their own droid and bring it to life using littleBits electronic Bits and a smart device. With the droid Inventor app, they’ll give their droid new abilities and take it on 16+ missions. Then they’ll level-up their inventor skills, reconfiguring parts to design any droid they can dream up. The kit comes with everything kids need to create and customize a droid straight out of the box. Initial configuration is easy with step-by-step video instructions to create their droid, then control it in Drive mode, Self Navigation Mode, Force Mode, and more. After mastering these skills, kids continue on to challenges that spark creativity and get them inventing brand-new droids. Price: $99.95 USD
Star Wars Jedi Challenges: A new augmented reality Star Wars product that allows fans to experience Star Wars in ways never before possible. Jedi Challenges features a smartphone-powered Lenovo Mirage AR headset, Lightsaber Controller, and hours of Star Wars gameplay. With this product, players train to perfect their lightsaber skills by taking on some of the most menacing villains the dark side has to offer, command armies in combat missions to defeat the Empire, and outwit their opponents in Holochess, all in augmented reality. Jedi Challenges is compatible with both Android phones and iPhones, will be available this holiday season and is available for pre-order now for $199.99 at Best Buy and Lenovo online.
Star Wars Battle Drones by Propel: This year, Propel revolutionizes its Collector’s edition Star Wars Drones with its new Flight Training app. Players will learn how to fly a drone virtually in the Star Wars universe via Bluetooth. As beginner pilots use Propel’s Flight Training app, they will begin their journey in flight simulator mode: this experience uses 34 training missions to teach beginner pilots to fly like pros. An additional feature of the app is its Live Battle mode, where pilots are able to connect and battle with other Star Warsdrone pilots in multiplayer battles, inspired by missions and battles from the Star Wars movies. Price: $179 USD
New Star Wars products as well as the Find the Force AR experience can be found around the world at mass and specialty retailers, such as Amazon.com, Kohl’s, Target, Toys “R” Us and Walmart, as well as Disney Store and disneystore.com.
More Star Wars: The Last Jedi product information and photos can be found here. To access video and photo highlights from midnight retail events as they happen around the world, please visit: https://www.epk.tv/view/#/campaign/star-wars-force-friday/
Star Wars fans have already begun posting photos and videos of their Force Friday II experiences, including revealing the new BB-9E droid. Fans in select global markets who use the hashtags #FindtheForce and #Sweepstakes when they post photos or videos featuring Find the Force AR characters on Twitter or Instagram through the Force Friday II weekend can participate in a sweepstakes for the chance to win the ultimate fan experience: tickets to the Star Wars: The Last Jedi premiere in December.*
More information, participating retailers and instructional materials are available at www.starwars.com/findtheforce.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in U.S. theaters on December 15, 2017.
* NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter sweepstakes between August 31, 2017 at 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time (“PT”)/3:00 p.m. British Summer Time (“BST”) and September 4, 2017 at 2:59 a.m. PT/10:59 a.m. BST. Open to legal residents in 50 U.S. + D.C., Canada (excluding Quebec), Australia, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, France, South Korea and Chile who are 18+ or the age of majority in their place of residence, whichever is older. Limit 15 entries per person. There is 1 Grand Prize available to be won (ARV: $5754 (AUD)) and 50 Second Prizes to be won. GRAND PRIZE WINNER MUST TRAVEL TO LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 12, 2017. Visit http://au.starwars.com/findtheforce for Official Rules including details on how to enter, additional eligibility requirements, prize descriptions and limitations. Void where prohibited. Sponsor is The Walt Disney Company (Australia) Pty. Limited, Level 5, Chapel Street, South Yarra, Victoria 3141, Australia; Second Prize is a Star Wars prize pack valued at $422 (AUD); draw held on September 6, 2017 at the offices of Thomson Geer, Level 25, 1 O’Connell Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000 Australia; winners notified by September 8, 2017 and winners details published in The Australian newspaper by September 13, 2017; authorized under NSW Permit No. LTPS/17/17058, ACT Permit No. ACT TP 17/01653 and SA Permit No. T17/1556.
First Look: Slinky Dog Dash Ride Vehicle Arrives at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Slinky Dog Dash attraction, currently under construction in Toy Story Land, celebrated a major milestone today – National Slinky Day – with the reveal of the coaster’s first Slinky Dog ride vehicle.
Slinky Dog Dash is one of two major attractions coming to Toy Story Land, a 12-acre expansion that’s set to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® in Summer 2018. In Toy Story Land, guests will shrink to the size of a toy and explore the world of Andy’s backyard on two fun family attractions – Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers.
Slinky Dog Dash is a family coaster themed as if Andy built it in his backyard using his Mega Coaster Play Kit and some of his other favorite toys. The attraction’s ride vehicles, inspired by the character of Slinky in the film, will send riders dipping, dodging and dashing around turns and drops Andy has created to stretch Slinky’s coils to the max.
The second attraction, Alien Swirling Saucers, is designed as a toy play set that Andy got from Pizza Planet, inspired by the first “Toy Story” film. Aliens are flying around in their toy flying saucers and trying to capture your rocket toy vehicle using “The Claw.”
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, WALT DISNEY WORLD RESTAURANTS ARE ON THE MENU FOR VISIT ORLANDO’S MAGICAL DINING MONTH
As part of the one of the most-anticipated dining events in Central Florida, for the first time, select Walt Disney World® Resort restaurants are part of Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month that runs now through Oct. 1, 2017.
Magical Dining Month celebrates Orlando’s amazing culinary scene and gives us a chance to showcase the talent of Disney chefs with special prix fixe dinners. Participating Walt Disney World Resort hotel restaurants include:
- Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort
- Grand Floridian Cafe at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Jiko—The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Olivia’s Cafe at Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- The Turf Club Bar and Grill at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
- The Wave … of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Magical Dining Month menus feature three courses for $35 per person, including appetizer, entrée and dessert and cannot be combined with other offers, packages or discounts. One dollar from each meal supports Freedom Ride and BASE Camp Children’s Cancer Foundation.
To make a reservation at the Disney restaurants, visit www.disneyworld.com/dine or call 407-WDW-DINE. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged.
Six Don’t Miss Experiences Opening Weekend at 22nd Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Kicking off Aug. 31, 2017 and celebrating 35 years of Epcot® with 35 delectable marketplaces, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is bigger and better than ever, with sips and tastes throughout the park, celebrity chefs, culinary workshops, live music and special tasting experiences. And it’s 75 days, so guests have until Nov. 13, 2017 to experience it all.
- The global marketplaces. There are 35 this year for guests to sip and taste their way through Future World and World Showcase, and while some favorites are back, they can check out the five new additions: Active Eats (sweet avocado crema with strawberries, cake and tortilla streusel); The Almond Orchard (cauliflower risotto with pulled chicken, artichokes, spinach and Parmesan cheese); Coastal Eats (lump crab cake with slaw and avocado lemongrass cream); Flavors From Fire (smoked corned beef with crispy potatoes, pickled onions and Blonde Ale Beer fondue); the Light Lab with all sorts of spirited concoctions. They might consider a Tasting Sampler voucher ($65) for eight food or beverage items (some exclusions may apply). Plus they’ll get a limited-release Epcot Food & Wine Festival trading pin.
- Celebrity sightings. Guests can start their day Sunday, Sept. 3, with Chef Shaun O’Neale (winner of FOX TV’s “MasterChef”) first up for “What’s Cookin’ With . . .” held on select Friday and Sunday mornings in the Festival Center ($129). A cooking demo, breakfast and time for Q&A is all part of the fun. They can also catch returning favorites such as Alex Guarnaschelli, Buddy Valastro, Geoffrey Zakarian, Jamie Deen, Robert Irvine and more (schedule at epcotfoodfestival.com; reservations 407-939-3378).
- Live music every single night. There’s impromptu entertainment all around World Showcase Promenade, but each evening rocks out with the fantastic Eat to the Beat Concert Series on the outdoor stage at America Gardens Theatre three times nightly. First up: Delta Rae, a folk rock band from North Carolina, Aug. 31-Sept. 1 (“Bottom of the River”).
- Culinary demos. Every day in the Festival Center (2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 12:15 and 2:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday) guests can meet a chef and hear stories and tips while they create a dish that everyone gets to taste ($17). On a sunny afternoon, it’s a great respite from the Florida heat. Reservations recommended at epcotfoodfestival.com or by calling 407-939-3378.
- Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! If guests like hands-on experiences, this is for them — chefs, bakers, mixologists and other pros show guests the ropes ($49). Opening day, it’s Chef Emily Ellyn mixing up fun with Cask & Crew Whiskey, and guests get to play bartender and mix their own cocktail. (Mondays through Thursdays, additional hosts and topics are at epcotfoodfestival.com.)
- Kids part of the equation? Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak returns, a fun way to play together in this culinary scavenger hunt that takes guests all over World Showcase. And many of the global marketplaces are featuring dishes geared toward kids’ palates.
Looking ahead, some of our favorite celeb chefs are coming up: Sept. 15, Stuart O’Keeffe; Sept. 17, Jet Tila; Sept. 29, Graham Elliott. And there are five Party for the Senses grand tasting events this year (Sept. 23, Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Oct. 21 and Nov. 11), an extravaganza of food, beverages and themed live entertainment.
The festival runs through Nov. 13 – 75 days in all. Back to Basics series, Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Festival Passport and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission. Party for the Senses grand tasting events, signature dinners and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. Guests can book some events at epcotfoodfestival.com and call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378) for all others.
First Look at the Full Roster of Marvel Super Heroes to Assemble on Disney Cruise Line
Are you ready for the largest gathering of Marvel Super Heroes at sea? Marvel Day at Sea features exclusive character interactions where guests will have a chance to meet astounding Super Heroes and a very extraordinary Villain.
Today, we’re thrilled to reveal that Black Widow and Hawkeye will also join this epic event. They’re assembling with nearly a dozen others from the Marvel Universe, including Black Panther and Loki who will make their very first appearance as part of a Disney vacation experience. Since Black Panther and Loki will be joining all the way from the remote Kingdom of Wakanda and faraway realm of Asgard, the opportunity to see these two icons is extra special.
The event also marks the first official appearance of Iron Man, Star-Lord, Gamora and Groot on a Disney Cruise Line ship. Rounding out the roster of Marvel Super Heroes that will be onboard are Spider-Man, Captain America, Thor and Doctor Strange.
Throughout this day long celebration, guests will have the opportunity to see some of these legendary characters from the Marvel Universe up close and in person …
- If guests are booked on a Marvel Day at Sea cruise, they’ll be able to sign up for a designated time to meet Spider-Man, Iron Man and, for the first time, Black Panther during the sailing.
- In addition, they’ll have the chance for heroic encounters with Captain America, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Doctor Strange, Star-Lord, Gamora, Groot and Loki.
- Kids can train with some of their favorite Super Heroes in Marvel’s Avengers Academy.
- During the action-packed deck show spectacular, more than a dozen of everyone’s favorite Marvel Super Heroes will come together for an epic finale.
Some of your own heroic encounters may include sharing a salute with Captain America, joining forces with Black Widow, taking a selfie with Star-Lord, getting up close with Groot, coming face-to-face with Thor or catching Loki lurking around the ship. With all of these Super Heroes and a formidable Villain aboard, your adventure is sure to be epic!
Stay tuned here, as we reveal more exciting details about our Marvel Day at Sea voyages, including how to pre-book select Super Hero encounters during this special day at sea. The event premieres on select 7- and 8-night Bahamian and Canada cruises from New York this fall, and returns on select 5-night Western Caribbean cruises from Miami in early 2018.
Every Halloween Treat You Need to Eat at Disney World This Fall
Disney World’s magical menu just got a spooky update. Summer hasn’t quite cooled off yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dive into some festive fall food — especially at the Happiest Place on Earth.
WORLD SHOWCASE TO FEATURE NEW AND RETURNING MUSICAL ACTS DURING THE EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
The delicious bites available in the record 35 Marketplaces at the 22nd Epcot International Food & Wine Festival aren’t the only treats guests will find at the park this fall! They’ve also got an exciting lineup of live entertainment planned. In addition to the “Eat to the Beat” Concert Series, featuring 11 new artists, guests will also want to look for authentic performers throughout World Showcase, with some new acts and returning favorites.
Suroît – New to Epcot, this renowned band hails from Canada’s Magdalen Islands in eastern Quebec. For four decades, their infectious sound has embraced influences from Cajun, Celtic, bluegrass and rock music. Join Suroît on the Mill Stage at the Canada pavilion, Aug. 31 – Oct. 1, 2017.
Margret Almer & The Bavarian Band – World-famous yodeler Margret Almer makes an encore appearance at Epcot this fall. She’ll be performing with The Bavarian Band at the Germany pavilion, beginning Aug. 31 and continuing through the holiday season.
Musique Aramenco – Another returning favorite takes the stage at the Morocco pavilion Sept. 1-Dec.30, 2017 Musique Aramenco presents a fusion of traditional and modern Moroccan music.
Bodh’aktan – Back by popular demand, Bodh’aktan mixes Quebecois, folk and polka to make fantastic rock and dance music. After rocking stages across Quebec, the United States and Europe, this incredibly popular, kilted band is returning for an Epcot encore at the Canada pavilion Oct. 2 – 22, 2017.
Raffy – This musical quartet makes their Epcot debut Oct. 23-Nov. 26, 2017 on the Mill Stage. Raffy’s infectious energy has been embraced across Canada through a live tour, appearances on television and radio airplay of their first hit single.
This fall, guests have lots of reasons to head out to World Showcase for all the singing, dancing, sipping and dining during the 22nd Epcot International Food & Wine Festival!
STAR WARS REBELS-Complete Season Three Blu-Ray Review
If you need something to fill the void in your life between the Star Wars franchise feature films, then STAR WARS REBELS-Complete Season Three now on Blu-Ray is the perfect purchase. For those of us who saw Star Wars:Episode IV A New Hope in a theater way back in 1977, it is so cool that the story continues to draw in new generations. Of course I was only 6 at the time, but I still remember hiding behind the couch whenever someone mentioned Darth Vadar. My college age daughter jumped into the Star Wars world when we took her to see Revenge of the Sith for her 8th birthday. She was hooked after that and wanted to see them all. Now kids and adults have the chance to follow their favorite characters in STAR WARS REBELS. This series is not your typical “cartoon.” The animation is truly unbelievable. Watching it, I actually forgot I wasn’t watching live footage. Even in the behind the scenes bonus extras, it is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between the live action and animated material as the cast and crew discuss it. Top notch for sure! STAR WARS REBELS: COMPLETE SEASON THREE is packed with action and adventure as the rebels prepare for their biggest mission yet against the Empire. The Blu-Ray bonus features have all of the crew commentary and backstage footage that I absolutely love. In fact, I tend to watch all of that first. Stephen Stanton is amazing with his voice work for Obi Wan. He sounds exactly like Alec Guinness. I loved watching the crew turn and look at each other when he read his first line. Fans who love all things Star Wars must have a copy of STAR WARS REBELS-Complete Season Three on Blu-Ray. What better way to get us through until The Last Jedi in December 2017 and Star Wars Land at Disneyland and Walt Disney World in 2019? Use the force and get yourself a copy today!
New Clips & Art for THE LION KING SIGNATURE EDITION On Blu-ray August 29th
The Lion King roars to its rightful place in the Walt Disney Signature Collection on Blu-ray TODAY, August 29th! To celebrate the release, we have insider stories from Disney’s beloved The Lion King that you won’t want to miss.
Nathan’s Audition Story
What Mook Made That Up
Casting Matthew Story
