A new style of MagicBand similar to the popular FitBit step tracker is officially in development…
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Archive for Scott
‘Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda & Alan Menken Duet On Disney’s Live Action ‘The Little Mermaid’
Disney is pairing Hamilton‘s Lin-Manuel Miranda with iconic songwriter Alan Menken for a live action feature adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Little Mermaid.
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GoGo Squeez® Becomes Official Applesauce Of Walt Disney World Resort And Disneyland Resort
GoGo squeeZ®, the leading brand of 100 percent fruit in a pouch, today announced it has been named the Official Applesauce of Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. GoGo squeeZ’s applesauce pouches will be available in locations throughout both resorts.
Since its launch in June 2008, GoGo squeeZ has been committed to providing families with all-natural on-the-go snacks. GoGo squeeZ has proven that it is possible for on-the-go snacks to be made with simple, natural ingredients that are nutritious and delicious, allowing kids to squeeZ more goodness into each day — even while on vacation!
“At GoGo squeeZ, we make it easier for kids and families to be a little healthier and happier every day, and there is no better place to do that than at Disney Parks,'” said Bill Graham, President, Materne North America Corp., the maker of GoGo squeeZ pouches. “With our delicious and nutritious applesauce squeezers, we’re delighted to provide families with some ‘Goodness on the Go’ as they enjoy their Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort experience.”
In addition to availability throughout Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, GoGo squeeZ is a sponsor of several events held at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort where GoGo squeeZ applesauce pouches may be sampled. GoGo squeeZ is the presenting sponsor of all runDisney Kids Races, a fun way to engage kids early in healthy activities as part of Disney’s race weekends. GoGo squeeZ is also a sponsor of the annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and of all Disney Social Media Moms Celebrations, an annual influential blogger conference.
“Families are always on the go when visiting Disney Parks and Resorts, and we’re delighted to team up with GoGo SqueeZ to provide this convenient and healthy snack option for our guests,” said Cathy Cline, vice president, Disney Corporate Alliances and Operating Participants.
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5 storytelling tips from a Disney Pixar veteran
While video games are interactive in nature and have specific challenges when it comes to storytelling, Matthew Luhn, a story consultant who spent 20 years at Pixar, shared some useful tips drawn from his experience working in linear media.
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DISNEY SPRINGS GRAND OPENING SUMMER CELEBRATION CONTINUES!
If you are headed to Walt Disney World® Resort this August, be sure to check out the Disney Springs™ Grand Opening Celebration, where you can shop at over 50 spectacular new stores (including some of the biggest, hottest brands around), indulge at more than 10 fresh new eateries and enjoy exhilarating daily entertainment!
Plus, don’t forget that on any given night, there are more than 20 different entertainment acts performing throughout the four Disney Springs neighborhoods. And every afternoon, the Marketplace Fountain gives Guests young and old the chance to splash the day away during the Beat the Heat DJ Party.
With even more live entertainment for summer, special décor, sales at many retailers, and fun warm weather-inspired enhancements, now is the perfect time for you to discover Disney Springs.
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Disney-Based Sprinter LaShawn Merritt Earns Bronze in 400-meter Final at Rio Games
US Olympic Team sprinter LaShawn Merritt, who prepared for the Rio 2016 Games at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, is off to a medaling start after his third-place finish in the men’s 400-meter final on Sunday.
Merritt secured the bronze medal with a time of 43.85 seconds, crossing the finish line after Grenada’s Kirani James (43.76), who had won gold in the event at the London 2012 Games, and South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk, who ran a blistering 43.03-second race to win gold and set a new world record.
Former American sprinter Michael Johnson’s previous world record (43.18 seconds) had stood since 1999.
While Merritt fell short of his gold-medal goals for the 400-meter, he still has two more chances to earn medals for Team USA, with the men’s 200-meter and 4×400-meter relay.
Merritt, who regularly trains at Disney with other world-class sprinters under former US Olympic track coach Brooks Johnson, qualified for this year’s Olympic team after having missed the London Olympic Games in 2012 due to injury. At the 2008 Beijing Games, the veteran sprinter won the gold medal in the 400-meter and 4×400-meter relay.
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The Walt Disney Company Acquires Minority Stake in BAMTech
The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) today announced that it is acquiring a 33% stake in BAMTech, a leading technology services and video streaming company previously formed by Major League Baseball (MLB). As part of the transaction, BAMTech was separated from MLB’s broader digital business, MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM).
Under the terms of the transaction, Disney will pay $1 billion in two installments, now and in January 2017, and has the option to acquire majority ownership in the coming years.
Disney’s investment in BAMTech – already a global leader in direct-to-consumer streaming services, data analytics and commerce management with nearly 7.5 million total paid subscribers to its clients’ OTT products – will provide capital to accelerate growth of its proprietary video-delivery platform, deliver greater flexibility to clients and develop new technologies and capabilities.
As part of the transaction, BAMTech will become a key partner for Disney in the delivery and support of streaming video and other digital products from Disney|ABC Television Group and ESPN, as well as future digital initiatives across the Company.
“Our investment in BAMTech gives us the technology infrastructure we need to quickly scale and monetize our streaming capabilities at ESPN and across our company,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “We look forward to working closely with BAMTech as we explore new ways to deliver the unmatched content of The Walt Disney Company across a variety of platforms.”
Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. stated, “Every day the powerful partnership of technology and content becomes more important to consumers. We are excited to get to work with Disney and our longtime partners at ESPN in the important and ever-changing area of content distribution.”
BAMTech will also collaborate with ESPN to launch and distribute a new ESPN-branded multi-sport subscription streaming service in the future. The direct-to-consumer service will feature content provided by both BAMTech and ESPN, and include live regional, national and international sporting events.
Current content on ESPN’s linear networks will not appear on the new subscription streaming service. More details about the new service will be announced in the months ahead.
“Bringing a multi-sport service directly to fans is an exciting opportunity that capitalizes on BAMTech’s premier digital distribution platform and continues ESPN’s heritage of embracing technology to create new ways to connect fans with sports,” said John Skipper, ESPN President and Co-Chair, Disney Media Networks. “As WatchESPN continues to grow and add value to the multichannel video subscription, this new service will be an outstanding complement.”
Following Disney’s acquisition of a stake in BAMTech, the National Hockey League received a minority interest in BAMTech, as the result of a previous agreement.
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That Disney’s ‘Pete’s Dragon’ Is Great Is More Important Than If It’s A Box Office Hit
Walt Disney’s Pete’s Dragon is not going to be the Mouse House’s biggest hit of the year. With a $21.5 million opening weekend, the arguable best case scenario is that the live-action adaptation of the 1977 animation/live-action hybrid is going to leg it like Planes back in 2013 or The Princess Diaries: Royal Engagement back in 2004…
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DESTINATION D: AMAZING ADVENTURES ADDS JAMES CAMERON, JON LANDAU, AND BOB CHAPEK TO EVENT ROSTER
The roster of talent and panels continues to grow for D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures presented by Ethan Allen | Disney, taking place November 19 and 20, 2016 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World Resort. AVATAR creators James Cameron (writer, director, producer) and Jon Landau (producer) will join Imagineer Joe Rohde for Pandora – The World of AVATAR, a presentation where they will unveil new details about the immersive, 12-acre land coming soon to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In addition, the event will include a conversation with Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Plus, Moana screenwriter Jared Bush (co-writer/co-director Zootopia) will be on hand to provide guests an exclusive advance look at the making of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ newest animated feature.
Cameron, Landau, and Chapek join previously announced Disney Legends Marty Sklar and Tony Baxter; Walt Disney Imagineers Rohde, Chris Merritt, Jason Grandt, and Wyatt Winter; producer Don Hahn (The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast); and Walt Disney Archives Director Becky Cline. The event, exclusively for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, celebrates landmarks of the past, present, and future, from the Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean to the planet of Pandora.
The Walt Disney Archives will present a special exhibit created exclusively for the event: Walt’s Great Adventures, featuring photographs, props, and models that showcase Walt Disney’s personal voyages, including his trip to South America in 1941, as well as some of his most memorable creations for television, film, and theme parks, such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Additionally, during the weekend, guests will be among the first to see the new Ethan Allen | Disney home furnishing line in person.
Additional D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures presentations announced include:
- Welcome to Adventureland: Set off on a journey through “Adventurelands” at Disney Parks around the world, beginning with a rare look at artist Harper Goff’s exotic concepts for Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
- Tales from the Jungle Cruise: Fans of “the backside of water” unite! Discover the legendary history of the world-famous attraction with a panel of wisecracking experts, including a behind-the-scenes look at recent holiday overlays and the new Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort’s 45th Anniversary: From tropical hideaways to enchanting entertainment, celebrate the spirit of aloha as D23 looks back at 45 years of the classic South Pacific-themed getaway.
The weekend event will take place in the convention center at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Tickets, currently on sale, are $190 each for D23 Gold and Gold Family Members. Tickets are also available to D23 General Members for $250 per ticket. All guests will receive a special gift created exclusively for the event, and attendees are guaranteed seats at all panels and presentations. Mickey’s of Glendale, the famed Walt Disney Imagineering store, returns with a pop-up shop at the event for attendees, featuring a selection of exclusive Walt Disney Imagineering merchandise as well as limited-edition pins, apparel, and collectibles themed to the event.
Further details about the program and tickets for D23 Destination D: Amazing Adventures presented by Ethan Allen | Disney can be found atD23.com/Events. Additional details about the schedule will be shared in the coming months.
Events and talent are subject to change.
About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.
Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($74.99), Gold Family Membership ($99.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.comand at DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.
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Disney stock could get some zip from video streaming
Even as Walt Disney (DIS) reported positive results last week for its latest fiscal quarter, support for its stock on Wall Street has been wavering lately. Disney shares have been on the ropes since last year when they hit a 52-week high of more than $120 a share. The stock is currently trading just under $97.
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