A Disney vacation doesn’t have to be all about Mickey Mouse meet-and-greets and Pirates of the Caribbean-themed rides. Disney can actually be a dining destination all its own. Full-service restaurants make it easy for families to dine and relax, and you can’t beat the Disney dining plan if hitting up the quick-service restaurants and snack stands is your style.
When Inhumans is released in 2018 during Marvel’s Phase 3, audiences will be exposed to a new side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Currently, powers in this universe can be attributed to science or cosmic phenomena, but thanks to the Inhumans, Marvel has a way to introduce genetic abilities.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Disney has announced that the brand new Disney Springs parking garage is set to open to visitors on November 20, 2014. This should be welcome news for guests who are getting ready for the holiday shopping season.
This year, the costume mania award goes to . . . Hollywood! The frenzy over Walt Disney Pictures’ 2013 film Frozen has continued well into 2014. Data released by SLI Systems (SLI.NZ), a worldwide e-commerce acceleration provider for mid- to large-size Internet retailers and B2B sites worldwide, found consumers conducted over one million site searches this Halloween season for Frozen-related queen, princess and snowman characters, making it the most-searched category in the study. Other popular films, including Paramount Pictures’ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT), Despicable Me’s “Minions,” Maleficent, and Book of Life also saw activity making 2014’s Top 15 List.
SLI studied site search activity across 17 costume retailer websites based in the U.S., UK and Australia, analyzing a total of more than 80 million consumer searches taking place between Sept 1 and Oct 26, 2013 and between Sept 1 and Oct 26, 2014. Combined, the e-commerce sites studied have monthly revenue of approximately $20M.
“Our data team compared the most popular site search terms across costume retailer e-commerce sites using our Learning Search service during the 2013 and 2014 Halloween seasons,” said Shaun Ryan, CEO, SLI Systems. “Disney’s Frozen-themed costume searches simply ‘freeze out’ all competition, including Paramount’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT), in Halloween 2014. In fact, ‘Frozen’ received 122% more search activity than ‘TMNT’ this year, and nearly 160% more search activity than any movie in 2013 – the most popular film-related costume search being ‘Batman’ in 2013.”
The Top 15 Most-Searched Costume Themes of 2014, in order:
(seven are movie themes)
1. Frozen – 1,192,000 (includes searches Elsa, Olaf & other characters)
2. Zombie – 863,000
3. Ninja – 863,000
4. Pirate – 796,000
5. Clown – 659,000
6. Witch – 588,000
7. Vampire – 565,000
8. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (TMNT) – 536,000
9. Book of Life – 308,000 (includes searches for “day of the dead”)
10. Flapper – 277,000
11. Batman – 251,000
12. Despicable Me – 233,000 (78% of related searches for minion characters)
13. Maleficent – 227,000
14. Monster High – 206,000
15. Star Wars – 148,000
We’re still seven months away from watching the culmination of Marvel’s Phase 2 with The Avengers: Age of Ultron, but we already know how Phase 3 will conclude. At today’s special presentation, Marvel Studios announced Avengers: Infinity War Part I & II for May 4, 2018 and May 3, 2019 respectively.
On Tuesday, Marvel announced its upcoming slate of films and it looks like the comics powerhouse is aiming to dominate the box office through summer 2019. The recent trailer leak of Avengers: Age of Ultron had us all watering at the mouth for more, and with Marvel’s big event today, it will only increase our hype for new footage and information.
Watch as a group of Walt Disney World Resort cast members build larger-than-life sculptures using nothing but cans of food! Following the annual CANstruction event, everything used in the sculptures was donated to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, a nonprofit that Disney has supported for more than 20 years.
Disney Cruise Line introduces two popular Caribbean destinations — Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Martinique — into the lineup of favorite tropical itineraries for early 2016. The return to the homeport of San Juan, Puerto Rico brings a new itinerary that includes Martinique.
From the warm Caribbean culture of Tortola, capital of the British Virgin Islands, to the exquisite French island of Martinique, these destinations provide Disney Cruise Line guests the chance to relax on pristine beaches, discover natural wonders and indulge in local shopping and cuisine.
Bookings open to the public on Oct. 30, 2014. More details on 2016 itineraries can be found on the Itineraries and Ports for 2016 page of disneycruise.com.
Port Canaveral to Eastern Caribbean, including Tortola
In 2016, Disney Cruise Line will sail from Port Canaveral, Fla. on a seven-night itinerary to the Eastern Caribbean, including a call at Tortola and Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay.
Tortola is an idyllic escape for guests of all ages, from tranquil beaches and stunning scenery to exhilarating activities and authentic Caribbean fare. With a variety of experiences for the family to share together, Disney Cruise Line guests will create memories in Tortola while swimming with dolphins, exploring centuries-old ruins, sampling local spices on Main Street and reveling in the natural beauty of Sage Mountain National Park.
Ports: Port Canaveral; Tortola; St. Thomas; Castaway Cay
Departure dates: Disney Fantasy: Jan. 2, 16, 30; Feb. 13, 27; March 12, 26; April 9, 23; Disney Magic: April 3, 17
Rates start at $1,120 per person for seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises for a category 11C standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Taxes, fees and port expenses are not included.
San Juan to Southern Caribbean, including Martinique
Disney Cruise Line returns to San Juan, Puerto Rico in early 2016 as the Disney Wonder sails four seven-night cruises to the Southern Caribbean, including a stop in Martinique on a new itinerary for Disney.
Known as the “Flower of the Caribbean,” Martinique offers a unique island experience complete with breathtaking natural beauty and cosmopolitan culture of French and Creole influence. Nature-lovers will delight in lush rainforests, rushing waterfalls and volcanic landmarks, while guests looking for a more upscale experience will savor superb French cuisine and superlative shopping.
Ports: San Juan; Barbados; Grenada; Martinique; Antigua; St. Kitts
Departure dates: Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31
Rates start at $980 per person for seven-night cruises from San Juan for a category 11C standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Taxes, fees and port expenses are not included.
Port Canaveral and Miami to the Bahamas and Caribbean
In 2016, Disney Cruise Line will sail from Port Canaveral and Miami to the Bahamas and Caribbean on a variety of itineraries. All of these cruises include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.
From Port Canaveral, rates start at $375 per person for three-night cruises, $500 per person for four-night cruises and $1,120 per person for seven-night cruises for a category 11C standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Taxes, fees and port expenses are not included.
From Miami, rates start at $352 per person for four-night cruises and $440 per person for five-night cruises for a category 11C standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Taxes, fees and port expenses are not included.
To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit http://www.disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact their travel agent.
Disney Consumer Products (DCP) has rolled out a robust range of products that celebrate the comedy-adventure Big Hero 6, which debuts in theaters November 7, 2014. Best-in-class licensees including Bandai, Freeze, GDC and Jay Franco in addition to Disney Store and Disney Publishing Worldwide have developed an assortment of action figures, plush, role-play toys, apparel, home décor, books and more that take inspiration from the film’s action-filled adventures. The film’s breakout character Baymax is the star of the product collection with products ranging from interactive action figures with transformative battling capabilities, to plush and tech accessories that celebrate his compassionate and humorous personality.
“Disney Consumer Products and our licensees have collaborated to create a toy line that brings Big Hero 6’s action-packed storyline and diverse cast of characters to life,” said Josh Silverman, executive vice president of global licensing, Disney Consumer Products. “Our Big Hero 6 product line features sharp color schemes and bold, stylized design trends to capture the essence of San Fransokyo and its dynamic heroes.”
Big Hero 6 products are available now at mass and specialty retailers nationwide, Disney Store locations and DisneyStore.com. DisneyStore.com also offers a “Create Your Own” shop that allows fans to personalize a variety of items, from tech accessories and school supplies to apparel and party invitations, with their favorite characters from the movie.
Additionally, apparel licensee Threadless is hosting a contest from October 27 through November 17 that invites participants to design an original t-shirt inspired by Hiro, Baymax and the rest of the Big Hero 6 team. The winner will receive a prize package including $2,000 cash, a $500 Threadless gift card and a hand-drawn, framed Big Hero 6 piece of artwork from a Disney character artist. For official contest rules and design submissions, please visit threadless.com/bighero6/.
Highlights from the product line include:
