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“MICKEY’S ROYAL FRIENDSHIP FAIRE” NOW OPEN AT MAGIC KINGDOM PARK

“Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” at Magic Kingdom® Park has begun! This all-new live stage show graces the grandest stage at Walt Disney World® Resort with magic, music and merriment. Against the majestic backdrop of Cinderella Castle, Mickey Mouse and his friends welcome favorite characters from some of Disney’s newest classics: “The Princess and the Frog,” “Tangled” and “Frozen.” The show celebrates the unique stories of the citizens who make up this magical kingdom and the wonderful moments that can happen when we try new things, go to new places and get to know new friends.

“Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” features fifteen Disney characters, a musical score recorded by the London Symphony, the original song “On This Day” by composers Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda (“Tinker Bell: Secret of the Wings”), elaborate costumes, special effects, a dazzling display of daytime fireworks and more!

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DESSERT PARTIES AND DINING RESERVATIONS NOW AVAILABLE FOR HOLIDAY PARTY NIGHTS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT

Summer may have just officially begun, but at Walt Disney World® Resort, is already preparing to fill Magic Kingdom®Park with frightful delights and deck the halls this holiday season! Whether guests are heading to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this fall or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this winter, they can make the evening even more magical with these delicious additions.

There are no tricks, just treats during the HalloWishes Fireworks Dessert Premium Package, available during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, select nights from Sept. 2-Oct. 31, 2016. This frightfully fun package begins with reserved viewing of Mickey’s “Boo-To-You” Halloween Parade on Main Street U.S.A. and is followed by a private fireworks dessert party at Tomorrowland Terrace. Enjoy Halloween-themed confections while you take in the spectacular Happy HalloWishes fireworks.

If guests are planning on attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, they can have a holly jolly time at the Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party, select nights from Nov. 7- Dec. 22, 2016. They can enjoy Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade with reserved viewing on Main Street U.S.A., as well as fantastic views of Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks while enjoying festive treats at a private dessert party at Tomorrowland Terrace.

Plus, dinner reservations for The Crystal Palace Restaurant, Be Our Guest Restaurant and Cinderella’s Royal Table are also now available for party nights.

A valid ticket to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is required to attend the fireworks dessert parties or to make dining reservations on event nights. Book reservations by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dine or by calling 407-WDW-DINE

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PRINCE NAVEEN’S ROYAL VISIT TO TOWN CENTER BY SAM ALLEN

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As construction begins to wind down on the expansion of Disney Springs, more and more construction walls are being removed, revealing the results of the years of work Disney’s Imagineers have put into revamping the waterfront complex. Perhaps the biggest milestone so far has been this summer’s opening of the Town Center, the fourth neighborhood of the former Downtown Disney. Filled with new shops and restaurants, the area celebrates the history and architecture of small town Old Florida.

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‘Rogue One’: Exclusive Details on All the New ‘Star Wars’ Characters

Spies are everywhere. Although some of the names of the characters from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story have leaked out, their exact histories and descriptions have remained mostly under wraps. With EW’s new cover story, we’re revealing the official dossier on each of the new heroes – and the galaxy’s shrewd new villain.

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Disney CEO Confirms ‘Indiana Jones’ Franchise to Continue Past Fifth Film

The Hollywood Reporter shared an interview it did with Disney CEO Bob Iger. He talked about a lot of different things, but let’s hone in on what Iger had to say about Indiana Jones. The fifth installment of the franchise comes out in 2019, with Harrison Ford returning to the titular role and Steven Spielberg returning to the director’s chair.

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Star Wars’ Carrie Fisher, Fox, Lloyd, Anderson Among 2016 Wizard World Chicago Guests

Wizard World, Inc.,the preeminent producer of Wizard World Comic Cons across North America, is proud to announce that Star Wars’ Carrie Fisher will make her first Wizard World appearance ever in Chicago, where she will join the Back to the Future trio of Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, and Lea Thompson. Also, The X-FilesGillian Anderson will join the previously announced David Duchovny, Mitch Pileggi & William B. Davis for a cast reunion, August 20-21!

“Great Scott! Looking forward to meeting everyone at Wizard World in Chicago,” exclaimed Christopher Lloyd.

“We are thrilled with these amazing new guest additions,” says John Maatta, Wizard World Chairman & CEO. “The fans have come to expect the very best TV & Film stars in Chicago, and we are delivering. Stay tuned for more exciting guest announcements over the coming weeks!”

The beloved Back to the Future stars will take part in a Wizard World Q&A panel, hosted by Michael Klastorin, the production publicist on the second and third films in the series, and author of “Back to the Future: The Ultimate Visual History.” The panel will discuss entertaining behind the scenes stories of the making of the films, and reflect upon the impact the film has had on movie-going fans of all ages for more than three decades!

Located at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, they will join previously announced guests including Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead), Sebastian Stan (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead), the cast of Netflix’s “Marvel’s Daredevil” including Charlie Cox (Matt Murdock/Daredevil), Deborah Ann Woll (Karen Page), Elden Henson (Foggy Nelson), Jon Bernthal (Frank Castle/The Punisher),Elodie Yung (Elektra Natchios), and Rosario Dawson (Claire Temple), and more.

To purchase Admissions and VIP Admissions for the event, set for August 18-21, and to view the schedule, location, show hours, hotel & travel info, please visit: http://wizardworld.com/comiccon/chicago

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SOARIN’ AROUND THE WORLD NOW OPEN AT DISNEY PARKS

The wait is over! Guests can finally experience Soarin’ Around the World, the newly reimagined attraction that whisks them on a journey above more than a dozen wondrous international destinations around the world.

The attraction is now open at three Disney Parks: Epcot® at Walt Disney World® Resort; Disney California Adventure® Park at the Disneyland® Resort; and at Shanghai Disneyland (where the attraction goes by the name Soarin’ Over the Horizon).

Soarin’ Around the World elevates Guests up to 40 feet into an 80-foot projection screen dome that fill’s a Guest’s entire field of vision that gives them the sense of flight. During their journey, guests can expect to spy jaw-dropping natural and man-made landmarks like the Great Wall of China, Sydney Harbor in Australia, and the Matterhorn in Switzerland. Not only that, but they may find that their other senses are engaged, feeling, smelling and hearing the new world around them.

In addition to the new attraction experience, the attraction at Epcot also added a third theater and reimagined its queue to feature a new game called “Soarin’ Challenge” that guests can play via smartphone while they wait. This complimentary travel trivia game allows Guests to join hundreds of other players to answer questions on geography, cuisine, languages and more. Guests can also unlock passport stamps for their digital collection and aim to up their personal score on the leaderboard. And, if guests don’t have a mobile device, they can look to one of the in-queue displays to participate.

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Star-Spangled Fun! Walt Disney World Resort Guests Are Invited to Celebrate the Fourth of July

Guests can celebrate America’s birthday with a red, white and blue extravaganza at Walt Disney World Resort. There will be no shortage of nighttime fun, as fireworks will dance across the skies above the Florida vacation kingdom. Here’s a look a what’s in store:

Magic Kingdom

The celebration begins with “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky,” July 3 and 4 at Magic Kingdom. The 14-minute fireworks spectacular rockets into the sky above Cinderella Castle at 9 p.m. both nights.

The fireworks are set to an exciting musical score produced in a concert band style. This score was specifically created to stir a sense of pride in being American, show producers say, while at the same time, inviting guests from around the world to feel part of the celebration.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Guests can enjoy the all-new “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” fireworks nightly, with the show beginning at a special time of 9:30 p.m. for the holiday weekend, July 3 and 4. The next generation of Star Wars-themed fireworks shows, “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular,” dazzles with new themed fireworks, lasers, special effects and video projections of iconic characters and scenes from the complete saga, all set to the unforgettable score of the film series.

Epcot

Guests visiting Epcot on July 4 will have the opportunity to meet some of their favorite Disney characters dressed in patriotic attire throughout the afternoon at the American Adventure Pavilion. Voices of Liberty, the eight-part a capella group, will have special performances at American Gardens Theatre at 12:30, 1:45 and 3 p.m. They also will perform inside the American Adventure Rotunda at 4:15 and 5 p.m. that day. Guests also will have the opportunity to catch the Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps outside at 1, 2:15, 3:30, 4 and 4:45 p.m.

That evening, the spectacular fireworks and laser show “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” lights the night at 10 p.m. with a heart-pounding grand finale in a salute to America.

Additional Patriotic Entertainment

Other patriotic offerings that guests can enjoy year-round in the parks include indoor attractions that offer shows about the history of America, dining options and entertainment.

Guests at Epcot’s American Adventure Pavilion will find various ways to explore America’s past and present with “We, The People,” a journey through pivotal moments in America’s history narrated by Audio-Animatronic figures of Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain, and “The Kinsey Collection,” an exhibit that showcases 400 years of African-American achievement through rare art, documents, books and artifacts.

At Magic Kingdom, The Hall of Presidents: A Celebration of Liberty’s Leaders gives guests an entertaining lesson in American history. Guests also can get a taste of traditional New England-inspired foods at Liberty Tree Tavern, a restaurant situated in a colonial-style inn that serves lunch and dinner daily. After nightfall, dancing patriots, a stately bald eagle, glittering lights and the patriotic music of the Main Street Electrical Parade all honor America as the parade’s stunning final float lights Main Street, U.S.A. nightly.

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ABC’s “The Chew” to Broadcast from the 21st Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Oct. 5-7

ABC’s Emmy Award-winning lifestyle series, “The Chew,” returns to Walt Disney World Resort this fall to broadcast five shows from the 21st Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.  “The Chew” shows, to record Oct. 5-7 against the park’s iconic Spaceship Earth backdrop with co-hosts Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly and Daphne Oz, will air on the ABC Television Network Oct. 10-14, 2016, at 1 p.m. EST, 12 pm PT (check local listings).

The dynamic, Emmy Award-winning co-hosts, who delighted audiences last year with stories of their Disney adventures as they whipped up delectable dishes and drinks, will share tasty new recipes and a bounty of festival surprises with their Epcot audiences.  Throughout the festival’s 62-day culinary celebration, which runs Sept. 14-Nov. 14, “The Chew” also will feature segments highlighting food and beverages from “around the world” of Walt Disney World Resort and its four theme parks and Disney Springs.

Fans of “The Chew” and the annual Epcot festival can savor bites inspired by the popular talk show at The Chew Collective in the Next Eats festival area of Future World.  Three delicious dishes – Grilled Beef Skewer with Romaine, Apricots and Feta Cheese; Ricotta and Zucchini Ravioli with Rustic Tomato Sauce and Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Mousse with a Caramel Drizzle – will be the stars of the menu. Festival guests also can sip this year’s exclusive new Festival Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon at The Chew Collective.  Last year marked a historic first when festival marketplaces expanded into the park’s Future World area.

“We had a fantastic time filming our show last year at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and sharing the magic with Park guests and our home viewers.  It’s the perfect pairing!” said Mark Schneider, executive producer of “The Chew”  “We look forward to returning for even more fun and great food with our fans and celebrity guests. For us, it’s a terrific way to kick off our new season.

Epcot vice president Melissa Valiquette said this year’s return of “The Chew” promises plenty of “foodie fun” for festival guests. “We’re delighted that ‘The Chew’ will return this fall to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival,” Valiquette said.  “Our festival fans are also fans of ‘The Chew,’ and we welcome this powerhouse of a daytime show that dishes up foodie fun with its own unique brand of culinary magic to our ever-evolving festival.”

At the Festival Center, guests can watch screenings of “The Chew” show highlights, cooking and entertaining tips, and same-day episodes of “The Chew” Monday through Friday at 1 p.m. Instructions on how to obtain show taping tickets will be announced at a later date.

In addition, “The Chew” will re-broadcast its 2015 shows taped at Epcot the week of July 25, 2016 as part of the network’s summer programming lineup (Monday-Friday, check local listings).

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THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY LAUNCHES COMPUTER SCIENCE SUMMER IMMERSION PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

The Walt Disney Company announced today the start of its inaugural Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program, a seven-week coding program on the Disney campus for high school girls that will introduce them to computer science curriculum.

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