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The Walt Disney Company Celebrates Historic Grand Opening of Shanghai Disney Resort

The Walt Disney Company is proud to celebrate the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort, the first Disney resort in Mainland China and the sixth Disney resort worldwide. A three-day grand opening celebration commemorates the culmination of one of the largest foreign investment projects in China’s history, and Disney’s largest investment to date outside of the United States. The resort’s opening is the result of a long collaborative relationship with the Shanghai Municipal Government and joint venture partner Shanghai Shendi Group, and offers a new world-class tourism destination for guests from China and around the world. At opening, the first phase of the resort is within a land area of 963 acres with additional land available to accommodate future expansion, including additional theme park and other related resort development.

“The grand opening of Shanghai Disney Resort is one of the proudest moments in the history of The Walt Disney Company, and we’ve planned a truly spectacular celebration worthy of this historic achievement,” said Bob Iger, chairman and chief executive officer, The Walt Disney Company. “Just like the park itself, the next three days will be a grand experience filled with great joy and excitement along with stunning entertainment experiences. We are honored to be joined by so many distinguished guests for this momentous occasion, and look forward to officially opening the gates and sharing this extraordinary authentically Disney, distinctly Chinese destination with the world.”

The three-day celebration begins on June 14 with the global premiere of the first Mandarin production of the Broadway hit THE LION KING at the 1,200-seat Walt Disney Grand Theatre in Disneytown. It continues on June 15 with a grand opening gala concert at the Enchanted Storybook Castle led by award-winning composer Tan Dun, known for film scores including “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” followed by a Starlight Celebration dessert party in Tomorrowland. On June 16, there will be a festive dedication ceremony in front of the Enchanted Storybook Castle to officially open Shanghai Disney Resort to guests.

Shanghai Disney Resort is a first-of-its-kind resort that combines the very best of Disney in a way that is distinctly Chinese and tailor-made for the people of China. At opening it features a newly designed Magic Kingdom-style theme park, Shanghai Disneyland, with six themed lands filled with immersive attractions, including Adventure Isle, Gardens of Imagination, Mickey Avenue, Tomorrowland, Treasure Cove and Fantasyland. These lands are located around the iconic Enchanted Storybook Castle, the tallest, largest and most interactive castle at any Disney park. The resort also features world-class live entertainment, two exquisite hotels, a shopping, dining and entertainment district called Disneytown and a 98-acre recreational area called Wishing Star Park with a lake that is open to the public.

The resort showcases Disney’s industry-leading practices, including quality and safety standards, the introduction of new innovative technologies, and operational best practices — all of which contribute to the overall theme park industry and the development of Shanghai’s tourism industry. It is a result of years of collaboration and innovation, with contributions from Disney cast members and Imagineers, as well as thousands of artists, designers, construction workers and suppliers from across China and around the world.

Shanghai Disney Resort broke ground in 2011. In April 2014, the resort’s shareholders jointly announced an accelerated expansion plan to capitalize on the tremendous growth in China’s tourism sector – adding more attractions, entertainment and other offerings to increase capacity at the theme park on opening day.

Throughout its development, Shanghai Disney Resort aimed to not only build a world-class tourism destination, but also serve as a valuable community partner and active corporate citizen in Shanghai and China. Working within the community, the resort provides support to address a wide range of needs for children while creating opportunities to strengthen relationships with the important adults in their lives. Last week, in honor of the grand opening of Shanghai Disney Resort, The Walt Disney Company announced a $3.1 million USD (RMB 20 million) donation to support the creation of Disney-themed play spaces in 50 children’s hospitals throughout China.

Shanghai Disney Resort also adopted a number of new technologies and design elements to enable Shanghai Disney Resort to reduce its environmental impact, including a leading new technology to supply the resort with heating, cooling and compressed air, which is anticipated to improve the estimated energy efficiency for resort operation by 300 percent and reduce greenhouse emissions generated from resort operations by 60 percent.

Additional information is available at www.shanghaidisneyresort.com, the destination’s official website for news and information.

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DISNEY IS WORKING TO BRING INTERACTIVE DROIDS TO ITS STAR WARS PARK

One of the big questions asked when Disney acquired LucasFilm and the Star Wars franchise was what that would mean for the Disneyland and Disneyworld theme parks. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t take Disney long to start weaving the space opera into the attractions.

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16 hidden secrets in Disney and Pixar movies that actually exist in real life

Pixar’s newest movie, “Finding Dory,” is in theaters Friday.

If you’re a true Disney and Pixar fan, you’re probably not only excited for the sequel to 2005’s “Finding Nemo,” but also for the barrage of Easter eggs that are certain to be hiding in plain sight.

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Disney and Coach Debut Mickey Mouse Collection

Two American classics and global originals join forces for Disney x Coach, a limited-edition collection featuring Mickey Mouse designs on Coach leathergoods and ready-to-wear fashions. Mixing the irreverent with the iconic, the collection will launch exclusively in a specially-designed concept at the Coach store in Soho, New York and at Colette, the celebrated store on rue St. Honore in Paris. It will release on June 17th on coach.com and Coach stores worldwide.

The collection is part of a series of exclusive, limited-edition projects that celebrate American pop culture, and commemorate Coach’s 75th anniversary.

Mickey Mouse’s vibrant personality shines through the collection, with specially created sketches by Disney animators. The exclusive artwork appears on t-shirts as well as signature Coach glove-tanned leather bags including the Saddle and the Dinky.

“Mickey Mouse is one of my earliest memories of American pop – his nostalgic charm, cheekiness, individuality and inherent cool make for the ultimate American icon,” said Coach Creative Director Stuart Vevers. “I’ve always seen Mickey as a playful rebel at heart and a timeless symbol of joy and creativity. That spirit reinforces the new youthful perspective we are bringing to luxury at Coach.”

The range also includes sneakers featuring Coach’s signature hangtag playfully redesigned in the shape of Mickey’s ears. The Mickey ear silhouette is also marked out with punky studs on a biker jacket and a frame on a re-edition of an archival Coach bag from the 1960’s ‘the Kisslock’.

Collectible pieces like oversize black leather Mickey dolls and shearling beanbags complete the offering.

“This collaboration brings together two iconic brands in fresh, yet timeless designs that celebrate the heritage and style of both Mickey and Coach,” said Josh Silverman, Executive Vice President, Global Licensing, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. “This incredible collection is sure to delight the fashion world and Disney fans alike.”

Love magazine Editor-In-Chief Katie Grand – a long time friend and collaborator of Vevers – is taking over the Soho store for the project, curating the space with her iconoclastic and eclectic eye. To celebrate the launch, Vevers designed a special Coach/Love t-shirt and tote featuring an extra punky sequined and studded Mickey.

 

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Watch – Disney’s ‘Moana’ Official US Teaser Trailer

Watch the brand new teaser trailer for Disney’s Moana! See the film, starring Dwayne Johnson & Auli’i Cravalho, in theatres this Thanksgiving!

Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one knows why.

From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli’i Cravalho) meets the once-mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), who guides her in her quest to become a master wayfinder. Together, they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”) and produced by Osnat Shurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”), “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.

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The Lion Guard – Unleash the Power on Disney DVD September 20th

Disney’s epic adventure The Lion King continues with Simba and Nala’s second-born cub, Kion, and his Lion Guard team as they continue on adventures together throughout the Pride Lands! Follow our group of unlikely heroes: Bunga the honey badger, Fuli the cheetah, Beshte the hippo and Ono the egret. Join this heroic band as they use their unique abilities to protect the Pride Lands and maintain the Circle of Life. As King Mufasa said,” Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope.”

This new movie is packed with laughs, music, beloved characters and heart, The Lion Guard: Unleash the Power is a must-own for the entire family! Bring home this heroic adventure on Disney DVD September 20th!

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Shanghai Disneyland Offers Springboard for Disney’s China Ambitions

Thursday’s grand opening of the $5.5 billion-plus Shanghai Disney Resort won’t just give Walt Disney Co. a flagship in its most important market outside the U.S., but also a chance to shore up its foreign theme-parks business, one of its few weak spots.

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Coach’s New Collection Is Good News for Mickey Mouse Lovers Everywhere

When Stuart Vevers, the executive creative director of Coach, tells you this is a very important year, he isn’t referring to the upcoming election or the looming Brexit vote—no, what he means is, Shanghai Disney Resort is opening!

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‘DESCENDANTS 2′ GREENLIT, THE SEQUEL TO DISNEY CHANNEL’S GLOBAL HIT

The imaginative story about the teenage sons and daughters of Disney’s most infamous villains will continue in “Descendants 2,” a Disney Channel Original Movie set to begin production this summer for a 2017 premiere, it was announced today by Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide.

Marsh said, “Just when you thought ‘Happily Ever After’ had come to the land of Auradon, ‘Descendants 2′ turns the page to reveal a whole new level of mystery and surprise.”

It is the highly anticipated sequel to “Descendants,” the No. 1 cable television movie of 2015 and the fifth highest-rated original movie ever on U.S. cable TV in Total Viewers.  It is also the No. 1 Disney Channel Original Movie ever among kids in France, Netherlands, Belgium (south), Portugal, South Africa and Spain. In Italy, it is the No. 1 Disney Channel Original Movie ever among girls.

Emmy Award-winning director Kenny Ortega (“Descendants,” “High School Musical” movies, 2016′s “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”) will return as director, executive producer and choreographer.

Consumer interest remains strong in new “Descendants” stories as Disney Publishing’s sequel book, “Return to the Isle of the Lost” written by Melissa de la Cruz, entered the New York Times Best Sellers List (Middle Grade Hardcover) at No. 2 last week, its first week of release. The first book, “The Isle of the Lost,” was No. 1 for 14 weeks and this week, reentered for its 37th week on the best sellers list.

Dove Cameron (“Liv and Maddie”), Cameron Boyce (“Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything,” “Jessie”), Booboo Stewart (“X-Men Days of Future Past”), Sofia Carson (“Adventures in Babysitting”) and Mitchell Hope will reprise their starring roles as Mal, Carlos, Jay, Evie and King Ben, respectively. China Anne McClain (“A.N.T. Farm”) will join the cast as Uma, the daughter of Ursula from “The Little Mermaid.”  Casting will be announced soon for additional new characters including the progeny of villains Captain Hook and Gaston.

Lauded writers Sara Parriott and Josann McGibbon (“The Starter Wife,” “Runaway Bride”), who won a 2016 Writers Guild Award for “Descendants,” wrote “Descendants 2” and will also executive-produce with Wendy Japhet (“Descendants,” “An Education”, “The Italian Job”). “Descendants” costume designer Kara Saun (“Project Runway”) and production designer Mark Hofeling (“Teen Beach Movie,” “High School Musical”) are also signed on for the sequel. Tony Testa (“The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “This Is It”) will join the creative team as choreographer with Ortega, and Shawn Williamson (“Adventures in Babysitting”) will join as producer.

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THE GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION OF SHANGHAI DISNEY RESORT TO BE PRESENTED THURSDAY, JUNE 16 ON DISNEY CHANNEL, DISNEY JUNIOR AND DISNEY XD

Disney will welcome viewers from around the world to experience an authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese celebration — the spectacular one-of-a-kind grand opening celebration of Shanghai Disney Resort, the first Disney resort in mainland China.

Showcasing the beauty of Chinese art and tradition, and bringing magical Disney stories and characters to life for kids and families, the music-filled television special, “Grand Opening Celebration of Shanghai Disney Resort,” will be presented THURSDAY, JUNE 16 (8:00-8:30 p.m.) simultaneously on Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD and each channel’s App, and FRIDAY, JUNE 17 (10:00-10:30 p.m.) on Freeform, without breaks or commercials.

Actress and recording artist Sofia Carson (Disney Channel’s “Descendants,” “Adventures in Babysitting”) will narrate the telecast.

Bob Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, will be joined by nearly 3000 distinguished guests, celebrities and government officials at the largest, tallest and most interactive castle at the heart of any Disney Park, The Enchanted Storybook Castle. The occasion showcases creativity, choreography, acrobatics, costumes and technology in grand scale, with dazzling lights, Disney music, pageantry, special effects and fireworks.

The one and only Mickey Mouse will join in the enchanting celebration.

World-renowned pianist Lang Lang will perform a custom arrangement of the musical sensation “Let It Go” (Disney’s “Frozen”) and China’s television and movie superstar Sun Li will take center stage. Each is a Shanghai Disney Resort Honorary Ambassador.
The historic event includes the debut of an original song, “Ignite the Dreamer Within,” written especially for the grand opening of Shanghai Disneyland. Acclaimed composer and conductor Tan Dun, widely known for his stirring scores for the films “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “Hero,” will lead the Shanghai Symphony with an original composition of the new song, celebrating the occasion’s poetic message. Additional featured music includes “Once Upon a Dream,” “Heigh Ho” and “Some Day My Prince will Come.”

Produced by Disney Parks in partnership with IMG, the television special will be directed by the award-winning Hamish Hamilton. The gala concert from The Enchanted Storybook Castle stage is created by Disney Parks Entertainment in collaboration with Hasbas Entertainment.

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