Has it sunk in for everyone yet? The Sorcerer Mickey hat is gone and now we get a good look at the stage and Chinese Theater as we enter the park. Let us know on twitter what you think.
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Star Wars Success Propels Disney to World’s Most Powerful Brand
Walt Disney is the world’s most powerful brand, thanks to the likable robots R2-D2 and C-3P0, who propelled the entertainment company to the top spot following the box office success of ‘‘Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens,” London-based Brand Finance said.
Invictus Games at ESPN Wide World of Sports ComplexJust 100 Days Away
The second Invictus Games, the only international adaptive sporting event for injured active duty and veteran service members, will begin in just 100 Days – May 8-12, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort, and tickets are now open for reservations. Fans can guarantee their seats before tickets go on sale by visiting http://invictusgames2016.org/tickets/ and filling out a brief form.
The Invictus Games Orlando 2016, presented by Jaguar Land Rover, will bring together more than 500 competitors from 15 nations to compete in 10 sports – archery, cycling, indoor rowing, power lifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis. Following a visit to the U.S. Department of Defense Warrior Games, Prince Harry was inspired to create an expanded international version and founded the first Invictus Games hosted in London in 2014.
Retired U.S. Army Captain Will Reynolds won four medals at the 2014 Invictus Games and is training for the 2016 Games.
“It is exciting there are just 100 days until the Invictus Games and we are training hard to do our best and represent the United States well. I am very much looking forward to the camaraderie of not just of my American teammates, but the competitors from the teams around the world. We all share the Invictus spirit and it will be on display in 100 days,” said Captain Reynolds.
Captain Reynolds lost his leg after an improvised explosive devise detonated in Iraq. He underwent 26 surgeries as doctors tried to save his left leg but they ended up amputating his left leg at the knee. After attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point from 1998 until 2002, Reynolds served until 2008 in Fort Benning, Georgia; South Korea; Iraq; and the Washington, D.C. area. Following his two years of rehabilitation, he earned a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters in Public Health from the University of Rochester, New York, and now works as a consultant.
Captain Reynolds won four bronze medals at the 2014 Invictus Games in men’s classified 100-meter and 200-meter athletics sprints, the Road Race and the Time Trial in cycling.
Fans can be part of the action and cheer on Captain Reynolds and the other competitors as they compete for medals and represent their countries by reserving their tickets today.
“Having seen the fantastic support from the public at the 2014 Invictus Games in London, we look forward to hosting the Games in the United States and joining in the celebrations for the second consecutive year,” said Joe Eberhardt, President and CEO of Jaguar Land Rover North America.
The Fisher House Foundation was a sponsor of the 2014 Invictus Games. Ken Fisher, Chairman and CEO of the Fisher House Foundation, will serve as Chairman and CEO for Invictus Games Orlando 2016.
“These Games are about the competitors and their families and the Organizing Committee is doing all we can to create an event worthy of these amazing and inspiring people,” said Fisher.
The 2014 Invictus Games opened with the help of a message from First Lady Michelle Obama, and Dr. Jill Biden presented medals to the American team during the medals ceremonies. More than 400 competitors from 13 nations competed for gold in nine sports and a driving challenge. Some 65,000 spectators attended the sporting events, opening ceremony and closing concert and more than 10 million watched the Games on the BBC.
The word Invictus means “unconquered.” It embodies the fighting spirit of the wounded service personnel who are on the journey to recovery. Generations have drawn on the words of William Ernest Henley’s 1878 poem “Invictus” for strength during times of adversity. “I am the master of my fate,” wrote Henley, himself an amputee.
The Invictus Games uses the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect of all those who serve their country as well as their families and caregivers.
Disney Store Announces Global Release of Star Wars Tsum Tsum Collection
Disney Store today unveiled characters from a galaxy far, far away as a part of the Star WarsTsum Tsum collection, the newest addition to the popular stackable plush line that has taken the world by storm since it was first introduced at Disney Store in Japan in 2013.
The Star Wars Tsum Tsum collection will feature characters from A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi and will come in three sizes – mini, medium and large. Characters represented in the collection include: Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, Han Solo, R2-D2, Jabba the Hutt, Boba Fett, Darth Vader, Yoda, C-3P0, Ewok and Stormtrooper. The collection will be launched exclusively at Disney Store locations – both in-store and online – in the U.S., Japan and Europe on February 16.
Since its debut in 2013, Disney Tsum Tsum has quickly become one of the most successful plush lines in Disney Store history, prompting category expansion into softlines, accessories, home décor and more. Featuring classic and new Disney, Marvel and nowStar Wars characters, Disney Tsum Tsum’s whimsical design reinterprets everyone’s favorite characters with a unique Japanese aesthetic.
“With a unique mix of charming design and collectability, Disney Tsum Tsum has solidified its place as one the latest Japanese pop culture crazes to go global, and we’re thrilled to introduce Star Wars characters to this ever-popular line,” said Paul Gainer, executive vice president of Disney Retail. “Disney Tsum Tsum has proven to be a true fan favorite and we look forward to delivering more exciting offerings in the future.”
Similar to the classic Disney and Marvel Tsum Tsum characters currently available, this first collection will serve as the evergreen Star Wars assortment that will live on as future assortments are introduced.
To capitalize on a growing fan base and the product’s collectible nature, Disney Store launched #TsumTsumTuesdays where a new collection of the adorable plush is unveiled the first Tuesday of every month. With the February 16 release of the Star Wars collection, Disney Store will also kick off a new #TsumTsumTuesday release cadence with a new Disney, Marvel or Star Wars Tsum Tsum collection launching on both the first and third Tuesday of every month.
In addition to its success at Disney Store, Disney Tsum Tsum has also seen great momentum moving into mass retail. Beginning with an exclusive launch at Target in 2015, where it has been well received by guests, Disney Tsum Tsum offerings now include collectible toy figures and figural, stackable lip balms. And, new this year, Disney Tsum Tsum can now also be found at a number of other retailers, including Wal-Mart and J.C. Penney.
The free puzzle app – LINE: Disney Tsum Tsum – which was first released in Japan in 2014 and quickly became the #1 free app on both iOS and Android, now boasts more than 50 million downloads worldwide.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 2: more details revealed
Writer/director James Gunn has taken to his Twitter account again, to answer more fan questions about the upcoming Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 2.
Kindermusik and Disney Junior Team Up to Create Harmonious Program
Kindermusik® International, the world’s leader in music and movement education, today announced a new exclusive “Rock & Roar” program to bring the musical adventures of Disney Junior’s newest hit series “The Lion Guard” to Kindermusik Studios throughout the United States. Kicking off this February, the fun-filled, 45-60 minute classes for children ages 2-5 will explore the African savannah in a rip-roaring, fast-moving adventure, all set to the thunderous beats of “The Lion Guard” soundtrack. Along the way, kids will learn to build relationships, develop language and literacy skills, enhance balance, flexibility, and coordination, learn steady beat, and explore pretend play.
“We are thrilled to be working with Disney Junior to provide our families with this one-of-a-kind experience,” said Scott Kinsey, President and CEO of Kindermusik International. “Through this program, we’re able to blend our expertise and research-proven education methods with Disney Junior’s beloved characters and storytelling, delivering an exceptional experience for children and families enrolled in Kindermusik.”
Disney Junior’s “The Lion Guard” animated series continues the epic storytelling of “The Lion King” and follows Simba and Nala’s second-born cub, Kion and his diverse group of friends as they unite to protect the Pride Lands. Kion and his friends were introduced this past November in Disney Channel’s animated television movie “The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar,” the #1 primetime cable TV telecast of 2015 among Kids 2-5 and the #1 animated telecast across kid cable-TV networks among Total Viewers and Adults 18-49.
Visit www.kindermusik.com/thelionguard to learn more or to find a class near you.
Disney World’s Biggest Rival Is Closing the Gap
Disney is seeing Comcast close the gap in popularity. It’s been happening ever since Comcast opened the first phase of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2010, raising the bar even higher a few years later with the ambitious Diagon Alley expansion of 2014.
11 ‘Moana’ Spoilers Every Disney Fan Needs In Their Lives
November 2016 is still a long ways off, but it is never too soon to get excited about Disney’s newest princess movie, Moana. While you wait for the first full-length trailer to drop, there is no better time to take stock of everything there is to know about Moana so far.
Let’s Take a Look at Shanghai Disney’s ‘Disneytown’ District
The Shanghai Disney Resort has revealed the line-up of shops and restaurants for the “Disneytown” district that will stand just outside the new theme park’s gates.
Disney World Beefed Up Security at the Right Time
It’s been a little more than a month since Disney installed walk-through metal detectors at the entrances to all four of its Disney World theme parks. Its Central Florida rivals followed suit.
