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NEW STAR WARS EXPERIENCES ARRIVE AT DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

The Force is growing stronger at the Walt Disney World® Resort with the addition of new Star Wars-inspired entertainment now open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®.

Star Wars Launch Bay

At Star Wars Launch Bay, located in Animation Courtyard, guests can interact with Star Wars characters by choosing to encounter the Dark Side in a Star Destroyer themed area, or visit with the brave Rebels in a makeshift Rebel Base. One path may lead to Darth Vader, while the other leads to Chewbacca.

Guests can also visit two different exhibits – Celebration Gallery and Celebration Hallway to view iconic ships from the Rebel Alliance and Imperial Navy fleet, as well as replica Star Wars props and murals. Guests excited for the upcoming film Star Wars: The Force Awakens can head to Preview Gallery to explore an area filled with costumes, artwork, models and more from the new film. And of course, shoppers can get their fix at Launch Bay Cargo, a unique shop that will offer a wide selection of Star Wars merchandise, including original artwork.

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

This popular attraction, which takes Guests on a daring journey through the Star Wars galaxy, has been enhanced to feature new characters and adventures from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple

Younglings can get in on the fun over at Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple. This popular offering, which allows young Guests to step into the shoes of a Jedi in training, has been enhanced to feature new characters, including a new villain – the Seventh Sister Inquisitor from Star Wars Rebels.

Star Wars: Path of the Jedi

If guests wish to be introduced to (or relive) the adventure and excitement of the Star Wars film franchise they can do so at Star Wars: Path of the Jedi. Here, they can view an abridged cinematic reel that reviews Star Wars episodes I-VII.

Galactic Food

New Star Wars-inspired items have been added to menus at Food & Beverage locations throughout the park. Guests can enjoy Blue Milk Panna Cotta, Padawan Limeade, BB-8 Lemon and Butter Cream Cupcakes, and much more.

But the fun doesn’t end there. The “Symphony In The Stars: A Galactic Spectacular” nightly fireworks show will begin blasting off Dec.18, 2015. And, beginning Jan. 5, 2016, guests can watch the fireworks from a reserved viewing area during a special dessert party – “Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party.” Guests can enjoy Star Wars-themed desserts and drinks. Plus, they’ll receive a souvenir stein featuring one of the most beloved Star Wars characters, Chewbacca. The dessert party costs $69 for adults and $39 for children. Tax and gratuity are included.  Book today by calling 407-939-3463 or by visiting Disneyworld.com/dine.

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The 32nd Annual Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade Promises to be the Most ‘Unforgettable’ Special Yet! Tune in for the Magic December 25 on ABC

This Christmas, Disney Parks celebrates not only the joy of the holiday season, but the unforgettable family moments it has helped guests create over the past sixty years. “Disney Parks Unforgettable Christmas Celebration” airs Friday, Dec. 25, 2015 (10:00 am.-12:00 p.m ET; airtimes vary; check local listings) on the ABC Television Network.

Now in its 32nd year, the unforgettable Christmas special welcomes back Robin Roberts of ABC’s “Good Morning America” (GMA) as lead host. Reporting from the Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, Roberts is accompanied by Jesse Palmer, who joins the event for the first time as a correspondent. New to the GMA team as a special contributor, Palmer shares key parade updates in the midst of the action on Main Street, U.S.A. Janel Parrish, star of the ABC Family hit show “Pretty Little Liars” – which will debut under the new network name, Freeform for its winter premiere on Jan. 12, 2016 – serves as music correspondent alongside Stitch from Cinderella Castle.

The holidays have long been cherished for their ability to bring family and friends together from near and far to create heartfelt memories to last a lifetime. In the spirit of “Unforgettable Happens Here,” throughout the celebration Disney Parks will tell the inspiring real-life stories of three families whose personal connection to Disney Parks will make their Christmas dreams come true. It all culminates with an unforgettable Christmas Day surprise that is sure to warm the hearts of television audiences across the country, providing the perfect toast to the most festive time of the year.

For a dose of nostalgia, viewers are also treated to magical memories from the Disney Christmas shows of yesteryear, along with beloved Disney Park moments shared by actors and actresses from both classic and current Disney films.

Bringing together the biggest names in music and entertainment, music industry legend, David Foster, joins today’s top artists to sing their interpretations of Disney classics from the “We Love Disney” album, along with a mix of Christmas favorites. The star-studded lineup includes the following:
*performance lineup subject to change

  • Jason Derulo shakes up this year’s parade with his rendition of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” – available on the “We Love Disney” album
  • International superstar, Ariana Grande pays tribute to the Greek demi-god, Hercules with the Disney favorite “Zero to Hero,” also available on the “We Love Disney” album, along with her latest single, “Focus”
  • GRAMMY® winning artist, Seal dazzles parade spectators with his interpretation of “This Christmas” and new hit, “Every Time I’m With You”
  • Country music legend, Reba McEntire sings her original song, “Going Out Like That” and the popular Christmas tune, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”
  • Breakout musical artist, Andy Grammer delights the crowd with medley of “Honey I’m Good” and his new single “Good to be Alive,” along with the iconic Christmas song, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
  • Rising pop star, Charlie Puth adds Christmas cheer with “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and his own single, “One Call Away”
  • “Should’ve Been Us” singer, Tori Kelly spreads Disney magic with the beloved classic “Colors of the Wind” from “Pocahontas” – available on the “We Love Disney” album – and the holiday favorite, “Winter Wonderland”
  • Soulful singer, Charles Perry jazzes up the festivities with a “World of My Own/Ev’rybody Wants to be a Cat” medley and his own spin on the famous Christmas duet, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”
  • The cast of the Disney Channel Original Movie, “Descendants,” Dove Cameron, Cameron Boyce, Booboo Stewart, and Sofia Carson, pay tribute to Disney’s most infamous villains with “Rotten to the Core”

Featuring floats and characters from movie favorites including “Toy Story,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Inside Out,” and the wildly-popular “Frozen,” along with the all-new “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and upcoming “Finding Dory” movie, slated for release next summer, this year’s Disney Christmas Parade is expected to be the most spectacular of all. Viewers can also look forward to watching other Disney parade stars take the spotlight, such as beloved Disney princesses, characters from Disney Junior, a special performance from the stars of the Disney Channel Original Movie, “Descendants,” and of course, the iconic Disney Toy Soldiers and Santa Claus.

The 32nd annual Christmas celebration airs nationwide on December 25 at 10 a.m. EST and 9 a.m. CST, MST and PST on ABC-TV. The show will also air in Canada on CBC Network and across the globe on the American Forces Network.

For more information, visit Disney.com/DisneyParksChristmas to learn about the special telecast, including local broadcast times and a full list of parade talent. Guests can also join in fun online by using the hashtag #DisneyParade.

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Broadway Star Jeremy Jordan Sings an Epic Disney Medley at TrevorLIVE

Broadway star and Supergirl actor Jeremy Jordan brought down the house at the Hollywood Palladium during Sunday evening’s TrevorLIVE event with an epic mashup of some of our favorite Disney classics.

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Harrison Ford Promises Older, Wiser Han Solo in ‘The Force Awakens’

When speaking about Star Wars, there are few topics that inspire a twinkle in Harrison Ford’s eyes.

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The ‘Disney Cone’ limits building heights near Disneyland to keep the fantasy alive

Hotels will never rise tall enough to scrape the skies near Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

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The spark is gone

This is a topic that I’ve really been itching to touch for a while now.  It’s time to spend a little time talking about the Imagination pavilion.   It was, in your not-so-humble manifesto author’s opinion, a nearly perfect pavilion.  A microcosm of what made Epcot Center so special.  With it’s unique exterior, multiple attractions, commitment to theme from outside to inside, it’s whimsy, it’s charm, and it’s intelligence, it contained everything that made an original Epcot Center attraction great.

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Sail Away to a Magical Winter Holiday with Disney Cruise Line

This holiday season, Disney Cruise Line ships will be all decked to the “raft-ers” with holiday cheer. Starting early November, Disney Cruise Line adds sparkle to each ship during Very Merrytime Cruises, with traditional “turkey day” fanfare, Christmas feasts, “snow flurries” and New Year’s Eve galas. During these voyages through the new year, holiday events include a tree-lighting ceremony with favorite Disney friends, Dickens-inspired carolers, a holiday deck party, themed treats and more.

On one extra-special evening each cruise, the grand atrium lobby becomes the setting for a fanciful winter wonderland ball, where Disney cruisers welcome the guests of honor, Santa and Mrs. Claus, with a grand celebration featuring Broadway-style entertainment, favorite Disney characters and classic holiday tunes. This evening of enchantment is made complete when a special pair of royal sisters joins the party and causes a flurry of “frozen” fun as a magical snowfall overtakes the atrium.

To celebrate the holidays, the Disney Magic sails four- and five-night Bahamian and Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 11 to Dec. 23; the Disney Wonder sails four-, six- and seven-night Bahamian and Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 6 to Dec. 24; the Disney Dream sails three- and four-night Bahamian cruises departing Nov. 9 to Dec. 24; and the Disney Fantasy sails seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 14 to Dec. 19.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact a travel agent.

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67 Photos From Inside Disney’s Secret Star Wars Press Event

About two weeks ago, TechCrunch got an email inviting them to an event. All it said: it was about Star Wars, and it would take place in Los Angeles.

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Photo: Josh Gad (aka: Olaf) Visits Magic Kingdom

josh-gad-olaf-walt-disney-world

Actor-singer Josh Gad hangs out with Gaston Friday, Nov. 24, 2015, while vacationing at Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Gad, who voiced the beloved snowman Olaf in Disney’s “Frozen,” will play Gaston’s foolish sidekick, LeFou, in Walt Disney Pictures’ live-action film adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast.” The film debuts in theaters March 17, 2017. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

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WALT DISNEY ARCHIVES RESTORES WALT DISNEY’S OFFICE SUITE AS PERMANENT EXHIBIT SPACE

The Walt Disney Company Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, joined by members of the Disney family, dedicated Walt Disney’s newly restored office suite on the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank today. To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Burbank studio, the Walt Disney Archives restored the space, located in the original Animation Building, to include Walt’s formal and working offices, along with original furnishings, some items from his collection of miniatures, awards, and his piano.

“We put this permanent exhibit together to serve as a source of inspiration,” said Iger during the ceremony, “a reminder to have great ambition, to take bold creative risks, to constantly innovate and push the limits of possibility, to relentlessly pursue perfection, and to tell fantastic stories that touch peoples’ hearts. That was Walt Disney.”

Walt Disney’s granddaughters Joanna Miller, Jennifer Goff, and Michelle Lund were on hand for the event, along with special guests including Richard Sherman (composer of Mary Poppins, “It’s a Small World,” and many Disney classics), Kathryn Beaumont (the voice of Alice from Alice in Wonderland and Wendy in Peter Pan), and former head of Walt Disney Imagineering Marty Sklar.

In 1970, when Disney Legend Dave Smith founded the Walt Disney Archives, Walt’s furnishings from his offices were removed, and, for the last 45 years, they were safely cared for by the staff of the Walt Disney Archives. Through exhibitions and loans from the Archives, millions of guests have seen special displays of items from the office at Disney’s theme parks in California and Florida and in museums around the country.

This new, permanent exhibit is dedicated to the creative genius of Walt Disney and presents the history of the man and the company he founded through artifacts and images. There will also be rotating exhibits on various Disney subjects to celebrate anniversaries, films, and events throughout the Company’s history from 1923 to the present day. The first exhibit is dedicated to Kem Weber, the architect who designed the look and feel of the Studio lot, which opened in 1940. Weber also designed furniture for the Studio, and his designs, along with concept artwork, will be showcased for a limited time.

Walt Disney’s office will be open to Disney employees, cast members, and studio visitors. In 2016 it will be added to tours of the Studio lot and Archives that D23: The Official Disney Fan Club regularly offers to its Gold Members.

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