First Look Inside Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

As we’ve previously shared, the highly anticipated attraction Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will open on Dec. 5, 2019 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® in Florida and Jan. 17, 2020 at Disneyland® Park in California.

When it opens, this harrowing adventure will blur the lines between fantasy and reality and will put you in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance. Guests will join the Resistance and depart from Batuu in a transport ship to meet General Leia Organa at a secret rendezvous point. Along the way, however, they’ll be captured by a First Order Star Destroyer. The action then ramps up as Guests seek to escape the clutches of Kylo Ren and the First Order – with the help of some heroes of the Resistance. Today, we’re excited to share this first look inside the attraction!

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will be one of the most ambitious, advanced and immersive experiences ever undertaken by Walt Disney Imagineering. The attraction is also one of the largest Disney has ever created. Its massive show building is a world unto itself, housing two full-size AT-AT walkers and a Star Destroyer hangar bay – complete with a TIE fighter and a garrison of Stormtroopers – plus more thrills and surprises.

Stay tuned for more updates on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

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Disney Presents Upcoming Live-Action and Animated Movie Slate at D23 Expo 2019

The Walt Disney Studios—including studio leaders and filmmakers from Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, Disney live action, Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios—offered guests at D23 Expo 2019 a captivating look at Disney’s upcoming film slate. Alan Horn, co-chairman and chief creative officer, The Walt Disney Studios, was joined by Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy, Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige, Disney live action’s Sean Bailey, Pixar’s Pete Docter and Disney Animation’s Jennifer Lee for the presentation in Hall D23 at the Anaheim Convention Center, featuring never-before-seen footage and a host of stars from films such as Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Marvel Studios’ The EternalsJungle CruiseOnward and Frozen 2.

“You’re not just fans, you’re family,” Horn said, as he kicked off the highly anticipated presentation. “It’s because of you that we keep working so hard to make great movies, and we love D23 Expo because it’s where we can share them with you first.”

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Disney+ Announces Six New Titles, Showcases Upcoming Slate of Original Series and Films at D23 Expo 2019

Fans inside Hall D23 at D23 Expo 2019 in Anaheim, California, were the first to learn of six new series in development for Disney+ and discover key details about the highly-anticipated streaming service. The star-studded event featured in-person and video appearances from the stars of Disney+’s slate of originals from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic, and included sneak peeks, trailer premieres and exclusive news about the service and its upcoming projects.

“With less than three months until launch, Disney+ will soon entertain and inspire audiences of all ages for generations to come, and we’re excited to preview some of the amazing original content being created for the service exclusively from our world-class brands today at the D23 Expo,” said Kevin Mayer, chairman of Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment. “Storytelling is the cornerstone of The Walt Disney Company and we’re thrilled to unveil a new slate of original shows from the Star Wars and Marvel cinematic universes, along with popular television franchises set to return with all-new series streaming only on Disney+.”

The presentation was hosted by one of the stars of the Disney+ original film Lady and the Tramp, Yvette Nicole Brown, and featured some of the creative minds behind Disney+’s content slate including Sean Bailey, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Productions; Kevin Feige, president, Marvel Studios; Kathleen Kennedy, president, Lucasfilm; and Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channel Worldwide.

With the streaming service set to debut on November 12, many of the stars, filmmakers and creatives behind Disney+’s original movies and shows that will be available at launch were in Hall D23 today for the first public preview of the eagerly anticipated content. Six new trailers were seen for the first time today at D23 Expo 2019, along with a first look at an animated shorts series from Pixar:

The Mandalorian

As Lucasfilm ventures into Star Wars episodic live action for the first time in history, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy told Disney fans, “It’s both exhilarating and liberating to be able to tell stories that expand beyond two hours, and the quality of our episodic series for Disney+ will be identical to our feature films.” Brand-new Disney Legend Jon Favreau and his fellow executive producer Dave Filoni were joined by series stars Pedro Pascal, Gina Carano, Carl Weathers and Giancarlo Esposito—as well as Taika Waititi, who brings the droid IG-11 to life—to premiere the teaser trailer for the first-ever Star Wars live-action series, The Mandalorian.  Additionally, earlier today, Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger also announced that new Disney Legend Ming-Na Wen will join the cast of the series. Set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order, the series follows the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy far from the authority of the New Republic.

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Disney Stores to be within select Target Stores

The D23 Expo audience was the first to hear how Target and Disney will come together with a creative retail collaboration that encompasses experiential retail and merchandising – including the launch of 25 Disney stores within select Target stores nationwide on Oct. 4, with 40 additional locations opening by October 2020. The “shop-in-shop” will feature an enhanced Disney assortment of more than 450 items, including more than 100 products that were previously only available at Disney retail locations.

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“Zootopia” Coming to Shanghai Disney Resort

D23 Expo fans heard more details about the “Zootopia”-themed land coming to Shanghai Disney Resort. In addition to a major new attraction that blends storytelling and state-of-the-art technology to bring this favorite film to life, guests can expect immersive entertainment, merchandise, and dining options that can only be found in this mammalian metropolis.

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Watch – Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker Trailer #2

The story of a generation comes to an end. Watch the D23 special look for Star Wars the Rise of Skywalker

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Review: WIZARD WORLD Chicago

This past weekend I had the great opportunity to go to WIZARD WORLD Chicago.

If you have never been to a convention like this, then you are definitely missing out. Whether you are a fan of Marvel, Disney, WWE, Star Wars, or just about anything in pop culture, you are guaranteed to have a great time.

I have been several times over the years and I continue to be entertained by the fans in their Cosplay, the wide variety of merchandise and the amazing artwork. Where else can you walk past Ironman, Arya Stark and Jon Snow, and a zombie at the same time?

Where else can you see people bring their favorite characters to life with no judgment from others for “playing dress up”? Where else can you walk up to both a famous comic book artist and someone who is just starting their career to discuss their pieces and why they chose that particular character and style? There are even opportunities to meet celebrities from TV, movies, and more. The crowd pleasers this past weekend were Jeff Goldblum and John Travolta.

WIZARD WORLD Chicago also amazes me every year because of the LACK of people on their electronic devices. It is a rarity to see so many people in one place just enjoying the event and each other. It is so refreshing to see people smiling, laughing, and living life without having to be attached to their phones. If shopping is more your style, then there are plenty of opportunities for that.

I know we spent hours winding through the many shops looking at pop culture figurines, comics, tshirts, and posters. I even managed to find a few items from my favorite Broadway shows as well as a picture book for my classroom.

Like I said, there is something for everyone. WIZARD WORLD convention information can be found at wizardword.com, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. No matter where you live in the USA, there is a Wizard World convention coming to a venue near you in 2019-2020. Go ahead and get those tickets so you too can be part of one of the best fan conventions in the country. I promise you will have an awesome time!

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Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience to Open October 1, 2019

Guests will be able to visualize these exciting plans for Epcot when doors open Oct. 1, 2019, for Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experiencein the Odyssey Events Pavilion. Guests will discover engaging and interactive exhibits that showcase the relentless innovation, energy and excitement driving the park’s future throughout this unprecedented period of transformation.

Clearly … there’s a LOT happening at Epcot. Stay tuned for more updates during the park’s historic transformation!

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All-New ‘Magic Happens’ Parade to Debut in Spring 2020 at Disneyland Park

At D23 Expo 2019, Bob Chapek, chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products shared details about the next generation of animated stories we’re bringing to life – starting at the Disneyland® Resort!

Debuting in spring 2020, the all-new, extraordinary “Magic Happens” parade will travel down Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland® Park.

Celebrating awe-inspiring moments of magic—both large and small—that are at the heart of so many Disney stories, “Magic Happens” reminds us we don’t need wings to fly, shooting stars were made to wish upon, and magic doesn’t stop at midnight.

This daytime spectacular will feature stunning floats, beautiful costumes, and beloved Disney characters – all led by Mickey Mouse and his pals.

On her voyager wa‘a (or canoe), Moana journeys forth on the crest of a beautiful wave, inspired by beautiful koa wood carvings inset with LED panels, providing a dazzling glimpse into the magic the ocean holds.

Celebrating the magic that happens when Miguel strums the guitar of Ernesto de la Cruz, the spectacular float inspired by the Disney and Pixar film “Coco” bridges the Land of the Living and the Land of the Dead with vibrant marigolds. Fantastical alebrije spirit animals join the procession, along with Miguel’s dog Danté.

The regal grand finale of “Magic Happens” parade celebrates magical moments from classic Disney stories, including the trio of fairies from “Sleeping Beauty” who transform Princess Aurora’s gown from pink to blue and back again!

In addition, the parade will feature ​even more floats and characters, an energetic musical score and a new song produced in partnership with singer-songwriter Todrick Hall. The high-energy music combines this original song with classic Disney tunes in a fresh, contemporary style.

Stay tuned for more updates on “Magic Happens.”

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Beauty & the Beast Sing-Along, New Canada & China Films Coming to Epcot in 2020

  • Also in the France pavilion, the classic Impressions de France film will be joined by the new “Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along,” debuting in January 2020 and directed by Don Hahn, producer of both the animated and live-action versions of this tale as old as time.
  • “Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360”will debut in January 2020 in the Canada pavilion with new scenes and a new story.
  • In the China pavilion, “Wondrous China” will take you on a spectacular journey across the country, filmed and presented in a completely seamless 360-degree digital format.
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