125,000 Disney Employees to Receive $1,000 Cash Bonus and Company Launches New $50 Million Higher Education Program

Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), today announced that more than 125,000 eligible employees will receive a one-time $1,000 cash bonus. The Company will also make an initial investment of $50 million in a new and ongoing education program specifically designed to cover tuition costs for hourly employees. The two new initiatives represent a total allocation of more than $175 million in this fiscal year.

“I am proud we are directing approximately $125 million to our cast members and employees across the country and making higher education more accessible with the launch of this new program,” Mr. Iger said. “I have always believed that education is the key to opportunity; it opens doors and creates new possibilities. Matched with the $1,000 cash bonus, these initiatives will have both an immediate and long-term positive impact.”

All full and part-time non-executive employees, either hourly or salaried, who have been with The Walt Disney Company since January 1, 2018, and are based in the United States will be paid a one-time $1,000 cash bonus. Employees will receive the bonus in two payments, the first in March and the second in September of this year. In keeping with applicable federal law, the Company will work with union representatives regarding potential distribution plans for employees currently working under existing union contracts.

The Company is also launching a new education initiative aimed at its hourly workforce in the United States. Nearly 88,000 hourly employees will be eligible and can utilize the program to make an impactful investment in their future. With this new plan, participants can pursue qualifying higher education or vocational training, including courses unrelated to their current responsibilities at Disney. By creating new opportunities for those who wish to continue their education, employees can advance in their current roles or support their long-term career aspirations. After the initial investment of $50 million, Disney will provide up to $25 million in annual funding going forward.

The Company’s current educational reimbursement program, which is open to all full-time employees, will continue and remain unchanged.

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New Specimens Join the Collection at Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout at Disney California Adventure

Taneleer Tivan is expanding his collection of rare items from across the galaxy with three new acquisitions. These Vyloos, native to the planet Berhert, may look familiar to Terrans who have seen the film, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.”

When guests visit The Collector’s Fortress at Disney California Adventure® Park, they’ll find these little birds to be very responsive, friendly and outgoing – responding to noises and movement – but they can also suddenly become extremely shy and introverted.

They may look adorable, but beware! These little birds have been known to defend themselves when threatened, so the Tivan Group has assured us that they will be kept fully enclosed in their glass display case at all times. As long as the fortress power source remains operational, they will be safely contained.

The Collector invites Guests to come see these new acquisitions in person, on display beginning this week at Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! at Disney California Adventure Park!

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Catch Pro Bowl Fever at Walt Disney World Resort This Week

NFL Pro Bowl Week is kicking off at Walt Disney World® Resort this week and there are several opportunities for guests to get in on the fun if they are visiting.

All of the key Pro Bowl Week activities take place at our ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and many are free and open to the public, including the team practices. The AFC and NFC teams are training Wednesday starting at 10:30 a.m. and Thursday-Saturday starting at 11:30 am.

In addition to watching the players practice, fans can test their own football skills the NFL Pro Bowl Experience – a free, interactive fan zone with fun activities for the whole family. Open daily at 10 a.m. starting Wednesday, the NFL Pro Bowl Experience gives fans the opportunity to get even closer to the action with new football-related activities, immersive exhibits and sponsor activations.

After watching the pros, fans can get a look at the future at one of the NFL’s premier youth football events – the NFL FLAG Championships on Friday and Saturday. Fans interested in exclusive access to NFL-themed games and activities, youth football clinics and more, must register for the NFL Fan Mobile Pass.

The Pro Bowl fun extends beyond the field, too. There’s a Pro Bowl Fun Run Series at the Track & Field Complex at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Saturday at 1 p.m. The event features distances for runners of all ages and abilities, and participants will receive a finisher medallion, a race bib and a commemorative item, plus post-race refreshments. Runners can also expect to see some of their favorite Disney characters, Pro Bowl cheerleaders and mascots along the way. Spots are still available here.

With complimentary parking at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, fans can partake in all of the exciting Pro Bowl action all week long! Fans can also head over to Disney Springs® to catch the NFL Pro Bowl All-Star Pep Rally starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 27. The Pep Rally will feature special entertainment, games, NFL Cheerleaders and Mascot appearances, and more!

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Splittsville Luxury Lanes Opens January 29 at Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort

When Splitsville opens its doors on Jan. 29, 2018 at the Disneyland® Resort, it will be the go-to destination for not only bowling and entertainment, but also delicious dining!

The dynamic menu will include bowling alley favorites along with creative entrees and top-notch sushi. Here’s a sampling of new tasty items exclusive to the Downtown Disney® District location:

Macho Nachos: Loaded with seasoned ground beef, shredded cheddar jack cheese, queso, black bean corn salsa and pickled jalapenos. Nachos are then drizzled with avocado ranch and served with a side of sour cream.

Chicken Thigh High Sliders: Two crispy chicken thigh sliders tossed in Asian barbecue sauce and topped with slaw.

Poke Bowl: A choice of salmon, ahi tuna or tofu with pickled radish and avocado over bamboo rice. Bowls are topped with spicy mayo, Nori threads, sesame seeds, scallions and Togarashi spice.

Sweet N’ Spicy Chicken Bowl: Tempura-battered chicken, broccoli, red and green peppers are tossed in spicy Thai chili sauce and served over sushi rice.

And if guests are craving classic crinkle-cut fries, burgers and pizza, they won’t be disappointed! In the hands of Splitsville’s culinary team, bowling alley mainstays will take an artisanal twist with herbed dips, premium cured meats and grinds.

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Photos – Minnie’s Rock the Dots Send-off Celebration from Disney’s Hollywood Studios to Hollywood, Calif.

Check out photos from Minnie’s Rock the Dots Send-off Celebration from Disney’s Hollywood Studios to Hollywood, Calif.

To celebrate Minnie Mouse receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Disney Parks invited fans to see her off in style from Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla on Jan. 21. while rocking their dots as she heads off with Mickey Mouse at her side to Hollywood, Calif. Minnie Mouse is receiving her official star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Jan. 22, coinciding with National Polka Dot Day when Disney kicks off its annual Minnie Rocks the Dots celebration. Disney Parks is celebrating Minnie with additional activities at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort and Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort in California. (Todd Anderson, photographer)

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Watch – B-Roll: Minnie Mouse Send off Celebration at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

B-Roll: Minnie Mouse Send off Celebration at Disney’s Hollywood Studios | Walt Disney World News https://shar.es/1NJiI3

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The Final Episodes of ‘Star Wars Rebels’ Begin February 19 on Disney XD

The beginning of the end starts MONDAY, FEB. 19 (9:00 p.m. EST) when the critically-acclaimed animated series “Star Wars Rebels” returns to Disney XD with new episodes as the series nears its grand finale. The final episodes will unfold over three weeks, with two back-to-back episodes premiering every Monday night on Disney XD, until its epic 90-minute conclusion on MONDAY, MARCH 5 (8:30 p.m. EST).

As teased in a new “Star Wars Rebels” trailer, Emperor Palpatine makes his series debut in these final episodes, voiced by actor Ian McDiarmid who reprises this iconic role from the “Star Wars” live-action films.

The multi-platform schedule, in the U.S., for the remaining “Star Wars Rebels” episodes is:

MONDAY, FEB. 19

Premiere telecasts of “Jedi Night” (9:00 p.m. EST) and “DUME” (9:30 p.m. EST) on Disney XD and will be released on the DisneyNOW App (www.DisneyNOW.com) at 10:00 p.m. EST.
MONDAY, FEB. 26

Premiere telecasts of “Wolves and a Door” (9:00 p.m. EST) and “A World Between Worlds” (9:30 p.m. EST) on Disney XD and will be released on the DisneyNOW App (www.DisneyNOW.com) at 10:00 p.m. EST.

MONDAY, MARCH 5

Premiere telecasts of “A Fool’s Hope” (8:30 p.m. EST) and “Family Reunion – and Farewell” (9:00 p.m. EST) on Disney XD and will be released on the DisneyNOW App (www.DisneyNOW.com) at 10:00 p.m. EST.
To avoid spoilers and allow fans to experience the episodes together during each telecast, new episodes will be available on VOD and digital platforms the day after their linear and DisneyNOW premieres. Viewers can also catch all previously-aired “Star Wars Rebels” episodes from season four on the DisneyNOW App.

“Star Wars Rebels” is created by Emmy® Award-winning executive producer Dave Filoni (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars”), Academy® Award nominee Simon Kinberg (“X-Men: Days of Future Past”) and Emmy Award nominee Carrie Beck. The Lucasfilm Animation production is executive produced by Filoni and Kinberg, and co-executive produced by Emmy nominee Henry Gilroy.

The voice cast includes Freddie Prinze Jr. as Kanan, Vanessa Marshall as Hera, Steve Blum as Zeb, Tiya Sircar as Sabine, Taylor Gray as Ezra, Dee Bradley Baker as Captain Rex, David Oyelowo as Kallus, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn as Governor Pryce, Lars Mikkelsen as Grand Admiral Thrawn and Warwick Davis as Rukh.

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‘It’s a Small World’ Mall to Get Dolled Up at Disneyland Park This Spring

Once “it’s a small world” returns to its classic version, transitioning from “it’s a small world” Holiday, guests may notice work continuing in the promenade in front of the attraction. The location of the queue will be moved – along with other enhancements, including a new parade route entrance and stroller area – allowing Guests to travel through “it’s a small world” Mall with greater ease.

“it’s a small world” Mall is a popular area of Disneyland® Park. In addition to accessing “it’s a small world,” Guests use the promenade in front of the attraction to get to Mickey’s Toontown and Fantasyland Theatre, among other offerings. The slightly adjusted parade route will make room for the attraction’s new queue, creating more space in the area.

“it’s a small world” Holiday will close on Jan. 22, 2018 and “it’s a small world” will reopen on Feb. 2, 2018. The aforementioned changes are expected to complete in spring, when “Pixar Play Parade” will step off the new parade route entrance during Pixar Fest, beginning April 13, 2018.

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Send-Off Moment as Minnie Mouse Heads to Hollywood and the Reveal of Her Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Minnie Mouse is about to make Disney History. The famous mouse will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Southern California. The sidewalk star will be unveiled on Monday, January 22, recognizing the iconic status of the world-famous mouse who made her film debut in 1928’s “Steamboat Willy.”

Before she leaves on her grand Hollywood adventure, Minnie will be celebrated with a special send-off from Disney’s Hollywood Studiosat the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The send-off celebration will take place this Sunday, January 21, at 1 p.m. ET.

The 20-minute live stream of the send-off will begin at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. A blog post dedicated to the live stream will appear at the top of the Disney Parks Blog right before the show. Feel free to dip in for live content for your newscasts or carry the live stream on your station’s social channels.

Coverage of the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony will appear on Disney Parks Blog on Monday, January 22, at X p.m. ET.  The event will include special guest speakers Bob Iger, CEO & Chairman of The Walt Disney Company, and Katy Perry, the global pop icon and judge of ABC’s American Idol.

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Pro Bowl Week Returns to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Monday, Jan. 22

The NFL is bringing back a week-long celebration to unite and inspire the entire football community. Leading up to the game, the NFL is hosting a series of Pro Bowl Week events, including interactive fan experiences, youth and high school football competitions, and a series of community events with nonprofit organizations and military personnel to positively impact thousands of local residents, children, and their families.

One of the new additions this year is the Pro Bowl Kids Stadium Takeover. For the first time, after the Pro Bowl postgame ceremony, all kids ages 14 and under with parents at Camping World Stadium will be invited to run around the very same field as some of the NFL’s biggest stars.

Additional Pro Bowl Week activities will include the NFL Flag Championships and Play Football High School Day; Pro Bowl Skills Showdown; free access to AFC and NFC Team Practices; NFL Pro Bowl Experience, a free, football-themed fan festival; and NFL PLAY 60 events.

As part of the “Thank You, Coach” initiative, Pro Bowl players will invite a high school coach, who most impacted their life and NFL career, and a guest to celebrate Pro Bowl Week in Orlando. With the Pro Bowl Giveback Program, players will compete for more than bragging rights – each member of the winning team may apply for a $10,000 NFL Foundation grant to be donated to the high school or youth football program of their choice, help leave a lasting legacy on the community, and increase opportunities for the next generation of football players.

The week-long celebration will culminate with the Pro Bowl game, featuring 88 of the NFL’s best players, on Sunday, Jan. 28 at Camping World Stadium that will air on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ABC at a new start time of 3:00 PM ET. Tickets to the 2018 Pro Bowl game are on sale now at ProBowl.com.

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