The Disney Princesses are an important part of American culture, like Apple Pie, fireworks, and not understanding the Kardashians. We’ve seen Princesses who tamed Beasts with Beauty, tamed America with talking trees, and abandoned a magical life in the ocean for a dude she had never met before.
Tom Staggs faces the unique challenge of filling a role that the world’s biggest media company has done quite well without for a decade.
To honor the 100,000th Disney wish granted globally, and in celebration of Disneyland Resort’s 60th Anniversary, Disneyland and Make-A-Wish® are inviting fans to Share Your Ears and share the power of a wish®.
Disney and Make-A-Wish fans around the world can make a difference for children with life-threatening medical conditions by unlocking a donation with a simple photo. Disney Parks will donate $5 to Make-A-Wish, up to a total of $1 million, for each photo taken and shared of people wearing Mickey Mouse Ears – or any creative “ears” at all. Photos can be uploaded to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #ShareYourEars between now and March 14, 2016.
“For 35 years, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has been proud to work with Make-A-Wish to make dreams come true for thousands of children, and now we’re excited to give Disney fans the opportunity to help us make a difference for even more,” said Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
Actor and Disney fan-favorite Neil Patrick Harris helped kick off the campaign in style last night during the ABC special, “The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60.” Sporting an assortment of ears and a “dazzled” Mickey Mouse Ear hat, Harris shared the importance of wish-granting and the impact it makes on the lives of children and families. The exclusive dazzled Ear hat – adorned with a diamond “D” – will be part of a Make-A-Wish sweepstakes campaign to raise additional funds for wish-granting.
Guests visiting Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, can also purchase collectible 60th Anniversary Ear Hats that say “Wishes Really Do Come True.” Only 7,500 hats will be sold, and all proceeds will go to Make-A-Wish – up to an additional $150,000.
Nearly 8,000 Disney-related wishes are granted worldwide every year – including experiences at Disney theme parks, voyages on Disney Cruise Line, meetings with Disney characters, and visits to TV and movie sets – making Disney the most popular request by Make-A-Wish children.
“The Share Your Ears campaign captures the excitement and creativity that we all associate with Disney. Since the very first wish, Disney has provided wish kids and their families with experiences beyond their wildest imaginations,” said David Williams, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. Jon Stettner, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish International added, “Disney continues to surprise us with its ingenuity and generosity, allowing its guests and fans around the world to share in Disney’s passion for our mission. We couldn’t be more grateful.”
For more information, visit www.ShareYourEars.org.
The Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival returns to Walt Disney World® Resort Sept. 14-Nov. 14, 2016. That means almost two additional weeks – from 53 days to 62 – of deliciousness, foodie fun, culinary events, celebrity chefs, seminars, music concerts and more.
Take a look at some concept art for Star Wars Land coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
A new boutique is coming to Marketplace Co-Op at Disney Springs! Opening March 11, 2016, Disney TAG (Travel-Accessories-Gear) will offer Disney-inspired travel products. Items include luggage tags, hanging toiletry bags, reusable totes, passport wallets, jewelry organizers, pillows, pouches and more – all featuring both retro modern and colorful Disney character artwork.
Disney TAG will be located in the space currently occupied by Zoey & Pickles. And, while Disney TAG items will initially only be available at Marketplace Co-Op at the Walt Disney World® Resort, your Clients might find them soon at Disneyland® Park or on the Disney Parks online store.
On April 15, live the legend.
Directed by Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”), based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, “The Jungle Book” is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves. But Mowgli finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan (voice of Idris Elba), who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery, guided by panther-turned-stern mentor Bagheera (voice of Ben Kingsley), and the free-spirited bear Baloo (voice of Bill Murray). Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa (voice of Scarlett Johansson), a python whose seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the man-cub, and the smooth-talking King Louie (voice of Christopher Walken), who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire. The all-star cast also includes Lupita Nyong’o as the voice of the fiercely protective mother wolf Raksha, and Giancarlo Esposito as the voice of wolf pack’s alpha male Akela. “The Jungle Book” seamlessly blends live-action with photorealistic CGI animals and environments, using up-to-the-minute technology and storytelling techniques to immerse audiences in an enchanting and lush world. The wild adventure swings into theaters in 3D on April 15, 2016.
Keeping in Disney’s tradition of scattering Easter eggs throughout its films, the upcoming Zootopia has a big shout-out to Frozen — and we’re not just talking about the voice casting of Kristen Bell.
The Atlanta Braves begin their 2016 spring training workouts Saturday, Feb. 20 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. Pitchers and catchers take the field for the first time Saturday, while the rest of the team reports Feb. 24, with full-squad workouts beginning Feb. 25. Ender Inciarte (OF), Gordon Beckham (IF), Erick Aybar (SS) and Tyler Flowers (C) are among the new faces on the roster this spring. This will be the Braves’ 19th spring training season at Champion Stadium.
Media will have their first access to players and coaches on Saturday, February 20, beginning ay 7:30 a.m.
Atlanta Braves spring training arrival schedule:
Pitchers/catchers report: Friday, February 19
Pitchers/catchers first workout: Saturday, February 20
Full squad reports: Wednesday, February 24
Full squad first workout: Thursday, February 25
First Home Game: Tuesday, March 1 vs. Baltimore Orioles
A day at one of Disney‘s Florida theme parks doesn’t come cheap, and it may be about to become more expensive.
