Star Wars: The Force Awakens Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Debuts At No. 5 On The Billboard 200 Chart

The original motion picture soundtrack for the record-breaking Star Wars: The Force Awakens, featuring new score conducted and composed by five-time Academy Award®-winning composer John Williams, has entered the Billboard 200 chart at No. 5, scanning over 100,000 equivalent album units in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The last and only all-score soundtrack to debut in the Top 5 was Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace in 1999.

The album is No. 1 on Billboard’s Soundtrack and Overall Classical Charts; at iTunes, peaked at No. 1 on the Soundtrack chart and No. 3 on the Overall Album chart; and at Amazon, the album is No. 1 on the Soundtrack chart and No. 2 on the Overall Digital Album chart.  Additionally, the album has over 10.3M streams on Spotify.

From Lucasfilm and visionary director J.J. Abrams, Star Wars: The Force Awakens has broken numerous box office records, most recently becoming the fastest film to reach $1 billion globally, a feat it accomplished in 12 days with over $540 million domestically and$550 million internationally. It posted the biggest debut in industry history with $248 million domestically and $529 million globally in its first weekend, as well as the biggest second weekend of all time domestically with $149.2 million.

Oscar®-winning composer John Williams’ ubiquitous Star Wars “Main Title” theme has become part of popular culture since it was first heard accompanying Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977.  It is no surprise that Williams’ orchestral compositions for Star Wars are among the most beloved and recognizable themes in cinematic history, from the classic “Main Title” theme introduced in Star Wars: A New Hope to the ominous “Imperial March” from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back to the stirring “Duel of the Fates” from the prequel trilogy.

After creating the scores for all six of the previous Star Wars films, Williams returns to compose and conduct his signature sweeping music for The Force Awakens.

Williams, whose career spans over six decades, has won five Academy Awards® and he has scored some of the most popular and critically acclaimed films of all time, including Jaws, the Indiana Jones franchise, the first three Harry Potter films, E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, Lincoln, Schindler’s List, and countless others.

The soundtrack for Star Wars: The Force Awakens is now available wherever music is sold (http://smarturl.it/swtfa).

Enjoy Star Wars on repeat with the new official Star Wars radio on Apple Music Radio now. All Star Wars music on repeat, 24 hours a day: http://smarturl.it/starwarsradio.

Spotify is matching Star Wars fans’ character-inspired playlists based on their music tastes. Users and non-users alike can be matched up with a character playlist by going to http://smarturl.it/SWTFASpotifyMatch.

For more information on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, please visit http://www.theforceawakens.com.  For more information on Walt Disney Records’ releases, like us on Facebook.com/disneymusic or follow us at Twitter.com/disneymusic.  For more information on Disney Music Emporium, please visit DisneyMusicEmporium.com, become a fan at Facebook.com/disneymusicemporium or follow us at Twitter.com/DisneyMusicEmp.

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Photos – Holiday Disney Character Topiaries at Epcot Entrance

Take a look at the Holiday Topiaries of Disney characters at the entrance of Epcot.

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New Minnie’s Silver Screen Dine at Hollywood & Vine Arrives Just in Time for Academy Awards Season

Minnie Mouse and her friends celebrate the magic of the movies and glamour of Hollywood with an epic feast at the new Minnie’s Silver Screen Dine at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The all new character dining experience is hosted by Minnie and her pals and begins just in time for Academy Awards season.

Dinner guests will walk the red carpet and get ready for their close-up with some of the biggest stars of the silver screen. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy will all be there and dressed in their designer best. Mickey will greet guests and pose with them for photographs in the midst of the glitz and glamour before escorting them into the dinner party, where guests get the chance to meet Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy as they enjoy classic cuisine, themed to old Hollywood. This new party at Walt Disney World Resort is filled with dazzling décor, a sweeping musical score, award-winning food, activities and more.

Minnie’s Silver Screen Dine runs from Jan. 4 to March 20, 2016. Guests can make reservations by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dine or calling 407-WDW-DINE.

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Photos: Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade at Magic Kingdom

Take a look at photos from Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade at Magic Kingdom.

WDW Christmas Day 2015 Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade (1)

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WDW Christmas Day 2015 Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade (13)

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Photos: Disney Vacation Club Merry Mixer 2015

Take a look at the 2015 Disney Vacation Club Merry Mixer.

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WDW Christmas 2015 DVC Merry Mixer

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Disney Springs plans show Edison restaurant details, more

A closer look at permits give an idea of what Disney Springs’ The Edison restaurant may look like.

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Video – Florida Gators Visit Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort ahead of 2016 Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl

In advance of their appearance in the 2016 Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, the No. 19 Florida Gators visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Monday. The Gators football team experienced many signature attractions, and some players even had an encounter with Darth Vader at Star Wars Launch Bay.

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Video – Michigan Football Team Visits Magic Kingdom Before Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl

In advance of their appearance in the 2016 Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, the No. 14 Michigan Wolverines visited Magic Kingdom on Tuesday. The Michigan football team walked down Main Street, U.S.A. and experienced a thrilling ride on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

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THE ART OF ARENDELLE BY SAM ALLEN

With the year quickly coming to a close that means its time to look ahead at all the exciting new experiences that Walt Disney World has in store for us in 2016.

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D23 MEMBER GIFT FOR 2016 OFFERS A RARE GLIMPSE INTO DISNEY’S RICH LEGACY

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club didn’t have to look far for inspiration for its 2016 Gold Member gift, “From the Office of Walt Disney.” To celebrate the restoration of Walt Disney’s office suite on the Studios’ Burbank lot, the Walt Disney Archives worked with D23 to meticulously reproduce 23 unique pieces from Walt’s career that trace his path from America’s heartland to the world stage.

Included in the assortment are items from Walt’s early years in business such as his 1923 Laugh-O-gram Films Inc. business card and the famous 1928 “Everything OK” telegram, which Walt cryptically wired his brother Roy when he lost the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Also in the collection are the 1955 Disneyland invitational press preview pass and Walt’s notes on pages from the “EPCOT Film” script from 1966. Pieces representing animation, live action, television, and theme parks—as well as Walt’s own personal life—make up this one-of-a-kind set.

The gift comes in a “book” designed specifically to hold all the items and will be sent to all D23 Gold and Gold Family Members who join or renew from January 1 through December 31, 2016. Guests can see images from the gift—and learn more about the 23 rare items—at D23.com/OfficeOfWaltDisney. As previously announced, D23 Gold Members will have the opportunity to tour Walt Disney’s restored office during tours and select special events throughout 2016.

Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($74.99), Gold Family Membership ($99.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com and atDisneyStore.com/D23. D23 Members save when renewing their membership and may renew up to 90 days prior to their membership expiration.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube.

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