Take a look at some construction photos for the upcoming ‘Rivers of Light’ nighttime event that will take place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
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Greatest Animated Disney Movie of All Time: Vote for the Final Four
Welcome to the Elite 8, Disney fans! This is the part of the tournament where your choices go from extremely difficult to pretty much impossible.
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Disney Takes Important Step Towards Eliminating Smoking from Youth-Rated Movies: As You Sow
The Walt Disney Company has become the first major Hollywood studio to prohibit cigarette smoking depictions in films they produce with youth ratings. The company’s new policy will limit smoking depictions to films with an R rating, a move the U.S. Surgeon General has said could save the lives of over 1,000,000 children if the entire industry followed suit. The new policy covers all films that Disney produces, but disappointingly does not extend to films the company distributes.
“Disney is showing their leadership by taking action on the Surgeon General and CDC report, implementing a policy with direct impact on this public health crisis,” said Andrew Behar, CEO of environmental health advocacy non-profit As You Sow. “The next step should be to publicly endorse an MPAA policy to require an R rating for all films depicting smoking.”
“We are extending our policy to prohibit smoking in movies across the board, [to] Marvel, Lucas, Pixar, [and] Disney films,” said Disney CEO Robert Iger, responding to shareholders at Disney’s annual meeting on March 12. “In terms of any new characters that are created under any of those labels we would absolutely prohibit smoking in any of those films,” Iger added later.
In 2012, the US Surgeon General concluded, “There is a causal relationship between depictions of smoking in the movies and the initiation of smoking among young people.” In 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concluded, “Giving an R rating to movies with smoking would be expected to reduce the number of teen smokers by nearly one in five (18%) and prevent one million deaths from smoking among children alive today.”
“Consistent with health authorities, Disney’s policy exempts smoking for depictions of historical figures, and for negative portrayal of smoking,” said Tom McCaney, Associate Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. “But, seemingly contrary to Mr. Iger’s commitment, Disney’s policy does not extend to movies Disney distributes under its Touchstone brand; we hope the company closes this loophole and also extends the policy to all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, which is important as youth tobacco use changes.”
A coalition of investors, including As You Sow and faith-based shareholders Trinity Health and Sisters of St. Francis (part of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility) have engaged with Disney and other studios on the issue of tobacco impressions in films for over a decade.
“We commend Disney for this historic move,” said Rev. Michael Crosby, Tobacco Issue Coordinator for ICCR. “However, this is still an industry-wide problem that has not been resolved by the MPAA. The CDC demonstrated that the R rating for kid-rated movies could save 1,000,000 lives. Disney is part of the solution, but 88% of youth-rated films are not made by Disney.”
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These are the ‘Star Wars’ spinoffs, sequels and re-releases in the works
In 2012, the Walt Disney Company bought the production company Lucasfilm from its founder, “Star Wars” creator George Lucas, for $4 billion. Now, the company is offering some details about the what movies it’s going to roll out and when.
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DISNEY INTERACTIVE BRINGS BLOCKBUSTER STAR WARSTM AND DISNEY VIDEO GAMES TO D23 EXPO 2015
D23 EXPO 2015 will feature the biggest Star Wars™ and Disney video games in a special presentation in the signature 7,500-seat Hall D23 theater and in Disney Interactive’s pavilion on the show floor.
In the Hall D23 presentation on Sunday, August 16 at 11 a.m., fans won’t want to miss never-before-seen gameplay, trailers, new reveals and surprises from Disney Interactive’s most anticipated games. Among the games participating in the presentation are: Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition, Star Wars™ Battlefront™ from Electronic Arts and KINGDOM HEARTS III from Square Enix. Disney Interactive will showcase more Star Wars characters and Play Sets new to Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition and provide the entire audience with limited-edition giveaways exclusively for Hall D23. Electronic Arts will give guests an in-depth look at Star Wars Battlefront, the authentic Star Wars gaming experience coming November 17. Square Enix will also bring special guests and surprises to Hall D23 to reveal new information from KINGDOM HEARTS III.
In the Disney Interactive pavilion on the show floor, players can experience the latest and upcoming titles through hands-on demos, innovative interactive experiences and premium giveaways for all guests.
● Players will join forces with Star Wars, Marvel, Disney and Disney•Pixar characters in Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition, the next chapter in the best-selling “hybrid toy / video game” series. Guests will have the chance to play some of the new Disney Infinity Play Sets, Star Wars™ Twilight of the Republic, Star Wars™ Rise Against the Empire and Disney•Pixar’s Inside Out, and the fully enhanced Toy Box mode. Pavilion guests will also be able to visit the “Only in the Toy Box” Experience. Using a new augmented reality technology, fans can step into a virtual Toy Box environment and interact alongside their favorite Disney, Disney•Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars characters found inside Disney Infinity. Disney Infinity will also be giving away thousands of pre-release Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition figures featuring popular characters from across The Walt Disney Company (while supplies last).
● Pavilion guests will also be able to live out some of their Star Wars battle fantasies by going hands-on with Star Wars Battlefront.
● Fans can experience the latest arcade sensation from Disney Interactive, Lucasfilm and BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, Star Wars™: Battle Pod™. Featuring cutting-edge, arcade-style video gameplay, Star Wars: Battle Pod brings players right into the action with a totally unique experience featuring a dome-shaped screen, air jets, and rumble seat.
● In the pavilion’s game lounge, fans can take a break from the show floor and try out the hottest mobile games including Star Wars: Commander, Frozen Free Fall and LINE: Disney Tsum Tsum.
Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are $74 for a one-day adult admission and $54 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $65 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $112 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.
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Disneyland’s “Paint the Night” Fun Facts
“Paint the Night” parade
- Created by Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Creative Entertainment, “Paint the Night” is a state-of-the-art, vibrant wonder that immerses guests in the magical, luminescent worlds of many classic Disney and Disney-Pixar stories.
- The parade tells eight different stories, each story represented by multiple floats, props and performers.
- The creation of “Paint the Night” parade units was a three-year process for the design and technical teams.
- “Paint the Night” is the first-ever parade lit almost entirely by LED lights. Only very minimal incandescent lighting sources are used: at the tip of Tinker Bell’s wand and in Rapunzel’s flickering lanterns.
- Each costume has its own sophisticated system of lighting controls. Some lights are sewn into the costume fabric and some are sculpted pieces worn by the performers.
By the Numbers
- Including the video screens, the parade contains more than 1.5 million sources of light.
- The 500 strobes used in the parade are a custom lighting product developed by Disney.
- “Paint the Night” requires more than 200 “universes of control” to operate everything from the video presentations on the floats to the lights on individual costumes.
Tinker Bell
- The Tinker Bell float is 40 feet long, with 44 universes of control and, including video screens, more than 850,000 points of light.
- Power and control for Tinker Bell’s lighted costume come from the float itself. Tinker Bell’s shoe poufs are lit by fiber optics.
- The Tinker Bell float design includes a tribute to the “drum unit” that led the classic “Main Street Electrical Parade” from 1972 to 1996 in Disneyland. Tinker Bell’s wand is handmade and is capped by a rosette from the original 1972 Main Street Electrical Parade.
“Monsters, Inc.”
- The float is 11 feet wide, 21 feet long, and has nearly 17,000 points of light.
- The five animated doors are just over 9 feet tall and contain 40 individual LED video panels. Custom automation programming allows the doors to act as individuals or as a group.
- Door video was created in collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios.
“Cars”
- The unit features everyone’s favorite Piston Cup Champion, Lighting McQueen, along with Mack and DJ.
- Mack is 54 feet long (the longest vehicle in the parade), and has 28 moving lights.
- Mack’s design features a 3D display that creates exceptional depth of image. The display contains 26,730 individual orbs.
- Almost 2,000 feet of LED ‘neon’ is used in this unit.
“The Little Mermaid”
- Triton stands over 12 feet tall.
- The float is 32 feet long, 11 feet wide and 18 feet tall.
- There are nine fish, eight flowers and more than 250 blades of grass.
- Each of the 80 ‘sea grass bubbles’ was custom cast and painted and can be individually programmed.
Disney Princesses
- Belle’s video screen contains more than 500,000 pixels and presents scenes from “Beauty and the Beast” as well as floral graphic imagery and starry night skies.
- In addition to color changing programmable ribbons, Belle’s dress has 40 custom-designed jewels and the most decorative lighting caps of any float.
- The float is 26 feet long and the rose is 17 feet tall.
“Toy Story”
- Slinky Dog scampers along with Woody and Buzz holding on for the ride.
- The float is 32 feet long, and Slinky’s ears are 18 feet tall and 11 feet across.
- The 10 spinning disks rotate at 120 RPM and are programmed with custom video content.
“Frozen”
- The Frozen float is almost 35 feet long and 30 feet tall.
- The central chandelier is made up of 72 individual “ice shards,” each lit by its own LED.
- There are 56 over-scale scenic snowflakes and 11 individual water jet cut swirls on the float.
- Eight snow-covered trees surround Olaf, enhanced with 3,000 tear drop crystals.
- There are six unique etched window art panels on the float. Three depict happy memories of Anna and Elsa in childhood. The other three feature Kristoff, the Trolls and Sven.
Mickey Mouse & Friends Finale
- The Mickey Mouse float is 31 feet long, has 40 universes of control and more than 10,000 points of light.
- Mickey ‘conducts’ the finale of the parade from 12 feet above the street.
- Joining Mickey Mouse, on a series of smaller whirling parade vehicles are Goofy, Donald Duck and Minnie Mouse. Each whirling vehicle has 352 points of light custom designed for the character on board.
- The spiraling kinetic sculpture behind Mickey on his float is 14 feet tall, 7 feet wide, contains 6,944 individually programmable LED pixels with 124 ‘paddles’ on 31 armatures.
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Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows Fact Sheet
Overview
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, the newest addition to the growing Disney Vacation Club portfolio, delivers the spirit of the South Pacific coupled with fun Disney touches to create a resort that only Disney Vacation Club can provide. Near the picturesque white-sand shore of Seven Seas Lagoon, these new accommodations are located a quick monorail ride to the enchanting Magic Kingdom Park, and steps away from the various world-class amenities available at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, one of the original Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
South Pacific Ambiance Meets Disney Magic
Transporting guests to a tropical haven, Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows reflects the classic features and atmosphere of its sister resort hotel with authentic South Pacific styling and whimsical details. The Polynesian theming and detailed architecture of this resort are visible from the minute guests step into the Great Ceremonial House, the resort’s re-imagined lobby. A large Tiki statue welcomes guests with outstretched arms as it sits on a lava rock water feature. A charming chandelier inspired by Polynesian native navigational instruments, including bamboo finishes and glass globes gives the lobby an even more authentic feel.
Disney Vacation Club Villas
The new resort features Villa accommodations that sleep anywhere from five to eight guests, providing enhanced flexibility and choice to members (fully accessible Villas are available).
- Deluxe Studios – Sleeps up to 5 guests
- Bungalows – Sleeps up to 8 guests
Deluxe Studios
Disney Vacation Club is building 360 Deluxe Studios, opening in phases beginning April 1, which are the largest at the Walt Disney World Resort and feature a queen-size bed, queen-size sleeper sofa and a pull-down bunk-size bed beneath the television. They also offer a kitchenette, private porch or balcony, wall coverings and upgraded finishes. These rooms feature a split bath design, with one bathroom area housing a walk-in shower and sink, and the other bathroom area providing a tub/shower combination, toilet and sink. This innovative design allows for multiple members of a party to get ready at the same time.
Bora Bora Bungalows
The following are some of the many features that can be found in the resort’s 20 two-bedroom, two-bath over-the-water Bungalows:
- Artwork – Pops of color combined with classic mid-century modern style are found throughout the Bungalows, along with tropical hanging lanterns on the back deck, and special artwork on the wall and pullout beds.
- Living Room – Offering one queen-size sleeper sofa, one pull-down bunk-size bed with custom artwork, flat panel TV, ceiling fan, one broad area rug and glass doors that open up to the back deck.
- Full Kitchen – Including dinnerware, coffee maker, glassware, flatware, pots and pans, microwave, toaster, stove, oven, refrigerator, dishwasher and volcanic rock-inspired countertops.
- Master Bedroom – Featuring a king-size bed, ceiling fan, flat panel TV, custom artwork, two nightstands and windows overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon.
- Master Bathroom – Connected to the master bedroom, the master bath includes a walk-in shower with rain showerhead, whirlpool tub, toilet and in-mirror TV.
- Second Bedroom – Featuring one queen-size bed, one pull-down bunk-size bed, flat panel TV, ceiling fan and two nightstands.
- Second Bathroom – Separated into 2 sections – one with a tub/shower combo and vanity, and a second area offering a powder room with toilet and vanity.
- Private Deck – Private back deck runs the full width of the Bungalow and features a plunge pool, lounge furniture and speakers designed to play the soundtrack in sync with the Magic Kingdom Park fireworks.
- Plunge Pool – Located on back deck, a handrail and steps lead into the plunge pool, offering views of Seven Seas Lagoon.
- Laundry – Stacked washer and dryer in each Bungalow.
Dining
Guests staying at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows can enjoy any of the following delicious dining options at the nearby Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort:
- ‘Ohana – Delight in ‘Ohana’s Best Friend Breakfast buffet featuring Lilo and Stitch, or a Hawaiian-style feast dinner.
- Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Show – Enjoy an enchanting luau with Polynesian dancing and an all-you-care-to-enjoy, family style feast.
- Kona Café – This relaxed café infuses a bit of Asian zest into traditional American meals and features an onstage sushi kitchen.
- Tambu Lounge – At this island-themed watering hole, find tropical drinks and Hawaiian-inspired appetizers.
- Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto – This themed lounge serves handcrafted Tiki cocktails served in souvenir mugs, as well as small plate snacks.
- Cook’s – At this 24-hour quick service restaurant enjoy signature specialty items, pastries, grilled chicken sandwiches, flatbreads, salads, hamburgers and more.
- Pineapple Lanai – Indulge in the world-famous Dole Whip soft-serve treat along with bottled beverages.
- Kona Island – Enjoy everything from coffee and pastries in the morning to made-to-order sushi and sashimi in the evening.
- Barefoot Pool Bar – Relax by a white sandy beach as you sip on Tiki drinks and take in magical views.
- Private Dining (Room Service) – Room service available
Recreation
Disney Vacation Club members staying at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows are just steps away from an abundance of recreational opportunities at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Some fun and relaxing activities include:
- Pools – Enjoy a refreshing swim in the resort’s feature Lava Pool, delight in the Kiki Tiki Splash Play Area or lounge the day away in the Oasis Pool.
- Seven Seas Marina – The lakeside marina offers an assortment of watercraft available to rent along with private cruises and excursions on Seven Seas Lagoon.
- Campfires – Roast marshmallows and relax around the campfire once the sun begins to set.
- Fishing – Guided fishing excursions and dockside fishing are available at the marina.
- Lilo’s Playhouse – Little ones from ages 3 to 12 years of age can enjoy making crafts, playing games, and other Disney activities in this supervised club.
- Movies Under the Stars – Watch favorite Disney films at outside movie screenings.
- Jogging Trails – Enjoy jogging around one of the resort’s trails.
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20th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Announces Future World Marketplace Expansion
Walt Disney World Resort announced today that four new food and beverage marketplaces will open in Future World during the 20th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival presented by Chase Sept. 25-Nov. 16, 2015. It’s the first time in the festival’s 20-year-history that global marketplace experiences, now numbering more than 30, have expanded from the park’s World Showcase into Future World.
During the 53-day festival, the new Artistry of Wine & Cheese area featuring the Cheese Studio and Wine Studio marketplaces will evoke the ambiance of Napa Valley with grape vines and welcoming pergolas along the walkway to Future World West.
- At the Cheese Studio, a cheese sample platter will be served on an artist’s palette to pair with wines.
- The Wine Studio will serve premium wines on tap and showcase palate-pleasing wine varietals organized by color in artful displays.
At the new Next Eats area near the Epcot Character Spot, Sustainable Chew and Chew Lab marketplaces will be inspired by ABC’s Emmy-Award® winning lifestyle series “The Chew,” starring co-hosts Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly and Daphne Oz. “The Chew” announced July 2 that the show will broadcast from Epcot during the festival.
- At Sustainable Chew Marketplace, guests can taste delicious dishes inspired by “The Chew” co-hosts.
- At Chew Lab, food science meets the hottest culinary tech trends to present innovative dishes like the Liquid Nitro Chocolate Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey Caramel.
“The Future World festival marketplace expansion gives our guests more reasons than ever to help us celebrate 20 delicious festival years,” says Jens Dahlmann, general manager of Epcot Food & Beverage. “Adding even more sizzle, our collaboration with ABC’s ‘The Chew’ brings the cachet of a major daytime network television series and its celebrity hosts.”
More news to celebrate:
- One of a series of popular Party for the Senses premium events will be the first-time Yelloween Masquerade Party for the Senses Oct. 31, an elegant, dance-the-night-away, gourmet tasting party with Champagne, wine, craft beers and specialty cocktails paired with food. Guests will be encouraged to masquerade in chic yellow and black. Reservations will open July 30, 2015, for festival premium events also to include the Mexican Tequila Lunch, Japanese Craft Beer Tasting, French Family Meal Traditions and dozens of events including Culinary Adventures in Signature Dining.
- “The Chew” cast will host a new premium event: the Rockin’ Burger Block Party Oct. 8, with specialty burgers and sliders inspired by top names in the music industry such as Dave Matthews and his Dreaming Tree Wines and Carlos Santana’s Casa Noble Tequila. Two additional Burger Block Parties are set for Sept. 25 and Nov. 6.
- The Dominican Republic Marketplace will return with fresh flair, serving new dishes including Pescado con Coco – seared grouper, pigeon peas with rice and coconut sauce. And at the Festival Center, the new Monday-through-Thursday “Spotlight on Dominican Republic” will showcase the country’s culture, crafts and culinary delights with artists and chefs at the Festival Center.
- Two 20th-year celebratory wines were created just for this fall’s festival: a Napa Valley Festival Chardonnay and a Paso Robles Festival Cabernet Sauvignon. Guests will be able to purchase tastes of both wines at the Sustainable Chew marketplace, and the Festival Center Wine Shop will carry bottles.
At the new Artistry of Wine & Cheese, each keg of premium wine on tap will hold the equivalent of 26 wine bottles, eliminating bottle, cork, cardboard and paper waste from labels. Recycling and repurposing of glass bottles and corks from other marketplace locations will be part of the 20th-year festival story.
Included with Epcot Admission:
Back to Basics series, Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog, special book signings, Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Discovery Passport and attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.
Special Programming by Reservation:
The Party for the Senses grand tasting events, and other special beverage and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. Reservations will open July 30, 2015, for all premium events including the new Rockin’ Burger Block Party. Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) and get details at epcotfoodfestival.com beginning July 15.
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Comic-Con: Is Disney Pulling Away From San Diego?
The lack of much new finished footage from Star Wars: The Force Awakens at Friday’s Lucasfilm panel at San Diego Comic-Con might have been a surprise for attendees…
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