VIDEO: Mark Hamill Hosts “Star Wars: Evolution Of The Lightsaber Duel” Documentary Next Week On ESPN

WDWNT on November 13, 2015

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Just in time for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, Mark Hamill will appear on ESPN to discuss the history of the lightsaber in a new documentary called ” Star Wars: Evolution Of The Lightsaber”. Hamill will be joined by J.J. Abrams, John Boyega and even the Emperor himself, Ian McDiamird.

“What people don’t realize is how much goes into what appears to be just minutes on the screen,” Hamill said in a statement about the show. “The elaborate choreography for the actual fight is done on several different sets over a period of weeks and then it is edited down to what you see on the screens, so I am happy people are able to see the amount of work that goes into it.”

We will take viewers on a unique journey that examines the connection of these duels to sports and their evolution, from the original trilogy through the prequels, and now to Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” Craig Lazarus, ESPN vp SportsCenter and news, storytelling units, said in a statement.

Check out the preview video:

“Star Wars: Evolution Of The Lightsaber” will air Tuesday, December 15th on ESPN as a “SportsCenter’s Featured” segment.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter; ScreenSlam

REVIEW: Menu Changes Take Flight at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar

WDWNT on November 13, 2015

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Two new items recently were added to the menu at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar at Disney Springs: A non-flatbread calamari offering, as well as a shrimp BLT flatbread.

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Honestly, both are vast improvements over the previous dishes they replaced (She-Deviled Eggs and Calamari Flatbread). The calamari and fried peppers are flavorful and cooked just right.

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There is also a Harissa Ailoi dipping sauce which compliments it nicely.

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The shrimp flatbread was excellently prepared, all of the ingredients tasted fresh and it felt much lighter than the old flatbread. I wouldn’t order this every time, but it was good enough to order again at some point.

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar seems to always be improving, so make sure to check it out on your next visit to Disney Springs Walt Disney World.

New “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Fireworks Show To Debut Early On December 18th at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on November 13, 2015

It appears that when “The Force Awakens” in theaters, the new nightly Star Wars-themed fireworks show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will awaken as well.

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Originally the show was going to be presented only on weekends in early 2016, but it was then extended to nightly starting January 5th, 2016. However, it seems Disney doesn’t want to wait to unveil the new show and wants to use it to entertain the extra large holiday week crowds and stir even more interest in the new film.

The show will premiere to the general public at 11PM on December 18th at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (after premiering to guests attending the special AMC Theaters event with park after party the night before). The show will then be presented nightly from that point onward, joining Fantasmic! in the park’s nighttime show lineup.

The new Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular is a brand new fireworks show using classic Star Wars music, as well as some musical entries from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

VIDEO: First Trailer For Disney And Steven Spielberg’s “The BFG”

WDWNT on November 13, 2015

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Disney has just released the first trailer for the upcoming movie, “The BFG”. “The BFG”, or Big Friendly Giant, is a classic story written by author Roald Dahl and the very first movie directed by Steven Spielberg for Disney:

 

The talents of three of the world’s greatest storytellers – Roald Dahl, Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg –finally unite to bring Dahl’s beloved classic “The BFG” to life. Directed by Spielberg, Disney’s “The BFG” tells the imaginative story of a young girl and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country. The BFG (Mark Rylance), while a giant himself, is a Big Friendly Giant and nothing like the other inhabitants of Giant Country. Standing 24-feet tall with enormous ears and a keen sense of smell, he is endearingly dim-witted and keeps to himself for the most part. Giants like Bloodbottler (Bill Hader) and Fleshlumpeater (Jemaine Clement) on the other hand, are twice as big and at least twice as scary and have been known to eat humans, while the BFG prefers Snozzcumber and Frobscottle. Upon her arrival in Giant Country, Sophie, a precocious 10-year-old girl from London, is initially frightened of the mysterious giant who has brought her to his cave, but soon comes to realize that the BFG is actually quite gentle and charming, and, having never met a giant before, has many questions. The BFG brings Sophie to Dream Country where he collects dreams and sends them to children, teaching her all about the magic and mystery of dreams. Having both been on their own in the world up until now, their affection for one another quickly grows, but Sophie’s presence in Giant Country has attracted the unwanted attention of the other giants, who have become increasingly more bothersome. Sophie and the BFG soon depart for London to see the Queen (Penelope Wilton) and warn her of the precarious giant situation, but they must first convince the Queen and her maid, Mary (Rebecca Hall), that giants do indeed exist. Together, they come up with a plan to get rid of the giants once and for all.

Disney’s “The BFG” opens July 1, 2016.

Source: Disney Movie Trailers

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Classic Three Caballeros Audio-Animatronics Breathe New Life Into Epcot Boat Ride

WDWNT on November 13, 2015

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Many a guest was excited to see the Three Caballeros added to Epcot’s Mexico boat ride back in 2007, but the multiple screens of animated scenes leading to one large animated scene always felt like it was lacking something. In fact, it wasn’t uncommon to hear guests insist that there should have been animatronic versions of the Three Caballeros built for the ending scene of the ride. Well, Disney solved this problem this past weekend…

With the Mickey Mouse Revue attraction closing in Tokyo in 2009, the Disney Archives found a set of Donald, Panchito, and Jose animatronic characters in their possession. In fact, these figures were even displayed at a D23 event here in Florida not too long ago. With just a little bit of restoration and some programming, Walt Disney Imagineering brought the figures back to life, now appearing in their first role at Walt Disney World since they left the Magic Kingdom for Tokyo in 1980. Be sure to catch these amazing pieces of Disney history the next time you are at Epcot. They certainly have enlivened what has been a fun, yet fairly anticlimactic attraction up until now.

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VIDEO: New Disney XD Promo For “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Reveals “Maz Kanata”

WDWNT on November 13, 2015

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This weekend, Disney XD aired a new promo for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and we got a glimpse of the elusive new character, Maz Kanata. She can be seen next to Finn as he ignites his light saber:

Maz Kanata is a new CGI character introduced in “The Force Awakens” and is played by actress Lupita Nyong’o. Similar to the marketing of Luke Skywalker, the character has been mostly under wraps in order to officially introduce her for the first time to audiences when they see “The Force Awakens”. You can see a small image of Max Kanata in the background of the official “The Force Awakens” poster and her voice-over is heard in a few TV spots.

Maz Kanata is a mysterious character which appears to be an integral part to “The Force Awakens” story line. So far what we know about Maz Kanta was revealed to us by J.J. Abrams:

Her history is that she was a pirate for a long time. She’s lived over a thousand years. She’s had this watering hole for about a century, and it’s like another bar that you’d find in a corner of the Star Wars universe.

I had some specific ideas about how she would work and what she would do. I had this pitch about these goggles that she wore. Her eyes are an important aspect of her character, and you’ll see how it plays out.

Source: Comic Book Resources

Classic Images of Walt Disney Now Available From the Walt Disney Archives

WDWNT on November 13, 2015

Just in time for what would have been Walt Disney’s 114th birthday on December 5, 2015, Disney launched Photographs from the Walt Disney Archives, a new online print-on-demand photo service that allow fans to own vibrant images from Disney’s rich history, including classic images of Walt himself.

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Iconic photographs, from a young Walt circa 1932 surrounded by more than a dozen plush Mickey Mouse dolls to a shot of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland on opening day in 1955, are available for purchase in an array of sizes and formats, including photographs and canvas. Each image tells a story, including a rare behind-the-scenes photograph of musicians during the filming of the concert epic Fantasia (1940), as well as a shot of Walt and his staff with the groundbreaking multiplane camera during the 1951 filming of Alice in Wonderland.

With multiple sizes and frames to choose from, individuals can customize their orders—from an 11’’ x 14’’ print on paper or gallery–wrapped canvas ($59.00) to a 20’’ x 20’’ print in a natural or black wood frame ($150.00).

All artwork comes from the photo library operated by the Walt Disney Archives. Comprised largely of original negatives, the roughly 4 million photos rarely leave their cold storage facilities to see the light of day. As more and more digital copies have been created, the Archives is offering this special opportunity to own a print from its one-of-a-kind collection.

Photographs from the Walt Disney Archives launched December 5, 2015 at DisneyPhotoArchives.com.