“Star Wars Force Friday II” Announced, Release Day Of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” Toys And Merchandise

WDWNT on February 16, 2017

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STAR WARS FORCE FRIDAY II FLIES INTO STORES AROUND THE GLOBE ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

 Countdown begins for world-wide release of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” products

 New product packaging revealed today features trio of heroes: Poe, Rey and Finn

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Disney and Lucasfilm today announced Star Wars Force Friday II, a global fan event celebrating the launch of new products inspired by the highly anticipated “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” Toys, collectibles, books, apparel and more will go on sale beginning at 12:01 a.m. on September 1, 2017, with stores around the world opening for a weekend-long celebration of all things Star Wars.  

“The first Star Wars Force Friday event was truly unique, uniting fans across five continents in an unprecedented global live unboxing event ahead of thousands of midnight openings at retail,” says Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. “We’re excited to confirm that Star Wars Force Friday is back for ‘The Last Jedi’. Plans for this year’s world-wide event are top secret but expect something befitting the excitement around the next episode of the Star Wars saga.” 

Star Wars fans around the globe embraced Force Friday in 2015, with hundreds of thousands turning up to stores at midnight to be the first to get their hands on merchandise from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Toys from the new line were revealed via a global live-stream unboxing event that unfolded over 18 hours, 15 different cities and 12 countries, attracting millions of views on YouTube. Fans took to social media to share their experiences with nearly 3 billion Twitter impressions about the events, using #ForceFriday.  

Jill Wilfert, Vice President of global licensing and entertainment from The LEGO Group comments, “It was so much fun to be a part of Star Wars Force Friday, and we can’t wait for fans to join this year’s celebration as we reveal new ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ products during Force Friday II – a global event that will connect fans and families, and allow them to build, create and share their experiences with others.” 

Details of how fans can participate will be revealed closer to the event but the world-wide launch will tap new technology and Star Wars mythology to create a unique experience for fans. Just like 2015, products for “The Last Jedi” will be kept under wraps until Force Friday II to preserve surprises for fans. As well as introducing new characters from the movie in toy form, the line will build on the success of products like Sphero’s BB-8, introducing more innovative technology to bring the characters and stories from the film to life in unique ways. 

“Toys play a unique role in the Star Wars universe, and we’re proud to have been part of that incredible legacy for the past forty years. The new line for ‘The Last Jedi’ is our most innovative yet, and we’re excited to unveil it on Force Friday II,” said Samantha Lomow, Senior Vice President at Hasbro. 

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is the highest grossing movie of all time domestically and that success was mirrored at retail. NPD reported that Star Wars was the number one toy property in the U.S. for 2016 and 2015, and that during the week of Force Friday, $1 for every $11 spent on toys was on a Star Wars item. Additionally, the popularity of the movie propelled Star Wars onto the top ten toy list for both boys and girls for the first time ever in 2015. 

Also being revealed today is a first look at packaging for “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” products which feature leading heroes: Poe Dameron, Rey and Finn. The trio will be featured on Star Wars packaging beginning September 1, 2017. 

Fans can stay tuned to StarWars.com for more details on Force Friday II events, and can follow the conversation on social using #ForceFridayII.

 

 

New Medals for Disneyland’s Tinkerbell Half Marathon Weekend

WDWNT on February 16, 2017

Tinker Bell Half Marathon Medal

On your marks, get set, run! This year’s sponsor for the Tinkerbell half marathon is PANDORA Jewlery. David Brotherton, who is the Art Director at Disney Yellow Shoes, was the mastermind creator behind this new medal in collaboration with PANDORA jewelry. David has been designing runDisney medals for last 6 years, but he says making this Tinkerbell half marathon was indeed his most favorite. Graphic designers from PANDORA have said that Daivd truly is a genius when it comes to design and that his expertise and knowledge was immeasurable and sparked this amazing creative partnership.

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For the marathon weekend, they have medals for the runDisney kids races which feature Disney Captain Jake and the Neverland Pirates, as well as the adults race medals for the Neverland 5k and Tinkerbell 10k which feature some beloved characters from ‘Peter Pan’. They even have a medal for those brave enough to conquer the Pixie Dust Challenge, which combines the 13.1 mile Tinkerbell Half marathon PLUS the 6.2 mile Tinker Bell 10k.

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Pixie Dust Challenge Medal

Registration is still open for these races including the Pixie Dust Challenge. For registration and more info on these runs, please visit the official site for the Tinker Bell Marathon Weekend, here.

*All of these run events listed are all at the Disneyland Resort.

TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (2/15/17) – The Dating Game, Rivers of Light, Gondola Rumors, & More!

WDWNT on February 16, 2017

Tonight on WDW News Tonight, we go in depth on getting around Walt Disney World (including rumors of a Skyway-type gondola system), we review Rivers of Light, and we play WDWNT: The Dating Game…

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If you are in the Orlando area, you can tune in to 105.5 FM or AM 1520 WBZW at showtime. For those outside of the Orlando area, the show can be watched via video stream at listen.WDWNT.com on your computer or mobile device. You can also use WDWNT: The App to watch and chat along. The show also utilizes a live chat and the ability to call-in to interact with the show. WDW News Tonight is hosted by Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, but also features appearances by a number of other WDWNT correspondents and announcer Michelle Wargo.

Coming up on this week’s show:

  • A recap of the week’s news (with a WDWNT comedic twist)
  • An in-depth discussion on transportation and getting around Walt Disney World (including the rumored gondola additions)
  • The Wonderful World of Psychotic Comments
  • “WDWNT: The Dating Game”, presented by Theme Park Connection
  • A review of Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
  • Who’s Hates Tom Now?
  • And more!

We hope that you will tune in tonight at 9PM ET for another episode of WDW News Tonight!

If you missed last week’s show, be sure to watch it:

Opening Date Announced for Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout and More MARVEL Experiences at California Adventure

WDWNT on February 16, 2017

Disney California Adventure park will soon be the destination for adventure, intrigue and triumph as recruits from around the world – like you – join forces with legendary Super Heroes in an ever-expanding universe of stories that will grow even bigger over time. This summer, Disney will take the first steps to bring MARVEL experiences into the park with the May 27 grand opening of the thrilling, rocking attraction, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!

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This new adventure blasts you straight into the “Guardians of the Galaxy” story for the first time ever, alongside characters from the blockbuster films and comics. As you help Rocket bust his pals out of the Collector’s Fortress, you will experience randomized ride experiences complete with all-new visual and audio effects and music inspired by the popular film soundtracks. You never know which adventure you will get!

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There will be even more ways to step into Super Hero stories with Summer of Heroes, May 27 through September 10. Answer the call for this limited-time celebration as you join the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy for all-new epic experiences.

Summer of Heroes will launch these new, year-round experiences:

  • Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off! – Don’t be surprised if you run into the Guardians of the Galaxy on their way to the Milano, with Star-Lord firing up his old-school boom box to get the party started. Gamora may prefer to stand back and observe, but everyone else is bound to get in the groove and show off their moves during this awesome rock ‘n’ roll bash!
  • Super Hero Encounters – For the first time, citizens of Earth will come face-to-face with Groot, one of the Guardians of the Galaxy! You can also step up to meet the First Avenger, Captain America, along with everyone’s favorite web slinger, your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

And for a limited time, step up to the challenge with new adventures during Summer of Heroes:

  • Avengers Training Initiative – Black Widow and Hawkeye assemble young recruits for a series of tests to see if they have what it takes to join the ranks of the Avengers.
  • Heroic Encounter: Black Widow – Black Widow will arrive on the scene several times throughout the day in an armored Avengers vehicle for her heroic encounter with park guests.
  • Grab a Piece (or Bite) of the Action – All that heroism making you hungry? Want a token as proof of your adventures when you get home? Special themed merchandise and food will be available throughout Hollywood Land.

The summer brings even more to get excited about over at Disneyland park as classic favorites return with the reopening of the Disneyland Railroad and Rivers of America attractions, with the “Fantasmic!” nighttime spectacular returning later in the summer. Opening dates will be shared soon for these attractions. And don’t miss your chance to see the classic Main Street Electrical Parade during its limited-time run at Disneyland park through June 18.

#HeroUp at Disney California Adventure park with Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! and Summer of Heroes, beginning May 27!

RUMOR: Skyway Gondola Transportation System Between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios to be Constructed

WDWNT on February 16, 2017

This one is a bit wacky, but according to recent permits filed by the Walt Disney World, it seems that a Skyway-type gondola transportation system may be installed to transport guests between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (as well as a few resort hotels in between).

If you think Skyway systems are out of date, think again. New York City still utilizes such a system to and from Roosevelt Island and has proposed an additional system for the future, seen here.

If you think Skyway systems are out of date, think again. New York City still utilizes such a system to and from Roosevelt Island and has proposed an additional system for the future, seen here.

If the buildings on the permits are indeed for stations, the system would include stops at Epcot’s International Gateway, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, a shared station at the Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. See our illustration below:

The rumored route, stops and turns of Walt Disney World's new Skyway system.

The rumored route, stops and turns of Walt Disney World’s new Skyway system.

It’s no secret that Disney will not build a monorail expansion for cost and efficiency reasons, so would they build this instead? The timing seems right with the massive expansion work at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and soon-to-commence at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. The stations and turns are in spaces not currently used by any other structures or infrastructure.

The original Skyway attraction once operated at the Magic Kingdom park from 1971 until 1999. This new system would likely include much larger, enclosed gondolas, however (similar to the New York system pictured at the top of the article). It would be nice to have the Skyway back at Walt Disney World, in name at least. A modern homage to a classic Disney attraction that would now serve a real transportation purpose for many a guest.

The original Magic Kingdom Skyway

The original Magic Kingdom Skyway

We will keep you in the loop as more information on this rumored project becomes available.

Our thanks to the group of Disney World fans who pieced together this information!

Harrison Ford Involved In Near Hit With Passenger Plane

WDWNT on February 16, 2017

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Harrison Ford almost crashed into an American Airlines 737 today as he was piloting his private plane, a single engine Husky. Ford had been given clearance to land on a runway at John Wayne International Airport in Orange County, but instead of landing on the runway, he accidently headed for a taxiway nearly missing an American Airlines 737 carrying 110 passengers and a 6 person crew.

From NBC News:

Ford, 74, was heard on air traffic control recordings asking, “Was that airliner meant to be underneath me?”

Air traffic controllers then informed Ford that he had landed on a taxiway rather than the runway — a violation of Federal Aviation Administration safety rules.

The FAA told NBC News that controllers gave Ford the proper landing instructions and that he read them back.

The incident has prompted an FAA investigation — which could result in a simple warning letter to a suspension of Ford’s pilot’s license.

This is not the first time that Ford has been involved in an aviation incident. Back in 2015, Ford was forced to make an emergency landing on a golf course which ended in the plane crashing and the actor being injured.

It’s great that Harrison Ford can fly, but when his hobby starts endangering the lives of people, it’s time he gets his wings clipped and stays grounded.

Source: NBC

This Week in Disney History: February 19th-25th

WDWNT on February 16, 2017

Last week, we started a new weekly Disney history column aptly named ‘This Week in Disney History.’ Each week we will highlight significant events or milestons that happened during that week in the history of the Walt Disney Company. Not all events will be listed, as these are just some of the highlights. The events listed may not necessarily be the most important events in Disney history, but are intended to give you just a bit of information to broaden your knowledge.

Picture of Clarence Nash, the original voice of Donald Duck

This Week in Disney History: February 19th-February 25th

  • On February 19th, 1985 – Mickey Mouse visited China to surprise Chinese nationals in honor of Disneyland’s 30th anniversary. He traveled to 30 different cities in 30 days.
  • On February 20th, 1985 – the original voice for Donald Duck for over 50 years, Clarence Nash, passed away at age 80. He was not only the voice of Donald, but also Daisy Duck, and Donald’s nephews (Huey, Dewey, and Louie).
  • On February 21st, 1955 – the voice of Stinky Pete from Toy Story 2 and Disneyland 50th Anniversary host Kelsey Grammer was born in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
  • February 21st, 2010 – Walt Disney’s Broadway production of The Lion King, celebrated a very important milestone; their 5,125th performance, making it the 8th longest running show in Broadway history!
  • February 22nd, 1971 – Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga was born in the Philippines. Lea was the singing voice of Mulan in Disney’s Mulan, as well as the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Disney’s Aladdin.
  • February 23rd, 1939 – Walt Disney received an honorary Oscar at the 11th Academy Awards for ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’. The custom-made statuette consisted of one standard Oscar statuette standing over seven minurature statuettes.
  • February 23rd, 2000 – Phil Collins, the composer for Disney’s ‘Tarzan’, wins a Grammy for his work on the film.
  • February 23rd, 2016 – Walt Disney World’s first permanent employee, Phil Smith, passes at age 83.
  • February 24th, 1940 – one of the most famous songs in Disney History, ‘When You Wish Upon A Star’, from the movie ‘Pinnochio’, was recorded by Frances Langord.
  • February 25th, 2012 – Walt Disney Imagineering and cast members from Disney California Adventure buried a time capsule containing items from the park. The capsule will not be opened by Disneyland Resort cast members until 2037.

“I love the nostalgic myself. I hope we never lose some of the things from the past.” -Walt Disney

Beauty and The Beast Fantasyland Layover Coming to Disneyland

WDWNT on February 16, 2017

width= Coming soon to Fantasyland at Disneyland, there will be unique ‘Beauty and the Beast’  experiences for a limited time engagement. These offerings will be there to coincide with the release of the new live action film.

Red Rose Tavern– The Village Haus Restaurant will turn into the Red Rose Tavern. This restaurant will be themed to a French tavern and offer delicious quick service meals. Inside will be beautifully, hand-painted murals that depict some of the various scenes from the animated version of Beauty and the Beast. Each room will will tell the ‘tale as old as time’ chapter by chapter. The menu will be redesigned as well, having some original classics from the Village Haus as well as some new fare inspired by French Taverns. There will also be some new specialty beverages. You can even try the grey stuff!

Royal Reception– This new gift shop will be adjacent to Red Rose Tavern and will offer merchandise inspired by the new live-action Beauty and the Beast film.

That Gaston– Gaston himself will be wandering throughout Fantasyland, offering a meet and greet with guests.

Maurice’s Treats– In Fantasy Faire, each tasty treat at this existing location will have a unique ‘twist’ from Maurice himself. Also there will be delicious dipping sauces available, such as marinara, strawberry, and even Grey Stuff dipping sauce.

The Royal Theater Presents, ‘Beauty and the Beast’- Stop by the Royal Theater in Fantasy Faire and Mr. Smythe and Mr. Jones will present their own take on the classic ‘Beauty and the Beast’ story in the daily show.

At this time we have no further information on these events and when these will be occurring at Disneyland, so stay tuned for future updates.

Additional Rivers of Light Shows Added for Opening Weekend, FastPass Available Now

WDWNT on February 16, 2017

A second nightly Rivers of Light showing has been added at 8:30pm on Saturday, February 18th and Sunday, February 19th, 2017 due to guest demand. These are in addition to the already scheduled 7:15pm showings.

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FastPass+ reservations are open for these additional shows now. No additional dining packages have been released at Tiffins or Tusker House, however.

UPDATE: An 8:30pm show was now also added for Friday, February 17th, 2017.

Jiko at Disney’s Kingdom Lodge Overhauls Menu

WDWNT on February 16, 2017

Jiko – The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom lodge now features a new menu, as well as new chefs.

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Chef Daniel Sicilia and Pastry Chef Michael Craig recently were brought onto the team about 6 months ago. With them now firmly on board, they have created a brand new menu for this luxurious 4.6 star African Restaurant. The restaurant has uniquely themed African dishes, while the dining room itself is inspired by the art style of The Lion King.

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As you’re sitting in the dining room, waiting for your food, you can smell the intoxicating aroma of the wood burning ovens cooking and roasting your food to perfection. Jiko has always had Maize-Crusted fish in tomato butter sauc, but now they are using fish straight from Lake Victoria in Africa. Mrouzia style lamb tagine, as well as Durham Ranch Elk loin are some of the newer options created for the menu.

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A favorite among many guests who visit is the “Taste of Africa”, which is all made in-house with pappadam, sesame fatir and flax seed naan, served with a variety of dips including hummus, green chermoula, goat butter and mango chutney. Manti Dumplings, which is an all new appetizer, is filled with boar, bison and elk and served with spicy tomato sauce and saffron yogurt.

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After your meal, you can choose from a variety of delectable desserts. One of your new options is the Tanzanian chocolate mousse (pistachio financier, pink peppercorn meringue, cacao nib crunch and pineapple flavored with ras el hanout, a Moroccan spice blend). There’s also a strawberry shortcake with local berries and sweet potato cheesecake with sweet apple chutney.

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If it would like to pair your dinner with a fine beverage, Jiko offers a long list of exclusive African wines. They have over 125 different wineries showcased to choose from. With their large selection, they are the largest South African wine offering in the US.