Disney CEO Bob Iger Extends Contract Through 2019

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

On Thursday, the Walt Disney Company announced the extension of current CEO Bob Iger’s contract to July 2, 2019.  The complex nature of finding a suitable replacement has proven challenging in the years since Mr. Iger first announced his desire to retire.   Since it is a “robust process of identifying a successor and ensuring a smooth transition” the Board of Directors felt keeping the steady approach Mr. Iger has provided would best serve the Company.

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Robert A. Iger

In the release, the Independent of Lead Director of the Disney Board Orin C. Smith highlighted Mr. Iger’s success’s over his first 11 years as CEO.  Among those achievements are the 448% growth in shareholder returns while simultaneously increasing the market capitol of the company from $46 billion to $177 billion.

Mr. Iger expressed his gratitude in saying “leading this Company is a tremendous privilege, and I am honored to have been asked to continue serving as CEO” adding “even with the incredible success the Company has achieved, I am confident that Disney’s best days are still ahead”.

As part of his agreement, Mr. Iger will receive a $5 million dollar bonus for staying on.  In addition to the bonus, Mr. Iger will remain a consultant for the company for 3 years following his retirement.  Back in 2011, Mr. Iger announced his intentions to step down in 2015.  The departures of CFO Jay Rasulo and COO Tom Staggs left no clear successor within the company.  This latest extension marks the 3rd time that Mr. Iger’s contract has been extended since his initial announcement.

With Pandora: World of Avatar set to open this spring and both Toy Story and Star Wars Lands set to open by 2019, it makes sense that Mr. Iger would want to stay on for those openings as the acquisition of both Pixar and Lucasfilm have been huge success under the Iger tenure.

BREAKING: Registration Now Open for Annual Passholder Previews of Pandora: The World of AVATAR

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

As of right now, registration is open for 10 days of annual passholder previews of Pandora: the World of AVATAR between May 13th and May 22nd, 2017.

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Some details on the event from Disney:

Passholder In-Park Preview for Pandora – The World of Avatar

You’re invited to get an early peek of a groundbreaking destination–Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Here, you’ll be among the first to experience expeditions where you can fly on the back of a banshee, walk under floating mountains and navigate a mystical Na’vi River. You’ll also be able to purchase international-inspired cuisine from Satu’li Canteen and merchandise from Windtraders. This world beyond belief awaits you.

Passholders can pre-register by making an online reservation for one in-park preview time slot. Event capacity is limited. Please note the number of reservations for this event is limited and subject to availability. There is no additional charge for this in-park preview with valid theme park admission.

Please note: as this is an early exploration, access to specific activations and some areas of the Valley of Mo’ara within Pandora – The World of Avatar may be limited during your visit.

  • All Guests must be Passholders in order to register for a time slot to preview Pandora – The World of Avatar.
  • Guests may only register for one (1) time slot over the course of the preview period.
  • If an Annual Passholder would like to register a Guest to accompany them, that Guest must also have a valid annual pass for admission to the event’s theme park location on the date of the event, be listed on your Family &
  • Friends list and have opted to share “All My Plans” with you.
  • Passholders with confirmed reservations will receive an additional email with details on how to check in for this experience, by May 12, 2017.
  • All Guests must present their valid annual pass (or linked MagicBand), government issued ID and confirmation page to a Cast Member in order to enter Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park and Pandora – The World of Avatar on the date of your preview.
  • Availability is subject to change without notice.
  • Event is subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather.
  • Guests must meet appropriate boarding and height requirements for the attractions.
  • Capacity is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Due to limited capacity, modifications to existing reservations will not be available.
  • Limit one reservation per Passholder. Reservations are nontransferable and void if sold or otherwise transferred.

Registration is open now at this link and will be filled on a first come first serve basis.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: C-3PO of Star Wars Gets His Own Airplane

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

The Japanese airline ANA, or All Nippon Airways, unveiled their most recent Star Wars themed plane which is themed to look like C-3PO! On the outside, along with having a large Star Wars logo, the plane is a bright yellow with a series of circles and wires that resemble that of the droid. This C-3PO airplane just began flying on domestic routes on March 21st, 2017.

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The plane was unveiled at the Star Wars Celebration Europe earlier this week and is the third of the planes ANA has made with Disney, to promote Star Wars. The other two planes also feature droids. Those droids being R2-D2 and BB-8.

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The three current planes ANA has made in collaboration with Disney

The interior of the new C-3PO plane is no ordinary plane. The flight attendants wear aprons that are designed to look like him, along with the cups and the headrest covers.

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Flight attendant inside the C-3PO plane

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Cups on the C-3PO airplane

Below is a short video from ANA showcasing these Star Wars planes.

Meet Stella Lou: Duffy’s Brand New Friend

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

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Recently, the Oriental Land Company has let us meet one of Duffy’s new friends, Stella Lou. She is a fun-loving purple bunny who has a passion for dancing, and big dreams of performing on Broadway.

She would practice her dancing every day on the American Waterfront, and once Duffy met Stella Lou, he decided that he wanted to support his friend, to help make her dreams come true.

Most of her adorable merchandise will be available on March 30th, 2017.

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Many fun Stella Lou decorations will be going up soon, along with a photo opportunity spot for your very own plush Stella Lou! This photo spot will be located in the American Waterfront,  with the S.S. Columbia docked, and the Hightower Hotel standing tall in the background.

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Concept art for the Stella Lou photo spot

She will start greeting guests with Mickey and Duffy by her side, just in time for Disney’s Easter at Tokyo Disney Sea, on April 4th, 2017 which is quite fitting since Stella Lou herself is, in fact, a bunny. This is only going on for a limited time and is said to be ending on August 31st, 2017.

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Stella Lou with Mickey and Duffy, in the American Waterfront

Stella Lou is already part of a promotional video for Duffy and Friends that can be seen right here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay7OUeXd0Rk

VIDEO: Another Behind the Scenes Look at Magic Kingdom’s New Fireworks Show, Happily Ever After

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

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Tonight, the Disney Parks Blog hosted a live stream of Wishes, and at the very end they gave us an exclusive sneak peek at their new fireworks spectacular, Happily Ever After. The sneak peak isn’t until the end of the stream at around 19:56, but you are more than welcome to watch the fireworks beforehand if you desire. Happily Ever After debuts to the public May 12th, as the last performance of Wishes is May 11th.

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Don’t Miss the HUGE TeePublic Sale Going On Now! $14 WDWNT and Disney Fan Shirts!

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

The WDWNT Store at TeePublic is having a huge sale right now, with all standard t-shirts priced at only $14.00, but only through Friday night!

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Check out our newest offerings:

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And don’t forget our Limited Release Pirates of the Caribbean 50th Anniversary Shirt by artist Rob Yeo, which is only available until March 26! Because this shirt is part of our Limited Release collection, it is priced at $18.00 and not subject to the sale.

FastPass+ Reservations Open Tomorrow for Pandora: The World of AVATAR

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

FastPass+ reservations for the two attractions in Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will become available for booking tomorrow, March 24th.

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The Na’vi River Journey and Flight of Passage will be separated in the FastPass+ reservation system so guests can not book both initially. Once guests use all their FastPasses for the day, they can book more, but chances are that the availability for these two rides will be slim-to-none the day-of.

CONFIRMED: 2-Hour Nightly Extra Magic Hours Coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom This Summer for AVATAR

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

Last week, we told you that it was rumored that Disney’s Animal Kingdom would offer nightly Extra Magic Hours to resort guests so that they could more fully enjoy Pandora: The World of AVATAR once it opened. Today, the Swan and Dolphin resorts are confirming our suspicions…

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With Animal Kingdom park hours locked at an 11pm closing time during these early Summer months, the Extra Magic Hours will take place night from 11pm until 1AM until July 4th, 2017. This benefit will only be available to Walt Disney World Resort guests, and the Swan and Dolphin hotels fall within that category despite being operated by another company.

VIDEO: March Madness Restaurant Tournament, Inappropriate Disney Tees and More on WDW News Tonight

WDWNT on March 27, 2017

Last night on WDW News Tonight…

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Hosted by radio veterans and life-long Disney fans Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, WDW News Tonight is a live, weekly, audio and video program presented on 105.5 FM, 660 AM, and AM 1520 WBZW in Orlando, Florida, as well as online at WDWNewsTonight.com every Wednesday from 9-11pm EST. The show covers the Walt Disney World Resort and other Disney news. The show combines the latest headlines, comedy, trending vacation topics, call in games, and in-depth discussions to bring Disney fans a one-of-a-kind 2-hour program covering the Disney Parks. While the show is being live-streamed in both audio and video, listeners and viewers also interact via a live chat online. The show is also available on demand as an audio download, online audio stream and can be watched live or recorded on YouTube.