Disney Could Receive A $50 Million Insurance Payout From The Death Of Carrie Fisher

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

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When Disney and Lucasfilm negotiated to have Carrie Fisher reprise her role as Princess Leia in the newest Star Wars Trilogy, Disney took out an insurance policy with Lloyds Of London in the event that Fisher was not able to fulfill the three picture commitment. With Fisher passing on December 27th, Disney could receive a $50 million or higher payout from insurer Lloyds Of London.

From The Insurance Insider:

Insurers at Lloyd’s of London look set to pay out a significant contingency claim following the tragic death of Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher, The Insurance Insider can reveal.

Sources said that Disney had taken out $50mn of so-called contract protection cover as insurance for the event that Fisher was unable to fulfil her obligations to act in the new Star Wars films, with the policy now likely to trigger.

Fisher died on Tuesday (27 December), four days after she suffered a heart attack on a flight between London and Los Angeles.

Filming for Star Wars Episode VIII, which will be released next year, was completed ahead of Fisher’s death.

Princess Leia was again slated to have a major role in Episode IX and it is not clear how Disney, which owns the Star Wars franchise, will choose to respond.

According to its website, Exceptional Risk Advisors is a specialist in high-limit specialty life, accident, and disability products, with underwriting authorities from Lloyd’s insurers that exceed $50mn per individual risk.

Source: The Insurance Insider

PHOTO: First Look at Canceled Rogue One Figure for Disney Infinity

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

We now have our first look at one of Disney Infinity‘s canceled Rogue One figures.

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This 3D model of a Baze Malbus figure was just posted on artstation.com, by ex-Disney Infinity senior character artist, B Allen. The model looks highly detailed, and was probably in the final stages of development before heading off for production.

Although art designs for other Rogue One characters have yet to surface, we will be sure to keep you posted if they do. Here’s hoping for a look at a Jyn Erso figure.

VIDEO: Obi Wan Vs Darth Maul, Round 2! Watch The “Star Wars Rebels: Season 3” Mid Season Trailer!

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

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Check out this action pack mid-season trailer for “Star Wars Rebels: Season Three as we see for the first time ever the Obi-Wan Kenobi from “A New Hope” make his animated debut! He looks and sounds even better! Stephen Stanton is providing the voice of Obi-Wan and he sounds spot on like Sir Alec Guinness! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upN-7ALj2OU

Source: Star Wars

PHOTO REPORT: Disney’s Hollywood Studios 1/4/17 (Star Wars Overload, New Shows, New Socks, Etc.)

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

 

Our latest photo report brings us to Hollywood Studios, where we won’t be looking at Star Wars or Toy Story Land construction because you should just check out the aerial pics and video we recently posted for that. Instead, we will check out all of the other changes and modifications happening around what of the park actually exists now. Welcome to Hollywood!

Hollywood Studios Goes Rogue

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Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away was updated for Rogue One. That being said, the show is still pretty awful.

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Death Troopers from Rogue One now come out in a new scene.

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We also have a video of the modified show if you are so inclined…

Star Wars, Nothing But Star Wars…

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A new bubble blower can be found at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It is shaped like Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter and it has sound effects and it is awesome…

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I just had to have one…

“Fireworks”

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Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! has concluded its run for the season, but Disney has already stated that the show will return in 2017. Oh joy…

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Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular is now back and performing regularly:

Re-Launch Bay

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Star Wars Launch Bay’s final gallery was updated with props and models from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

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The new style customizable name tags are now available at the Launch Bay – Cargo Bay store.

Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

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Over at Star Tours, not only are all of the scenes on the ride back in randomized order, they also finally turned open the MagicBand interactive feature in the queue.

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Guest animus and where they are from now show up on this screen behind the Goose Droid. Maybe someday a photo will show up as well…

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If it can’t read enough MagicBands in the area, some random Star Wars characters show up on the screens.

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This and That

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The Rogue One MagicBand 2 is now available all around the Walt Disney World Resort if you are interested in it.

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The Christmas decorations at Hollywood Studios are my favorite, so I took some pictures. Sorry, no news here.

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The Red Car Trolley cart returned recently to the park.

Rivers of Light Merchandise Hitting Shelves, Show Debut at Animal Kingdom Seems Imminent

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

 

A rather interesting new item appeared today in the Shop Disney Parks app…

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It’s a light-up totem pole representing the Rivers of Light nighttime show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The below picture shows the glow wan illuminated.

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Why suddenly start selling merchandise for a show that has been delayed for so long? Well, we can only assume that the nighttime spectacular will finally debut soon at thew park, just a few weeks after cast members were the first to see it in late-November 2016.

We expect a starting date announcement soon from Disney, but as you know with this show, something could always happen between now and then…

Figment Art Scavenger Hunt Added to Epcot International Festival of the Arts

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

According to the official Disney World website:

Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt
Can you find Figment? Slip into sleuth mode while searching for clues that lead to the elusive little dragon—leave no painting in the World Showcase unturned!

No other details are available as of yet, but it appears that everyone’s favorite purple dragon will be hiding in art around World Showcase during the Epcot International Festival of the Arts.

It is unclear if this will be a paid hunt with pin prizes like the Remy Hide and Go Squeak at the Food and Wine Festival or a free event.

CONFIRMED: Choza Tequila Coming & Frozen Margaritas Return to Mexico at Epcot This Year

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

In another classic WDWNT “we told you so” moment, Disney today announced the addition of Choza Tequila to Epcot’s Mexico pavilion.

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Choza Tequila will be an authentic outdoor tequileria, just outside of the Mexico pavilion. Here, you’ll find refreshing hand-crafted margaritas and classic Mexican cuisine like tacos, empanadas, chips and fresh guacamole. This is basically the long-waited replacement to the frozen margarita stand that was removed last year, but should also help alleviate the lines at La Cava Del Tequila inside of the pavilion.

No opening date has been given as of yet, but it should open in early 2017.

PHOTO REPORT: The Magic Kingdom 1/2/17 (“it’s a small world” Merchandise, Tomorrowland Improvements, ETC.)

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

 

Our first photo report of 2017 brings us to the Magic Kingdom to see the latest adjustments and merchandise additions around the park. Let’s jump right in, shall we?

Welcome to the Magic Kingdom

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Good morning Magic Kingdom!

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They have slowly been repaving the area outside of Mickey’s Philharmagic over the last few weeks.

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Some new Villains shirts available at Sir Mickey’s.

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A new Belle shirt for sale as well.

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Christmas stickers were being given out all around the park.

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Liberty Square Market has started selling Muppets plush since the show is nearby. They can’t sell baked potatoes anymore, BUT LETS STOCK SOME PLUSH!

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There has been a pretty vile garbage mound growing in the Rivers of America as of late…

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Including some dead fish…

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PADDLEFISH ANYONE?

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If I haven’t mentioned it before, Pecos Bill’s has recently become my favorite counter service stop at the Magic Kingdom. The fajita dish is pretty good and offers more than enough food.

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The bowl is pretty good as well, considering you can load it up at the toppings bar.

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Christmas Party exclusive pins were being sold to the general public before the last party even happened. As I have complained before, they should at least wait until the final party is over…

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We found some baby ducks hanging out by Tomorrowland. I’ve never seen them this late in the year.

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“No, don’t eat the cigarette!!!”

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Stitch’s Great Escape Returns

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Stitch’s Great Escape reopened for a bit every day to combat the crowds in the park. It actually was getting quite the line.

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The walls that have been up since the rock painting began have now finally come down.

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The decal over the entrance has been falling off for months, but I suppose there’s no reason to invest in something you are closing.

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We pretty much just went in to say hello to Skippy who stayed over from the Alien Encounter attraction.

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When seats are broken, you will sometimes still see these XS Tech “Temporarily Seized” seat covers.

This and That

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The new customizable Star Wars name tags are also available at the Merchant of Venus, not just at Hollywood Studios.

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They are now regularly handing out Zootopia stickers in Tomorrowland for some reason.

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There its some heavy construction taking place near the Kingdom Cabanas adjacent to Space Mountain, not sure what for as of yet.

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“it’s a MagicBand 2.0”

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One of the first MagicBand 2’s available to guests is this “it’s a small world” 45th anniversary band currently available.

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VIDEO: New TV Spot Released For “Beauty And The Beast”

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

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A new TV spot for “Beauty And The Beast” has been released with some brand new footage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxSSH6IFVRc

Source: ComicBook.com