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

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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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Apple May Be Looking to Buy the Walt Disney Company

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According to Yahoo Finance, many industry insiders are speculating that Apple could be looking to buy the Walt Disney Company…

Apple’s cash pile of more than $200 billion is a favorite topic of investors, bloggers, and traders. It might be the largest cash reserve for any private company in history. So what is Apple going to do with all that dough?

One theory is that Apple will use its stockpile to buy Disney, according to RBC analyst Steven Cahall:

“Bulls think it portends well for a swan song exit via a sale to a giant like AAPL,” Cahall wrote in a note sent out to clients on Friday.

After all, we are living in a world where “content is king.” Currently, there is a battle raging among content providers for your eyeballs. Content providers, want you hooked and ready to consume more of your favorite content and all of the other licensed products that go along with it.

When analysts and investors think of content, Disney is the first name that comes to mind.

Disney’s “Frozen” is the highest-grossing animated film of all time. Additionally, five of the 10 highest grossing films of 2016 were Disney movies: “Captain America: Civil War” was the highest grossing film of 2016 with 1.153 billion in revenue, also included were, “Finding Dory”, “Zootopia”, “The Jungle Book”, and “Star Wars: Rogue One.”

RBC is not the only one speculating an Apple takeout of Disney is a possibility.

In her fourth-quarter investor letter for 2016, Samantha Greenberg, founder of hedge fund Margate Capital, raised the same possibility, describing the company as a “logical acquisition target” for Apple:

Apple has talked about the benefit Apple sees when it owns exclusive content, and owning Disney would reduce Apple’s exposure to product cycles, expanding AAPL’s valuation multiple…It would also be an accretive use of Apple’s cash and even more so if Apple’s $200Bn of offshore cash can be repatriated favorably.
Additionally, in November 2016, Liberty Media Chairman John Malone predicted that if Disney were to spin-off ESPN, Apple could buy it.

“Fundamentally, Tim Cook is a global player, and fundamentally, ESPN is a domestic service,” Malone said, that Apple and Disney would be a better fit without ESPN because then they would both be global players without domestic ESPN holding them back.

While the likelihood of such a deal might be a long shot, it is interesting to ponder what such a deal could mean for both companies.

Stay tuned for more information on this story as it becomes available.

D23 Offering Behind The Scenes Tour of Pandora: The World of AVATAR with Joe Rohde

D23 is offering you the chance to be among the first to explore Pandora – The World of Avatar, not only before it opens to the public, but with Imagineer Joe Rohde! In addition to a guided walk-through of the exotic new land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park with Joe, attendees will enjoy lunch at Tiffins with Mr. Rohde and fellow D23 Members.

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The tour/experience will begin promptly at 11 am eastern. Tour will roughly last about 3 hours, and check-in will be made at the Tiffins Restaurant in Animal Kingdom. You will not be able to check in prior to 10:45 AM.

On the tour, guests will learn how the thriving Pandoran landscape conveys intrinsic park messages of the value of nature, transformation through adventure, conservation and stewardship. All attendees will receive a commemorative keepsake for this special engagement. Tickets will be $250 per person, plus a $5 per person processing fee. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, April 5 at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. EDT). Please check back here at the official D23 website for this event for the ticketing link when available.

NOTE

  • D23 Gold and Gold Family Members may reserve a ticket for themselves and one (1) guest.
  • Due to the nature of this experience, all attendees must be at least 21 years of age or older to partake in this D23 event.
  • This event does not include admission to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Guests will need to have or purchase admission to Disney’s Animal Kingdom to attend. If planning to use a Walt Disney World Annual Passport to attend, each guest should check blockout dates to verify that the pass is valid for admission on Friday, May 19.
  • A very limited number of tickets are available. D23 Members will be required to provide their membership number when reserving tickets. Tickets may be picked up only with a valid photo ID AND D23 MEMBERSHIP CARD. D23 Members who do not bring their membership card may not be admitted to the event. Ticketed Members who do not attend the event forfeit their place as well as all experiences, benefits, and gifts associated with the event.
  • All D23 Special Events are subject to change without notice. There are no cancellations or refunds, and tickets are not transferable.

PLEASE BE ADVISED: Filming, photography, and other recording will take place at Walt Disney World Resort during the event you will be attending. By entering the premises, you irrevocably consent to and authorize The Walt Disney Company, its affiliates, successors, and assigns (collectively “Producer”), to photograph you, make sound recordings of you, and use such photographs and recordings throughout the world, for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity, including, but not limited to, television broadcasts and home entertainment products, including, but not limited to, home video and DVD. All such photographs and sound recordings will be the sole property of Producer.

*Event is subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather. As this is an early exploration of Pandora – The World of Avatar, please note that access to some areas of the Valley of Mo’ara on Pandora may be limited during your visit.

Portobello at Disney Springs Closing April 23 For Refurbishment

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Portobello will be closing as of April 23rd, 2017, to undergo a lengthy refurbishment. In collaboration with award winning Chef Tony Mantuano, they are looking to provide an authentic Italian dining experience, which will include a new family style menu, and craft Italian wines & beers. Portobello is expected to open in fall 2017.

3/27/17 Marvel News Mash-Up (Spider-Man Homecoming, Guardians Vol. 2, Venom Movie, ETC.)

“Spider-Man: Homecoming” Gets Three New Theatrical Posters!

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With “Spider-Man: Homecoming” opening this July, Marvel and Sony have been working together to start up the marketing push for the picture. It seems like both sides are very happy that Spider-Man is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) by showcasing not only Spidey but Avengers Tower in all of these posters.

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“Spider-Man: Homecoming: opens on July 7th!

Is It The End For Chris Evans As “Captain America”? width=

Say it aint so….but it might be so. Chris Evans, who has played Captain America with his first appearance of the character in 2011’s “Captain America: The First Avenger”, will fulfill his contractual obligation with Marvel after the filming of “Avengers 4”, which will be filmed back to back with “Avengers: Infinity War”. Evans would like to go on playing the iconic character but in the end, it is all up to Marvel, and so far they havent reached out to him.

The following is from an interview with Chris Evans and Collider:

Are you really going to be done playing Captain America, after the next two Avengers movies?

“It’s really not up to me. My contract is up. I’m not going to sit here and say, “No more.” I think Hugh Jackman has made 47 Wolverine movies, and they somehow keep getting better. It’s a character I love, and it’s a factory that really knows what they’re doing. The system is sound, over there. They make great movies. If they weren’t kicking out quality, I’d have a different opinion. But, everything Marvel does seems to be cinema gold. And like I said, I love the character. The only reason it would end is ‘cause my contract is up. After Avengers 4, my contract is done. Talk to Marvel. If we engage further, I’d be open to it. I love the character. It’s almost like high school. You certainly always look to senior year, and then, all of a sudden, senior year happens and you’re like, “I don’t know if I’m ready to go.” It’s tough thinking about not playing the guy.”

I can never understand why Disney and Marvel had such love for Robert Downey Jr but kind of seems to be leaving Chris Evans out in the cold. Part of it has to do with that Marvel learned from Downey and that after the success of “Iron Man”, they leanred to sign their future actors, like Evans, to long term contracts. But I do believe that Evans deserves his fair share for his contributions to the MCU. It all depends on what happens at the end of “Avengers 4”, which still not official, has to be a continuation to “Avengers: Infinity War”. It is possible that they may finally kill off Captain America and have another character take on the mantle, like Sebastian Stan, who’s character of Bucky in the comics eventually went on to be the new Captain America. Only time will tell.

Source: Collider

“Venom” Is The “Spider-Man” Spinoff Movie That Just Wont Die; Official Release Date Is Now October 5th 2018

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Back when Sony was making a mess with the Spider-Man franchise, they wanted to create an MCU style universe all of it’s own based on characters from the “Spider-Man” franchise that would include spinoffs such as “The Sinister Six”, “Venom” and even an “Aunt May” solo film. Luckily, the reboot of Spider-Man into the MCU put a stop to it, but looks like our luck couldn’t hold out forever.

According to The Hollywood Reporter:

Venom, Columbia’s long-in-the-works Spider-Man spinoff, now has a opening date.

The studio on Thursday announced it has set Oct. 5, 2018, as the release date of that comic book movie. It had previously announced its Girl With the Dragon Tattoo sequel, The Girl in the Spider’s Web, as bowing on that date, but then bumped it to Oct. 19, 2018.

Venom has no director yet, but it does have a script; Scott Rosenberg and Jeff Pinkner, the latter of whom worked on 2014’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2, recently turned in a draft. (Dante Harper wrote a previous draft.)

Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach, among the stewards of the Spider-Man properties, are producing and overseeing the project. Amy Pascal is also producing.

Venom has been one of Marvel’s top villains and a Spider-Man fixture since he was introduced in 1988, created by writer David Michelinie and artists Todd McFarlane and Mike Zeck. The character is an alien symbiote that needs a human host to survive. In return, the alien vests its victim with incredible powers. He made his first big-screen appearance in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3 and was portrayed by Topher Grace.

The studio hopes to launch a franchise with Venom.

Now I was a huge fan of Venom when he was introduced in the Amazing Spider-Man comic books but you don’t want to make the mistake of introducing the character in a spinoff movie. Learn from DC’s mistake with their movies. Don’t play catchup with the MCU. Build your franchise slowly. Have Venom be introduced as a villain in a “Spider-Man” movie. Completely forget the mess that was done by casting Topher Grace as Eddie Brock and Venom in “Spider-Man 3”. I don’t have high hopes for this “franchise”…oh boy.

Source: THR

Sony Looking At Bringing “Black Cat” And “Silver Sable” Together For Another “Spider-Man” Spinoff Movie width=

Here comes more bad news courtesy of Sony. Looks like Sony is venturing into another spinoff movie using characters from the “Spider-Man” franchise. This time it is Black Cat and Silver Sable in what smells like an answer to DC’s “Gotham City Sirens” movie that has Harley Quinn, Catwoman and Poison Ivy,

According to The Hollywood Reporter:

Sony’s Spider-Man universe is getting a little bigger.

The studio, already in deep development on villain offshoot Venom, is now developing a feature project centered on the female characters Silver Sable and the Black Cat.

Chris Yost, who worked on the upcoming Marvel movie Thor: Ragnarok, is writing the script, building on a previous version written by Lisa Joy, the co-creator of HBO’s Westworld.

The studio is hoping to go to directors soon with an eye toward a fall start date. Matt Tolmach and Amy Pascal are producing the project, which was previously known as the “secret female spinoff project.”

Silver Sable, created by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz in 1985, is a mercenary who runs a company that hunts war criminals. The character has been both antagonist and ally to Spider-Man.

Black Cat, an acrobatic cat burglar whose real name is Felicia Hardy, has a long and tangled romantic history with Spider-Man in the comics. The character was cut from scripts for the Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy, and a “Felicia Hardy” (played by Felicity Jones) briefly appeared in Amazing Spider-Man 2, though no Black Cat connection was ever made explicit.

Source: THR

I’m waiting for an announcement for the “Aunt May” solo movie to hit any day now.

IMAX Releases A Black Light Poster For “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2”

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Pretty trippy….dude. With “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2” just a little more than a month away. IMAX is bringing out it’s big guns and wants you to not only see the movie on the big screen, but on the “really” big screen that only IMAX can provide. Fans will want to see all the action that was specially formatted for IMAX screens.

“Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2” opens May 5th!

Sideshow Collectible Corner

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“Jane Foster Thor”

Odin said it himself, and it says it right on Mjolinir itself, “Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor.” Looks like times have changed, and so has the inscription, because for a while now, Jane Foster has been wielding the might Mjolinir.

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From SideShow:

This new Thor: Jane Foster Premium Format™ Figure is an excellent representation of everything our fans have come to expect from our Premium Format™ sculptures. Combining highly detailed sculpts, dynamic composition, beautiful painting, and expertly tailored fabric elements to make museum-quality collectibles that are sure to be the proud centerpiece of any collection.

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Standing over 20” high, the Goddess of Thunder stands on a mountaintop, resplendent in a winged helm, highly detailed and layered mail armor and lustrous red cape.

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She proudly holds the fabled hammer Mjolnir (with its newly altered inscription) as the clouds swirl around her feet.

Every minuscule detail – from the contrasting layers of her fabric belts and skirts to the tiny runes on her hammer – has been rendered in astonishing detail.

The Sideshow Exclusive variant features an alternative swap-out left arm and hand holding Jarnbjorn, the Dwarven forged Battle Axe of Thor.

Source: SideShow

That’s it for this time!

PHOTOS: First Look at Specialty Food and Drink & More Details on Dining in Pandora – The World of AVATAR at Animal Kingdom

Disney has finally released more details on the dining options in Pandora: The World of AVATAR. While we don’t have the full menu just yet, the photos below mark our first look at the specialty food and drink items that will inhabit the land.

A dish from the Satu'li Canteen in Pandora: The World of AVATAR

A dish from the Satu’li Canteen in Pandora: The World of AVATAR

Satu’li Canteen

Indulge in the art and culture of the Na’vi while dining inside this former RDA mess hall, only at Pandora – The World of Avatar.

Navi blueberry cheesecake, Pandora: The World of AVATAR

Navi blueberry cheesecake, Pandora: The World of AVATAR

Pictured above is the Na’vi blueberry cheesecake served with passion fruit curd.

A dish from the Satu'li Canteen in Pandora: The World of AVATAR

A dish from the Satu’li Canteen in Pandora: The World of AVATAR

Discover healthful dishes and familiar flavors from another world—wholesome grains, fresh vegetables and hearty proteins.

Between your aerial adventures on Avatar Flight of Passage and family-friendly voyages aboard Na’vi River Journey, tuck inside the Quonset-hut structure called Satu’li Canteen—long ago an RDA mess hall, now a peaceful dining facility adorned with Na’vi art and cultural items.

A dish from the Satu'li Canteen in Pandora: The World of AVATAR

A dish from the Satu’li Canteen in Pandora: The World of AVATAR

Owned and operated by Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE), Satu’li Canteen supplies travelers all the comforts of home—courtesy of a unique, fast-casual menu that’s been crafted from Pandora’s natural abundance.

Featuring international-inspired cuisine, vegetarian options and specialty libations, it’s the perfect place to refuel as you venture through the Valley of Mo’ara.

Pongu Pongu Refreshments

Drinks from Pongu Pongu, Pandora: The World of AVATAR

Drinks from Pongu Pongu, Pandora: The World of AVATAR

Wet your whistle at this popular drink stand run by an expat who fell in love with Pandora – The World of Avatar… and never left.

Lumpia from Pongu Pongu, Pandora: The World of AVATAR

Lumpia from Pongu Pongu, Pandora: The World of AVATAR

Pictured above is Lumpia, a crispy pineapple-cream cheese spring roll that will be offered at Pongu Pongu.

Quench your thirst the Pandoran way at an otherworldly pit-stop offering Na’vi-inspired refreshment.

Drinks from Pongu Pongu, Pandora: The World of AVATAR

Drinks from Pongu Pongu, Pandora: The World of AVATAR

Are your expeditions at Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey leaving you parched? Hike to the corner of Windtraders where you’ll find Pongu Pongu—when you spot a friendly expat serving out-of-this-world drinks, you’ve come to the right place.

Drinks from Pongu Pongu, Pandora: The World of AVATAR

Drinks from Pongu Pongu, Pandora: The World of AVATAR

Meaning “Party Party” in the language of the Na’vi, Pongu Pongu welcomes weary travelers to try our bioluminescent frozen cocktail, indigenous beers—or even a sweet snack you won’t find elsewhere!

Pandora: The World of AVATAR opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on May 27, 2017.

Height Requirement & FastPass + Information for Pandora: The World of AVATAR Rides

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According to the official Walt Disney World website, new information in regards to the rides in Pandora: The World of AVATAR has been released.

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Flight of Passage

Height Requirement: 44 inches tall

Age Interest: kids,tweens, teens, and adults

Official Description: “Get a banshee’s-eye view of the beauty and grandeur of Pandora on a rite of passage you won’t soon forget! Deep in the heart of the Valley of Mo’ara, discover Avatar Flight of Passage—an all-new expedition that lets interstellar explorers like you climb atop a mountain banshee for a breathtaking, first-person flight over the moon’s incredible landscape. Bonding with a mountain banshee is a crucial step in the life of a Na’vi hunter—and flying on the back of one of these powerful winged creatures represents an important rite of passage.Now, as a visitor to Pandora, you’ll finally have the chance to test yourself in a similar way!

FastPass+: yes

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Navi River Journey

Height Requirement: none

Age Interest: everyone

Official Description: “Glide down a gentle, mysterious river and feel a sense of wonder as the full beauty of Pandora reveals itself. Located within the Valley of Mo’ara, Na’vi River Journey offers explorers an experience that has to be seen—and heard—to be believed! As your expedition begins, climb aboard a reed boat and drift downstream. After coasting through a series of caves, and passing by exotic glowing plants and amazing creatures of the rainforest, you’ll soon find yourself face-to-face with the Na’vi Shaman of Songs. The adventure comes to a conclusion as the Shaman demonstrates her deep connection to the life force of Pandora—and sends positive energy out into the forest through the power of her music!”

Thrill level: slow rides

FastPass+: yes

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Valley of Mo’ara 

Height Requirement: none

Age interest : anyone

Official Description: “Walk about through the Valley of Mo’ara and get ready to discover a world like no other! There’s more to Pandora than expeditions like Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey… much more! All around its enormous floating mountains, you’ll quickly uncover the valley’s one-of-a-kind dining and shopping experiences—along with sights, sounds and experiences that include: Exotic plants that come to life with beautiful bioluminescence each night, A Na’vi-built drum circle containing instruments playable by all, Na’vi totems and other cultural items found throughout the land, Brand-new Wilderness Explorers challenges and badges to collect. You may even come across tour guides from Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE), scientists from the Pandora Conservation Initiative (PCI), or even an eclectic expat or two!

Stay posted for any future updates on Pandora: the World of Avatar in the coming weeks as the opening date draws closer. Pandora: the World of Avatar officially opens to the public on May 27th, 2017.