A “Star Wars Land” Float Will Make An Appearance In This Year’s Tournament Of Roses Parade

WDWNT on November 13, 2015

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Could this year’s Rose Parade give us a better idea of what to expect from Star Wars Land? Probably not, but the hype will begin at the the 127th Annual Rose Parade this Friday!

From Disney Insider:

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Additional photos from MakingStarWars.net:

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The 127th Tournemnet Of Roses Parade will air this January 1st at 11AM on ABC and also at 11:30AM on NBC.

Source: Disney Insider, Making Star Wars

REVIEW: “Put Me in the Story – Star Wars: The Force Inside” np

WDWNT on November 13, 2015

Put Me in the Story is a popular line of best selling personalized books for kids. We had the chance to review Marvel’s The Avengers: Black Ops Field Guide a few months ago, and now, just in time for The Force Awakens, we had the opportunity to review a copy of Star Wars: The Force Inside.
The process for ordering any Put Me in the Story book is quick, easy and fun via the Put Me in the Story website. Just a few quick steps of typing your child’s name, adding a short book dedication and uploading two photos of your child and you are done. This can be done as either a surprise for your child, or include them in the process by having them choose two of their favorite photos!
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I decided to have Jedi Master Mace Windu write out a dedication to one of his favorite Jedi… me! The process of personalizing the book really adds to the excitement of waiting to receive it. And we have had a great experience with super fast shipping, so you will not have to wait long after ordering.
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The first photo you upload goes onto the dedication page. The second photo goes on a page in the middle of the book. When you receive the book, you will notice that it is a high quality hard cover book. Which it good, because if your kids are like me when I was a youngling, they will be flipping through it over and over and over again.
The best part in my opinion is that there are two sides to the book… “Path of the Jedi” and “Path of the Sith.” So depending on which cover you start with, you can choose the dark side or the light. The covers have well designed graphics on them with either Jedi or Sith characters. Your child’s name is also on both covers.
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Once you choose your side, you will go through a series of pages with characters and questions on the them. Luke, Yoda, Obi-Wan and more populate the Jedi side with Vader, The Inquisitor and Darth Maul among others on the Sith side.
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On one page you will find a character bio and attribute chart. On the opposite page, is a short quiz to test your dedication to the dark or light side. For each page, you add up the numbers next to the answers you choose, and at the book’s half way point, you total up your points for your Jedi or Sith score. On that middle page is also where your second photo appears.
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Overall, the presentation is wonderful. There are a ton of great graphics and character photos with a layout that invites repeated readings. Just that alone would have me flipping though the pages, but the fact that I can interact with the book by making up my own stories based on the quizzes inside is what makes this book a true winner. It is something I would reference and revisit over and over again as a young padawan in training for a life of Star Wars geekdom ahead.
Click here to check out the Star Wars: The Force Inside book for yourself.

VIDEO: New TV Spot For “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”

WDWNT on November 13, 2015

The Official Star Wars YouTube Channel has just released a brand new TV Spot with new footage for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”.

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Watch the second official TV spot, “Discover” for Star Wars: The Force Awakens — coming to theaters December 18, 2015.

Source: Star Wars YouTube

Star Wars “Season of the Force” Cancelled for Walt Disney World; Star Wars Fireworks to Run Nightly Instead

WDWNT on November 13, 2015

Despite a HUGE announcement at the D23 Expo, it seems Walt Disney World has decided to make several changes in regards to the roll-out of the many aspects that would have been part of the Season of the Force event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. With many fragments of the event rolling out in small bursts from now until January 5th, it seems Disney will simply advertise all of the pieces individually rather than market it as some seasonal event. In short, Season of the Force will not exist.

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That being said, all of the advertised pieces of Season of the Force are still happening. In fact, the fireworks show that was originally announced as only a weekend offering will now be offered nightly:

“Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular’’ – Starting Jan. 5, 2016, guests will be treated to a spectacular finish to their visit to the park involving a dazzling Star Wars-themed fireworks show set to memorable Star Wars music from throughout the saga.

There will also be an added-charge dessert party offered for the show:

Guests will soon be able to purchase admission to a dessert party during the fireworks show featuring themed desserts, specialty drinks and a souvenir Chewbacca stein.

But specialty snacks will also be available throughout the day:

Guests can experience Star Wars through their palates. Various novelty items and specialty foods inspired by a galaxy far, far away, such as Blue Milk Panna Cotta, Padawan Limeade, BB-8 Lemon and Butter Cream cupcake and a Han Solo Souvenir Kid’s Meal served in a Han Solo-themed bucket, will be available at various locations inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Another new offering beginning on January 5th will be the First Order Stormtrooper patrols:

As guests enjoy the sights and attractions of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, they may come face to face with First Order Stormtroopers who will patrol various areas of the park, interacting with guests during their mission to find members of the Resistance.

These pieces come in addition to the Path of the Jedi clip show, Star Wars Launch Bay, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue additions, and the new Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple Show that will all be in place by December.

D23 Offers Exclusive “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Content To Members

WDWNT on October 7, 2015

JOURNEY TO A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY AS DISNEY TWENTY-THREE GIVES FANS UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS TO STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

FEATURING EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH J.J. ABRAMS, MARK HAMILL, HARRISON FORD, CARRIE FISHER, DAISY RIDLEY, LAWRENCE KASDAN, AND KATHLEEN KENNEDY, DISNEY’S OFFICIAL FAN CLUB CELEBRATES THE EPIC SAGA.

To celebrate the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Disney twenty-three unlocks the power of the force to give fans a look behind the making of the newest installment in the Star Wars saga. The issue opens with “guest editor” C-3PO admitting he is unfamiliar with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club (“…although I am very familiar with the R2 series of droid, I am less familiar with the D23 line. Would it be R2-D23?”) and continues with candid interviews with the original Star Wars leads—Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford—looking back (and ahead) at the ongoing strength of these out-of-this-world films.

Director J.J. Abrams—whose long-standing history with Disney goes back to the TV show Felicity—sits down for a revealing Q&A, and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy talks about inheriting one of the most beloved franchises of all time. Plus, Imagineer Scott Trowbridge gives fans a peek at what’s in store for guests at the parks, following Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger’s announcement at D23 EXPO 2015 of Star Wars-themed lands coming to Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

And the Star Wars adventures continue. Also included in the publication, available exclusively to D23 Gold Members:

  • Stories behind the movie poster artwork for all seven films
  • An exclusive interview with Star Wars Rebels executive producer Dave Filoni, who talks about his first, nerve-wracking meeting with George Lucas
  • The incredible collectibles—past and future—that allow guests to bring the movies into their homes, including the story of the groundbreaking BB-8 toy
  • A salute to George Lucas by Star Wars authority Steve Sansweet

Plus, there’s plenty of Disney magic in the winter issue of Disney twenty-three including:

  • The story of how the new Disney•Pixar film The Good Dinosaur came to rule the Earth
  • A look back at the creation of Fantasia, as it celebrates its 75th anniversary
  • How The Finest Hours went from an unbelievable true story to a gripping new film
  • Regular features including A Walk with Walt, D Society, and Ask Dave

Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving in mid-November.