Disney’s Bob Iger Selected for Donald Trump’s Advisory Group

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December 3, 2016

Walt Disney Co. chairman and CEO Bob Iger has been selected among other business leaders to make up President-elect Donald Trump’s strategic and policy forum. The first meeting of the Donald Trump’s Advisory Group for economic growth strategies, is scheduled for February at the White House.

The 16-member forum will be chaired by Stephen A. Schwarzman, CEO of Blackstone. Blackstone is a major investor of Sea World. Other members include , Doug McMillon of Walmart, Jamie Dimon of JP Morgan Chase & Co, and Mary Barra of General Motors.

A Statement from Trump said, “This forum brings together CEOs and business leaders who know what it takes to create jobs and drive economic growth. My administration is committed to drawing on private sector expertise and cutting the government red tape that is holding back our businesses from hiring, innovating, and expanding right here in America.”

The Press Release says members “will be charged with providing their individual views to the President – informed by their unique vantage points in the private sector – on how government policy impacts economic growth, job creation, and productivity. The Forum is designed to provide direct input to the President from many of the best and brightest in the business world in a frank, non-bureaucratic, and non-partisan manner.”

New Source: Orlando Sentinel

Columbia Sportswear Collection Inspired by Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

By

Danielle

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December 3, 2016

With the anticipation in full swing, and the opening day of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story drawing closer, more and more amazing collaborations are debuting. The latest collaboration launching is the Columbia Sportswear Collection Inspired by Rogue One. Limited-edition jackets inspired by characters in the first standalone Star Wars story will be for sale December 9.

Columbia Sportswear unveiled three limited-edition, high-performance jackets inspired by Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The collection represents the first movie merchandise collaboration for Columbia and will be available in very limited quantities on www.columbia.com and at Columbia’s retail locations beginning December 9.

The high-performance jackets, featuring Columbia’s industry-leading technologies, take unique design inspiration from three main Rogue One characters: Sergeant Jyn Erso, Captain Cassian Andor, and the Imperial Death Trooper. Each jacket features special design details connected to the character and their allegiance in the film.

The Jyn jacket is so detailed, and well created it looks more like a movie prop than a simple inspiration! This would be a fabulous way to show your Star Wars side in everyday wear.

The Cassian jacket is another fantastically detailed piece. However where as it has many similarities, this one has a more inspired than replica look. With that said, it’s still an incredible jacket, and I totally see the Cassian inspirations through out every detail.

The Death Trooper is wear the jackets stop looking like replica pieces, and moves into a simple inspired by design. I think it’s more for practicalities though, I can’t see myself sporting large plastic plates while heading out into the cold. I do love this jacket with it’s obvious Star Wars details though.

What do you think of the Columbia Sportswear Collection Inspired by Rogue One: A Star Wars Story?

Additional Destinations to Be Added to Star Tours

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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December 3, 2016

Last month during D23:Destination D, Disney shared with fan club members plans to add a new adventure to the Star Tours- The Adventure Continues attraction. Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Imagineering are currently in production to add an exhilarating new mission that will coincide with the release of Star Wars Episode 8 next year.

In the meantime, WDW News Today is reporting upcoming changes to the Star Tours destinations visited during the ride. Since The Force Awakens came out last year both Walt Disney World and Disneyland’s versions of Star Tours have been programmed so that every rider experiences both the Jakku and the BB-8 sequences during their ride. However, reports are surfacing that the two sequences will be randomized like all of the others in the attraction.

In addition, beginning on December 18th, the Kashyk, Hoth and Tatooine sequences as well as the Admiral Ackbar, Yoda and Princess Leia hologram transmissions will once again be added into the mix.

Since opening in 1989, Star Tours has offered multiple random sequences during the space simulations so that guests, even those choosing to ride multiple times, have the feeling that they are on a new adventure every time.

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Image Copyright Disney.

Top 5 Disney Games for the Whole Family this Holiday Season

By

Danielle

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December 3, 2016

Around the holidays I like squeezing in as much family time as I can. I really look at this season as a way to slow down, and spend time with my loved ones. I always get a new board game or 2 for the family each Christmas, and of course I like to have Family game nights. These are my Top 5 Disney Games I can’t wait to enjoy with my family this season.

5. Disney Frozen Operation Board Game

Kids can enjoy playing this engaging and suspenseful game right along with their favorite Disney Frozen characters! In the Don’t Break the Ice: Disney Frozen Edition game, players take turns tapping out ice blocks with the toy mallet. The object is to keep Anna and Olaf skating, but as the game goes on, ice blocks start falling fast. The player who can keep Anna and Olaf from falling wins! For 2 to 4 players.

4. Tsum Tsum Mancala

It’s a Tsum Tsum twist on Mancala! Move the beads around the board just like in the classic game, and use strategy to stack up matching Tsums for more points! Everything packs inside the snap-close board so you can play anywhere!

3. Guess Who? Game: Finding Dory Edition

It’s the popular Guess Who? game featuring characters from Disney/Pixar’s Finding Dory! Each player chooses a mystery character–it could be Dory, Hank, Destiny, or Bailey. Kids can have lots of fun as they use yes or no questions to narrow down the possible answers in order to guess each other’s mystery character. Players can ask questions like “Is your character blue?” or “Does your character have feet?” Players eliminate characters by closing the doors on the game unit. The first player to guess his or her opponent’s mystery character wins!

2. Candy Land Disney Princess Edition Game Board Game

Take a dazzling journey through 8 magical lands in the Candy Land Disney Princess Edition game! You’ll pick your favorite Disney Princess – Cinderella, Rapunzel, or Ariel – and start drawing colorful cards that guide her along the rainbow path. Who will be the first to reach the castle? If it’s you, you win!

1. Sorry Disney Moana Board Game

The most exciting of the games for me this season, is the Sorry game inspired by the new Disney Animated motion picture, Moana! The object of this exciting game is to slide, collide and score to win. Draw cards to see how far you get to move one of your pawns on the board. If you land on a slide you can zip to the end and bump your opponents’ pawns, or your own with this Sorry! board game. Except now you can slide, zip and bump through the Pacific of Polynesia and with tokens that are themed as Moana and Maui!

Which of our Top 5 Disney Games for the Holiday season is your top pick this Christmas?

Guests Asked to Help Select the New “Words Are Powerful” Alex and Ani bangles

By

Danielle

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December 3, 2016

Disney Parks Blog invited fans earlier this week to help select the new “ Words Are Powerful ” Alex and Ani collection. This color infused bangle collection is inspired by Disney sayings and attributes of some of our most beloved characters! You may have heard about them this summer.

For the three days, guests were invited to select one of their favorite phrases from a poll on the Disney Parks Blog. The top three phrases with the most votes will be released as part of the ALEX AND ANI “Words Are Powerful” collection in spring 2017. How exciting is that, getting to help choose upcoming magical merchandise? Currently available in the collection is Available in the Words are Power Princess Collection Bangles are Ariel, Elsa, Cinderella, Belle Tink, and Aurora. The possible choices for the new collection are inspired by Snow White, Mulan, Pocahontas, Rapunzel and Merida.

The phrases that were available to choose between were:

The Fairest One Of All
Live With Honor
Make Your Own Path
Unlock the Magic
Be Forever Brave

You can find Alex and Ani in select merchandise locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. You may also find select designs via the Shop Disney Parks app or on the Disney Parks online store.

Which three Words Are Powerful bangles do you hope come to the Disney Parks next spring?

New Fast Casual Dinner Menu Now Available at ABC Commissary at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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December 3, 2016

Guests at ABC Commissary at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can expect a more upscale dining experience at dinner. Not only has the menu been elevated but food is brought directly to your table after placing your order at the register.

New appetizers include jalapeño poppers and pita chips with hummus. Fast-casual entrees include a juicy Chimichurri Steak served with a fire-roasted corn medley, hearty Barbecued Chicken and Ribs with coleslaw, and a Southwest Burger piled high with Pepper Jack cheese, bacon, guacamole and jalapeño poppers, all three are served with thick-cut steak fries.

Lighter options include a zesty Lemon Pepper Salmon, served with green beans and couscous and the Mediterranean Salad with tomatoes, onions, peppers, Kalamata olives and feta tossed in a Greek vinaigrette and topped with your choice of chicken or salmon. Kids will enjoy entrees like barbecued chicken, salmon or a burger.

Guests will place their order at the register and receive a pager. Choose any open table in the dining room, sit back, relax and enjoy the ambiance. A cast member will deliver your food and drinks to the table. Need a drink refill? More ketchup? Just ask a nearby cast member and they will be happy to assist.

Are you excited about the recent change at ABC Commissary?

Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next magical Disney vacation. All of my planning services are 100% FREE and can help save you both time and money!

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Star Wars Planetary Glassware Representing Planets from a Galaxy Far, Far Away

By

Danielle

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December 2, 2016

Looking for a drink that’s out of this world? What about a drink in a glass that’s from a galaxy far, far away? Well, I don’t know about reaching the farthest reaches of the universe, but we can at least imagine with the Star Wars Planetary Glassware Set by ThinkGeek!

When you’re little, you are bombarded with mobiles and models made with styrofoam balls and shoebox dioramas and all sorts of interactive, creative ways to visualize our solar system. It’s a good way to learn where we are in the universe, and it gives kids some perspective. Pale blue dot.

So why not use similar methods to learn to visualize other solar systems, too? This Star Wars Planetary Glassware Set lets you gaze upon otherworldly beauty while drinking your orange juice. Or blue milk. Plus it lets you start a conversation about the differences between planets (Alderaan, Dagobah, Hoth, and Tatooine) and moons (the forest moon of Endor) or even space stations (the Death Star). First thing we’re doing when we get ours is filing Hoth with vanilla ice cream. Or better yet – snow cream!

Star Wars Planetary Glassware Set by ThinkGeek

This ThinkGeek creation & exclusive set contains 6 glasses featuring; 4 planets (Alderaan, Dagobah, Hoth, and Tatooine) + 1 moon (the forest moon of Endor) + 1 that’s-no-moon (the Death Star).

Would you show off your geek glory with the Star Wars Planetary Glassware Set by ThinkGeek?

The Bradford Exchange’s Ultimate Disney Christmas Decoration

By

Danielle

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December 2, 2016

There are Disney holiday decorations, and then there are DISNEY HOLIDAY DECORATIONS! This piece from the Bradford Exchange is extravagant, but boy oh boy it’s the Ultimate Disney Christmas Decoration.

From Mickey and Minnie to Pooh and Tigger, Disney’s beloved characters have given us countless gifts over the years – moments of love, laughter and imagination. Now this tabletop Disney Christmas decor brings together Mickey and Minnie, Donald Duck, Snow White and more to deliver the joys of the holidays in your home. Standing 16″ high and decorated with over 50 Disney character figures, this animated tabletop Christmas decoration celebrates The Wonderful World of Disney and is available from Hawthorne Village. With 4 levels of rotating movement on this Disney Christmas decor, the Disney Express seems to “climb” ever higher up the tree, brilliantly lit by 20 LED lights. At the very top, Mickey’s at the reins of a Pluto-and-reindeer drawn sleigh that rotates around Cinderella’s magic castle. A medley of Christmas carols makes the festivities complete.

I mean, it’s just incredible! It is definetly a pretty penny, but I have to admit for big time collectors it’s definetly the Ultimate Disney Christmas Decoration.

Disney hosting special after hours Star Wars event in Epcot this Monday

By

Chip

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December 2, 2016

On December 5, 2016, Disney is celebrating Rogue One: A Star Wars Story with an invite-only meet-up that’ll feature Spaceship Earth magically transforming into the Death Star.

The Disney Parks Blog hosted meet-up that is already filled, will be held after hours at Epcot in Florida on Monday, December 5, 2016.

During their Star Wars celebration, Spaceship Earth will be transformed into the Death Star through digital projections. And before the Death Star appears, they will be sharing updates on current and upcoming Star Wars experiences at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

So if you didn’t get into this event don’t worry, Disney will be live streaming their event on the Disney Parks Blog!

So stay tuned for full details.

Source

Disneynature’s GROWING UP WILD on Digital HD and VOD December 6th

By

Chip

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December 2, 2016

Life is an adventure – especially for a newborn animal who has so much to learn.“Growing Up Wild” takes audiences to the wildest corners of the planet to tell the tales of five courageous animals as they tackle the very first challenges of their young lives. With a little guidance from sage family members, each must figure out how and where to find food, while learning to recognize the very real threat of danger. From their first steps of exploring their world to their final steps into independence,“Growing Up Wild” reveals the triumphs and setbacks of five young lives in which instinct, parental lessons, and trial and error ultimately define their destinies. Featuring the stunning imagery and iconic storytelling that makes Disneynature’s big-screen adventures an inspiring movie-going experience, “Growing Up Wild” brings home a special look at how similar and different these young lives can be.

Disneynature’s Growing Up Wild is on Digital HD and VOD December 6th.

Narrated by: Daveed Diggs (“Hamilton”)

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series Announced for 2017

By

Chip

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December 2, 2016

Award-winning developer and publisher of digital entertainment, Telltale Games, along with Marvel Entertainment, today announced an interactive episodic game series based on Marvel’s iconic sci-fi franchise Guardians of the Galaxy. The first of five episodes in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series will premiere digitally in 2017 on consoles, PC, and mobile devices.

“The energizing blend of humor, emotion, teamwork, and full-on sci-fi action-adventure of the Guardians provides an enormously satisfying space to explore through Telltale’s unique style of interactive storytelling,” said Kevin Bruner, Co-Founder and CEO of Telltale Games. “In Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series, players will take on multiple roles within the ragtag band of heroes, and take the pilot’s seat in directing their escapades around the universe. We are always honored to be working with the best creative partners and storytellers in entertainment, and working with Marvel on this series leaves us excited to share what we’ve been developing when it premieres in 2017.”

“With story at the core of everything that Marvel creates, who better to team with than master storytellers Telltale Games,” said Jay Ong, Senior Vice President, Games & Innovation, Marvel Entertainment. “Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series fully showcases Marvel and Telltale’s rich legacy of storytelling, and fans will find themselves immersed in an original, character-driven narrative. As part of our strategy to establish a new standard for Marvel games, this is certainly among the great titles to come.”

The series will also be coming to retail as a special season pass disc, which will include the first episode in the season, and will grant access to the subsequent four episodes as they become available for download via online updates. Specific platform details are yet to be announced.

Revealed today on stage at The Game Awards 2016 in Los Angeles, you can watch the announcement teaser trailer on YouTube:

For more information on Telltale Games, visit the official website, Facebook, and follow Telltale Games on Twitter @TelltaleGames.

New Express Bus Transportation Option at Disney World

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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December 2, 2016

A new “Express” bus transportation service will be offered between the four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort beginning December 7, 2016. Guests are picked up backstage and driven directly to the next park of their choosing. Since the drop off location is backstage, they are able to bypass the line and security at park entrance. Transportation to the resort hotels is not included at this time.

An express bus will be available backstage at the following pickup/dropoff locations every 30 minutes:

Magic Kingdom – Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin exit area
Hollywood Studios – Next to Rock n’ Roller Coaster Courtyard
Epcot – Near Spaceship Earth
Animal Kingdom – Near Kilimanjaro Safaris entrance

The express service costs $15 per person for one day or $24 per person for multiple days and will be offered from 10am to park closing. Only the one-day option is available to Annual Passholders and Disney Cast Members.

The express option can be added at the time of ticket purchase or upgraded at a later date by visiting Guest Relations. A park hopper ticket is required to take advantage of this service.

The new express bus transportation will initially be in a testing phase. Would you be willing to pay an extra fee for the added convenience if it is successful?

Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next magical Disney vacation. All of my planning services are 100% FREE and can help save you both time and money!