Category Archives: Disney

Disney Parks Adding ‘Star Wars’-Themed Lands

Posted on by

Via USAtoday.com:

Ever wanted to hang out in the sleazy cantina from Star Wars? Or itched to fight on the Millennium Falcon? Visualize it.

Disney chairman Bob Iger announced the creation of two Star Wars theme lands coming to the Disney parks in Orlando and Anaheim, Calif. Iger made the announcement before a rabid crowd at the biennial Disney D23 Expo Saturday morning.

The concept received a rousing standing ovation from the 8,000 fans gathered.

The parks will allow Star Wars fans to step into the stories and interact with the characters from a galaxy far, far away. They will be transported to a never-before-seen planet, a remote trading port filled with Star Wars characters.

The plans to bring Star Wars to life in the two parks include creating Disney’s largest single-themed land expansions ever at 14 acres each.

“We are creating a jaw-dropping new world,” said Iger. “We’re bringing Star Wars to life in a big way. …These new lands at Disneyland and Walt Disney World will transport guests to a whole new Star Wars planet.

Click below to read the full article.

Star Wars Play Sets in Disney Infinity 3.0 “Very Different Experiences”

Posted on by

Via Comicbook.com:
At the Disney Infinity 3.0 Toy Box Summit in Disneyland, members of each of the several development teams came together to discuss working on a game across four different studios and multiple countries. They also divulged more information about the new play sets coming to the game, with a heavy focus on Star Wars.

In the two play sets available at launch, the prequel-era “Twilight of the Republic” and original-trilogy “Rise Against the Empire,” each will offer a “very different, very unique experience,” said Mike Thompson of Avalanche Software. “Rise Against the Empire is more of an open world and exploration based experience, while Twilight of the Republic is very combat-focused.” They said that the two different versions best reflect the eras the games are set in.

“The spine of Twilight of the Republic is learning how to master the combat and be an awesomely cool Jedi at the height of their power,” said Stephen Stanyon of Ninja Theory, the developer behind the play set. Players will fight in “iconic lightsaber duels against General Grievous, Darth Maul, and even bigger battles against tons of droids,” he confirmed.

The more open-world focus to “Rise Against the Empire,” though, means they created “just tons and tons” of toys for the Toy Box while making the play set, Thompson said. “You’ll be able to really create your own Hoth, your own Endor, and make your own Star Wars story in the game.”

One of the surprising side-effects of bringing in other developers? All the older elements of the game franchise gets an upgrade, too. As Ninja Theory created the completely revamped melee combat for lightsabers, the rest of the development teams took that technology and applied it to every melee weapon. “Yes, you can do air juggles with the frying pan or the flamingo,” Stanyon confirmed.

The new play sets will be fully replayable without having to reset them for the first time in the Star Wars sets and all new 3.0 play sets. Players can load up any point of the play set with ease once they’ve beat that portion of the game – so if you just want to play the Battle of Hoth with every single Star Wars character in one sitting, on repeat, you can.

Star Wars Battlefront: Disney Has been ‘Very Supportive’

Posted on by

Via Gameranx.com:
EA’s Patrick Soderlund has said Disney has been “very supportive” of the publisher’s work on Star Wars Battlefront in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz.

The development team at DICE has visited the Star Wars archives on numerous occasions and discussed matters with both Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound to ensure the look and feel of the game is as authentic as possible.

Soderlund admitted that recreating the Star Wars universe in this way has been “difficult” but it’s also “super cool”.

Discussing EA’s relationship with Lucasfilm owner Disney, Soderlund commented, “Disney has been very supportive. Everyone said ‘big licenses are hard to work with, the licensors.’ There’s been a lot of guidelines and rules that you need to follow, but they’ve been very simple, and they’ve always felt right to follow them. We’ve never had a big, ‘what are you guys thinking, putting Jabba the Hutt here? That makes no sense.’

“So yes, there’s obviously a lot of work that goes into making sure that it’s approved and everything, but it’s never been a big issue for us, which is pretty cool.”

Soderlund has previously compared DICE’s work on Battlefront to Rockstead’s Batman: Arkham Asylum and said the combination of developer and franchise is a “match made in heaven”.

Star Wars Battlefront launches for PC, PS4, and Xbox One on November 17th.

Disney Store To Unveil New Star Wars At The D23 Expo

Posted on by

Via Insidethemagic.net:

Star Wars—Disney Store will launch an exclusive collection of Star Warsitems at D23 EXPO on Friday, August 14. The collection will feature apparel, collectibles, and toys, including the Star Wars Elite Series, a new line of highly articulated and detailed die cast action figures, representing characters from Star Wars Episodes I-VI. The action figures will be sold individually at Disney Store locations beginning later this year; however, D23 EXPO attendees have the opportunity to purchase the full set of Star Wars Elite Series action figures, which includes D23 EXPO-exclusive versions of R2-D2 and C-3PO.

Additionally at D23 EXPO, Disney Store will introduce Star Wars Legion Helmets, a series of eight vinyl collectible helmets inspired by the Star Wars Legion Helmet project launched in early 2014. Celebrating creativity and Star Wars, the project pulled together artists from across The Walt Disney Company, resulting in 300 Stormtrooper helmets being transformed into diverse pieces of art, which inspired these collectible recreations—epic additions to every Empire.

Walt Disney Studios Presents Upcoming Film Slate And More At D23 Expo 2015

Posted on by

THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS PRESENTS UPCOMING FILM SLATE AND MORE AT D23 EXPO 2015

‘Can’t Miss’ Offerings Include Frozen Sing-Along, Toy Story 20th Anniversary, Star Wars, and Secret Special Guests

BURBANK, CA – July 21, 2015 – The Walt Disney Studios offers an exclusive look at its upcoming projects from Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm at D23 EXPO 2015, taking place August 14–16 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The Studio will unveil its animation and live-action film slates via two huge Hall D23 presentations featuring surprise guests and many unforgettable moments. Other not-to-be-missed events include a Frozen FANdemonium musical celebration with Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and the 20th anniversary celebration of Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story with John Lasseter and the original Pixar crew.

HALL D23 PRESENTATIONS:

Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Upcoming Films, Hosted by John Lasseter

Friday, August 14, 3:00 pm – Hall D23

After meeting the Emotions inside the mind of an 11-year-old, taking a trip to San Fransokyo, where a boy genius and his robot save the world, and falling in love with a queen with icy powers who wants to “let it go,” come see where Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios plan to take you next. In what has become a D23 EXPO must-see, host John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, presents this in-depth look at the animation studios’ slate. Filmmakers will unveil never-before-seen footage from Pixar’s upcoming The Good Dinosaur and Finding Dory and Disney Animation’s Zootopia and Moana. The event will include surprise announcements, musical performances, and appearances by the films’ star voice talent.

Worlds, Galaxies, and Universes: Live Action at The Walt Disney Studios

Saturday, August 15, 10:30 am – Hall D23

Disney, Marvel and Lucasfilm are home to some of the planet’s best storytellers, immersing audiences fully in the world of each film from beginning to end and beyond. In this exclusive Hall D23 presentation, join Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn for a tour of upcoming live-action projects from these legendary film studios. A bevy of special guests will be on hand to offer a look at an unparalleled slate that includes Alice Through the Looking Glass, The Jungle Book, Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War, Star Wars: The Force Awakens—and much, much more.

Frozen FANdemonium: A Musical Celebration!

Sunday, August 16, 3:00 pm – Hall D23

Join host Chris Montan, president, Walt Disney Music, and the Oscar®-winning songwriting team of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez as they take you on a once-in-a-lifetime musical journey through the world of Frozen. This one-day-only performance features your favorite friends from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film—including Anna and Elsa––with sing-along experiences and fascinating stories behind some of your favorite Frozen songs.

CALENDAR OF KEY EVENTS:

In Conversation with the Filmmakers and the Emotions Behind Inside Out

Friday, August 14, 11:30 am – Stage 28

Get the inside story on the making of Pixar’s latest summer release, Inside Out. Hear from Academy Award®-winning director Pete Docter (Up, Monsters, Inc.) and producer Jonas Rivera (Up) as they reminisce and share their personal stories of creating a world that everyone knows, but no one has ever seen.

Welcome to Zootopia!

Saturday, August 15, 1:30 pm – Stage 28

Welcome to Zootopia, a magnificent mammal metropolis, and home to Walt Disney Animation Studios’ next feature, the comedy-adventure Zootopia. Join directors Byron Howard (Tangled, Bolt) and Rich Moore (Wreck-It Ralph), producer Clark Spencer (Wreck-It Ralph, Bolt), and artists from the incredible production team as they introduce rookie rabbit-officer Judy Hopps, con-artist fox Nick Wilde and a host of dynamic animal characters, sharing footage and behind-the-scenes stories with D23 EXPO-goers.

Pixar Secrets Revealed! Hear the Stories They Didn’t Want You to Know!

Saturday, August 15, 3:00 pm – Stage 28

Ever wonder where your favorite Pixar stories began? Hear the stories you don’t know about the classic films that you love. Pixar senior development executive Mary Coleman hosts this experience, welcoming the storytellers behind some of Pixar’s most successful films, including Darla K. Anderson (A Bug’s Life, Monsters, Inc., Cars, Toy Story 3), Mark Andrews (The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Brave), Ronnie del Carmen (Up, Inside Out) and Dan Scanlon (Cars, Toy Story 3, Monsters University), as they talk about the twists and turns of crafting a narrative and share some of the crazy story ideas that didn’t make the final cut.

Toy Story: 20 Years Later, the Original Crew Looks Back

Saturday, August 15, 4:30 pm – Stage 23

From flipbooks to feature films, animation has taken audiences to fantastical new worlds, far beyond the limits of any real-world setting. Pixar Animation Studios has been at the forefront of this evolution, blurring the line between art and technology and bringing beloved characters to life with heart and humor. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of 1995’s Toy Story, the first computer-animated feature film, join members of the original crew, including filmmakers John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich, Galyn Susman, Ralph Eggleston, Sharon Calahan, Eben Ostby, Bob Pauley and Bill Reeves as they share their stories and the challenges they faced along the way.

Aladdin – The Making of a Classic

Saturday, August 15, 6:00 pm – Stage 28

Join Walt Disney Animation Studios filmmakers, including legendary directors John Musker and Ron Clements, animators Eric Goldberg (Genie) and Mark Henn (Jasmine), as well as Jasmine herself, Linda Larkin, and the two actors who gave life to the character Aladdin: Scott Weinger and Brad Kane, as they unveil the stories behind one of the great Disney classics, Aladdin, a film that led to a “whole new world” for animation.

The Shorts of Walt Disney Animation Studios: from Paperman to Prep & Landing, Feast to Frozen Fever

Sunday, August 16, 11:30 am – Stage 28

When Walt Disney and his brother Roy founded the Disney Brothers Studio in 1923, their first medium for storytelling was the animated short. More than 90 years later, Walt Disney Animation Studios continues this tradition, making groundbreaking and award-winning shorts including Feast, Paperman and this year’s hit Frozen Fever. Join the filmmakers behind these shorts and so many others, including Get A Horse!, John Henry, Lorenzo and The Ballad of Nessie for a conversation about this truly animated art form.

The Tunes Behind the Toons: Screening/Q&A

Sunday, August 16, 6:00 pm, Stage 28

D23 EXPO invites you to a special screening and Q&A panel for The Tunes Behind the Toons, a short form documentary that celebrates the power of music in animation. From the silent film days when organists played live accompaniments, to the music within today’s animated features, this documentary traces the origins of cartoon music and its pioneers. Featuring interviews with Alan Menken, Randy Newman, Patrick Doyle, Mark Watters, Bruce Broughton, Richard Sherman and many others. Producer/director Dave Bossert will lead a star-studded Q&A following the presentation.

ON THE EXPO SHOW FLOOR:

The Walt Disney Studios – Show Floor Exhibition

Step into the worlds of The Walt Disney Studios in this wide-ranging showcase of exciting projects from Disney Live Action, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Disneynature, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm. Among the many highlights:

· For the first time at D23 EXPO, Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios have created a joint experience no Disney fan should miss. With live demonstrations, presentations, and autograph signings with top filmmakers from each studio, plus free giveaways and interactive displays featuring the films Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur, Zootopia, Finding Dory and Moana, this is a can’t-miss attraction for animation fans.

· Explore costumes, props and photo ops from the Studios’ live-action films, including Disney, Marvel and Lucasfilm.

Disney Movies Anywhere Tweet Suite

Take pics and share them in the Disney Movies Anywhere Tweet Suite. It’s also the perfect opportunity to learn more about Disney Movies Anywhere, Disney’s digital movie app that lets you watch your Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars movie collection across your favorite devices, anywhere you go.

Say Aloha to John Lasseter’s Film-Themed Hawaiian Shirts

Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios John Lasseter takes Disney and Pixar animation to heart—literally. For nearly every film—from Finding Nemo and Wreck-It Ralph to Frozen and Inside Out, Lasseter has commissioned an exclusive movie-themed Hawaiian shirt. And those who know the Oscar®-winning storyteller know that he loves his Hawaiian shirts—and dons one for almost every occasion. Animation fans will see their favorite film characters “materialize” before their eyes in this colorful collection, which will be exhibited on the show floor.

An Animator’s Gallery: Eric Goldberg

D23 hosts the first public exhibition anywhere of “An Animator’s Gallery: Eric Goldberg.” Celebrate Goldberg, whose artistry at Walt Disney Animation Studios began with his groundbreaking work on Genie in Aladdin, and continues to this day on projects such as the upcoming Moana and the 2014 Oscar®-nominated Mickey Mouse short Get A Horse! The exhibition features a collection of more than 100 of Goldberg’s caricatured creations of Disney characters, drawn in a style reminiscent of art seen on the famed walls of Sardi’s Restaurant and The Brown Derby. This incredible collection of art is from the newly released book An Animator’s Gallery: Eric Goldberg Draws the Disney Characters, and will be available for purchase in the Walt Disney Publishing pop-up shop on the EXPO show floor.

Frozen Album Signing

With the purchase of Frozen: The Songs or Frozen Picture Disc at the Disney Music Emporium, guests will be issued a wristband to secure a space for an album signing with Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez and Tom MacDougall (Co-Producer, Frozen Soundtrack) on Saturday, August 15 at 10:30 am.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are $74 for a one-day adult admission and $54 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $65 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $112 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

C-3PO and R2-D2 Figure – Limited Edition

Posted on by

7/19 Update – HURRY! 25% OFF for friends & family ends tonight if you want to grab this with the biggest discount! Click here or below to order with code DISNEYPAL

Via DisneyStore.com:

Devoted droids – Encounter memorable moments from Star Wars: A New Hope while stargazing at this fully sculptured limited edition figurine of droid duo C-3PO and R2-D2. Press button on base to see light-up feature and hear their familiar bantering.

Limited Edition of 500
Certificate of Authenticity
Fully sculptured figurine and base
Metallic finish accents
Press button on base to see light-up feature and hear authentic character sounds and voices from the film
Non-skid footpads
The bare necessities

Requires 3 x AA batteries, included
Resin
9” H x 6” Diameter

Click here or below to order.

6505048303685

Shanghai Disney Resort To Include ‘Star Wars’

Posted on by

Via Deadline.com:
Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger today provided a closer look at what’s in store at the Shanghai Disney Resort which is due to open in spring 2016. Divvied into six themed worlds, the $5.5B Middle Kingdom park will include attractions based on Star Wars, the Marvel universe and Pirates Of The Caribbean, among others. Each of those properties has upcoming films with ambitions to release in China where Avengers: Age Of Ultron recently made over $235M at the box office. Nevertheless, the park will be “authentically Disney and distinctively Chinese,” Iger said in Shanghai.

The Star Wars Launch Bay is described as a celebration of the Star Wars galaxy where guests will meet heroes and villains, board iconic intergalactic set-pieces, view props and memorabilia from the most recent episode, and be immersed in the Skywalker story through a state-of-the-art cinematic experience. Disney is amping up awareness of Star Wars in China where the six original films recently screened at the Shanghai Film Festival to help whet moviegoers’ appetites before The Force Awakes releases.

Elsewhere, guests will stroll down Mickey Avenue and visit the Gardens of Imagination to take a spin on the Fantasia Carousel. They’ll also be able to hit Fantasyland, inspired by Disney’s animated films; cross over to Adventure Isle; experience Treasure Cove, the first pirate-themed land at a Disney park which will tie in with the 2017 release of Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales; and take a trip to Tomorrowland. Billed as a venue of limitless possibilities, the latter includes the space ranger adventure Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue and boasts jet packs and the Tron Lightcycle Power Run, a coaster-esque attraction. (Incorporating both Tomorrowland and the Tron ride are somewhat curious choices given the movies most closely related to them have made less than $40M in the Middle Kingdom combined.)

The mouse is partnered with Shanghai Shendi Group in the park and last year announced a further $800M investment to accelerate expansion. Disney recently opened its largest ever store in Pudong where the resort is also being built.

Along with Shanghai Disneyland, there will be two hotels (including one branded Toy Story); a shopping, dining and entertainment district known as Disneytown; and the Wishing Star park.

George Lucas To Be Honored During D23 Expo 2015 In Anaheim

Posted on by

EIGHT NEW DISNEY LEGENDS TO BE HONORED DURING D23 EXPO 2015 IN ANAHEIM

George Lucas, Danny Elfman, Susan Lucci, Andreas Deja and Other Remarkable Contributors To Be Celebrated In A Special Awards Ceremony Hosted By Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger On Friday, August 14.

BURBANK, Calif. – July 14, 2015 – Star Wars creator George Lucas, composer Danny Elfman, All My Children star Susan Lucci, Disney Animator Andreas Deja and other beloved contributors to the Disney legacy will be named and honored as official Disney Legends during D23 EXPO 2015 at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 14, in Hall D23 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The ceremony will be hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, and will include special musical performances.

The Disney Legends Awards program is a 28-year tradition of The Walt Disney Company, and the first Disney Legend was Fred MacMurray (The Shaggy Dog, The Absent-Minded Professor, The Happiest Millionaire), who was honored in 1987. The three-day EXPO provides the opportunity for Disney fans to be a part of the memorable and prestigious event.

“The Disney Legend Award is our highest honor, and we are incredibly proud to recognize these eight talented individuals who have contributed so much to the world of entertainment and the Disney legacy,” said Bob Iger, chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. “Their vision and dedication to their work have brought joy to audiences around the globe and earned them a place in Disney history.”

The 2015 Disney Legend Award honorees (listed alphabetically) are:

GEORGE BODENHEIMER, who retired from his role as Executive Chairman of ESPN in May 2014, enjoyed a remarkable 33-year career that began in the company’s mailroom in 1981. Working his way through the ranks, he became executive vice president of sales and marketing in 1996, before being named the network’s fifth president in 1998. He held that role until 2012, when he stepped down from day-to-day operations.

ANDREAS DEJA is a link to Disney’s past and one of the greatest animators of its modern era. Deja is known for his rich portraits of villainy, having animated Gaston for Beauty and the Beast, Jafar for Aladdin, and Scar for The Lion King. He has also brought life to heroes such as mighty Hercules, the precocious Lilo (Lilo & Stitch), regal King Triton (The Little Mermaid), wise Mama Odie (The Princess and the Frog), and loveable Tigger (Winnie the Pooh). In 2007, he was awarded the prestigious Winsor McCay Award for his contributions to the art of animation.

EYVIND EARLE, one of the greatest of Disney artists, brought his unique style to a number of memorable projects but perhaps the purest realization of his vision remains the visual styling and backgrounds for the Disney classic Sleeping Beauty. Earle’s career with Disney began in 1951, working on background artwork for Peter Pan. He created the look of the 1953 animated short Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom, which won an Academy Award® for Best Short Subject, Cartoons in 1954. His most noticeable contribution, however, remains his work on Sleeping Beauty. The film’s eye-catching look, in its design and backgrounds, are the perfect representation of his unique style.

DANNY ELFMAN provided the songs and score for The Nightmare Before Christmas, for which he also provided the singing voice of Jack Skellington. He also scored several Disney films including Alice in Wonderland, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Dick Tracy, Dead Presidents, Flubber, Good Will Hunting (Oscar® Nomination: Best Score), A Civil Action, Instinct, Frankenweenie, and Oz the Great and Powerful. Elfman also wrote the theme for ABC’s Desperate Housewives and penned the music for the Mystic Manor attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland. His music is featured in Disneyland’s annual Haunted Mansion Holiday. His upcoming Disney projects include Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass.

GEORGE LUCAS, whose Star Wars films made him one of the most successful filmmakers of all time, is also a longtime Disney fan who has left an indelible impression on Disney parks. His first project with Disney was Captain EO, the 1986 3-D spectacular starring Michael Jackson and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Star Tours and Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland, as well as Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril in Disneyland Paris, and two blockbuster Indiana Jones Adventure attractions at Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea round out Lucas’ timeless work in conjunction with Disney.

SUSAN LUCCI portrayed Erica Kane on ABC’s fabled soap opera All My Children for 41 years, a role that TV Guide deemed unequivocally the most famous character in the history of daytime television, earning Lucci 21 Daytime Emmy® nominations to which she won the prestigious Emmy for Best Actress to an industry-wide standing ovation on her 19th nomination. Shortly thereafter, she received her Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, presented to her by Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. The iconic actress has also appeared on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and Hope & Faith, as well as Disney Channel’s That’s So Raven. Lucci currently stars in the international hit Lifetime series, Devious Maids, produced by ABC Studios, as the wealthy and effervescent socialite, Genevieve Delatour.

JULIE REIHM CASALETTO, who began her Disney career as a tour guide, became Disneyland’s first Ambassador in 1965—a role created to help Walt, who found it increasingly difficult to attend all the events to which he was invited. As Disneyland’s first Ambassador, she was chosen “as a personification of Disneyland’s world-famous spirit of friendliness and happiness.” She became the template upon which decades of Ambassadors would pattern themselves.

CARSON VAN OSTEN helped bring Disney characters to life in a variety of media, all around the world, for three decades. During Van Osten’s tenure, he oversaw creative content for motion picture tie-in advertising, many Disney publications, and also established some of the first licensing style guides for Disney Consumer Products. The talented artist designed logos for Mickey Mouse’s 50th and 60th birthdays, the Walt Disney Studios logo and water tower design, and the Disneyland Hotel clock tower “Mickey” logo in Paris.

Each honoree receives a two-foot-tall bronze Disney Legends sculpture that signifies the imagination, creativity, and magic they have brought to the Company. Disney Legends Award recipients will also participate in a handprint ceremony at the end of the event, and their bronzed prints will be displayed in the Disney Legends Plaza at the Company’s Burbank headquarters.

Admission to the ceremony will be on a first-come, first-served basis and is included in the price of a ticket to D23 EXPO 2015.

Including this year’s honorees, a total of 257 Disney Legends have been named. Past Disney Legends include Tim Allen, Robin Williams, Julie Andrews, Howard Ashman, Regis Philbin, Annette Funicello, Peter Jennings, Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin, Alan Menken, Hayley Mills, Fess Parker, Sir Tim Rice, Dick Van Dyke and Barbara Walters. With the inaugural D23 EXPO in 2009, thousands of Disney fans were able to enjoy the Legends Awards ceremony for the first time. Honorees that year included Robin Williams, Beatrice Arthur, Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Betty White, Tony Anselmo, Bill Farmer, Harry Archinal, Don Iwerks, and Leota Toombs Thomas.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are $74 for a one-day adult admission and $54 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $65 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $112 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

Disney Interactive Brings Star Wars And Disney Video Games to D23 EXPO 2015

Posted on by

DISNEY INTERACTIVE BRINGS BLOCKBUSTER STAR WARS AND DISNEY VIDEO GAMES TO D23 EXPO 2015

Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition, Star Wars™ Battlefront™ and KINGDOM HEARTS III To Headline Disney Interactive’s Hall D23 Presentation and Expo Pavilion

BURBANK, CA – July 13, 2015 – D23 EXPO 2015 will feature the biggest Star Wars™ and Disney video games in a special presentation in the signature 7,500-seat Hall D23 theater and in Disney Interactive’s pavilion on the show floor.

In the Hall D23 presentation on Sunday, August 16 at 11 a.m., fans won’t want to miss never-before-seen gameplay, trailers, new reveals and surprises from Disney Interactive’s most anticipated games. Among the games participating in the presentation are: Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition, Star Wars™ Battlefront™ from Electronic Arts and KINGDOM HEARTS III from Square Enix. Disney Interactive will showcase more Star Wars characters and Play Sets new to Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition and provide the entire audience with limited-edition giveaways exclusively for Hall D23. Electronic Arts will give guests an in-depth look at Star Wars Battlefront, the authentic Star Wars gaming experience coming November 17. Square Enix will also bring special guests and surprises to Hall D23 to reveal new information from KINGDOM HEARTS III.

In the Disney Interactive pavilion on the show floor, players can experience the latest and upcoming titles through hands-on demos, innovative interactive experiences and premium giveaways for all guests.

● Players will join forces with Star Wars, Marvel, Disney and Disney•Pixar characters in Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition, the next chapter in the best-selling “hybrid toy / video game” series. Guests will have the chance to play some of the new Disney Infinity Play Sets, Star Wars™ Twilight of the Republic, Star Wars™ Rise Against the Empire and Disney•Pixar’s Inside Out, and the fully enhanced Toy Box mode. Pavilion guests will also be able to visit the “Only in the Toy Box” Experience. Using a new augmented reality technology, fans can step into a virtual Toy Box environment and interact alongside their favorite Disney, Disney•Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars characters found inside Disney Infinity. Disney Infinity will also be giving away thousands of pre-release Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition figures featuring popular characters from across The Walt Disney Company (while supplies last).

● Pavilion guests will also be able to live out some of their Star Wars battle fantasies by going hands-on with Star Wars Battlefront.

● Fans can experience the latest arcade sensation from Disney Interactive, Lucasfilm and BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, Star Wars™: Battle Pod™. Featuring cutting-edge, arcade-style video gameplay, Star Wars: Battle Pod brings players right into the action with a totally unique experience featuring a dome-shaped screen, air jets, and rumble seat.

● In the pavilion’s game lounge, fans can take a break from the show floor and try out the hottest mobile games including Star Wars: Commander, Frozen Free Fall and LINE: Disney Tsum Tsum.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are $74 for a one-day adult admission and $54 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $65 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $112 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

Disney Planning New Star Wars Rides for Hollywood Studios?

Posted on by

Via Dorksideoftheforce.com:

All eyes may be on San Diego Comic-Con next week as Star Wars fans prepare for some earth-shaking announcements, but there are already rumors of the franchise invading another region: Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando.

According to a new article from Billy Connelly of This Is Infamous, Disney is getting set for a $3 billion overhaul of the theme park that will include rides from a galaxy far, far away, along with some additions from the Indiana Jones franchise and the Pixar films.

As far as Star Wars rides go, the article says there will be a “Dagobah centerpiece” that will take the place of Echo Lake and Gertie the Dinosaur. Along with STAR TOURS and the Jedi Training Academy, which will reportedly be moved indoors, there will be at least four new Star Wars attractions, not including any other background additions like shops or restaurants.

With these rides and more supposedly on their way in, that means several attractions will have to get the boot. Connelly says that the only rides that are staying are The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster, Toy Story Mania and the Great Movie Ride, although the overhaul won’t happen all at once, but rather in phases.

Peter Sciretta of /Film doctored a map of the existing park to show where he thinks this new Star Wars area will be situated.

No word on if any of these changes will make their way to Disneyland in California.

As per usual, none of this information is confirmed, but it will reportedly be unveiled at this year’s D23 convention, which takes place at the Anaheim Convention Center Aug. 14-16. Disney is supposed to reveal many more details and specifics about their plans for the park.

Although it’s unfortunate that several iconic attractions will have to be scrapped for these additions, it’s tough not be ecstatic that we may be getting the first full-on Star Wars theme park.

Obviously, the designers will likely take as much inspiration as they can from the original trilogy when putting the park together, but it’ll be interesting to see if any of the prequels or elements from The Force Awakens make it into the final product. Will we get to go on a ride-along adventure with BB-8? Will there be a rollercoaster through the planet core of Naboo? Stay tuned for more this August.