Disney to acquire Lucasfilm, including Star Wars

Need something to take your mind off Superstorm Sandy? We've got a good one: Disney is buying Star Wars -- and "Episode 7" is scheduled for release in 2015.No kidding.Disney has announced it's buying Lucasfilm Ltd. -- including the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises -- from founder George Lucas for $4 billion. The news is being widely reported in the financial media this afternoon.As if that weren't mind-blowing enough, there's this: "Star Wars...

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Smile of The Day: A photo of Tick Tock

Today's Smile of the The Day features our favorite crocodile - Tick Tock. Here he is part of the Mickey' Boo-To-You Parade at Walt Disney World. If you ever see him in a parade, you should applaud. Remember, he always likes a hand.                                                               ...

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This week in the Disney Universe: Oct. 28- Nov. 3

This week brings a celebration of bats, the last of the Halloween parades, the celebration of the Day of the Dead and a new Disney movie.Here's what's happening in the Disney Universe:OCTOBER 26-28: Sister Hazel performs at the "Eat the Beat" concert series as part of the 17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World and Meg Caswell of – “Meg’s Great Rooms” appears as well.OCTOBER 27: Party for the...

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Disneyland announces narrators for Candlelight Ceremony

Disneyland has announced the list of celebrity narrators for the 2012 Disneyland Candlelight Ceremony and Processional. The show has expanded this year to a total of 20 from Dec. 1-20.                                                               ©DisneyHere is the list.Dec. 1-2: Dennis...

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Parts of Disneyland will close for filming of Disney movie

Parts of Disneyland will be closed to the public Nov. 6 and 7 for the filming of the movie "Savings Mr. Banks."The movie is a look at the making of Disney's 1964 "Mary Poppins." The movie stars Ton Hanks as Walt Disney and Emma Thompson as P.L. Travers.According to the Orange County Register, Disney officials would not say which actors would be at Disneyland.Here is the movie synopsis from Disney: "When Travers travels from London to Hollywood in...

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Smile of The Day: The Evil Queen

Mickey's Boo-To-You Parade at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World hosts numerous villains, including The Evil Queen and her Magic Mirror.The Queen has been getting more popular with the ABC TV series "Once Upon a Time" portrayed by Lana Parrilla.Did you know that in the first edition of Brothers Grimm book containing this fairytale, the Queen is Snow White's biological mother, not her stepmother.             ...

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A first look at the new Under the Sea ride in the New Fantasyland

While the world of Beauty and The Beast takes up a substantial portion of The New Fantasyland at The Magic Kingdom, all you need to do is take a few steps down the path and you'll end up "under the sea."                                                                       ...

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Smile of The Day: Maleficent

Mickey's Boo-To-You-Parade at The Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World features many Disney Villains. And one of the crowd favorites is the self-proclaimed "Mistress of All Evil" herself - the one, the only Maleficent.For those who did not know, the word maleficent is an adjective, defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary as "working or productive of harm or evil." So, this wicked fairy is aptly named.               ...

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Truly enchanting "Tales with Belle"

The curtains were briefly raised this month on the New Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Gaston strutted his stuff in the town square; crowds strained to get a peek at the Be Our Guest Restaurant (no luck while we were there); and hungry guests chowed down on the pork shank at Gaston's Tavern.                                        ...

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Smile of The Day: Zombie Couple dancing

Mickey's Boo-To-You Parade at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World has many dancers participating. One of the more scary ones are what I like to call the zombie couples. The facialexpressions are priceless and quite frankly a little scary.                                                           ...

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Festival of Masters returns to Disney World in November

About 150 artists will gather again in Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World this year for the 37th Festival of the Masters.                                                                                       © DisneyThe Disney...

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Disney changes lineup for Candlelight Processional at Disney World

Disney has finalized its celebrity narrator lineup for the Candlelight Processional at Epcot in Disney World.As we reported earlier this month, Olivia Newton-John was removed form the Dec. 14 -16 slot. Now, Lea Salonga, a soprano singer and actress who won a Tony for originating the lead role of Kim in "Miss Saigon" and is the singing voice of Jasmine in "Aladdin" and Fa Mulan in "Mulan" will take that slot. And, actress Alfre Woodard will...

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Another change to Pirates of the Caribbean at Walt Disney World

Ahoy, a mermaid ahead.                                   © Steven LiebmanJack Sparrow in the Boo-To-YouHalloween Parade in Disney World.Have you noticed the changes that have taken place on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Walt Disney World?Captain Blackbeard (played by Ian McShane) has replaced the apparition of Davy Jones on the waterfall mist at the beginning...

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No one poses like Gaston

New and a bit alarming Who'd have ever thought that this could be? True that he's no Prince Charming But there's something in him that I simply didn't see © Mary LiebmanPerhaps the most impressive feat Disney has achieved in its new Fantasyland is the rehabilitation of the villainous Gaston.Oh, sure, he still struts and preens, and there’s a statue paying tribute to his many charms -- including his striking vanity. But watching...

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Smile of The Day: Hitchhiking Ghosts from Boo to You Parade

It's that time of the year to celebrate Mickey's Boo-To-You Halloween Parade. Here's a look at The Hitchhiking Ghosts. During the Halloween season, this parade will travel a total of 23 miles through The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.                                                             ...

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Vote for your favorite Disney Villain: Maleficent or The Evil Queen

We have reached the finals of the The Unofficial Disney Villain Face-Off.The field of 16 Sinister villains has been voted down to two - Maleficent vs. The Evil Queen. It's now up to you to crown "The Baddest of Them All" for this Halloween.During the month October we asked you to vote for your favorite villain. We took 16 villains, randomly paired them and let you at them. Click on the bracket chart for a closer look at the pairings.The semi-finals...

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Photos featuring construction of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride at The New Fantasyland

Even though the New Fantasyland in The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World will open officially on Dec. 6, there is one attraction that will still take a couple of years.The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train won't open until 2014 and construction is going full tilt. The roller coaster ride will have the train vehicle swing during every turn around the track and according to the Disney Parks Blog, will feature music from the movie "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."Here...

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Smile of The Day: Pumpkins and The Castle

Halloween time at Walt Disney World is always fun. The Magic Kingdom is filled with hundreds of pumpkins. Here's a look at Cinderella Castle with some pumpkins in the foregrou...

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Disney announces special 'Limited Time Magic' weeks for 2013

Disney announced this morning a new celebration program for 2013 in which guests will experience surprise weekly themes at Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida.Called "Limited Time Magic," the program is described as unexpected experiences "big and small that appear, then disappear as the next special surprise debuts." Examples of this listed on The Disney Parks Blog include:Valentine's Week: Disney Princes join their Princesses...

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Disney announces New Year's Eve events

Disney World has announced a  variety of special programs to ring in the New Year, including special parties, dancing and fireworks.Here's some of the things in store on Dec. 31:Disney Photo of IlluminationsEpcot: DJs will be stationed at select pavilions throughout the evening and watch “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” at 7 p.m. and 11:42 p.m. A buffet dining experience inspired by Disney’s classic animated films Fantasia and Fantasia...

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Winner of $25 Disney Gift Card Giveaway Oct. 1-Oct. 14 announced

Happy Halloween to Tina C. the winner of the Oct. 1- Oct. 14 Disney Villain Giveaway $25 Disney Gift Card.We've e-mailed Tina C. to congratulate her and alert her that she has won. She has until Wednesday to claim the prize, or another lucky winner will be chosen.But folks, just because you didn't win this time, doesn't mean you can't still win.We have another treat for you: The second of two Halloween giveaways tied to our special Unofficial Disney Villain Face-Off. You will be able to vote and enter the giveaway once each day.The second giveaway...

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Quarter-final results of The Unofficial Disney Villain Face-Off Challenge

The quarter-final round of The Unofficial Disney Villain Face-Off challenge is over and the four remaining villains on the way to naming the "The Baddest of Them All" this Halloween is Ursula, Maleficent, Scar and The Evil Queen.Click to enlargeWe started off with the Sinister Sixteen, you voted it down to the Evil Eight and now we have the remaining Fearsome Four.Here is how your votes broke down:Evil Round 1: Ursula beat out The Queen of Hearts,...

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The Unofficial Disney Face-Off Semi-Finals: Ursula vs. Maleficent

Update: The winner of this round is Maleficent. You can now vote in the finals.Welcome to The Unofficial Disney Villans Semi-Final Round featuring Ursula vs. Maleficent. You can cast your vote as many times as you want this week. And don't forget to vote in the other semi-final round: Scar vs. The Evil Queen. a Rafflecopter givea...

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The Unofficial Disney Face-Off Semi-Finals: Scar vs. The Evil Queen

Update: The winner of this round is The Evil Queen. You can now vote in the finals.Welcome to The Unofficial Disney Villans Semi-Final Round featuring Scar vs. The Evil Queen. You can cast your vote as many times as you want this week. And don't forget to vote in the other semi-final round: Ursula vs. Maleficent. a Rafflecopter givea...

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This week in the Disney Universe: Oct 14 -20

Food, music and bears highlight what's happening this week in the Disney Universe.The Country Bear Jamboree reopens this week at The Magic Kingdom in Disney World after being closed for refurbishment, Air Supply, the Gin Blossoms and Survivor will play during the Eat the Beat Concert series and more food at  17th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in Epcot at Walt Disney World.In addition, don't forget to follow us on Twitter...

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Disney launches Monsters University website

"Monsters University" may not be opening until June 21, 2013, but you can learn everything you need to know about this great educational institution as Disney/Pixar launches an official school website."While we have built a campus known for its diversity, academic disciplines and excellence, MU is also an institution that lives by its intellectual curiosity, as we foster a willingness to challenge what is blindly accepted, and seek what is quantitatively...

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New details released of fashion icons participating in Disney and Barneys window display

A larger list of  designers participating in the Barney's Electric Holiday has been released.                                                                                                     ...

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Disneyland to open skating rink in Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney at Disneyland will open an ice skating rink that brings you straight into the world of Tinker Bell.Starting Oct. 23, a new ice rink between the AMC12 Theaters and the ESPN Zone will open  for a limited time, according to the Disney Parks Blog. The rink will feature an experience with Tinker Bell and her sister Periwinkle.Beginning Nov. 12, a holiday village will be built surrounding the rink with areas where guests can purchase...

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Disney sued by Stan Lee Media for billions over Marvel character rights

Who owns Spider-Man, The Avengers, the X-Men, Iron Man and a slew of other characters created by Stan Lee when he worked at Marvel Comics?According to Stan Lee Media, they do and they are suing the Walt Disney Co., seeking billions of dollars for copyright infringement, according to the Los Angeles Times.Stan Lee is no longer associated with the company which holds his name, but that is not stopping the company, which went into bankruptcy a...

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Disney announces Test Track will re-open Dec. 6

Disney has announced the re-imagined Test Track in Epcot at Disney World will re-open Dec. 6.Imagineer Melissa Jeselnick said during an earlier a live chat on the Disney Parks Blog that this ride will be  new kind of virtual//physical experience.Disney rendering of new Test Track sign.Here's the highlights: You design your own thrill ride through an interactive touch screen and then get into a simulator to test the ride.The...

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Disney to hold live chat about New Fantasyland on Oct. 15

The Disney Parks Blog will hold a live chat later this month on New Fantasyland.Chris Beatty, creative director with Walt Disney Imagineering, will talk about the Be Our Guest Restaurant, Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, Gaston’s Tavern, Belle’s Village, Enchanted Tales With Belle, Storybook Circus and others, according to the Disney Parks Blog.This will be the final live chat before the official grand opening on Dec....

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First Round Disney Villain Face-Off Winners

The first round of The Unofficial Disney Villain Face-Off challenge is over on our journey to name "The Baddest of Them All" this Halloween.Click the image to enlargeIn the first round over 320 votes were cast in eight rounds. The Unofficial Disney Villain Face-Off begins with the Sinister Sixteen and each week, as we get closer to Halloween, you all get to vote on pairings of evil-doers until you decide who get the crown.Along the way you'll learn...

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The Unofficial Disney Villains Face-Off Evil Round 4: Jafar vs. The Queen

We are now into the second bracket in the month-long Unofficial Disney Villain Face-Off competition.You all have cut down the original Sinister Sixteen contestants down to a grouping we call the Evil Eight.In this Evil Round 4 quarterfinals, The Queen goes up against Jafar.Name: The QueenMovie: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (1937)Best known for: Her poison applesQuote: “Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?”Background: The...

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The Unofficial Disney Villain Face-Off Evil Round 3: Scar vs. Cruella de Vil

We are now into the second bracket in the month-long Unofficial Disney Villain Face-Off competition.You all have cut down the original Sinister Sixteen contestants down to a grouping we call the Evil Eight.In this Evil Round 3 quarterfinals,  Scar goes up against Cruella de Vil. Name: ScarMovie: “The Lion King” (1994)Best known for: Cavorting with hyenas.Quote: “As far as brains go, I got the lion's share. But, when...

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The Unofficial Disney Villain Face-Off Evil Round 2: Maleficent vs. Shan Yu

We are now into the second bracket in the month-long Unofficial Disney Villain Face-Off competition.You all have cut down the original Sinister Sixteen contestants down to a grouping we call the Evil Eight.In this Evil Round 2 quarterfinals,  Maleficent goes up against Shan Yu:Name: MaleficentMovie: “Sleeping Beauty” (1959)Best known for: Turning into a dragon.Quote: “You poor, simple fools. Thinking you can defeat me? Me,...

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