Author: Nate

Disney Filing Discloses Fox’s Reasons For Rejecting Comcast Bid

In a filing made by Walt Disney Co with the Securities and Exchange Commission today, in their efforts to acquire Fox’s film and TV assets, we now know Fox’s reasons for rejecting Comcast’s offer.

Walt Disney Co announced the purchased most of 21st Century Fox’s assets back in December in a deal worth $52.4 billion. At the time it was well-known that Comcast Corp had also been bidding on the assets, but they eventually bowed out.

In documents filed with the SEC today, Disney disclosed Fox’s reasons for rejecting the rival offer without disclosing the bidder.

The documents state that Fox rejected a deal with another entity — that multiple sources have identified as Comcast Corp — due to higher regulatory risks.

April 18, 2018
All-New Interactive ‘Play Disney Parks’ App Launching This Summer

Today, Disney announced that they have created a new app which will allow guests to interact with their environment depending on where they are in the parks. With the all-new Play Disney Parks app guests can soon explore Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort in a whole new way.

This new, free to download, interactive app allows guests to access exclusive experiences at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World through activities that interact with the surrounding environment. Coming this summer on iOS and Android, guests can play in the parks like never before using this soon-to-launch mobile app.

With the touch of a button, wait time turns into play time with family and friends at certain locations. And the more you explore in Disney parks, the more there is to discover on the app. This is just the latest way we are making a visit to our parks even more fun and memorable in new and innovative ways.

Since the launch of My Disney Experience at Walt Disney World Resort in 2013, we continue to reinvent digital offerings at our parks around the world. The My Disney Experience app, our guests’ go-to vacation companion, has continued to evolve – including the Get Directions feature, Online Check-In and the recently launched Digital Key.

Guests are also loving the Disneyland App, Disney MaxPass and soon mobile order at Disneyland Resort – currently available at Walt Disney World – and we’re excited to bring this latest innovation to the parks!

April 18, 2018
First Look at runDisney 2018 Star Wars Half Marathon Merchandise
May the course be with you! The 2018 Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side presented by OtterBox, returns to Walt Disney World Resort this weekend and if you’re running in it then you’re going to love the out of this galaxy commemorative merchandise available at the event this year! Get a first look at this weekend’s offerings:

In this year’s event merchandise collection, runners participating in the Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon, Star Wars Dark Side 10K, Star Wars Dark Side 5K, and the runDisney Kids Races will find a performance apparel including short and long sleeved shirts, tank tops, jackets and accessories.

Also look for a variety of apparel and accessories for runners participating in the Star Wars First Order Challenge, celebrating their completion of 19.3 miles.

Other products to note include Star Wars lifestyle apparel, commemorative Stormtrooper and BB-8 figurines and specialty shoe ornaments inspired by the race weekend.

Look for these commemorative items and more during runDisney Health & Fitness Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. All Guests are invited to attend during the following dates and times:
- Thursday, April 19, 2018: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Friday, April 20, 2018: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 21, 2018: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
April 18, 2018
Enter Pixar Pier Getaway Sweepstakes for a Chance to Win a Disneyland Resort Vacation

Now you have the opportunity to be among the first guests to discover Pixar Pier! Enter the Pixar Pier Getaway Sweepstakes now for your chance to win a Disneyland Resort vacation, which includes four days/three nights at the Disneyland Resort, round trip coach airfare, hotel accommodations, 4-day Park Hopper tickets, a Disneyland VIP Tour Guide for one day, a Disney Gift Card and more.

This summer, the highly-anticipated Pixar Pier will open during Pixar Fest at Disney California Adventure park.

This reimagined land will feature four whimsical neighborhoods representing beloved Pixar stories with newly themed attractions, character encounters, foods and merchandise—including the Incredicoaster, a high-speed adventure inspired by “The Incredibles.”

The contest runs through May 4. You can enter and read the full rules here. Good luck!

No Purchase Necessary. Ends 5/4/18 @ 12 PDT. Open to 50 US/DC & Canada only; 18+. Limit 1 entry per person per day. Odds/Rules: http://parks.disney.com/pixar-pier-getaway-sweepstakes. Void in Quebec and where prohibited.

April 18, 2018
Toy Story Land Fast Passes NOW Open With New Tier System At Hollywood Studios

Are you ready to “shrink” to the size of a toy and play with your favorite Toy Story characters in Andy’s backyard? Well construction is nearly complete on Toy Story Land and you can now begin booking your fast passes for the new land starting today at Hollywood Studios in a new tier System.

Toy Story Land opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on June 30 and FastPass+ reservations are now open for guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

The new fast pass tier system for the park has been confirmed and there are only two tiers for the park. One for tier Toy Story Land and then one tier for all of the other rides.

Effective today, FastPass+ reservations are available for attractions in the land. Guests who are up to 60 days from their Walt Disney World Resort hotel check-in can choose one FastPass+ reservation for one of the Toy Story Land attractions, plus two other attractions in the park such as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and more, depending on availability.

But FastPass+ reservations are just one of the ways guests can experience Toy Story Land. Beginning July 1, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will also operate from 8 a.m-10:30 p.m. for a limited time. In addition, even more Extra Magic Hour opportunities will be available including daily morning Extra Magic Hours, plus evening Extra Magic Hours offered once per week.

April 17, 2018
Florida Teacher Killed In Car Accident Returning From Disney Trip

A magical trip to Disney World ends in tragedy after a teacher at Middleburg High School in Florida was killed in a car accident over the weekend while returning home.

Melanie Blodgett and her husband Les Blodgett were on their way back from Walt Disney World in Orlando when their car was struck from the side, according to family members. Melanie worked in the high school’s worked in the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program, Bronco Building Blocks and Les is part of the schools custodial staff.

The couple spent the day at Disney World on Saturday, just hours before she died. She spent the day doing the thing she loved the most with the person she loved the most, according to friends.

The high school made the announcement to students and staff on Monday via their official Facebook page.

“I think all parents who had children touched by Melanie can all say how genuine and loving she was. She loved my baby like her own and was a huge influence in her decision to teach. She always put her kids first and never knew a stranger. She will be greatly missed. I am so thankful that my daughters path crossed hers.” one parent commented on the post.

Friends and family knew Melanie as a loving wife, beautiful daughter, loyal sister, and a wonderful friend. As students and teachers returned to school yesterday, they honored their beloved teacher by wearing different Disney character t-shirts.

Today Middleburg High School students wore Disney shirts for Mrs. Blodgett — before she died she was able to spend the day at her favorite place with the person she loved. pic.twitter.com/qBA1HyjsxO

— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) April 17, 2018

Middleburg High School has counselors on campus to help students and staff. The family has set up a Go-Fund-Me to help with the funeral expenses.

April 17, 2018
New Monorail Fleet Could Be Headed To Walt Disney World Resort

Speculation about Disney upgrading the monorail fleet at Walt Disney World has been going on for sometime. There has been a series of recent mishaps with the current fleet and after a video of a monorail transporting guests with the door open made headlines, it seems that Disney may finally be making a move to purchase a new monorail fleet.

Internal sources are reporting that Disney has ordered a new fleet of monorails to replace the fleet currently in operation, according to a report from WDWNT .

The fleet currently in operation — known as Mark VI monorails — has been in use since 1989, when Disney started replacing the Mark IV. The final Mark IV monorails were finally replaced in 1991 after having been in operation for twenty years starting with the opening of the resort in 1971.

Bombardier of Canada — the same company that built the Mark VI trains for Walt Disney World —will be building the new fleet, according to the report. The mark VI cost the company about $3.5 million per train when they last replaced the fleet in 1989.

Bombardier’s current line of monorails is called the INNOVIA 300 series, but if Disney continues with the current numbering system the new monorail fleet would be the Mark VIII. Mark VII is currently the model used at Disneyland Resort in California which were put into operation in 2008.

The infamous open door incident on Monorail Red back in January may have been what sparked the decision, but the fleet has been under scrutiny since the automation system failed back in 2009 causing a crash that killed Monorail pilot Austin Wuennenberg. That started a long list of problems that this fleet has weathered in recent years. Last summer a piece of Monorail Blue just fell of while it was in transit above the parking lot at Epcot. Also multiple breakdowns last summer plagued the fleet, at times leaving guests to have to find alternated transportation to their destinations.

With the current fleet approaching 30 years of usage it’s no wonder they’re in major need of replacement. They held up for quite some time, longer than any other Disney Parks monorail fleet, but it is definitely time for them to make their way into the history books.

April 16, 2018
20th Anniversary Merchandise at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will mark its 20th anniversary at Walt Disney World Resort this month and to this day it continues inspiring and educating guests of all ages today through the magic of nature. The park opened on April 22, 1998 as “a new species of theme park”. For Disney Parks Merchandise, this milestone occasion was the perfect opportunity for creating an unforgettable collection of merchandise inspired by the theme park’s iconic centerpiece.

“We mixed earth tone colors with images of animals and icons reminiscent of the beautifully sculpted animal carvings found on the breathtaking Tree of Life,” explained Cody Reynolds, Senior Creative Director with Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media Creative Group.

From a banshee at Pandora – The World of Avatar to a Baobab tree from the Kilimanjaro Safaris attractions, artists drew more than 50 stylized animals, icons and graphics for an artwork style guide. Merchandise developers referenced this guide when creating items to ensure the overall assortment had a consistent look.

Artwork on a t-shirt and matching water bottle captures the park’s tremendous transformation during the past 20 years, and includes nods to attractions from opening day to the more recent other-worldly additions of Na’vi River Journey and Avatar Flight of Passage.

“Guests love merchandise that commemorates significant moments in time,” said Katie Thompson from Global Merchandise Strategy at Disney Parks Merchandise. “This new merchandise builds on the success of recent theme park anniversary collections, and offers something for everyone looking to celebrate at Animal Kingdom throughout the upcoming year.”

Designed to complement each other, merchandise offered includes a mix of apparel for adults and kids, home décor, accessories and other collectibles such as trading pins or jewelry by ALEX AND ANI.

On select products, the merchandise team added hidden surprises in the artwork. A closer examination of drinkware reveals images of tiny ants strategically placed for guests to discover.

Island Mercantile in Disney’s Animal Kingdom serves as the headquarters for the 20th anniversary assortment. Select products may also be found in shops throughout the park or via Shop Disney Parks.

The celebration kicks off on Earth Day, April 22.

April 16, 2018
The Walt Disney Company Makes $1.5 Million Investment to ‘Meet Me at the Park’ Program

This April, NRPA, in collaboration with Disney, ESPN and ABC, will provide 16 communities with resources to improve local parks through projects that connect kids to nature, inspire kids and families to live healthier lifestyles, and increase access to sports for youth through the Meet Me at the Park Earth Month campaign. The Walt Disney Company will make a $1.5 million contribution to the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) to support the Meet Me at the Park program.

As part of the program, NRPA and Disney will provide local park and recreation agencies in all 50 states, U.S. territories and Washington, D.C. with the opportunity to apply for a grant that will help increase the amount of time children and families spend at their local parks and improve access to safe, fun and unique play spaces.

Additionally, this is the fourth year Meet Me at the Park has come to life to celebrate Earth Month when Disney and NRPA team up to help fund local park improvement projects in 16 U.S. cities.

That’s where you come in. YOU and your friends can get involved in the Meet Me at the Park Earth Month campaign by voting for projects in 15 select cities, including Los Angeles, Orlando and New York, to receive $20,000 in grant funding. You also can nominate any city or town for the chance to receive a separate $20,000 grant to support a local park within that community.

Voting is taking place now and will continue through April 30. You can vote daily online at www.nrpa.org/DisneyMeetMeAtThePark. The park project with the most votes in each city at the end of the month will receive $20,000 in grant funding. Similarly, the write-in-city with the most nominations at the end of the month will also receive $20,000.

Parks benefit everyone in the community. They benefit the economy. They provide important habitats for many animals. As more people move to urban areas, it’s more important than ever to have green spaces where kids, families, and friends can enjoy time with each other and connect with nature.

April 15, 2018
Pixar Pier Sneak Peek Now Open at Blue Sky Cellar at Disney California Adventure Park

The Blue Sky Cellar at Disney California Adventure park is now open to guests with a behind-the-scenes peek at Pixar Pier, opening this summer, during Pixar Fest!

The space features early concept art, sketches, videos and models of the new land set to open along the southern shore of Paradise Bay.

When Pixar Pier opens this summer, guests will find four whimsical neighborhoods inspired by beloved Pixar stories—including “The Incredibles,” “Inside Out” and “Toy Story.”

Two merchandise locations will also be part of Pixar Pier. Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff will feature Bing Bong’s sweet candy tears, featuring delightful confectioneries, saltwater taffy and rainbow cotton candy. Knick’s Knacks will offer an assortment of goodies and souvenirs based on Pixar film favorites.

Guests will discover many new experiences throughout the reimagined Pixar Pier. Check out details on some of the other exciting experiences, including Jessie’s Critter Carousel (opening in 2019), coming to Pixar Pier here.

April 14, 2018