Force Friday Happenings and Jungle Cruise Sunrise Safari Breakfast Coming to Disneyland

Happy Force Friday and it sure was a successful plan by Disney and Star Wars in planning this wonderful event for all of us Star Wars fanatics. Throughout the world stores held midnight events to release the toys, collectibles, pins, and apparel all in preparation for the December 18th release of the 7th film in the Star Wars saga, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. 

The Disney Store released special edition "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" t-shirts for the whole family. The shirts will only available until next Wednesday, September 9th. Shirts are $27.95 for the men's and women's shirts and $22.95 for the boy's and girl's shirts. You can also mix & match the shirts for 2 for $40. Also, if you order before September 6th, and you use the code FORCE your complete order is eligible for free shipping. Here are the shirts:

Men's T-Shirt

Women's T-Shirt

Boys T-Shirt

Girls T-Shirt

Details on Force Awakens Play Set for Disney Infinity 3.0 Release Date and More:

Just a few weeks ago at the D23 EXPO, Disney Interactive revealed in its panel the "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" Play Set that will be released in December. We now have a release date as the play set will be released on the same day as the movie on December 18, 2015. We got a first look at the Rey and Finn figures to be released with play set. Here is the release by Disney Consumer Products today on the Play Set:

"To preserve the integrity of key movie moments, an additional wave of products will be released closer to the film’s debut, when fans will be able to find additional items featuring the newest characters, including Rey, Finn, Kylo Ren, Captain Phasma, BB-8 and more. On December 18, a Play Set based on Star Wars: The Force Awakens will become available for Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition, the latest installment of the best-selling “toys-to-life” video game from Disney Interactive."

Who is excited for the BB-8 figure? After the release of the app-controlled BB-8 last night, I can't wait to see what the figure looks like. 

Disney Records Announces 'Force Awakens' Soundtrack:

Today, it was announced by Disney Records the "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" soundtrack that will be released the day of the film on December 18. 5-time Academy Award-winning composer John Williams has once again recorded the soundtrack for the Star Wars film. 

The soundtrack is available to pre-order now, and here is the link: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Soundtrack.

Jungle Cruise Sunrise Safari is Bring Breakfast to Disneyland for Limited Time:

Earlier this week, it was announced that the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant will be having breakfast for a limited time to Hollywood Studios in Disney World. Today, a restaurant in Disneyland is getting breakfast too. The Jungle Cruise Sunrise Safari is going to be serving breakfast for a limited time starting September 21, 2015 and running through December 2, 2015.

The theme of the breakfast will begin with a welcome from the Jungle Navigation Company, Ltd., before you dive into breakfast on the African veldt to the world famous Jungle Cruise attraction. On the menu that will leave your roaring hunger satisfied will include, an assortment of fresh pastries and scones, exotic fruit and chia parfait, eggs cooked to perfection, glazed pork belly bacon, pan-seared sausage and roasted golden potato-and-onion hash. For beverages, an assortment of juices, freshly brewed coffee, and specialty teas will be available to quench your thirst. 

Following the breakfast, guest will have a chance to be trained as a skipper where after they will get behind the wheel and cite the famous spiel. Upon their initiation into the "Fraternal League of Secret Skippers," guests will receive an exclusive keepsake - a tribal mask inspired by the Jungle Cruise attraction. Reservations are limited and now being accepted. 

Disney Consumer Products and Disney Interactive to Combine, List of Allowable Camera Accessories, and More

Disney Consumer Products and Disney Interactive to Combine into One Division:

In news breaking today Disney Consumer Products and Disney Interactive are going to combine into one single division to be named Disney Consumer Products & Interactive Media. The reasoning behind the conversion of the two divisions is increasing overlap of both consumer and interactive products. The new division will be headed by the two previous heads of the divisions, Jillian Ferraro who became president of Consumer Products back in May, and Jimmy Pitaro the current president of Disney Interactive. 

In the statement released by Disney, Disney COO Thomas Staggs stated: As technology and digital entertainment continue to evolve, a shared innovation strategy will enable this new segment to create unique and engaging products and experiences that exceed customers' expectations.

The development of Disney Interactive's Disney Infinity video game had helped the division become profitable. It operated at a $116 million profit last year, where as recently as 2011 the division had a reported $308 million loss. Disney Consumer Products unveiled its newest product earlier this month in Playmation which is a line of wearable toys that use radio waves and other technologies to interact with each other. Sales for Disney Consumer Products last year rose 12 percent to $4 billion. Now seems the perfect time for these two divisions to combine. 

Disney Releases List of Allowable Guest Camera Accessories in Time for Upcoming Ban on Selfie Sticks:

Last week it was reported that selfie sticks would be banned from all Disney Theme Parks effective tomorrow, June 30, 2015. Guests have been worried that camera accessories similar to selfie sticks would not be allowed into the park either. Here is a list released by Disney of camera accessories that are and aren't allowed into the park:

• Tripods that can be folded and stored in a reasonable size bag are allowed. Large tripods are not allowed.
• Extendable camera monopods are allowed.
• GoPro brand name body and head harnesses are allowed.
• Short, brand name GoPro handles are allowed.
• Brand name or similar style GRIP & SHOOT handles are also allowed.
• GoPro 3-way or similar style extending handles are now allowed.
• Selfie Sticks of any kind are not allowed.

More Details  The Magic of Disney Animation Closing at Hollywood Studios:

Last week it was reported on the possibility that The Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios would be closing in part of the intended massive makeover project at the park. The closing of The Magic of Disney Animation will be July 12, 2015 as reported by Cast Members. It was also discovered on the My Disney Experience app that the last day for the character meet & greets in the area would be ending on July 18, 2015. 

Although no word has been announced by Disney of the closing of any of the other attractions in the area this is just the one of many signs of the impending closing. One Man's Dream is also expected to be closing around the date of the meet & greets. 

UPDATE: With the confirmation of the closing of The Magic of Disney Animation here are some details of what will happen to the area. The Hiro and Baymax meet & greet will be ending and Minnie Mouse will be moving to the central hub of the park in front of the Chinese Theater with other characters. Mickey Mouse is moving to a new home across from the Studio Catering Company. The Animation Gallery store at the exit of the attraction will remain open until August.

It still remains unclear however if any of the parts of the attraction will be returning or if the area is destined for demolition. Rumors have not had this part of the park set for any kind of expansion of the park, but that may have changed. This is now the second major area of the park that is closing ( the other the Backlot Tour last fall) in what seems to be a major expansion of Hollywood Studios not yet announced by Disney. Tune in as this story of what could be a very large expansion to Disney's Hollywood Studios develops.

Announcement for Disney Consumer Products Presentations and Pavilions at D23 Expo

More news today was released about the upcoming D23 Expo in August. Today, Disney Consumer Products released details on the unique product experiences and exclusive merchandise that they will bring to this year's D23 Expo. The pavilion will reflect a 'Tradition Meets Innovation' theme and will provide interactive opportunities for fans of all ages to explore exciting stories and engaging experiences and products celebrating everyone's favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars stories. The pavilion will highlight Playmation, Marvel Universe, the evolution of the Stormtrooper, #TeamMickey, Rock Your #MinnieStyle, D-Style, Make It A Tink Moment, Disney Junior 'Fun Spot', Unlock Your Inner Disney Princess, The Breadth of Frozen, Pixar Storytelling, and Discover Disney's  Descendants.

• Playmation Marvel’s Avengers—EXPO attendees will have the chance to see if they have what it takes to gear up and join the Avengers! Be among the first to experience the recently announced Playmation product, a groundbreaking new system of connected toys and wearables that uses smart technology to inspire kids to run around and use their imaginations, as they become the hero or heroine of Marvel stories.
• The Marvel Universe—Fans of all ages collect across the ever-expanding Marvel Universe, and at D23 EXPO they can experience more of their favorite Super Heroes with a preview of the newest large-scale statues, action figures and more. Additionally, attendees will get a first-hand look at how the attributes of Marvel characters—cool, strong, relatable—come together in fashionable apparel and accessories. Attendees are encouraged to follow @StyledbyMarvel on Instagram and to share their own passion for MARVEL with the #StyledByMarvel hashtag.
• Evolution of the Star Wars Stormtrooper—Explore the design evolution of the armor-clad legions of Clone Troopers and Stormtroopers that have fought for the light side and the dark side throughout the Star Wars
• #TeamMickey—Fans can show off their #TeamMickey spirit and commemorate their visit at a fun-filled Mickey photo booth.
• Rock Your #MinnieStyle—The Minnie lounge will feature a nail bar and surprise product giveaways along with an inspired fashion and accessories statement.
• D-Style—EXPO attendees will be the very first to preview D-Style, an all-new, curated assortment of fashion items and accessories debuting at DisneyStore.com this fall.
• Make it a Tink Moment—Straight from Never Land, #TinkStyle will land at D23 EXPO. Guests can visit the ‘Bun Bar,’ where professional hair stylists will be on hand to give attendees the iconic Tinker Bell topknot while they peruse a glittering Tinker Bell product display.
• Disney Junior ‘Fun Spot’—Fans can experience galactic play with new stellar toys from Miles from Tomorrowland and have the chance to meet Doc McStuffins and Sofia the First at the Disney Junior ‘Fun Spot.’
• Unlock Your Inner Disney Princess – D23 EXPO attendees can unlock their inner princess by leaving an empowering message on a special ‘Keys to the Kingdom’ gate.
• The Breadth of Frozen—Fans will have the opportunity to check out Frozen products for the whole family and engage in fun activities held throughout the day.
• Pixar Storytelling Comes to Life—Pixar films have delighted audiences for more than 20 years with memorable characters that have been brought to life in equally delightful product. Explore some of the newest products from everyone’s favorite Pixar films. Additionally, fans will be able to see the exciting new app from Disney—Cars: Daredevil Garage—that allows you to take your favorite Mattel diecast cars into the virtual world, using them to perform extreme stunts in crazy environments.
• Discover Disney’s Descendants—EXPO attendees will get an exclusive look at the wicked world of fashion and toys inspired by Disney’s Descendants, the teenage progeny of Disney’s most infamous villains.

Disney Store:

The Disney Store will have a shop in the Disney Consumer Products pavilion and will offer an array of merchandise not yet available to the public. The 3000 sq. ft. retail space will launch new collections and Limited Edition items throughout the weekend. The Disney Store will be launching the "Disney 3D Print Studio" and will give fans the chance to put their facial likeness on a Disney Mouseketeer, Star Wars Stormtrooper, and Marvel's Iron Man. This will be the Disney Store's first foray in 3D printing, the figures sold at the EXPO will feature unique packaging with a special D23 Certificate of Authenticity. 

Disney Publishing:

Disney Publishing will take fans into the world of books, apps, and everything in between by showcasing how artists, storytelling, and innovative content come together to create stories full of magic and adventure.

• Disney Storytelling Pop-Up Shop—EXPO attendees are invited to take a magical journey into the world of storytelling featuring titles that span Disney’s fascinating history. Look behind the magic through Disney Publishing’s Disney Editions books that showcase a vast array of feature films, Disney Legends, and Imagineers, available for purchase at the Disney Store retail space.
• Discover the Magic of Learning with Disney Imagicademy—Dive into the world of technology-driven learning through apps designed to encourage children to learn by creating, doing, and making.
• Disney Publishing’s Digital Discovery Zone—Fans can immerse themselves in the exciting world of innovative storytelling through a collection of digital experiences that will engage the imagination of people of all ages.
• Whisker Haven Tales with the Palace Pets—Take a journey into a secret realm deep in a fairy-tale land between the Disney Princess kingdoms called Animal Royal Kingdom of Whisker Haven, where the Palace Pets characters can meet up with their friends, play, and save the day.
• Introducing Star Darlings—Coming this fall, the Star Darlings characters will encourage girls to make wishes from the heart and find their inner star. At D23 EXPO, fans can see a sneak peek into their world, with exciting Star Darlings giveaways being conducted throughout the weekend.

Disney Publishing will also have several presentations throughout the weekend, here are the details on each of the presentations:

Friday, August 14

• 3–4 p.m.: Stage 28: Exploring the Past, Present, and Future of Storytelling with Ridley Pearson and Marty Sklar 

New York Times bestselling author Ridley Pearson joins Disney Imagineering Legend Marty Sklar as they discuss their seemingly different careers and roles as storytellers, along with how their worlds pleasantly and serendipitously collided with the creation of Pearson’s Kingdom Keepers series.

• 4:30–5:30 p.m.: D23 EXPO Dream Store: Ridley Pearson autographing

Saturday, August 15

• 10–11 a.m.: Stage 28: One Little Spark—Mickey’s Ten Commandments and The Road to Imagineering—with Marty Sklar in conversation with Eli Erlandson, Shelby Jiggetts-Tivoni, Daniel Joseph, Dexter Tanksley, and Kevin Rafferty                                                        

From the acclaimed author of DREAM IT! DO IT!, Disney Imagineering Legend Marty Sklar joins five well-known Imagineers in a lively conversation about what inspired them to go into the arts, ultimately become Imagineers, and the advice they have for young creative talent who wish to do the same. Sklar will engage his fellow Imagineers in an inspiring discussion that will appeal to young and old alike—those who hope to take that “Road to Imagineering” someday, along with the parents and grandparents who encourage young people to follow their dreams.

• 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: D23 Autograph Central:  Marty Sklar signing
• 2:45–3:45 p.m.: D23 EXPO Dream Store: No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz autographing for The Isle of The Lost: A Descendants Novel

Sunday, August 16

• 1:30–2:30 p.m.: Stage 28: An Animator’s Gallery:  Presented by Dave A. Bossert and EricGoldberg 

Based on the book containing whimsical, deluxe Art Deco-themed art showcasing Walt Disney characters in a style reminiscent of caricatures from the famed walls of Sardi’s and The Brown Derby, join Disney Supervising Animator Dave Bossert and Director Eric Goldberg as they discuss the stylized images in the collection that first debuted as a display within the Roy E. Disney Animation Building in Burbank, California. Fans of all ages, and from all over, will learn what inspired Goldberg to create these playful portraits, starting with Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and Mickey Mouse through characters from Frozen and Big Hero 6.

• 3–4 pm: D23 Autograph Central: Dave Bossert and Eric Goldberg signing

Additional details and updates about Disney Consumer Products events and activities will continue to be updated on www.D23EXPO.com, on Facebook, and Twitter at “DisneyD23.” The D23 Expo is coming to the Anaheim Convention Center, August 14-16, 2015. 

Disney Living Announces Playmation, Disney in Concert at D23 Expo, and so Much More

Disney Living and Disney Consumer Products Announces Playmation:

The next generation of game playing was introduced by Disney Living and Disney Consumer Products in "Playmation." It is the next step of the evolution of play, where digital get physical and your children's imagination become real. The groundbreaking system of toys and wearables will use smart technology to inspire kids to run around and use their imaginations as the become their favorite hero or heroine from stories across the Walt Disney Company including Marvel, Star Wars, and Frozen. 

Leslie Ferraro, President of Disney Consumer Products said this on "Playmation:"

"Innovation and creativity are the driving forces behind Disney, and our goal is to inspire children to unleash the power of their imaginations through the stories we tell and the experiences we create. With "Playmation," we're taking the next step in that tradition - bringing the worlds of play, storytelling, and technology together - in a new and very exciting way. "Playmation" takes the best the digital world has to offer and uses it to create supercharged, real world play. This is play updated for today's kids - bringing their imaginations to life as they go on active adventures alongside their favorite characters."

The first system that is in development is the Playmation Marvel's Avengers system which is due out this coming October at a suggested retail price of $119.99. Pre-orders for the starter pack will begin July 7, 2015. The starter pack as seen above will include five connected toys: one piece of Avenger gear (Repulsor), two power activators and two smart figures - a Super Hero (Captain America) and a Super Villain (Iron Skull). Getting started will be easy, strap the high-tech Repulsor gear onto your arm (it will fit adults), and listen closely to JARVIS as he takes you through the tutorial on how to control your new Gear inspired by Iron Man technology. Other Playmation Avengers connected toys will be available at launch. Star Wars and Frozen systems are currently in development and are due to be released in 2016 and 2017. For more information on "Playmation" visit www.playmation.com.

Here is a trailer for Disney's "Playmation:"

D23 Announces Disney in Concert: A Silly Symphony Celebration for D23 Expo 2015:

D23, Disney's official fan club, announced some exciting news for the upcoming D23 Expo in August. Fans will be treated to an exciting Disney Music performance, Disney in Concert: A Silly Symphony Celebration, will be performed at a live concert at the expo by a 32-piece orchestra. The concert will honor the animated short films by Disney: "Silly Symphony" and will be hosted by Leonard Maltin. 

Fans will be delighted as they watch selected "Silly Symphony" shorts from Disney's archives while the music is performed live in synchronization with the picture, presented in high-quality, newly restored digital film masters. The music will be performed as it would have been recorded during those historic days at the Disney Studios on Hyperion Avenue in the 1920's and '30's. The very special concert will showcase the music of: "The Three Little Pigs," "The Old Mill" and many other classics. The concert will be performed in two 70-minute presentations on Sunday August 16 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Stage 23.

Disney/Pixar's "The Good Dinosaur" Teaser Trailer Released:

Pixar Animation Studios today released the teaser trailer for its upcoming film, The Good Dinosaur, due out in theaters this Thanksgiving, November 25, 2015. They synopsis of the film is: What if the asteroid that forever changed life on earth missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct? Pixar takes you on a journey into the world of dinosaurs where an Apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend. While traveling through a harsh and mysterious landscape, Arlo learns the power of confronting his fears and discovers what he truly is capable of. Here is the teaser of The Good Dinosaur:

Disney World's Wilderness Lodge to Add Waterside Log Cabins to DVC Offerings:

While not announced by Disney yet, it appears as plans to add waterside log cabins to Disney's Wilderness Lodge for its Disney Vacation Club offerings. While, the Wilderness Lodge already has villas at the resort as part of the Disney Vacation Club, plans discovered in permits by WDW News Today will expand and be completely different from what is offered. The permits which are publicly available show 26 waterside units on Bay Lake which are presumed to be themed like log cabins. The concept will be much like the just recently opened Bora Bora Bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. Other permits for the resort filed appear that there will be remodeled dining and recreation areas, including pools. While Disney has not yet announced the new DVC offerings at the Wilderness, WDW News Today believes work should begin soon on the project.