Toys 'R' Us Details for Rogue One Force Friday; Star Wars Firework Goes Rogue onto World Drive

Toys 'R' Us Details for "Rogue One" Force Friday:

Photo Courtesy: Toys 'R' Us

Last year's Force Friday for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" was a huge success. It wasn't a surprise when they announced they would be doing the same thing for "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" ahead of its release in December.  The merchandise for "Rogue One" will be released on Friday, September 30. Toys 'R' Us announced details and a preview of some of the merchandise that will be available for the event.

Some Toys 'R' Us stores will open at 12:01 a.m. on September 30 and be transformed into Destination Star Wars: Rebel Base for the events. The preview items are available on ToysRUs.com for pre-order ahead of the 9/30 release.

Some other details the retailer announced included guests attending the premiere event will enjoy giveaways that include a poster and a t-shirt (while supplies last). They will be the first to shop the new "Rogue One" merchandise that will be set up in the front of stores for one-stop shoppers. For those who want to shop from the comforts of their own home, the entire line of toys will be available on Toys 'R' Us' website at Midnight on the East Coast.

Star Wars Firework Goes Rogue onto World Drive:

During last night's showing of Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular at Disney's Hollywood Studios one of the fireworks misfired onto World Drive. The rogue firework actually exploded next to a passing vehicle on World Drive. No one appeared to be injured during the incident. A spectator on a Disney bus captured the incident posting on YouTube. Here is the video:

Video is courtesy of YouTube user: Vewser.

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. 

Force Friday Event at Disney Parks Now Free for All Guests and a Force Friday Preview:

Well everybody we are now just that much closer to "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and tomorrow even tonight will make us excited even more. That's right Force Friday is tomorrow and begins tonight at Midnight. Here is some news the previously announced Force Friday events at Disney Parks was a $50 hard-ticket event. Last night, it was announced that both events Once Upon a Toy in Disney World and World of Disney in Disneyland will now be free for all guests of all ages.

Guests who attend the midnight release event at either of the two locations will be the first to be able to purchase new Star Wars and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" themed merchandise. In addition to the two locations at Disney Parks will be releasing new merchandise only available in Disney Parks including apparel, pins, toys, retail MagicBands (only in Disney World), Vinylmation figures, and more. Purchase limits will apply. 

Force Friday Merchandise Preview:

Over the last day and a half, the Force Friday Global Unboxing event has been happening all over the world with a preview of what is being released tomorrow for tomorrow's big event. One of most popular preview's has been of the Sphero smartphone-controlled BB-8 that will sell for retail of $150. 

Here is the live unboxing of BB-8 and the new LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon that happened live on Good Morning America this morning:

Here is just some of the other toys that were previewed in the live global toy unboxing event that was streamed on the Star Wars YouTube channel. 

This is just some of what you will see at the midnight kickoff events happening at many retail locations all over the country. Who's excited for Force Friday, I know I am!

Star Wars and Youtube Join Forces For Force Friday; Disney World and Disneyland to Hold Force Friday Events

Force Friday is just over a week away and we will finally get to see the merchandise for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. (Hint: The merchandise looks amazing, trust me I've already seen some of it, since I work in retail.) Today, Star Wars and Disney and YouTube giant Maker Studios announced plans for a global live toy boxing event for Force Friday.

The event will unfold over 18 hours in 15 cities and 12 countries, where the event will see highlights from the epic merchandise revealed in a rolling New Year's Eve style celebrating "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" featuring Maker Studios' top digital stars. LucasFilm President Kathleen Kennedy said, "Star Wars toys have always played an important role in how our fans interact with the saga. They've inspired multiple generations to relive the experience of the movies and to create new adventures all their own. These spectacular Star Wars: The Force Awakens products will continue that tradition."

The event will kickoff in Sydney, Australia on the morning of September 3 here on the east coast and travel through Asia, Europe, Canada, North America, and South America where selections of the new line will debut at each location.

The Star Wars YouTube channel will host the live stream, which kicks off with the first unboxing in Sydney, Australia at 7:45 a.m. local time on Thursday, Sept. 3 (5:45 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, Sept. 2), with the grand finale at Lucasfilm in San Francisco at 8 a.m. PDT (11 a.m. EDT) on Thursday, Sept. 3. Each of the 15 locations will reveal a new product inspired by Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

The event will feature many Maker Studio stars from families like Bratayley, life hack specialists such as ExpCaseros, gamers such as AlexBy11, and Star Wars fans from around the world like Chris Pirillo. Several countries will join the event live from YouTube Spaces in Berlin, Tokyo, and London, with Anthony Carboni and Andi Gutierrez hosting the event live from the YouTube Space in Los Angeles. Here is the full global list of stars for the event:

COUNTRY	CITY	MAKER TALENT	LOCAL TIME 9/3	EDT
Australia	Sydney	Bratayley	07:45	17:45 9/2
Japan	Tokyo	Einshine	11:00	22:00 9/2
Korea	Seoul	Dollastic	12:00	23:00 9/2
Hong Kong	Hong Kong	Dante Basco	12:00	00:00 9/3
France	Paris	AyPierre	09:00	03:00 9/3
Spain	Madrid	AlexBy11	11:00	05:00 9/3
Germany	Berlin	Reyst	12:00	06:00 9/3
England	London	GamingBeaver	11:30	06:30 9/3
Brazil	Rio de Janeiro	Malena010102	08:30	07:30 9/3
USA	New York	EvanTubeHD	08:30	08:30 9/3
Canada	Toronto	Quill18	09:00	09:00 9/3
USA	Chicago	HobbyKidsTV	08:30	09:30 9/3
Mexico	Mexico City	ExpCaseros	09:30	10:30 9/3
USA	San Francisco	Chris Pirillo	08:00	11:00 9/3

Details Released For Force Friday Events at Walt Disney World and Disneyland:

Today, the Disney Parks Blog revealed that Walt Disney World and Disneyland would be having their own special merchandise ticketed-events for Force Friday beginning at 12:01 a.m. on September 4. It will take place at Once Upon a Toy in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World and the World of Disney Store in Downtown Disney at Disneyland.

Tickets to the event will include:

• The opportunity to be among the first to purchase new merchandise from Star Wars and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," including Disney Theme Park merchandise exclusives and licensed products. Purchase limits will apply.
• Amenity Gift

Tickets to the event were available beginning today, September 26, at 2 p.m. EST/ 11 a.m. PST for $50/ person only available on www.DisneyParksMerchandise.com. Tickets are limited to availability and no discounts will be applied.

The New Disneyland App Looks A Lot Like the My Disney Experience App and Tons of Star Wars News

The New Disneyland App Looks A Lot Like the My Disney Experience App:

The other day I wrote about a new Disneyland App coming out this week, well it now has been released. Once you download the new app you'll notice it looks eerily similar to the My Disney Experience App for Disney World. Disney has stated MagicBands are not coming to Disneyland but it was reported a few months ago that it will be testing My Magic+. Here is a look at the new Disneyland app.

See Wait Times in Real Time

Link Your Annual Passes

Make Dining Reservations right on the app.

Toys "R" Us To Launch New Star Wars Saga Products With Midnight Events Worldwide:

Force Friday is a month a way today on September 4 and Toys "R" Us announced today that it was going into hyperdrive for this global experience today. Here is the full release today from the toy store: 

WAYNE, NJ (August 4, 2015) – Toys“R”Us^® is going into hyperdrive and preparing an out-of-this-galaxy, global celebration for the upcoming debut of toys based on the next chapter of the Star Wars^™ Saga at 12:01am on Force Friday, September 4. Counting down to the highly anticipated toy launch and this fall’s new theatrical release, Toys“R”Us stores worldwide and Toysrus.com have transformed into Destination: Star Wars, every fan’s retail source for The Force with hundreds of new products, including those only available at Toys“R”Us. On Force Friday, Toys“R”Us stores around the globe will open their doors for special midnight opening festivities, providing customers of all ages the opportunity to be among the first to purchase must-have merchandise, receive exclusive giveaways and immerse themselves in all things Star Wars. The company’s international flagship store, Toys“R”Us Times Square in New York City, will host a historic Star Wars toy exhibition leading up to the grandest midnight opening celebration of all, welcoming legions of eager fans with costumed characters, signing events, giveaways and more all day on Thursday, September 3.

Click to Tweet: .@ToysRUs announces nationwide midnight openings for #ForceFriday & epic #ToysRUsTimesSquare celebration! #DestinationStarWars

“Since the introduction of the first Star Wars toy in 1977, Toys“R”Us has served as the ultimate destination for Star Warsplaythings, providing millions of kids and collectors worldwide with their most beloved memorabilia,” said Richard Barry, Executive Vice President, Global Chief Merchandising Officer, Toys“R”Us, Inc. “Since then, Star Wars has become a time-honored franchise with loyal fan interest, making it a perennial, top-selling licensed property. With the upcoming introduction of the new Star Wars toy line, we’re excited to welcome the next generation of fans into our stores around the world with exclusive products, special events, feature shops and giveaways.” 

Toys“R”Us to Help Fans Worldwide Build Their Toy Empires

With operations in 38 countries, Toys“R”Us is leveraging its global footprint and position as the toy authority to provide an unprecedented Star Wars experience worldwide. On Force Friday, September 4, Toys“R”Us locations in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the U.K, will open at 12:01am to welcome eager shoppers. The first customers to line up for the big product debut will receive Star Wars giveaways, including an exclusive poster, as well as the chance to be among the first to purchase exclusive Star Wars merchandise in dedicated front-of-store feature shops.

Leading up to Force Friday, stores in each of these countries will count down the minutes to 12:01am on September 4 with digital clocks, as well as Star Wars-themed microsites on each of their respective e-commerce pages. Social media users can follow the company’s worldwide midnight openings on each country’s social media channels, as well as via the Toys“R”Us U.S. Twitter channel, @Toysrus.

Midnight Openings Descend on Destination: Star Wars in the U.S.

When the clock strikes 12:01am on September 4, all Toys“R”Us stores in the U.S. will open their doors, giving customers the opportunity to be among the first to purchase hundreds of new Star Wars playthings, including a wide variety of merchandise they can’t find anywhere else.^*As an added bonus, little Jedi Knights and their families attending midnight opening events will have the chance to receive special giveaways, including a limited edition LEGO^® Star WarsCommemorative Brick and an exclusive Star Wars poster, while supplies last.^** Also at midnight on Force Friday, shoppers will be able to browse and purchase the new products online at Toysrus.com/StarWars.

Those eager to count down to the highly anticipated toy debut can now find digital clocks at all Toys“R”Us locations nationwide and online at Toysrus.com/DestinationStarWars. Beginning on Force Friday, dedicated Star Wars feature shops will be found at the front of all stores nationwide, featuring a combination of figures, construction sets, accessories and more, plus updated countdown clocks reset to tick off the minutes to the release of the new movie.

Additionally, gamers can now preorder Star Wars Battlefront^™, the ultimate Star Wars video game experience, along with Disney Infinity 3.0 Star Wars, at Toys“R”Us stores nationwide and online at Toysrus.com/StarWars.

For the latest Destination: Star Wars news and updates, fanatics can follow @ToysRUs on Instagram and Twitter, as well as Facebook.com/Toysrus. Followers are encouraged to post photos of their Star Wars toy empire, themselves dressed in their best Star Wars cosplay and their midnight opening experience, as well as engage with one another and Toys“R”Us using #DestinationStarWars.

The Force is Strong at Toys“R”Us Times Square

The biggest midnight opening celebration will take place at the company’s international flagship store in New York City, Toys“R”Us Times Square, where fans of all ages are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite Star Wars character and take part in dozens of one-of-a-kind activities designed especially for Star Wars aficionados.^***

The World’s Greatest Toy Store^™ is kicking the party off early with a special exhibition featuring prototypes, originals and early editions of some of the best-known Star Wars toys in the world, curated by Rancho Obi-Wan, Inc., a non-profit museum that houses the Guinness World Record-certified largest collection of Star Wars memorabilia. Presented prominently throughout the store, “Destination: Star Wars – The Experience,” will be on display from Wednesday, August 26 through Monday, September 7 and will feature dozens of notable collectibles based on all six feature films from the Star Wars Saga, including the original first four mail-away action figures from 1978, a large-sized Chewbacca figure in never publicly-released The Empire Strikes Back packaging from Kenner Products and a rare 2003 LEGO Star Wars Cloud City building set.^****

The adventure kicks into high gear on Thursday, September 3, when the store hosts Star Wars activities throughout the day, beginning at 9am^****, including:

• A book signing and meet and greet with Steve Sansweet, Chief Executive Officer and President of Rancho Obi-Wan, Inc., storied Star Wars author and former Head of Fan Relations and Director of Content Management at Lucasfilm Ltd.
• An art class and meet and greet with fan-favorite Star Wars and science fiction artist, Jeff Carlisle.
• Star Wars product demonstrations and activations throughout the store, including Star Wars-themed 3-D action figure creation with 3D Plus Me, video gaming on Disney Infinity 3.0 Star Wars kiosks and experiencing intergalactic sound on Star Wars-themed headphones powered by SMS Audio.
• A LEGO Star Wars make and take for rebels looking to build their toy empire brick by brick.
• A Light Saber Academy with members of New York Jedi, a community of cosplayers, martial artists and teachers who share practical stage combat techniques oriented toward Light Sabers.
• Photo opportunities with costumed characters, including Furbacca, a character versioned after the Hasbro^® toy that makes wookiee sounds like CHEWBACCA, Geoffrey the Giraffe and more.
• Ice cream flavors inspired by the Star Wars Saga from Scoops“R”Us^™, the flagship store’s in-house ice cream shop located on the Lower Level.
• Star Wars-themed cookie decorating at a “Wookiee” Cookie Party on Level 1.
• Special giveaways for the first fans in line, including a Collector’s Edition LEGO Star Wars Commemorative Brick, an exclusive, limited edition Star Wars poster and a Star Wars Character Flashlight from JAKKS Pacific.^***
• Star Wars trivia, a costume contest and a galaxy of excitement and prizes, while supplies last, for those fanatics waiting in line.
• A panel discussion with Steve Sansweet and Jeff Carlisle for select lucky fans, which will also be livestreamed via Periscope @Toysrus on Twitter.
• The ultimate unveiling of the official Toys“R”Us Times Square Star Wars feature shop at 12:01am on Force Friday, September 4.

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" Won't Be the Only Star Wars Topic at the D23 EXPO:

The D23 EXPO is sure to have tons of news on the upcoming "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" but that won't be the only Star Wars topic. With the release of the new official D23 EXPO app it shows that a change in Saturday's schedule will not only include information on "The Force Awakens" but all Star Wars live-action projects.

With this news it is possible we will get news on the two anthology films "Star Wars Rogue One" and  the Han Solo film, as well as possible news on the rumored Netflix original series.

Analysts Project $2.2 Billion Box Office for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens":

We are just months away from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and as the summer months come to an end movie analysts have turned their attention to the expected move hit due out in December. Analysts are saying it the movie blockbuster could approach "Avatar" statistics by predicting $2.2 billion for the new film in the Star Wars trilogy.

"Avatar" opened on the same day (December 18) in 2009 and over 34 weeks it made $761 million domestically (people saw it multiple times) and $2 billion internationally ($380 million from China and Japan alone). Analysts from Stifel are saying the new Star Wars film has favorable conditions to what "Avatar" had in 2009. 

Since 2009 however there is twice as many IMAX screens, four times as many 3D screens, significant growth in middle class in major international markets, along with the rising cost of movie tickets all set up for a potential giant box office for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." How much do you think "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" will make at the box office? 

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" Merchandise to Arrive on 'Force Friday' September 4

Normally, I would hold off this news until tomorrow, but I couldn't wait. With it being May the 4th tomorrow, officially Star Wars Day. May the Fourth be with you. StarWars.com today announced that the upcoming merchandise for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" will be released at 12:01 a.m. on what is being called 'Force Friday' on September 4, 2015.

Stores around the world will open their doors at midnight to celebrate the release of all new merchandise for the new film as well as all things Star Wars. "Every lightsaber, every action figure, every LEGO set tells a story for generations of Star Wars fans, and this global event is a celebration of those stories. We're excited to be part of the countdown to this enormous movie moment," said Josh Silverman, executive vice president and global licensing of Disney Consumer Products.

Fans who are waiting for 'The Force Awakens' merchandise will be able to do so at midnight at local retailers. They are also be encouraged to use social media to document the experience with hashtags already created for the event such as #MidnightMadness and #ForceFriday. A wide-range of products will be released from toys to collectibles, books and comics, ebooks and apps, to apparel and lifestyle accessories will be available at mass retailers, Disney Store locations worldwide, as well as on DisneyStore.com.

As seen above, the packaging for the new movie merchandise was revealed showing the new mysterious villain, Kylo Ren. This new ominous and shadowy figure that wields a red lightsaber will be on "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" merchandise beginning on 'Force Friday,' September 4, 2015. Let the countdown begin Star Wars fans, we are only 4 months aways from the new merchandise. Tune into StarWars.com or It All Started With a Mouse for more info on the awaited new merchandise for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." May the force be with you my friends.