1900 Park Fare to Offer Brunch During Holiday Weeks, Where's Luke? J.J. Abrams Answers Sort Of, and More

1900 Park Fare to Offer Brunch During Holiday Weeks:

During the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, the Grand Floridian's 1900 Park Fare will be offering brunch during the busy holiday season. It will operate from 12:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. during the weeks of November 22-28, 2015 and December 20, 2015 through January 2, 2016. The usual character dining restaurant for breakfast and dinner will not have any characters for the brunch. 

The menu will include Carved Herb-roasted New York strip loin, made-to-order omelets and eggs, carved Floribbean Jerk Turkey Breast, Breakfast Burrito Bar, Vanilla French Toast, Peel-N-Eat Shrimp, Mickey Waffles, and Bread Pudding.

Pricing will be $23.99 for adults and $12.99 for children ages 3-9. Reservations can be made now by calling 407-WDW-DINE or by visiting www.waltdisneyworld.com/dine.

Where's Luke? J.J. Abrams Answers Sort Of:

Last week, when the final "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" trailer was released many Star Wars fans including myself asked the question, Where's Luke? Well, director J.J. Abrams answered the question sort of. 

During an appearance at an event for Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network in Los Angeles, Abrams replied, "These are good questions to be asking," as he was prodded with questions of where Mark Hamill's character was during the trailer. He added that it was "no accident" that Luke didn't appear in the trailer and when someone pleaded with him with what the meant he replied, "I can't wait for you to find out the answer."

So Abrams didn't really answer the question and it is being rumored there won't be any more new footage released before the film. There are even reports that the film won't screen for critics until the day before the release. He did however not deny that Luke was actually in the trailer as his metal hand appears to be touching R2-D2. While questions still remain, it won't be much longer as "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" opens in theaters, December 18. 

Final Trailer for Star Wars Battlefront Released:

We are just 3 weeks aways from probably the most anticipated game release in a long time. EA's Star Wars Battlefront releases on November 17 and today, the release trailer was launched. Check it out:

Soarin' to Close January 4, 2016; Sony Reveals Star Wars Battlefront Holiday Commercial; and More

Soarin' to Close January 4 to Become Soarin' Around the World in Summer 2016:

Soarin' will close down January 4th to begin transitioning over its new show to become Soarin' Around the World, Walt Disney World has confirmed. The construction will last until sometime in Summer 2016 where Soarin' will open up as Soarin' Around the World and open its third theater that construction began last year on.

The new attraction will take guests over historic landmarks and places around the world such as the Great Wall in China, the Painted Desert, and so much more. This will be all seen in a more clearer picture that is crystal-clear and in high definition. It has been rumored that it will open around May 1, 2016 when the new Frozen Ever After attraction is expected to open in the Norway pavilion in Epcot. Stay tuned for details.

Sony Releases Star Wars Battlefront Holiday Commercial:

We are less than a month away from one of the biggest releases in video game history, when Star Wars Battlefront is released on November 17 for Xbox One, Playstation 4, and PC. Today, Sony released its holiday commercial with Star Wars Battlefront being front and center for the commercial.

The story behind the commercial is two friends who grew up loving Star Wars who eventually end up playing Battlefront in the commercial. Check out the trailer below:



Note: Tune in later on It All Started With a Mouse for the final trailer for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

New Force Awakes Footage Released on Instagram; First Glimpse of Battle of Jakku in Star Wars Battlefront; and More

New Force Awakens Footage Released on Instagram:

In 112 days, Star Wars: The Force Awakens will debut in theaters nationwide and today we got a little glimpse with a 15-second clip that was released on the Star Wars Instagram. The footage released opens with a voice saying, "There has been an awakening."

Then you get the clip of Kylo Ren igniting his cross guard lightsaber that we saw in the first trailer. Now we know who he was getting ready to fight. In the very next clip we see Finn wielding a blue lightsaber of his own, believed to be Luke's lightsaber. Here is the clip that was released.

There has been an awakening... #StarWars #TheForceAwakens

A video posted by Star Wars (@starwars) on Aug 27, 2015 at 10:00am PDT

First Glimpse of the Battle of Jakku from Star Wars Battlefront:

We even got a first glimpse today of what's to come in the upcoming game Star Wars Battlefront as we see our first look of the Battle of Jakku. The Battle of Jakku takes place 29 years before The Force Awakens. Here is what it said in the release from EA:

"As debris from battles above shower the desert ground, the feeling of chaos intensifying. A Star Destroyer has just crash-landed and some of its engines are still smoking. The battle has just begun...."

The Battle of Jakku in Star Wars Battlefront will be available December 1, 2015 for all those who pre-order, and a week later for everyone else. It was the pivotal moment when the New Republic confronted key Imperial holdouts on the desert remote planet. Jakku takes place in the aftermath of the Rebel victory in the Battle of Endor. Players will experience the events that created the massive, battle-scarred landscape of Jakku as seen in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

DICE Concept Artist Anton Grandert said, "There's a David and Goliath theme to this. The epic, huge super structures of the Star Destroyers contrast against the tiny but brave Rebel soldiers fighting the Imperial forces."

Together with Jakku, players will visit other iconic Star Wars locations like Hoth, Tatooine, Endor, and a previously unexplored planet of Sullust will be a part of Star Wars Battlefront. 

Resort Guests to Bypass Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza in the Future Among Other Changes:

Within the next five years, guests staying at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and Disney's Contemporary Resort will no longer have to stop at the Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza. A flyover (bypass) will be built to allow traffic to pass the Toll Plaza along with other major changes to the Magic Kingdom parking area and vehicle main entrance that will be accommodated by the removal of the former Walt Disney World Speedway. 

This was revealed in an article by the Orlando Sentinel. Here are some of the other changes:

• A reconfiguration of Osceola Parkway at Victory Way, southeast of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and north of ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. A traditional intersection will be replaced with a flyover design similar to that at state roads 50 and 436 near Orlando. The flyover would take Osceola Parkway traffic over Victory Way.
• An extension of Western Way to Avalon Road, or County Road 545. Currently Western Way ends around the Flamingo Crossings development under construction.
• A Center Drive bypass to the west that will allow traffic heading south off Reams Road more direct access to Floridian Way.

This all ahead of major expansion of Hollywood Studios with Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land as well as the continuing construction of Pandora: The World of Avatar that will be taking place over the next few years. 

Kingdom Hearts 3, Star Wars Battlefront, and Disney Infinity 3.0 Headline Disney Interactive Panel at D23 EXPO

It was certainly another exciting panel with the Disney Interactive Panel on the final day of this year's D23 EXPO. Head of Disney Interactive Jimmy Pitaro started things off stage with saying, "I'm sure you'll all agree, there's no better time to be a Disney fan, a Marvel fan, a Pixar fan, and of course a Star Wars fan. Our mission is to create experiences with Disney at their hearts and interactive at their cores." He promised the fans that they will see never before seen footage, announcements, special guests, and exciting giveaways.

The panel began with an update on Kingdom Hearts 3 where Square Enix took the stage to begin.

Square Enix said all keyblade transformations will have transformations in the game, with each transformation being different. News first heard at D23 is Kingdom Hearts 3 will have a whole world on "Big Hero 6." Baymax even took the stage for the big announcement. No release date was announced, but we expect that to be released soon. 

Baymax Battle Concept Art for Kingdom Hearts 3

Baymax made it to the stage for the big announcement.

Next up was some news from Disney Mobile Games with their new mobile game Disney Magic Kingdoms.

Disney Magic Kingdoms will bring a fun and engaging experience to Disney fans any time, anywhere and will be produced by Gameloft.  Scott Humphries of Disney Interactive and Tom Morris of Disney Imagineering were there to give details. With Magic Kingdoms you will be able to build the Disney Theme Park of your dreams. It will all begin with starting with a castle centerpiece and real life Disney Park attractions like Space Mountain, California Screaming', and many more. 

As players build their kingdoms a story will unfold to battle iconic Disney villains alongside their favorite Disney heroes. Disney Magic Kingdoms will be available on iOS, Android, and Windows devices. 

Next up in the panel was a preview and update on Disney's new interactive game in Playmation.

Playmation lets kids be in the center of this interactive game in the play sets beginning with Marvel's The Avengers.

In the starter pack it will include an Iron Man repulser, Red Skull and Captain America toys. Later there will Hulk hands pack along with a Loki figure. With the new Hulk hands players will be able to pound enemies and slam the ground to create shockwaves. Playmation will be a fully immersive and interactive system when it hits store shelves in October. 

Playmation systems will be able to spawn over 50 enemies, each with different attributes. Also, there will 25 missions in each starter pack but there will be an app that links to the game for more content and interactivity.  Next up in the panel was Star Wars Battle Pod by Bandai Namco.

The Star Wars Battle Pod arcade game will weigh 1,200 pounds. There will be two versions arcade game and an at home battle pod. The Star Wars Battle Pod Premium Home Edition will have two versions: Rebel Alliance and Darth Vader editions. 

Denny Chiu from Bandai Namco said, "The game delivers the feeling of flight and immersive excitement in a way you simply can't get at home. That is until now." The Battle Pod Rebel Alliance Home version was then brought on stage for live. When customers buy the Rebel Alliance and Darth Vader versions, customers will receive their name on the credits.

Next up for the panel was EA's much anticipated game Star Wars Battlefront. GM of EA Justin McCully was there to give the presentation. EA was given unprecedented access to Lucasfilm Archives for the game. He said, "We want you to have that amazing feeling you felt playing with toys as kids. This is a game being built by true fans with a singular vision: To immerse you into your Star Wars battle fantasies."

Star Wars Battlefront will be brought together with "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in the Battle of Jakku DLC that will be available for free. It will be free for pre-orders on December 1, while it will free for everyone else on December 8th. The EA team went to Abu Dhabi to make sure the free content was authentic as possible. 

The big announcement was from Playstation in collaboration with Star Wars Battlefront and Disney Infinity 3.0 a special edition Darth Vader Playstation 4 bundle to be released on November 17. Both bundles will also be bundled with 4 classic Star Wars games. It will also come with a custom controller. 

The Disney Interactive panel save the biggest and the best for last with the Disney Infinity 3.0 portion of the presentation hosted by John Blackburn and John Vignocchi. Disney Infinity 3.0 is due out in stores in two weeks on August 30. 

They began with a global debut of the Twilight of the Republic Play Set trailer. It wasn't news but all Star Wars characters will be able to crossover on all the play sets as well as the play sets covering all the sagas of Star Wars. The Rise Against the Republic Play Set will take players on galaxy spanning missions. The first big announcement of the presentation was about the new Marvel Play Set due out later this fall, it will be called Marvel Battlegrounds.

The Marvel Battlegrounds Play Set will be the first in Disney Infinity history to allow 4 players to play at one time. They then went on to talk about the new and innovative toy box for 3.0 where the El Capitan Theater and Flynn's Arcade will join the Toy Box. Over 5,000 virtual toys will available in Toy Box 3.0.

This year the MagicBand will unlock The Partners Statue inside of the Toy Box. Also, Disney Cruise Line will also be appearing in Infinity for the first time in conjunction with the Disney Infinity space that is built on board Disney Cruise. Your dream ship toy for the Toy Box will unlock with your Oceaneer's Club Band.

The next big announcement was for the Player Artist's Choice figurine that will be released sometime next year. 

Then it was time for the new characters to be revealed. First, Spot from Good Dinosaur will be released along with 4 Toy Box power discs in November. Judy and Nick the main characters from Disney's next animated film in "Zootopia" will also be joining the Disney Infinity 3.0 family.

Special Edition Star Wars Light FX figurines will be released as collectibles as well as being able to use in gameplay will be released in time for Christmas. The lightsabers with these figures will light up when placed on the game pad. 

Square Enix then joined the stage once again to reveal the ultimate unlock for 3.0 to be Sora's Keyblade from Kingdom Hearts. Every fan in attendance got the original Mickey figurine for Infinity 3.0 Toy Box and exclusively never to be sold in store The King Mickey Kingdom Hearts Costume Change power disc.

Finally just when the panel was thought to be over, there was one more special surprise announcement for Disney Infinity 3.0. Up until now no details were released about "The Force Awakens" Play Set until today. With the help of Jon Boyega and Daisy Ridley from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" the Finn and Rey figurines were revealed for the Play Set. 

That concluded the Disney Interactive Panel at this year's D23 EXPO. 

Star Wars Celebration Day 2: EA Reveals Details on Star Wars Battlefront

Another day and more news from Star Wars Celebration. Today, EA revealed details on the much anticipated Star Wars Battlefront. The news even included a release date for the highly awaited video game in November 17 in North America, November 19 in Europe, and November 20 in the United Kingdom. The big news was the trailer that was released.

The trailer shows unique footage all from the game engine as speeder bikes zip by and AT-AT are stomping the ground towards your location. Looking up to see X-wings and TIE-fighters filling the sky into battle. Darth Vader and Boba Fett even makes appearances in the new reveal trailer.  Star Wars Battlefront will be released to Playstation 4, PC, and Xbox One.

EA also revealed the exclusive content when you pre-order Star Wars Battlefront. The exclusive DLC for the game will be the Battle of Jakku which will give users a sneak preview of what leads up to "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

When gamers pre-order Star Wars Battlefront they will be able to be among the first players experience the Battle of Jakku on December 1, 2015. The Battle of Jakku is the pivotal moment when the New Republic confronts the key imperial holdouts on the dessert planet located in the Outer Rim. It takes place in the aftermath of the Rebel victory in the Battle of Endor. Players will be able to experience the events that created the massive, battle-scarred landscape of Jakku shown in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." Players who pre-order the game will experience it a week early as all other players will be able to access the DLC on December 8, 2015. 

Key Features for Star Wars Battlefront: Battle of Jakku:

• Learn what happened before the events of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."
• 2 maps set on the all-new planet of Jakku
• 7 days early-access for those who pre-order Star Wars Battlefront
• Availabe as a free-download to all players on December 8, 2015

Tune in the future for more details on Star Wars Battlefront. Star Wars Celebration continues in Anaheim until Sunday.