First Clip and New TV Spot for 'Force Awakens' Debut, The Ganachery to Open at Disney Springs 12/15, and More

First Clip and New TV Spot for 'The Force Awakens' Debut During AMA's:

During last night's American Music Awards show we got our first clip from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" before an epic performance of the Star Wars theme by the vocal talents of Pentatonix and an orchestra. The brief clip show Rey and Finn escaping from Jakku amidst multiple explosions. Here is the clip:



Also another TV spot was released featuring X-Wing pilot leader Poe Dameron and his Blue & Red Squad pilots Jessika Pava (Blue Three) and Nein Numb. The clip shows them preparing for an attack on TIE-fighters. Here is the seventh TV spot:


The Ganachery to Open at Disney Spring December 15:

Back in October, it was revealed that a new experience featuring hand-crafted chocolate would be opening in Disney Springs. Today, on the Disney Parks Blog it was revealed  that it would be opening December 15 along with some details on the experience. Disney Pastry Chef Stefan Riemer calls it, "the most beautiful product in the world."

You will be stepping inside the jewel-box shop that will be reminiscent of an apothecary of another era, as a chocolatier is similar to a scientist, Chef Riemer said. Guests will look up at the elegant chandelier made of copper saucepans, a classic tool of a chocolatier. Chef Stefan used the last couple of years on an international quest to find the world's best chocolate. He said, "It has nothing to do with 'candy'." This has nothing to do with sugar and sweets with the star of the show being a custom-made ganache, a luxurious, proprietary mixture of melted chocolate and cream. 

The Ganachery will use a bold, 65% dark chocolate with a touch of vanilla, since dark chocolate is the trend in the United States. The blend is a "a beautiful balance of fruitiness and acidity," says Chef Stefan. The shop won't just offer dark chocolate but also milk chocolate so that there will be something for everyone. 

"Textures, tastes, colors – this is about relaxing and enjoying a bite-size indulgence,” says Chef Stefan. He mentions flavors such a dark chocolate with a touch of shaved Egyptian salt, or a simple milk chocolate with a dash of dark chocolate and a pinch of Sri Lankan cinnamon. The signature flavor is dark chocolate with a note of Florida orange. All of the flavors fall into four categories: Spices, such a chipotle; Classic, such as orange, vanilla and caramel; Trendy, such as matcha yuzu chocolate; and Fruit, such as passion fruit and calamansi. There’s nothing ordinary about these tastes.

To add an element of delicious whimsy, nine varieties of custom-made chocolate bars (not made in house) celebrate Disney’s iconic destinations and the “Fab Five” (Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck).

• The Aulani bar is white chocolate with pineapple and coconut.
• The Disneyland Paris bar is dark chocolate with liquid caramel and fleur de sel.
• The Disneyland Resort bar is milk chocolate with raisins and almonds (an ode to California’s top crops).
• The Minnie bar is milk chocolate with dried strawberries.

It's not only about chocolate as Chef Stefan created something special for the winter holidays in a mini-stollen fruit bread covered in marzipan, then enrobed in a dark chocolate blend. This unique treat is something you won't find anywhere else. Will you be checking out The Ganachery when it opens in the next coming weeks?

Disney World Monorail Black Gets 'Force Awakens' Wrap:

Photo Credit: Brian Carey, Walt Disney World News Today Reporter

Today, Monorail Black debuted the "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" wrap in preparation for the film's release next month. The wrap features scenes from the planet Jakku and the famous Millennium Falcon chasing after some TIE-fighters. Be on the lookout during the next few months for Monorail Black and it's new wrap.

Disney's "Zootopia" First Trailer Released:

Walt Disney Animation Studios released the first trailer for its next animated feature in Disney's Zootopia. Here is the description that was released along with the trailer:

ZOOTOPIA – FLASH, THE FASTEST SLOTH AT THE DMV — When rookie rabbit officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) has only 48 hours to crack her first case, she turns to scam-artist fox Nick Wilde for help, but he doesn’t always have her best interests at heart. Their investigation takes them to the local DMV (Department of Mammal Vehicles), which is staffed entirely by sloths. Directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore, and produced by Clark Spencer, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootopia” opens in U.S. theaters on March 4, 2016.

"The Good Dinosaur" Second Trailer Released; ABC Family to Become Freeform; and More

"The Good Dinosaur" Second Trailer Released:

This morning on Good Morning America, Disney/Pixar released the second trailer for their next film, "The Good Dinosaur." The film is scheduled to hit theaters Thanksgiving Day, November 25. "The Good Dinosaur" is an epic journey into the world of dinosaurs, where an Apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend named Spot. 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 trailer:

Experience a new world of adventure in @DisneyPixar's @TheGoodDinosaur in theatres in 3D this Thanksgiving #GoodDino https://t.co/6UffEuShsl

— #GoodDino (@TheGoodDinosaur) October 6, 2015

ABC Family to Become Freeform in January 2016:

In some recently breaking news this afternoon it was announced that ABC Family a network television channel owned by Disney would be rebranding and have a new name, Freeform, beginning January 2016. Here is the press release:

ABC Family President Tom Ascheim announced today that ABC Family will be renamed and rebranded as Freeform in January 2016. The name, look, feel and attitude of the network will capture the nature of the Becomer audience and the modern way this audience generates and consumes media.

Viewers will be introduced to exciting new and original content while still enjoying their favorite ABC Family shows. Pretty Little Liars, The Fosters, Young and Hungry and Baby Daddy return in early 2016 for their winter premieres alongside the world premieres of new original series Shadowhunters and Recovery Road. 

The name Freeform speaks to the mindset and attitude of what the channel has defined as Becomers. Becomers are in high school, college and the decade that follows and are navigating the wonderful, fun, exciting and scary time in life when you experience the most firsts—first car, first apartment, first job, first love, first heartbreak—all the firsts that exist between who they are now and who they want to become.

This audience’s identity and experience are fluid as they explore endless possibilities and their passions take shape. Freeform personifies this fluidity and will deliver ideas, forms of content and ways of interacting with the brand. Freeform is inspired by the interconnection between content and audience; media and technology; interactive and linear; life stage and lifestyle and the way Becomers interact with them all. 

Fans are encouraged to check out freeformfan.com to submit photos and videos that creatively express the word “freeform.” Submissions may be used as part of our ongoing launch campaign underscoring the new brand’s essence of collaboration and co-creation of content with our viewers.

- See more at: https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/blog/abc-family-becomes-freeform-january-2016#sthash.3LGtAl5X.dpuf

Disney Cruise Line Unveils Ports and Itineraries for Early 2017:

Disney Cruise Line unveiled this morning where its cruise ships would be sailing from and the itineraries for early 2017. They will return to their most post popular destinations in the Bahamas and in the Caribbean and of course most cruises will stop at Disney's own private island in Castaway Cay.  They will be sailing from Port Canaveral and Miami in addition to San Juan, Puerto Rico and Galveston, Texas. Guests can begin booking sailings for early 2017 sail dates this Thursday, October 8, 2015.

Port Canaveral:

• Disney Fantasy - 7 night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages
• Disney Dream - 3 and 4 night voyages to Nassau, Bahamas and Castaway Cay
• Beginning January 29 the Disney Dream and Disney Wonder will begin alternating similar 3 and 4 night itineraries

Miami:

• Disney Magic - Through March 31 3, 4, and 5 night sailings to the Bahamas, plus select Western Caribbean cruises
• Stops at Castaway Cay, Bahamian ports of Nassau and Key West, Western Caribbean ports of the Grand Cayman and Cozumel

San Juan, Puerto Rico:

• Disney Magic sets sail on four 7 night cruises on April 9, 16, 23, and 30 to the Southern Caribbean
• Special Ports of Call in Barbados, St. Lucia, Martinique, Antigua, and St. Kitts
• Disney Wonder will sail on January 26 on a 3 night cruise from San Juan to Port Canaveral

Galveston, Texas:

• Disney Wonder will sail two 7-night cruises to Key West and Castaway Cay on January 6 and January 13
• A 6-night journey on January to San Juan with other stops in Cozumel, the Grand Cayman, and Falmouth, Jamaica

The Ganachery Chocolate Shop Opening Soon at Disney Springs:

A new chocolate shop called, The Ganachery, will be opening later this year in The Landing at Disney Springs. The new shop will take guests on trip with scents of the great aroma of rich chocolate.

The Disney Parks Blog said this on the new shop: 

"Walt Disney World chefs traveled the world to research and create a custom blend chocolate with the finest beans for the all-new concept that will feature freshly made ganache (gəˈnaSH). Ganache is a luxurious mixture of chocolate and cream, and every chef has their own “perfect” formula for the indulgent sweet."

The chocolate will be hand-crafted by a chocolatier and will feature fresh batches daily, including dark (65% custom blend), hazelnut, chipotle, and a custom blend flavored with the world's finest spices and flavors. The chocolate will be wrapped in beautiful custom packaging that will make elegant take home gifts. They also said you could bet that there will be chocolate bars inspired by our favorite Disney characters.

Stay tuned on the future opening of The Ganachery as we can't wait to visit it.