"Walt Week" to be Celebrated by D23 and Disney Parks Around the World

This Thursday December 15, marks the 50th Anniversary of the man that started it all, Walt Disney's passing. To honor the man that started it all, D23 and Disney Parks are launching, "Walt Week: Celebrating the Legacy of Imagination, Creativity, and Innovation." D23 will be honoring Walt with a series of features available to guests at D23.com/WalkWithWalt, its quarterly publication in Disney twenty-three, and at Disney Parks around the world.

On December 15, guests at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Resort are invited to join the celebration of Walt’s extraordinary life by sharing a message on Memory Boards that will be placed at each resort. The boards will be on display for all to see at D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, from July 14–16 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Here are the locations and time of the Memory Boards which are subject to change:

• Disneyland Resort: The gallery inside the Main Street Opera House at Disneyland park from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m
• Walt Disney World Resort: Inside One Man’s Dream at Disney’s Hollywood Studios from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Disneyland Paris: Inside the Liberty Arcade on Main Street, U.S.A., at the entrance of “Statue of Liberty Tableau” from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Hong Kong Disneyland: Inside Art of Animation on Main Street, U.S.A., from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Tokyo Disney Resort: Mark Twain Riverboat queue from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

It will be an honor to give thanks to the man that started it all in Walt Disney. 

D23 Expo 2017 Tickets on Sale Next Week, Star Wars Show Live from Star Wars Celebration: Europe, and More

D23 Expo 2017 Tickets on Sale Next Week:

While we are still a year away from the 2017 D23 Expo, tickets will go on sale beginning next week, July 14 for next year's expo at 10 a.m. PT. Today we got prices for the expo which will take place on July 14-16, 2017 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Next year will be the 5th expo which is a biennial event. 

The event will of course celebrate the past, present, and future of Disney with live events, celebrity appearances, panels, presentations, sneak peeks, and immersive experiences. It will return with fan favorites such as the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, exhibit from the Walt Disney Archives, and the Mousquerade Costume Contest plus so much more. 

Tickets for D23 Expo 2017 will be available at a discounted price for a limited time. From July 14–December 31, 2016, tickets are $67 for a one-day adult admission and $46 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $57 for a one-day adult admission and $41 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $296 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for members and general admission, visit D23Expo.com.

Here is more information on the VIP Sorcerer Package from the release from D23:

A limited number of VIP Sorcerer Packages for D23 Expo 2017 will be available. The Sorcerer Package includes:

• Three-day admission ticket and commemorative Sorcerer credential
• Reserved seating at presentations in Hall D23, Stage 23, and Stage 28
• Limited-edition D23 American Tourister boarding bag
• Pre-Expo tour of select exhibits including Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives
• Exclusive shopping time in the D23 Expo Dream Store, Disney Store, and Mickey’s of Glendale
• Tour of the D23 Expo show floor the day before the Expo is open to the public
• Welcome Reception on Thursday evening
• Exclusive entrance to the Expo each morning
• A voucher for an appointment with an on-site massage therapist
• Exclusive D23 Expo gift pack including gifts from D23 and the rest of The Walt Disney Company
• Meet and Greet with a special Disney guest
• “Fond Farewell” reception on final day of Expo
• Plus, access to the Sorcerer Member Lounge and other benefits

Sorcerer Package tickets are available exclusively to both D23 Gold and Gold Family Members at $2,250 per ticket. Members have the option to purchase up to two Sorcerer tickets. Additional details and benefits are highlighted at D23Expo.com.

As always stay tuned to It All Started With a Mouse as more information the 2017 D23 Expo is released in the coming months.

Star Wars Show to Live Stream Star Wars Celebration Europe:

We are all excited for Star Wars Celebration Europe which is next weekend, July 15-17 in London. Today we received amazing news from The Star Wars Show that they will be live streaming the event beginning Friday, July 15 through Sunday July 17. 

The live stream will feature celebrity guests, interviews with Star Wars creators, must-see panels, and so much more. The show of course will be hosted by Star Wars Show hosts Andi Gutierrez and Peter Townley. 

That's not all as there will also be a live stream of the special Rogue One: A Star Wars Story panel (11  a.m. EST/ 8 a.m. PST) presented by Verizon. It will feature director of the film Gareth Edwards who will be joined by Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy along with other special guests for a live discussion on the much anticipated film this winter. 

We can't wait to hear all the the news coming out of Star Wars Celebration Europe next weekend.

Tokyo Disney Resort to Debut Frozen Forever Nighttime Spectacular:

Disney really just won't "Let It Go" as today Tokyo Disney Resort a new nighttime spectacular called "Frozen Forever" set to debut next year. "Frozen Forever" will run from January 13 through March 17, 2017 and will be presented as part of the Tokyo Disneyland special event, "Anna and Elsa's Frozen Fantasy." Here are some details released from Oh My Disney:

“Frozen Forever” will involve scenes from the hit Disney film, Frozen, being projected onto the exterior of Cinderella Castle, which will bring a one-of-a-kind experience to guests at the park. It will focus on the film’s themes, showing Anna and Elsa’s childhood and adventures, with an emphasis on family ties. Hit songs like “Let it Go,” “For the First Time in Forever,” and “Love Is an Open Door” will be included, with the grand finale featuring exciting pyrotechnics over the castle.

Reserved Seating for "Frozen Forever" will available via a lottery system. For more details on the show and the lottery you can visit the Tokyo Disney Resort website.

D23 to Offer Exclusive 'Force Awakens' Content to Members; Star Tours Opens at Tokyo Disney Resort

D23 to Offer Exclusive 'Force Awakens' Content to Members:

We are less than 50 days away from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and I know I can't be any more excited than a child opening presents on Christmas morning. Today, we found out that D23, the Official Disney Fan Club, announced its members will be offered exclusive 'Force Awakens' content that no one else will see. Here is the official press release:

JOURNEY TO A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY AS DISNEY TWENTY-THREE GIVES FANS UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS TO STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

FEATURING EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH J.J. ABRAMS, MARK HAMILL, HARRISON FORD, CARRIE FISHER, DAISY RIDLEY, LAWRENCE KASDAN, AND KATHLEEN KENNEDY, DISNEY’S OFFICIAL FAN CLUB CELEBRATES THE EPIC SAGA.

To celebrate the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Disney twenty-three unlocks the power of the force to give fans a look behind the making of the newest installment in the Star Wars saga. The issue opens with “guest editor” C-3PO admitting he is unfamiliar with D23: The Official Disney Fan Club (“…although I am very familiar with the R2 series of droid, I am less familiar with the D23 line. Would it be R2-D23?”) and continues with candid interviews with the original Star Wars leads—Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford—looking back (and ahead) at the ongoing strength of these out-of-this-world films.

Director J.J. Abrams—whose long-standing history with Disney goes back to the TV show Felicity—sits down for a revealing Q&A, and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy talks about inheriting one of the most beloved franchises of all time. Plus, Imagineer Scott Trowbridge gives fans a peek at what’s in store for guests at the parks, following Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger’s announcement at D23 EXPO 2015 of Star Wars-themed lands coming to Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

And the Star Wars adventures continue. Also included in the publication, available exclusively to D23 Gold Members:

• Stories behind the movie poster artwork for all seven films
• An exclusive interview with Star Wars Rebels executive producer Dave Filoni, who talks about his first, nerve-wracking meeting with George Lucas
• The incredible collectibles—past and future—that allow guests to bring the movies into their homes, including the story of the groundbreaking BB-8 toy
• A salute to George Lucas by Star Wars authority Steve Sansweet

Plus, there’s plenty of Disney magic in the winter issue of Disney twenty-three including:

• The story of how the new Disney•Pixar film The Good Dinosaur came to rule the Earth
• A look back at the creation of Fantasia, as it celebrates its 75th anniversary
• How The Finest Hours went from an unbelievable true story to a gripping new film
• Regular features including A Walk with Walt, D Society, and Ask Dave

Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving in mid-November.

Star Tours: The Adventures Continue Opens at Tokyo Disney Resort:

Just last week we found out that the Tokyo Disney Resort would be getting the new 'Force Awakens' content added to Star Tours attraction in February 2016. The attraction is now open to the public and much like its American counterparts there are over 50 possible story combinations. Star Tours: The Adventures Continue at Tokyo Disney Resort is in the Tomorrowland section of the park.

Here is a sneak peak of the attraction the resort has released on its Youtube channel:

Morimoto Asia to Open in Disney Springs on September 30; Tokyo Disney Announces Plans for Fourth Hotel

Morimoto Asia to Open September 30 at Disney Springs:

In a collaboration with world-renouned Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto and Pantina Restaurant Group, Morimoto Asia will open in the newly renovated Disney Springs formerly Downtown Disney.  It is the first pan-Asian dining experience Chef Morimoto.

Some of the menu items will be an eclectic take on his favorite Asian flavors including moo shu pork, Peking duck, lobster chow fun, sweet and sour crispy whole fish, and spicy kung pao chicken. On weekends, dim sum will be served during brunch, with dumplings, shumai, bao, spare ribs, and more.

The sushi bar has been sculpted from hundreds of hand-selected ash wood that's backed with a wall of hammered copper, and has just 14 coveted seats. The sushi bar has a global inspiration feel to it with kanpachi, toro, Japanese red snapper, uni, sea eel, hamachi, fluke, salmon, and more of whatever is the freshest. A selection of specialty rolls and sushi platters will be available in the lounge or dining rooms.

For kids, there is plenty such as chicken ramen, kakuni pork bao, and karaage fried chicken.

The restaurant will serve sake including Morimoto's own signature line, wines from around the globe, signature cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. Beers both bottled and drafts will be mostly Asian, including Morimoto's signature beer by Rogue Ales. For beer fans, the collector's edition Imperial Pilsner, Morimoto Soba Ale, and the highly popular Black Obi Soba will be available.

In the Disney Parks Blog post they gave this description on Morimoto Asia:

"The expansive restaurant includes beautiful lounges, dining spaces, open kitchen and a two-story outdoor terrace overlooking the water. The main entrance features a three-story glass corner, and the sculptural bar is one of the largest in the world, more than 270 feet long, connecting the grand dining room on the ground floor with the upper level Forbidden Lounge as it wraps around the staircase. Look for custom glass beaded chandeliers and glass mosaics based on ancient Japanese prints."

You can begin making reservations for Morimoto Asia on September 16 through open table and on opening day, September 30, you can make reservations through the restaurant at 407-560-6686. On November 1, guests may begin making reservations through 407-WDW-DINE. 

Morimoto Asia will be open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. serving lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. 

Tokyo Disney Resort Announces Plans for Fourth Hotel:

Tokyo Disney Celebration will be Tokyo Disney Resort's fourth hotel, the resort announced late last night. The fourth hotel will be developed in the Shin-Urayasu area where the current Palm & Terrace Hotel is located. The Palm & Terrace Hotel is slated close next February and the Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel is slated to open in June 2016. 

The Tokyo Disney Celebration will join the three current Disney Hotels: the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel,  the Disney Ambassador Hotel, and Hotel MiraCosta. While the three hotels are on-site of Tokyo Disney, the Tokyo Disney Celebration will not be on-site although it will still be an official Disney property.