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:

EA Launching New Star Wars Game: Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes; Disney XD by Maker to Bring YouTube Talent to Network

EA Launching New Star Wars Game: Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes:

EA Games announced today the launch of the newest Star Wars Mobile Game in Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes. The new mobile game will be available on iOS and Android devices with a release date of this holiday season. 

The game will allow players to test their skills and master the hologames in a cantina far, far away. Collect your favorite heroes from across the Star Wars universe to form powerful teams. You will be able to upgrade each character's unique abilities and strengths, devise the perfect strategy, and dominate your competition. Fight in memorable, RPG-style turn-based battles across the most iconic Star Wars locations to become the most legendary hologamer in the universe.

Here is the trailer that was released:

Disney XD by Maker to Bring YouTube Talent to Network: 

Disney XD and Disney's Maker Studios of YouTube announced today a collaboration that would bring Maker's young YouTube stars to the network. It will be a new initiative called Disney XD by Maker where there will be a search for and development of the next generation of creators for DisneyXD.com, the WATCH Disney XD App, and original television series pilots for Disney XD cable and satellite channels around the world. The announcement was made today by Marc Buhaj, Senior Vice President, Programming and General Manager, Disney XD and Chris M. Williams, Chief Audience Officer, Maker Studios, the global leader in short-form content and the largest video network on YouTube.

Some of Maker Studios' most popular talent will be included like CaptainSparklez, forrestfire101, ZexyZek, 101DarkMonkey, Evantube, Luzu and Lana, and Random Encounters will create original content specifically made for the program. Interested creators, ages 18 and over, can apply to be apart of the initiative at makerstudios.com/DisneyXD. 

Disney XD by Maker will allow content with Maker’s leading creators and will also utilize the Maker Offers platform to allow up-and-coming creators worldwide to participate. Videos created through the initiative will initially be distributed through creator channels on YouTube, with the potential for Disney XD to then distribute across digital and traditional platforms. The best of the best may also be developed further into television pilots for Disney XD.

Mark Buhaj said on the new initiative, "We're thrilled to collaborate with Maker and warmly welcome some of its brightest stars to the Disney XD family through Disney XD by Maker. Recognized by our audience as celebrities in their own right, these stars will pave the way for up-and-coming Disney XD by Maker talent, cultivating a creative community that drives inspiration, original storytelling and unique formats to be shared globally. 

Jared the creator of YouTube's EvanTube channel had this to say, "We're truly excited to build this bridge between TV and digital in alliance with two of the most respected names from those worlds."

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.