Disney Infinity 3.0 Mobile App Now Available for Free

Today, Disney Interactive launched the mobile version of Disney Infinity 3.0 Toy Box app. It is free on all iOS, Android, and Amazon devices. The new app is the toy box with console-like graphics and functionality, tailored for mobile devices and tablets. Here is the description from the App Store:

Create your own universe in the Toy Box!

Great Characters. Great Adventures. JOIN FORCES.

Imagine a wide-open world of possibilities where all the characters, vehicles and settings you’ve collected can come together in whatever way you want them to. Create your own game universe where you can make anything happen. Mix, match and mash-up Star Wars™, MARVEL, Disney and Disney•Pixar characters together in one place!

ALL-NEW FEATURES:
– NEW CHARACTERS – Toy Box 3.0 now welcomes Star Wars™ to the ever-growing collection of MARVEL, Disney and Disney•Pixar characters – including those from Toy Box 1.0 and 2.0! Put your imagination to play with over 80 characters to choose from!
– 3D TOY BOX HUB – Introducing the all-new 3D Toy Box HUB which includes: Toy Box sharing, networked arcade, INteriors, platforming, combat, racing and farming simulation
– IMPROVED CONTROLS – Play the game using classic controls or gestures

WEEKLY CHARACTERS
Try 3 Characters for Free – They rotate often, so check back to explore new characters and play styles.

DAILY CHALLENGES
Play in new Daily Challenges, a mini Play With Friends – Connect online to play and build Toy Boxes together!

TOY BOX 3.0 ANYWHERE
Access your Toy Boxes from your iOS device, PC, and console. Continue right where you left off on any platform when logged into your Disney Account.

CHARACTER UNLOCKS
Login to your Disney Account in the TOY BOX, TOY BOX 2.0 and TOY BOX 3.0 apps to unlock and carry forward your previous TOY BOX characters. Use web code cards from your physical Disney Infinity Figures to unlock characters in the Toy Box 3.0 app.

OPTIMIZED FOR METAL
Full Metal optimization brings the graphics and game-play performance to near-console quality on Metal compatible iOS8 devices.
**This game requires more than 2GB of disc space.
**This game recommends iPhone 5 and above or iPad 2 and above.

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? 

You Can Experience More at This Year's D23 EXPO

This year's D23 EXPO is only 12 days away and while everybody is preparing for all the announcements and other cool experiences, you can experience even way more at this year's expo. Not only experience it but live the expo like never before.

D23 EXPO 2015 Official Mobile App (Launching this month):

The D23 EXPO 2015 Official Mobile App will help you navigate the D23 EXPO like the seasoned Disney pro you are. All the entertainment, presentations, shopping, photo opportunities, and magic that Disney has in store will be right at your fingertips—including maps to help you find everything you need, from stages and stores to photo spots; the full schedule of presentations and special entertainment; and up-to- the-minute info on StagePass availability. You’ll be able to personalize a schedule that helps you make those hard decisions about what to do next a little bit easier, and it’ll help you “shop ‘til you drop” with all our Disney and partner stores. Look for it in the App Store in August, available on iOS and Android.

Official D23 EXPO Trading Card Quest Presented by Disney Visa Card:

Your favorite Disney characters—from Princesses to Villains and everyone in between—will come to life through a series of collectible Disney trading cards. You’ll receive a “starter pack” of cards in your D23 EXPO 2015 Souvenir Guide; then, throughout the weekend, search for opportunities to collect different cards from locations all over the show floor. (Check your D23 EXPO 2015 floor map for more information, and keep your eyes peeled for surprises!) Make sure to download the Official D23 EXPO 2015 Mobile App and follow D23 on social media all weekend long, because we’ll be announcing very special card “drops” you won’t want to miss. But that’s not all: Meet up with fellow fans at Trading Card Quest Headquarters at the Disney Visa® Card Booth in Exhibit Hall B all weekend to trade cards in hopes of completing your collection. There are 30 cards in all, and they’ll come together as singles, pairs, and even trios.

Augmented Reality with HP Aurasma:

This year, you’ll be able to interact with D23 EXPO in a whole new way, thanks to HP Aurasma’s augmented reality technology. You can access Aurasma just by downloading the D23 EXPO Official Mobile App. Aurasma is an interactive “augmented reality” technology that brings everything around you to unexpected life! Find an Aurasma location, launch the Official Mobile App and open Aurasma in the menu to unlock special content. All you have to do is point your phone at the image, or object to enjoy. And make sure to check out the cover of the D23 EXPO 2015 Souvenir Guide for a special “Aura” to get you started! Aurasma locations are listed in the Guide Map and within the D23 EXPO Mobile App.

Official Photo Spots Brought to You by D23:

D23, the Official Disney Fan Club, presents a whole slate of photo opportunities at D23 EXPO 2015, located throughout the convention center. These photo spots are made up of figures and scenes from your favorite Disney films, TV series, and attractions—including Big Hero 6, Toy Story, Star Wars Rebels, and Frozen. It might be a fun item on display, like an actual vintage Skyway vehicle from Disneyland, or a colorful scene from The Pirate Fairy to pose in. And, as if that weren’t enough, celebrated Mouseketeer Annette Funicello’s actual Disney Legend handprints will be on display the entire weekend. Get those cameras and smartphones ready!

This year's D23 EXPO takes place August 14-16, 2015 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

New Disneyland Mobile App Coming; Are Star Wars Live-Action TV Shows Coming to Netflix?

New Disneyland Mobile App Coming Next Week:

A new Disneyland mobile app is coming to Google Play and the Apple App Store available next Tuesday, August 4. The new app will offer such features such as allowing Annual Passholders to link their passes and using their phones to gain admission to the parks. Here are the other perks that more information will be released next week on the Disney Parks Blog:

Park Info:

• Attraction Wait Times
• Character Meet & Greet Locations
• Dining Locations 
• Restroom Locations
• PhotoPass Locations
• Entertainment Show Schedules

Park Tickets and Admission:

Park tickets will be able to be purchased directly through the App and then ticket barcodes will be scanned for initial entrance into the parks where a real ticket will then be printed.

Annual PassHolders will be able to link their passes with the app for theme park entry. Families will be able to link several annual passes to the app for easier park entrance. The physical annual pass will still be needed for park discounts and Fastpass. The initial annual pass must still be purchased online or via a ticket booth. This perk will not yet be available for Premier Annual Passholders. 

The new App will not be in sync with the My Disney Experience App that is used at Walt Disney World or the Shop Disney Parks App. 

Are Star Wars Live-Action TV Shows Coming to Netflix?

Cinelinx is reporting that several live-action Star Wars shows could be in the works with Netflix. They are saying that nothing is nailed down but Disney is trying to nail down a schedule to shoot the series in between films, so they could use the same sets. 

The article states that LucasFilm has really firmed up their schedule in the last few weeks including announcing the released for the second anthology film about Han Solo. So with firming up their schedules they are looking more and more into TV options, including Netflix.

Here is the information they are reporting: "Disney is looking to continue their partnership with Netflix for their Star Wars shows. Yes, I said shows. I've heard there's talk of potentially three different live-action shows for Netflix, in much the same way Marvel has deals in place for Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, etc." 

LucasFilm already has a great relationship with Netflix as they already used the platform to release the final season of "Clone Wars" exclusively on Netflix along with the other five seasons. No release date has be pinpointed yet but Cinelinx is guessing around 2017 for the first series. 

Disney World Testing New System to Bring Food Straight to You

Through a new app that Disney is testing at Disney World's Hollywood Studios, guests may order food and it will be brought right to them. Disney is currently testing the system at Fantasmic and the Backlot Express at Hollywood Studios.

Guests may pre-order food through this special app, called Express Order. Guests with Fastpass+ reservations at this time are being randomly selected to test the new app and system. You will be invited to test via e-mail. Guests will be able to order and then also pay ahead. Here is what the app looks like.

Currently test times at Backlot Express from April 28-May 4, guests will be able to have their meal prepped at the counter for pickup or to go. They will then be invited to bring their food to their seat at Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. From May 5-May 12, guests may have their meal prepped at the counter to-go or have food delivered to their table.

For Fantasmic!, guests can use the Express Order app to order select food, beverage, and even merchandise from their seats and have it delivered straight to them. This is all available during pre-show and during nights with two shows it will only be available during the first showing of Fantasmic!. Express Order uses both bluetooth and location services on mobile devices.