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May 2014

Win a chance to be in Star Wars Episode VII and help a good cause

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“Star Wars: Episode VII” director J.J. Abrams has announced the creation of Star Wars: Force for Change, a brand new Star Wars initiative from Disney and Lucasfilm in collaboration with Bad Robot dedicated to finding creative solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems. The first Star Wars: Force for Change campaign will raise funds and awareness for the United Nations Children’s Fund’s (UNICEF) Innovation Labs and its innovative programs that are benefiting the world’s most vulnerable children. Disney has committed US $1 million to support the launch of Star Wars: Force for Change.

Abrams filmed the announcement from the set of the new film, which itself is pretty cool, perhaps even introducing us to a few of the aliens we might encounter in the film. JJ loves his mysteries, you know?

“The Star Wars fans are some of the most passionate and committed folks around the globe,” says director J.J. Abrams. “We’re thrilled to offer a chance to come behind the scenes as our VIP guests and be in Star Wars: Episode VII. We’re even more excited that by participating in this campaign, Star Wars fans will be helping children around the world through our collaboration with UNICEF Innovation Labs and projects.”

Fans can now contribute directly at Omaze.com/StarWars for a chance to appear in Star Wars: Episode VII. For each $10 contribution made through the Omaze fundraising platform, eligible participants will be automatically entered for a chance to win this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Read More »Win a chance to be in Star Wars Episode VII and help a good cause

Maleficent – New Featurette and Clips

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A new featurette and two clips from Disney’s “Maleficent” have been released. We’re just about a week away from the opening of this retelling of Disney’s classic animated feature “Sleeping Beauty.” In this new behind the scenes featurette, we learn how the cast and filmmakers create one of the biggest battle scenes in the film.

Excited? Grab your Maleficent tickets now for the May 30th release.

Two new clips from the film are below the jump:

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Disney’s Dreamers & Doers Highlights 15 Student Shining Stars

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The school year is wrapping up and it’s time for Disney’s 31st annual salute to Central Florida’s youngest humanitarians and community service leaders. This year Walt Disney World Resort recognized 15 local students with exceptional achievements, naming them Disney Dreamers & Doers Shining Stars.

Making a difference through their kindness and hard work, Disney Dreamers & Doers consistently demonstrate outstanding character and lead by example. Students selected for the Shining Star distinction include a second grader who befriends and assists disabled students, an eighth grader who created a documentary promoting South African girls’ education and a high school senior whose guidance in fitness and nutrition helped a friend lose more than 100 pounds.

“Here at Walt Disney World Resort, we continue to be impressed by our community’s youngest citizens and are inspired by the positive impact they have on Central Florida,” said Nancy Gidusko, director of community relations for Walt Disney World Resort. “Through compassion, vision and hard work, these dedicated students act on their dreams of changing the world.”

Approximately 400 students were chosen by their schools for this distinguished award. From all the 2014 Disney Dreamers & Doers named, a panel of judges selected the 15 Shining Stars from elementary, middle and high schools in Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk and Seminole counties. In its 31st year, the Disney Dreamers & Doers program has recognized nearly 13,000 students since the program began.

“We’re proud of all of our students at Lawton Chiles Middle School, but it’s especially gratifying to count a Disney Dreamer & Doer Shining Star among our Panthers,” said Dr. Margaret Gunderson, principal of Lawton Chiles Middle School in Seminole County. “This honor exemplifies our school’s community spirit and commitment to excellence.”

Disney Dreamers & Doers Shining Stars receive a Mickey Mouse statue known as a “Mousecar,” a gold medallion and annual theme park passes for themselves and their immediate family.

Join us below the jump for a list of the shining stars and their inspiring accomplishments:
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Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Commercial

Some of the very first people to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in New Fantasyland were paid actors filming a commercial spot. I think it’s safe to say we were all a bit jealous. The commercial is now online to see just a few days… Read More »Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Commercial

Instapic: An early model for Disney World’s Dwarf Mine

from Instagram: Disney Imagineers won’t admit it, but this is the original model for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Disney Fit Challenge at EPSN WWOS This September

There’s so much awesome in this video encouraging people to join the Disney Fit Challenge, the new cross-fit oriented games at ESPN WWOS, I just had to share: More details in the original March announcement.

Magic Kingdom Cell Phone Locker: How-To

These new lockers are currently being testing in the Magic Kingdom. Here’s a short video showing how to reserve a locker to charge your device and then how to retrieve said mobile device once it’s been charged. We also went into a bit more detail… Read More »Magic Kingdom Cell Phone Locker: How-To

Tee Fury Shirt of the Day – When E.T. Met Jack

The Tee Fury shirt of the day is a wonderful mashup of two worlds. From Tim Burton’s “Nightmare Before Christmas” we find Jack Skellington and his ghost dog Zero reenacting a scene from the Steven Spielberg classic “E.T.” This shirt is available for $11, but… Read More »Tee Fury Shirt of the Day – When E.T. Met Jack