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First Look: Disney Parks Unveils the Star Wars-Inspired Land Model

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Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Announced as Name for Star Wars Lands at Disney Parks

Article by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Editorial Content Manager, Walt Disney World Resort

As we’ve previously shared, two Star Wars-inspired lands are currently under construction at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.

Tonight, we’re happy to pull back the curtain and give you the first detailed look at the model of this new land, which will be on display this weekend at the 2017 D23 Expo.

Both Star Wars-inspired lands will transport guests to a never-before-seen planet, a remote trading port and one of the last stops before Wild Space, where Star Wars characters and their stories come to life.

First Look: Sneak a Peek at Disney Park's Star Wars Land-Inspired Model

Here, guests will find themselves in the middle of the action at two signature attractions: one that lets guests take the controls of Millennium Falcon on a customized secret mission, and an epic Star Wars adventure that puts guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance.

First Look: Sneak a Peek at Disney Park's Star Wars Land-Inspired Model

Follow the Disney Parks Blog over the next few days for full coverage of all Walt Disney Parks & Resorts news and announcements coming out of the 2017 D23 Expo.

Disney Teams Up with Magic!

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Disney Making Even More ‘Magic’

Article by Darrell Fry, Sports Media Director, Walt Disney World Resort

Over the years, the relationship between Walt Disney World Resort and the Orlando Magic basketball team has been, well, magical. Now it’s about to get even more magical as we expand our relationship as the team’s uniform sponsor.

As part of the NBA’s three-year trial period in which the league welcomes uniform sponsorship partners, Disney will have its logo on the Magic players’ jerseys for all games starting next season.

Disney Making Even More ‘Magic’

Disney became one of the team’s Champion of the Community partners in 2010, and this expanded partnership is another way we are working with the Magic to solidify Central Florida’s presence as a global sports destination. And it’s just cool.

Disney Making Even More ‘Magic’

Disney is also adding a special seating and hospitality area at the Amway Center for annual passholder upgrades during select Orlando Magic games. As part of our expanded partnership, Magic fans can purchase or renew their Walt Disney World Annual Passes at the Amway Center, including the Orlando Magic Team Shop. And doing it there comes with some perks. Throughout the multi-year agreement, fans who renew or purchase their annual pass at the Amway Center will receive one of the new Orlando Magic jerseys with the Disney logo.

“At Walt Disney World Resort, we naturally believe in all things magic and are happy to support our hometown team,” said George A. Kalogridis, president of Walt Disney World Resort. “This long-term relationship symbolizes our shared focus of solidifying Orlando as a world class city for sports.”

When you think about it, this agreement really is a slam-dunk. But don’t take my word for it. Check out this video of Mickey Mouse and Magic star Aaron Gordon playing ball. Now this is “Pure Magic.”

Are You in Charge?

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Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9–11, esv).

article by James MacDonald

Someday Jesus Christ will step onto the world scene and bring this whole, unfolding drama to a conclusion. His presence and appearance will bring all of us to our knees. Every knee will bow. I’m not sure when it will happen, I’m not sure how it will happen, but I am certain it will happen.

Every person who exits this life will bow before Jesus Christ. “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me” (Romans 14:11). Every person will say these words: “Jesus Christ is Lord.” Even if you’re not much of a public speaker, you will account for yourself. You will answer for the choices you have made.

We can recover eternally despite some bad choices, but we cannot get this one wrong. We can avoid God but not for more than a lifetime. Jesus Christ is Lord, and someday every knee will bow to Him as the rightful Ruler. The Master. The One in charge. The ultimate authority.

If life is about one thing, it’s about getting this ultimate authority relationship figured out. Who’s really in charge? It’s not Washington, or Hollywood, or Wall Street, and it’s not you and me. It’s Jesus Christ the Lord. No matter what we accomplish in this world, a hundred years from today, if we didn’t get this figured out, we will have nothing.

Submitting to His authority is both a crisis and a process. The crisis is a decision: understanding with your mind that Jesus is Lord. Then comes the process: bowing to His authority means obeying His commands.

The ultimate test of lordship is not the crisis of your deciding that you believe, but the process of submitting your will to His at the point of pressure—the place where you and He disagree on what to choose. Whose will wins: yours or His? “Jesus is Lord” is chosen in a dozen daily decisions, each one taking your life to a better place.

  • If I were in charge, I would do __________ with my life. But Jesus is Lord, so I choose His plan for my life.
  • If I were in charge, I would do __________ with my finances. But Jesus is Lord, so I choose to give, save, and spend according to His priorities.
  • If I were in charge, I would do __________ right now in my marriage, but I’m not in charge. He is Lord, and I will do what His Word says.
  • If I were in charge, I’d storm into work and tell my boss __________. But Jesus Christ is Lord, and as His representative, I’ll only say what my Master wants me to say.

Everybody serves somebody. Everybody has somebody in charge of his life. Forget the excuses—you choose who you serve. You don’t fall into servitude. It’s not an accident. You can’t blame your environment or your past. You choose who you serve. Your mama doesn’t choose for you. Your pastor can’t choose for you. As much as someone might love you, he can’t choose for you. Even God, who loves you perfectly, will not choose for you. There are simply some crucial decisions you have to make for yourself. The ball is in your court. “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).

The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors Extends Robert A. Iger’s Contract

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The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors announced today that it has extended Robert A. Iger’s contract as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer to July 2, 2019.

“Given Bob Iger’s outstanding leadership, his record of success in a changing media landscape, and his clear strategic vision for Disney’s future, it is obvious that the Company and its shareholders will be best served by his continued leadership as the Board conducts the robust process of identifying a successor and ensuring a smooth transition,” said Orin C. Smith, Independent Lead Director of the Disney Board.

Mr. Smith continued: “Mr. Iger has led The Walt Disney Company to unprecedented success during his 11 years as CEO, driving Disney to new creative heights, expanding the Company’s global reach, fostering technological innovation, and delivering year-after-year of record financial results. During his tenure, Mr. Iger has created enormous value for shareholders, with total shareholder return of 448%, compared to 144% for the S&P 500, and a dramatic increase in the Company’s market capitalization to $177 billion from $46 billion.”

“Leading this great company is a tremendous privilege, and I am honored to have been asked to continue serving as CEO through July 2, 2019,” Mr. Iger said. “Even with the incredible success the Company has achieved, I am confident that Disney’s best days are still ahead, and I look forward to continuing to build on our proven strategy for growth while working with the Board to identify a successor as CEO and ensure a successful transition.”

Details of the agreement will be included in a Form 8-K filed today.

Since Mr. Iger, 66, became CEO, The Walt Disney Company has been recognized as one of the “Most Reputable Companies” in both America and the world by Forbes magazine (2006-2017); one of “America’s Most Admired Companies” by Fortune magazine (2009-2017); one of the “World’s Most Respected Companies” by Barron’s (2009-2016); one of the “Best Places to Launch a Career” byBusinessWeek magazine (2006-2010); and as “Company of the Year” by Yahoo Finance (2013).

How Pandora – The World of Avatar Will Continue the Values of Disney’s Animal Kingdom

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How Pandora – The World of Avatar Will Continue the Values of Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Original article by Jennifer Fickley-Baker

Pandora -­ The World of Avatar, which is set to open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in summer 2017, will transport guests to a visually stunning world complete with floating mountains, bioluminescent plants and all kinds of immersive adventure.

Walt Disney Imagineering just shared the first in a series of videos in which Portfolio Creative Executive Joe Rohde (who played a major part in the original development for Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the 1990s) explains the overall design philosophy of Pandora – The World of Avatar and how that fits into the theming of the rest of the park.

According to Joe, the themes in both the film AVATAR and the values the designers of Disney’s Animal Kingdom had in mind when planning the park are the same: Emphasizing the intrinsic value of nature; Exploring the idea that guests can be transformed through adventure; And inspiring guests to understand and respect the nature that exists in our world.

Check out the video to learn more about what to expect when Pandora – The World of Avatar comes to life in just a few months.

New Han Solo ‘Star Wars’ Story Begins Production

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Production on the film, slated for release on May 25, 2018, kicked off at Pinewood Studios in London on February 20.

The adventure-filled past of the iconic scoundrel and everyone’s favorite Wookiee is going before cameras this month: principal photography on the untitled Han Solo Star Wars Story officially began February 20 at Pinewood Studios, London.The movie will explore the duo’s adventures before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope, including their early encounters with that other card-playing rogue from a galaxy far, far away, Lando Calrissian. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are the directors co-piloting the movie, with a cast that includes Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian, Thandie Newton and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, with Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca.“Watching such inspired people from all over the world, with such unique voices, come together for the sole purpose of making art, is nothing short of miraculous,” Lord and Miller said. “We can’t think of anything funny to say, because we just feel really moved, and really lucky.”Written by Lawrence and Jon Kasdan, the film will be produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Allison Shearmur, Simon Emanuel and co-produced by Kiri Hart, Susan Towner and Will Allegra. Lawrence Kasdan and Jason McGatlin will executive produce.

Crewing the ship will be some of the industry’s top talent, including Director of Photography Bradford Young (Academy Award® nominee for his work on Arrival), Editor Chris Dickens, SFX Supervisor Dominic Tuohy, VFX Supervisor Rob Bredow and Action Designer Brad Allan.

They will be joining returning Star Wars veteran crew members Neal Scanlan (Creature & Droid FX creative supervisor), Neil Lamont (production designer), Dave Crossman and Glyn Dillon (co-costume designers), Jamie Wilkinson (prop master), Lisa Tomblin (hair), Amanda Knight (make-up) and Nina Gold (UK casting director).

The untitled Han Solo Star Wars Story is slated for release on May 25, 2018.

‘Rivers of Light’ Officially Opens February 17 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

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Original article by Jennifer Fickley-Baker

'Rivers of Light' at Disney's Animal Kingdom

For more than a year, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has continued its evolution to a day-to-night park by introducing a rich variety of new nighttime experiences – from Kilimanjaro Safaris after sunset and fine dining at Tiffins, to the vibrant entertainment at the Harambe Wildlife Parti and Discovery Island Carnivale. And when the Tree of Life awakens after dark, it is truly a sight to behold!

Today, we’re happy to announce one of the park’s newest nighttime experiences, “Rivers of Light,” will make its official debut on February 17.

Continuing the grand Disney tradition of innovative, after-dark entertainment, “Rivers of Light” combines live performance, floating set pieces, a soaring musical score, fountains and more in a celebration of animals and nature. The story magically unfolds on the broad natural stage of the Discovery River, conveying the uplifting spirit of an ancient and timeless lantern ceremony and filled with symbolism, storytelling and plenty of heart.

And don’t forget that the next step in the expansion of Disney’s Animal Kingdom – the grand debut of Pandora – The World of Avatar – will take place on May 27, 2017.

Take a Behind-The-Scenes Look at Pandora – The World of Avatar

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Take a Behind-The-Scenes Look at Pandora - The World of AVATAR

article by Jennifer Fickley-Baker

If you caught the “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Celebration” on ABC earlier this week, you may have seen this amazing sneak peek into one of Walt Disney World’s most exciting expansions: the construction of Pandora – The World of Avatar, which will open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom this summer.

As you can see, Pandora – The World of Avatar will transport guests to a visually stunning world complete with floating mountains and bioluminescent plants. Here, guests will be able to experience two expeditions that will truly push adventure to the next level. The family friendly Na’vi River Journey will send guests down a sacred river hidden within a bioluminescent rainforest. Their journey will end in an unforgettable encounter with a Na’vi shaman, a figure who has a deep connection to the life force of Pandora. And second, the Avatar Flight of Passage excursion will offer the jaw-dropping experience of riding on a Banshee over the world of Pandora.

Check out the video above, in which the project team shares how this new land has already exceeded even their own imaginations.