Author: dpep.disney.com

As we welcome guests back to Walt Disney World Resort hotels, there are many convenient technologies helping us deliver magical experiences. Whether it’s limited-contact check-in, virtual chat, keyless room entry, or even virtual fireworks on demand, we offer features you may not know about.

Guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels now have virtual fireworks at their fingertips. Our popular pre-recorded #DisneyMagicMoments viewing of one of the most spectacular nighttime shows ever created at Disney Parks – “Happily Ever After” is currently streaming on demand in resort rooms.

The benefits of using Disney technology at our resort hotels really begins before check-in with the My Disney Experience app. When you arrive, the app feature allows you to skip the front desk! After checking in online, you’ll receive a notification and can use a MagicBand or My Disney Experience digital key for limited-contact entry.

If you haven’t used it yet, the digital key is the latest in the evolution of keyless room entry.   The service turns a Bluetooth®-enabled phone into a digital key that unlocks a room door, hotel entrance gate and other common area doors requiring a key.  Check our earlier digital key story for details.

During your stay, Disney technology also allows you to virtual chat with a resort cast member at your convenience.  This feature, which is also found in the My Disney Experience app, offers support nearly anytime—so there’s no need to visit the lobby or stand in line.

Of course, there are many more convenient technologies to be discovered  – so, be sure to download the latest version of My Disney Experience for your next stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel.

View on the Disney Parks Blog.

The post Virtual Fireworks on Demand, Keyless Room Entry and Other Cool Tech Create Magical Experiences at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels appeared first on Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.

From our friends at dpep.disney.com
Filed Under: Uncategorized

Glendale, Calif. (August 12, 2020) — The preeminent Marvel retail celebration ‘Marvel Mania’ makes its anticipated return bringing kids, families and fans new ways to wear, collect, connect and play with Earth’s Mightiest Super Heroes. Now in its fifth year ‘Marvel Mania’ – the only campaign to bring all the Marvel Super Heroes together – offers an exciting suite of global retail activations, new content launches and must-have products for fans of all ages. It all kicks off in Europe this August with the Marvel-sponsored ‘Superhero Series’ sports challenge in the UK and continues with a host of global activity running through the fall.

“What started as a targeted retail campaign in the U.S. has grown into an international celebration with a wide range of retailers and more than a hundred global licensees supporting worldwide,” said Paul Gitter, SVP, Marvel Licensing. “The success of ‘Marvel Mania’ is a testament to the strength, power and diversity our characters represent on screen and beyond with amazing products and experiences.”

Powered by Marvel, the ‘Superhero Series’ is the UK’s largest interactive sporting event dedicated to the nation’s 13.3 million people with disabilities. Six families and their celebrity team captains will be starring in a special shopDisney.com-sponsored Channel 4 programme as they take on this year’s ‘At Home Superheroes’ challenge, due to air on August 15. Supporting the at-home initiative Marvel will bring the energy of its iconic Super Hero characters to participants’ homes and neighborhoods through downloadable games, signs and more to help participants feel like a true Super Hero.

In Mexico, Marvel will be announcing an exciting collaboration with a sporting and cultural phenomenon this October and in the U.S., shopDisney.com will feature an epic, month-long ‘Marvel Mania’ collector event where action-packed products, content and Marvel-themed accessories and apparel will debut. In China, a Marvel ‘Find Your Power’ campaign will launch this fall with additional Asia Pacific region retail touch points, new product offerings, and multiple consumer activations running through 2021. Japan will feature “A Universe of Heroes” exhibition that celebrates the Marvel Cinematic Universe opening in Osaka, Japan from August 10 – November 23 with limited-edition products sold exclusively at the exhibition including BEAMS Marvel t-shirts designed by three local artists.

Supporting ‘Marvel Mania’ will be robust merchandising programs from best-in-class retailers Walmart, Target, Amazon, Kohl’s, Hot Topic, Box Lunch, FYE, Party City, Walgreen’s, Books-A-Million, shopDisney.com and Disney store. In the UK and Europe marquee retailers include Tesco, Sainsbury’s Argos, Smyths, ASDA, Amazon and Carrefour. Fans in Southeast Asia, India and Middle East can look forward to an exciting line-up of Marvel campaigns now through November across the region’s largest online retailers and e-Commerce platforms, such as Lazada, Shopee, Flipkart and Amazon. These campaigns will bring the latest Marvel merchandise online, from kids’ favorite Hasbro & LEGO offerings, to the ultra-affordable-but-chic MINISO for an added touch of “power” to any home and living space. Latin America rounds out the program with support from El Palacio de Hierro, Walmart and Marathon. All participating retailers will feature unique ‘Marvel Mania’ promotions and special offers.

Additionally, an exciting cross-category merchandise portfolio spanning video games, publishing, apparel, accessories, toys and more will give kids, families and fans the biggest, broadest, and most diverse merchandise line ever.

Highlights include:

Marvel FANatics
Offerings for the diehard Marvel fan include collectibles, action figures and more with exciting new additions from X-Men, Spider-Man and beyond:

• X-Men 20th Anniversary collectible toys by Hasbro
• Marvel Zombies FUNKO Pops! collectibles
• Marvel Maglite Flashlights – Captain America, Spider-Man and more
• Reassemble the Earth’s Mightiest Super Hero team with Marvel Avengers toys and collectibles from Hasbro, inspired by the highly-anticipated Marvel’s Avengers video game from Crystal Dynamics, Square Enix and Marvel Games
• LEGO Marvel Studios Iron Man art set
•  Find out which comic books have truly helped define Marvel Comics with Marvel: Greatest Comics: 100 Comics that Built A Universe from DK, a compelling showcase of some of the most trailblazing and inspiring comic books ever created

Marvel Best Bets For Kids and Teens
Kids can immerse themselves in Marvel Super Hero action through toys, roleplay, and apparel that’s the perfect fit for any adventure:

• BattleWorld Thanos Ship Showdown from Funko
• Black Widow apparel and footwear launches from El Palacio de Hierro in Mexico, Marathon in Peru, Adidas in Europe and Disney store
• Spider-Man: Maximum Venom toys including Venom Burst Action Figures and role play from Hasbro, construction sets from LEGO and Funko POPS!
• The third book in the hit Rocket and Groot picture book series by Brendan Deneen, Snow Day for Groot! an adorable, snowy adventure following Rocket, Groot and Spider-Man as they swing through the Big Apple!
• The Marvel Storybook Collection the perfect addition to any young Marvel fan’s collection, made up of 18 original stories that will captivate them with incredible tales of bravery and exciting adventures

Living The Marvel Lifestyle
Fans can show their love through new collaborations and games, including:

• Foodies –  BoxLunch Marvel ‘Eat the Universe’ collection featuring culinary inspired home goods, apparel, accessories and collectibles
• For gamers –
  • Products inspired by the Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales video game, the next adventure in the Marvel’s Spider-Man universe from Insomniac Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment and Marvel Games
  • Products inspired by the highly-anticipated Marvel’s Avengers video game from Crystal Dynamics, Square Enix and Marvel Games

About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media. For more information visit marvel.com. © 2020 MARVEL

About Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing
Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing (CPGP) brings the magic of The Walt Disney Company’s brands and franchises—including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more—into the daily lives of families and fans around the world through products and experiences across more than 100 retail categories from toys and t-shirts to apps, books, video games, and more. A division of the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products segment, CPGP’s global operations include: the world’s largest licensing business, one of the biggest children’s publishing brands, a leading licensor of interactive games across platforms, Disney store locations globally, and the shopDisney e-commerce platform.

The post ‘MARVEL MANIA’ CELEBRATES FIFTH ANNIVERSARY WITH GLOBAL ACTIVATIONS AND EPIC RETAIL CELEBRATIONS appeared first on Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.

From our friends at dpep.disney.com
Filed Under: Consumer Products

Actress and Producer, Yara Shahidi, International Supermodel, Gigi Hadid and Award-Winning Artist and Activist, Chance the Rapper Help Kick Off Campaign, Which Invites Fans to Celebrate Their Friends Through #MickeyFriendsStayTrue

 BURBANK, Calif. (JULY 23, 2020) – Disney announced Mickey & Friends: Stay True, a global campaign inspired by the Sensational Six – Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy and Pluto – and their iconic friendship that has spanned over several decades.

Through countless adventures and almost a century’s worth of milestones, the Sensational Six have always stayed true to one another, and now they’re inspiring others to do the same. Starting this week and culminating on July 30, International Friendship Day, fans across the globe are invited to ‘shout out’ their friends and thank them for “staying true” through social media challenges, free digital activations and more, using #MickeyFriendsStayTrue.

Yara Shahidi, Gigi Hadid and Chance the Rapper helped kick off the campaign today with posts celebrating their best friends Sayeed Shahidi, Ehsan Shahidi, Olivia Perez and Taylor Bennett.

“When I think of my earliest memories of friendship and what it means to be a friend, I flashback to the Sensational Six. I am excited to celebrate International Friendship Day with my sensational brothers and the iconic group of Disney friends who have inspired the beauty of friendship.” – Yara Shahidi  

“I’ve always been such a big Disney fan, and know any day I get to step foot into a Disney park will be another great one. I have so many amazing memories from childhood to adulthood that include Mickey and the Sensational Six. I’m so happy to be celebrating International Friendship Day alongside these iconic characters!” – Gigi Hadid

“My brother is my best friend and I’m excited to celebrate International Friendship Day alongside him and Mickey Mouse.” – Chance the Rapper

Starting tomorrow, July 24, and leading up to International Friendship Day, Disney will provide fans with calls to action – each inspired by a different member of the Sensational Six – every day via the @mickeytrueoriginal Instagram. Throughout the week, fans will be encouraged to use the #MickeyFriendsStayTrue hashtag to share tales of friendship including stories from celebrities like Yara Shahidi, Gigi Hadid and Chance the Rapper. In addition, “Good Morning America” and syndicated morning talk show “Live with Kelly and Ryan” are joining in the celebration, with special messages to encourage viewers to participate.  Some friendship stories could end up being featured on Disney’s social platforms and on “Good Morning America.”

“Celebrating friendship and those who help us stay true to ourselves and others is more important than ever before,” said Kareem Daniel, president of Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing. “As families around the world look to Disney to add magic to their daily lives, this campaign highlights the enduring bonds between Mickey and his pals – inviting fans to share in their exciting adventures and iconic friendships.”

The Sensational Six’s rich history of friendship reveal the secrets to a lifelong friend

Being loyal, creating memories and making each other laugh are just some of the ways that Mickey and his friends have continued to stay true to one another for almost a century.

In order to highlight the history of this iconic friend group and reveal what it takes to maintain lifelong friends, Historian Brian Sibley analyzed over 600 hours of Disney films, shorts and featurettes featuring the Sensational Six.

The analysis revealed that loyalty is the number one trait that stands the friendship test of time, with the six friends unwavering in supporting each other. Sharing similar interests and adventures are also key, and laughter really is the best medicine with the characters finding ways to laugh together no matter what.

Other important traits found in the enduring friendships of the characters are making time for each other, being honest when needed, and being thoughtful.

The top 10 qualities that are key to lifelong friendship according to 90 years of Disney stories are:

1. Loyalty (like Pluto always being by Mickey Mouse’s side)
2. Honesty (whether it’s what they want to hear or not, the Sensational Six are always honest with each other)
3. Kindness (like Donald taking on an extra job to pay for a big date with Daisy)
4. Understanding of faults (whether it’s Donald’s feistiness or Goofy’s foolishness, the friends are always forgiving of each other’s faults)
5. Shared interests (like Mickey Mouse and Pluto’s love of fishing)
6. Embracing differences (whether you’re sassy like Daisy or happy-go-lucky like Pluto)
7. Supportive of ambitions (such as Mickey Mouse’s lifelong support for Minnie Mouse’s career paths)
8. Shared sense of humor (whether you’re always laughing like Mickey Mouse or being the comedian like Goofy)
9. Making time for each other (a long running theme with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse)
10. Being thoughtful (such as the birthday surprises the Sensational Six plan for each other every year)

New Products and Promotions Celebrating Friendship

In celebration of the campaign, new product collaborations such as Primark, H&M, Adidas, BIG W, BaubleBar, Ray-Ban, Otterbox and Kellogg’s will be available, along with cross-category products for all ages at retailers all over the world, with more to come later this year. Additionally, on July 23, shopDisney.com will feature a special ‘buy-one-get-one-plush-for-$3’ offer, and on July 28 – July 30, will offer up to 40% off on Mickey & Friends merchandise must-haves.

In addition, the Mickey and Friends: Stay True playlist by Walt Disney Records is now streaming: https://disneymusic.co/MickeyandFriends. Disney+ will feature the Mickey and Friends Collection at the top of the Collections section in Disney+ from July 27 – August 2, in honor of the global campaign.

Disney’s Mickey & Friends: Stay True campaign will continue throughout the year, including celebrating Friendsgiving in November.

For more information on Mickey & Friends: Stay True, follow @MickeyTrueOriginal and #MickeyFriendsStayTrue on Instagram.

About Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing 

Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing (CPGP) brings the magic of The Walt Disney Company’s brands and franchises—including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more—into the daily lives of families and fans around the world through products and experiences across more than 100 retail categories from toys and t-shirts to apps, books, video games, and more. A division of the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products segment, CPGP’s global operations include: the world’s largest licensing business, one of the biggest children’s publishing brands, a leading licensor of interactive games across platforms, Disney store locations globally, and the shopDisney e-commerce platform.

#          #          #

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing

Erin Barrier

Director, Licensing & Franchise Communications

626-487-1582

erin.j.barrier@disney.com

 

 

The post DISNEY BEGINS COUNTDOWN TO INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP DAY WITH LAUNCH OF GLOBAL CAMPAIGN, “MICKEY & FRIENDS: STAY TRUE” appeared first on Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.

From our friends at dpep.disney.com
Filed Under: Consumer Products, Disney Classics Related News, New DCPI Main Page, News

Jill Estorino will become president and managing director for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products International, effective immediately. In her new role, the 29-year Disney veteran will be responsible for overseeing the company’s parks and resorts international operations and development, including Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Resort with the Oriental Land Company, Shanghai Disney Resort and Disneyland Paris.

“Jill is known as an innovative and dynamic leader, and she’ll bring her nearly 30 years of Disney experience to guide our international parks into the future,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.

Estorino replaces Michael Colglazier who served in this role for the past three years.

For the past five years, Estorino has served as Executive Vice President, Global Marketing and Sales, where she led the organization that manages consumer and client relationships around the world, identified opportunities for new products, experiences and services, and drove demand for the renowned Disney Destinations vacation portfolio.

Prior to that, she served as Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Asia Pacific for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, leading the teams at Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disney Resort to achieve business goals and ensure a consistent brand presence in the APAC region. Previously, she was Senior Vice President, Marketing Strategy for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, leading a team that developed marketing strategies to drive attendance and occupancy for Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and Disney Vacation Club.

“I am excited for the opportunity to once again work more closely with our teams in Europe and Asia and to share Disney Magic with Guests and fans throughout the world.” Estorino said.

Estorino also sits on the board of directors of the Association of National Advertisers, lending her time to its #SeeHer advisory board and the board of directors for Hong Kong Disneyland.

The post Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Names Jill Estorino President and Managing Director of Disney Parks International appeared first on Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.

From our friends at dpep.disney.com
Filed Under: Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Parks and Experiences, Shanghai Disney Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort

 

Today we are thrilled to share a first glimpse of a project Imagineers have been working on since last year. Splash Mountain – at both Disneyland park in California and Magic Kingdom park in Florida – will soon be completely reimagined. The theme is inspired by an all-time favorite animated Disney film, “The Princess and the Frog.” We pick up this story after the final kiss, and join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure – featuring some of the powerful music from the film – as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.

Tiana is a modern, courageous, and empowered woman, who pursues her dreams and never loses sight of what’s really important. It’s a great story with a strong lead character, set against the backdrop of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou. In 1966, Walt himself opened New Orleans Square when it became the first new “land” added to Disneyland park, so it feels natural to link the story and the incredible music of “The Princess and the Frog” to our parks.

The voice of Princess Tiana and Tony Award-winning actress, Anika Noni Rose, shared, “It is really exciting to know that Princess Tiana’s presence in both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom will finally be fully realized! As passionate as I am about what we created, I know the fans are going to be over the moon. The Imagineers are giving us ‘The Princess and the Frog’ Mardi Gras celebration we’ve been waiting for, and I’m here for it!”

The approach to retheming or “plussing” attractions (as Walt Disney referred to it) begins with Imagineers asking the question, how can we build upon or elevate the experience and tell a fresh, relevant story? It’s a continuous process that Imagineers are deeply passionate about. And with this longstanding history of updating attractions and adding new magic, the retheming of Splash Mountain is of particular importance today. The new concept is inclusive – one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by, and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year.

Charita Carter, the senior creative producer leading the project at Walt Disney Imagineering shared, “Like Princess Tiana, I believe that courage and love are the key ingredients for wonderful adventures. I am delighted to be a part of bringing this fun-filled experience to our guests.”

For Imagineers, change is rooted in a tradition set by Walt Disney who encouraged new innovations, new ideas, new scenes and current storytelling. And the experiences they create can be enjoyed by guests who visit our parks from all over the world.

As part of the creative development process, conceptual design work is well underway and Imagineers will soon be able to conduct preliminary reviews and develop a timeline for when the transformation can start to take shape.

Stay tuned for more!

View on the Disney Parks Blog.

The post New Adventures with Princess Tiana Coming to Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom Park appeared first on Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.

From our friends at dpep.disney.com
Filed Under: Disneyland Resort, Parks and Experiences, Walt Disney Imagineering, Walt Disney World Resort