Next Star Wars movie will be released in December 2015

Lucasfilm has confirmed that the next Star Wars movie will be released on Dec. 18, 2015.

"We're very excited to share the official 2015 release date for Star Wars: Episode VII, where it will not only anchor the popular holiday filmgoing season but also ensure our extraordinary filmmaking team has the time needed to deliver a sensational picture," Alan Horn, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios said on the Star Wars blog.

Star Wars: Episode VII is being directed by J.J. Abrams, who helped bring back the Star Trek franchise and is being written by Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan who wrote Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi).

Filming is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2014.

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Disney and Forever 21 join forces for new Mickey Mouse clothing collection

Another new collection of limited edition women's apparel has been announced by Disney.  This deal is with Forever 21, inspired by vintage Mickey Mouse designs "with an '80's vibe." 

"We are excited to re-introduce this retro streetwise-style into our Forever 21 stores with Mickey Mouse, a character that has influenced pop culture worldwide," Betsy Zanjani, Forever 21 senior vice president of product design, said in a press release. 

This latest collection include 46 items, including oversized tees with rolled and tacked sleeves, screened denim jacket and reversible pop-over sweater. Here is a quick look at what is out there:

The Mickey T-shirt is $15.80. The sweatshirt is $24.80 and the necklace is $9.80 .

The beanie is $10.80 and the bodysuit is $17.80 .

The Mickey cap is $10.80, the sweater is $19.80 and the suspenders are $10.80. 

 Umbrella is $9.80, the sweatshirt is $17.80 and the bracelet is $5.80 .

The Dotted Mickey Mouse Beanie for $9.80,
the Smiling Mickey and Minnie Sweater is $24.80
and the Statement Making Mickey Mouse Necklace is $11.80

The Casual Mickey Denim Shirt is $22.80,
the Standout Mickey Denim Jacket at $32.80
and the Disney Parade Fanny Pack at $12.80.

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Sum of all Thrills celebrates four years at Disney World

 One of my favorite attractions at Disney World and one of the best kept secrets at the park,  has celebrated its fourth anniversary at Disney World.

Sum of all Thrills, hidden away inside Innoventions, in Epcot is a ride many people overlook. It's a great attraction to create your own thrill ride.

Sponsored by Raytheon, the pre-show video

explains how math and science are used to create thrill rides, illustrating how speed and angles are used to keep roller coasters on the track and not fly off.

Once the video is done you go to a design station where you take what you learned about acceleration and velocity to build a course with a virtual roller coaster ride, jet-fighter plane or bobsled run. You can build in loops, turns, dives and barrel rolls. The design station will tell you if it is possible and how fast you can go.

After you build the course, you head over to 3-D robotic simulator where you sit in a module suspended in the air and go through the course you created.

Here's a look at the ride.

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Alaska Airlines unveils a Disney-Pixar Cars-themed plane

Look. Up in the sky. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it's Mater.

The newest Alaska Airlines airplane has the images of Disney-Pixar's "Cars" characters Mater, Lightning McQueen, Guido and Luigi. The Boeing 737-800 dubbed "Adventure of Disneyland Resort" is the fifth Disney-themed airplane from the airline, according to a new release.

Photo by Alaska Airlines

Mater's rustic-looking muffler is located on the tail of the jet.

"I can't think of a better way to celebrate our strong partnership than to launch this flying invitation to visit Disneyland Resort's newest attraction and Mater's home in Cars Land," said Jeff Butler, Alaska Airlines' vice president of customer service-airports and cargo, and board member of Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington.

It took 29 days to create the plane. Painters airbrushed the aircraft with 70 colors and applied more than 10,000 square feet of vinyl graphics to create the characters. More than 72,000 linear feet of masking tape was used during the painting.

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Kermit and Miss Piggy topiaries will debut at Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival in 2014

Disney announced it will introduce Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy topiaries next spring at the 21st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.

The event will take place from March 5 to May 18, 2014, Disney announced in a press release, with nearly 100 topiaries being placed around Epcot, including:

© Steven Liebman

• The new floral Miss Piggy and Kermit with his blooming banjo.
• Goofy, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck topiaries in a new Epcot front entrance garden vignette celebrating spring with a butterfly hunt adventure. The garden will feature a real waterfall and pond with water lilies.
• A new Timon topiary will join Pumbaa near the park’s Outpost location between China and Germany.
• Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Croc return for a second year to the United Kingdom showcase. 
• The Disney-Pixar “Cars” garden and playground will return.
• Tinker Bell’s Butterfly House will return with fairy topiaries.

Also returning in 2014 is the outdoor food-and-beverage marketplaces. New next year will be Piggylicious Bacon Cupcakes and a Barbecued Chicken Leg at the Smokehouse Barbecue marketplace.

Two new acts will be playing at the Flower Power Concert Series with  Gary Lewis and the Playboys (“This Diamond Ring”) March 14-16, and The Alan Parsons Live Project (“Eye in the Sky”) May 16-18.

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Savor the Flavors at Disneyland is part of next Limited Time Magic

Paradise Gardens at California Adventure in Disneyland will offer special treats as part of the next Limited Time Magic from Nov. 14 to 17, 2013.

The treats are part of of Disney's Viva Navidad, which is taking pace now through Jan. 6, 2014. The treats include  Champurrudo and Pineapple Sweet Tamales, all  prepared by Disneyland Resort chefs, according to a Disney website.

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Disney salutes Veterans as part of next Limited Time Magic at Disney World

Disney publicity photo

A salute to veterans will be the focus next week at Disney World as the next Limited Time Magic kicks off.

From Nov 11 to Nov. 15, 2013, there will be a special Flag Retreat Ceremony each evening in Town Square at the Magic Kingdom, according to the Disney Limited Time Magic website.

A special Veteran of the Day flag bearer will be saluted by the Main Street Philharmonic and the Voices of Liberty.

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