Disney to Buy Lucasfilm for $4 Billion

Disney Buys Lucasfilm For $4 Billion

Disney Buys Lucasfilm For $4 Billion

The Walt Disney Company agreed Tuesday to buy Lucasfilm in a stock-and-cash deal valued at $4 billion.

The deal will make Lucasfilm owner George Lucas a significant shareholder in Disney, which will pay for the film company with $2 billion cash and around 40 million shares of its stock.

The takeover will give Disney (DIS, Fortune 500) control of Lucasfilm’s blockbuster Star Wars franchise, which encompasses both filmed productions and a massive merchandising operation. Disney will also absorb Lucasfilm’s special-effects production business, Industrial Light and Magic.

“It’s now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers,” George Lucas said in a written statement. “I’ve always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime.”

Kathleen Kennedy, current co-chairman of Lucasfilm, will become president of Lucasfilm, reporting to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn. Lucasfilm employees will remain based at the company’s San Francisco headquarters.

Lucas said he will continue to work as a creative consultant on Star Wars Episode 7, which is targeted for release in 2015.

Executives from Disney and Lucasfilm plan to provide more details on the deal during a conference call Tuesday afternoon.

By Stacy Cowley @CNNMoneyTech October 30, 2012: 4:48 PM ET

Orlando theme parks get a head start on Christmas

Is Christmas Here Already?

Is Christmas Here Already?

We may not like it, but we’re getting accustomed to Christmas celebrations starting in November. Here are some of the Central Florida attractions taking a Yuletide head start.

•Disney World hits the eggnog hard Nov. 9 with an array of holiday festivities. On that day, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights plugs in at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade steps off at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It’s also the first day of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom (separate admission ticket required).

•ICE!, Gaylord Palms’ elaborate ice-sculpture attraction, begins Nov. 10. This year’s theme is Merry Madagascar with characters again carved by 40 Chinese artisans. Returning are two-story ice slides and (brrrrr) 9-degree temps. Dress accordingly.

•SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration begins Nov. 17 with an ice-skating show, a seasonal killer-whale show, “Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas” with sea lion stars, a Muppet stage show and “O Wondrous Night,” a stage show revolving around the Christmas story. Celebration nights also include a fireworks-and-fountains finale.

•The popular Candlelight Processional at Epcot begins Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving, with actress Geena Davis as narrator. The event includes a mass choir and orchestra alongside the park’s Voices of Liberty as backdrop to the telling of the Christmas story. Other November narrators include actor Neil Patrick Harris and “The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg.

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By Dewayne Bevil Orlando Sentinel

What is you favorite dish? Trying all 29 Marketplaces in One Day at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

The fun is on the griddle at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, and there’s still time to enjoy the culinary adventures throughout the park before the event comes to a close November 12.

Half the fun of the festival is discovering new dishes in the 29 marketplaces. But what’s your favorite?

That’s the assignment I had on my recent trip around the Epcot culinary world. Whether it’s the subtle seasoning of the Kefta Pocket at the Morocco Marketplace; the volcano sauce on the Spicy Hand Roll at Japan; a smooth, fine Merlot from France; Griddled Greek Cheese at Greece or the wonderful selection of ales and beers at the Hops and Barley Marketplace, there’s a lot to please every palate. Rob, our Concerned Bystander, also makes a cameo in this video, but it seems his tune has changed just a tiny bit.

So, after experiencing all 29 marketplaces in one day, what was my favorite dish?

The Kalua Pork Slider (the chutney and spicy mayo are an unbeatable blend) from the Hawai’i Marketplace takes the top spot in my (very) unscientific sampling. Although the White Corn Arepa (AREPA!) from the Florida Local Marketplace was a close second. With the famous sweet corn from nearby Zellwood, Fla., it’s a tasty treat. (And if you order it, please shout “Arepa!” and you might get a reaction just like I did in the video.)

The best thing is that I received a special stamp at the Festival Center for visiting all 29 countries. (Although I might suggest visiting Epcot a few times before the event ends to collect all of the marketplace stamps!)

Let us know in the comments if you have visited all 29 marketplaces, or if you have discovered your favorite from this year’s festival. Arepa!

For you discount Epcot tickets to this event, please call our office toll free at 1-877-406-4836 or visit our web site at http://www.officialticketcenter.com/epcot-tickets.aspx

Giant Ice Castle In Time Square Kicks Off “Limited Time Magic” At Disney Parks

The Official Ticket Center ~ We have 52 weeks of magical surprises planned for you at Disney Parks in 2013.

Regular Blog readers already know that next year is a momentous year – with New Fantasyland, the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom Park history at Walt Disney World Resort and the first full year of a re-imagined Disney California Adventure park. And now, we’re adding “Limited Time Magic,” featuring unexpected experiences with an extra sprinkle of Pixie Dust at Disneyland Resort and the Walt Disney World Resort that’ll appear, and then disappear when the next debuts.
Giant Ice Castle in Times Square Kicks Off ‘Limited Time Magic’ at Disney Parks

Giant Ice Castle in Times Square Kicks Off ‘Limited Time Magic’ at Disney ParksGiant Ice Castle in Times Square Kicks Off ‘Limited Time Magic’ at Disney ParksGiant Ice Castle in Times Square Kicks Off ‘Limited Time Magic’ at Disney ParksGiant Ice Castle in Times Square Kicks Off ‘Limited Time Magic’ at Disney ParksGiant Ice Castle in Times Square Kicks Off ‘Limited Time Magic’ at Disney Parks

As part of this morning’s “Limited Time Magic” announcement, Mickey and pals helped unveil a three-story castle in the heart of Times Square in New York City. The fairytale castle is made of 45,000 pounds of ice and will be visible for a limited time thanks to the warm Autumn weather.

So, what can you expect with “Limited Time Magic” at Disney Parks when it begins in January? Here’s an idea:

  • True Love: Celebrate romance and enchantment throughout Valentine’s Week with special moments and entertainment geared to lovebirds. Disney Princes join their Princesses to meet park guests in special settings, prix fixe menus turn up at select restaurants and Valentine’s collectibles will be offered for the week.
  • Independence Week: It’s red, white and blue as Disney Parks salutes America with a 4th of July Fireworks Party — for an entire week, with patriotic lighting bathing the Disney castles on both coasts. Mickey Mouse appears in his patriotic finest and guests will find special USA shirts, Ear Hats and other limited-edition souvenirs.
  • Long Lost Friends Week: Lesser-known Disney characters will move from the shadows to the spotlight meet-and-greets on both coasts. Photo ops with characters that could include Flik, Clarabelle Cow, Remy, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum will surprise and delight guests. And Disney guests even have the chance to vote online for which characters they want to see.
  • Pirate Week: Why talk like a pirate one day when you could celebrate these scalawags all week long? The adventures of Jack Sparrow come to life like never before during a bi-coastal buccaneer bash in which Disneyland and Walt Disney World become pirate-palooza: pirate bands, pirate meet-and-greets and more.
  • Dapper Dans Sing Boy Bands: The Dapper Dans, the iconic quartet from Main Street, U.S.A., will add a special finale to their show, claiming the title of the “Original Boy Band” and delivering a medley of hits from One Direction, *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys.
  • Unleash the Villains: Friday the 13th in September 2013 is a special day, so Disneyland park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are staying open until the 13th hour (1 a.m.). Maleficent, Captain Hook, Jafar and other Disney Villains host a dance party, complete with limited-edition collectibles and other nighttime mischief.
  • Golden Horseshoe Revue: The fabled Frontierland show returns to Disneyland park for one month only, bringing back the corny jokes and enduring songs that were often enjoyed by Walt Disney himself.

To purchase your discount Disney tickets for these events, please call our office toll free at 1-877-406-4836 or visit us on the web at www.officialticketcenter.com