New Star Wars app that allows you to be the director is now available

Disney is now giving Star Wars fans the opportunity to customize their own 3D animated Star Wars scenes with a new app.Star Wars Scene Maker features 3D models of characters, vehicles, and environments. Users can zoom in, pull back and explore. Users can also place customize characters and vehicles, and place them anywhere to create a new storyline, according to starwars.com."Star Wars Scene Maker allows us to put kids and fans of all ages in the...

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A photo tour of Walt Disney's original Carolwood train barn

Walt Disney was a train fanatic. And the one place you can immerse yourself in his obsession is at the  Carolwood Pacific Historical Society at Griffith Park in Los Angeles, where you can come face to face with Walt Disney history and tour his special Carolwood Barn.© Steven LiebmanWalt Disney's Carolwood Barn in Griffith Park, Los Angeles.Ever since he was a child growing up in Missouri, Disney had a fascination with steam locomotives. His...

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Marvel to show free IMAX preview of 'Guardians of the Galaxy'

Marvel is planning on unveiling 17 minutes of exclusive footage of the "Guardians of the Galaxy" in IMAX format at 150 theaters across North America on July 7 at 7 p.m.The movie goes into wide release on Aug. 1, 2014. Fans who attend this sneak peek will also receive a limited edition collectible “Guardians of the Galaxy” IMAX poster.“We’ve re-mastered some of our epic sequences into the IMAX format, taking the scope and scale to new heights while...

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Stand out in designer Maleficent shoes

We're always on the lookout for Disney-related fashion items that go way beyond t-shirts and baseball caps (although we love them too). These sparkly shoes inspired by Maleficent fit the bill.The limited-edition glittered loafers, from Italian designer Chiara Ferragni, are available in black or silver and sell for $298 online. (Some large and small sizes in black already are sold out.)It may sound crazy, but they're actually quite versatile:...

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Take a virtual tour of Walt Disney's Hollywood

D23 has created a virtual tour of Walt's Hollywood highlighting some of the places where Walt Disney "worked, lived and played." Visit the interactive graphic on d23.com to tool around Hollywood and Los Angeles -- without all the traffic.Here's a peek at a few of the landmarks included:The Carthay Circle Theatre, Pan Pacific Auditorium and Pacific Electric Building, all of which are reflected in the design of the California Adventure park. Disney's...

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Photos of celebrities at Disneyland in the 1950s and 1960s

Disneyland has always been a destination for celebrities since it opened in 1955.Here's a brief look a some of the celebrities who showed up:1. Elizabeth Taylor, Eddie Fisher and their two sons visit in 1959.Disney handout2. Guy Williams in 1958 visited Disneyland as Zorro. He played Zorro from 1957 to 1959.Disney handout3. Groucho Marx at Disneyland in 1955.Disney handout4. Jerry Lewis on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in Disneyland in 1955.Disney handout5....

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Bound for stardom: Rocket Raccoon, Guardian of the Galaxy shirts and toys

Forget Chris Pratt and his ripped abs (if you can). The real star of Disney's upcoming "Guardians of the Galaxy" movie is sure to be be Rocket Raccoon.Rocket (voiced in the movie by Bradley Cooper) is a genetically modified raccoon with weapons and tactical skills. A bounty hunter and mercenary, Rocket works with Groot, a tree-like humanoid (voiced by Vin Diesel). (Just go with us on this.)The movie, the 10th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe,...

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How to celebrate the Fourth of July at Disneyland and Disney World

Disneyland and Disney World have announced special plans on how celebrating the Fourth of July at the two resorts.Here's a look at the celebrations, fireworks and events which will take place on both coasts.Disney publicity photoDisneyland Fourth of July fireworks.DISNEYLANDDisneyland: “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” will take place July 1 to 4 at 9:25 p.m. at the Sleeping Beauty Castle.  The 3rd Marine Aircraft...

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Special 'Frozen' summer kicks off at Disney World on July 5, 2014

It's going to be a "Frozen" summer at Hollywood Studios in Disney World.Each day from July 5 to Sept. 1, 2014 there will be over a half dozen special events celebrating Anna and Elsa from the hit movie "Frozen" at the park, according to a Disney press release.Disney publicity photoAnna and Elsa from "Frozen."Here are some of the highlights (and remember, schedules can change):Royal Welcome: Each day at 11 a.m., Anna and Elsa, riding in a horse-drawn...

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Two new VIP tours offered at Disney World

How much would you pay to experience Disney World's biggest thrills without waiting in line? Or to bypass the lines when you take your kids on Dumbo and other family-friendly attractions?How about $299 a person?That's the price tag for two new "VIP tour experiences" at Disney World:The Ultimate Day of Thrills: Go on all the "Mountains" -- and then some -- on a tour with a minimum height requirement of 48 inches. The Ultimate Day for Young Families:...

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Dooney & Bourke goes Downtown with Mickey and Minnie

The latest collection from Dooney & Bourke takes you on a stroll down Main Street USA with a smitten Mickey and Minnie.The Mickey and Minnie Mouse Downtown collection comes in two color palettes: black and white with red accents, or tan and white with pink and green accents. Both feature some favorite Main Street USA vignettes: the ice cream parlor, the popcorn truck, and some laden shopping bags. Prices range from $138 for a small crossbody...

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New Disney World contest requires an old photo

If you have a cherished picture from Disney World or Disneyland photo that involves bell bottoms or Farah Fawcett hair, now is the time to dig it out. It could win you and your family a trip to Disney World.Just go to Disney's Recreate the Magic site and upload your favorite memory, along with a throwback photo from the trip. If you have dozens of photos and memories, you're in luck -- you can enter one every day through Aug. 11.The winner will receive...

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'Maleficent' becomes Angelina Jolie's biggest hit

"Maleficent" crossed the $500 million mark at theaters worldwide last weekend, becoming the top-earning film for star Angelina Jolie.In its fourth week in release in the United States, the retelling of the Sleeping Beauty tale grossed $13 million, for a total domestic take of $186 million.Jolie's previous high mark was "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," in which she starred with Brad Pitt in 2005. That movie earned $478.2 million. By comparison, "Frozen" passed...

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Walt Disney's former estate sold for $74 million

There isn't much left of Walt and Lillian Disney at the Carolwood Estate where they once lived in Holmby Hills, Calif. There's the front gate, which may -- or may not -- have hidden Mickeys in it. And a few of Lilian's rose bushes, which the real estate agent says must be 70 years old.#3206389 / gettyimages.comAnd then there's the 90-foot underground tunnel that once was home to Walt Disney's Carolwood Pacific railroad, a one-eighth-scale steam railroad that famously was one inspiration for Disneyland. The door to the tunnel, which has "1950" etched...

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'Newsies' will close on Broadway in August

Disney's "Newsies" will close on Broadway in New York this summer after a two year run."It's been an amazing journey on Broadway but our last performance in New York will be August 24. Come see us this summer before we hit the road and begin our North American Tour in October! We can't thank you enough for all the love and support," according to the Newsies Facebook page.The musical won the 2012 Tony Award for Best Score and Best Choreography.The...

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New line of geek apparel is available for Marvel Fangirls

Are you a Marvel fangirl looking to expand your wardrobe?Marvel has teamed with Her Universe to offer a line of "geek couture" with an assortment of Caprain America fashion items, including fashion tops, tanks, dresses, cardigans, hoodies, skirts and leggings."At Marvel we actively seek innovative opportunities to leverage our iconic characters in the marketplace and expand our storytelling to a larger audience," Paul Gitter, senior vice president,...

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7 photos of Walt Disney from the 1960s

Walt Disney's empire had become a major success by the 1960s and is acknowledged as a leader in family entertainment.During the early part of the decade, Walt Disney was finally able to make Mary Poppins after acquiring the rights from P.L. Travers. In 1964, he debuted 'it's a Small World" and Audio-Animatronics at the 1964 New York World's Fair and he announced plans for Walt Disney World.On Nov. 2, 1966, doctors found a tumor on Disney's left lung. His lung was removed nine days later after doctors found the cancer had spread. On Dec. 15, 1966,...

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Muppets joining Fourth of July special in Washington, D.C.

Miss Piggy and Kermit The FrogKermit The Frog and Miss Piggy will join an all-star lineup for for the 34th annual broadcast of "PBS' A Capitol Fourth" from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.Kermit will perform the "Rainbow Connection" with the National Symphony Orchestra. "I love Washington D.C. Not only was it built on a swamp, but this is where I got my start in show business – on a local TV show in 1955," Kermit the Frog said in a press release....

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Disney Facts: Disney films preserved in the National Archives

Inside the Library of Congress are 10 Disney films being held for preservation.Each year the Librarian of Congress names 25 films to the National Film Registry that are "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant. Annual selections to the registry are finalized by the Librarian after reviewing hundreds of titles nominated by the public and conferring with Library film curators and the distinguished members of the National Film Preservation...

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Kermit The Frog as Charlie Chaplin at The Jim Henson Company

© Steven LiebmanOn southeast corner of La Brea and Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California, standing on top of building is Kermit The Frog.But this Kermit is dressed as Charlie Chaplin.Kermit is on top of the home of The Jim Henson Company. While this is not the home of The Muppets (they now belong to Disney), The Jim Henson Company is home to Fraggle Rock and other characters, studios and the famed Creature Shop.The reason why Kermit is dressed...

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