Disney fans often wonder how they might career track to the magic.  In other words, how does one become an Imagineer?
Well, that career path just became a little easier, thanks to Savannah College of Art and Design.
The college, which is primarily located in Savannah, Georgia (but also has campuses in Atlanta, Hong Kong, and Lacoste, France), began offering its master in fine arts degree in themed entertainment design this fall.  The degree is the first of its kind in the U.S., and counts many former Imagineers among its faculty.
Pete Weishar, dean …

Last spring, we let you know about Starbucks and Disney’s announcement that Starbucks would soon be opening new locations in Walt Disney World and Disneyland, the first of which opened in June with Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure. Now, Disney has announced the first Starbucks locations to open in Walt Disney World, which will be opening next summer in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
The new Starbucks locations will be revamped versions of two existing Walt Disney World dining locations: the Main Street Bakery in the Magic Kingdom and …

The Walt Disney Company has announced its acquisition of George Lucas’  Film Production Company, Lucasfilm Ltd.  The deal is valued at approximately $4 billion.
Regarding the transaction, Disney Chairman and CEO Robert Iger made this statement:
Lucasfilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision, and storytelling of its founder, George Lucas.  This transaction combines a world-class portfolio of content including Star Wars, one of the greatest family entertainment franchises of all time, with Disney’s unique and unparalleled creativity across multiple platforms, businesses, and markets to generate sustained growth and drive significant long-term value.
Lucasfilm Ltd is wholly owned …

Thanks to our friends at Disney Food Blog, we’re getting a first look today inside of the highly-anticipated New Fantasyland — Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts!
Gaston’s Tavern
Located in a new area which pays tribute to the Disney animated classic Beauty and the Beast, Gaston’s Tavern will be a brand new counter service location, offering hearty snacks and fun, original beverages.  And although Disney has recently announced its historic decision to offer alcoholic beverages within Magic Kingdom for the first time in its 41-year history, this “tavern” won’t be selling …

Thirty years ago today, Epcot opened to the public, becoming Walt Disney World’s second park to delight and amaze guests.
Originally called EPCOT Center (but officially changed to Epcot in 1994), the word EPCOT was actually an acronym for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.  The concept was the original vision of Walt Disney himself, and was one of the original ideas for the “Florida Project” – code name for Walt Disney World while it was being developed.  First envisioned as a Utopian city, Disney saw its future this way:
EPCOT…will take its …

Editor’s Note: We welcome back guest writer Cari Keebaugh for this fun and informative look at Walt Disney’s original mischevious masterpiece, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit!  Take it away, Cari!
Turning the venerable age of 85 hasn’t slowed down Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. It seems only fitting that, during the week of Oswald’s birthday, Disney released information about new Oswald merchandise and a long-lost Oswald cartoon was recovered, restored, and screened.
On September 5, 1927, Oswald debuted in his first cartoon, “Trolly Troubles.” Oswald is essentially Mickey Mouse’s older brother, as Walt Disney …

Until October 7, you can enter “Frankenweenie’s Monstrous Sweepstakes” for a chance to win a 4 day/3 night vacation for four to Disneyland Resort – just in time to experience “Halloween Time” at the parks!
The grand prize will include access to The Art of Frankenweenie exhibit, as well as a sneak peek of Frankenweenie in 4D at Disney California Adventure Park, plus a private VIP tour guide. Five first prize winners will receive an autographed movie poster.
To enter, simply visit disney.com/frankenweeniesweeps or text “ALIVE” to DISNEY (347639).
Frankenweenie debuts in theaters …

Late last week, Disney release new concept photos of the Fantasyland Expansion that promise to whet the appetites of even the most stoic fans.
The photos, which depict the new area from various vantage points, also incorporate some of our favorite princesses.  Ariel is spotted gazing up at Prince Eric’s Castle, while Belle serenely reads in the garden outside of Maurice’s Cottage.
Another shot, seen high from atop Cinderella’s castle with a spire in the foreground, gives the most complete look at what the area open to guests will look like during …

Once again, superstar photographer Annie Leibovitz has teamed with Disney to bring some of our favorite characters to life, as the 2012 Disney Dream Portraits set to debut in magazines this fall.
Fancy Russell Brand?  Be sure to catch his rendition of Captain Hook, poised to (hopefully) once again elude the hungry crocodile’s jaws in a photo captioned “Where every moment leaves you hungry for more.”  Brand seems to capture the essence of the foppish villain with a little terror owing to his predicament thrown in for good measure.

For the first …

Are you excited for Disney’s upcoming film The Odd Life of Timothy Green? This week, Disney announced that audiences now have the chance to be among the first to see this exciting new film, which stars Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton as a young couple who are greeted one day by the child they never thought they could have. In anticipation of the film’s debut, Walt Disney Studios will be offering a limited number of free screenings of the film before its official theatrical premiere.
Disney will be holding advance screenings …