The Walt Disney Company has acquired 21st Century Fox including Twentieth Century Fox Film and Television studios for approximately $52.4 billion in stock.
The deal does not include Fox Broadcasting network and stations, Fox News, Fox Business, FS1, FS2 and Big Ten Network, which will be spun off to Fox shareholders.
Several entertainment properties including X-Men, The Simpsons, FX Networks, and National Geographic will now be part of Disney’s portfolio.
According to a press release from Disney: “Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of 21st Century Fox will receive 0.2745 Disney shares for …

Pandora – The World of Avatar officially opens Saturday, May 27, and earlier today Disney held an official dedication for the new land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Disney CEO and Chariman Bob Iger led the dedication ceremony which included appearances from Disney Imagineer Joe Rhode and Avatar‘s director James Cameron.
Fans could watch a live stream of the dedication ceremony – which also included a Na’vi themed drum circle – on the Disney Parks Blog.
If you missed the live-stream of the dedication you can watch it here.
Pandora – The World of Avatar …

Happy Sunday! It’s been another week full of exciting Disney news, so let’s check it out!
If you’re making plans to visit Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the FastPass+ reservations have opened for guests staying at Disney World resort hotels.
The Music of Pixar Live! is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this summer. This limited-time live show will feature music and characters from Pixar films.
Planet Hollywood Observatory in Disney Springs has announced plans to bring more “star sightings” and a counter service option to the recently refurbished …

The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors voted this week to extend the contract of CEO and Chairman Bob Iger to July 2019.
Iger,66, has served as the CEO of The Walt Disney Company for 11 years.
The new contract has him serving until July 2, 2019.
Iger’s contract was slated to end in 2018, but industry insiders are reporting that there is no “heir apparent” for the long-time CEO.
Former Disney COO Tom Staggs was largely considered by many to be Iger’s replacement until his departure from the Company last year.
A few of …

After years of anticipation, it’s official – Shanghai Disney Resort is open!
Today marked the official grand opening of the first Disney resort in Mainland China – and the sixth Disney resort worldwide.
Bob Iger, Disney Chairman and CEO was on hand for the grand opening celebration along with thousands of distinguished guests, celebrities, and Chinese official.s
In his remarks during the Grand Opening ceremony Iger said, “Together we have created an extraordinary destination, a magical place unique in all the world, where East meets West, the past meets the future, and anything …

There has been a huge shakeup at the top at The Walt Disney Company.
Tom Staggs, the COO of the Company, has announced that he is stepping down after the board failed to assure him that he would succeed Bob Iger as CEO in two years.
Staggs has been with Disney for 26 years and was considered the heir apparent when Iger steps down.
In a statement, the Company’s board said it plans to “broaden the scope of its succession planning.” It appears likely that they will look outside the company for a …

The Walt Disney Company recently announced a cash dividend of $0.71 per share for the second half of the fiscal year 2015.
The dividend will be payable on January 11, 2016 to all shareholders of record as of December 14.
The semi-annual payment of dividends started in July of this year when Disney paid a dividend of 66 cents a share. Combined with the most recent amount, the 2015 payments increased 19 percent from fiscal 2014 to $1.37 a share.
Disney’s chairman and CEO Bob Iger said “fiscal 2015 marked Disney’s fifth straight …

The Walt Disney Company has announced the 2015 Disney Legends who will be honored at an awards ceremony at the D23 Expo in August.
This year’s Disney Legends are: Star Wars creator George Lucas, composer Danny Elfman, All My Children’s Susan Lucci, animator Andreas Deja, former ESPN president George Bodneheimer, Disney artist Eyvind Earle, Julie Reihm Casaletto who was Disneyland’s first Ambassador in 1965, and Disney artist Carson Van Osten.
“The Disney Legend Award is our highest honor, and we are incredibly proud to recognize these eight talented individuals who have contributed …

The news coming out about Disney Springs just keeps getting more exciting.
Earlier this month The Walt Disney Company and the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced that The NBA Experience at Walt Disney World Resort is headed to Disney Springs.
The NBA Experience features hands-on activities for guests of all ages, giving guests the chance to be in the middle of NBA game action. The experience includes immersive video productions, interactive experiences, a retail store, and a restaurant.
“We’re thrilled to work with the NBA to take our guests inside the world of …

Construction at the Shanghai Disney Resort reached a milestone this week as the golden spire was placed on top of the tallest tower on Enchanted Storybook Castle.
The Walt Disney Company chairman and CEO Bob Iger and chief operating officer Tom Staggs were on hand to witness the installation of the spire.
Enchanted Storybook Castle is the centerpiece of Shanghai Disney and it’s the tallest building at the resort. It’s also the largest and most complex Disney castle ever built featuring a winding staircase that leads guests on a ‘Once Upon a …