Hey there, Hi there, Ho there! I’m so happy to be with you today. It’s been a scary roller coaster week since I last saw you. Before you read on, I warn you that I’m going to get personal. Perhaps too personal. But I feel that I owe it to you, and to all the amazing people who are helping me get through a personal crisis.

So, last Monday, instead of working on Fab News, I was getting all dolled up in this glamorous do (see image at right). Lovely, right?

Here’s the TMI part. . . TURN BACK NOW . . . I needed some emergency exploratory surgery on something that had taken up residence in my uterus that I wasn’t going to be sending to college in 19 years. SEE, I TOLD YOU NOT TO READ. Just before they wheeled me in, a nice young woman approached me with a clipboard and began explaining to my terrified, pain-wracked self about the fact that yes, while I have insurance through my husband’s work, there were still thousands of dollars of out-of-pocket payments to make before it would hit the point where the insurance would start paying. I called Noe in a panic, he told me to hand over the debit card. They agreed to take it in two parts. Unfortunately, the first part pretty much cleaned out our checking account and the second part would put us out on the street. So, with all that in mind. . . in I went to surgery. . . and when it was over, I learned that I need a hysterectomy in a few weeks. Finding out you need surgery is never a fun thing, having to worry about how to pay for it is beyond explaining.

Afterward, I was in a lot of pain and groggy, but we had some huge bills to pay. So Noe and I tried to figure out gas, groceries and rent for the next month. As soon as I would be able to sit up and get them photographed, posted on ebay and packed, our tiki mugs and Disney stuff needed to go. Stuff is stuff, but it wouldn’t have come close to covering our bills. But before I could clean out my few prize possessions, Dusty Sage rode in to the rescue and started a GoFundMe to help with my medical expenses. To be honest, I wouldn’t have done it myself. I didn’t think anyone would care. We all have problems to deal with, right?! Sixty-plus incredibly decent people have proven me wrong. I’m beyond thankful, let’s call it dumbstruck. It’s wonderful to feel loved at a difficult time such as this.

Oh, here’s more TMI. Are you even still reading? You’re a glutton for punishment.

I was embarrassed and ashamed at having to ask for money for my medical bills. Especially having to do with girl parts. I mean, a spleen or a valve or something, at least that’s somewhat dignified, but jeez, man! Now EVERYBODY knows I have a uterus! It’s fine, though, I won’t have one for much longer. It’s being evicted, so that’s something. But, of course, big operations mean big recovery and even bigger bills. ((faceplant))

Things are starting to work out, and it’s because I have wonderful, beautiful, magical people in my life. Go to my GoFundMe page and read down that list. Having people like that in my life is better than all of the Pixie Dust or Fastpasses or rare pins or Magic Mornings or Dole Whips on earth. My gratitude is bottomless. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much.

And now you can start reading again. I promise. It’s all Disney goodness from here. On to the mailbag:

Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder Days Are Coming!!!

Get ready for a celebration of…YOU!
Sept. 6 – Oct. 2 at Disney California Adventure® Park

You can enjoy Annual Passholder offerings like:

• A complimentary button series created for Annual Passholders—with a new button each Monday! (while supplies last)
• Complimentary recipe cards, distributed at Paradise Garden Grill and Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta
• Wonderful merchandise at Seaside Souvenirs and the Studio Store on Hollywood Blvd., including an Annual Passholders t-shirt with special AP Days art and Annual Passholder pins, water bottles and lanyards, while supplies last
• Be surprised by an occasional visit of Disney Characters inside Stage 12
• A red carpet photo op at the Paradise Garden Gazebo
• Family-friendly activities including presentations by Disney experts and color/crafting activities for kids
• Fun, self-guided activities
• Special activities for Annual Passholders and much more!

Information and event details are subject to restrictions, change and cancellation without notice.

 Wow! This is a nice way to get over Awaken Summer. I know I’m going to need some cheering up  with some other picture replacing Kylo Ren on the cover of the Disneyland guide maps. I’ve been spoiled, I tell you. And do you notice they’re really trying to drive traffic over to the beautiful Paradise Grill area? The food is good, the atmosphere is fantastic, especially when the band is playing. I especially love it there at twilight, when the sky is a whole bunch of lovely colors, it’s not too hot and not too cold, the music is just right, and the lights are pretty. I hope this gets Passholders in the habit of going over there on a regular basis. 

Fab News is sponsored by my Patreon Patrons and DVCResaleMarket.com

Because Nothing Says “Sticking It to the Empire”
Like Berkshire Hathaway

LUCASFILM JOINS FORCES WITH FIVE MAJOR BRANDS TO LAUNCH SWEEPING PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF “ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY

DURACELL, GENERAL MILLS, GILLETTE, NISSAN AND VERIZON JOIN THE GLOBAL INITIATIVE

 Pfft. Who am I kidding? If it has Star Wars on the label, folks are going to stockpile it like those wonderful couponing people on the cable TV shows. If I learned anything from the Prequels, it’s that that merchandise is really, really going to be worth something someday.

Lucasfilm announced today that they are teaming up with five of the world’s most well-known brands—Duracell, General Mills, Gillette, Nissan and Verizon—for the launch of an extensive global promotional campaign in support of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” opening on December 16.

“We are extremely pleased to be working with such a remarkable group of promotional partners for ‘Rogue One,’” said Lynwen Brennan, General Manager of Lucasfilm. “This first in a series of Star Wars standalone films represents an exciting new era for both Star Wars and Lucasfilm, and the partners joining us on this exciting journey have each designed a stellar campaign capturing the spirit and camaraderie of ‘Rogue One.’”

With their specific, custom-designed campaigns and innovative programs, the five internationally respected global brands are poised to complement the tempo and tone of the overall marketing campaign of this first-ever standalone Star Wars story.

DURACELL

Founded in the 1920s, the Duracell brand has grown to be the leader in the single-use battery market in North America.  Its iconic brand is known the world over. Its products are trusted in the devices that keep people connected, protect their families, entertain them, and simplify their increasingly mobile lifestyles.  The Duracell Company is owned by Berkshire Hathaway. Visit www.duracell.com for more information.

GENERAL MILLS

General Mills is a leading global food company that serves the world by making food people love. Its brands include Cheerios, Annie’s, Yoplait, Nature Valley, Fiber One, Haagen-Dazs, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Old El Paso, Wanchai Ferry, Yoki and more.

GILLETTE

For over 110 years, Gillette has offered a wide variety of products including razors, shave gel (gels, foams and creams), skin care, after shaves, antiperspirants, deodorants and body wash. For more information and the latest news on Gillette, visit http://www.gillette.com/.

NISSAN MOTOR CO.

Employing more than 37,000 team members in U.S., Canada and Mexico, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan leads the world in zero-emission mobility, dominated by sales of the LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle. It is the best-selling EV in history. More information on the complete line of Nissan vehicles, our services and commitment to sustainable mobility can be found online at NissanNews.com.

VERIZON

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York City, has a diverse workforce of nearly 162,700 people. Verizon operates America’s most reliable wireless network, with 113.2 million retail connections nationwide. The company also provides communications and entertainment services over mobile broadband and the nation’s premiere all-fiber network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers worldwide.

Descendants 2 Casting News

The imaginative story about the teenage sons and daughters of Disney’s most infamous villains will continue in “Descendants 2,” a Disney Channel Original Movie set to begin production this summer for a 2017 premiere.

Gary Marsh (Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide) said, “Just when you thought ‘Happily Ever After’ had come to the land of Auradon, ‘Descendants 2’ turns the page to reveal a whole new level of mystery and surprise.”

It is the highly anticipated sequel to “Descendants,” the No. 1 cable television movie of 2015 and the fifth highest-rated original movie ever on U.S. cable TV in Total Viewers.  It is also the No. 1 Disney Channel Original Movie ever among kids in France, Netherlands, Belgium (south), Portugal, South Africa and Spain. In Italy, it is the No. 1 Disney Channel Original Movie ever among girls.

Consumer interest remains strong in new “Descendants” stories as Disney Publishing’s sequel book, “Return to the Isle of the Lost” written by Melissa de la Cruz, entered the New York Times Best Sellers List (Middle Grade Hardcover) at No. 2 last week, its first week of release. The first book, “The Isle of the Lost,” was No. 1 for 14 weeks and this week, reentered for its 37th week on the best sellers list.

Dove Cameron (“Liv and Maddie”), Cameron Boyce (“Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything,” “Jessie”), Booboo Stewart (“X-Men Days of Future Past”), Sofia Carson (“Adventures in Babysitting”) and Mitchell Hope will reprise their starring roles as Mal, Carlos, Jay, Evie and King Ben, respectively. China Anne McClain (“A.N.T. Farm”) will join the cast as Uma, the daughter of Ursula from “The Little Mermaid.”

Thomas Doherty (@thomasadoherty) will star as “Harry,” the son of Captain Hook.

·         Dylan Playfair (@DylanPlayfair) will star as “Gil,” the son of Gaston.

Emmy Award-winning director Kenny Ortega (“Descendants,” “High School Musical” movies, 2016’s “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”) will return as director, executive producer and choreographer. “Descendants” executive producer Wendy Japhet (“An Education”, “The Italian Job”) also returns for the sequel.  Lauded writers Sara Parriott and Josann McGibbon (“The Starter Wife,” “Runaway Bride”), who won a 2016 Writers Guild Award for “Descendants,” wrote “Descendants 2” and will serve as co-executive producers. “Descendants” costume designer Kara Saun (“Project Runway”) and production designer Mark Hofeling (“Teen Beach Movie,” “High School Musical”) are signed on for the sequel. Tony Testa (“The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “This Is It”) will join the creative team as choreographer with Ortega, and Shawn Williamson (“Adventures in Babysitting”) will join as producer.

Keep an eye on #D2Deets throughout the entire production for EXCLUSIVE news on Twitter @Descendants & Instagram @DisneyDescendants, and of course here at #FabNews

Take the Ultimate Universal VIP Tour for
Orlando Pulse Victims and Families

A few months ago, my friend and fellow MiceChat writer Jon Nadelberg took me and his son on a VIP tour of Universal Studios Hollywood. He wrote about it here! Suffice it to say, it was INCREDIBLE! But this is that times 1000, PLUS, to say it’s to benefit a worthy cause is an understatement. onePULSE Foundation is the official 501c3 raising money for the families and victims of the Orlando Pulse Nightclub tragedy. You know that the money you bid is going to go where it belongs. Here are the details:

Bid to win the ultimate Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience for 8 people including:

• A private trolley and VIP Tour Guide.
• The unique opportunity to dine alongside the President of Universal Studios Hollywood at the Exclusive VIP Experience Lounge.
• Thrilling rides and attractions as well as a tour to areas of the movie and television production studio backlot, inaccessible to the general public.
• Front of Line access to all rides, attractions and shows, including “Transformers: The Ride—3D” and “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem”
• Access to the all-new “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” where guests can toast with a round of Butterbeer at a reserved table at the Three Broomsticks restaurant, experience the magic of Ollivanders “Wand Shop,” where every child under the age of 12 will receive a magical wand, journey alongside Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley on a whirlwind adventure aboard “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.”

There are still 15 days left, but get your entry in HERE

Enter HERE

“Introducing the Supergirl from Krypton!”

Supergirl LEGO Minifigure Added as Exclusive Bonus in LEGO® Dimensions™ Starter Packs for PlayStation®4

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment revealed today at Gamescom that starting in late September 2016, LEGO Dimensions Starter Packs for Sony PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system will include an exclusive, bonus DC Comics Supergirl LEGO minifigure for a limited time.  The highly collectable Supergirl LEGO minifigure has many extraordinary in-game abilities to help solve puzzles and battle enemies, including Super Strength, Flying, X-Ray Vision, and Beam Attacks which enable her to shoot heat beams out of her eyes.  She can also transform into Supergirl Girl Red Lantern with additional abilities such as firing powerful Red Lantern energy bolts and energy beams from the Red Lantern Ring and forming Red Lantern Energy Constructs.

The LEGO Dimensions PS4™ Starter Pack includes the videogame, bricks to build the LEGO Gateway, four LEGO minifigures, Batman, Gandalf, Wyldstyle and the exclusive Supergirl, plus the LEGO Batmobile, and the revolutionary LEGO Toy Pad, which allows players to transport special LEGO minifigures and models into the game, as well as direct in-game action all with the movement of the physical toys.

In the future, Supergirl will be available as a “Hire-a-Hero,” a feature in LEGO Dimensions that allows players to sample characters using studs collected in the game. Players can select the hologram minifigure near certain hint stones to unlock characters for a limited time to try out their special abilities to solve problems and complete puzzles.

LEGO Dimensions is developed by TT Games and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

Follow LEGO Dimensions at:

• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LEGODimensions
• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LEGODimensions (@LEGODimensions)
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/LEGODimensions (@LEGODimensions)
• Tumblr: http://LEGODimensions.tumblr.com
• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/LEGODimensions

 I’m still not 100% sure that the Disney characters will show up as Amiibo first – after all, there are  Star Wars characters in the LEGO games, right? I know, Warner Brothers will balk at making a Marvel game. Eh. I still think WB Games knows what color green is, and will manufacture accordingly. Let’s just say that no matter where I see Disney figures pop up first, Amiibo or Dimensions, I won’t be shocked. What about you? 

Sensory-Friendly Life: Animated Showings August 27

 The Orchard and Regal Cinemas are proud to announce an exciting collaboration to bring the award-winning documentary, LIFE, ANIMATED, to 30 cities around the country on August 27, 2016. This special one-day national screening date is part of Regal’s My Way Matinee screening series, featuring a sensory friendly screening environment to support those on the autism spectrum and their families.

From Academy Award® winning director Roger Ross Williams, LIFE, ANIMATED is the inspirational story of Owen Suskind, a young man who was unable to speak as a child until he and his family discovered a unique way to communicate by immersing themselves in the world of classic Disney animated films. This emotional coming-of-age story follows Owen as he graduates to adulthood and takes his first steps toward independence. The subject of his father Ron Suskind’s New York Times bestseller, Owen was a thriving toddler who suddenly and inexplicably went silent – and for years after remained unable to connect with other people or to convey his thoughts, feelings or desires.

Over time, through repeated viewings of Disney classics like THE LITTLE MERMAID and THE LION KING, Owen found useful tools which helped him understand complex social cues and reconnect with the world around him. By evocatively interweaving classic Disney sequences with verite scenes from Owen’s life, the film explores how identification and empathy with characters like Simba, Ariel, and Aladdin forge a conduit for him to understand his feelings and interpret reality.

Sensory friendly screenings are a special opportunity for individuals living with autism and others to enjoy a film in a safe and accepting environment. In order to provide a more comfortable setting for individuals on the autism spectrum, the movie auditorium keeps their lights turned slightly up (dim lights will remain on) and the sound turned slightly down. Being able to relax and enjoy their time with friends or family in public without worrying if someone will complain or be disturbed by noise of movement is a rare experience for ASD youth. Here, audience members are welcome to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing.

Owen’s love of movies is the beginning of his journey to communication and connection. Regal Cinemas and The Orchard want to ensure that all the Owens in the world are able to find a way to experience the same movie-going experience as everyone else. Join us on August 27th at 10:30am at a Regal Cinemas theater near you, visit: www.lifeanimateddoc.com for screening locations and more info.

Thanks to DaveyJones182 and UserError for showing me the light about autostart! I have learned the error of my ways! This week!

Thank you!

I have a lot to be thankful for in my personal life, and here at Fab News. Thanks to my Patreon Patrons (email me at [email protected] if you haven’t gotten your pinback button yet) and of course to Nick Cotton and his friendly, knowledgeable team at DVCResaleMarket.com – where you will get $50 knocked off your closing costs just by uttering the spectacular word “MICECHAT”!

When’s Fab News on MiceChat.com? Find out – and SO MUCH MORE! with the FREE Mouseaddict app! PLUS FIREWORKS!!!

If you want to reach me I’m on Twitter,

on Facebook,

and also available at [email protected].

If you’d like to support Fab News, I’d appreciate it. You can pledge a dollar or more a month through Patreon. Just click on the link or the banner below. Thanks!

FTC-Mandated Disclosure: Sponsorship for this edition of Fab News was provided by DVC Resale Market.

 

Sharing is caring!