Verizon Is Giving Some Customers 12 Months of Disney+ & Here’s How to Get It for Free

by Erica LoopOctober 22, 2019

Verizon recently announced a partnership with the Walt Disney Company—and this collab will bring customers free Disney+ service for 12 months!

With the upcoming Nov. 12 release of the Disney+ streaming service, your kiddo is already clamoring for on-demand Pixar, Marvel and more. Now Verizon wireless unlimited and new Fios Home Internet and 5G Home Internet customers can get all the Anna, Elsa, Thor, Buzz and Woody they want at no cost for one whole year.

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Verizon Chairman and CEO Hans Vestberg, said in a press release, “Giving Verizon customers an unprecedented offer and access to Disney+ on the platform of their choice is yet another example of our commitment to provide the best premium content available through key partnerships on behalf of our customers.”

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Kevin Mayer, Chairman, Direct-to-Consumer & International, The Walt Disney Company, added, “The launch of Disney+ kicks off a new era of streaming for The Walt Disney Company, bringing nearly a century’s worth of content from our iconic studios to consumers directly.” Mayer continued, “We’re excited to share this moment with Verizon and bring Disney+ to the millions of customers across its award-winning wireless network.”

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So how can you get Disney+ for free? All existing and new Verizon 4G LTE and 5G unlimited wireless customers and new Fios Home Internet and 5G Home Internet customers can activate the subscription and start streaming as soon as the service is available (Nov. 12). The free promo is good for 12 months. After that you’l need to pay $6.99 to keep the service.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Disney+ via Instagram

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Disneyland’s Avengers Campus Is Opening Soon & Here’s Everything We Know So Far

by Shahrzad WarkentinSeptember 20, 2019

Fans won’t have much longer to wait for the opening of the Marvel-themed land at the Disneyland Resort and we now know that the new addition is called Avengers Campus.

At the D23 Expo, Disney Parks unleashed plenty of exciting details about the new Avengers Campus, including the fact that it is set to open in Disney’s California Adventure in summer, 2020. That’s right, just one year until park visitors can gear up for adventure with Captain Marvel, Iron Man, Black Panther and the entire Avengers team.

“We’re building an immersive super hero-themed land at Disney California Adventure to enable our guests to join the Avengers to save the world,” Bob Chapek, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, said at the D23 Expo.

The new land will feature a Spider-Man themed attraction, the Worldwide Engineering Brigade, or WEB headquarters, which will join the already existing Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: Breakout ride. As previously reported, visitors will also enjoy themed shopping and dining on the Avengers Campus, which will feature character meet and greets. More details are sure to roll out over the next year so stay tuned.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Courtesy of Disney/Marvel

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A New Ship Is Coming to Disney Cruise Line & It’ll Make All Your Dreams Come True

by Erica LoopAugust 30, 2019

If your “wish” is to cruise the high seas with Disney, you’ll have an all-new option soon! Disney recently revealed that it’s adding a fifth ship, the Wish, to its Cruise Line.

What can you expect from the Wish? Like Disney Cruise Line’s other ships (the Fantasy, Wonder, Dream and Magic), the Wish will feature a beloved character adorning the stern—and this time it’s Rapunzel.

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According to Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Bob Chapek, in a press release, “There couldn’t be a better name for our incredible new ship because making wishes come true is part of the Disney DNA and is at the heart of so many of our cherished stories.” Chapek continued, “Each Disney Cruise Line ship is unique, with a name that embodies the excitement of sailing with Disney and the power of our stories.”

Along with the Rapunzel-themed stern, the Wish will feature a three-story atrium and plenty of amenities. Even though this new ship may make your wishes come true, you’ll have to wait until January 2022 for it to set sail.

Disney also announced a second island destination in the Bahamas. Construction on Lighthouse Point, located on the island of Eleuthera, will begin sometime between 2020 and 2023. Before breaking ground Disney will submit an Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan for the Government of The Bahamas to review and accept.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Disney

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Universal Orlando Is Adding an Epic Expansion

by Shahrzad WarkentinAugust 4, 2019

Universal Orlando has just announced a major expansion to its theme park resort with the addition of Universal’s Epic Universe.

According to a press release, the new addition will takeover 750 acres of land next to the three parks that already exist at Universal Orlando, nearly doubling the size of the entire resort. The details of Universal’s Epic Universe are yet to be released, but it will feature an entertainment center, hotels, shops, restaurants and more.

Not much more is known other than what can be surmised from the artist rendering of the park, which appears to feature several rides, including a roller coaster, and water features. However, Universal promises that the new land will be at the forefront of theme park design.

“Our vision for Epic Universe is historic,” said Tom Williams, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Universal Parks & Resorts. “It will build on everything we have done and become the most immersive and innovative theme park we have ever created. It is an investment in our business, our industry, our team members and our community.”

No word yet on when Universal’s Epic Universe will open, but the company promises to release more details over time.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Courtesy of Universal Orlando

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This School District’s New Dress Code Treats Boys & Girls As Equals

by Erica LoopJuly 16, 2019

All is fair in schools and clothes—at least in one Virginia town. The Roanoke County School Board recently voted for a dress code that treats boys and girls the same., and we applaud the unanimous vote!

School dress codes are notorious for treating boys and girls differently when it comes to standards. Instead of focusing on what all students wear, codes often address “girls’ clothing,” such as visible bra straps, tank tops/spaghetti straps or skirt length.

photo: Manseok via Pixabay

Chairman of the Roanoke County School Board, Don Butzer, told TODAY, “The old dress codes we had and that many schools have today single out girls for bra straps and undergarments and many things girls wear.” Butzer went on to add, “The new policy is probably the most progressive in Virginia. Our goal was to make it as simple as possible.”

But it wasn’t the school or the school board that initiated the dress code changes. Parent Jeannie Keen had the idea after her daughter, Olivia, was “dress-coded” for wearing track shorts the school through were too short. Keen told TODAY, “Within the first two weeks of sixth grade, Olivia and many other girls were dress-coded for wearing athletic shorts.”

Keen added, “I took a photo of what she had on that day and sent it to my school board rep in order to begin a dialogue. I also used a gender-neutral dress code model from Portland, Oregon as an example of how it can be done.” And the new dress code was born!

—Erica Loop

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A New “Hunger Games” Prequel Is Coming in 2020 & the Odds Are Ever in Its Favor

by Erica LoopJune 17, 2019

Long before Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch became tributes, rebellion tore Panem apart. And according to recent reports, the now-iconic author of The Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins, is bringing us back to her post-apocalyptic world for a glimpse into the past.

Collins recently revealed that she will release a new prequel to The Hunger Games series on May 19, 2020. While the novel is yet unnamed, the novel is set 64 years before the first book in the original trilogy.

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So what can you expect from Collins’ new prequel? According to the Associated Press, the author said, “With this book, I wanted to explore the state of nature, who we are, and what we perceive is required for our survival.” Collins went on to add, “The reconstruction period 10 years after the war, commonly referred to as the Dark Days—as the country of Panem struggles back to its feet—provides fertile ground for characters to grapple with these questions and thereby define their views of humanity.”

If you’re wondering if the yet-to-be-titled prequel will join Collins’ other books in movie form, the answer is possibly yes. Even though Lionsgate, the production company that released the first four films, hasn’t officially confirmed the rumors, Joe Drake, chairman of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, told the Associated Press, “As the proud home of the ‘Hunger Games’ movies, we can hardly wait for Suzanne’s next book to be published. We’ve been communicating with her during the writing process and we look forward to continuing to work closely with her on the movie.”

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: The Hunger Games via Instagram

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REI and Basecamp Hospitality Want to Inspire a New Generation of Campers

by Shahrzad WarkentinMay 28, 2019

In an effort to get more families to unplug and get outdoors, REI has teamed up with Basecamp Hospitality to launch a series of educational programs at select state and national parks just in time for National Camping Month.

The classes, which will be featured in a pilot program at 15 parks managed by Basecamp Hospitality, will include topics like how to pitch a tent, kayaking, campfire cooking and fishing basics. The program will launch on June 23-24 at Lake Camanche, California and will later roll out to Lake Gregory, Angel Island and Lake Chabot in California in 2019 and expand to Silver Falls, Katherine Landing at Lake Mohave, Big Basin and others in 2020.

photo: Courtesy of Basecamp Hospitality

“We’re aiming to make it easy and fun for beginners to learn about camping so they can gain confidence and create incredible memories they’ll talk about their whole lives,” said Basecamp Hospitality CEO and Chairman John Koeberer. “The goal is to create new ambassadors for camping that will inspire other beginners to get out there and create their own adventures.”

The launch program at Lake Camache will include classes for groups of four who rent a tent site, or participate in the Rent My Tent program, where the tent and campsite are set up for you. The REI-led classes will include camping basics like tent set up at “Welcome to Basecamp Basics Class” and “How to Build a Campfire” among others.

Packages start at $285 for two nights including a tent or $224 if you bring your own tent. For more details on the programs available and to sign up check out the site here.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

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Target Is Going Green with New Climate Goals Just in Time for Earth Day

by Erica LoopApril 5, 2019

The big red bullseye retailer wants to reduce its carbon footprint and help to save the planet! Target’s new climate goals build on the company’s previous 2017 initiative—and here’s how.

Ninety-six percent of Target’s greenhouse gas emissions comes from the company’s supply chain. So what does the retailer plan to do about reducing this figure? Target plans on unifying its suppliers around the new planet-saving goals.

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To do this the retailer created three Scopes. Its first Scope includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions from Target facilities. Scope two focuses on reducing emissions from energy the company purchases to power its facilities. And the third Scope centers on decreasing emissions generated from the company’s entire supply chain.

According to a statement made by Brian Cornell, chairman and CEO, Target, “Our new climate goals will reduce our carbon footprint from source to shelf, as we work alongside our partners within our supply chain to lower emissions and help create a better tomorrow.”

So how will Target tackle its Scopes? Along with adding to investments in renewable energy, such as using LED lights in company buildings and installing solar rooftop panels in 500 locations by the year 2020, Target also plans to expand its Clean by Design initiative. The retailer will partner with the Apparel Impact Institute, reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in supplier factories.

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Global Director of Corporations & Supply Chains at CDP (a Science Based Targets initiative partner), Dexter Galvin, said in a press statement, “We applaud Target for setting ambitious goals covering their entire supply chain, and hope more companies can follow in their footsteps to boldly address and combat climate change, to create a thriving economy for people and planet.” And we applaud Target too!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Mike Mozart via Flickr

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Wayfair Is Opening Its First IRL Retail Store & Farewell Paychecks, It’s Been Nice

by Erica LoopApril 3, 2019

It looks like some internet giants are going old school. The first Wayfair retail store means one of your fave destination for major furniture bargains is getting its own brick-and-mortar treatment.

The popular and successful mega-site is coming to a neighborhood near you—if you happen to live in the Boston area, that is. Wayfair recently announced it’s opening its first brick-and-mortar store in Natick, Massachusetts.

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According to Niraj Shah, Wayfair CEO, co-founder and co-chairman, “With the opening of our new retail store, we are offering our customers a new way to enjoy Wayfair’s exceptional shopping experience as we continue to transform the way people shop for their homes.” Shah also added, “We look forward to inviting our customers further into the world of Wayfair, welcoming them to step inside our newest shopping experience guided by the knowledgeable support and expertise of our in-store design team.”

So when will a real-life Wayfair store come to a location near you? As of now, the Natick store is a first and only. But that doesn’t mean the home furnishings retailer won’t expand in the future—and that means more options to try out everything from ottomans to outdoor furniture live and in-person! The store will open sometime later this year.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Wayfair via Instagram

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After 25 Years, The Gap & Old Navy Are Breaking Up

by Erica LoopMarch 11, 2019

The latest big breakup isn’t between two superstar celebs. Instead, it’s The Gap and Old Navy that are parting ways.

The Gap recently announced the split, detailing what will happen to the two brands. Old Navy, which has seen stellar success in the past few years, will stand alone. The Gap, Athleta, Banana Republic, Intermix and Hill City will now all fall under the umbrella of a still yet-to-be-named new parent company.

photo: Mike Mozart via Flickr/Composite: Keiko Zoll

So why are the brands splitting? Gap Inc.’s Board Chairman, Robert Fisher, said, in a press statement, “Following a comprehensive review by the Gap Inc. Board of Directors, it’s clear that Old Navy’s business model and customers have increasingly diverged from our specialty brands over time, and each company now requires a different strategy to thrive moving forward.”

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Fisher also added, “Recognizing that, we determined that pursuing a separation is the most compelling path forward for our brands—creating two separate companies with distinct financial profiles, tailored operating priorities and unique capital allocation strategies, both well positioned to achieve their strategic goals and create significant value for our customers, employees and shareholders.”

What does the split mean for you? If you’re an Old Navy customer, look for more good things to come. But if you’re a fan of The Gap, you may need to find a new mall fave to shop. According to recent reports, Gap Inc. plans on closing 230 specialty stores over the next few years—with the majority being in the United States.

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As of now, Gap Inc. hasn’t announced specific store closures or given any word on the fate of Gap Kids. The Gap (now and post-Old Navy split) will still have an e-commerce presence, making it possible for you to buy from the brand online.

—Erica Loop

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