The Dark Side and the Light Collide as Disney Store Prepares for ‘Force Friday’
in Celebration of Star Wars: The Force Awakens 

Disney Store Flagship Locations in New York City, Chicago and San Francisco Set to Open at Midnight
Disney Store in Chicago to Participate in First-Ever Global Live Toy Unboxing Event on Sept. 3

Pasadena, Calif. — Aug. 27, 2015 — Disney Store is preparing to feel the Force on Friday, Sept. 4, in celebration of the global retail set date for product from the highly anticipated film Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Disney Store locations in New York City in Times Square, Chicago on Michigan Avenue, and San Francisco on Stockton Street will participate in midnight madness. Doors will open at 12:01 a.m. local time on Sept. 4, giving fans the first opportunity to see and purchase toys, collectibles, books, apparel and more from the upcoming film. In addition, the first 1,000 guests will receive a free Star Wars: The Force Awakens D23 commemorative fan poster.
Additionally, on Thursday, Sept. 3, the Disney Store on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago will play host to one of the 14 live toy unboxing events happening around the world. Starting at 8:30 a.m. CDT, HobbyKidsTV, a YouTube channel part of the Maker Studios network, will be broadcasting live from inside the Store, unveiling new products from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, available exclusively at Disney Store and DisneyStore.com.
In ALL Disney Store locations throughout North America, doors will open for business on Force Friday with Star Wars-themed opening ceremonies, offering a galactic twist on the traditional “Unlocking Imagination” ritual. Other activities taking place at Disney Store locations (excluding Disney Store Outlets) on Force Friday include:

• A free commemorative Star Wars: The Force Awakens pin for the first 100 guests who make a purchase on Force Friday
• Numerous Star Wars events taking place, including:
  • R2-D2 craft activity
  • Ways of the Force
  • Star Wars Story Time
  • Art of Drawing: R2-D2
  • Free Topps vintage trading card giveaway upon completion of an in-store event and while supplies last
• Epic Star Wars theming that pays homage to both the Dark Side and the Light

On DisneyStore.com, fans can enjoy special Limited Edition product, as well as free shipping on all Star Wars items from Sept. 4 – Sept. 6.
Additional details about Disney Store’s activities surrounding Force Friday are available at www.DisneyStore.com/ForceFriday.
Global Toy Unboxing Event
Beginning Sept. 3, fans across the world will get a sneak peak of new product inspired by Star Wars: The Force Awakens and available at retailers worldwide via the world’s first-ever global live toy unboxing event on the Star Wars YouTube channel. Unfolding over 18 hours in 15 cities and 12 countries, the event will see highlights from the range of epic merchandise revealed in a rolling New Year’s Eve style celebration.
The live stream kicks off with the first unboxing in Sydney, Australia at 7:45 a.m. local time on Thursday, Sept. 3 (5:45 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, Sept. 2), and concludes with a grand finale at Lucasfilm in San Francisco at 8 a.m. PDT (11 a.m. EDT) on Thursday, Sept. 3.
Fans can tune in to watch live unboxings at home or on mobile devices, and also enjoy the latest trailers on the upcoming movie, commentary from special guests, fun product videos and demos, and footage from recent Star Wars events. The full schedule is available at www.StarWars.com.
Fans are encouraged to document their experiences around the event on social media using the hashtag #ForceFriday.
To find a local Disney Store, guests can visit www.DisneyStore.com/storelocatoror call (866) 902-2798. Guests can also sign up for email alerts at www.DisneyStore.com/Updates, become a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/DisneyStoreor follow along on Twitter @DisneyStore.
About Disney Store
The Disney Store retail chain, which debuted in 1987, is owned and operated by Disney in North America, Europe, and Japan. Disney Store is the retail merchandising arm of Disney Consumer Products, the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) and its affiliates that extends the Disney brand to merchandise. Disney Store carries high-quality products, including exclusive product lines that support and promote Disney’s key entertainment initiatives and characters. Disney Store opened its first store in Glendale, California and, in doing so, originated the themed retail business model. There are currently more than 200 Disney Store locations in North America; more than 40 Disney Store locations in Japan; and more than 70 Disney Store locations in Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom, plus online stores www.DisneyStore.com, www.disneystore.co.uk, www.disneystore.fr, www.disneystore.de, www.disneystore.se, www.disneystore.dk, www.disneystore.it, www.disneystore.esand www.disneystore.co.jp. Each Disney Store location offers a magical shopping experience that can only be delivered by Disney, one of the world’s largest and most successful entertainment companies. For more information, please visit www.disneyconsumerproducts.com/press/us/disneystoreor follow us at www.facebook.com/DisneyStoreand www.twitter.com/DisneyStore.
 
About Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media
Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media (DCPI) is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) that brings our Company’s stories and characters to life through innovative and engaging physical products and digital experiences across more than 100 categories, from toys and t-shirts, to apps and console games. DCPI comprises two main lines of business: Disney Consumer Products (DCP), and Disney Interactive (DI). The combined segment is home to world class teams of app and game developers, licensing and retail experts, a leading retail business (Disney Store), artists and storytellers, and technologists who inspire imaginations around the world.
 
About Lucasfilm Ltd.
Lucasfilm Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is a global leader in film, television and digital entertainment production. In addition to its motion-picture and television production, the company’s activities include visual effects and audio post-production, cutting-edge digital animation, interactive entertainment software, and the management of the global merchandising activities for its entertainment properties including the legendary STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES franchises. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in northern California.
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Media Contacts:
Erin Barrier, Disney Store │626-773-5132 │erin.j.barrier@disney.com
Chris Argyropoulos, Lucasfilm Ltd. │415-623-1018 │chris.argyropoulos@lucasfilm.com