Multiple sources are reporting that the now-former VP of Corporate Communications for The Walt Disney Company, Jeffrey R. Epstein, is among the first to be laid off in the sweeping company-wide layoffs announced by Bob Iger.

Epstein was prolific as one of the company’s most outspoken spokespeople on social media and perhaps figurehead of D23, even hosting the “D23 Inside Disney” podcast. TheWrap was first to confirm his ouster from the company.

For many years he worked under the feared former CCO Zenia Mucha, credited with much of Bob Iger’s positive public perception during his first tenure, who stepped down in 2021. Epstein has often been seen on his Twitter as a mouthpiece of the company, repeatedly joking about how he’s not related to the former sex offender of the same unfortunate name while promoting new products, films, and attractions.

Others affected by these layoffs include the entire metaverse division championed by former CEO Bob Chapek.

They reportedly also abandoned the membership program we reported on, rumored to be something akin to Amazon Prime. “When a family comes to our parks, we know exactly what you did. Let’s say you stay a week. We got seven days, 24 hours a day. We know everything that you do in the park,” Chapek had said of the program, “And if you give us the permission and ability through the membership app, we’ll program your Disney+ experience, not according to what you watched last or what other people who watch this show, but to what you did, what you experienced.”

Two more series of layoffs are coming this year as Iger moves to reduce costs. Senior Vice President of Production for Hulu, Mark Levenstein, and Jayne Bieber, senior vice president of Production Management & Operations for Freeform, were the first executives to be let go this week. The layoffs will not affect front line Cast Members at the theme parks.

Layoffs will impact about 4,000 employees, with the rest of the cuts coming from open roles. Additionally, targets have been given for reducing spending and headcount to each of these departments. Iger is reportedly on “a push for profitability” as his return to the company continues.

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Disney+ has revealed the premiere date for “Secret Invasion,” the next original Marvel Cinematic Universe series.

“Secret Invasion” will premiere on June 21, 2023, according to the Disney+ landing page. Here’s the description from Disney+:

Marvel Studios’ “Secret Invasion” stars Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Ben Mendelsohn as the Skrull Talos – characters who first met in “Captain Marvel.” The crossover event series showcases a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls who have been infiltrating Earth for years.

The first “Secret Invasion” teaser trailer was released at D23 Expo 2022. Marvel Studios later released a promo for all of Phase 5 including clips from “Secret Invasion.” Phase 5 officially kicked off with “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.”

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A new series of Marvel-inspired Disney nuiMOs outfits and a Loungefly backpack perfect for the Baby Groot plush is “coming soon” to shopDisney.

The preview image shows a Baby Groot nuiMOs plush wearing a Captain Marvel-inspired shirt and pants with a brown jacket. There will be more to the line, with other Marvel-inspired merchandise to dress up your favorite nuiMOs dolls of all kinds!

A release date hasn’t been announced. The collection will likely be available at Disney Parks as well as online.

nuiMOs

The nuiMOs collection originated in Disney Stores in Japan, and are posable, dressable plushes of beloved Disney characters from across the company’s vast library. The name nuiMOs is a blend of the Japanese word nuigurumi, meaning plush doll, and the word model. You can change their look to suit your unique personality and taste. And with the wide variety of dolls and clothing, the possibilities are endless. Your nuiMOs can be just like you!

The characters later spread to Hong Kong and China before finally arriving worldwide in early 2021. Mini Spirit Jerseys and Loungefly backpacks are a common sight for the adorable posable plushes.

A Hulk nuiMOs plush is also already available at Disneyland Resort. Let us know if you’ll add these outfits to your plush’s wardrobe in the comments!

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A new souvenir popcorn bucket commemorating the Disney100 celebration is being released tomorrow at the Disneyland Resort!

Disney100 Mickey Mouse Balloon Popcorn Bucket

This new item incorporates a shiny purple design in the shape of Mickey Mouse’s ears, with the character himself featured in the center. A strap is included for easy carrying, emblazoned with the motto “100 Years of Wonder” and the Disney100 logo.

According to the official Disney Eats Instagram page, this new item will be available at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure starting tomorrow, March 29.

Purple and silver are the official color scheme of the 100 Years of Wonder celebration, so it’s certainly no surprise that the new bucket incorporates those colors. These Mickey Balloon-shaped popcorn buckets are a classic sight around Disneyland, with another contrasting design in silver having been released at the celebration’s kickoff in January. This silver Mickey Balloon popcorn bucket had a purple strap with the same writing but in silver for the anniversary.

There was also a Pride-themed rainbow Mickey Balloon popcorn bucket last fall, and a lighter purple-pink version for Magic Key Holders last summer.

You can check out the other Disney100 popcorn buckets here on Disneyland News Today — one with the celebration art and one shaped like Cinderella’s coach.

What’s your favorite piece of anniversary merchandise so far? Let us know in the comments!

For more information on the Disney100 festivities at the Disneyland Resort, check out our guide here.

For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.

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All-new Loungefly mini backpacks, wallets, and a handbag inspired by ‘The Infinity Saga’ have arrived at the Marvel Alterniverse Store at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Let’s take a look!

“Iron Man” 15th Anniversary Loungefly Mini-Backpack – $85

This entire bag is covered in a metallic red canvas material with gold accents of the same material incorporated throughout the design.

Iron Man’s Arc Reactor core has the center-top position.

A “The Infinity Saga” badge adorns the bottom-right portion of this bag’s front.

Captain America Loungefly Mini-Backpack – $85

Much like the “Iron Man” backpack, this bag is made mostly of a metallic canvas material, but this one features a bold royal blue shade.

The white star from Captain America’s Vibranium shield is at the center-top.

Red and silver accents are scattered throughout the bag’s design.

On the back is a glossy blue plastic with his shield design printed. The straps are blue.

Iron Man Handbag – $79

This Iron Man handbag makes a nice complement to the mini backpack. It is also covered in a red metallic material with gold accents. The Arc Reactor again sits at the center.

The back of the bag also features a ‘The Infinity Saga’ badge.

Captain America Wallet – $55

The blue glossy material returns, complete with the white star at the center.

Below the Infinity Saga badge on the back, you can spot Cap’s shield. A fun touch to this wallet.

There is a button-snap enclosure, along with several slots for credit cards and a driver’s license window. Shields and Avengers logos are patterned in the lining.

Iron Man Wallet – $55

If you want to complete the Iron Man set, you can snag this wallet! The Arc Reactor again sits front and center.

The wallet’s design is tied together with a ‘The Infinity Saga’ badge on the back of it.

If you’re a fan of Loungefly products, check out the Hello Kitty backpack, handbag, and wallet that we recently found at the Hello Kitty Store at Universal Studios Florida.

Will you be taking a trip to Universal’s Islands of Adventure to pick up any of these new arrivals? Let us know in the comments section!

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All aboard the Runnamuck Railroad! We found a new colorful mug themed to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this week!

Runnamuck Railroad Train Engine Mug — $24.99

This ceramic mug matches the train engine color scheme from the Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction.

The mug pictures Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Chuuby going on a picnic.

We found this at Celebrity 5 & 10 in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The logotype for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is on the engine’s smokestack.

The front of the train engine features Goofy’s Runnamuck Railroad logo.

The mug appears to widen at the bottom, which may make it difficult to clean.

The Runnamuck Railroad logo can also be seen on the handle.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is an indoor trackless ride found at both Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, as well as at Disneyland in California. On the attraction, guests step into the cartoon world to go on a perfect picnic with Mickey and Minnie. But their train conductor Goofy loses track of the runaway train cars, and the couple must go on a wild adventure to save the guests! We previously found this mug at Disneyland earlier this month.

Check out a couple other new mugs found at Walt Disney World:

• New ‘Moana’ Kakamora Mug Available at Walt Disney World
• New Disney Transportation Mug Featuring the Monorail, Skyliner Gondolas, Buses, and More at Walt Disney World

Will you be grabbing one of these colorful new mugs? We’d love to hear your opinions about it in the comments below!

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A new “Avatar” AirPods case has debuted at Windtraders in Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Avatar Wireless Headphones Case- $19.99

We made our way over to Windtraders, the official merchandise location in the beautiful land of Pandora, and found this new “Avatar”-inspired AirPods, case. The art bears a striking resemblance to the Pandora Wishables released in 2020.

While this case may be small, it is very detailed. The case design features a Na’vi character head made of molded silicone. It is perfect for storing your AirPods or other wireless headphones. The part where the hair line meets the forehead is where the case opens.

The packaging on the case is themed and detail-oriented as well. As you can see, there is an A.C.E, or Alpha Centauri Expeditions, logo is in the top right corner.

A.C.E is a fictional organization created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Lightstorm Entertainment, the creators of “Avatar”. A.C.E is a fictional eco-tour company that allows guests to explore Pandora. As you walk around Pandora, you will see A.C.E logos all over. A.C.E provides the human guides, food, walkways, signage, transportation, etc for the humans that visit Pandora. Also on the packaging, you can see the Hallelujah Mountains of Pandora behind the wireless headphones/AirPods case.

Can’t make it to the parks? Not to worry, this wireless headphones case is also available on shopDisney.

Pandora — The World of Avatar

Pandora — The World of Avatar opened in Disney’s Animal Kingdom in May 2017 and has remained one of the most popular areas in all of Walt Disney World ever since.

The land is beautiful and incredibly immersive. From the moment you walk through the pathway, you will feel as if you were transported directly to the Valley of Mo’ara. Pandora is also home to two very popular rides: Avatar: Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey.

Avatar: Flight of Passage is one of the most popular rides on property. It is an immersive, 3D flying simulator ride where guests can ride atop a native mountain Banshee and soar over the beautiful landscape of Pandora. It is a rite of passage among the Na’vi, which are natives of Pandora, to ride atop a Banshee, so that is where the ride got its name.

Na’vi River Journey is a dark ride that sends guests on a relaxing boat ride through the Kasvapan River of Pandora. The ride is filled with bioluminescent plants and animals native to Pandora. It also features one of the best animatronics on Disney property, the Shaman of Song.

There are plenty of things to see and do in Pandora — The World of Avatar. In fact, due to the overwhelming popularity of the Pandora in Walt Disney World, it was just announced that Disneyland would be getting their very own Pandora experience soon as well!

What’s your favorite piece of “Avatar” merchandise? Let us know in the comments.

In the meantime, check out these articles on all things “Avatar”:

• Disneyland ‘Avatar’ Experience Will Be ‘As Amazing’ as Pandora – The World of Avatar
• PHOTOS: All Interactive Drums Refurbished in Pandora – World of ‘Avatar’ at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Colorful Pandora – The World of Avatar Shadow Box and Wall Art Now Available in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

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