Reena Bassil

Writer, Editor, Storyteller

Disney Parks Blog •

Meet Amanda Luna: The Creative Force Behind CPGP’s New Tron-Inspired Product Line

Riding TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise in Magic Kingdom Park is no longer the only way to enter the Grid! Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing’s (CPGP) latest product line is inspired by both the ride and the iconic films, “Tron” (1982) and “Tron: Legacy” (2010). To celebrate the launch, I sat down with Amanda Luna, the brand merchandising manager who played a key role in the development of the Tron-inspired merchandise and the new TRON Identity Program at Magic Kingdom P
Disney Parks Blog •

40 Years of Figment: A Journey Into Maria Stuckey’s Imagination

Our favorite purple dragon turned 40 this March! Figment has been fluttering around inspiring guests to use their imagination since the Journey Into Imagination attraction opened in EPCOT in March of 1983. From the Figment-inspired popcorn bucket to his Festival of the Arts merchandise, we simply can’t get enough of him. The friendly, fun-loving dragon has been a source of inspiration for many over the years, including Associate Product Design Manager Maria Stuckey.

If you’ve visited EPCOT or D
Disney Parks Blog •

Learn How a Disney Cast Member Enhances Everyday Magic with Hey Disney!

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology and innovation where the lines between reality and fantasy blur, The Walt Disney Company continues to push boundaries and reimagine the possibilities of storytelling. Senior product manager Amanda Scherer has played a pivotal role in bringing Disney magic into homes through her part in the creation of Hey Disney!, a new voice assistant developed by Disney and built on Alexa technology.

Amanda’s Disney journey began as a contractor for Disney Cruise L
Disney Parks Blog •

Disney Cast Member Celebrates 45 Years of Candy Creativity

From hot buttered popcorn to freshly dipped candy apples, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts are well known for their snacks, sweets and treats — and trust me, they’re delicious. (Don’t believe me? Ask the dishes!) And without invaluable cast members like Patrice Guy, we wouldn’t have so many of our favorite park staples!

Owned and Operated Merchandise Manager “Sweet Patrice,” as she is known by her team, has been a revered member of the Disney family for 45 years. Reflecting on her illus
Disney Parks Blog •

Pinning the Pixie Dust: Discover Jes Willis’ Pin-spiring Disney Journey

Pin trading has become a beloved family tradition at Disney Parks globally, and behind the shiny pin boards, there is a team of talented designers who bring that magic to life. One of those designers is Jes Willis, product design manager for the Disney Pin Trading Center of Excellence. With a passion for storytelling and a love for Disney that stems from childhood, Jes has had a remarkable journey to her current role leading her team in creating pins that captivate Disney fans around the world.
D23 •

Decoding the Grid: A Conversation with TRON: Identity Producer Heidy Vargas

The time is nearly here! Step into the Grid and embark on a mysterious journey with TRON: Identity, the latest visual novel puzzle adventure game from Disney Games and Bithell Games. Disney Games Producer Heidy Vargas has defragged many Identity Discs in her day, but her true passion is creating immersive game worlds for players to get lost in. We sat down with Vargas to discuss her work on TRON: Identity, as well as her impressive career journey at The Walt Disney Company. Check out what she ha
Marvel Entertainment •

Empowering Children through Play: The Story Behind World of EPI's Wakanda-Inspired Dolls

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re proud to continue shining a spotlight on women, Black-owned businesses, and licensees that have produced products inspired by Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This week, we’re spotlighting World of EPI, a Black Woman-owned award-winning toy company that creates beautiful, multicultural dolls.

Each World of EPI doll is a one-of-a-kind piece of art with unique facial features, custom-blended skin tones, and a variety of hair textures r
Disney Parks Blog •

How Three Cast Members Brought Joy to an Office Building with Disney-Inspired Art

This week, we at Consumer Products, Games and Publishing (CPGP) have the privilege of highlighting three individuals who have not only made significant impacts in their respective fields but are also responsible for beautifying our new office in Celebration, Florida with stunning artwork: Art Director Jean-Paul Orpiñas, Manager of Store Design & Development Katie Boyce and Director of Design Scott Piehl.

This CPGP office was recently flooded with beautiful artwork, wall murals and product displ
Marvel Entertainment •

Pear Nova Celebrates Women Empowerment with Inclusive Wakanda-Inspired Luxury Nail Collection

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re proud to continue shining a spotlight on women and Black-owned businesses and licensees that have produced products inspired by Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This week, we’re spotlighting Pear Nova, a Chicago-based luxury nail care company that produces cruelty-free products for all skin and nail tones.

Pear Nova has become a prominent name in the beauty industry due to the team’s core values of artistry, inclusivity, responsibili
Marvel Entertainment •

Young King Hair Care Launches Limited-Edition Wakanda-Inspired Line for Textured Hair

On Wednesdays, we celebrate Wakanda! In celebration of Black History Month, we’re proud to continue shining a spotlight on Black-owned businesses and licensees that have produced products inspired by Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This week, we’re spotlighting Young King Hair Care, a natural hair grooming company for multicultural young men.

“As founders of Young King and more importantly, as parents of a growing Black boy, we want to change the narrative of how the world sees