Fun Facts About Decorating Disneyland Resort for the Holiday Season

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November 5, 2019

Visiting Disneyland Resort during the holiday season has become a tradition for many guests. They discover a winter wonderland the moment they step into Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, the Downtown Disney District, and the three on-property hotels. The holidays begin here at the Disneyland Resort, with festive décor and celebrations that transform the resort into the Merriest Place on Earth from Nov. 8, 2019, through Jan. 6, 2020.

Two of the Disneyland Resort teams that work together to bring the holiday magic to life are the Resort Enhancement and Horticulture teams. They deck the halls throughout the resort, with their magical work spanning everything from the festive landscaping to the holiday storefront windows; from the façade of “it’s a small world” Holiday to the seasonal installations and décor that guests see throughout the resort.

Here are 19 fun facts about decorating Disneyland Resort for the holiday season, plus some festive tips from the Resort Enhancement team for holiday decorating at home.

Disneyland Resort

1 – Planning for the Holiday transformation each year is a year-long process. As soon as Disneyland Resort is fully set with holiday décor, the team immediately starts designing, planning, ordering supplies and creating decorations for the following year’s installation.
2 – Approximately 300 additional trees are brought in during the holidays to add a festive touch throughout the resort.
3 – Nearly 10,000 poinsettias and 10,000 cyclamen are installed around the resort for additional festive decoration.
4 – Approximately 80% of the cast members on the Resort Enhancement and Horticulture teams work shifts that begin after Disneyland Resort closes. This allows them to decorate, plant, trim and work their holiday magic before guests arrive.

Disneyland Park

5 – New this year is a festive and wintery holiday look around the Partners statue in the Central Plaza at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. This beautiful holiday installation is made up of more than 7,500 individual plants, featuring approximately 80 pine trees decorated with more than 150 strands of warm, mini lights that illuminate each tree. This new display also features more than 500 branches of beautiful red winterberry (Ilex verticillata) and more than 800 red dogwood branches.
6 – The Disneyland Christmas tree stands 60-feet tall on Main Street, U.S.A., and has become a favorite spot for guests to snap their holiday photos. This Christmas tree features 1,500 Victorian-inspired ornaments and 100 oversized faux candles.
7 – As guests walk along Main Street, U.S.A., they find storefronts, lampposts and rooftops wrapped in wreaths and garland. The exterior of Main Street, U.S.A., features approximately 220 garlands that measure more than four miles long, with approximately 80 wreaths and 120 bows bringing the season to life on this charming street.
8 – Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle shimmers during the day and is illuminated each night with more than 126,000 twinkling LED lights, sparkling “icicles” and shimmering snow-capped turrets.
9 – “it’s a small world” Holiday and the surrounding plaza are illuminated with more than 400,000 twinkling lights (50,000 on the façade of the attraction, and an additional 350,000 mini-lights in the trees, hedges and animal topiaries) surrounding the attraction in whimsical Fantasyland. The popular attraction transforms each year for the holidays, celebrating children around the world and the holiday traditions of their countries. The warm holiday atmosphere of the plaza area in front of “it’s a small world” Holiday is further enhanced with colorful garland, festive poinsettias and international holiday wreaths.
10 – The Disneyland Resort has its own team of holiday “elves” who help create the magic of “it’s a small world” Holiday each year. It takes a talented and dedicated team of nearly three dozen cast members 35 days to install the glittering façade and nearly 18 days to decorate the holiday attraction’s dazzling interior.
11 – Haunted Mansion also transforms into Haunted Mansion Holiday for the holiday season, inspired by the classic film, “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.” This year marks the 19th anniversary of the transformation, as well as the 19^th creepy creation of the gingerbread house in the Haunted Mansion ballroom. This year’s design celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Haunted Mansion attraction and features 15 spirited, spooky and recognizable ghosts made out of gingerbread. It took a team of six culinary cast members from the Disneyland Resort Central Bakery 13 days to create, build and decorate this year’s gingerbread house masterpiece.
12 – Mickey’s Toontown gives the holidays a wacky twist with its own distinctive “toon” trees and decorations to show off the characters’ personalities.

Disney California Adventure Park

13 – At Disney California Adventure, many areas celebrate in their own way, with distinctive displays at Grizzly Peak, Hollywood Land, Pacific Wharf and Paradise Gardens Park. The residents of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street are also extending an extra special holiday welcome with enhanced seasonal décor.
14 – As guests enter the park and stroll along Buena Vista Street, a dazzling, 50-foot Christmas tree adorns Carthay Circle to help guests get in the holiday spirit. The tree and surrounding buildings are decorated with vintage-style ornaments in keeping with the theme of Buena Vista Street, inspired by Los Angeles as it appeared when Walt Disney arrived in the 1920s.
15 – Cars Land is adorned with special holiday décor throughout Radiator Springs, with decorations that reflect the unique personalities of the “Cars” characters who live there. Two attractions transform for the haul-idays and add to the season’s greetings. Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters becomes Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree becomes Mater’s Jingle Jamboree. Each attraction is enhanced as Mater and Luigi add catchy tunes that bring about the holiday cheer and encourage sing-a-long moments.

Downtown Disney District

16 – Downtown Disney District will “glow” in a whole new way this holiday season with a different look during the day and night (additional details to come).

Hotels of the Disneyland Resort

The three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort deck the halls with festive lobby displays, immersing guests in the seasonal style of each hotel.

17 – The Disneyland Hotel features beautiful pine trees and holiday florals.
18 – Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel is decorated with blue, green and silver holiday décor, along with shells and starfish garland and an underwater-themed Christmas tree to create a beachy holiday setting.
19 – In the lobby at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, guests will marvel at the 7-foot-tall gingerbread house, which is a replica of the hotel. It took 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 250 pounds of fondant, one pound of “pixie dust” and a 25-member team to construct this impressive confection. Guests will also find holiday decorations throughout the hotel, from garland woven with natural materials to the towering Christmas tree lit with “arts and crafts” motif lanterns.

Tips for decorating for the holidays at home, from the Resort Enhancement team at Disneyland Resort:

Head to a local Christmas tree lot and ask for extra pieces of greenery. Arrange the greenery in a circle on a table and place a pillar candle in the middle. Add a few ornaments, to finalize a beautiful holiday centerpiece. Not only will it look great, but it will also add natural fragrance to the room.
Fill assorted apothecary jars with colorful holiday candy.
Customize plain pillar candles with colorful ribbon trim, wrapped around their bases.
Fill a bowl with pinecones, acorns, and greenery. This is a simple way to make a beautiful holiday centerpiece.
Dress up inexpensive garland with artificial berries and pinecones and then place them on top of a mirror.
Place a wreath on top of a table and put a pillar candle in the middle to create an easy centerpiece. Add battery-powered fairy lights to give it an extra glow.
Add holiday candles throughout your home. It will appeal to another sense and provide that extra special seasonal touch.
Always remember safety first. Don’t leave candles burning unattended. Or, opt for flameless flickering candles.

Into the Unknown: A Deeper look at Disney’s ‘Frozen 2’

By

Robbie Bulus

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November 5, 2019

Much like the first film, which was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s 1845 fairy tale “The Snow Queen,” “Frozen 2” embraces the tenants of fairy tales, mythology and similar stories that were often written to explain the inexplicable. This all-new story takes place three years after the conclusion of the first movie, Elsa is queen and Anna is happy to have everyone she loves, her family, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven. The bond between sisters is strong and helps develop the story. But, according to the filmmakers, there is an underlying current of unrest and angst that ultimately leads to a great adventure—one that will bring clarity to everything we know about these characters.

Filmmakers set out to deepen their understanding of their main characters in an effort to uncover the answers to questions that lingered after the conclusion of “Frozen.”

The filmmakers found themselves delving into the inner workings of both fairy tales and mythology. They realized that in the first movie, it was unknowingly had both a myth and a fairy tale going on at the same time. Elsa was definitely a mythic character, which generally carries the weight of the world on their shoulders and does things the rest of us can’t.

Brittany Lee, who’s the Visual Development Artist and worked on the first Frozen, explained in animation, we can infuse narrative into everything that you see in the frame. Anything that’s there, the environment, or characters or anything, we’re hopefully trying to infuse some bit of narrative and in Frozen 2, the characters and costume design, for a character like Elsa, is important because she’s so complex and constantly evolving. So we hope that through design we are able to tell you a little bit about her through what she’s wearing and what her hairstyle is and so forth. So when you see her and her sister in Frozen 2, they’re both bright and open, and playful.

But as Elsa becomes more secretive and secluded as she’s growing up, her silhouettes and her palette change, and her silhouettes become longer and more restrictive, and her colors become deeper and darker and that’s meant to show you as an audience that she’s becoming more and more closed off to the world. And it’s not until ultimately in ‘Let it Go’ that she reveals what we know of her to be as her true self. But you go back to this palette that we actually met her in as a little girl, in her nightgown, and more open and flowing silhouettes. And this is meant to signify her. This is who she is. But when we see her again in ‘Into the Unknown’, she’s in a deeper and darker color, and what could that mean? So we needed to approach this with particular things in mind. First of all, we knew that ‘Into the Unknown’ was going to take place at night, and it was gonna be a scene that was happening right after the characters were very cozy and comfortable. So what Elsa needed to be wearing in this sequence was a nightgown, so this is a nightgown and not a dress.

We’ve seen her build her clothing out of ice before. And so we have the luxury of being able to give her sheer, ethereal materials that speak to who she is, and aren’t as heavy and restrictive as wools or heavier-weighted things that everyone else in Arendelle has to wear. But she is restricted by the colors of the clothing she wears. Elsa needs to sort of life in the cool range. If her colors get too warm we feel like something’s wrong. She’s the Snow Queen so anything beyond something like a violet, into the red spectrum, feels like she has an issue. So we chose something that was more magenta-violet to both feels like there’s a change happening, so that there’s something going on in her world, and in the song ‘Into the Unknown’, she is conflicted.

With costume design, we’re designing down to the very last stitch, every bead, every embroidery thread, every sequin. We designated where that should be, and what that should say about the character. And so for Elsa, a lot of her details have always been revolving around snow. And that remains to be true. Ice and snow are very important to her design and who she is, and so we tried to add these little touches, little details everywhere on her, to reinforce the fact that you know who she is. And so this is an example of what we go through as far as down to the very last thread and direction of the thread, and so that hopefully even before she even sings a single note, you are learning something about who she is.

“I’ve had my adventure. I don’t need something new. I’m afraid of what I’m risking if I follow you… into the unknown!”

~ Elsa, “Into the Unknown,” “Frozen 2”

Story-wise it’s been a few years since the events of the first film, and Elsa’s been settling down in her role as Queen of Arendelle. At the beginning of this film, we kind of get a glimpse that things have been off. Elsa’s been hearing this call, this voice. If you’ve seen the sequence, you hear that sort of ahh that she’s hearing but no one else seems to hear. So things are a bit off that she’s not admitting to anyone. So what we’re trying to do also, in an animated film usually at this point for the main character we usually get to hear an ‘I Want’ song. And for this movie, it’s a little different, where Elsa’s been sort of shying away from what she truly feels, what she truly wants, and avoids that call she’s been hearing. She’s gonna try to reach it, and she reaches even more than a human can do, using her own like ice power to reach even more on that little ice pedestal, and engage fully for a brief second with that power that’s gonna create this explosion of all these hanging little frozen crystal symbols that will have a big impact in the movie.

From the Academy Award-winning team directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, producer Peter Del Vecho and songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez—and featuring the voices of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff, and Josh Gad, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019.

Theatre Review: MATILDA, THE MUSICAL

By

Russell Tom

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November 4, 2019

Matilda the Musical (Tim Minchin / Roald Dahl) — The company of the LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT production of “MATILDA, THE MUSICAL” - Directed by Michael Matthews and now playing at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Matilda uses her supernatural abilities to jump from the page, to screen, and now on stage – LIVE! Based on the 1988 children’s novel by renowned British novelist, Road Dahl, this stage musical was first adapted in 2011 and went on to receive the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical in 2013.

The story follows a little girl, Matilda (played by Audrey Cymone) who is unwanted by her family and so relies on her independence to read as many books as she can… while playing pranks on her despicable father who relentlessly wishes for Matilda to be have born a boy. While Mr. Wormwood (played by Josh Adamson) conducts unsavory business deals, Mrs. Wormwood (played by Erica Hanrahan) is too preoccupied with her dance instructor Rudolpho (played by Danil Chernyy). Family matters are not the only thing Matilda has to contend with as she meets her match with her new schoolmistress Miss Trunchbull (played by Michael A. Shepperd). A practically devilish individual who enjoys distributing punishment to any student who so much as sneezes without her permission. The student body is rightfully frightened even by the sound of her name. But all is not lost as light shines through with the kindness and sympathy of a graceful Miss Honey (played by Nicole Santiago). Matilda and Miss Honey will later discover a mysterious connection that would change their lives forever.

Disneyland Resort — Nicole Santiago (far left) and Michael A. Shepperd (far right) with the company of the LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT production of “MATILDA, THE MUSICAL” – Directed by Michael Matthews and now playing at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Matilda – The Musical is a brilliantly delightful take on Road Dahl’s novel. Those who may be familiar with either novel or 1996 American film adaptation should be able to find enjoyment with this production. There seems to be concern over American audiences having difficulty with the British accents in a musical format. That minor displacement could not be enough to detract from the joy of watching the performers having the time of their life on stage. It probably helps to know that choreographer Kate Dunn has been attached to both London and Broadway productions when putting together the La Mirada show. The scooters and swing set may be out from the original shows, but in its play are seesaw and free-spinning wheel that still engulfs the idea of “play”. Thus, giving a new and fresh spin to a tightly scheduled time frame. Even the opening number “Miracle” replaced a birthday party scene with the kids trick-or-treating door-to-door for Halloween given the timing of our performance date. An overwhelming surprise for this Halloween lover.

Erica Hanrahan as Matilda’s mother was, to say the least, a riot. As soon as she steps on stage, the audience’s attention immediately draws to her energy and characteristic mannerisms. Then you have her dance instructor played by Danil Chernyy who just chews up every moment he has on stage. The audience could not contain its laughter. Michael A. Shepperd as Miss Trunchbull is the kind of antagonist you love to hate. Her punishments to the children and ruthless demeanor send both shivers down your spine but with great anticipation to see what comes out next. Practically the definition of having fun playing the villain of the story.

One of the best attributes of the show is the performers. Everyone gives it their all. From “Louder”‘s dance competition fantasy to the upbeat moments like “Naughty” and “When I Grow Up”. But the best moments come when the entire cast comes together for show-stopping numbers like “School Song” and “Revolting Children”. These are definitely highlights that have rightfully been performed outside the show for promotional exposure. Roald Dahl’s Matilda – The Musical continues playtime on select evenings until school ends November 17, 2019, at the La Mirada Theatre.

A Fall Journey to June Lake, California

By

Greg Aragon, Writer Greg's Getaway

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October 31, 2019

June Lake is a hidden Mountain gem in California’s Eastern Sierra (photo by Greg Aragon)

California’s Eastern Sierra is packed with incredible scenic beauty and must-see locations. From Mono Lake and Bodie State Historic Park to Mammoth Mountain and Yosemite National Park, the region is a wonderland of nature.

But the area also boasts smaller, less-known destinations that are equally beautiful and worthy of exploration. Such is the case with June Lake (www.junelakeloop.org), which offers great fishing, hiking, skiing, sightseeing and more. Tucked at the base of 10,909-ft Carson Peak, the scenic little town and the 14-mile-long June Lake Loop that encircles it has been attracting nature-lovers since Hollywood popularized the area in the 1920s.

“June Lake is special because it has that hidden gem, small-town feel while still offering something for everyone,” says Lindsey Chargin, owner/manager of Golden Pine RV Park (www.goldenpinervpark.com) and June Lake Chamber of Commerce Secretary. “Fall is a great time to visit June Lake because the crowds are thinning, the leaves and trees are beautiful and the fish are still biting.”

A couple of friends and I began a recent fall getaway to June Lake at Whispering Pines Motel & Cabins (www.DiscoverWhisperingPines.com), a rustic property situated at the base of Carson Peak and 1.5 miles from June Mountain. The resort offers motel rooms, cabins, and two-bedroom suites for skiers and families who love the beauty of the Sierras.

Our suite at Whispering Pines came with a large living room with a sleeper sofa and TV, a separate bedroom with a queen bed, and a full kitchen with an oven/stove, sink and dining table. The room had a cozy mountain feel and boasted incredible mountain views from the living room and bedroom. In fact, we could see two flowing waterfalls falling down the mountain from the couch!

Once acquainted with the room, we went exploring. One of the highlights of the town is driving the June Lake Loop

“For a quaint town with a year-round population of 600, the June Lake Loop has an incredible amount of offerings including four lakes, six trailheads, a ski area, brewery, craft cannabis boutique, world-class spa, and music venue,” says local resident and businessman Jamie Schectman, president of B-ROC, LLC. “The natural beauty holds its own against many other internationally famous destinations and is frequently being compared with the Alps, but it is located in the Golden State California.”

The loop begins along the southernmost rim of the Mono Basin, where SR 158 veers away from Highway 395. It follows a horseshoe-shaped canyon, surrounded by mountains and traverses four glistening, majestic lakes.

June Lake is about a mile long and a half-mile wide and is served by two marinas. The picturesque lake is ideal for boating, fishing, paddling, and sailing, or as we did, walking around the shoreline skimming stones and admiring incredible views. The lake also boasts a swimming beach, campgrounds, and RV parks.

Gull Lake is the smallest of the four lakes. It offers a boat landing, a community park, a few summer homes and condos, and a campground. Gull Lake is a popular fisherman because of its good trout fishing.

Silver Lake is set in the heart of the Sierra Nevada at the base of Carson Peak, near the confluence of Reversed Creek with Rush Creek. It is home to one of the Sierra’s oldest fishing and vacation spots. Silver Lake Resort, originally known as “Carson’s Camp,” has been famous for quality mountain recreation since 1916. Near here hikers can reach Rush Creek Basin, The Ansel Adams Wilderness, and Yosemite National Park. Finally, there is Grant Lake, the largest of the four lakes and a reservoir on the Los Angeles Aqueduct system. It sits in the shadow of 12,000 ft Mt Wood and is known for its excellent fishing.

Back in the town, we went to June Lake General Store and bought marinated carne asada, flour tortillas, pasta salad, and cold beer and then made a gourmet dinner in our suite at Whispering Pines. While eating, we pulled the curtains open and enjoyed a front-row seat to the jagged cliffs and icy waterfalls of Carson Peak.

The next morning we discovered Parker Lake Trail, a relatively easy 4-mile hike that starts near the north end of June Lake Loop. Beginning in a parking lot, the trail follows Parker Creek into a beautiful aspen forest and then to the Parker Lake, where glacier peaks jet from the water. The lake is a great place to fish for trout. On the way back from the Parker Lake we had sweeping views of Mono Lake and the Mono Craters. We also encountered some deer running across the trail.

For more information on staying at Whispering Pines Motel & Cabins, go to www.DiscoverWhisperingPines.com; for information on June Lake visit: www.junelakeloop.org

Celebrate The Return of Gilmore Girls Holiday To WB Studio Tour This Christmas

By

Socalthrills Staff

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October 27, 2019

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood has announced that this holiday season, Studio Tour guests will be transported back to the whimsical town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, with the return of the “Gilmore Girls Holiday.” From December 21, 2019 through January 5, 2020, fans of the beloved series can walk in the footsteps of Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham), Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel), Luke Danes (Scott Paterson), Sookie St. James (Melissa McCarthy) and the whole gang as the Warner Bros. backlot will be transformed into Stars Hollow. The enchanting version of the fictional town will feature original sets and authentic props with photo opportunities available in front of the iconic Gazebo and official Stars Hollow town sign, Luke’s Diner, Lorelai’s house, Stars Hollow High School and more.

As guests explore the town square, sipping on hot coffee while enjoying Pop-Tarts and other fan-favorite treats, they can snap a picture in front of the iconic Gazebo to capture the perfect Gilmore moment. This year the exterior of Luke’s diner will be dressed as seen in the show, providing the ideal setting for fans to reminisce about the many “life-changing” coffee chats that were shared inside. The exterior sets of Lorelai’s and Sookie’s homes will be also be festively decorated for the holidays. At the Gilmore residence, authentic props including Lorelai’s 1999 Jeep Wrangler and mailbox (one that Kirk did not sell via his many entrepreneurial affairs) will be on display, plus much more. As guests step inside the house, original costumes worn by Lorelai, Rory, and Luke will be exhibited with an accompanying montage of behind-the-scenes imagery for guests to relive their favorite scenes.

“Gilmore Girls touched the hearts of so many fans and spans generations,” said Gary Soloff, Director, Marketing, WBSTH. “This holiday season, our guests will enjoy a one-of-a-kind fan experience as they tour the iconic Warner Bros. backlot that will be transformed into the majestic town of Stars Hollow.”

Following the success of last year’s “Holiday Lunch at Lorelai’s,” the Studio Tour is bringing back a holiday spread, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available for purchase. Even though Sookie won’t be preparing them herself, Emily Gilmore surely would approve of these culinary treats! Exclusive Gilmore Girls merchandise, such as spirit jerseys, mugs, keychains, notepads, hats and more, will also be available for purchase from the Gilmore Girls pop-up shop located in Lorelai’s house.

With the always-evolving exhibits and experiences, WBSTH continues to offer its guests from around the world an intimate look at how Hollywood magic is made. Through behind-the-scenes tours and exclusive looks at costumes and props used in production, fans can get closer to some of their favorite films and TV shows such as Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Batman, Shameless, Casablanca, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Gilmore Girls and more.

“Gilmore Girls Holiday” is included as part of the Studio Tour, Classics Made Here Tour and Deluxe Tour. Tickets can be purchased at www.wbstudiotour.com.

Tickets Now on Sale for 20th Century Fox ‘Ford v Ferrari’

By

Socalthrills Staff

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October 27, 2019

Academy Award winners Matt Damon and Christian Bale star in FORD v FERRARI, inspired by the remarkable true story of the visionary American car designer Carroll Shelby (Damon) and the fearless British driver Ken Miles (Bale), who together battled corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and take on the dominating race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.

The film also stars Jon Bernthal, Caitriona Balfe, Tracy Letts, Josh Lucas, Noah Jupe, Remo Girone, Ray McKinnon, JJ Field and Jack McMullen. FORD v FERRARI is directed by James Mangold and produced by Peter Chernin, p.g.a. Jenno Topping, p.g.a. and James Mangold, p.g.a. Kevin Halloran, Dani Bernfeld and Michael Mann serve as executive producers. FORD v FERRARI was written by Jez Butterworth & Jon-Henry Butterworth and Jason Keller.

Tickets for FORD v FERRARI are now on sale everywhere tickets are sold.

FORD v FERRARI releases in U.S. theaters on November 15.

A Journey Back in Time and Into the Future

By

Greg Aragon, Writer Greg's Getaway

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October 26, 2019

Red Rock Canyon and Mojave Airport offer unexpected adventure in Kern County (photo by Greg Aragon)

Even though my recent road trip to California’s Eastern Sierra was carefully planned out, I still couldn’t resist stopping along the way to investigate other places of interest that caught my eye. Such was the case with Red Rock Canyon State Park and the Mojave Air and Space Port, both located off Highway 14 in Kern County.

The Mojave Airport first opened in 1935 as a small, rural airfield serving the local gold and silver mining industry. In 1942, the U.S. Marine Corps took it over and expanded it as the Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Station (MCAAS) Mojave. In 1961, Kern County obtained the title and in 2013, its name was changed to Mojave Air and Space Port.

While at the airfield we examined the Rotary Rocket Roton ATV, which in 1999 became the first rocket-powered vehicle to fly at Mojave Spaceport. Next to this craft, we encountered a replica of Space Ship One, which was part of the first private manned space program in the country.

We then had lunch at the airport’s Voyager Restaurant, located on the runway. While eating a bowl of chili and onion rings, we watched planes and helicopters take-off. We also read about other cool things happening at the facility.

There is a Virgin Galactic hangar, where The Spaceship Company (TSC), Virgin Galactic’s sister company, is developing the world’s first commercial spaceline. Virgin Galactic, owned by Sir Richard Branson, aims to send members of the general public on suborbital flights to space. The company has sold numerous tickets to people wanting to be at the forefront of space tourism. The construction and test of space vehicles and carrier ships are completed here in Mojave.

The airport also currently houses Stratolauch Systems, a Paul G Allen Project, which is attempting to build the largest aircraft to ever fly. The vehicle is designed to bring manned and unmanned vehicles to space.

From space age rockets at the airport, we journeyed back in time to the ancient rock formations at Red Rock Canyon State Park.

Once home to the Kawaiisu Indians, who left petroglyphs and artifacts in the El Paso Mountains,

Red Rock Canyon State Park features scenic desert cliffs, buttes, and spectacular rock formations. The park is located where the southernmost tip of the Sierra Nevada converges with the El Paso Range. Each tributary canyon is unique, with dramatic shapes and vivid colors.

The spectacular canyon was on the Native American trade route for thousands of years. During the 1870s, the colorful rock formations in the park served as landmarks for 20-mule team freight wagons that stopped for water. About 1850, it was used by survivors of the famous Death Valley trek. The park now protects significant paleontology sites and the remains of 1890s-era mining operations.

When my friends and I got to Red Rock, it was a windy October day. As we slowly drove around the one road that circles the sanctuary, it felt like we were in a scene from the dinosaur classic “Jurassic Park.” Maybe that’s because the movie was filmed here. In fact, due to its unique landscape, Red Rock was used in lots of movies, including “The Mummy,” “Zorro Rides Again,” “Westworld,” and “Airwolf,” to name a few.

The scenery was so impressive that we soon found a place to park and began to climb the rocks and take pictures and look for native wildlife such as snakes, roadrunners, hawks, lizards, mice, and squirrels.

Besides us, there were lots of campers in the rugged, 27,000-sq-ft park. They were staying at Ricardo Campground, which is tucked up against the base of dramatic desert cliffs, with 50 primitive campsites, potable water, pit toilets, fire rings, and tables. You must bring your own firewood or buy it at the visitor center.

For day visiting, there are miles of trails to explore and shaded picnic tables near the Visitor Center. The day-use parking lot and picnic area, open sunrise to sunset, is $6 per vehicle.

Red Rock Canyon State Park is located 120 miles north of Los Angeles off Highway 14. For more information on visiting the area, call (661) 946-6092 or visit: www.parks.ca.gov. For more info on visiting Mojave Air and Space Port, call 661-824-2433 or visit: www.mojaveairport.com/

Halloween Treats from Popcornopolis Cast A Delicious Spell

By

Socalthrills Staff

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October 18, 2019

Got treats? Popcornopolis sure does! Known for the Cone, Popcornopolis is celebrating the season of snacking with a ‘pop’ by offering spook-tacular, delicious treats perfect for any Halloween occasion. Indulge in a variety of mouthwatering flavors and festively fun packages that every witch, ghost, and the goblin is certain to love. Whether you’re shopping for trick-or-treating, Halloween parties, movie nights in, or unique gift-giving, this gourmet popcorn company provides satisfying snacks for every celebration.

Enchant your trick-or-treaters and party guests the Popcornopolis fan-favorite: Monster Mini Cones ($69.99 for a case of 40 at popcornopolis.com). The perfect candy bar alternative, each mini cone is dressed in its own adorable Halloween-themed costume and comes in one of four delectable flavors: Zebra Popcorn, Caramel Corn, Cheddar Cheese Popcorn, and Kettle Corn. Crafted with big flavor, Popcornopolis Monster Mini Cones are certified gluten-free with no high fructose corn syrup or added preservatives.

Bewitch friends and co-workers with the Mini Cone Gift Cauldron ($39.99 at popcornopolis.com), this fang-tastic gift basket features 8 Monster Mini Cones wrapped in cellophane and tied with a wickedly-striking dark ribbon. Elevate your monster mash with a bewitching 18″ Cauldron with 60 Monster Mini Cones or 2-Gallon Halloween Bats Popcorn Tin ($46.99 at popcornopolis.com), or cast a spell on your loved ones with the Halloween Spiders 5-Cone Popcorn Gift Basket ($44.99 at popcornopolis.com). Back by popular demand, Popcornopolis limited-edition Pumpkin Spice Popcorn returns to swoon all pumpkin pie lovers with the out-of-this-world seasonal treat.

Popcornopolis offers a variety of Halloween themed snacks that are certain to charm all Halloween revelers. “Made the way it oughta be”, Popcornopolis offers over 20 mouthwatering recipes and is made from American-grown, non-GMO corn, and only the finest ingredients and cooking practices. Make your Halloween celebration a ‘poppin’ one with Popcornopolis. For more information and a full list of Popcornopolis gourmet varieties visit www.popcornopolis.com.

Hollywood Horror Comes to Natural History Museum in LA

By

Greg Aragon, Writer Greg's Getaway

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October 18, 2019

The Creature from the Black Lagoon and other famous movie monsters are on display at Natural History Museum (photo – Natural History Museum)

If ancient dinosaur bones and bubbling tar pits aren’t scary enough, the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) now has a new exhibit that will bring guests up close to some of the creepiest characters of all time.

Entitled “Natural History of Horror,” the new exhibition links science, history, and the art of movie-making by exploring scientific discoveries from early experiments in animal electricity to the excavation of King Tut’s tomb. It was these discoveries that inspired some of Hollywood’s most iconic movie monsters.

The display, located at the Natural History Museum (NHM), features 17 objects from the museum’s own collection, and four ghoulish figures that starred in movies from Universal Pictures: Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Visitors will discover the scientific inspiration for each of these classic monsters through rare movie props, film footage, hands-on interactives, and specimens.

“It made sense that our classic monsters would be shown alongside the scientific artifacts from Natural History Museum’s collections, as they give background on the science that inspired their creation,” says Holly Goline, Universal Film Executive. “These iconic monsters have such an enduring legacy across generations of fans, so having them be part of this exhibition at a museum we all know and love gives guests the opportunity to see these stories come to life in a new way.”

Just in time for Halloween, visitors to the exhibit will have the opportunity to explore the origins of the monsters that inspire horror films to this day, and at the same time, get up close to rarely-seen objects from the Natural History Museum’s impressive Hollywood collection.

A highlight of the exhibit is the costume from “Creature from the Black Lagoon” movie that was released in 1954. Designed by Milicent Patrick, the monster was inspired by real animals, both living and extinct. To create it, she looked at reptiles, amphibians, fish, and at illustrations of life in the Devonian period, roughly 400 million years ago.

Alongside the iconic movie poster, there are silicone copies of the creature’s full bodysuit and the original mask. Next to this, the museum is showing a fossilized fish with unusual limb-like fins that look ready to crawl from the ocean onto solid ground, which was once believed to be the ancestor of all land animals. The Creature that Patrick designed reflects this imagined link between land and sea.

Another famous monster on display is Frankenstein. Dr. Frankenstein’s quest to reanimate the dead was based in part on the work of a real 19th-century scientist named Luigi Galvani. When the Frankenstein movie was released in 1931, many censors thought it too graphic and some scenes were cut. One of these scenes features the Frankenstein monster in shackles. These original shackles are part of the exhibition.

The Frankenstein display is paired with specimens and scientific instruments that show how early experiments with electricity led the way for Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the film based on her novel.

Dracula is also spooking guests at the museum. This display tells the story of how vampire legends existed centuries before Bram Stoker published his 1897 novel Dracula. Scientists believe that deadly diseases from this era may have inspired the vampire myth we know today. The exhibition demonstrates these connections through artwork and illustrations from the 1830s paired with film stills and an actual prop bat from the film.

Dracula was one of the first horror films with sound. In the exhibition, an interactive Foley table display invites visitors to explore the sounds of horror and the techniques that early Foley artists used to create them.

The last famous monster on exhibit is The Mummy. Museum visitors will have an opportunity to view the wrappings from the 1932 movie, which were worn by actor Boris Karloff. It took eight hours to apply his makeup and the 150 feet of bandages he was wrapped in. The film was inspired by the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb, which was opened by archaeologists in 1922 after lying untouched for over 3,000 years. Wrappings and other objects found in Egyptian tombs will help tell the real story behind the discoveries that gave rise to the idea of the mummy’s curse in popular culture.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is located at 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007. “The Natural History of Horror” runs through April 19, 2020. Admission to the museum is $6 – $15. For more information, visit: www.nhm.org

Museum of Monsters Opens Door to Family Fun Selfies

By

Russell Tom

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October 18, 2019

M.O.M. — Museum of Monsters family friendly selfie museum

Museum of Monsters, or M.O.M. for short, is a fluffy museum that puts a whimsical twist on the selfie exhibition trend that has been on the rise the past few years. It’s an “all-ages” not-very-scary Halloween experience that seeks to re-imagine itself throughout the year with different seasonal overlays. For their first exhibit, guests are invited into the mind of a little girl as her imaginary monsters come to life through the child’s bedroom closet in a sort of “Where the Wild Things Are” vibe.

This first project took roughly three months from concept to final product. Designers aim to create a space that is immersive and engaging for the entire family. The final results have a homemade quality as much as a grade-school teacher would decorate her classroom for her students to enjoy. The walls are bombarded with color from fuzzy fur to shifting sequins. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in their kid-friendly monster best and take photos amongst the zany backdrops. Feel free to touch and interact with the exhibit as it is designed to be immersive. You never know what you may find, even under a trash can lid.

The atmosphere is brightly lit, with no strobe lights, and with low noise levels. This actually makes it much more accessible with families who have members that may be disabled and would be unable to navigate bigger Halloween events in the greater Los Angeles area. The middle of the experience gives families a chance to hop into a ball pit for a family picture.

Museum of Monsters Photo Gallery

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The Museum of Monsters is located at 2927 S. Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064. Free parking is located in the back. Check out the selfie museum on social media like Instagram and Facebook for updates.

Disney’s JUNGLE CRUISE Teaser Trailer and new Poster

By

Robbie Bulus

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October 11, 2019

Inspired by the famous Disneyland theme park ride, Disney’s JUNGLE CRUISE is an adventure-filled, Amazon-jungle expedition starring Dwayne Johnson as the charismatic riverboat captain and Emily Blunt as a determined explorer on a research mission. Also starring in the film are Edgar Ramirez, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons, and Paul Giamatti.

Jaume Collet-Serra is the director and John Davis, John Fox, Dwayne Johnson, Hiram Garcia, Dany Garcia, and Beau Flynn are the producers, with Doug Merrifield serving as executive producer.

Disney’s JUNGLE CRUISE opens in U.S. theaters on July 24, 2020.

ABC, Disney Channel and Freeform Will Present the First Episode of the Upcoming Disney+ Original Series, ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

By

Socalthrills Staff

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October 11, 2019

In a tip of the Wildcat hat to fans of “High School Musical,” three television networks – ABC, Disney Channel and Freeform – will present the first episode of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” for one night only, FRIDAY, NOV. 8 (8:00 p.m. EST), in advance of the series’ bow on the highly anticipated streaming service, Disney+ (launching Tuesday, Nov. 12).

Created and executive produced by Tim Federle, a screenwriter, novelist, librettist, and self-described “musical theatre kid,” the series is marked by originality, relatability and a genuine reverence for the worldwide pop-culture sensation “High School Musical.” It begins another original, exciting story with both new and familiar songs and settings that both its longtime fans and new viewers can enjoy.

Starring an exciting, multitalented cast, the scripted Disney+ series introduces 10 main characters: Nini, Ricky, Gina, E.J., Ashlyn, Kourtney, Carlos, Big Red, Miss Jenn and Mr. Mazzara – a group of drama students and faculty members at East High, the Utah high school where the original “High School Musical” movie was filmed. Through the course of 10 episodes, these characters count down from auditions to the opening night of their school’s first-ever production of “High School Musical: The Musical.” They have budding romances, faltering friendships, and harsh rivalries as they experience the transformative power that only high school theater can provide.

Ricky (Joshua Bassett) is a charismatic teen auditioning for the musical so he can win back the heart of ex-girlfriend Nini (Olivia Rodrigo), who has just returned from summer theater camp with a new boyfriend – and the same insecurities that keep her from owning the spotlight. Miss Jenn (Kate Reinders) is East High’s supremely spirited drama teacher, who’s convinced that musicals can be lifesavers; Gina (Sofia Wylie) is a transfer student and diehard theater kid with plenty of secrets; E.J. (Matt Cornett) is Nini’s new beau from camp, who sees life as a competition and Ricky as his No. 1 foe. Kourtney (Dara Reneé) is Nini’s best friend and a fashionista equally obsessed with makeup tutorials and feminism. Ashlyn (Julia Lester) is E.J.’s cousin and an aspiring songwriter; Carlos (Frankie A. Rodriguez) is the student choreographer who has already memorized his Tony Award^® speech; and Big Red (Larry Saperstein) is Ricky’s best friend, a dude who can best be described as a spiritual descendant of Bill and Ted. Mr. Mazzara (Mark St. Cyr) is East High’s by-the-book S.T.E.M. teacher.

The series was created and is executive produced by Golden Globe^® and Academy Awardnominee Tim Federle (“Ferdinand”) who also wrote the first episode. The first episode was directed by Tamra Davis. Oliver Goldstick, Tamra Davis and Emmy^® Award-winning “High School Musical” executive producers Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush also serve as executive producers of the first episode.

Filmed in Salt Lake City, Utah, the high school serves as both the setting and film location for the original movie and the new series.

Launching on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, Disney+ will be the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and more, together, for the first time. The direct-to-consumer streaming service will offer ad-free programming with a variety of original feature-length films, documentaries, live-action, and animated series and short-form content. In addition to “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” other original programming available at launch includes “The Mandalorian,” “The World According to Jeff Goldblum” and “Encore!,” and films “Lady and the Tramp” and “Noelle.”

Socalthrills.com

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