Anaheim GardenWalk, a unique “eatertainment” destination just steps from Southern California’s Disneyland Resort and Anaheim Convention Center (www.anaheimgardenwalk.com), announced the addition of Soccer Wearhouse, a specialty retailer offering soccer equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories. The 6,363-square-foot Soccer Wearhouse is scheduled to open at Anaheim GardenWalk this fall and will be located on the Main Level near O’Neill.
“Soccer Wearhouse will be a welcome addition to the Anaheim GardenWalk retail lineup,” says Robin Weeks-Wynne, Senior Director, Marketing and Tourism, Anaheim GardenWalk. “The store caters to local families involved in soccer as well as dedicated soccer fans and visitors attending sports conventions at the nearby Anaheim Convention Center.”
“Because it’s within walking distance of the Disneyland Resort and Anaheim Convention Center and only a short drive from dozens of well-known area hotels, Anaheim GardenWalk provides the perfect venue for our newest retail location,” says Diego Portillo, co-owner, Soccer Wearhouse. “With its unique ‘eatertainment’ offerings, Anaheim GardenWalk has become one of the area’s most significant and most conveniently located hot spots drawing guests that are a perfect match for our store’s ‘extreme sports’ demographic.”
From a sizable selection of over 250 styles of soccer cleats to the most sought-after European and North American soccer team jerseys and fan gear, Soccer Wearhouse is the place to go for all-things-soccer. The store carries a wide array of the industry’s top name brands – including Nike, Adidas, Puma, Under Armour and New Balance – and has developed a stellar reputation for its knowledgeable sales associates and competitive pricing.
The next time you’re on safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, be on the lookout for Aella (pronounced “eye-la”), a two-month-old Masai giraffe calf who just made her debut on the Kilimanjaro Safaris savanna. Guests and Cast should be able to easily spot her as she is the youngest and smallest giraffe in the herd.
Born on June 29, Aella was more than five-feet-tall at birth. Up until now, she has been spending precious moments bonding and nursing with her mom Lily in a backstage habitat.
Named after an Amazon warrior, Aella is known to be a brave and bold young giraffe with a curious and independent spirit. She’s adventurous enough to explore on her own, sometimes leaving mom a few paces behind.
Aella’s birth marks a first for her parents – mom Lily and dad George. The pair was chosen to breed through the Species Survival Plan (SSP), which is overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and ensures responsible breeding of threatened and endangered species. Breeding this pair is important to the long-term survival of the species because it adds more genetic diversity to the giraffe population, which helps ensure future generations.
Aella will nurse for about a year, and then, as a herbivore, she will move to the lush vegetation available throughout the savanna. When full grown, she will use her 18-inch tongue to strip leaves off thorny branches from the tops and sides of trees to consume up to 75 pounds of food a day. That’s a tall order!
The Masai giraffe is a vulnerable species found primarily in Kenya and Tanzania. There are believed to be roughly 32,000 Masai giraffes left in the wild, and their population continues to decline because of poaching and habitat loss.
The Disney Conservation Fund supports conservation efforts in Africa to protect wildlife habitats, including those of giraffes. Earlier this year, several Disney animal care experts went to Uganda to help relocate a herd of giraffes across the Nile River to establish a newer, safer habitat away from oil-drilling fields. Another team went to Kenya to support a giraffe and zebra population census.
To learn more about giraffes and the threats they face in the wild, visit DisneyAnimals.com.
This post was written By Dr. Scott Terrell, Director, Animal & Science Operations
Nestled deep in the jungles of Adventureland, a new journey awaits with Disneyland’s Tropical Hideaway. The Disney Parks Blog just revealed the new location will open later this year, giving us our first tease of the new spot since the reveal earlier this year. A variety of unique food, beverage, and snack items will be available, quoted as “extraordinary eats”.
You will be able to explore exotic eats, such as a plethora of bao buns. There will be three to choose from: Spiced Vegetable Bao, Kaffir Lime Chicken Bao, and Bulgogi Beef Bao. Chilled Ramen Salad will also be on the menu along with a tropical inspired set of snacks. The blog also teased some sweet options, including Pineapple Lumpia, a spring roll filled with pineapple and sweet cream cheese.
This new spot will serve as an exotic marketplace for discovering extraordinary eats from all corners of the world. A variety of unique food and beverage items will be available for adventurous palates of all types!
The concept will also bring a new rest area to the park, which will be an open air dock that looks directly out to the Jungle River waterfront. The area will transform at night into an enchanting nighttime venue, filled with lights and music. More details will be revealed as we get closer to the debut of Tropical Hideaway. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room will also be closed to assist in the transformation, reopening later this year.
Since officially debuting in June at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, guests have been enjoying the all-new #PlayDisneyParks app – from interactive experiences and activities created for select attraction queues, to Disney trivia that allows the entire family to discover fun facts about their favorite theme parks. And with integrated music playlists through a connection with Apple Music®*, guests are experiencing the magic from home.
We’re excited to share that guests can enjoy a brand new playlist, guest curated by Disney Legend Richard Sherman! The “Disney Parks Hits” playlist features songs specially selected by Richard based on his rich experiences writing music for revered Disney Parks attractions. The playlist is now available in Apple Music®* and in the Play app.
“Walt Disney always knew music could deliver far more emotional impact than merely words. We teamed his unparalleled optimism with our own to fuel the creative process. We will forever be grateful for the many wonderful opportunities Walt afforded us.” – Richard Sherman
The Play Disney Parks app has allowed users to celebrate the songs of Disney in a whole new way. By accessing Apple Music®* from within the app, users can tap into a curated audio experience featuring official playlists inspired by beloved theme park lands, attractions and characters – and some favorite memories too. =
But don’t just take our word for it – check out the new “Disney Parks Hits” playlist below!
The Play Disney Parks app features more than 30 unique playlists that celebrate the history and heritage of Disney Parks. From beloved classics featured in the Main Street, U.S.A. and Happily Ever After playlists, to newer favorites in the Frozen Ever After and Pixar playlists – there is sure to be something for every Disney fan to enjoy.
Apple Music subscribers will be able to add favorite Disney playlists direct to their Apple Music library, allowing them to live and re-live the musical magic of Disney parks at home. New users can sign up for a free three-month trial from within the app and enjoy full-length versions of their favorite Disney songs.
This is only the beginning for the Play Disney Parks app, with even more experiences and musical journeys set to debut in the coming months. To receive the latest updates, follow these pages for Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World.
Starting Sept. 7, Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort begins and there’s even MORE treats and eats this year than ever. With new items galore and some returning favorites, your 2018 Foodie Guide is finally here! I’ve got all the details you need, including where to find all of the scary snacks you could ever want.
Across the resort you’ll see some returning items like the Candy Corn Cotton Candy, which can be found at various outdoor vending carts in both parks, as well as the Bat Cookie, which is flying into Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café at Disney California Adventure park, Market House at Disneyland park, The Coffee House at Disneyland Hotel, and Surfside Lounge at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.
For all the churro fans out there, get ready to chart your creepy course to try all of these Halloween-themed churros. There are even a couple churro-inspired desserts this year that are sure to satisfy your sweet fang… I mean sweet tooth!
Disneyland Park Churros
Churros near Big Thunder Mountain – Orange Sugar Churro with Candy Corn Sauce
Churros near Haunted Mansion – Pumpkin Spice Churro with Cream Cheese Frosting
Hungry Bear Restaurant – Churro Bites Cereal Sundae with fruit cereal-dusted churros, cereal milk anglaise, strawberry ice cream, and raspberry sauce
Golden Horseshoe – Churro Sundae with cookie butter gelato garnished with a cinnamon sugar-dusted churro and topped with cajeta and whipped cream
Churros near Sleeping Beauty Castle and Town Square – Maleficent Churro covered with chocolate cookie crumbles blended with colored sugar (you can even add Marshmallow Dip!)
Churros near Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters – Sour Apple Churro (with the option to add Caramel Sauce to this one!)
Now if it’s candy you’re looking for, get your trick-or-treat bags ready for these dressed-up candies. You’ll find these sweets at Pooh Corner and Candy Palace at Disneyland park, Trolley Treats at Disney California Adventure park, and Marceline’s Confectionery at the Downtown Disney District.
Halloween Candy at Disneyland Resort
Minnie Witch Apple
Jack Skellington Apple
Skull Apple
Evil Queen Apple
Jack Skellington Cake Pop
Bat Cake Pop
Mickey Mouse Mummy Crispy Treat
Oogie Boogie Crispy Treat
Maleficent Crispy Treat
Mummy Marshmallow
Pumpkin Fudge
In addition to churros and candy, there’s EVEN MORE Halloween-themed bites at both Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park. Whether you’re looking for savory or sweet, we’ve got it all—from pumpkin spice beignets and apple pie sundaes to special hot dogs and soups.
Disneyland Park
Red Rose Taverne
Black Rose Dessert – black truffle mousse with raspberry compote and crunch center with a candy spider
Troubadour Tavern
Cookie Decorating Kits
Rancho del Zocalo
Orange Sugar Skull Pot de Crème
Frozen Abuelita Horchata – frozen Mexican hot chocolate layered with frozen horchata and topped with whipped cream
Café Orleans
Crab & Corn Chowder
French Market
Halloween-Themed Dessert Trio – with worms & dirt, salted caramel pudding, and pumpkin pie
Mansion Spider Bundt Cake – chocolate Bundt cake with green icing and a chocolate spider
Mint Julep Bar
Pumpkin Spice Mickey Beignets
Bengal Barbecue
Musubi Special – spiced ham musubi with lemongrass jasmine rice and pineapple teriyaki sauce and served with pickled daikon and carrots topped with furikake flakes
Carnation Café
Haunted Firehouse Chicken Sandwich – red pepper coulis, white cheese sauce, crispy pancetta, and arugula on yellow sliced bread
Gibson Girl
Apple Pie á La Mode – vanilla ice cream with warm spiced apples, crumble topping, and caramel drizzle
Jolly Holiday Bakery Café
Sweet Potato Hand Pie – sweet potato pie filling topped with orange white chocolate glaze and toasted mini-marshmallows
Cruella de Vil Brownie – brownie in a spotted cup with black dark chocolate mousse, white chocolate mousse, and a Cruella de Vil logo
Graveyard Cupcake – chocolate cupcake with cherry filling, dark chocolate mousse, Halloween sprinkles, and a chocolate tombstone
Spice Bundt Cake
Pumpkin Layered Cheesecake
Pumpkin Muffin
Mickey Mummy Macaroon
Refreshment Corner
Halloween Hot Dog – with spicy meatballs, cheese sauce, and oven-roasted tomatoes
Plaza Inn Restaurant
Main Street Mickey’s Pound Cake – pound cake filled with blueberry compote and cookie crumbles surrounded by whipped cream and garnished with black sugar and mint
Halloween Minnie Mouse Cake – cinnamon-praline Bundt cake with an apple center and finished with an orange glaze and sprinkles
Galactic Grill
Spider Parfait – chocolate cake, vanilla and chocolate pudding, and a thick layer of ganache
Alien Pizza Planet
Cosmic Chili Pasta – pinwheel pasta, chili, cheese, and green onion
Alien Spider Parfait – chocolate cake, vanilla and chocolate pudding, and a thick layer of ganache
Disney California Adventure Park
Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café
Sleepy Hollow Cupcake – red velvet cupcake with Headless Horseman chocolate piece
Clarabelle’s Hand Scooped Ice Cream
Purple, Orange, Green, and Black Sprinkles to Dip
Spider Silk Macaron Sandwich – black macaron with charcoal-tart cherry spun ice cream topped with popping candy and raspberry sauce
Bat Wing Raspberry Sundae – white chocolate raspberry swirl ice cream with raspberry splatter, red sprinkles, whipped cream, and bat wing cookie
Mortimer’s Market and Boudin Bread Cart
Mickey Bread with Fangs
Smokejumpers Grill
Green Apple Spell Lemonade – lemonade with sour green apple syrup, cherry popping pearls, and raspberry sauce
Pacific Wharf Café
Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Mickey Bread with Fangs
Bacon Cheddar Ale Soup
Pacific Wharf Beer Truck
Karl Strauss Oktoberfest Beer
Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta
Anti Vampire Pizza – roasted garlic sauce, marinated chicken smoked gouda, mozzarella, roasted red peppers, and a tomato-harissa sauce drizzle
Bayside Brews
ACE Pumpkin Hard Cider
Karl Strauss Oktoberfest Beer
Corn Dog Castle
Spicy Pepper Jack Dog – dipped in corn batter, drizzled with blackberry sauce, and topped with sweet pineapple salsa, pickled serranos, and crushed cheese puffs
Cookies and Cream Funnel Cake Fries – funnel fries dusted with crushed chocolate cream cookies and topped with cream cheese, chocolate cream cookie pieces, and whipped cream
Anaheim Brewery Oktoberfest Beer
Oktoberfest Dog – kielbasa sausage topped with caramelized onions, sauerkraut, Oktoberfest beer cheese, and green onions
Schmoozies
Croissant Donut – filled with peanut butter and jelly
Caramel Apple Smoothie – apple, caramel, and ice cream
Whoopie Pie – filled with espresso chip ice cream
Hollywood Lounge
Bone Chilling Apple Cider (non-alcoholic)
Spitfire Cider – apple cider with cinnamon whiskey
Stone Vengeful Spirit IPA
Elsyian the Great Pumpkin Imperial Ale
Ballast Point Dead Ringer Oktoberfest Lager
Mystical Michelada
Sour Apple Slush with Vodka
Green Apple Slush (non-alcoholic)
Supernatural Spirit – cotton candy lemonade with vodka
Fire Dragon Tacos – pork belly tacos with kimchi slaw, Korean BBQ sauce, and Sriracha crema
Flo’s V8 Café
Candy Cone Pie – cream pie with vanilla, butterscotch, and white chocolate pudding
Pumpkin Spice Shake
Cozy Cone Motel
Slow-Burnin’ Mac and Cheese Cone – fresh-cooked pasta with spicy red pepper cheese sauce topped with crushed chile-cheese puffs and served in a bread cone
“Spokey”-Cone Macaron – filled with marshmallow buttercream and candy corn
Hyperion Cart
ACE Hard Pumpkin Cider
Sam Adam’s Oktoberfest
I bet you’re DYING to eat all of these SCARY GOOD snacks now, huh? Well, get your stomachs ready, because these items will be available during Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort starting Sept. 7 through Oct. 31. So, come on out and celebrate the spookiest time of the season with us – and don’t forget to keep this guide handy so you can find all of your favorite Halloween eats!
The Tides Inn is an affordable Pismo Beach hotel perched on the bluffs of Pismo Beach (photo by Greg Aragon)
Sometimes I hear of a new hotel from a friend, an email tip or a news release. And once in a while, if I’m lucky, one will catch my eye while driving. The latter was the case, when a friend and I were recently heading home from a trip to Hearst Castle. As we approached the seaside city of Pismo Beach, I noticed a little inn squeezed between the Pacific Ocean and a giant, jagged rock standing along the 101 Freeway.
This scene was too beautiful to resist, so I pulled off the freeway to investigate. My suspicions were confirmed when we checked into charming room at The Tides Oceanview Inn & Cottages, located about a hundred yards from a bluff overlooking the beach.
To quote the hotel’s website, “the Tides Inn is an affordable Pismo Beach hotel perched on the bluffs of Pismo Beach, featuring sweeping ocean views of California’s golden coastline. Centrally located off of Highway 101, we offer a convenient, budget-friendly destination for everyone traveling to the coast.”
Our room was clean, cozy and efficient. It came with two queen beds, free Internet, coffee maker, mini-fridge and a couple lawn chairs outside the door, overlooking the property’s green lawn. The room’s best feature was its proximity to the ocean. At the end of the next street over from the hotel is a set of stairs leading down the rocky bluff to the beach. Once acquainted with the room, we took a stroll down the steps and relaxed on the Pismo Beach sand.
The historic Pismo Pier provides a iconic background to the beachfront town (photo by Greg Aragon)
It was a sunny August day and the sand was warm and the water cool, so we laid out a blanket and relaxed. After lounging we walked a quarter mile along the sand to the historic Pismo Beach Pier and Downtown. Here we found Pismo Fish and Chips (www.pismofishandchips.com), where we had a memorable lunch with fresh, white cod fish and chips, a light and delicious crab sandwich, and one of the best jumbo shrimp cocktails I’ve experienced.
After lunch we returned to the sand to look for the legendary Pismo Beach clams. Made famous by a great “clam rush” a few decades ago, the tasty shellfish were once so abundant that an estimated 5,000 people a day would come to town to harvest them. Unfortunately this led to overconsumption and endangered the population, causing an end to harvesting by the early 1990s.
But now Pismo Beach clams appear to be making a comeback of sorts. Officials are seeing thousands of them returning to the sand, but say that people must wait until the creatures are at least 4 ½ inches in length before they can be harvested.
Clams have become such a part of Pismo Beach that each year the city hosts the Clam Festival. Now in its 72nd year, the event will take place the weekend of October 19 – 21. This highly anticipated event attracts visitors from across the state. Highlights of the celebration include a local clam chowder-making contest, a clam dig, live music, a beer and wine pub, surf contest, food trucks, vendors, a family-fun kid zone, and more. Admission is free. For more information on the festival, visit: www.pismoclamfestival.com
Another exciting fall attraction in Pismo Beach is the arrival of majestic butterflies. Each year thousands of vibrant orange and black Monarch Butterflies flock to the town, seeking shelter from freezing northern winters. From late October to February, the little creatures cluster in the limbs of a grove of Eucalyptus trees at Pismo State Beach. The grove is easily accessible and is located on State Highway 1 at the south boundary of the city limits.
The Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove is one of only five sites in the state that has counts of over 10,000. Spectators come from across California to view the Monarchs. Visitors are greeted by knowledgeable and well-informed volunteer docents offering daily talks and information.
The Pismo Beach colony is one of the largest in the nation, hosting an average of 25,000 butterflies over the last five years. For more information, visit: www.monarchbutterfly.org
The Tides Inn is located at 2121 Price Street, Pismo Beach, CA 93449. The property has 23 guest rooms and three private cottages overlooking the ocean. For more information and reservations, call: 805-773-2493 or visit: www.tidespismobeach.com
There’s nobody like Gloria Estefan. A true trailblazer, she took the world by storm; breaking every barrier that stood between her and super stardom. Her music reaches every corner of the globe, making her one of the most iconic acts in the history of the recording industry.
In tribute to her life and her music, Segerstrom Center for the Arts transports you into Estefan’s beautiful tale, full of heartfelt moments and relatable themes that all walks of life can connect to. There’s no sugar coating, no rose colored reflections. Instead, you get a show that’s real, personal, and a daring reminder to fight for your dreams.
On Your Feet is a true Broadway show, electrifying from start to finish with nonstop music, dancing, and flair. Every bump and grove is felt across the venue, and in some cases you’ll actually be on your feet dancing and cheering for an encore. Imagine the excitement of a live concert, the precision and fun of a dance troupe, and the powerful drama of a major motion picture. This musical has it all.
It’s all packaged together in technical bliss with beautiful effects, a live band, and flawless transitions. The entire show goes off without a hitch, keeping you fully engaged and not tossing you out of the story by awkward set changes and glitches. Though, what stands out most is the collaboration within the cast.
It’s s cultural explosion, true to the humble beginnings of Estefan. Even if you’re not of Latin heritage, you can see the real struggle of acceptance, the burden of trying to attain identity in a society so contradictory in nature. We live in a nation built on the principles of inclusion, one that prides itself on the idea that anyone can prosper and make the most of the American experience. Yet, that dream is locked behind barriers of prejudice, stereotype, and hesitation.
The message of the show, and of Estefan’s life story is to fight, to push through the pessimism. Anyone can be anything, it just takes faith and hard work. That love, that power is felt in every scene, every chord, every moment on stage. Everyone gets a chance to shine, and it’s all for the greater cause of reminding us all there’s hope for everyone out there to push and rise above.
This show is the perfect way to end the summer. Make sure to catch it before it dances off to its next stop on tour!
ON YOUR FEET!
Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Segerstrom Hall
August 21 – September 2, 2018
Tuesday – Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
Visit the Box Office or call (714) 556-2787 to purchase tickets.
Superman has met his match, with stakes that have never been higher, and a new look that brings the classic story together in Warner Bros Animation’s latest release, The Death of Superman. The film is more than your Saturday Morning Cartoon, bringing a familiar mature tone that DC has been gravitating towards in their recent releases. There’s real intensity, violence, and some salty language to top it all off. You can tell right off the bat what DC’s goal is and for adult fans, providing an interesting adaptation that’s worth a second look.
It’s a nice change of pace, mixing in the power of the Superman story without going overboard with trying to reinvent it. Everything is perfectly balanced, paced moderately, and not cramming too much in while managing to not be too brief. You can get invested easily, and even if you aren’t a comic expert, you can pick up the film without too much trouble. The Man of Steel is front and center and even when the credits roll, you get to dive into even more content that’s entertaining and keeps you interested in what’s coming next.
The features allow you both a sneak peak at DC’s part two for this story line in addition to a look back at the comic’s inspiration to making the film. Panel by panel, you get to compare and contrast the story in a fast paced set that doesn’t leave time for boredom. It’s a step up in DC’s game, and one that is welcome given some of the misfires from similar animated features. If you are a Superman fan and a true comic nerd, this is a great release and one that can make you feel that much more confident in what DC has coming your way in the future. Stay tuned, as there is plenty more to come!
Here’s a breakdown of the full feature list:
The Death of Superman is now available on Ultra HD Blu-ray™ Combo Pack ($39.99 SRP), Blu-ray™ Deluxe Gift Set ($39.99 SRP), Blu-ray™ Combo Pack ($24.98 SRP) and DVD ($19.98 SRP), as well as on Digital ($19.99 HD, $14.99 SD). The Ultra HD Blu-ray™ Combo Pack features an Ultra HD Blu-ray™ disc in 4K with HDR and a Blu-ray™ disc featuring the film; the Blu-ray™ Deluxe Gift Set includes a collectible Superman figurine; the Blu-ray™ Combo Pack features the film in hi-definition; and the DVD features the movie in standard definition. The Ultra HD Blu-ray™ and Blu-ray Combo Pack™ include a digital version of the film.
The Death of Superman Enhanced Content Ultra HD Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Blu-ray™ Deluxe Gift Set, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and Digital
The Death of Superman: The Brawl That Topped Them All (Featurette) – Experience the battle between Superman and Doomsday like never before as creators of the iconic comic and the new film explore the nuances of “The Greatest Fight” with the help of a martial arts expert.
A Sneak Peek at DC Universe’s Next Animated Movie, Reign of the Supermen – An exciting look at the next film in the two-part saga that brings the epic and emotional story of a world without the Man of Steel to life.
From the DC Comics Vault: Legion of Superheroes, “Dark Victory: Part 1” – After eliminating Imperiex, Brainiac 5 takes over his army and plans to take over the universe. With Superman thought to be dead, the other Legionnaires must stop him before it is too late!
From the DC Comics Vault: Legion of Superheroes, “Dark Victory: Part 2” – The Legion faces Imperiex in a final battle, while a traitor lurks in their midst.
DVD
A Sneak Peek at DC Universe’s Next Animated Movie, Reign of the Supermen – An exciting look at the next film in the two-part saga that brings the epic and emotional story of a world without the Man of Steel to life.
The collectible set also comes with commemorative packaging and a limited edition Superman figure. Battle hardened, he’s ready for your next mission. Make sure to fly out and grab yours while you can!
New collections launching this week and beyond include collaborations with fashion and footwear brands like Forever 21 and Vault by Vans, luxury candy boutique Sugarfina, Brooklyn-based ice cream company Ample Hills Creamery, along with new capsule collections available exclusively at Disney stores and shopDisney.com, commemorative titles from Disney Publishing Worldwide, a line of plush and toys by Just Play and a new Mickey Mouse Brickheadz figure from LEGO. Earlier this year, Target released a Mickey Mouse collection that spanned apparel for the entire family, treats for pets, toys, summer entertaining pieces, bedding, beach and beauty gear and more, and just last month Marc Jacobs released a series of pieces all inspired by the world’s most iconic mouse.
Walt Disney Animation Studios will celebrate Mickey’s cartoon legacy with the release of “Celebrating Mickey” featuring 13 classic short films on Digital and Blu-ray this Fall.
Disney Parks & Resorts will also celebrate Mickey’s 90th birthday with a series of events at all sites around the world, including World’s Biggest Mouse Party – a limited-time, global celebration of Mickey and Minnie:
Walt Disney World Resort in Florida will celebrate Mickey’s birthday from November 16-18 with special merchandise and food & beverage items as well as the chance for guests to celebrate at Magic Kingdom Park during the Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It! Street Party, sing “Happy Birthday” along with the Dapper Dans on Main Street, U.S.A., and join in a special birthday dance party at Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland. Then in 2019, Walt Disney World will continue celebrating when World’s Biggest Mouse Party comes to the resort.
Disneyland Resort in California will host a celebration cavalcade for Mickey Mouse on November 18, featuring some of his special friends and the Disneyland Band, starting at “it’s a small world” and pausing for a special moment at Sleeping Beauty Castle before continuing down Main Street, U.S.A., to Town Square. The party continues when World’s Biggest Mouse Party begins at Disneyland Resort in 2019.
Disney Cruise Line will join the celebration when World’s Biggest Mouse Party takes to the seas in 2019.
Shanghai Disney Resort will be the first to kick off World’s Biggest Mouse Party with a brand-new Mickey-themed float at the opening ceremony of the Shanghai Tourism Festival on September 15 to commemorate the Shanghai launch of World’s Biggest Mouse Party. At Shanghai Disneyland, a giant birthday card will be installed next to “Storytellers” statue, featuring birthday wishes from Mickey’s pals. From November 16-18, guests will enjoy themed food and merchandise offerings as well as the opportunity to sing “Happy Birthday” to Mickey just before the nighttime spectacular show each evening, all culminating with a special nighttime birthday spectacular at Enchanted Storybook Castle on November 18.
Hong Kong Disneyland will begin its World’s Biggest Mouse Party activations on Mickey’s birthday, November 18, with commemorative park tickets, special food & beverage and merchandise, a hotel room overlay and “We Love Mickey” projection show through the end of the year. And Hong Kong Disneyland guests will receive special birthday stickers, available only on November 18.
Tokyo Disney Resort will join the celebration this fall with special decorations and merchandise.
Disneyland Paris will celebrate the World’s Biggest Mouse Party this fall and into winter with new holiday season entertainment and special surprises.
Disney has announced that ‘Mickey: The True Original Exhibition,’ an interactive art exhibit, will open in New York in honor of the 90th anniversary of Mickey Mouse. To begin the 90-day countdown, new brand and product collaborations spanning fashion, food, consumer electronics, toys, accessories and more are now available worldwide.
“As Walt said, ‘I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse’,” said Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products. “From ‘The True Original Exhibition’ to a year-long celebration in our parks around the world, we are honoring the deep connection that families and fans have made with Mickey and Minnie Mouse for nearly a century.”
‘Mickey: The True Original Exhibition’ is an immersive, pop-up art exhibition inspired by Mickey’s status as a ‘true original’ and his global impact on popular culture and art. From his beginning in black and white in Steamboat Willie to the technicolor world of more than 100 cartoon shorts, exhibition guests will step into an unforgettable journey of Mickey moments reimagined.
[videopress o3hXVkmA]
“We hope guests will enjoy the exhibition’s larger-than-life multimedia art installations, photo-worthy experiences and even a few surprises,” says Ken Potrock, President, Consumer Products Commercialization, Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products. “We’ve partnered with the best muralists, sculptors, artists and designers to create original works that convey Mickey’s optimism and imagination.”
Curated by designer Darren Romanelli, the exhibit will feature exclusive original artwork from contemporary artists including Kenny Scharf, Amanda Ross-Ho and Shinique Smith, with more artists to be announced in the coming weeks. The experience will captivate the senses to surprise and delight guests, evoking the inspiration, creativity, and true original spirit of Mickey Mouse.
Romanelli is an LA-based designer and creative director known for creating series of customized, limited-edition clothing, furniture, and collectibles under the DRx moniker. “To me, Mickey is reminiscent of everything good from my childhood,” said Romanelli. “As I’ve come into my own as a designer, I feel a true sense of passion for this project. Every inch of the experience – from the artists participating to the different mediums featured to the building layout – was thought through with a level of detail and creativity we could only achieve with Mickey Mouse as our muse.”
About “Mickey: The True Original Exhibition”
Running from November 8, 2018 – February 10, 2019, ‘Mickey: The True Original Exhibition’ will be open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 60 10th Avenue, New York. Tickets are available for $38 per person at Disney.com/MickeyTrueOriginal.
The 16,000-square-foot interactive experience will feature original work from renowned and emerging contemporary artists. Before the official opening in November, three artists will preview their installations in three pop-up locations across the country. The installations pay tribute to three iconic pieces of Mickey Mouse merchandise that have withstood the test of time – the Mickey Mouse watch, tee-shirt, and plush.
Kenny Scharf – Scharf rose to prominence in the early 1980s as a New York street artist and muralist. His interdisciplinary practice consisted of design, sculpture, installations, performance and video as well as painting. From now until September 1, Kenny’s installation will be on display at the Minnesota Street Project, located at 1275 Minnesota St in San Francisco. Inspired by one of Disney’s first licensed products, the Mickey Mouse watch, this Cosmic Cavern is an immersive, day-glo, fluorescent black light world. Kenny Scharf’s work is a surreal journey into his personal connection with the character and the timelessness of both Scharf and Mickey’s contributions to visual culture. Fans at home can experience a 360° tour of the installation at Disney.com/MickeyTrueOriginal.
Amanda Ross-Ho – Ross-Ho is a Los Angeles-based artist who has exhibited widely, both nationally and internationally including solo exhibitions at Cherry and Martin and The Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles. She has presented large-scale commissioned public work at The Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, City Hall Park New York City and the Parcours Sector of Art Basel Switzerland. She will create a large-than-life classic Mickey tee to be on display during Art Expo in Chicago in September.
Shinique Smith – Known for her monumental sculptural works of bundled fabric and clothing, and her exuberant calligraphic collaged paintings, Smith has been featured in exhibitions and collections of prestigious venues such as Brooklyn Museum, Denver Art Museum, LACMA, MFA Boston, The Frist Center, Kemper Museum and The Whitney Museum among others. Shinique’s installation will honor the impact of the Mickey Mouse plush through decades and will be on display in Los Angeles in October.
For details on the exhibition and behind-the-scenes content, visit Disney.com/MickeyTrueOriginal and follow @MickeyTrueOriginal on Instagram with #MickeyTrueOriginal.
Multi-talented young actors Dakota Lotus and Ruby Rose Turner lead the ensemble cast of “Coop & Cami Ask the World,” Disney Channel’s new live-action comedy. The series follows the antics of middle-school siblings Coop and Cami Wrather, who co-host a popular online show while balancing life, family and friendship, premiering FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, on Disney Channel (8:30-9:00 p.m. EDT), in the DisneyNOW app and on Disney Channel VOD (12:01 a.m. local). The second episode will be available immediately following the series’ premiere (9:00 p.m. EDT) in the DisneyNOW app and Disney Channel YouTube.
Made for kids and families, the live-action comedy follows Cooper (Lotus) and Cameron (Turner) Wrather, two middle-school siblings who co-host Coop’s online show “Would You Wrather.” With the help of their little brother Ollie and Coop’s best friend Fred, the duo present out-of-the-box questions and results to the show’s millions of followers (aka Wratherheads) who help them solve life problems – both mundane and madcap. Every day is an adventure in the Wrather’s hectic household, which also includes their older sister Charlotte and mom, Jenna. Whatever the question or result, Coop and Cami tackle adolescence and everyday family situations with humor and heart.
Also starring are Olivia Sanabia (“Just Add Magic”) as their older sister Charlotte; Albert Tsai (“Dr. Ken”) as Coop’s best friend Fred; Paxton Booth (“The Toy Box”) as their little brother Ollie and Rebecca Metz (“Better Things”) as their mom Jenna.
In the premiere episode, Cooper and Cami are preparing for their school dance when they learn their mom is ready to start dating again, now that it’s been two years since their father passed away. Much to their chagrin, her first date happens to be with their principal. Not sure what to do, they turn to the Wratherheads for advice, asking “Would you Wrather have your mom date the principal or take your mom to the school dance?”
Series creators Boyce Bugliari and Jamie McLaughlin (“The Haunted Hathaways”) serve as executive producers and showrunners. The multi-camera series is also executive produced by Dan Cross & Dave Hoge (“The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex,” “The Thundermans”). Greg Schaffer (“Lab Rats: Elite Force”) is co-executive producer.
Season one of the series will include a new music video, a series of live-action shorts and interactive challenges.
The “Coop & Cami Ask the World” multiplatform schedule is as follows:
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17,
The “Coop & Cami Ask the World” challenge kicks off Friday, August 17 through Friday, September 21. Just as Coop and Cami ask Wratherheads to cast their opinions, Disney Channel will invite audiences on social media to vote on which Coop and Cami video they would rather see on-air and the winning video will debut on Disney Channel the following Friday evening.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
The cast is featured in the music video of the series’ theme song “Ask the World” (sung by Dakota Lotus and Ruby Rose Turner), premiering on Disney Channel and DisneyMusicVEVO.
“Coop & Cami Ask the World” series of shorts featuring the cast and other Disney Channel stars taking on Would You Rather-type challenges will debut on Disney Channel, DisneyNOW and Disney Channel YouTube.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12
The television premiere of “Coop & Cami Ask the World” on Disney Channel (8:30 p.m. EDT), in the DisneyNOW app and Disney Channel VOD (12:01 a.m. local).
The second episode will be available in the DisneyNOW app and on Disney Channel YouTube immediately following the premiere episode (9:00 p.m. EDT). In the second episode, Cami’s chances to win the class election for social chair are at stake when Cooper accidentally reveals that she still sleeps with her childhood stuffed Hippo named Ho-ho during one of their live segments.
The series is a production of It’s A Laugh Productions, Inc. It carries a TV-G parental guideline.
