Disney Nature’s latest project, Penguins, will be taking the world by storm Earth Day next year. To celebrate the release, a special trailer has debuted this week, and we have all the details below!
The documentary will be a coming of age story about an Adélie penguin named Steve. Joining millions of fellow male penguins in the icy Antartic spring, he will go on a quest to build a suitable nest, find a lifetime companion, and begin his own family. The story will follow him along his struggle for survival against terrifying predators and obstacles.
The film will be directed by Alastair Fothergill and debut next year! You can learn more about Disney Nature’s previous award winning films by checking out the link below!
For fans still mourning the end of Star Wars Rebels, there is a new hope on the horizon as a new animated series has just been announced! Titled, Star Wars Resistance, the new Star Wars series will introduce a young Resistance pilot named Kazuda Xiono. He is tasked with a top secret assignment to spy on the ever growing threat of the tyrannical First Order.
The First Order’s Captain Phasma will return in Star Wars Resistance
The timeline will take place prior to Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. Though some familiar faces will be coming along for the journey including Poe Dameron (Voiced by Oscar Isaac) and Captain Phasma (Voiced by Gwendoline Christie). BB-8 will be up in the air alongside ace pilots, new characters, and a fresh anime style approach.
BB-8 will be a featured character in the new series!
Star Wars Rebels and The Clone Wars creator, Dave Filoni, is the man behind the new series. Like George Lucas, he has inspiration from early war era aerial dog fighting and combat craft. “The idea for Star Wars Resistance came out of my interest in World War II aircraft and fighter pilots” said Filoni. “My grandfather was a pilot and my uncle flew and restored planes, so that’s been a big influence on me. There’s a long history of high-speed racing in Star Wars, and I think we’ve captured that sense of excitement in an anime-inspired style, which is something the entire team has been wanting to do for a long time.”
Disney XD’s senior vice president of programming and general manager stated, “Our colleagues at Lucasfilm have created a compelling narrative for an untold moment in the Star Wars galaxy, and we are excited to partner with them again on this new original series. Star Wars Resistance will bring viewers across generations an engaging story with heart, humor and both new and familiar characters.”
It’s an exciting time for Star Wars fans everywhere. Stay tuned for more details on Star Wars Resistance and check out starwars.com for the latest in all things Star Wars!
After nearly 25 years of massive international success comes Andrew Lloyd Webber’s follow-up to everyone’s favorite phantom musical. Re-emerging from the depths of a Paris opera house, the mystic Phantom of the Opera returns in LOVE NEVER DIES. Some may say this sequel is nothing more than a continuation of the beloved Phantom and Christine’s story, but I would say that LOVE NEVER DIES is a perfect accompaniment to its predecessor! This lavish American-tour production perfectly intertwines classic melodies from the original while still introducing powerful new music and performances one has come to expect from the genre.
I’m here to tell you LOVE NEVER DIES delivers everything it should, even with it’s melodramatic falters, it shouldn’t actually be faulted for them. This is THE Phantom of the Opera character after all. With the original Phantom of the Opera musical already an untouchable classic, I’m concerned many have forgiven the original shows over-the-top performances and overdramatic storyline. This genre is already unapologetic when it comes to drama, and then you throw in Phantom of the Opera melodies… what are people expecting?!
Unquestionably, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s LOVE NEVER DIES – THE PHANTOM RETURNS makes no excuses for its romanticized characterization, storyline, and even its design. I expected no less going in as The Phantom of the Opera is essentially no different. Those seeking an incredibly clever, multi-layered story, may want to regroup prior to their viewing.
Set 10 years after the events that occurred at the Paris Opera, the Phantom has now taken residency at Phantasma, a new Coney Island amusement park attraction. Set in 1907 (yes, the timeline is a bit off if you really know your “Phantom”), the beginning focuses around a sideshow of sorts with classically-labeled freaks from yester-year. Filled with acrobatics and circus acts, the Phantom is awaiting his next act for Phantasma. Struggling with the absence of the one thing he obsesses over, Christine Daae, he seeks her voice for his show in order to hear her sing “once more”. His relentless infatuation remains as strong as ever and anonymously invites her to come perform in America, although the clues are quite clear.
With Christine’s husband Raoul and son Gustave by her side, she travels to America with much fanfare and runs into another leading lady who idolizes her, Meg Giry, but also resents the fact she is taking away her big shot. Christine must convince her family that she must do this performance while Raoul and the Phantom fight for love.
Upon entry into Segerstrom Hall, the stage is unlit with a black scrim and a faint star-like cutout. What appears dull and boring is brought to life with immense color, and enormous set pieces following the Phantom’s opening, “’Til I Hear You Sing”. I am sucker for big theatrics, and this show has plenty. LOVE NEVER DIES nails it with the wow-factor! With a turnable stage feature and gorgeous set choreography, the set design allows for some masterful scenery that engulfed me into each moment. However, what I found to be a complete and fulfilling show, some may find its story to be less than complex.
As briefly mentioned before, this is a melodramatic opera with incredibly romanticized characters. LOVE NEVER DIES should not be faulted for a story-arc that is near perfectly explained within the title of the show. Why am I defending the show so much? Simply, I fell hard for it and find some over-critiquing worth counter-arguing.
The performances helped with my recently found love for the show. As we entered we were informed that the alternate Phantom would be taking the stage tonight (and possibly for more of the run). I found myself nervous thinking that we would be in for underwhelming performance. WHOOPS! Bronson Norris Murphy was everything you want out of a Phantom hitting those boisterous deep notes and delivering the intensity required for most of his scenes. In fact, his voice was a bit deeper than the cast recording. The Phantom’s counterpart Christine, played by Megan Picerno, had a plethora of chemistry with Murphy and takes the climax of the show with as much triumph as the best of the best. She even dealt with an especially slobbery Phantom performance… and didn’t miss a beat as spit splattered across the stage.
The shows surprise performance came from the little boy playing Gustave. Our nights performance had the role was played by Jake Heston Miller. This kid brought the audience to thunderous applause with “Beautiful”. A much different, stronger version than recordings I have heard. Those reminiscent for The Phantom of the Opera soundtrack will find much appreciation for this song.
LOVE NEVER DIES stays true to what The Phantom of the Opera has always been. A powerful love tale with momentous musical numbers that attempts to prove our leading characters love is of the purest form. The message may be a bit murky, but really… this is a love story that follows a phantom that appears through mirrors and carries his voice through walls. This is in no way a story resembling real life, but perhaps provides a bit of romanticism for us to believe in, which deserves a place to exist is our real world.
LOVE NEVER DIES is playing at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa thru May 5th, 2018.
After ten years and eighteen films, Marvel Studios has finally reached the conclusion of the saga they’ve set out to tell – – going all the way back to Iron Man back in 2008 – – with Avengers: Infinity War. The decade in the making film is an ambitious and bold superhero epic more in the vein of The Lord of the Rings than typical cape fare, but with everything you’ve come to expect – – and a whole lot that audience aren’t – – from Marvel Studios. Instead of being a straightforward Avengers film, we’re treated to a mythology heavy story that spans galaxies, pitting our heroes on a collision course with the Mad Titan known as Thanos. But unlike the thirteen month journey that the Fellowship faced in The Lord of the Rings saga, the danger is much more imminent, and it’s going to take heroes from across the Marvel Cinematic Universe to come together to try to save reality from Thanos’ dark end goal.
On paper, as great as this movie would sound, it shouldn’t work. To meld so many franchises, characters, and worlds together to tell one cohesive story in this way, it just sounds like a logistical nightmare. Yet, somehow, Marvel Studios has pulled it off, but it’s not without some minor bumps and bruises along the way. With a film like this, it’s easy for characters to get lost in the shuffle, and to be honest, as much as we love so many of these MCU mainstays, there’s a few who haven’t been given a ton to do through the film. However, while a few characters do fall a bit by the wayside, it works because the film decides to focus so much on the film’s villain, Thanos, played by Josh Brolin.In many ways, this is Thanos’ film more than it is an Avengers film, something the Russo Bros. have said they were aiming for, which may be one of the smartest plays they could have made with this film. That particular creative choice ends up giving us a layered, emotionally complex being who you understand…Even though he’s the film’s villain, and he’s laying waste to the heroes throughout the film. Not only that, it makes Thanos incredibly scary because you understand that there is nothing that will come between him and his mission, and if it does, he’ll just crush it and keep moving forward.
Because Thanos feels so fleshed out, it raises the stakes of the film considerably, to the point that you never really know what’s going to happen, making each moment feel dangerous and unpredictable for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Of course, Robert Downey, Jr., the man who started it all, is fantastic once again in the role of Tony Stark, with Tony finally facing the reality he feared would come in Avengers: Age of Ultron, with the world facing destruction at the hands of beings from other worlds. Stark, for a better part of his time in the MCU, has been partly its biggest hero, while also being its biggest villain, and now he’s faced with the ultimate choice to bring the fight to Thanos and end this once and for all. Downey, Jr. has always played the role with so much emotionally complexity, and this may be his best turn as the armored Avenger, because you can tell that both Downey, Jr. and Stark have grown considerably in the last decade together. At times, you may start to wonder where the character starts and the actor ends, however that’s not a bad thing as it works for the Stark character. But everyone else brings their best to their respective roles throughout, not just Downey, Jr. and Brolin. Chris Pratt, Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth, also known as the Three Chrisketeers, truly standout in the film, as well as Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlett Witch, who really fines time to shine bright.
The best thing about Avengers: Infinity War may also be the thing that audiences have the toughest time with, and that comes from its willingness to be as complex and dark as it gets. Many film sequels tout that they want to be the next The Empire Strikes Back, but for the first time, it feels like we may have a real runner-up to that position. Avengers: Infinity War pulls no punches, and it’s also not willing to hold the audiences hand for the sake of making fans feel happiness. This film deals with cataclysmic events, and instead of playing everything for jokes – – though, don’t be fooled, the film still has a lot of the trademark Marvel humor – – the film instead goes broke in dragging the audience through the dark reality that the characters are facing. For a movie series to be nineteen films deep, and leave the audience truly grappling with the ideas and consequences in the film the way that Infinity War feels like a bit of fresh air. We’re so used to blockbusters that are more like fast food meals, that leave you satisfied but little else, it’s nice to have a blockbuster that wants to be more of a steak dinner, that leaves you fulfilled and feeling good when you’re done.
This is also Marvel Studios’ longest film to date, clocking it at just over two and a half hours, but the Russo Bros. give the film such a breakneck pace from the opening on, it never feels as long as the film’s run time. The pace is almost so fast that those in the audience who lose step with the film for even a minute may find themselves a bit lost as the film charges along with its separate storylines, all leading to the film’s massive climax, one that fans are going to be over the moon for. Though many may also find it as emotionally draining as they find it exciting. The action is just non stop throughout the film, but the third act takes things that to new heights, as the Avengers face off with Thanos and his Black Order, leading to some of the most breathtaking and kick ass moments the Marvel Cinematic Universe has ever seen. It’s amazing just how well the Russo Bros. really understand action, and how to make it feel not only cool, but emotionally resonate as well. The action never feels like action for the sake of it, which again goes to show just how high the stakes feel through Infinity War‘s runtime. But most importantly, the twists and turns that the directing duo have up their sleeves are sure to leave even the most diehard of fan’s jaws on the ground, which is to say that the best way to watch the film is knowing as little as possible going in. No easy feat in this day of age with the internet, but it will leave you the most satisfied walking out of the theater.
Avengers: Infinity War is an action packed, emotionally complex, and tough as nails superhero film that is one for the ages. This is a cinematic achievement in so many ways, even if the film doesn’t quite perfectly balance all the characters throughout. But its breakneck pace and heavy action will leave audiences in awe, while also crying into their tissues. This is not only one of Marvel’s finest offerings, but this may be one of the best blockbuster films since The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, giving us an epic on the scale we don’t normally get, or that we’re likely to see again. Honestly, for the first time in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s hard to imagine what comes next. There’s no clear path forward as Avengers: Infinity War comes to a close, and that’s a truly fantastic feeling, though it’ll make the wait for next year’s currently untitled Avengers follow-up excruciating.
Paul Bettany joked during the press day for Avengers: Infinity War that, “snitches get stitches,” when it came to spoilers and talking about the film. Well, nothing could be closer to the truth during the press junket for Marvel Studio’s nineteenth — and possibly most important — film in their ever expanding cinematic universe. Hosted by none other than the Grandmaster himself, Jeff Goldblum, we were treated to an hour long conversation with the cast and directors that was both wildly entertaining, while also being incredibly secretive.
Here’s a few standout take aways from the event:
While the Marvel Cinematic Universe has always had huge action pieces and moments of spectacle, the most important thing has always been the characters. The same is true for Avengers: Infinity War, because without those journeys and characters, you won’t care about what’s happening on screen.
Marvel Studios has a room where they are always plastering pages and panels from their comics to draw inspiration, and sometimes even lines of dialogue, for each of their films. Avengers: Infinity War was no different, as they kept going back to the omnibus of Jim Starling’s Infinity Gauntlet storyline to pull from for scenes, especially when it came to Thanos. They wanted Starling’s work to inform and inspire what they were doing with the character.
When asked if Avengers: Infinity War was essentially Black Panther 1.5, Chadwick Boseman said the film is first and foremost an Avengers film, and while Wakanda — as well as many of the characters from the film — play a large part, this is not their film. Something that Boseman actually felt a sigh of relief on, as he didn’t have to carry the film on his shoulders this time around.
Anthony Russo, one of the co-directors of the Russo Bros. directing duo, said that when the film’s development started, they had a room where they spent a lot of their time figuring out exactly what each character would do through the film. They had a wall with pictures of every character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and plotted out their potential arcs, and figuring out how their personal journey had gotten them here, and what potential stories it would give them after. This was a months long process to make sure that every character had a fleshed out story before diving into the film.
When asked if Thanos was impressed with any of the Avengers, Josh Brolin said if the character seems impressed by them, he hasn’t done his job. Instead, he’s hoping that you fear him, and he just seems them as insects in his way. He then joked that he wanted people to be so intimated by Thanos, he walked around set naked to show how powerful Thanos really was.
Elizabeth Olsen joked that she and Paul Bettany want to do an indie movie version of the House of M storyline, with Scarlett Witch and Vision living together in a house. But following that, she did say that she doesn’t expect a solo film, but the House of M storyline would be one she’d love to actually tackle in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as it’s the story arc in the comics that really made her love Scarlett Witch.
When asked what it was like to wear the Iron Spider suit, Tom Holland actually surprised a few saying that he actually didn’t get to wear the suit, and it’s actually a mocap performance. He joked that he got to join Mark Ruffalo as one of the people who was on set wearing pajamas while everyone else had costumes.
Sebastian Stan said that while Bucky finally gets to smile in this film, showing signs of the character we knew in the first film, he’s still weary of the Avengers team as a whole, because he isn’t sure where he fits into. But more importantly, the real question Bucky faces is who can he trust?
Chris Hemsworth said that his first day on set of Avengers: Infinity War was actually his scene with the Guardians that we see in the trailer. He said that it felt like he was the new kid in class because he was playing in their world, not his, and they all knew each either while he didn’t. This lead to him being pretty nervous, giving him butterflies, making it feel a bit like the first time he’d played the character, but Pratt came over and made him feel more at ease, making Hemsworth sink back into the character easier.
All the actors said that they didn’t really seem to read the entire script, or while they may have, they don’t know what the final film actually looks like, as the studio has been trying to keep the film under lock in key as not to let spoilers leak. Benedict Cumberbatch in particular joked that he had read a script, but maybe not this script, following up then saying that many films find themselves in post, so even if you’ve read the script, it’s not the film you thought you were making.
When asked how Peter Quill felt about meeting humans for the first time in almost thirty years, Chris Pratt wasn’t sure what he could say, deciding instead to talk about bass fishing season. He then said he obviously couldn’t answer that question, and instead it would be better for the audience to experience the film instead of him just telling us.
While much of the cast remain tight lipped on the film, one thing was incredibly clear during the press day for Avengers: Infinity War: this cast had a blast working together to make this film, and they think they’ve made something truly special. This film is the culmination of ten years worth of storytelling for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it truly felt like an event to be with all these actors who have been a part of this universe for so long. Both newcomers and veterans of the series seemed proud of their work, and they can’t wait for audiences to see it.
Universal Studios Hollywood channels its inner Master Shifu from DreamWorks Animations hit film, Kung Fu Panda, with today’s gift announcing Friday, June 15 as the official grand opening date of its all-new DreamWorks Theatre featuring the premier attraction, “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest.”
Inspired by the global blockbuster franchise, the attraction will take guests on a thrilling journey that fuses captivating storytelling with state-of-the art visual effects for a highly engaging experience.
Created and produced by DreamWorks Animation and Universal Creative, “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest” recounts a plot filled story whereby on the morning of The Emperor’s Great Feast of Heroes, dragon warrior Po embarks on a wild and perilous mission to deliver the rare and precious Liquid of Limitless Power to the Palace, while enlisting guests to join him on the exciting adventure filled with raging rapids, river pirates, awesome magic and Kung Fu.
With cutting-edge technology at the forefront of the multi-sensory attraction, “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest” will introduce the first-ever integration of interior projection mapping designed to engulf guests in 180 degrees of immersive adventure. Developed by the innovative team at Universal Creative, this never-before-adapted technique will depict a series of immersive and visually dynamic scenic designs that will transform within the interior space and enhance the story. With detailing that is so precise, it will be near impossible to realize the projected imagery is a mere illusion.
Coupled with seven Christie 4K Boxer Cinema Projectors and 360 degree surround sound audio, sweeping physical effects from water to wind will empower guests to feel more like participants than spectators in the adrenaline-spiked adventure.
Featuring an original score by composer Germaine Franco, the storyline begins as guests enter the pre-show area of the theatre where they meet an array of DreamWorks characters who kick-off the attraction’s narrative. From there, guests will enter the main theatre, complete with new ultra-plush, fully articulated seats that pivot and swivel in tandem with the 180-degree action.
The newly constructed building that houses the DreamWorks Theatre is inspired by Mission revival architecture and harkens back to the Golden Age of Hollywood’s Art Deco period of the 1920s, including a box office ticket seller booth, reminiscent of the time period and staffed by a three-dimensional usher asleep on the job.
As guests navigate past the ticket booth, through the flourishing outdoor garden and into the theatre queue, they will encounter a series of 36 movie posters that pay homage to DreamWorks Animation films. Within the lobby, a selection of over 20 award statuettes will be on display, representing a sampling of the Golden Globe, Emmy, People’s Choice, Critic’s Choice, National Board of Review and Annie awards DreamWorks Animation has amassed from 2008 to 2015. A collection of original sculpted maquettes of the “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest” characters will also be on display along with artifacts embodying magical powers that Po brought back from the Spirit Realm.
Prepare your crisp high fives everyone, Wade Wilson is back in a new trailer for his highly anticipated sequel, Deadpool 2. With the epic success of the 2016 film, fans have been eagerly waiting for the sequel, following the masked assassin in his quest for laughs, blood, and chimichangas.
Tickets are also now available, so rush out and grab your seat before they sell out. For those that want an extra kick, select locations will be hosting a double feature opening night event. Check your local movie house to see who is participating in your area. A few venues that are participating include AMC Theaters, Regal Cinemas, and Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas.
As an added bonus, AMC viewers will receive a mini collectible for seeing the film in one of AMC’s premium formats while supplies last. You can get your double feature tickets by clicking here!
We are at the final countdown to Marvel Studios latest release, Avengers: Infinity War, and to celebrate, the studio has released a special featurette looking at the legacy and growth of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
It is still hard to believe that ten years have passed since Robert Downey Jr. gave his first performance as Tony Stark, leading us down the path of one of the most successful and popular film series franchises of all time. From Iron Man to Black Panther, the MCU does not show any signs of slowing down. Yet, some big shakeups are coming that may rock the very core of the universe we have all gotten to know so well. With contracts ending and actors announcing their swan songs within the franchise, it’s hard to guess what comes next.
Take a look at some of the exciting behind the scenes images on set for the film, following MCU actors Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Scarlett Johansson in their creative process leading up to Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Widow’s return to the big screen.
The epic battle against Thanos begins on April 27th. If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, there may still be some seats available. Check out our screening event guide to see if there are still any local options near you.
Stay tuned for our continued coverage of Avengers: Infinity War!
A new app is coming your way for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts this summer. Called Disney Play, the app will allow guests to “play in the parks like never before” that will feature an immersive experience featuring various activities with the surrounding environment. The thought behind the app is to make the most of your Disney Parks experience, turning wait time into “play time”. The app will be free to download, launching later this summer.
An official release date as well as other details have not yet been revealed. From what has been reported, it does not appear the app will replace the current Disneyland App or My Disney Experience App in Florida. This app will be an additional add on that can be used while in the parks.
More information will be coming leading up to the apps launch, so stay tuned!
The party has just begun now that Pixar Fest is underway at the Disneyland Resort. From food, to shows, to an exclusive first look at Pixar Pier, there is a lot of ground to cover when you enter the park gates. SoCalThrills had a chance to check out the start of it all this past weekend and so far, it’s a big hit with the crowds and guests coming in to take part in the celebration.
Both entrances are decked out in special displays featuring Toy Story, Inside Out, and The Incredibles. As you enter, banners in red, yellow, and blue can be found everywhere.
The decorations are just as big for Pixar Fest as some of the major holidays, such as Memorial Day or 4th of July. Unlike some of the past summer events, such as Monstrous Summer and Summer of Heroes, Pixar Fest has impacted the entire resort, as all three hotels and both parks are pulling out all the stops to bring in the experience.
One of the biggest draws is Tomorrowland’s Alien Pizza Planet, which has taken over Pizza Port until this fall. The green aliens have brought in new food offerings, decorations, and their own flare. It’s a fun twist that is worth a quick look. We also recommend trying the new Green Alien Macaron, which is a tasty option for anyone needing a sweet boost to their day at the parks.
“A Better Place”OOOOOHHH, Tasty
Food is definitely a huge draw, especially since the main feature of Pixar Fest, Pixar Pier, will not be open until later this summer. Almost every location is participating, and if you had a chance to look at our foods preview, there are plenty of options to keep you busy and full. For the first weekend, we focused in on a few snacks, as both parks have a large assortment of churros and sweets available.
One of the featured churros is the Carrot Cake Churro, which can be found in New Orleans Square.Care for a Ellie Pin Cake Pop?
If you would like to grab a drink and some popcorn, Monsters Inc. has taken center stage with Mike and Sully themed souvenir paired sipper cups and buckets. They are great as a pair, and are available in both parks.
They will be joined soon by an AP exclusive popcorn bucket featuring Toy Story’s green aliens.
You can check out the full list of treats and food options by clicking here!
While we wait for Pixar Pier, entertainment is back in action with a new fireworks show and two familiar faces in the parade scene. Pixar Play Parade has kicked off across the way in Disneyland for the first time, and the large crowds indicate that guests are just as excited to see it on Disneyland side as when the parade stepped off in Disney California Adventure. There is a new introduction with Buzz and Woody, along with three new floats that include Luxo Jr, Joy and Sadness from Inside Out, as well as our adventurous pals from Up.
The new floats are mixed in with the traditional set, featuring characters from Toy Story, The Incredibles, A Bug’s Life, Monsters University, and Finding Nemo.
Paint the Night will be shining bright in Disney California Adventure along with a new fireworks show in Disneyland. SoCalThrills will be covering the shows in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for images and video! In the meantime, check out the sneak peek of Pixar Pier that is featured in the recently reopened Blue Sky Cellar. You can see concept art as well as a full model of the pier.
A workable demonstration for the Incredicoaster will also give you the chance to run an attractions control console. If you ever wanted to feel like you are operating an attraction, this is your chance to take the reigns and man the console!
Merchandise is also out in full force. There will be exclusive pins, shirts, and bubble makers that will allow you to take the celebration home. The assortment is quite large, and there is definitely an item or two worth a second look. Here’s to hoping some of the other previously Pixar themed merchandise will also be restocked, such as the Oozma Kappa baseball cap to go along with the Monsters U cap currently found at the resort.
These are just a few of the images taken. A full gallery is below, featuring merchandise, decorations, food, and a closer look at the work on Pixar Pier. More Pixar Fest Coverage is to come, so stay tuned!
I didn’t drive to Santa Maria with the Radisson Hotel in mind. I went to see unique Californian sand dunes, to eat at a historic steakhouse and to sample local wine. But after checking into a room located a few yards from a runway full of small airplanes, the hotel became a surprising highlight.
When not watching planes take-off and land from my room (I couldn’t hear them because the hotel is well insulated), my friend and I were busy exploring Santa Maria Valley’s more popular attractions. One of our favorite discoveries was the legendary Guadalupe-Nipomo Sand Dunes (www.dunescenter.org), home to 19 miles of the largest, most bio-diverse coastal dune-lagoon ecosystem on earth.
To make the most of our visit, we started at the Dunes Center in the city of Guadalupe. Here, inside a beautifully restored craftsman house / visitor’s center, we joined an expert guide, who led a group of us on a hike into the 22,000-acre park.
During the tour, the guide showed us the spot where the silent movie classic “The Ten Commandments” was filmed in 1923. Today the remains of the movie set are eerily buried in fluffy sand hills, with only a few artifacts visible. The dunes were also featured in the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean III,” which starred Johnny Depp as Capt. Jack Sparrow.
Our next stop was Oso Flaco Lake. The tour of this area begins with a walk through a riparian forest teeming with Arroyo willow, cottonwoods, ox tongue and twinberry, as well as poisonous hemlock, stinging needles and poison oak. While investigating the plants, we saw pack rat nests built in trees and ran into a few cute raccoons looking for scraps.
The lake has been called Oso Flaco, meaning “skinny bear,” ever since 1769 when Gaspar de Portola’s expedition passed through. The reason for this is attributed to a fateful meal shared by the explorers. The group saw, shot and subsequently ate a skinny bear they had seen on the shores of the lake. By the next day, several of the men had died.
At the banks of the natural, fresh water lake we stepped onto a serene wooden footbridge leading to the ocean. While on the bridge we saw ducks, swallows, American coots, cormorants and herons. We also saw large footprints in the sand left by roaming bobcats.
After touring the Dunes, we drove to the nearby town of Orcutt for an unforgettable dinner at Far Western Tavern (www.farwesterntavern.com), a 50 year-old local establishment known for juicy steaks and fresh seafood. The restaurant serves contemporary California ranch cuisine inspired by local traditions. It is recognized as a landmark of Santa Maria Style Barbecue, a renowned regional fare rooted in native ingredients and methods that were first popularized by 19th century rancheros.
The Far Western Tavern was established in 1958 by the Maretti family. Originally located in the historic Palace Hotel building in the town of Guadalupe, the Far Western Tavern quickly became a hometown favorite, attracting locals and visitors alike with its legendary fare and welcoming ambiance. Today the restaurant has its home in a beautiful building in Old Town Orcutt.
Our Far Western dinner began with a Tumbleweed Shrimp appetizer with crispy pastry threads and lemon aioli, and a house salad. For main courses I went with the restaurant’s signature Bull’s Eye, a deliciously tender, boneless rib eye steak, with generous marbling. My friend enjoyed a half-rack of succulent baby back ribs, with citrus and sherry wine glaze. On the side we added a side of Mac N’ Cheese Relleno, with roasted pasilla, three cheeses and guajillo sauce.
In the morning, we watched planes come and go from our room and then went wine tasting at Riverbench Vineyard and Winery (www.riverbench.com), located along Foxen Canyon Rd, in the heart of Santa Maria Valley wine country. Specializing in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the 300-acre winery features a unique tasting room located inside an historic 1920s Craftsman house.
Riverbench Vineyard was established in 1973, when the first Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes were planted on the bank of the Sisquoc River, known as the Santa Maria Bench. Since then, some of the most renowned wineries have purchased Riverbench fruit for their wines.
Looks like Disney Parks fans and Goofy will have a reason to be excited this summer, as Pixar Fest is coming to the hotels of the Disneyland Resort! The Disney Parks Blog just announced that all three resort hotels will have some special additions in the works to join in the Pixar fun. Take a look at the full list of options below to see what’s coming!
Pixar Themed Movie Nights – For those who don’t know. Many who stay at the resort get the ability to view free movie screenings of some of their favorite Disney classics. This also includes seasonal and holiday themed features. For Pixar Fest, the screenings will have a Pixar theme, with films like Toy Story and Inside Out. Right before the film begins, viewers will get a chance to win special prizes through Pixar themed trivia.
Pixar Fest Room Packages-Vacation Planning will be offering some special Pixar themed room amenities and goodies. Check out what they have to offer by clicking here!
Pixar Shorts Featured in Resort Hotels-Each hotel has a special viewing area for children while they enjoy the hotel. The playlist will be changed from classic Disney shorts to Pixar Shorts, which can also be viewed in the new 3D film festival featured in Disney California Adventure. You can learn more about the slate of shorts to be featured by clicking here.
Pixar Summer Pool Parties-Debuting Memorial Day weekend, the resort pools will be hosting special Pixar themed pool parties. There will be games, special themed activities, and a new playlist to help set the mood and get you pumped for your adventure in the parks. There will also be both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks that will be sold at the various pool bar locations. Adults can find Finding Nemo themed drinks soon, such as “Forget Me Not” and “Lucky Fin”.
Pixar Photo Frame Props-For Pixar Fest, special oversized frames will be available for photo ops in all three resort hotels. When you check in, feel free to ask the front desk on where you can get your photo taken to help commemorate your time celebrating Pixar Fest.
Later this summer, the hotels will also be receiving new food offerings and character dining experiences. You can check out all the latest details by clicking the link below!
Pixar Fest has officially kicked off and will here until September 3rd. Stay tuned, as SoCalThrills’ Pixar Fest Opening Weekend Preview is coming soon!
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