Like many others around the world we are . No joke, I’m actually wearing a Darth Vader-themed dress as I type this, listening to my favorite music from the saga while surrounded by Star Wars merchandise that engulfs my desk. Think I’m exaggerating? I find your lack of faith disturbing!
If you understood that reference, great. If you didn’t, I promise I’m not actually as menacing as the Dark Lord of the Sith.
Anyways, I’m lucky enough to be able to step into Star Wars whenever I like by living so close to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, so I know that every day is a great day to blast off and explore a galaxy far, far away. But the Force is particularly strong today: May the 4th, proclaimed by many to be “Star Wars Day,” is here!
Disney PhotoPass Service is excited to celebrate this fan-created holiday by sharing photos of some of your favorite characters – mine is Ahsoka Tano – from the greatest saga ever told.
One lucky winner will be packing their swimsuit, flip flops and sunglasses — along with three of their favorite friends and heading to sunny Buena Park, Kidifornia. To kick off summer and promote the launch of their new 2017 Buena Park/Orange County Guide, Visit Buena Park is giving away a 5 day/4 night getaway (over $3,000 value) with attraction tickets, shows, meals and more! To enter, go online to VisitBuenaPark.com/Summer, fill out the travel guide request form and guests will automatically be entered to win. Contest ends June 28, 2017.
Buena Park/Orange County Getaway Includes:
4 Nights including breakfast at a Buena Park Hotel (hotel choice is based on availability) After a fun-filled day have a restful night’s sleep at one of Buena Park’s charming hotels. Most hotels even offer free shuttle service to major local attractions. More Info
4 Tickets to Knott’s Berry Farm and 4 All Day Dining Passes – Camp Snoopy welcomes the smallest riders to hop aboard Linus’ blanket on the Linus Launcher, while thrill seekers will need to hold on tight as they take a gravity-defying ride on Silver Bullet®. Wild West stunt shows, seasonal special events and tons more family fun awaits! More Info
4 Tickets to Pirate’s Dinner Adventure – Join in the swashbuckling good times that combines pirate escapades with a four-course dinner. The swordplay, aerial artistry and acrobatics take place aboard a fully-rigged 18th century Spanish galleon adrift in a lagoon. Some landlubbers will even get the chance to be sworn in as a pirate! More Info
4 Tickets to Cirque Magique – Join the clowns Chuckles, Giggles, and Snickers for fun and laughs at the indoor big top show, Cirque Magique! Enjoy a delicious brunch as circus performers from around the world entertain you with their interactive, magical and hilariously funny acts every Saturday and Sunday afternoon. More Info
4 Tickets to Knott’s Soak City – Cool off at this newly-expanded California themed water park that features 17 tube slides, wave pool, one of the longest waterpark lazy rivers and The Wedge, a brand-new family raft ride. More Info
4 Tickets to Medieval Times – From your ringside seats, cheer for your knight as he competes in medieval games of skill, jousting tournaments and sword fights in this two-hour dinner show. More Info
$100 Gift Card and 4 Tickets to Big Air Trampoline Park– Jump off the walls on Zero-Gravity Court; test your skills on Martian Mountain™; play above the rim on Space Slam; flip into thousands of foam cubes on The Launch Pad; saddle-up on The Big Bull; or battle your friends on Galactic Gladiators Battle beam®! More Info
4 Buffet Passes and $10 Game Card to John’s Incredible Pizza Company – Blends the universal appeal of all-you-can-eat buffets, amusement rides, and video and ticket-dispensing games into an incredible experience for the young and the young at heart. More Info
Aquarium of the Pacific – Home to more than 11,000 animals, the Aquarium of the Pacific includes three main galleries. Other exhibits include the Shark Lagoon, the June Keyes Penguin Habitat and the Lorikeet Forest Aviary. More Info
4 Tickets to Newport Landing – Get up close and personal with whales and their aquatic friends as you cruise through their natural habitat. More Info
South Coast Plaza tote bag with $100 Gift Card, VIP Lounge Access and Free Valet Parking – South Coast Plaza, a renowned international shopping destination, is home to more than 250 prominent boutiques, critically acclaimed restaurants and the celebrated Segerstrom Center for the Arts. More Info
$50 Gift Card to Rock & Brews – The brainchild of Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS, Rock and Brews offers quality American comfort food in a Rock & Roll setting. More Info
BONUS: 4 Tickets to One Theme Park (Choose from: Disneyland®, Universal Studios® or SeaWorld®)
Last summer, Disney Publishing introduced “Disney Parks Presents,” a series of picture books with CDs and original artwork based on beloved rides and attractions at Disney Parks. The first book in this series brought to life the delightfully fun spirits of the Haunted Mansion attraction. Today, I’m happy to give you a look at the second book in this series based on the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year at Disneyland park. Eric Geron, Associate Editor with Disney Publishing who dreamed up this new series, explained how using vibrant colors was key to unlocking this new adventure.
“It’s definitely a more colorful book when compared to somber notes of ‘The Haunted Mansion’ book,” explained Eric. “We wanted to capture the excitement guests feel when embarking on a journey through the colorful, treasure-filled caverns, or the bustling seaside villas found in the attraction. There were so many memorable scenes recreated for the book. Similar to our first book, we added a few Hidden Mickeys for guests to find.”
In this book, artist Mike Wall’s original illustrations accompany the lyrics of the beloved song, “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life For Me).” Together, they navigate readers through the firelit waters of the pirates-infested Caribbean. The CD included with the book contains a specially designed music track by composer George Bruns and lyricist Xavier Atencio.
Look for “Disney Parks Presents: Pirates of the Caribbean” in select merchandise locations this month at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, or at other favorite retailers nationwide.
Whether it’s a delectable brunch or a sweet cupcake on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom Park, there are plenty of ways to say “I love you” to mom on her special day on May 14.
Let’s start with brunch:
Boma – Flavors of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is hosting a Mother’s Day brunch from 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. some favorites from the dinner menu are added to the buffet, and breakfast include one mimosa per adult.
Disney Vacation Club Members can book a Mother’s Day Brunch at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in the Fantasia Ballroom. Inspired by the Disney animated film “Tarzan” (and the film’s song, “You’ll Be in My Heart”), the brunch is 11 a.m-1 p.m. and can be reserved by calling 800-800-9800. Includes special entertainment. Members can also visit www.dvcmembershipextras.com for more details.
For something sweet, Main Street Bakery in Magic Kingdom Park is offering a Magic Kingdom Mother’s Day chocolate raspberry cupcake. And Contempo Café at Disney’s Contemporary Resort has a triple chocolate cupcake just for mom with an edible Mother’s Day plaque for decoration.
Call 407-WDW-DINE to book Mother’s Day brunch, or book online at DisneyWorld.com/dining.
This was info was posted on the Disney Parks blog.
May is blooming new shows and movies! Here are just a few coming to Netflix this month: Anne with an E, House of Cards Season 5, Sense8 Season 2, Master of None Season 2, Sherlock Series 4, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Season 3, New original film War Machine, Marvel’s Doctor Strange, Riverdale, and new stand up comedy including specials from Norm MacDonald and Tracy Morgan.
We’re excited to share that our plans for a major expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland have officially been approved by the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Starting next year through 2023, we’ll be adding world-class attractions, entertainment and themed areas to bring to life some of the very best characters and stories of the Disney brand.
Included in our expansion plans are a “Frozen“-themed area transporting guests to the kingdom of Arendelle, a new Marvel-themed area with thrilling attractions and entertainment celebrating your favorite Super Heroes, and a new entertainment venue called Moana’s Village Festival with a lively stage show.
On top of all that, we’ll be transforming Sleeping Beauty Castle to showcase new daytime and nighttime spectaculars and entertainment experiences. There’s so much to do and see, and we can’t wait to bring you along on this journey with us.
This info was reposted from the Disney Parks Blog.
There’s a new way to take in the Tomorrowland skyline at Disneyland park, from a unique point of view! To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Space Mountain at Disneyland Resort, a new lounge experience will debut in Tomorrowland on May 26.
The new Tomorrowland Skyline Lounge Experience features retro décor and desserts—both sweet and savory, as well as both hot and cold non-alcoholic beverages. The lounge area will be open to guests from 8-10 p.m. If a fireworks spectacular is scheduled, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse right from your seat.
Your interstellar snack box will include:
Mickey Cloud Cake: Cream-filled sponge cake
Chocolate Eclipse: Cream-filled chocolate cake drenched in chocolate
Coconut Comet: Coconut-strawberry iced sponge cake filled with cream
Planetary Pie: Mini cherry-filled pie
Moon Rocks: Boursin herbed cheese, cream cheese, shredded cheddar and jack cheese, chives, pimentos, bacon
Cost is $45 for ages 3 and older, tax included. Reservations are now open, and can be booked by visiting Disneyland.com/dining or by calling 714-781-DINE.
Imagine having some fun, reciting some classic Star Wars lines…and the legendary Mark Hamill is your surprise co-star. Well, that happened to a few lucky fans, as seen in the video below — and it’s all in support of Star Wars: Force For Change’s latest fundraising campaign.
You can now enter for the chance to win the grand prize in Star Wars: Force for Change and Omaze’s epic Star Wars “Past, Present, and Future” campaign benefitting UNICEF and Starlight Children’s Foundation. Plus, if you enter this week, you’ll be in the running to win a special bonus prize: lunch in Los Angeles with Hamill, along with two tickets to a pre-screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Fans who enter today at Omaze.com/StarWars will have the chance to win the grand prize, encompassing all three prizes in the campaign: Stay at Skywalker Inn, tour of the archives and the Ranch, and a screening of Star Wars: A New Hope; join the cast and attend the Star Wars: The Last Jedi premiere and exclusive after party; and visit the set, meet the directors, and have the chance to appear in the untitled Han Solo movie.
Since 2014, Star Wars: Force for Change and UNICEF have joined together to help improve the lives of children around the world. With the support of Star Wars fans, the collaboration has raised more than $9 million to help the world’s most vulnerable children. To date, Star Wars: Force For Change has helped UNICEF save the lives of over 30,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition through the distribution of over 4 million packets of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food Packets (RUTF) around the world.
Starlight Children’s Foundation is joining Star Wars: Force for Change as the initiative’s newest charity beneficiary in 2017. Through a $1 million grant, Star Wars: Force for Change supports the foundation’s core programs which are designed to bring comfort and joy to hospitalized kids through Starlight’s network of more than 700 children’s hospitals, clinics, camps and other partners across the US. Star Wars: Force for Change and fan donations through this campaign will also provide new Starlight programs, like fun, comfortable Star Wars-themed Starlight Brave Gowns, to tens of thousands of hospitalized children across the country.
The Star Wars “Past, Present, and Future” campaign runs until May 11; a different prize has been awarded each week, all themed to honor all eras of the saga:
· Past – Stay at Skywalker Inn, tour of the archives and the Ranch, and a screening of Star Wars: A New Hope
· Present – Join the cast and attend the Star Wars: The Last Jedi premiere and exclusive after party
· Future – Visit the set, meet the directors, and have the chance to appear in the untitled Han Solo movie
· Grand Prize – One winner will receive the Past, Present, AND Future prizes!
· Bonus – Lunch with Mark Hamill and a pre-screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Fans are encouraged to follow the campaign at Omaze.com/StarWars for exclusive updates.
So enter now. We’ve got a pretty good feeling about this.
StarWars.com. All Star Wars, all the time.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Void where prohibited. Promotion begins 12:01 AM Pacific Time (PT) on April 11, 2017 and ends at 11:59 PM PT on May 11, 2017. Must be at least eighteen (18) years old and a resident of an eligible domicile to enter and win prizes. Residents of of Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Malta, North Korea, Singapore, Sudan, Syria, or Thailand are not eligible to enter. Sweepstakes consists of four (4) prize drawings; odds of winning a prize depend on number of entries received for each drawing. For free entry: (i) send postcard to Sponsor at P.O. Box 866, 9942 Culver Blvd, Culver City, California 90232 and write the following statement: “I have read and agree to the Star Wars: Force For Change Official Rules” and send by applicable mail date; or (ii) visit www.omaze.com/starwars. Prizes that include being filmed in a movie scene do not guarantee that such footage will be included in the final movie. Travel and accommodations are at Sponsor’s discretion and subject to availability and change. Winner and guest may be required to pass a background screening or security check to receive a prize and/or reward. Visa conditions may apply. All taxes are winner’s responsibility.
Rewards are separate from sweepstakes prizes. Some rewards are limited in quantity. Not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook®. Residents of certain territories may be required to successfully complete a trivia question to qualify. For full sweepstakes entry requirements, methods & entry periods, prize details, list of rewards and all limitations & restrictions, see Official rules at www.omaze.com/starwars. Sole Sponsor: Omaze, Inc., P.O. Box 866, 9942 Culver Blvd, Culver City, California 90232.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will host a special screening of the Oscar®-nominated animated feature “Bambi” in honor of the film’s 75th anniversary on Monday, May 15 at 7:30p.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. Hosted by film critic Leonard Maltin, the evening will feature a panel discussion with voice actors Donnie Dunagan (voice of young Bambi), Peter Behn (voice of young Thumper), animator Andreas Deja and production designer Paul Felix.
“Bambi” earned three Oscar nominations for Music – Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture, Music – Song, and Sound Recording.
Bambi, the fawn who loses his mother to a hunter’s bullet but ultimately matures into a leader, and his forest friends, Thumper and Flower, are among the most memorable characters in animation history. The Disney Studio spent five years in production on Bambi and used the multiplane camera to give the film its depth of images. The film earned three Academy Award nominations: Music – Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture (Frank Churchill, Edward Plumb), Music – Song, “Love Is A Song,” (Music by Churchill; Lyrics by Larry Morey) and Sound Recording (Walt Disney Studio Sound Department, Sam Slyfield, sound director).
Presented by Walt Disney. Supervising Director David D. Hand. Story Direction Perce Pearce. Story Adaptation Larry Morey. Based on the novel “Bambi: A Life in the Woods” by Felix Salten.
Voice Cast: Donnie Dunagan, Peter Behn, Hardie Albright, Ann Gillis, Thelma Hubbard, Sterling Holloway, Will Wright, Marion Darlington.
Gone are the days of plain old Sunday brunch with the return of newly reimagined Gospel Brunch at House of Blues Anaheim. This delicious buffet-style brunch is $45 per person and includes an amazing performance of uplifting and soulful Gospel music. The buffet features breakfast staples like bacon and eggs, as well as HOB favorites like Jambalaya. Carving and omelette stations provide fresh and customized fare, and the buffet is also vegetarian and kid-friendly.
Once the performance begins, you will be up out of your seat, dancing, and singing along! If you need a little more encouragement, bottomless mimosas are just $15 per person for the duration of the performance. The singers were amazing and we were dazzled by their solos, and how much audience interaction there was. Audience members were also brought on stage to celebrate a special occasion like a Birthday or Wedding Anniversary, and even got to sing with the band. Our only wish is that it were a longer experience.
Check-out a preview of the performance we attended (The group is Firm Soundation and they were amazing):
[videopress 2AEEOoNa w=640]
At just under 2 hours from entry to leaving, it felt a bit rushed if you are not wanting to be eating during the show. Overall, this experience is highly recommend to anyone who enjoys gospel, brunch, or just having an awesome time with great music and food. As well as spending time with family and loved ones.
The electrifying, uplifting and unprecedented gospel show is unlike any other brunch experience available. Gospel Brunch is perfect for families, visitors and special celebrations.
When: Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Check House of Blues calendar for dates.
Holidays welcome two shows at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Show runs 1.5-2 hours
Location: The new House of Blues Anaheim (at GardenWalk)
400 West Disney Way, Suite 337, Anaheim, CA
Free parking available at GardenWalk for first hour
*Disclosure: We are a professional review site that receives invitations and compensation from the companies whose products, services and events we review. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own. Robbie Bulus, Editor-in-Chief also contributed to this post.
In celebration of the upcoming film, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” some lucky Disneyland park guests got more than they bargained for when Johnny Depp, as Captain Jack Sparrow surprised fans aboard the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales is in theaters May 26 in 3D, RealD 3D and IMAX 3D.
The Nintendo 3DS family of systems will soon be adding a new member. On July 28, New Nintendo 2DS XL makes its debut in the United States at a suggested retail price of $149.99. The New Nintendo 2DS XL system gives consumers a third choice of hand-held systems, one that offers pricing and features that fit between the Nintendo 2DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL systems. New Nintendo 2DS XL will launch on the same day as two big new games for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems: Hey! PIKMIN and Miitopia.
“This new addition to Nintendo’s portable hardware line demonstrates our commitment to the hand-held market,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America’s President and COO. “New Nintendo 2DS XL sports a beautiful clamshell design and offers a great balance between price and performance.”
The new system will be available in a stylish black/turquoise color, and will use the same size large screen found on New Nintendo 3DS XL systems. As the name of the new system implies, visuals will be displayed in 2D only. The system is lighter but still packs the same power as New Nintendo 3DS XL, and has built-in NFC support for amiibo cards and figures. It can play the massive library of quality Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo DS games in 2D. Nintendo systems are also the only dedicated video game systems where people can find their favorite characters and game franchises, such as Mario, Peach, Yoshi, Kirby, Pokémon, Fire Emblem, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., Animal Crossing and The Legend of Zelda.
There are over a thousand games in the Nintendo 3DS game library and more are always on the way, including two that launch on the same day as New Nintendo 2DS XL. These new games will offer fun new experiences for New Nintendo 2DS XL owners, and for owners of any Nintendo 3DS family systems.
Hey! PIKMIN: In this brand-new style of Pikmin game, players guide Captain Olimar through 2D side-scrolling levels and collect Sparklium to refuel his crashed ship, the S.S. Dolphin 2, so he can escape the planet. The touch-screen controls let players choose the right Pikmin to toss at enemies and objects, which is critical to defeating foes and solving the many puzzles Olimar encounters during his adventure.
Miitopia: Band together with your Mii and Mii friends to explore your own personalized world of Miitopia. Cast Mii characters into various roles and watch hilarious scenes unfold as they work together to defeat the Dark Lord who has stolen the faces of townspeople of Miitopia. Players can bring in their created Mii characters from the Miitomo or Tomodachi Life games, or create their own Mii team in the game. This game has a lighthearted tone with traditional and strategic RPG-like elements, including customization, relationship building and team management.
Disney Legend, author and Cal State Fullerton alumna Martha Blanding will speak at a CSUF commencement ceremony for the College of Humanities and Social...
