At Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, and Slytherins came together to revel in the music and adventure of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. This presentation of the film was fully accompanied by Pacific Symphony, Orange County’s premier orchestra. For any Harry Potter fan, this concert is a fantastic opportunity to let your fandom soar.
Though orchestral concerts typically expect their audiences to be silent, the conductor, Jeffrey Schindler, encourages the audience to react appropriately to the film; cheering for the introduction of beloved characters, booing or hissing at the villains, and applauding at each exciting plot turn. From the moment the familiar twinkle of Hedwig’s Theme begins, the audience is immersed in J. K. Rowling’s Wizarding world.
The Pacific Symphony was seamless in their performance, to the point where it almost felt as though they were not actually playing (though they were, I promise). From the quiet suspense of any interaction with the Malfoys, to the thrilling fanfare of the Quidditch match, John Williams’ beautiful score was realized beyond expectations.
Nearly 50 barbeque pit masters and amateur grillers will once again come together for a classic showdown that will leave taste buds filled with the unmistakable sweet ‘n smoky flavors of BBQ. Bacon and dessert aficionados will join this year’s sizzlin’ line-up with the opportunity to compete in both amateur and professional competitions for $11,500 in cash prizes.
Live entertainment on two separate stages with performances by country sensation Dean Kalogris, Melissa Farrior Band, and DJ Rod Epic.
Watermelon and cobbler eating contest for attendees to test their own eating skills for prizes and more.
The 6th Annual WCBC is bigger and better than ever before with two stages, multiple bars, more pit-masters, backyard games, and more.
Bring the young bbq aficionados for a family day of ‘meaty’ fun with kid’s activities, games, and more.
Saturday, May 13 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Queen Mary Waterfront Events Park
The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802
TICKETS:
General Value Pack – $24, includes five tasting tickets
VIP Value Pack – $39, includes exclusive one-hour early event admission and five tasting tickets
Oh, Snatched…What potential there was in this film. The film’s pedigree was one that really looked promising from the start. Led by Amy Schumer, one of the hottest comedians working right now, the return of Goldie Hawn after fifteen years away from the silver screen, and the incredibly talented Jonathan Levine in the director’s chair. This should have been a fun comedy romp that would be a good way to spend some time at the theater, but instead it’s a tedious misfire that is incredibly frustrating to sit through.
From Snatched’s opening moments, we’re introduced to Amy Schumer’s Emily Middleton, a self centered, and rather unpleasant woman, who is just floating through life. She’s terrible to everyone around her, has no ambition, and is just floating through life blaming other for her problems. When her boyfriend breaks up with her, she’s more upset that they have a vacation to South America that they planned together that’s non-refundable, and now she’s stuck with it. No one wants to go with her, so she guilt trips her mother, Linda (Goldie Hawn), into going with her. The two are polar opposites, Emily as the adventurous and free spirited woman yin to her mother’s overly cautious yang. When they arrive in Ecuador, things quickly go sideways as the two women are kidnapped, and they’re forced to fight for their lives and get back home. Cue laughs and general hilarity!
Or don’t. After the film’s opening ten minutes, the comedy quickly dries up, and what the audience is left with a slog of a film with hints of charm. The biggest problem is Amy’s Emily is a terribly unlikable character throughout the film. She’s so terrible to the people around her all the time, it makes you instantly dislike her. The movie even goes as far to make that point, as she asks people to come on her vacation on social media, and people comment on her page just to tell her no. In Seinfeld, the show worked because even though the characters weren’t great, they got their comeuppance many times. Here, you’re hoping Emily can learn to be a real person who cares about people, but it’s honestly hard to care when she’s just not a good person. This fact holds the entire film back from ever taking off, or making Emily a character you care for.
On the other hand, Goldie Hawn’s Linda is a character you genuinely care about, because she’s relatable and fun. The fact that Emily is so terrible to her all the time, but her mom still cares about her is a truly noble thing, and something that really drives her. Hawn is wonderful throughout the film, and it’s so great to have her on screen again. The truth is, Snatched is an Amy Schumer vehicle, but this is Goldie Hawn’s film from beginning to end, stealing almost all her scenes as the overly cautious mother. She feels like a real character that you can empathize with throughout, and you just want her to win in the end, because she deserves it. It’s too bad her daughter is so abrasive and rude to her throughout the film, because at times, you wish that Linda would just leave Emily in the middle of the jungle to find her own way. Amy and Goldie do have great chemistry, and their pairing is fun, but again, Emily as a character is just so aggravating that she drags the film down around her.
It doesn’t help that a lot of the humor in Snatched feels worn and tired. There’s so many movies about mending the mother-daughter relationship that do this story better, it doesn’t ever feel compelling. While you wait for Emily to finally have her revelation that she can be a good person, you just watch Linda get dragged through the mud by her daughter, and it gives the movie very little heart. That lack of heart, which is surprising considering that most of Jonathan Levine’s films are chock full of heart, seriously hinders this film. There are so many comedies that do this story better that this just feels like a waste of time.
There is something to be said though about the side characters in the film, who really do add life to the film outside of Goldie Hawn. In particular, Christopher Meloni’s wannabe Indiana Jones, Roger Simmons, steals every scene he’s in. His presence is so much fun, and it’s hard not to laugh every time the character opens his mouth. Everything he says and does is ridiculous, but perfectly so, and really enhances the film. The same could be said about Joan Cusack’s Barb, which is especially surprising considering she has no dialogue in the film. She’s an EX secret intelligence agent who cut her tongue out to keep her secrets to herself, but she’s so perfectly realized by Cusack that you can’t keep your eyes off her in the movie. It’s one of the funniest performances in the film, bar none, and reminds us why Joan Cusack is still the best at what she does.
The biggest disappointment though is really just the lack of comedy throughout the film. Hawn tries her best to make the material work, but there’s just nothing here. Meloni and Cusack both steal the film, and are easily the film’s comedy standouts, but it’s incredibly frustrating how little else works. There’s a gag about Emily having a tapeworm that’s supposed to be funny, but it ends up just being used for shock value, and it’s never actually funny. The same could be said about her character and how she accidentally kills all the villains one by one throughout, but not actually having any skills to do so. These jokes seem so below Jonathan Levine’s standards, and his past work shows he can do better than this, but something in this material just doesn’t click with him. Where as The Night Before ended up being a vulgar, yet heartwarming and funny holiday film, Snatched never rises above just being vulgar, and it really just sinks the film.
Unfortunately, Snatched really isn’t a good film, let alone a good comedy. Amy Schumer’s Emily holds the entire film back from ever taking off, while Goldie Hawn tries her best to make the movie work in spite of her. If it wasn’t for Christopher Meloni or Joan Cusack, there would be very little comedy overall, and that’s not what you want for a big summer comedy. This movie had all the ingredients to work, but it never comes together in any particular way that’s either fun or memorable. This is a rare misfire for all those involved, which is too bad, because it could have been something truly special.
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is probably better than you’re expecting…But it’s no where near as good as it could be. Famed filmmaker Guy Ritchie, best known for his British gangster film Snatch, as well as the Robert Downey, Jr. led Sherlock Holmes films, now sets his sights on a new take on the legend of the Fifth Century British leader. Many versions of the Arthur legend have been told over time, in the forms of books, movies, and television, so many that there’s no definitive version. The closest we’ve gotten to a definitive version of the story on film is John Boorman’s 1981 film, Excalibur, which has really led the pack for almost forty years. Now, Ritchie has arrived to try to infuse new life into the story, but what we’re given is a messy, off kilter, but oddly charming film that never lives up to its full potential, but never fully falls flat on its face either.
When an attack on Uther Pendragon’s (Eric Bana) castle leaves he and his wife dead, the kingdom is left in upheaval. But before his death, Uther puts his son, Arthur (Charlie Hunnam), in a small boat that he sets adrift down the river, where he’s eventually found in Londinium. Raised in a brothel, Arthur is unaware of his royal lineage, and that he’s the man who’s rumored to save the Kingdom from the evil Vortigern (Jude Law). King of the streets, Arthur quickly becomes the target of Vortigern, and unwittingly unveils himself to the world at large that he’s their savior, when he pulls Excalibur from the stone. Arthur wanting nothing to do with his destiny, tries to turn his back on his people, and the power that Excalibur grants him, only to be faced with a much darker future if he doesn’t accept who he truly is.
The above summary of the film is an oversimplified version of King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, which spends much of its time doing way too much and never really having much to show for it. The biggest problem being, it’s a film that much of the time is at war with itself, and has chosen to go down the path of an unnecessary origin story that we’ve seen many times before. Ultimately, that is the biggest downfall of the film, especially in light of the superhero films we’ve been given over the last fifteen years. What once could have been a unique origin of a familiar story now feels hollow and tired, as we’ve seen it so many times before.
That’s not to say that there’s not things that work in the origin story, because there is, but the problem is it all just feels too been there, done that. The film’s first act, when we’re finally introduced to Hunnam’s Arthur after the film’s prologue, is the film at its strongest. This is where Ritchie really shines, as we see Arthur as a street hustler, who is very similar to the classic Ritchie flavor we see in his films. Quick cuts with quirky and fun dialogue, and a real emphasis on the characters and their relationships. It felt very much like Snatch, which was a pleasant surprise, and it very much humanized Arthur, who Hunnam actually plays very well. Hunnam seems to get a lot of flack for being a flat or boring actor, but he’s really quite good in the role, which shouldn’t surprise those who were fans of his tv series, Sons of Anarchy. He’s very talented, and this film, as muddled as it is, uses him well.
Once the film shifts gears, and Arthur is taken into custody by Vortigern’s guards, the film starts to lose focus. Vortigern knows that Uther’s son must be in his kingdom, and is forcing all the men that are Arthur’s age to try and pull the sword from the stone. The idea is if he can find the boy, and kill him, he’ll be granted the power of Excalibur, which will help him rule his kingdom. The problem is, Vortigern just isn’t interesting as a character, and he’s really not all that threatening. Jude Law feels like he’s in an entirely different film from everyone else, which doesn’t feel like is his fault, so much as it’s how the character is written. Maybe that’s a good thing, because then you’re always rooting for Arthur, because you just want to see Vortigern go down, but a great hero should have at least a good villain to fight, and sadly it just doesn’t happen here.
As expected, Arthur does get the sword, and the movie then quickly shifts into a superhero origin story, complete with training montage. Arthur doesn’t want anything to do with his destiny, but is forced into training some of Merlin’s mages. The problem is, this isn’t that interesting, and the film decides to try and speed us through it at an accelerated rate. We don’t really want to see him train, but it’s also some of the very little action that the film has to offer, so skipping it makes the movie drag on. The above is basically the problem with the movie overall: it just isn’t that interesting for most of its run time. While it tries to do something new with the material, it only really works in the third act, and otherwise, it just feels like a retread of better movies. For a film that’s supposed to launch a franchise, that’s a death blow out the gate.
That’s not that there isn’t fun to be had here. As previously mentioned, the first act, which is the most Guy Ritchie the movie is, is actually a ton of fun. It feels new and exciting, but that never translates to the rest of the film. The third act tries to go back to it, but it quickly becomes a video game, with some rather dodge looking special effects that feel like incredibly outdated, instead of cool. There’s a bit of a Sherlock Holmes vibe to way it’s stylized, but because it looks a bit out of place, it’s not so much cool as it is overly distracting. It’s supposed to show off the look and feel of Excalibur at its full potential, but instead it feels a bit out of place. The movie is at its best when it’s grounded and having fun with the legend, not turning it into a superhero film, which is really why the movie never feels cohesive. It’s clear that there was a lot of moving parts that didn’t quite see eye to eye on the film they were trying to deliver, and so it just feels like a mishmash of parts.
The sad truth of the matter is that King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is a film that should be a new and exciting take on the material, but instead it feels like a rehash of better films. Ritchie tries hard to infuse life into a well worn story, but it never quite comes together. Hunnam is fantastic in the film, and he’s able to carry the film, but he deserved a better showcase for his talent. It’s movies like this that are truly disheartening, because you can tell that there was a better movie underneath that is never fully realized. That’s not to say you won’t have fun while watching it, because it is entertaining, but it just never comes together as a fulfilling experience. If you have some extra time on your hands, it might be worth checking out, but if you’re on the fence, it might be better to go something else you’re excited about instead of jumping into this tired and worn out take on the material.
Spring is here and that means it is time for the Sierra Pelona Valley Wine Festival, one of my favorite local festivals for authentic California wine, food and fun. Now in its 5th year, the annual event will take place Saturday, May 20 at Reyes Winery in the rustic town of Aqua Dulce, near Santa Clarita.
The festival is a showcase of Los Angeles County premier wine and spirit producers and culinary professionals. The Festival showcases nearly 150 wines from more than 40 local wineries, over 40 of Santa Clarita¹s fine dining restaurants, spirit purveyors, gourmet food companies, beer craftsmen, and artists. The event will also include a raffle and a live auction to benefit the Senior Center of Santa Clarita Valley, as well as live music.
Set on the grounds of Reyes Winery, the event takes place on a lovely estate, surrounded by rows of beautiful vineyards, with a backdrop of the iconic jagged peaks of the historic Vasquez Vasquez Rocks. The winery is located at an elevation of 2800 ft, in the newly established appellation officially known as the Sierra Pelona Valley Viticultural Area.
The winery began in April of 2004 when Robert Reyes and his family planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Muscat on his 16-acre plot. Since then, his love of wine and wine-making turned from a small harvest for family and friends into a thriving enterprise that has won 18 significant medals and awards.
For the festival, Reyes will be pouring some of his award-winning varietals and he will also take guests on a tour of his beautiful estate, vineyards and barrel room. He might even show off a few of his classic paintings, depicting vineyards, old cars and the wine-maker’s life.
Nestled in the Sierra Pelona Mountains of Southern California, just 30 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, the Sierra Pelona Valley’s untouched natural beauty provides the perfect environment for burgeoning vineyards, boutique wineries and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy a day of discovery and relaxation exploring the area’s fine wineries, tasting rooms, events and hiking trails.
General admission to the wine festival is $85 at the door and VIPs are $110. Designated Driver tickets are $40. With admission, attendees will receive a specialty event glass to sample all the wonderful wines and spirits, an event plate to taste the food, a specialty gift bag, and free parking.
The 5th annual Sierra Pelona Valley Wine Festival will be held at Reyes Winery Saturday May 20, 2014 from 12pm – 4pm (VIP’s can enter at 11 am). The winery is located at 10262 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita, California 91390. For more information, call (661) 268-1865. To purchase tickets online and or more information, visit: www.sierrapelonavintners.com/festival/
For those who want to make a full and fun day out it, you can come to the area early, before the wine festival starts and experience Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, which are just down the street from the festivities. To get to the rocks, visitors pass a ranger station and drive down a bumpy dirt road, past beautiful desert vegetation. At the base of the rocks, there is a large parking area.
Vasquez Rocks
Once parked, you can began scaling the 150-ft, tidal wave-shaped Famous Rocks. Angling toward the sky at about 50 degrees, this stone mountain can be climbed on all fours if you have the will and aren’t afraid of heights. If you do conquer it, you will be rewarded with a memorable view of the 25 million-year-old rock valley, including the San Gabriel Mountains to the west and the Sierra Pelonas to the north.
It is easy to see why the area has been a Hollywood filming favorite for the past 100 years. Filming credits at the park include television shows such as “Bonanza,” “Big Valley,” and “The Lone Ranger,” as well as big screen productions such as “The Flintstones,” “Planet of the Apes,” “Rat Race,” and “Wild, Wild West.” Vasquez Rocks Natural Area is located at 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Rd, Aqua Dulce, CA 91390. For more info, call (661) 268-0840.
Thirty eight years ago, Ridley Scott redefined sci-fi horror with Alien, a claustrophobic, unrelenting, and downright terrifying film which introduced Ellen Ripley and the infamous Xenomorph to audiences. The film’s legacy is one that has been ingrained in pop culture, spawning numerous sequels, comic books, novels, and video games, all of which Scott didn’t have a hand in. That is until 2012, when the famed director returned to the series he had birthed in 1979, with Prometheus, a prequel that aimed to explore the origins of the original film. The film was met with a mixed reaction, and left many scratching their heads about the film’s significance to the Alien mythology. Now Scott has returned for his third film in the Alien series with Alien: Covenant, a film he hopes will help bridge the gap between Prometheus and Alien even further, and answer a lot of lingering questions he set out to answer in Prometheus.
Picking up ten years after the events of Prometheus, Alien Covenant finds the space ship Covenant on a mission to colonize a new planet that they’ve found in the outer reaches of space. But when a random solar event wrecks havoc on the ship, awakening the crew too early from their mission, it sets off an unfortunate chain of events that puts their entire mission in danger. As the crew tries to gain their bearings on the situation and get the ship back to working order, they receive an ongoing signal from a nearby planet that is eerily similar to Earth. Broken and searching for answers, the colonization crew decides to investigate the origin of the signal, and explore the planet. What starts as a mission of intrigue and hope will quickly become one of regret and despair, where the team will quickly learn that in space, no one can hear you scream.
From the outset, the question many want to know is this: Is Alien: Covenant a true Alien film, or is more of a sequel to Prometheus? The truth is, it’s both. Ridley Scott’s third film is a true Alien film in every sense, but it also truly feels like a continuation of the mythology and world building of Prometheus, crafting a rather unique film within the series. Much of the film is a throwback to the sci-fi horror of the original, but it must also maintain the lofty ideals of the last film to answer many of the burning questions that were left over from the last outing. In a way, it feels like there’s almost two films at play, which many times will make a film feel at war with itself, but here it actually works. This is a thoughtful film in many ways about life, creation, and what it means to be human, while also being a visceral, intense, and often times grotesque horror film. The fact that it manages to do all these things, while also being an incredibly entertaining film, is really a testament to Ridley’s incredible talent behind the camera. It’s clear that he has a much more defined vision for this film, and the series as a whole now, in a way he didn’t with Prometheus.
The one thing that Scott was very smart to do though this time, was making sure he brought Michael Fassbender back as the android David, who we were introduced to in Prometheus. But Fassbender isn’t just David, as he also plays the Covenant crew’s android, Walter, who is an upgrade from the original David model. Fassbender manages to give two excellent performances in the film, both of which are very different. While David is still a menacing android with clear delusions of grandeur, Walter, even though he’s programmed to be more robotic, almost seems more human. The two characters are so different and unique, which makes it really fascinating watching Fassbender really sink his teeth into the two roles the way he does. He is really the heart and soul of Alien: Covenant, which is really ironic considering his characters are both androids that completely lack souls. Their dilemma on what it means to be human, and what it means to be loved, is really the focal point of the film, along with what it means to truly live. Walter finds himself totally content with helping his colonization team and being their helper, never bucking the status quo of why he was created. On the other hand, David continues to want to play God, becoming the creator of creatures and worlds, a truly unsettling thought when you remember the terror he caused his Prometheus crew in the last film.
Much of this stems from the fact that David, having met the creator of the human race, finds them truly unworthy of the power they were given. He sees it as wasted power, as humans are an inherently flawed species that need to destroyed. His fascination with creating the perfect species, considering himself a Zoologist of sorts, is at times both maddening and strangely beautiful. But this is a fantastic way to set up the horror of the film, and having David at the center really is why this film works so well. David is controlled chaos, and his obsession to create the perfect species is really what drives the film back to the roots of Alien. When we’re finally introduced to his creation, the final form of the Xenomorph that audiences love, David’s quest is complete, but for audiences and the crew, the terror and madness has only just begun.
This is why the film feels like two separate films, because once David’s mission from Prometheus is seemingly completely, the film quickly becomes the film it’s titled, Alien: Covenant. We’re transported back to the horrors of being trapped in a place with a creature that knows know mercy, has no conscious, and has no regrets, as it begins tearing through the crew one by one. Scott finds himself comfortably back in his horror roots, and he really pushes the film to be terrifying, as well as grotesque, in new ways. It’s a truly chilling and fun experience throughout, featuring some great scenes that will truly be ranked amongst the franchise’s best. Katherine Waterston, who plays the film’s lead, Daniels, is fantastic throughout, as the audience’s eyes and ears to this madness. She is a great addition to the Alien franchise’s kick-ass female heroines, something to be very happy that the series has not moved away from. Daniels has shades of Ripley, but she’s uniquely her own character, and it’s great to see her really standing out amongst the rest as the voice of reason in the film. This is a star making turn for Waterston, who many will recognize from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
The one biggest drawback to the film though, is the third act is fairly predictable. For much of the film, it actually keeps the audience fairly disoriented enough with the twists and turns, so it’s hard to pin down just where it’s going to go. But once the Xenomorph begins its hunt for the humans, the film quickly loses that spark, and it becomes a much more straightforward slasher film. There’s also a moment that is so heavily telegraphed ahead that it’s almost surprising that Ridley honestly goes the direction he does with it. In the scheme of the story, it makes sense why Ridley makes the decision, but it’s hard not to be a little frustrated that the twist, or lack thereof, doesn’t really stick. It’s the obvious choice for the film, and while it’s still a fine reveal, it’s just not shocking at all.
Alien: Covenant is a great return to the roots of the Alien franchise, while also being a proper continuation to Prometheus. Ridley Scott returns with a vengeance, really crafting a film that is both unique and familiar, while crafting something genuinely scary and thoughtful all at once. Anchored by terrific performances by both Michael Fassbender and Katherine Waterston, Alien: Covenant dares to be a dark, thoughtful, scary summer tentpole, and finds the series really returning to what made it so great. Alien is back in a big way, with its best installment since James Cameron’s Aliens. In space, no one can hear you scream, but they will in the theater this summer.
Guests visiting Pandora – The World of Avatar will fly on the back of a mountain banshee at one of its major attractions, Avatar Flight of Passage. Soaring on the back of one of these powerful winged creatures represents an important rite of passage for the Na’vi. Today, we are thrilled to announce a new way for guests to connect with these animals at The Rookery inside Windtraders, the primary merchandise location on Pandora. Cody Hampton with Disney Parks Merchandise gave me a first look at these new interactive creatures, and explained how they continue the tradition of immersive storytelling found at Disney Parks.
“We love bringing to life stories from our attractions through creative and innovative product designs,” explained Cody. “Banshees are an important animal on Pandora, both as an animal in the ecosystem and as a cultural symbol to the Na’vi. Disney’s Animal Kingdom will also will feature a Na’Vi River Journey ride, where guests get a chance to cruise through a Pandora jungle. They are also part of one of the signature attractions, so it felt natural to feature them as a must-have souvenir from a visit to Pandora. These banshees are fun, interactive, and continue the excitement guests will feel when experiencing [Avatar Flight of Passage].”
At the Rookery, a Naturalist from Alpha Centauri Expeditions will assist a guest with identifying a favorite banshee from among 10 unique styles. Each interactive banshee includes three ranges of motion – mouth, head, and wings – that are controlled by hand. Guests will also hear them make authentic banshee sounds provided by Disney’s partners at Lightstorm Entertainment.
“We worked closely with [Lightstorm Entertainment] when designing the banshees,” continued Cody. “Their colors were inspired by banshees seen in the ‘Avatar’ motion picture. Their sounds make them feel as though they flew directly into Windtraders from the attraction. Guests will determine each banshee’s personality through a combination of hand movements and sounds.”
Guests can either display a banshee on their shoulder or cradle them in their arms. We will also offer a banshee perch that is sold separately.
Cody shared one final Pandora detail that ties back to the core ideas of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
“The mountain banshee has come to symbolize our continued commitment to the environment,” said Cody. “Before guests depart Windtraders, Naturalists will encourage them to make a pledge to respect and protect the natural world on Pandora and back home on Earth.”
When you see other banshee keepers on Pandora, or back at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, please greet them with “Oel Ngati Kameie” (“I See You”), the traditional Na’vi phrase of greeting and respect.
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.
At this year's Annecy’s International Animation Film Festival, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios offered a series of surprises that thrilled festival goers.
Jared Bush, Walt Disney...
