Disney just announced that Disney Enchanted Tales, a new kingdom-building game, is now available for mobile devices. In the game, players will create their own custom kingdoms using familiar landmarks and buildings from “Beauty and The Beast,” “Frozen” and “Tangled,” and interact with beloved Disney characters including Belle, Gaston, Anna, Prince Hans, Rapunzel, Flynn Rider and many more.
Disney Enchanted Tales lets players expand and build out their kingdoms by completing tasks and quests in order to earn new iconic landmarks, such as Belle’s Bookstore, The Beast’s Castle, Elsa’s Ice Palace, Rapunzel’s Tower and more. New characters, outfits and memorable story moments from additional cherished Disney classic tales will be unlocked as players complete story-based missions.
Disney Enchanted Tales is free-to-play with in-app purchases and available now for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Future updates will introduce more characters, landmarks and items on a regular basis.
From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes Moana, a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. “Moana is the 16-year-old daughter of the chief of Motunui,” says director Ron Clements. “She’s athletic, nimble, compassionate and incredibly smart. She has a never-say-die attitude and a profound connection to the ocean.”
“So it’s troubling to her, to say the least, that her people don’t go beyond the reef surrounding their island,” adds director John Musker. “They stay within the confines of that reef, and Moana doesn’t really understand why.”
The story is inspired in part by the oral histories of the people and cultures of Oceania. Three thousand years ago, Polynesian voyagers, the greatest navigators in the world, voyaged across the vast Pacific, discovering thousands of islands. But then, according to scholars, for approximately a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one knows exactly why. “Navigation is such a big part of Pacific culture,” says Musker. “The ancient Polynesians found their way across the seas without the use of modern instruments, using their knowledge of nature, the stars, the waves and the currents.”
MOANA story boards inspired by research trip to Samoa. Features Story Artist David Derrick’s family tapa print. Artist: David Derrick, Story Artist.
When first thinking of setting an animated feature in the beautiful Pacific Islands, directors Ron Clements and John Musker recalled from their youth beloved novels and paintings about the Pacific. But once they began exporing the incredible tales within Polynesian mythology a few years ago, the filmmakers realized they needed to dive much, much deeper. They knew they needed to go to the islands of the Pacific to see the places and meet the people in person. So Clements and Musker, along with a group of Disney Animation artists, traveled to the southern region of Oceania over the course of two fully loaded trips.
MOANA – (L-R) Jared Bush (Screenwriter), Dave Pimentel (Head of Story), David Derrick (Story Artist) and Sunmee Joh (Story Artist)
During a recent visit to the Walt Disney Animation Studios, we had the opportunity to sit down with the filmmakers to hear how they brought this movie to life. The group included, Jared Bush (Screenwriter), Dave Pimentel (Head of Story), David Derrick (Story Artist) and Sunmee Joh (Story Artist).
The team started to discuss how the story came to be, which took about 3-5 years to create. The writers wanted to get a sense of how emotional the story is. The job of the Screenwriter is to come up with the concept and then it gets passed on to the head of Story and Story Artists, then it’s discussed and it goes back and forth between the group as well as the Directors to see how to develop the characters, dialog and scenes. As artists they can only write or draw what they know and understand.
MOANA story boards inspired by research trip to Samoa. Artist: David Derrick, Story Artist.
The team was invited to explore Fiji’s Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park with local archeologists, and visited the Fiji Musuem, where experts showed them incredible artifacts, including boats and tools. They met with master tattooists, expert fisherman, and shared the local cuisine with the generous people they met.
In Samoa, they saw black lava fields and met with local chiefs. On Savai‘i they were doused by the famous Alofaaga blowholes, and on Manono island they were invited to participate in a traditional kava ceremony. They canoed along the famous surf break of Teahupo‘o in Tahiti, and swam and hiked in areas that would later influence the look of the film. Filmmakers witnessed how tapa cloth is made and experienced performances of traditional dances.
To create our fictional story set 2,000 years ago, we knew we needed to invite the experts we met during the trips to be a part of the creation of the film. We wanted their voices to influence the film—from the story, to the look of the environments, to the characters. Everything—from how Moana’s canoe looks and functions, to plants on the islands, to the material used in their clothing—was all deeply influenced by our advisors.
MOANA filmmakers and members of the MOANA Oceanic Story Trust.
Filmmakers ultimately assembled the Oceanic Story Trust that includes a team of experts—anthropologists, academics, educators, linguists, master navigators and cultural advisors—who collaborated with Disney’s creative team.
Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”) and produced by Osnat Shurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”), “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.
After setting single-day attendance and charitable donation records in 2015, the LA County Fair ups the ante in 2016 to get even more Southern Californians to embrace their star-spangled, ride-loving, fried food-eating, livestock-petting roots at America’s biggest county fair in terms of acres and fun.
Instead of just attending the 94th annual celebration, which runs Sept. 2-25, 2016, at Fairplex in Pomona, the public is being challenged to “Dare to Fair” to get the absolute most out of the Fair’s adventure-packed 487 acres. In fact, for the first time ever, a new marketing icon has been revealed as official fun ambassador to ensure that this year’s Fair guests have their most epic fair experience ever.
New-for-2016 attractions range from three acres of life-size animatronic dinosaurs and a reimagined “Bodies” exhibit to the ultimate hands-on sports experience, an ice-skating, snow-sledding wonderland, walk-through floral paintings and the 16-night End of Summer Concert Series with the biggest names in music – plus all-new signature food creations exclusive to the LA County Fair.
Five exciting new reasons to return to the LA County Fair in 2016 include:
– Jurassic Planet – Thirty-five life-sized dinosaurs including a 44-foot-long T-Rex have escaped the Fairplex Bio-Research Facility – but, while still wild and unpredictable, have become domesticated enough after years in captivity for public encounters. This three- acre animatronic adventure includes a hands-on dinosaur museum, live shows, fossil prep lab and dig hosted by real paleontologists. Come back after the sun goes down when special lighting and music create an even more memorable experience. See the Fair website for admission prices.
– Our Body: The Universe Within – Go under the skin of human anatomy – literally! – with this fascinating, educational exhibit of 200 uniquely preserved human specimens offering a vibrant, 3D view of our bodies usually reserved just for doctors.
– Let the Games Begin – This year’s immersive experience explores the origins and science of America’s “Big Six” sports – baseball, football, basketball, hockey, soccer and golf – through elaborately themed displays, hands-on activities and rare memorabilia.
– The Igloo – Chill-out in our Arctic Village with Polar Ice Rink* and Penguin Sled Run* made with real ice and snow! Shop the Arctic Promenade for cool products and come back after 6pm for an all-ages dance party featuring DJ Cool and periodic snow storms.
– Watercolors: The Art of Flowers – 2016’s Flower & Garden Pavilion makeover explores the intersection of watercolors and flowers via real-life re-creations of famous paintings, dramatic walk-through landscapes and classes taught by our onsite floral experts.
This year’s Fair promises a full menu of original Fair foods, including the world premiere of Deep-Fried Hot Sauce, a 2016 LA County Fair exclusive served in a bag or as a spicy kabob, and the return of last year’s wildly popular Deep-Fried Guacamole and the all-time favorite Deep-Fried Kool- Aid. The LA County Fair will also serve hundreds of other offerings ranging from healthy, organic and locally grown options to the most decadent creations imaginable.
To guarantee that new and returning attractions meet the uncompromising standards of the Fair, an official LA County Fair “Fairdevil” has been designated to ensure the maximum fun factor of this year’s run. The first official LA County Fair mascot since Thummer the Pig in 1948, this tongue-in-cheek individual is responsible for ensuring that every element of the 94th LA County Fair – from the spiciness of the BBQ sauce for the Giant Turkey Legs to this year’s course for the Pig Races to the speed of the Gravitron, the Fair’s fastest ride – are up to snuff.
“Everything the world knows about the LA County Fair – the sheer size, foods, rides, animals, signature attractions and world-class entertainers – is due to decades of behind-the-scenes work by the entire LA County Fair family,” said Michelle DeMott, the Fair’s vice president of branding. “The Fairdevil represents all the men and women who have tirelessly worked their magic over the years to make the LA County Fair what it is today.”
The Fairdevil will represent the Fair in this year’s TV commercials and other advertising, on the web and social pages, at community events before and during the Fair and at the head of the daily Fair parade on certain days. Fair organizers also are producing a series of web videos to introduce the long- time fabricator of fun to the public.
The LA County Fair is also implementing a partner program called “Dare to Care” that showcases its many charitable activities and public service partnerships, and offer the public a number of tangible ways to participate this summer, during the 2016 LA County Fair and beyond.
The 94th anniversary of America’s largest county fair in fun and acreage includes all-new Jurassic Planet, featuring 35 animatronic dinosaurs; a reimagined “Bodies” exhibit; the ultimate hand-on sports experience; a summer ice-skating, snow-sledding village; walk-through floral paintings; the 16-night End of Summer Concert Series; and a carnival midway, farm and exotic animals (including a giraffe!), exclusive food, shopping and entertainment. Closed Mondays (except Labor Day) and Tuesdays.
Visit www.LaCountyFair.com for admission, hours and more information, or call (909) 623-3111.
Orange County’s premier theater-going destination, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, recently held their annual season preview in the architectural wonder that is The Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Always stunning, this venue is such a pleasure to visit no matter the performance and a lovely place to showcase next seasons touring Broadway line-up stopping by Costa Mesa.
Segerstrom’s 2016 – 2017 season will be contain more of the high quality entertainment you have come to expect including NINE of the most beloved musicals on tour today! This years preview featured performances from five of next seasons musicals including BEAUTIFUL – The Carole King Musical, Matilda, Finding Neverland, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, and the every powerful Fun Home.
While this is just the tip of the iceberg of what Segerstrom Center has to offer, this years preview stayed with showcasing the biggest of events. Meanwhile there are many other shows, bands, dance, and events scheduled throughout the year are truly deserving one their own attention.
This event was an ideal way to get a taste of what’s to come if you’re not as familiar with some of these shows and allows for you to get jump start to ticket packages. With tickets usually just around $10 with the amount being able to be applied toward ticket for a later show, it’s definitely something to consider attending in future years.
It’s quick, to the point showcase with less jibber jabber every year with more of focus on performances. This year the event was hosted by Segerstrom Center’s Anne McNiff-Gaeta and the energetic and infectious Broadway Across America’s Bob Bucci. The team there has gotten this down to a science still delivering some comical banter but keep the subject strictly on next years performances.
The night began with a brief introduction followed by two wonderful songs from BEAUTIFUL – The Carole King Musical sung by a Broadway company performer, Sarah Bockel. This hit-filled production will have theatergoers quickly reminded of the number timeless classics Carole King either sung or wrote. Here the audience was treated to a beautiful rendition of “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” and “A Natural Woman”. There is no doubt that BEAUTIFUL will be an incredibly enjoyable experience.
The night was followed by the playfulness of Matilda with young performer Tori Feinstein taking the stage performing the musicals hit “Naughty”. This fun song is full a charm and I’m excited to see all the other amazing special effects the show is known for. Later in the evening Woodbridge High School Choir came out to perform the shows mainstay, “When I Grow Up” with Feinstein. I actually wasn’t too interested in seeing this originally, but I think Segerstrom has won me over. Looking forward to this big time production coming in January 2017.
Shockingly, Finding Neverland also looks better than the Broadway cast recording has lead me. Cast members Celia Hottenstein and Cameron Bond came out performing “Neverland” and later “All That Matters”. Hearing these in person and understanding the magical production has memorized audiences with its effects has made more excited than ever for a show based on the movie I already love of the same name.
Two numbers from A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder were also performed by cast members Jeff Kready and Mary VanArsdel. “You’re a D’Ysquith” shows the musicals quirkiness and “Foolish to Think” provides its depth and range. It’s no wonder this has won the Tony Award for Best Musical in the past.
Later in the show featured a performance that out-shined anything else. Star Nicole Van Giesen of the 2015 Tony Award winning Fun Home came to stage to sing the musicals emotional ballad “Telephone Wire”. While there are many other shows coming not highlighted in the preview, Fun Home has turned into my most excited about musical, however I know I need to be prepared for the waterworks! This powerful journey follows a girl at three different ages as she learns more about herself and understands more about the mysteries of her childhood through a new view.
Keep in mind Segerstrom offers all types of shows other than just Broadway musicals. Throughout the season you may find many special engagements of huge musical acts such as Alan Menken live to Tony Bennett all the way to Harry Potter Live in Concert. There are other series like one specifically for cabaret, jazz and dance and even a family series including a new Christmas offering, Elf.
I have provided a listing of the countless acts next year. Don’t forget to check out SCFTA.org for more details on many different package options with huge discount on tickets vs day-of ticket sales. Surely there has to be something you’re interested in!
Broadway Series Beautiful – The Carole King Musical ELF The Musical MATILDA the Musical Finding Neverland An American in Paris The Bodyguard
Curtain Call Series A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder Fun Home The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Bonus Options MAMMA MIA! RENT
Family Series Pop Up Garden Where the Wild Things Are
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters
The Little Prince Goodnight Moon Walking the Tightrope Elf the Musical
Special Events The Godfather Live in Concert Shanghai Acrobats Lily Tomlin Klezmatics Fiesta Navidad Taj Express Spotlight Alan Menken Johnny Mathis
Cabaret Series Betty Buckley Jerry Herman Songbook Charles Busch Steve Tyrell
Chamber Music Series Auryn Quartet Takács Quartet Marc-André Hamelin & Pacific Quartet Emerson String Quartet Philip Setzer, David Finckel, and Wu Han
International Dance Series Mikhailovsky Ballet American Ballet Theatre Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company Tour de Force III ABT’s The Nutcracker Batsheva Dance Company
2016 – 2017 BROADWAY SERIES
BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL | CENTER PREMIERE October 4 – 16, 2016
“It’s some kind of wonderful!” – NY1
Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical BEAUTIFUL – The Carole King Musical tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history.
ELF The Musical | CENTER PREMIERE December 20, 2016 – January 1, 2017
“Splashy, peppy, sugar-sprinkled holiday entertainment!” – The New York Times
This modern day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner ELF. Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit, ELF features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone).
MATILDA THE MUSICAL | CENTER PREMIERE January 17 – 29, 2017
“The best family musical in years” – Chicago Tribune
TIME Magazine’s #1 Show of the Year! Winner of 50 international awards, including four Tony Awards, MATILDA THE MUSICAL is the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, MATILDA THE MUSICAL continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages on Broadway and in London’s West End.
FINDING NEVERLAND | CENTER PREMIERE March 21 – April 2, 2017
“It’s a must-see you’ll remember for years to come!” – Vogue
FINDING NEVERLAND is “far and away the best musical of the year!” (NPR). Broadway’s biggest new hit and the winner of Broadway.com’s Audience Choice Award for Best Musical, this breathtaking smash “captures the kid-at-heart,” says TIME Magazine.
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS | CENTER PREMIERE April 25 – May 7, 2017
“A TRIUMPH! An exhilarating, rhapsodic marriage of music, movement and romance – The New York Times
An American in Paris in the new Tony Award-winning musical about an American soldier, a mysterious French girl and an indomitable European city, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war.
THE BODYGUARD | CENTER PREMIERE May 30 – June 11, 2017
“Exciting, thrilling, uplifting, moving – The Bodyguard is a truly exceptional show!” – Southern Daily Echo
A breathtakingly romantic thriller, The Bodyguard features a host of irresistible classics including “Queen of the Night,” “So Emotional,” “One Moment in Time,” “Saving All My Love,” “Run to You,” “I Have Nothing,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” and one of the biggest selling songs of all time – “I Will Always Love You.”
Season ticket prices for the Broadway Series start at $115.
2016 – 2017 CURTAIN CALL SERIES
A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER | CENTER PREMIERE February 28 – March 5, 2017
“I’ve never laughed so hard at a Broadway musical!” – NPR
Getting away with murder can be so much fun… and there’s no better proof than A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER, the knock-‘em-dead hit show that’s earned unanimous raves and won the 2014 Tony Award for BEST MUSICAL. A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE tells the story of Monty, an heir to a family fortune who sets out to jump the line of succession by – you guessed it — eliminating the eight relatives (all played by one fearless man) who stand in his way. All the while, Monty has to juggle his mistress, his fiancée and the constant threat of landing behind bars! Of course, it will all be worth it if he can slay his way to his inheritance… and be done in time for tea.
FUN HOME | CENTER PREMIERE August 1 – 6, 2017
“A landmark production that will forever change what is possible in musical theatre.” – The Huffington Post
Based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic memoir, FUN HOME introduces us to Alison at three different ages, as she explores and unravels the many mysteries of her childhood. A refreshingly honest musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes, “FUN HOME is extraordinary, a rare beauty that pumps fresh air into Broadway.” (The New York Times)
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME | CENTER PREMIERE September 12 – 17, 2017
“Eye-opening, life-affirming, and unmissable.” – TIME Magazine
Winner of five 2015 Tony Awards, including Best Play! Hailed as “One of the most fully immersive works ever to wallop Broadway” by The New York Times, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a “dazzling” (Associated Press), adaptation of the Tony Award-winning new play by Simon Stephens, adapted from Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel and directed by Tony winner Marianne Elliott. Fifteen- year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain; he is exceptionally intelligent but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life
Season ticket prices for the Curtain Call Series start at $85.
SPECIAL BROADWAY BONUS EVENTS
Mamma Mia! – The Farwell Tour • Rent – The 20th Anniversary Tour
MAMMA MIA! – “THE FAREWELL TOUR” November 22 – 27, 2016
“Quite simply, a phenomenon.” – Associated Press
A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! MAMMA MIA! is the ultimate feel-good show that has audiences coming back again and again to relive the thrill.
RENT – THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR January 6 – 8, 2017
Winner of the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical, and Pulitzer Prize for Drama
In 1996, an original rock musical by a little-known composer opened on Broadway… and forever changed the landscape of American theatre. Two decades later, Jonathan Larson’s RENT continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences across generations and all over the world.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, the Thrill Capital of Northern California, in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products on behalf of DC Entertainment, announced its newest ride attraction, WONDER WOMAN Lasso of Truth, to open in Spring 2017.
“It is our intention to open new, innovative attractions every season,” said Don McCoy, park president. “Wonder Woman is an iconic Super Hero and this character and thrill ride will add greatly to our line-up of DC themed attractions.”
WONDER WOMAN Lasso of Truth is an oversized pendulum shaped ride that will send guests on a dizzying journey in this thrilling and extreme attraction. WONDER WOMAN, the most iconic female Super Hero, is the embodiment of justice, equality and peace; she is the symbol of female empowerment, as she seeks to fight evil at every turn.
Some ride highlights include:
· 40 riders will propel at speeds of nearly 70 miles per hour;
· The ride swings back and forth while rotating counterclockwise; and
· As guests swing higher and higher, they will experience a feeling of weightlessness at 147 feet in the air.
WONDER WOMAN Lasso of Truth will be located near two of the park’s newest attractions, Superman Ultimate Flight and The Joker, which opened earlier this year.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is also announcing the start of 2017 Season Pass sales with its Third Annual Flash Sale through Labor Day weekend featuring the lowest prices of the year – savings up to 70% off on 2017 Passes! September 1-5, guests will receive a free upgrade to a Gold Season Pass with every Pass purchased. Gold Season Passes include admission to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and any other Six Flags theme park, as well as free parking and special admission offers for friends. 2017 Season Passes provide unlimited visits any operating day for the rest of 2016, including park admission to Fright Fest®, Holiday in the Park® and all of 2017.
Passholders may also purchase a Premium Season Dining Pass, which includes a lunch, dinner, and snack during every park visit, plus they will receive a 2017 All Season Sport Bottle for unlimited drink refills. Premium Season Dining Passes may be used at any Six Flags theme park.
On Thursday September 1, during a celebratory cavalcade down Main Street, U.S.A., cast members Mikey Trujillo and Alexa Garcia were introduced as the 2017-2018 Disneyland Resort Ambassador Team, representing the Resort and its 29,000 cast members.
After a rigorous interview and selection process, Mikey and Alexa were selected to continue the tradition Walt Disney started in 1965 as support for public appearances, interviews and other special requests. The Ambassadors will spend two full years bringing the magic of the Disneyland Resort into the community and beyond as emissaries of goodwill. Also included in their full-time roles, the pair will represent the Resort at a variety of events, such as VoluntEARS activities, cast recognition ceremonies and special promotions in addition to serving as Disneyland Resort spokespersons and hosting dignitaries and VIPs.
Mikey began his career at the Disneyland Resort in 2012, and is now a Guest Relations Host and VIP Tour Guide. He has served many local charities and organizations as a part of Disney VoluntEARS, including Giving Children Hope and the Orange County Food Bank. He resides in Anaheim and enjoys drawing in his spare time.
Alexa began her Disney career in 2009, and is now a Guest Service Specialist at The Walt Disney Travel Company. A graduate of Loyola Marymount University, where she earned her degree in Communications Studies and Studio Arts, Garcia actively volunteered during her college career with many local nonprofits. She lives in Anaheim and actively serves with Disney VoluntEARS.
Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X is the latest game in SEGA’s Project DIVA series. For those unfamiliar with Hatsune Miku and the series, the game features a light storyline following the main character Miku and her journey to restore ‘voltage’ to a prism in each of the five music clouds that make up the Vocaloids’ world. Each cloud features its own unique aura or theme, such as Classic, Cute, Cool, Elegant, and Quirky. Also featured are small events in which Miku finds her style and builds relationships with her fellow Vocaloids.
Project DIVA X is the first Project Diva game on the PS4, with previous versions appearing on the PS3. The game is friendly to both veterans and new players alike. Those already familiar with the previous titles will enjoy the same core gameplay that has been around for years, such as timed rhythm presses, technical zones, and chance time.
For players new to rhythm games, the game itself has a tutorial that will ease the player into the game’s mechanics and rhythm games as a whole. For those that have mastered the base game, finishing the main story will unlock a series of new twists that will make the game more challenging.
Customization is a huge part of Project Diva X as the costumes and accessories you equip your Vocaloid with will help boost your score during their performance. Certain costumes and accessories give a bonus when worn together, rewarding coordination with an even bigger score multiplier. Even wacky combinations are not exempt, so make sure to try them all out!
The bond you have with your vocaloids will also boost your score, and can be improved by giving them gifts. These gifts will be displayed within your Vocaloid’s room, adding another layer to customization. Gifts and accessories are handed out at the end of a performance. If you succeed in completing a challenging part of the song called chance time, you will also be rewarded with a unique costume to help dress up your Vocaloids for their next show.
Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X is out now for the PS4 ($49.99) and the PS Vita ($39.99). Also available with the game launch are various DLC add-ons. For a limited time, Aug. 30 – Sep. 30 you can download the Snow Miku 2010 – 2015 DLC pack for free!
Knott’s Scary Farm, the largest and most haunting Halloween event in Southern California, has unveiled the 13 haunted attractions that will terrify guests when the event returns for 24 horrifying nights, September 22 – October 31.
Four all-new nightmarish haunted attractions will debut this year; each featuring unearthly surprises, ghoulish monsters and frightening legends that come to life as you step inside.
Black Ops: Infected (New for 2016): Armed with cutting edge laser guns, brave guests will face off against hordes of zombies in the groundbreaking all-new Black Ops: Infected interactive maze. Small units of guests will battle the zombie apocalypse through blood soaked city streets and an underground sewer system crawling with nearly one hundred ravenous zombies. The high tech innovative experience thrusts guests into the middle of a live-action video game complete with live actors, real time scoring system, kill streak rewards system and interactive targets, including a juggernaut boss zombie. The new attraction is one of the largest mazes ever created in Knott’s Scary Farm history so form your squad and put your zombie apocalypse survival skills to the test in this action packed, one-of-a-kind experience.
Shadow Lands (New for 2016): A fulfilling life ensures a soul safe passage into eternity, but what happens to the souls of soldiers slain in battle? Enter the hair-raising Shadow Lands maze and fight off demon samurais whose souls are cursed to rot within the depths of purgatory. Guests will embark on a quest through a sacred shrine, an ancient Japanese temple and into the midst of the shadow lands.
Red Barn (New for 2016): Take a trip to a blood-soaked barn filled with carnivorous animals seeking to prey on human flesh in the Red Barn gore maze. Legend has it the farmer who owns the barn was transformed into a heinous creature that sends his sadistic sons to ensure his legacy. None dare enter the barn, for those who enter never escape.
The Hollow (New for 2016): From within the fog, the legendary Headless Horseman and his army of the undead are ready to unleash a reign of terror in the new scare zone, The Hollow. Guests entering the frightful 6-acre area will be terrorized by the souls of fallen soldiers and local farmers that have escaped their shallow graves.
Standalone Skeleton Key Rooms (New for 2016): For the first time, Knott’s Scary Farm will feature standalone Skeleton Key Rooms that are independent from mazes. The four Skeleton Key Rooms will each feature a unique story and theme delivering unparalleled scares, interactive secrets and terrifying surprises:
–Visions: Guests must investigate the Green Witch Museum in Ghost Town where it is not the building that is haunted, but the various items contained within. Using a Phantom Finder augmented reality device, guests will be able to identify and witness paranormal activity connected to items from the Sarah Marshall Witch Trial.
–ZOZO: People from all over the world claim to have been visited by the demon ZOZO after a spirit board session. Is the demonic entity known as ZOZO real or are spirit boards just a myth?
–Slasher: Guests are invited to step into an 80s’ slasher horror film. The masked Angel Maker Killer is on the loose. Every lead has run cold and that’s when you step into the picture. Will you become his next victim?
–Prey: Navigate a hay maze full of dead ends with only a faulty lantern as your guide. You are not alone. Mutant beasts are lurking around every corner.
Returning Favorites
Back by popular demand, Elvira, the legendary Mistress of the Dark, returns to Knott’s Scary Farm in a spectacular all new show, Elvira’s Danse Macabre, featuring insane dance and comedy performances. The one of a kind performance from the Queen of Halloween will transport guests to a masquerade ball full of music, dance and humor. Knott’s Scary Farm will be the exclusive home of Elvira this Halloween season.
PARANORMAL, INC. – The Haunting of Hayden Hill: Last year’s groundbreaking Paranormal Inc. maze will return to Knott’s Scary Farm this year. Featuring high flying aerial stunts and scares, guests investigate a haunted hospital where the patients were tortured for decades by deranged doctors and nurses. Demonic spirits of the murdered victims have been detected throughout the mysterious halls, while evil medical staff prowl for new patients to torture.
The Dead of Winter: Wendigo’s Revenge – Deep in the frozen tundra, the realm of a treacherous snow queen has been usurped by her evil minion, the horrific wendigo. She may be dead, but her evil spell hasn’t been lifted: The dead cannibals have risen from their snowy graves as hungry creatures feast on the surrounding villages. During the chaos, the queen’s prized possession, the horrific wendigo, has seized control of her throne, ready to prey upon any unsuspecting visitors who enter the borders of its icy domain.
Trick-or-Treat: Take a brave step forward and ring the witch’s doorbell…trick or treat, which will it be? After surviving her grisly welcome, wander into the Green Witch’s never before seen potion room and bewitched attic. But don’t leave too soon; you’re the special guest at the Green Witch’s deadly dinner party where she and her menacing Tricksters await your arrival.
The Tooth Fairy: This twisted tooth fairy steals more than just baby teeth as he drags his victims out their bedroom window and into a world of deranged dentistry. Unbelievable special effects include a blackout room through which guests must feel their way out, a disorienting x-ray strobe light room, and a final encounter with the massive tooth fairy, himself. Say aahhh.
Voodoo – Order of the Serpent: The haunting legend of Papa Legba continues as guests follow him on his foreboding journey to conjure the serpent demon goddess in the outskirts of New Orleans. Trudge cautiously through the cursed swamps of the Deep South, where creatures search the murky bogs for their next bloody sacrifice and demons curse the innocent with Voodoo hexes.
The Gunslinger’s Grave: A Blood Moon Rises: Deadly howls and a full blood moon mark your impending doom as werewolves overrun the crime stricken old west town. Walk in the bloody footsteps of a betrayed and left for dead gunslinger on his path of retribution against the Skinwalkers.
The Deadly 7, a sadistic crew of terrifying monsters representing each of the seven deadly sins, return to the fog of Knott’s Scary Farm this year. Together they prowl the darkest corners of Scary Farm’s midways and scare zones serving their master, The Green Witch.
The Hanging®: Finding Gory – A live stage show in Calico Square irreverently looks back at the year’s pop culture with killer comedy. Notorious for its special effects, pyrotechnics and high-flying stunts, The Hanging is a no-holds-barred assault on pop culture’s most infamous moments of the past year. A must see parody!
160 Acres of Scare Zones
Knott’s Scary Farm is far more than a collection of haunted attractions. Every night monsters spill out onto the streets and turn theme park midways into murderous scare zones. From the world famous Ghost Town Streets to the Boardwalk area filled with evil clowns, there’s nowhere to hide in Knott’s Scary Farm.
Ghost Town Streets is the original and largest, most terrifying scare zone that started it all. Bands of half-human, half-animal monsters prowl the streets and inhabit the fog, while the notoriously startling sliders, lunge from every fog-filled corner of the land. Fiesta De Los Muertos fuses dance music, colorful costumes, and larger than life stilt walkers in a dance party scare zone. It’s the ultimate late night celebration of Dia de los Muertos. On the Boardwalk, clowns crave your undying attention in the CarnEVIL scare zone. New this season, the Hollow scare zone will terrorize guests as the ominous Headless horseman prowls the fog-filled streets along with his army of the undead, treacherously blending into the shadowy night as they frighten all whom they encounter.
Knott’s Scary Farm has welcomed millions of visitors over the past 43 years and has become an institution in the Southern California theme park landscape. This year, the event returns September 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 October 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. Knott’s Scary Farm is open 7:00pm – 1:00am select Thursdays, Sundays, and Halloween Night and 7:00pm – 2:00am Fridays and Saturdays.
For more information on Knott’s Scary Farm, including admission, park hours and events, visit knottsscaryfarm.com or download the Knott’s Berry Farm app for your smart phone.
Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort offers two new reasons for guests to visit this year––a special celebration at The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror with a chance to “drop in” like never before, and the debut of the “Frightfully Fun Parade” at Mickey’s Halloween Party, a separate-ticket event. The parade features some popular Disney villains and a procession of grim, grinning ghosts, while The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow appears for the first time at Mickey’s Halloween Party.
Those treats add to the family-friendly thrills, popular seasonal attractions and spooky decor that make Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort so magical. The season runs from Friday, Sept. 9, through Monday, Oct. 31, offering the popular Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy attractions, themed foods and merchandise, plus spirited decor that features a giant Mickey Mouse jack-‘o-lantern on Main Street, U.S.A.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Final Check-out Celebration at Disney California Adventure Park
The invitation to check into the Hollywood Tower Hotel is even more urgent now as The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror approaches its final check-out date, Jan. 2, 2017. A special tribute begins Sept. 9 to salute the haunted hotel’s eerie story and exciting adventure at Disney California Adventure Park. During the celebration, guests who arrive after twilight will enjoy “Late Check-Out”–-a chance to venture beyond the fifth dimension into complete darkness. It’s something guests have never experienced before: free-falling in the attraction’s haunted elevator shaft with all the lights out.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror celebration also includes special musical performances, commemorative merchandise and specialty food and beverage items. Performing at the Hollywood Tower Hotel are the Silver Lake Sisters, characters from the story of this famous hotel who once performed at its rooftop lounge. The sisters make their return to the Hollywood Hotel during Halloween season.
Spooky Halloween Traditions at Disneyland Park
Throughout the Halloween season, guests will find special treats and thrilling traditions. Haunted Mansion Holiday returns to celebrate the collision between Halloween and Christmas, and a familiar guest moves into the Mansion: Jack Skellington from the Walt Disney Pictures classic “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Jack Skellington brings a unique spark to the season and, for the first time, his friend Sally joins him in the Mansion graveyard.
The annualHaunted Mansion Holiday gingerbread house is back with a new theme. This year’s version appears to have been stitched together from pieces of other gingerbread houses and treats. In fact, the ghoulish architect has stitched himself inside the house, and one green arm still may be spotted, sewing the walls together around him.
Another Halloween favorite isSpace Mountain Ghost Galaxy, a Halloween-themed reimagining of the popular thrill ride in Tomorrowland, at Disneyland. Guests on board the speeding Space Mountain vehicles are thrust into a ghostly galaxy where they are bombarded with eerie screams, sound effects and music. Spine-chilling spirits pop out of the darkness, appearing to reach out to menace the space travelers.
The traditional Mexican celebration,“Dia de los Muertos,” is observed with a skeleton display in Frontierland, near Rancho del Zocalo restaurant.
As a special, after-dark treat during the Halloween season, guests visiting Disneyland on select nights will enjoy the“Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks spectacular.
During the day, the dynamic“Mickey’s Soundsational Parade” marches down Main Street, U.S.A., throughout Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort.
Mickey’s Halloween Party
New this year at Mickey’s Halloween Party is the premiere of the “Frightfully Fun Parade,” seen exclusively on the 17 nights of this separately ticketed event at Disneyland.
The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow (from the Disney animated classic “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad”) brings a warning to guests, riding through the park on his ghostly black steed with a flickering jack-‘o-lantern.
Shortly afterward, the parade begins with greetings from Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Grim, grinning (and hitchhiking) ghosts follow along in the procession, joined by other spirits from the iconic Haunted Mansion attraction.
Inspired by Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog,” the creepy Dr. Facilier calls on mystical powers, summoning his Shadow Men from the bayou to loom large over his strange and twisted Voodoo parlor.
Mischievous Disney villains appear out of the darkness, ready to stir up some trouble, and their wicked gathering includes the Evil Queen, Jafar and Cruella.
Mickey’s Halloween Party guests are invited to visit in costume and trick-or-treat throughout Disneyland for candy and healthy snacks. An extra special treat is the “Halloween Screams” fireworks spectacular, presented exclusively for guests of Mickey’s Halloween Party and hosted by “Master of Scare-omonies” Jack Skellington.
Tickets for Mickey’s Halloween Party* may be purchased online and on mobile devices at Disneyland.com/party, as well as at the Disneyland Resort main gate and by phone at 714-781-4400. Guests may check for availability for the 17 nights: Friday, Sept. 23; Monday, Sept. 26, Wednesday, Sept. 28; Friday, Sept. 30; Monday, Oct. 3; Wednesday, Oct. 5; Friday, Oct. 7; Monday, Oct. 10;Wednesday, Oct. 12; Friday, Oct. 14; Monday, Oct. 17; Wednesday, Oct. 19; Friday, Oct. 21; Monday, Oct. 24; Wednesday, Oct. 26; Saturday, Oct. 29; and Monday, Oct. 31, Halloween night. Online and mobile purchases are not available the day of the event. Parking is not included in the ticket price, and parking fees will apply.
Tickets purchased in advance are available at a discount for select nights. Tickets purchased on the day of the event are $89 each. All tickets to Mickey’s Halloween Party on Saturday, Oct. 29, and Monday, Oct. 31, are $99 each. Mickey’s Halloween Party is a non-smoking event. Smoking is permitted only in the Esplanade outside the Disneyland main entrance.
Every magical kingdom needs a good castle, and with the addition of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” attraction, Universal Studios Hollywood now has one of the best I’ve seen this side of Transylvania or even Hogwarts.
Opened in April of this year, the attraction is inspired by J.K. Rowling’s world-famous stories and characters that were brought to life in eight Warner Bros. films. “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” has been masterfully recreated with impeccable detail as a real-world interpretation at Universal Studios Hollywood. The land, which took five years to create, is faithful to the visual landscape found in the movies and books, including Hogwarts castle which serves as the main focal point.
The highlight of the scary fairytale land is the ride “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.” A pioneering achievement in theme park ride technology, the virtual reality coaster is designed in hyper-realistic 3D-HD to fully immerse guests inside the young, bespectacled wizard’s world. The multidimensional thrill ride features groundbreaking robotics, fused with elaborate filmed action sequences and immersive visceral effects.
In this updated adaptation of the ride, guests sport Quidditch-inspired 3D goggles as they venture through journeys experienced by Harry and his friends, spiraling and pivoting 360-degrees along an elevated ride track. To get to the ride itself, guests wait in a line that meanders through Hogwarts Castle. While waiting their turn, visitors can admire talking portraits and newspapers, medieval architecture and all things Harry Potter.
“I am delighted to see ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ brought to life in a way that is so close to what I imagined when writing the books,” says J.K. Rowling. “I’m thrilled that Harry Potter fans can now experience the wonderful immersive experience created at Universal Studios Hollywood.”
I experienced the new attraction this week and was blown away by the special effects of the “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and by the stunning design of the entire enchanting village. From snow-capped roofs and cobblestone streets to an historic British feel, the land is charming, whimsical and is right out of the movies.
To get to “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” I just looked for the giant castle peaks rising above the park and followed them to a large archway, where two gargoyle statures of hogs with wings are standing guard. Upon entering the land of Hogsmeade, I found everything one would expect in a quaint little village. There was merchants hard at work, a train conductor welcoming new arrivals and lots of authentic food and beverages to sample at multiple locations.
Tasty highlights of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” the eateries Three Broomsticks, Hog’s Head pub, and Butterbeer carts, all of which are serving up delicious and fun fare. Prepared by Universal Studios Hollywood’s executive chef and culinary team, the eclectic British menu includes Bangers & Mash; Shepherd’s Pie; Beef Sunday Roast (prime rib of beef with Yorkshire pudding and gravy), Beef, Lamb & Guinness Stew; and Fish & Chips. Rounding the menu are decadent treats such as Butterbeer potted cream and sticky toffee pudding.
Also within “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” is the fun, family coaster, “Flight of the Hippogriff.”
Other rides and attractions at Universal Studios include renowned, behind-the-scenes Studio Tour featuring the intense “King Kong 360 3-D” attraction and the “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” thrill ride; the 3D-HD adventure “Transformers: The Ride-3D,” “Revenge of the Mummy—The Ride,” “Jurassic Park —The Ride,” and “The Simpsons Ride.”
Universal Studios is located at 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608. The Studio Tour is included with all theme park admission. For more information on current pricing, specials and hours, visit: www.universalstudioshollywood.com
Beginning this year, you’re are invited to gather for chills and thrills when the all-new “Frightfully Fun Parade” takes to the streets at Disneyland® Park, featuring a spectacle of spooky spirits from the deepest bayous of New Orleans to Halloweentown and beyond.
The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow sets the mood as he arrives on his ghostly black steed just ahead of the parade itself, carrying a flickering jack-o-lantern as a warning to everyone along the parade route.
From “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” Jack Skellington the Pumpkin King brings greetings from Halloweentown, as residents arrive to celebrate their favorite time of year. Grim, grinning ghosts come out to socialize when Disney’s iconic Haunted Mansion attraction comes to “afterlife,” with swirling ballroom dancers, ominous gravediggers and a trio of hitchhiking ghosts. Inspired by Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog,” Dr. Facilier calls on mystical powers, summoning his Shadow Men from the bayou to loom large over his strange and twisted Voodoo parlor, and the mischievous Disney Villains appear out of the darkness, ready to stir up some trouble. A dark and dungeon-like lair takes over the parade route, bringing with it a wicked gathering of villainy from Hades and the Evil Queen to Jafar, Cruella and more!
The “Frightfully Fun Parade” will be presented exclusively during Mickey’s Halloween Party, a separately ticketed event at Disneyland Park hosted over 17 nights from Sept. 23-Oct. 31, 2016.
Parking is not included in the ticket price and parking fees will apply. Mickey’s Halloween Party is a nonsmoking event. Smoking will be permitted in designated areas outside Disneyland park in the Main Entrance Plaza.
Mickey’s Halloween Party tickets are subject to availability and are valid only for specific event dates and hours. Space is limited and event dates may sell out. Limit eight (8) tickets per person, per event date. Tickets are nonrefundable and may not be resold. Tickets are not required for Guests ages 2 and under. Costumes subject to Disney guidelines and should not be obstructive or offensive. Parking is not included. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Entertainment may be cancelled due to inclement weather or otherwise.
To learn more about Mickey’s Halloween Party or to get your tickets now, email me at [email protected] for a FREE Quote. Hurry, tickets will sell out fast!
So when I was asked to do this review, I had very little idea on what to expect. I, for one, have never heard of King of Fighters. I went into it obviously thinking it was Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat-esque fighting. But to me, it was just another button masher and pray to the high heavens that I get some cool moves in there! I’m not someone who often plays fighting games. I love First Person Shooters, Sports and RPG’s, but will get Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat since that is what I have grown up with.
King of Fighters XIV is the first time I have ever heard of this game. Where have I been to miss the last 13?! It doesn’t matter! This game is loads of fun if you have friends to play with in their 3 vs. 3 fighting style. What bothered me the most about this game is that you have to fight in 3 matches (Max 5) just to move on in the story or in general. I thought it would be usually 2 matches and you switch throughout the match with the characters you want to fight with. That wasn’t the case and the game just seemed to drag a little bit too much.
Once downloading the game onto my PS4 I had to wait for another installation for the Story, Online, Versus and Mission. That was tedious and boring, but once I got through it I was quite excited to play! It took awhile also, about two hours, maybe my wifi was being funky, but just pop up some Netflix and wait it out.
The graphics are absolutely beautiful and the maps were a lot of fun! I was more staring in the back to see what was going on then to my actual performance. Dream World and their King of Fighters Parade as well as Guanajuato Dynamite Ring were my top two favorites to fight in and look at. But when it comes down to the story mode, there seemed to be just random maps every time you moved forward.
Speaking of the story, it felt really messy and didn’t make sense in my opinion. Big Boss man is the King of the Fighters, you fight your way (through random maps) to get to him. You fight him and then the “unexpected” happens. I won’t go into detail to save the story for those who decide to purchase this game, but that was about the small taste I got and I wasn’t impressed. Some of the fighters you fight against are extremely annoying and it felt like I was fighting a child that just choose the same move over and over and over again.
There’s a huge, diverse cast that you can choose from. Some looked really cool like Maxima and Love Hear , some were funny like Cholbounge and Meitenkun and then you obviously have your Main Stream Hero in Kyo Kusanagi. Each character will have bickering commentary that goes along with fighting certain characters, but I honestly don’t know who will talk to who. Besides that, the characters are really unrelatable and I can’t build any relationship with any of them which in unfortunate.
Long story short. I would only be purchasing this game to play with friends at home. The story is there, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to play and I wouldn’t be rushing home from errands or work to play it when I have other games that I am more invested in. The graphics are amazing and i loved how detailed it is and I applaud SNK. It is a fun game! I enjoyed my time with it. Would I drop $60 dollars for it? Probably not. I would most likely wait for it to go down to the $20 dollar mark or lower.
Disney Legend, author and Cal State Fullerton alumna Martha Blanding will speak at a CSUF commencement ceremony for the College of Humanities and Social...
