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Horror Made Here at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood has announced a brand new Halloween experience for fans of the horror genre. For the first time ever, Horror Made Here: A Halloween Screening and Twilight Tour will offer guests the opportunity to enjoy a Halloween-themed movie screening in the iconic Stephen J Ross Theater at Warner Bros. and a special twilight tour of the studio lot. This two-night only limited engagement is like no other Halloween experience in Los Angeles, as guests will visit classic set locations and hear insider tales of the most iconic horror films shot on the Warner Bros. Studio lot.

Horror Made Here will take place Friday, October 28th and Saturday, October 29th offering guests the opportunity to go behind the camera with a special evening visit to exterior sets and stages where scenes from iconic horror movies like “The Exorcist,” “The Lost Boys,” “Gremlins,” “House of Wax,” “Monster Squad,” and “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” and HBO’s series “True Blood” were filmed. After the twilight tour, guests will watch a special screening of the supernatural horror film “The Conjuring” (Friday) and “The Conjuring 2” (Saturday). Movie-themed refreshments and treats are included in this exclusive Halloween package. Additionally, guests can get up close to props and costumes from some of studio’s best-known horror films at our immersive script-to-screen Stage 48 experience.

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The sinister Annabelle doll from “The Conjuring” series, along with the costumes worn by the demon Bathsheba and Ed and Lorraine Warren will be showcased amongst a collection of ghoulish film props from our Archive in the Stage 48 attraction.

A spooky photo opportunity provides the final touch to the Horror Made Here experience, inviting guests to take the ultimate “head shot.” The final effect, achieved by a mirror illusion, reveals a photo of guests with their head on a platter to serve as a fun memento of their visit.

Tickets are now on sale to the general public for $75 per person (price includes the tour, screening, and movie-themed treats). Parking is available onsite for $10 per vehicle. “The Conjuring” and “The Conjuring 2” are rated R, so guests under age 17 must be accompanied by an adult age 21 or over. Valid ID will be required upon entry to the tour.

CLICK HERE for more info and to get your tickets now!

Movie Review 'Queen of Katwe'

Walt Disney Pictures in association of ESPN Films brings the motivational true story tale of a young Uganda girl who must overcome the everyday struggles she faces in her home town of Katwe in order to bring a sense of pride back to her entire country.  Based on the book by Tim Crothers, director Mira Nair has achieved creating a colorful, uplifting film that whilst filled with cliches is also a joyous heartfelt journey that will having you falling in love with the entire cast.  QUEEN OF KATWE takes on the harsh living situations of Uganda and shows the love within the families of these poverty-stricken homes.  While the film at face value is just another inspiring underdog tale we have all seen countless times before, the root of story is based around escaping a life destined for hardship by persevering endlessly finding strength and confidence to take on any obstacle the world throws at you.  With great performances by newcomers to well-decorated actors, Queen of Katwe is a captivating story suited for all ages.  This film may be based around chess, but somehow remains engaging till the end even though the formulaic structure keeps things predictable.

Life for 10-year-old Phiona Mutesi (Nalwanga) and her brother, sister and mother, Harriet (Nyong’o), has grown troublesome living in the slums of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda.  Harriet’s single-parent lifestyle has proven difficult for the family as they work tirelessness in the streets and market just to ensure a roof is over their heads.  It’s when Phiona stumbles upon a local classroom filled with other poor youth learning to play chess from soccer player turned missionary Robert Katende (Oyelowo) when her and her families life starts to change forever.  Robert teaches these children a game of concentration and strategic thinking, which helps these kids gain valuable skills that can be applied to everyday Ugandan life.

Madina Nalwanga is Phiona Mutesi in Disney's QUEEN OF KATWE, the vibrant true story of a young girl from the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess. David Oyelowo and Oscar (TM) Lupita Nyong'o also starin the film, directed by Mira Nair.
Madina Nalwanga is Phiona Mutesi in Disney’s QUEEN OF KATWE, the vibrant true story of a young girl from the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess. David Oyelowo and Oscar (TM) Lupita Nyong’o also starin the film, directed by Mira Nair.

Struggling to get her mothers permission or find the confidence in herself to go up against the ranks of ivy league type players, Phiona finds her perseverance to keep moving forward.  With Phiona’s natural ability to see many moves ahead of her competitors, she continues to surprise her peers with skills soon capturing the spirits of village.  Breaking away from the rest of her family, her mother grows concerned she will lose her being in her life, but her mentor Robert is there to open her mothers eyes to the newly tapped potential Phiona could bring to her family.

Queen of Katwe faces some hard imagery for a family-friendly Disney inspirational “sports” flick.  Many scenes show a sample of the disgustingness and truly horrendous living situations found in the slums of Uganda, however definitely shy’s away from some of the more tragic events of late.  That being said, Mira Nair was still able to capture the soul of village and the sense of community the people have with one another.  These intimate scenes between family and friends help remind us that monetary possessions and nice things is not what can make life great, but it’s the love of family and supportive people around you that keep you going.  The movie is able to accomplish this without telling us, rather just by the interactions between the great cast of characters.

A large cast of unique characters with a sense of realness makes this a believable tale, even though probably entirely sensationalized, the film is grounded by introducing the real people during the credit roll.  While moments are probably concocted for the story, much of the film feels genuine and free from overwritten dialogue in part due to encompassing the culture and small habits that differ from western culture.

Nalwanga, Oyelowo, and Nyong’o along with the rest of the brilliant young actors contain such emotion in every scene helping bring a simple story about chess into a riveting, engaging story.  Much of the action takes place at the chess board, which normally wouldn’t be filled with such mesmerizing scenes, however Nalwanga and the other children express so much emotion within their faces that you’ll find your own head hurting from so much concentration.

David Oyelowo is Robert Katende and Madina Nalwanga is Phiona Mutesi in in Disney's QUEEN OF KATWE, based on a true story of a young girl from the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess. Oscar (TM) winner Lupita Nyong'o also stars in the film, directed by Mira Nair.
David Oyelowo is Robert Katende and Madina Nalwanga is Phiona Mutesi in in Disney’s QUEEN OF KATWE, based on a true story of a young girl from the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess. Oscar (TM) winner Lupita Nyong’o also stars in the film, directed by Mira Nair.

This small-town coming of age triumph of perseverance and courage is by far the most well-put together family friendly inspirational movie I have seen in years.  As it’s a Disney film battling a difficult sub-theme, director Mira Nair and writer William Wheeler have been able to bring together a wonderfully crafted film and solid narrative while still using a well-tested formula.  Queen of Katwe isn’t a film that will be remembered forever, but will surprisingly resonate with you for awhile hopefully resonating in our youth for even longer.

Queen of Katwe opens in limited release September 23rd with possibly a wider release to follow shortly after.

Disney's "Be Inspired" Campaign Releases New Video For 'Summer of Service' Grants

Disney Friends for Change partnered with Youth Service America to offer young change makers aged 5-18 who are working to make their communities healthier, greener and stronger $500 Summer of Service Grants. Learn more at Disney.com/BeInspired.

This stop-motion series uses Funko versions of Pocahontas, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Mulan and speak to the four pillars of Friends For Change and core Princess values (Strengthening Community, Environmentalism, Living Healthy, and Creativity).

‘Tis the Season…For Something Spooky

August is great – September is keen, but there’s just nothing quite like Halloween. We’ve got the 411 on all of the Halloween hot spots in Buena Park this season and invite you to pick your poison or create a monster marathon and enjoy them ALL!

Knott’s Scary Farm
Prepare for 24 horrifying nights, beginning September 22nd to All Hallows’ Eve on October 31st. Four all new nightmarish attractions will debut this season at the world’s largest Halloween event, Knott’s Scary Farm. All new Black Ops: Infected will premier alongside returning favorites like Paranormal Inc. and The Hanging: Finding Gory. Goosebumps will be the least of your worries when navigating through over 160 acres of scare zones lurking with evil; ghosts, ghouls and zombies. If you dare to seek full access, be sure to purchase the Fright Lane with Skeleton Key package that will surely sell out fast. You’ll be granted unlimited access to all four stand-alone Skeleton Key Rooms filled with unnerving terrors, interactive secrets and exclusive scenes. Get your killer ticket deals by CLICKING HERE

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Rock & Brews Monster Beer Fest
Get a scream-worthy deal at Rock & Brews First Annual Monster Beer Fest on October 22nd from 12pm to 5pm. Enjoy over 100 different bone-chilling beers from 50 different breweries and substitute the candy corn for a sweet treat like Franziskaner Hefe-Wiesse or Angry Orchard Cider! Admission goodies include: unlimited beer tasting, discounted food, live music, costume contest and even a souvenir mug. Tickets are $45 for general admission and $65 for the VIP treatment and can be purchased HERE

Vampirate’s Return to Pirate’s Dinner Adventure
Beware of the bite at Pirate’s Dinner Adventure, Vampirate’s Halloween show! The haunting begins October 3rd and continues through the entire month of October. Enjoy dressing up in your favorite sweet or spooky costume, with contests held each Saturday and Sunday for ghouls and goblins of all ages. The show follows the evil Captain Sebastian the Black and his horde of Vampire Pirate’s as they take to the high-seas. Visitors will be astonished by special effects, aerial artistry and swashbuckling swordplay, paired with a four-course meal. Get your dangerously discounted tickets HERE

RIP Halloween Hotel Packages
Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel is featuring THREE horrifying options this season starting at $196 per night (plus tax). Choose between the “Bare Bones”, “Haunted Dreams” or “Gruesome” packages that offer everything your black heart could desire. At the Radission Suites, Holiday Inn and Buena Park Hotel and Suites, you can rest in peace with packages that include accommodations and two tickets to Knott’s Scary Farm starting at just $170. CLICK HERE to book your killer Halloween hotel packages.

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Kid Friendly Halloween Events
Come down to William Peak Park October 14 -16 for Buena Park’s 60th Annual Silverado Days Festival. The three day event entertains with delicious food, thrilling rides and family-friendly competitions. Participate in the world amateur arm wrestling championship, professional horseshoe contest, pie eating contest, hog calling and much more. With over 20 rides, 16 food options, 20 games and 90 arts and crafts booths, Silverado Days is fun for the whole family.

Knott’s Berry Farm invites you and your family to join in on the Halloween fun at Knott’s Spooky Farm every weekend in October and on October 31 (Halloween Day) from 10am to 4pm. The special limited-time event, geared for kids ages 3-11, serves up live entertainment, trick-or-treating, a costume contest and exclusive festivities honoring the 50th anniversary of the classic Peanuts animated TV special It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown! Admission to Knott’s Spooky Farm is included with your Knott’s Berry Farm admission or Season Pass.

New Trailer Disney's 'Moana'

Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one knows exactly why.

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. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli‘i Cravalho) meets the mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), who guides her in her quest to become a master wayfinder. Together, they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity.

Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”), produced by Osnat Shurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”), and featuring music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa‘i, “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.

New Featurette 'Marvel's Doctor Strange'

“You wonder what I see in your future? Possibility.” Watch this featurette and learn about the characters in Doctor Strange starring Benedict Cumberbatch! In theaters November 4.

“Doctor Strange” follows the story of neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a horrific car accident, discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions.\

Marvel’s “Doctor Strange” is produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Charles Newirth, Stephen Broussard and Stan Lee serving as executive producers.

Director Scott Derrickson’s creative team also includes director of photography Ben Davis, B.S.C. (Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy”); production designer Charles Wood (Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy”); costume designer Alexandra Byrne (Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy”); editors Wyatt Smith (“Into the Woods,” Marvel’s “Thor: The Dark World”) and Sabrina Plisco, ACE (“Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium,” “Charlotte’s Web”); and visuals effects supervisor Stephane Ceretti (Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy”).

The Hunchback of Notre Dame Premieres at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

From the Oscar® -winning team Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz comes a lushly scored retelling of Victor Hugo’s epic story of love, acceptance, and what it means to be a hero.

Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from beloved the Disney animated feature, The Hunchback of Notre Dame showcases the film’s Oscar®-nominated score as well as new songs by Menken and Schwartz. Peter Parnell’s new book embraces story theatre and features verbatim passages from Hugo’s gothic novel.

The musical begins as the bells of Notre Dame resound through the famed cathedral in 15th-century Paris. Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer who longs to be “Out There,” observes all of Paris reveling in the Feast of Fools. Held captive by his devious caretaker, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda. Quasimodo isn’t the only one captivated by her free spirit, though – the handsome Captain Phoebus and Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the gypsies – and it’s up to Quasimodo to save them all.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is playing at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts September 16 – October 9, 2016. CLICK HERE for more info and to get your tickets now!

With a lush, emotionally rich score and beautiful choral arrangements, it’s a dramatic retelling of the epic but tragic Victor Hugo novel. Darker than the Disney film, closer in plot to the novel, the musical showcases the film’s Oscar-nominated score and introduces stunning new songs. And for the first time, Quasimodo, who is deaf in the original novel, will be played by a deaf actor.

John McGinty stars as Quasimodo @TheJohnMcGinty: NY: Fêtes De La Nuit (New Ohio Theatre), Veritas (The Representatives), World Premiere of Samuel D. Hunter new play of The Healing (TBTB/Theater Row), Movements of the Soul (BPAC). Regional: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Sacramento Music Circus), Tribes (Guthrie Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre, Everyman Theatre), Pippin (CTG/Deaf West). Film: Wonderstruck with Todd Haynes, Sign. Television: I Killed My BFF and FBI: Criminal Pursuit. Web series: High Maintenance (Vimeo and HBO); Don't Shoot the Messenger. Workshops: Cyrano (NYTW/Deaf West); Brindlebeast (Fat Chance) Another Kind of Silence (Playwright Realm).
John McGinty stars as Quasimodo @TheJohnMcGinty: NY: Fêtes De La Nuit (New Ohio Theatre), Veritas (The Representatives), World Premiere of Samuel D. Hunter new play of The Healing (TBTB/Theater Row), Movements of the Soul (BPAC). Regional: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Sacramento Music Circus), Tribes (Guthrie Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre, Everyman Theatre), Pippin (CTG/Deaf West). Film: Wonderstruck with Todd Haynes, Sign. Television: I Killed My BFF and FBI: Criminal Pursuit. Web series: High Maintenance (Vimeo and HBO); Don’t Shoot the Messenger. Workshops: Cyrano (NYTW/Deaf West); Brindlebeast (Fat Chance) Another Kind of Silence (Playwright Realm).

Disney Stickers for iOS 10 are here!

Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media has launched Disney Stickers, a series of sticker packs that enable Apple iOS10 users to enhance their iMessage communications with Disney characters and props. Disney Stickers users can tell their daily stories through a modern day blank canvas – the iMessage platform – and express their creativity and storytelling through rich, animated stickers featuring characters and art from beloved Disney stories. Amp up a vacation photo with a sticker of Stitch from Lilo & Stitch; share your excitement for the weekend with a sticker of Joy from Inside Out; or celebrate epic teamwork through a Han and Chewie sticker from Star Wars — Disney Stickers convey everyday emotions and expressions that are better said with visuals than words.

Disney Stickers from favorite Disney franchises and characters, include:
· Disney Stickers: Mickey & Friends
· Disney Stickers: Princess
· Disney Stickers: Finding Dory
· Disney Stickers: Frozen
· Disney Stickers: The Lion King
· Disney Stickers: Cats and Dogs
· Disney Stickers: Stitch
· Disney Stickers: Zootopia
· Disney Stickers: Beauty and the Beast
· Disney Stickers: Inside Out
· Star Wars Stickers

Each Disney Stickers pack includes 21 stickers and costs $1.99 per pack. Disney Stickers packs are available now for download globally in most countries through the Apple iMessage App Store on iOS 10. New packs featuring additional characters and art will launch throughout the year.

Segerstrom Center Presents 'A Whole New World of Alan Menken'

Disney aficionados, film buffs and musical theater lovers can expect an evening like no other when eight-time Oscar-winner Alan Menken comes to Segerstrom Center for the Arts performing his own music and sharing entertaining anecdotes about his unrivaled career. His songs and music have thrilled audiences around the world, and now they will thrill Orange County audiences during the world premiere of his exciting new one-man-show, A Whole New World of Alan Menken, on Friday, September 30, 2016 at 8 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Menken has garnered 19 Academy Award® nominations, 11 Grammy® Awards, seven Golden Globes and a Tony Award®. He has been credited for introducing a whole new generation to musicals through such box office hits as Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid , Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Enchanted and Tangled as well as the Broadway shows Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act, Newsies and television’s Galavant.

Tickets to A Whole New World of Alan Menken start at $49 and go on sale Sunday, August 21 at 10 a.m. and will be available online at SCFTA.org, by calling (714) 556-2787 and at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. For inquiries about group ticket savings for 10 or more, please call the Group Services office at (714) 755-0236.

Disney Enchanted Tales Now Available For Mobile Devices

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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.

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Disney's 'Moana' Building A Legend

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.
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)
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.
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.
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.

LA County Fair Challenges the Public to “Dare to Fair” in 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.

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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.

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– 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.

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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.”

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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.

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