Coca-Cola Announces "One Brand" Global Marketing Campaign

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January 19, 2016

Drinking a Coca-Cola, any Coca-Cola, makes the moment special.

At an event in Paris, the Company’s Chief Marketing Officer, Marcos de Quinto, revealed a new ‘One Brand’ global marketing strategy that, for the first time ever, unites Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Light/Diet Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, andCoca-Cola Life under the iconic Coca-Cola brand positioning in one global creative campaign, “Taste the Feeling.”

The ‘One Brand’ Strategy:

Extends the global equity and iconic appeal of original Coca-Colaacross the Trademark, uniting the Coca-Cola family under the world’s number one beverage brand.
Comes to life in a global campaign – “Taste the Feeling” – that uses universal storytelling and everyday moments to connect with consumers around the world.
Features the product at the heart of the creative, celebrating the experience and simple pleasure of drinking a Coca-Cola, any Coca-Cola.
Underscores the Company’s commitment to choice, allowing consumers to choose whichever Coca-Cola suits their taste, lifestyle, and diet.

“Every day, millions of people around the world reach for an ice cold Coca-Cola,” said Marcos de Quinto, Chief Marketing Officer, The Coca-Cola Company. “The new ‘One Brand’ approach will share the equity of Coca-Cola, across all Coca-ColaTrademark products, reinforcing our commitment to offer consumers choice with more clarity. This is a powerful investment behind all Coca-Cola products, showing how everyone can enjoy the specialness of an ice-cold Coca-Cola, with or without calories, with or without caffeine.”

Added de Quinto: “More than ever, we recognize people want their Coca-Cola in different ways, but whichever one they want, they want a Coca-Cola brand with great taste and uplifting refreshment. Through the ‘One Brand’ strategy we will move away from multiple brand campaigns, to one single iconic brand campaign that celebrates both the product and the brand.”

“Taste the Feeling,” will roll out at various times across all markets globally in 2016 and will come to life through a number of elements, including:

10 Television Commercials
100+ Campaign Images
New Visual Identity System
New Music Anthem and Audio Signature
Shareable and Customizable Interactive Digital Experience

The creative campaign is anchored in the fundamentals of the Coca-Cola brand – the Spencerian script, the red disc and the iconic glass bottle – but with a modern take, featuring authentic and real moments with the product at center stage.

Coca-Cola gathered global creative minds from 10 different agencies to begin the development process, and ultimately the 10 Television Commercials created for the campaign were produced by the following 4: Mercado-McCann, Sra. Rushmore, Santo, and Oglivy & Mather New York. The spots give the viewer momentary, but intimate glimpses into everyday stories, feelings and experiences that people share while enjoying an ice-cold Coca-Cola. At the close of each commercial, the family ofCoca-Cola trademark products unite as one under the famous red Coca-Cola disc.

“There is nothing quite like the taste of an ice-cold Coca-Cola,” said Rodolfo Echeverria, Vice President, Global Creative, Connections & Digital, The Coca-ColaCompany. “The campaign creative was designed to celebrate the notion that the simple pleasure of drinking an ice-cold Coca-Cola makes any moment more special. The universal moments and storytelling depicted in the campaign were created to resonate with our consumers globally. The same images and television creative in Japan will also be seen in Italy, in Mexico and around the world.”

At launch, 5 of the 10 spots will be released. The lead television spot,“Anthem” (Mercado-McCann), comes to life through a series of ordinary moments linked by a Coca-Cola, such as ice-skating with friends, a first date, a first kiss, and a first love. The spot will run in all markets in 2016.

The soundtrack to “Anthem” is an original song created for the campaign and titled “Taste the Feeling.” Coca-Cola worked with Music Dealers to write and produce the song. In select markets, the song features the voice of newcomer Conrad Sewell. Sewell, a London-born, Australia-raised singer was featured in the breakout single “Firestone,” which produced 300 million Spotify streams and 3 million-plus worldwide sales. The anthem includes a new audio signature, inspired by the sounds of the experience of enjoying a Coca-Cola – the pop of the cap, the fizz, and ultimately the sounds of enjoyment. The new audio signature will be used throughout the campaign.

“Break Up” (Santo) follows the journey of a young couple’s romance from the first date and early feelings of excitement and love to an explosive break-up and ultimate reconciliation over an ice-cold Coca-Cola. The spot features a new song titled “Made for You” by new artist Alexander Cardinale.

“Brotherly Love” (Santo) captures the universal story of love and conflict between family, highlighting the unique and challenging relationship experienced between two brothers. When the younger brother finds himself without his ice-coldCoca-Cola, his big brother comes to the rescue. The spot features a new version of the hit song “Hey Brother” by renowned songwriter and producer Avicii.

Following a partnership that started in 2014, Coca-Cola has also tapped Avicii to produce a remixed version of the “Taste the Feeling” campaign anthem featuring Conrad Sewell, and he will produce versions of the anthem for the UEFA EURO 2016^TM and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games^TMcampaigns.

The additional television commercials available for launch include:

“Under Pressure,” (Ogilvy & Mather) tells the story of every day “pressures” that we all face. The spot highlights the importance of taking time to pause, release tension, and enjoy the moment.
“Supermarket,” (Sra. Rushmore) tells the story of a young female cashier mesmerized by a handsome male consumer who pauses to enjoy an ice-coldCoca-Cola.
“What is a Coca-Cola For?” (Sra. Rushmore), “Professor” (Sra. Rushmore), “Arctic Summer” (The Cyranos-McCann), “Empty Bottle” (Mercado-McCann), and “Real Enjoyment” (Mercado-McCann) will be released later in 2016.

The new campaign features 100+ Campaign Images shot by noted fashion photographers Guy Aroch and Nacho Ricci capturing people from around the world enjoying ice-cold Coca-Cola in a variety of everyday moments. The new campaign imagery will be used in print advertising, out of home billboards, in-store as well as digital media.

The shareable and customizable interactive digital experienceis made up of different GIF scenes that reflect feelings associated with drinking Coca-Cola set to the “Taste the Feeling” anthem. The experience allows users to pull a GIF scene directly from the microsite, personalize the scene with real-time feelings, and share it on social platforms with #TasteTheFeeling.

For more information, to see the commercials and view the campaign images, please visit www.coca-colacompany.com/tastethefeeling.

Win A Harry Potter Trip Around the World From Universal Studios Hollywood

By

Robbie Bulus

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January 19, 2016

In celebration of the opening of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” at Universal Studios Hollywood on April 7, the global entertainment destination and TripAdvisor, the world’s largest online travel site, are launching the Ultimate Harry Potter Trip Around the World sweepstakes sending one winner and three guests on a once-in-a-lifetime magical journey to experience the wonders of Harry Potter experiences across the globe.

This exciting contest, which kicked off on January 14, will whisk the sweepstakes winner and three guests on a spellbinding voyage to visit “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” locations around the world beginning with the Grand Opening at Universal Studios Hollywood and including lands at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Japan. The winners will also visit “The Making of Harry Potter” at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, where they can discover behind-the-scenes filmmaking secrets at the home of all eight Harry Potter blockbuster films. Fans can enter to win at www.tripadvisor.com/wizardingworldhollywood.

More than five years in the making, and inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters that were brought to life in the Warner Bros. films, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” is being masterfully recreated at Universal Studios Hollywood and will be faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including Hogwarts castle which will serve as its iconic focal point.

From its snow-capped roofs and cobblestone streets to the historic British sensibilities that characterize the whimsical look and feel of the land, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will transport guests of all ages to the very places they read about in the stories or watched on the silver screen.

Upon entering the land through the archway, Hogsmeade will bustle to life with the same vitality of a quaint local village: merchants hard at work, a train conductor welcoming new arrivals and a pub packed to the gills with hungry patrons, but with the added element of enthusiastic guests intent on experiencing them all, including the land’s signature ride, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,” and the family outdoor coaster, “Flight of the Hippogriff™.”

An achievement in pioneering theme park ride technology, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” will make its U.S. debut at Universal Studios Hollywood in hyper-realistic 3D-HD designed to further immerse guests in an already engaging storyline. The multidimensional thrill ride features a groundbreaking robotics ride system, fused with elaborate filmed action sequences and immersive visceral effects. In this updated adaptation of the ride, guests will 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 on a whirlwind adventure of a lifetime.

Also within “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” the enchanting family coaster, “Flight of the Hippogriff™” will open as Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor roller coaster.
“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will resonate with immense detail, inviting guests to revel in Harry Potter’s world with the opportunity to enjoy authentic food and beverage at multiple locations, including Three Broomsticks™, and Hog’s Head pub, as well as the Magic Neep and Butterbeer™ carts.

A foray through the shops will add to the authenticity of the land with eight retail venues and locations, including Honeydukes™, Ollivanders™, Owl Post™, Zonko’s™ Joke Shop, Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, Dervish and Banges, Gladrags Wizardwear and Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods™.

The Ultimate Harry Potter Trip Around the World sweepstakes began on January 14. Fans have until February 24 to register and can enter to win at www.tripadvisor.com/wizardingworldhollywood. The winner will receive a trip for four people, including airfare, four night accommodations at each location, ground transportation, 2-day theme park tickets for each theme park and tickets for Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. U.S. citizens, 18 years of age and older are eligible to enter. Additional eligibility information is available at http://www.tripadvisor.com/wizardingworldhollywood. No purchase is necessary.

As the countdown to the April 7 opening date continues, the website invites guests to learn more by signing up for the latest news and information at www.universalstudioshollywood.com/harrypotter/signup.

Video Game Review: The Deadly Tower of Monsters for PS 4

By

Keli Washburn - Contributing Writer

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January 19, 2016

The Deadly Tower of Monsters is released for Playstation 4! In this action/adventure game, you play as Dick Starspeed, Scarlet Nova, or THE ROBOT in a legendary Sci-Fi B-Movie directed by Dan Smith. There are 2 modes to play in: Original, which is a Film Grain effect similar to a VHS, and Post-Processing Setting, which is DVD quality.

The Deadly Tower of Monsters is framed as a 1970s sci-fi film – directed by the fictional Dan Smith and starring Jonathan Digby, Stacy Sharp, and a no name actor – that features all the charm and cheesiness of your favorite B-movie. After crash-landing onto the hostile planet of Gravoria, fearless hero Dick Starspeed must deftly navigate the treacherous landscape in order to rendezvous with his trusty sidekick Robot. They eventually meet up with the fiery Scarlet Nova, and must ascend the eponymous Deadly Tower of Monsters in order to stop the cruel Emperor of Gravoria.

The game is a throwback to early video game graphics and design. It reminds me of an 8-bit video game console type game. The Deadly Tower of Monsters is narrated as if it is a Director’s Cut of a Sci-Fi B-Movie. While the commentary is witty, at times, it is often repetitive.

As you travel up the Deadly Tower of Monsters, various Hollywood adversaries are thrown your way. You must defeat them in order to be rejoined with your team. While the game may be a little old-school for some, there are plenty of monsters to beat up along the way.

The Deadly Tower of Monsters is available digitally on PlayStation Network and Steam in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. While the game is normally priced at $14.99, it is discounted for ~33% from today until Feb. 2. For more information about the game, please visit: http://www.deadlytowerofmonsters.com/

Rating: 5/10

Newport Beach Restaurant Week, taking place January 18-31

By

Robbie Bulus

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January 18, 2016

Dine Newport Beach and the Newport Beach Restaurant Association, has announced the 10th anniversary of Newport Beach Restaurant Week, taking place January 18-31, 2016. As the longest running restaurant week in Orange County, the annual event provides special prix-fixe menus for lunch and dinner at a wide variety of premier eateries such as The Ritz Prime Seafood, Sol Cocina, Slapfish, Muldoon’s Irish Pub, Provenance, Tackle Box, Fig & Olive, Sushi Roku and more.

“As the first restaurant week event in Orange County, Newport Beach Restaurant Week continues to successfully showcase the ten distinct dining neighborhoods of the city,” says Newport Beach Restaurant Association President Jim Walker, owner of The Bungalow Restaurant. “The inspiration behind the yearly event is to bring new guests to the area and support the economic growth of our community. 2015’s program generated the monumental amount of $4.6 million in consumer spending in our community of 85,000, and we look towards 2016 to make an even bigger impact.”

During the 14 days of Restaurant Week, prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus are available starting at the approachable rate of $10 for lunch and maxing out at $50 for dinner. With a plethora of options available, guests are able to feed their curiosity through the approachable price points and the variety of cuisines. Culinary roadmaps and guides can be found at www.dinenb.com.

Additionally, foodies can participate in a “Feed Your Curiosity” interactive quiz to determine their food personality. Whether they are looking to feed their inner “health nut,” “carnivore,” “sweet treat freak,” or “food critic,” they’ll be able to satisfy the appetites of their “inner circle” with the multitude of restaurants participating in restaurant week.

Newport Beach Restaurant Week menu pricing, per person, is as follows:
• Lunch: $10/$15/$20/$25
• Dinner: $20/$30/$40/$50

No passes, tickets, or coupons are required for those looking to explore Newport Beach during the culinary festival. For a full list of participating restaurants and to make reservations go to www.dinenb.com.

Sample of 2016 Participating Restaurants:
• 21 Oceanfront Restaurant
• 3 Thirty 3 Waterfront
• Amelia’s Seafood & Italian Restaurant
• Andrea
• Avila’s El Ranchito – Corona del Mar
• Avila’s El Ranchito – Newport Beach
• Avo Bar + Restaurant
• Back Bay Bistro
• Back Bay Tavern
• Bayside Restaurant
• Billy’s at the Beach
• Bluefin
• Bluewater Grill
• Campus Jax
• Canaletto Ristorante Veneto
• Citrus
• Coliseum Pool & Grill
• Crow Burger Kitchen
• Cruisers Pizza Bar Grill
• Cucina Alessa
• CUCINA enoteca
• Dory Deli
• Fig & Olive
• Five Crowns Restaurant
• Fly ‘n’ Fish Oyster Bar & Grill
• Hopdoddy Burger Bar
• Lighthouse Cafe
• Malarky’s Irish Pub
• Mariposa Restaurant
• Modo Mio Rustic Italian Kitchen
• Muldoon’s Irish Pub
• Oak Grill
• Pelican Grill
• Pescadou Bistro
• PizzaBar
• Pizzeria Mozza
• Port Restaurant and Bar
• Provenance
• Red O Restaurant
• Rockin Baja Lobster Coastal Cantina
• Rothschild’s Restaurant
• Roy’s Restaurant
• Royal Thai Cuisine
• Rusty Pelican
• Sam & Harry’s Steakhouse
• Slapfish
• SOL Cocina
• Summer House
• Sushi Roku
• Tackle Box
• The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove
• The Bungalow Restaurant
• The Cannery Seafood of the Pacific
• The Crow Bar & Kitchen
• The Ritz Prime Seafood
• The Village Inn
• The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar
• Tommy Bahama Island Grille
• True Food Kitchen
• Waterline Newport Beach
• Woody’s Warf

Jelly Belly Candy Company Announces Organic Line

By

Robbie Bulus

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January 18, 2016

Jelly Belly Candy Company, the candy maker long known for iconic Jelly Belly jelly beans, brings its reputation for delicious flavors and high quality to the organic snack category with the launch of Organic Jelly Beans in 10 assorted and five sour flavors, and Organic Fruit Flavored Snacks. The new line of USDA-certified organic candy and snacks hits store shelves this winter.

Organic Jelly Beans in the 10-flavor assorted mix will come in Apple, Berry, Blueberry, Cherry, Coconut, Lemon, Orange, Peach, Pear and Strawberry. The collection of five sour flavor varieties will include Apple, Cherry, Lemon, Orange and Berry. Organic Fruit Flavored Snacks are available now in bags with a mix of six favorite fruit flavors: Strawberry, Berry, Lemon, Apple, Orange and Cherry. The line will also include a charming rainforest animal design packaged in boxes with six individual serving size bags in a variety of mixes ideal for lunchboxes, travel and individual snacking.

“Consumers are interested in a wide variety of organic food products. The organic category has steadily grown for the last decade, and we are excited to meet this growing demand with organic gourmet confections and snacks.” Rob Swaigen, vice president of global marketing

All ingredients in these organic lines from Jelly Belly are USDA certified organic, and made with non-GMO ingredients with flavors and colors from natural sources. This is the company’s first organic line.

For information, visit www.jellybelly.com

Pokkén Tournament Launches Exclusively for Wii U on March 18

By

Robbie Bulus

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January 18, 2016

Pokkén Tournament, the upcoming game that lets players battle as prized Pokémon in fighting arenas, will launch exclusively for Wii U on March 18 at a suggested retail price of $59.99. Pokkén Tournament brings high-definition game play and over-the-top action to never-before-seen battles between some of the most recognizable Pokémon characters. People that buy the first production run version of the game will also receive a special Shadow Mewtwo amiibo card, which can be tapped to the Wii U GamePad controller to unlock the Shadow Mewtwo playable character in the game.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Japanese launch of the Pokémon franchise, the original Pokémon games (Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version, as well as Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition) will be available as digital downloads in the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS on Feb. 27 for $9.99 each. That same day, Nintendo will also launch a New Nintendo 3DS Pokémon 20th Anniversary bundle that includes the New Nintendo 3DS system, two Pokémon-themed cover plates (one featuring Charizard and one with Blastoise), an exclusive Pokémon HOME Menu theme and both Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version pre-installed on the system. The bundle will hit stores on Feb. 27 at a suggested retail price of $199.99. That’s a lot of Pokémon goodness!

For more information about Pokkén Tournament, visit http://Pokemon.com/PokkenTournament.

High School Musical Stars Reunite to Celebrate 10th Anniversary

By

Robbie Bulus

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January 17, 2016

Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman — the stars of “High School Musical” — reunite to celebrate the global sensation’s 10-year anniversary during a special telecast of the movie WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20 (8:00 p.m. EST) on Disney Channel. The group taped the nostalgic interstitial segments today at a high school gymnasium in suburban Los Angeles. Their fellow star Zac Efron will join the telecast in a pre-taped message to “High School Musical” fans.

Radio Disney’s Ernie D also interviewed the cast, to be seen during a “Radio Disney Insider” presented Thursday, January 21 on Disney Channel and the Radio Disney app.

Subsequent telecasts of the movie and its sequel, “High School Musical 2,” will be presented Thursday, January 21 and Sunday, January 24 on Disney Channel. Freeform will present “High School Musical” on Saturday, January 23 (4:30 p.m. EST) and Sunday, January 24 (2:00 p.m. EST).

Gary Marsh, President and Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, said, “Seeing the cast of High School Musical back together again reaffirms what made it special 10 years ago. It’s their optimism, their dedication and their extraordinary talent — as a group — that made this such an exceptional movie and cultural phenomenon. Ten years later, the movie continues to delight audiences around the globe, not just for its memorable song and dance numbers, but for its universal themes that continue to resonate with fans everywhere – express yourself, believe in yourself and always follow your dreams.”

Remembered fondly by a generation of kids and families, and renowned for inspiring viewers to learn, engage, explore and participate in music, dance and theater, the now iconic Disney Channel Original Movie premiered January 20, 2006, delivering 7.7 million Total Viewers in the U.S.– at the time, the highest ratings for any telecast ever on Disney Channel. Around the world that year alone, it reached over 100 million unduplicated viewers. It also broke new ground as the first-ever TV movie soundtrack to reach #1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and went on to become the #1 album of 2006 as well as the #1 soundtrack and #1 Kids’ album of that year.

"HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL" 10th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL - The stars of Disney Channel's "High School Musical" - Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Monique Coleman, Corbin Bleu and Lucas Grabeel - reunited in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 17, 2016 to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the global sensation beloved by an entire generation of kids, tweens and parents. Their reunion will be seen during a special 10th anniversary telecast of "High School Musical" to be presented WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel. (Disney Channel/Image Group LA) LUCAS GRABEEL, MONIQUE COLEMAN, VANESSA HUDGENS, ASHLEY TISDALE, CORBIN BLEU — “HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL” 10th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL – The stars of Disney Channel’s “High School Musical” – Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Monique Coleman, Corbin Bleu and Lucas Grabeel – reunited in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 17, 2016 to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the global sensation beloved by an entire generation of kids, tweens and parents. Their reunion will be seen during a special 10th anniversary telecast of “High School Musical” to be presented WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel. (Disney Channel/Image Group LA)
LUCAS GRABEEL, MONIQUE COLEMAN, VANESSA HUDGENS, ASHLEY TISDALE, CORBIN BLEU

“High School Musical,” a contemporary “break into song” production, tells the story of two high school students, Troy, a popular basketball player, and Gabriella, a shy, brainy newcomer, who share a secret passion for singing. When these two seemingly polar opposites decide to join forces and go out for the lead roles in the school musical, it wreaks havoc on East High’s rigid social order. In a desperate effort to maintain the status quo, the school’s various cliques conspire to separate the pair and keep them from performing. But by defying expectations and pursuing their dreams, Troy and Gabriella inspire other students to go public with some surprising hidden talents of their own.

“High School Musical” received two Emmy Awards, the Television Critics Association Award, an Imagen Award (recognizing the positive portrayal of Latinos in entertainment media), a Billboard Music Award for Soundtrack of the Year, an American Music Award and a Producer’s Guild of America Award. Kenny Ortega received a career achievement honor from the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, an Imagen Award, a Diversity Award from the Multicultural Motion Picture Association, an ALMA Award and two Director’s Guild of America (DGA) Awards for the movie.

Disney Theatrical Productions licensed the script for local student theatre productions through Music Theatre International (MTI). In its first 15 months (2006-07), an estimated 2000 middle and high schools produced a licensed amateur stage production of “High School Musical” and a related grant program from Disney and NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation encouraged more kids to get involved in music and the arts. A documentary/musical from Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Barbara Kopple followed the process of Fort Worth, Texas students producing a stage adaptation of “High School Musical.”

The movie also inspired professional touring stage productions, “High School Musical: The Ice Tour” produced by Feld Entertainment, Kenny Ortega and Disney Theatrical Productions, a best-selling junior novel, consumer products, a themed show at Disneyland Parks and Resorts in Anaheim, Orlando and Paris, and a sold-out, 52-date arena concert tour in North America and Latin America.

“High School Musical” stars Zac Efron as Troy Bolton, Vanessa Hudgens as Gabriella Montez, Ashley Tisdale as Sharpay Evans, Corbin Bleu as Chad Danforth, Lucas Grabeel as Ryan Evans and Monique Coleman as Taylor McKessie, Alyson Reed as Ms. Darbus, Olesya Rulin as Kelsi Nielsen, Chris Warren, Jr. as Zeke Baylor and Bart Johnson as Coach Bolton.

“High School Musical” was written by Peter Barsocchini and directed and choreographed by Kenny Ortega. Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush served as the executive producers. “High School Musical” is a production of First Street Films.

New Trailer: Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs

By

Robbie Bulus

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January 15, 2016

Available for the First Time Ever on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA) this Tuesday, January 19th and on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack February 2nd

Featuring In-Depth Brand New Bonus Material Including “In Walt’s Words: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Iconography,” “@DisneyAnimation: Designing Disney’s First Princess,” “The Fairest Facts of Them All: 7 Facts You May Not Know About Snow White,” “Snow White in Seventy Seconds,” “Alternate
Sequence: The Prince Meets Snow White”, the recently discovered and restored Oswald the Lucky Rabbit short “Hungry Hobos” (digital exclusive) and Much More!

The Walt Disney Signature Collection includes groundbreaking films created or inspired by the imagination and legacy of Walt Disney, featuring timeless stories and characters that have touched generations. Each release will offer special features for every member of your family plus a unique digital experience.

10 Cloverfield Lane Trailer

By

Robbie Bulus

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January 15, 2016

Watch the movie trailer for 10 Cloverfield Lane, a new film from J.J. Abrams. 10 Cloverfield Lane is coming to theatres March 11th.

Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Starring: John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Gallagher Jr.
Writers: Josh Campbell & Matthew Stuecken

Disneyland Resort Offers Southern California Residents Special Prices on Tickets

By

Robbie Bulus

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January 11, 2016

The Disneyland Resort is kicking off the new year with a special ticket offer for Southern California residents, just in time to enjoy the thrilling Star Wars Season of the Force at Disneyland Park, all the nighttime excitement of the 60^th anniversary Diamond Celebration and the opening of Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters at Disney California Adventure Park.

The Southern California Resident ticket offer* provides flexible options for two or three days of magic and adventure at special prices. Available for a limited time, the offer has four purchase options:

2-day ticket with choice of one park per day for $149
2-day Park Hopper ticket for $189
3-day ticket with choice of one park per day for $179
3-day Park Hopper ticket for $219.

Guests who choose to visit Disneyland will enjoy all the thrills of Star Wars Season of the Force, an exciting lineup of experiences that celebrate the Star Wars film saga. The lineup includes the Star Wars-themed transformation of Space Mountain into Hyperspace Mountain; new characters and a new adventure among the destinations at Star Tours – The Adventures Continue attraction, and an exciting short film, “Star Wars: Path of the Jedi,” which relives highlights of the Star Wars films. In addition, Star Wars Launch Bay invites guests to encounter that favorite Star Wars pilot Chewbacca, visit a Star Wars-themed cantina, discover authentic replicas of film props, and more. And younglings will learn about conquering their fears in a new show, Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple.

At Super Hero HQ, also in Tomorrowland, guests will learn more about some of their favorite Super Heroes and even encounter Spider-Man and Thor, in person.

After dark in Disneyland, the 60^th Anniversary Diamond Celebration comes to life with the dazzling “Paint the Night,” an all-new electrical parade, and the spectacular “Disneyland Forever” fireworks, an immersive street-to-sky experience like nothing seen before at the Disneyland Resort. The night skies light up in Disney California Adventure with the exciting “World of Color – Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney,” a spectacular that combines water, light, color, lasers, animation, projections and nearly 1,200 dancing fountains.

In Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters will open in early 2016. On this fun, family attraction, guests will join the exciting festivities created by Luigi, a beloved character from the Disney•Pixar blockbuster “Cars” films. Luigi has invited all his cugini (cousins) from Carsoli, Italy, to visit Cars Land and demonstrate the traditional dances of their village. Park guests will hop aboard miniature Italian roadsters – in the style of micro cars — to enjoy the dance and the upbeat singing of Luigi and his cousins. The dance is precision-choreographed across what appears to be a trackless “dance floor.” Each car has its own routine, so guests will be able to enjoy different ride experiences depending on which car they board.

Beginning Jan. 6, 2016, Southern California residents will be able to experience all these attractions and entertainment, along with other beloved experiences at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks, with the special ticket offer.

The 2-day and 3-day Southern California Resident tickets are an ideal way to make unforgettable memories, and are available for a limited time. Southern California residents must purchase tickets from Jan. 6 through May 19, 2016. Tickets expire after May 26, 2016, and blockout dates apply. They can be purchased at http://Disneyland.com/flex, The Disney Stores, Vons and other retail locations, as well as any Disneyland Resort ticket booth. Guests who purchase tickets online may print their tickets at home. When purchased in advance, 3-day tickets include one Magic Morning** early entry to Disneyland Park, which provides an extra hour of play on select days before the park opens to the general public. This benefit is not available to tickets purchased at Disneyland Resort ticket booths.

For restrictions, visit http://Disneyland.com/flex. For park hours and entertainment schedules, guests may review the resort’s daily calendar at Disneyland.com.

Hotel Offers: Special hotel offers are available for guests who want to turn their Disneyland Resort visit into a getaway, including a stay in the middle of the Diamond Celebration at any of the three Disneyland Resort hotels. Guests may save up to 20 percent on premium rooms for select nights at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa or the Disneyland Hotel, and up to 10 percent at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel for travel between January 3 and March 31, 2016, if booked by March 10.*** Disneyland Resort hotel guests also may enjoy Extra Magic Hour** morning admission to a Disneyland Resort theme park on applicable days (valid Theme Park ticket and active hotel room key card required for each guest).

Artist’s Rendering Reveals New Look Coming to Rivers of America

By

Robbie Bulus

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January 11, 2016

The Disneyland Resort is constantly evolving, with the addition of new entertainment and attractions, seasonal overlays for beloved attractions, plus new theming and regular refurbishments.

The ongoing expansion of Disneyland park includes plans for a beautiful new waterfront in Frontierland, along the north bank of the Rivers of America. An artist’s rendering, courtesy of Walt Disney Imagineering, illustrates the stunning new riverbank, complete with an elevated trestle over which the iconic Disneyland Railroad will travel.

RIVERS OF AMERICA — As part of an ongoing, planned expansion at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., the Rivers of America at Disneyland Park will receive a brand-new waterfront, just outside the location of the new Star Wars-themed land. The new riverbank will also feature an elevated trestle over which the iconic Disneyland Resort Railroad will travel. (Disney Parks)

The Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia operate along the Rivers of America. Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island — a mysterious place rumored to have hidden treasure — is surrounded by the river.

The developments along the Rivers of America are in preparation for a new, 14-acare StarWars-themed land, with groundbreaking scheduled for 2016. As the expansion unfolds, Disneyland guests will have unique, limited-time opportunities to experience some of their favorite attractions in new ways.

At the Main Street and New Orleans Square Train Stations, guests will be able to get up-close to the historic steam engines that have circled Disneyland for decades, learning more about these fascinating machines firsthand from the train engineers.

Switzerland's Lake Geneva & Matterhorn Region

By

Greg Aragon, Writer Greg's Getaway

-

January 9, 2016

The New Year is here and it is time to inventory all the exciting getaways lined-up on my 2016 calendar. Some are penciled-in and some are in ink. One trip that falls in the latter category is a return to Switzerland this spring to experience the Lake Geneva & Matterhorn Region.

This fascinating region stretches from the metropolis of Geneva to Lausanne, through the charming Montreux Riviera, across to the iconic Matterhorn and surrounding resorts of Crans-Montana, Leukerbad, Verbier, Saas-Fee and Zermatt. Featuring beautiful lakes, majestic mountains and colorful city life and countryside’s, the area is a veritable microcosm of the country.

Here at the crossroads of Europe, a visitor can find international shopping, world-class culture, famous spas, skiing, vineyards, luxury hotels and charming chalets, and much more. Travelers can also soak in Lake Geneva, the largest freshwater lake in Europe. Famous for steamships that crisscross its waters, the lake is must-see Switzerland.

One of the things I want to do on my upcoming trip is visit the new Charlie Chaplin museum (www.chaplinsworld.ch) that opens this spring in Montreux Riviera. Dedicated to the life and times of the famous American comedian, the museum will boast more than 32,000 sq-ft of Chaplin in a “symbiosis of the scenic, cinematographic, multimedia and virtual world.” The museum will take guests on a tour of Chaplin’s mythical mansion, dubbed Manoir de Ban.

Surrounded by more than 34 acres of gardens, pathways and terraces, the sprawling estate was Chaplin’s home from 1952 until his death in 1977. The entertainer and his wife sold their Beverly Hills home in 1952 and moved to Switzerland after controversy surrounded his re-entry to the US after touring abroad. And while visiting the Chaplin Museum I hope to stay a night at the Modern Times Hotel, which will be part of the museum. Situated in the town of Vevey, the 4-star hotel overlooks Lake Geneva and is scheduled to open next month.

Another interesting gallery slated to open this year in the Montreux Riviera area is the “Nest,” the new Nestlé Museum. The food industry giant is celebrating its 150th anniversary and the new educational and historical complex will stand on the site where Henri Nestlé devised his famous Farine Lactée infant cereal in 1866.

From the “Swiss Riviera” of Montreux, I would like to take a train to Lausanne and experience the renovated Royal Savoy Hotel (www.royalsavoy.ch). An iconic Swiss hotel since 1906, the 5-star hotel reopened last November. The historic structure resembles a castle and sits in the center of the city, surrounded by parks and wonderful landscape views. Later this year the hotel will open a new spa and swimming pool to compliment its luxurious accommodations, gourmet dining options and attractive location.

While staying at the Royal Savoy, I hope to take a train and then a mountain cable car to Glacier 3000 (www.glacier3000.ch/en) to experience the “Peak Walk by Tissot,” the first and only suspension bridge to connect two mountain peaks. Opened in 2014, the 107-meter-long suspension bridge connects the mountain station with the Scex Rouge’s summit at 3,000 meters above sea level. Glacier 3000 is a company that operates cable cars in the Diablerets region. The Glacier 3000 station offers memorable views of Oldenhorn, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and numerous other Swiss mountain peaks. And the “Peak Walk by Tissot” is a great, albeit scary, way to see them.

The Lake Geneva & Matterhorn Region is at the center of an efficient national network of trains, cable cars and turn-off-the-century steamers, providing seamless transportation to every corner of the region. The Swiss National Railway system provides connections to every major city in Switzerland and throughout Europe, and Swiss International Airlines, along with other major carriers depart daily from Los Angeles to Geneva. For more information on visiting Switzerland, visit: www.MySwitzerland.com

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Switzerland's Lake Geneva & Matterhorn Region

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