Disney Interactive revealed details for Marvel Battlegrounds, the upcoming Play Set for Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition, featuring a new four-player, arcade brawler style of gameplay, and an original Marvel storyline. Developed by United Front Games, in partnership with Avalanche Software, Marvel Battlegrounds is the first Disney Infinity Play Set to feature four-player gameplay. With full compatibility for all Disney Infinity Marvel characters, Marvel Battlegrounds features the widest selection of playable characters of any previous Play Set.
“With Disney Infinity 3.0, we’ve aimed to provide a wider variety of gameplay than ever before, and the Marvel Battlegrounds Play Set represents our commitment to developing something entirely new for our players,” said John Blackburn, SVP & GM of Disney Infinity. “The four-player arena style combat gameplay is a perfect way for friends and families to come together and play in head-to-head battles with some of their favorite Marvel characters.”
Launching in March 2016, Marvel Battlegrounds will feature Hulkbuster, Ultron and Captain America – The First Avenger, a new version of Captain America with a new pose, costume and enhanced abilities. Additional Marvel Battlegrounds figures will be announced in the coming months. All Disney Infinity (2.0 Edition) Marvel figures will be playable in the Play Set and will feature adapted abilities and skills to complement the new style of gameplay of Marvel Battlegrounds.
“We worked closely with the Disney Infinity development team to come up with new gameplay and storyline for Marvel Battlegrounds that is unique to the platform,” said Jay Ong, VP of Games, Marvel Entertainment. “We’ve created an authentic Marvel story that will give players the freedom to choose any Marvel figure in Disney Infinity and have them face off against each other in an arena style combat.”
In the original storyline, Ultron teams up with Loki in an effort to steal Asgard’s immensely powerful Infinity Stone. To accomplish this, Ultron and Loki create robotic replicas of the famed Marvel Super Heroes and turn them against each other in an effort to distract them while they commit their crime. The Marvel Super Heroes duplicates battle each other in iconic environments such as a wrecked Brooklyn train yard, Wakanda and S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Lunar Base, culminating in a universe-shaking battle against Ultron.
TravelChannel.com has named the “Travel’s Best: Halloween Attractions” for 2015 with 10 hair-raising haunted houses and spooky surroundings that have been outfitted with new rooms, heart-pounding rides and ghoulish creatures.
TravelChannel.com editors enlisted a panel of experts to help determine the 10 best Halloween attractions for 2015, including: Larry Kirchner (owner and publisher, Hauntworld.com and “HauntWorld Magazine”), Aaron Sagers (geek culture and paranormal pop culture expert) and Daniel A. Schwartz (executive producer, “Ghost Adventures” and “Expedition Unknown”).
2015 “Travel’s Best: Halloween Attractions” (in alphabetical order):
13th Gate – Baton Rouge, La.
13th Gate in Baton Rouge, La., a “Travel’s Best: Halloween Attractions” pick for the second year in a row, revamps its 13 different themes each year to keep revelers frightened with the unexpected. New haunts this year include Possession, an old cabin infested with demonic entities; Scary Tales, a new feature that pays homage to the famous Grimm Fairy Tales, but with a 13th Gate twist; and Necropolis, a haunted cemetery that opens with an updated voodoo fire show and a few new surprises throughout the 40,000-square-foot, New Orleans-style graveyard. 13th Gate is one of the most detailed haunted houses in America – so realistic that you will scream for mercy.
The Corn Maze at Oakes Farm – Knoxville, Tenn.
The Corn Maze at Oakes Farm is a less scary, kid-friendly attraction for families who live near Knoxville, Tenn. After 15 years, this Halloween may mark the last time locals and tourists will be able to take the creepy journey at night through 4-acres of corn and woods, also known as the Trail of Doom. The crackle of corn under your feet is normally a delightful sound, but after several hours in the corn maze, if you happen to find yourself lost — you may find the sound more creepy than comforting. The farm’s most popular attraction, the corn pit, has doubled in size this year for kids and adults to roll around and bury themselves in the thousands of corn kernels that pack this fun play area.
The Darkness – St. Louis
Updated with new features, including a haunted library filled with evil spirits, The Darkness is one of the oldest running haunted houses in St. Louis. The owners have created the new Scream Zone – equipped with a mega-scream movie wall and roaming zombies, monsters and demons – to keep the crowd waiting outside preoccupied. And inside, it’s two floors of special effects and more! The 3D Haunted House Terror Visions has floating floors, moving walls and creepy clowns lurking around every dark corner. It’s definitely not for trick-or-treaters who can’t handle unexpected thrills. With over 200 animations, 75 CGI effects, hundreds of zombies, monsters, man-eating puppets and animated effects that grab and bite customers, The Darkness is considered one of America’s most technologically advanced haunted houses in America. Be prepared to get spooked!
Eastern State Penitentiary’s Terror Behind the Walls – Philadelphia
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Eastern State Penitentiary’s Terror Behind the Walls has become a premier Halloween attraction in the United States (it was named to our “Travel’s Best: Halloween Attractions” list in 2013). Once the home to imprisoned bank robber Willie Sutton and mob boss Al Capone, this penitentiary utilizes its already spooky surroundings to create six different scare zones, including two groundbreaking attractions this year – Quarantine 4D and Breakout. In Quarantine 4D, visitors must face their fears after learning of an infectious outbreak with symptoms that include hallucinations, blurry vision and other mind-altering effects. In Breakout, inmates – and visitors – attempt to gain their freedom, using barrels, ropes, tunnels and ladders.
Fear Factory – Salt Lake City
Fear Factory is one of those rare locations in the United States, where the history is even more terrifying that what’s depicted in the haunted house. Located on two and a half acres, or a full-city block, in Salt Lake City, Fear Factory features a post-apocalyptic setting with underground tunnels, towers, mazes and two of the largest indoor slides in North America. Formerly a cement factory built in the late 1800s, Fear Factory is also a popular spot for paranormal investigators because the ghosts of several former workers – who were electrocuted, dismembered, beheaded and burned – are rumored to still haunt the factory today.
The Haunted Trail of Balboa Park – San Diego
Set in the middle of San Diego is Balboa Park, an idyllic escape from life in the city, but when the sun goes down, the monsters emerge on the mile-long Haunted Trail. This attraction changes every season, so regular patrons won’t anticipate the unexpected creatures ready to pounce from the deepest, darkest corners. As you step into the darkness, you’ll need to escape the vampires hiding in the shadows and beware of creepy characters and horror movie legends such as Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees. If that’s not enough to spook you, the psychological terrors will make you want to flee. We recommend wearing good running shoes.
Hundred Acres Manor – Pittsburgh
Hundred Acres Manor offers six haunted houses in one location and has been terrifying victims for over a decade. With nearly 200 actors, you never know when the next scare is going to jump out at you. New this year, the Vodou Bayou takes visitors on a tour through the Deep South, where the spirits of the bayou beckon, the stitchers want your body and the priestess wants your soul. But, there’s a glimmer of light in the darkness, this is a charity scary attraction that donates to Homeless Children’s Education Fund and Animal Friends.
Lord Chaz Ghost and Vampire Tours – New Orleans
Lord Chaz Ghost and Vampire Tours in New Orleans dish out some Halloween scares with a serving of history and a side of theater. Clad in a black duster with a top hat and razor-sharp nails, Lord Chaz – actor, author, musician, street performer and vampire – provides guided tours of the French Quarter year round, but are best experienced in October. Haunted history aficionados start at Johnny White’s Hole in the Wall on Bourbon Street and listen to Chaz talk about the infamous murders, suicides and tragedies that have inspired well-renowned authors such as Anne Rice. Factual, but filled with panache and humor, this tour is certainly one of the most unique Halloween experiences.
Netherworld – Atlanta
Netherworld, another returning “Travel’s Best: Halloween Attractions” pick from 2014, rolled out two new features for 2015, including the Elevator of Death – where up to 20 people can ride the elevator down to Vault 13, but be prepared for the flickering lights and a bumpy descent. Then, make your way to the new Toxic Foam Room, where patrons step into this one-of-a-kind decontamination chamber after exiting Vault 13. Getting soaked with fresh bubbles down a long hall may not be scary, but it’s popular among regular customers.
Robert Kurtzman’s Mad FX Lab – Crestline, Ohio
Makeup-effects master Robert Kurtzman is known for his work in blockbuster movies such as From Dusk Till Dawn, Army of Darkness, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare and John Carpenter’s Vampires. Every year, fans converge on the Mad FX Lab in Crestline, Ohio, to walk through the alien lab, Freddy’s Tunnel, the home of Leatherface and the Butcher’s Room. Kurtzman and his associates apply their creative skills and imagination to this unique haunt, bringing Hollywood-caliber frights to the locals of this small town. Expect the element of surprise as evil clowns, werewolves, zombies and other creatures run free in this attraction’s amazing alternate realities, including the cemetery, the Carnevil and the Cabin in the Woods.
“The Good Dinosaur” asks the question: What if the asteroid that forever changed life on Earth missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct? Pixar Animation Studios takes you on an epic journey into the world of dinosaurs where an Apatosaurus named Arlo (voice of Raymond Ochoa) makes an unlikely human friend. While traveling through a harsh and mysterious landscape, Arlo learns the power of confronting his fears and discovers what he is truly capable of.
Directed by Peter Sohn and produced by Denise Ream (“Cars 2”), Disney•Pixar’s “The Good Dinosaur” opens in theaters on Nov. 25, 2015.
At the recent media screening of the new Warner Bros. film, PAN. my grand daughters and I enjoyed the opportunity to see the film before the premiere.
The live action feature stars newcomer Levi Miller as a young Peter, along with Hugh Jackson (Blackbeard), Rooney Mara as Tiger Lily and Garrett Hedlund as young James Hook along with a short appearance by Amanda Seyfried as Mary (Peter’s Mom). Rounding out the main characters are Adeel Akhtar (Mr. Smeed) and headmistress, Kathy Burke (Mother Barnabas).
An original adventure about characters created by J.M Barrie brings us the tale of Peter as a youngster and the series of events that led to his life on Neverland.
The film starts out in England, 1920s era, where a young woman makes her way through the dark streets. She finally arrives at her destination where she is seen saying good bye to a baby in a basket, placing a pan flute necklace on him and tucking a note into the fold of his blanket. A note that promises Peter she will see him again in this world or another.
Fast forward 12 years and into the middle of World War II. Peter and his best friend, Nibs (played by Lewis McDougall) have grown up in the Lambeth Home for Boys, a dark and ugly orphanage run by nuns, included the heartless head nun, Mother Barnabas (Kathy Burke). After Peter and Nibs have a run in with the headmistress, they are plucked out of their beds in the middle of the night. Nibs jumps “ship” but Peter stays onboard and is taken to Neverland. Here along with boys of all ages, shapes and size, he must slave away, for Blackbeard and his team of pirates, working the mines in search of pixum, the stone from which pixie dust is created. The magical dust used by the fairies of Neverland is slowly being mined by Blackbeard’s “crew”. When an incident, brings Peter front and center to the attention of the feared leader, Blackbeard, it is discovered that he may be the chosen one sent to overthrow the notorious pirate and save Neverland. Learning his mother may be alive and living in Neverland, Peter with the help of his new friend, James Hook and Mr. Smeed must escape the mines. Running for their lives with Blackbeard’s henchmen in pursuit, they meet Tiger Lily and together, they help Peter find his true destiny and become the hero we all know as “Peter Pan”
Director, Joe Wright and his team of award winning producers, writers and creative team members, brings movie viewers an incredible new story. The costumes, the sets and the fight scenes bring us into a magical land full of fairies, pirates, and pixie dust. A fight scene between Blackbeard and Tiger Lily on board a floating pirate ship as well as the fight between Hook and one of the members of Tiger Lily’s tribe had audience on the edge of our seats. Seeing the fairies and “Tink” was a high point in the film for my granddaughters. While floating ships including the enormous Queen Anne’s Revenger (Blackbeard’s ship) as well as the Ranger and Hook’s Jolly Roger made the adventures all the more visually amazing for me.
Recently I had the opportunity to visit SeaWorld Orlando. I have always enjoyed SeaWorld and love both the shows and the thrill rides. When we arrived the crowds were low and we had no trouble finding seating for any of the shows. All of the rides had reasonable wait times with the highest being ‘Antarctica: Empire of the Penguins,’ which is no surprise considering it’s the newest ride and the only way to see the penguins.
Pets Ahoy
As we entered to park, the closest theater was the Seaport Theater featuring the ‘Pets Ahoy’ show. This show does not feature any sea animals but has a wide array of well trained dogs, cats, rodents, and even a few picks. As well all of the animals featured in the show are rescues. The show is only about fifteen minutes or so but is fun and comedic. not to mention it is indoors so it also provides a refreshing retreat from the Florida heat. another fun part of this show is that afterwards, you can come to the stage to pet and interact with many of the show animals. This may be fun for any children who love dogs or cats.
Clyde & Seamore’s Sea Lion High
The last time I came to SeaWorld, Clyde & Seamore’s was closed due to them changing the show. It seems Clyde and Seamore have given up their days as pirates and are trying to better their education by getting their GED and going to college. When entering the Sea Lion & Otter Theater, the Stage has been recreated into a high school-esc setting with lots of vibrant colors. The show is comedic, poking fun at highschool stereotypes, while entertaining you with the many new and old tricks performed by Clyde, Seamore, and the many other animals in the show such as the cute little sea otter, Opie. While I do miss the pirates, the show is very good.
Blue Horizons
Of all the shows, the dolphin show has always proved to be my favorite. It’s probably because I’ve always secretly wanted to be a dolphin trainer though. Even today this still holds true. The dolphin show has a great blend of animal tricks and human acrobatic performances. The show tells the story of a young girl named Marina how can travel magical places as she interacts, plays, and even rides some of the dolphins! Overall the show features a diverse performances and an intriguing story.
One Ocean
A big show with a big message. The Orca show is the largest show at SeaWorld, featuring their largest animals too! Watch as Orcas do flips, wave ‘hello’, interact, and even make a splash! of course while entertaining us, the show also sends a message of the importance of ocean protection and conservation.
Of course Seaworld is know for more than just its shows too! SeaWorld also is home to two of the best roller coasters in Orlando. Since opening, Kraken has been named one of the best coasters in the world. Featuring the first floorless coaster concept. This coaster is fast and fun! Kraken also has always been my favorite roller coaster ever! The second coaster is Manta. Once strapped into Manta, you are rotated onto your stomach! the ride then loops you and turns you through its track until you are turned upright at the end of the ride! Another exciting ride there is Journey to Atlantis! This ride combines the concepts of a flume ride with a roller coaster. Hop into your boat and take a journey through the heart of Atlantis, but beware for what else may be lurking there. Of course, work on SeaWorld’s new ride, Mako, A high speed hypercoaster could also be observed in the back of the park.
Along with thrill rides, SeaWorld also features many attractions that even the less timid can enjoy. Turtle Trek takes you on a 360 degree view of the life of a sea turtle hatchling. from inside the egg, to all over the vast ocean, you get a first hand view of the life of a baby sea turtle. At the end of this show you also get to view the rescued sea turtles and manatees! If seeing the animals is what you enjoy, you should also Shark Encounter. In this attraction, you go underwater through a glass dome to observe many species of sharks.
During the Day we ate at two different locations. The first being the popular Voyager’s Smokehouse. The food was delicious and the theme was also very good. unfortunately the restaurant seemed to majorly lacked in vegetarian/vegan options. The second place we ate was Mango Joe’s because they offered a Vegetarian black bean burger. The restaurant was a standard quick service style. really no notable theme but the outside eating area was nice. The food was okay but the buns had a weird taste.
Overall we had a joyous day at SeaWorld! I Enjoy this park, but it is not somewhere I feel I need to visit more than once a year. I absolutely love all the shows. I also find their thrill rides , such as Kraken, to be some of the best. this SeaWorld had a lot of fun dimensions to it that will ensure to entertain those of all ages!
Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax is a fighting game released on the Playstation 3 and Playstation Vita Platforms. This game features a variety of playable characters from different anime series such as Sword Art Online, Black Bullet, Oreimo, Accel World, Strike the Blood and many others as well as a major cast of supporting characters. The game features a couple of modes to play in: story mode, which includes Dream Mode and Arcade Mode; there is also a local and network versus mode which were all fun to play with.
This game is very reminiscent of the games you play at an arcade and like them I found myself getting engrossed by how easily you’re able to string combos and pull off special moves (or button smash if that’s your thing). If fighting games you’re your thing and you love to figure out how to pull off a string of combos then this game may be for you; the amount of different supporting characters as well as playable characters allow a great variety in how you play and the timing of combos can become crucial. I didn’t realize this until I checked out the online versus mode and had my opponent completely annihilate me since they had a much better grasp on the timing.
The arcade story mode has an endearing message dealing with dreams and never losing hope; I won’t go into much detail but it was delightful but pretty cheesy story. I was disappointed that the story line is pretty much the same with each character that is chosen except the only difference is the dialogue your chosen character says but otherwise there is not much variation. However, there is a dream mode that does vary depending on who you choose. This mode is fun, but at times I don’t really see the purpose of it or how the characters correlate.
If you enjoy fighting games or are a fun of the anime series then this game will be good for you; not for the story mode, but for battling your friends or playing in ranked matches. I found myself enjoying the game a lot more when I was trying to figure out different combos to defeat my opponents. The button inputs are simple but it all winds down to your play style and figuring out the timing to things. Overall this game is pretty fun but may not be for everyone.
There is a spot in Del Mar, where an old train bridge meets the beach and crosses over rocky cliffs and a dusty trail lined with flowers and coastal vegetation. It is a spot any photographer would cherish. I discovered this magical vista and much more on a recent getaway to the Southern California seaside paradise
My Fall adventure began when a friend and I pulled into Hotel Indigo Del Mar, a luxurious boutique resort set on the beach. Here we checked into a beautiful ocean-front suite with a hip, studio beach apartment vibe. Like the entire property, the room featured contemporary decor with hardwood floors, beach themed murals on the walls, California-inspired art and granite counters.
The room came with a king bed, sleeper sofa, large flat-screen TV, free wireless Internet, comfortable bathroom, and a kitchen area with microwave, mini-fridge, sink and stove, and a granite bar. The suite also boasted a large surfing mural on the living room wall, and a balcony with a table and chairs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the hotel pool.
The ocean was so alluring that once unpacked with drove about a mile and parked along the side of the road and walked to Del Mar Beach, which Time Magazine recently ranked as one of the “100 Greatest Beaches in the World.” To get to the water, we followed a dirt trail bounded by rocky cliffs overlooking the water.
As we followed the path, we came to a giant wooden eagle carved into a tree, looking over the cliffs of Del Mar and the Pacific Ocean. Continuing on we came to North Torrey Pines Bridge, a majestic concrete structure stretching over the rustic trail, against a backdrop of rolling hills and lush canyons, beach and ocean. This spot is beautiful, but if the sky is right, and you wait for an Amtrak train to pass under the bridge, you can get a picture to truly remember.
After admiring the scene, we made our way to the beach, laid out our blanket and relaxed for a couple hours, napping and playing in the water.
For dinner we hit the hotel’s signature restaurant, the Ocean View Bar and Grill, where acclaimed executive chef Joshua Soth creates delicious new and modern classics. Here, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, we enjoyed a beautiful sunset meal on the outdoor terrace. We began with lightly breaded crab cakes with avocado and chipotle aioli and couple glasses of smooth and elegant Oberon Oregon Merlot wine with hints of black cherry.
For the main course I went with the exciting and tasty fisherman’s pasta, with shrimp, calamari, local fish and penne pasta tossed in butter wine sauce with spinach, roasted peppers and caramelized onions. My friend with super tender braised short ribs in a succulent cabernet sauvignon demi-sauce on top of mashed cauliflower and fingerling potatoes. We concluded dinner with New York cheesecake with seasonal berries and a memorable sunset falling in the ocean right in front of the hotel.
Fall is a great time to visit Del Mar. Not only is the weather perfect, but there are also lots of fun things to see and do. Besides the beaches and world-famous Del Mar Racetrack, there is also lots of art galleries, gourmet restaurants and renown shopping. In fact, Del Mar Plaza is a European-style outdoor marketplace that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and boasts a myraid of unique shops and galleries, and an elegant atmosphere of fountains, sculptures and palazzo-style terraces with spectacular views of the Southern California coast.
For more information on visiting Del Mar, visit: www.dreamdelmar.com. Hotel Indigo Del Mar is located at 710 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014. For more information and reservations, call 877-8-INDIGO (877 846 3446) or visit: www.hotelindigosddelmar.com/
Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media (DCPI) and Hasbro, Inc. launched Playmation Marvel’s Avengers – the next step in the evolution of play. The groundbreaking system of connected toys and wearables fuses technology and digital storytelling to create a completely new category of play. Hitting shelves across the U.S. and Canada for the first time today, the new toy/game hybrid aims to inspire both kids and parents to get active and creative at playtime.
Dreamed up by a team of technologists, Imagineers and storytellers from across The Walt Disney Company, Playmation is the culmination of extensive research into the world of play, highlighting the opportunity for a new type of experience that combines digital technology and physical, real-world play.
The online study of 2,000 families across the country confirms that almost all parents believe active playtime is essential to their child’s healthy development, and three say that using technology is a favorite way for their child to play. Four out of five parents say their children are more likely to engage with a game if technology is involved, and nine out of ten are open to new technologies that encourage their kids to be more active.
“Playmation blends technology, storytelling and imagination in a way that’s made for today’s digitally-savvy kids. Our research shows families are looking for a new way to play that’s active, creative and technology-infused – and Playmation is just that,” said Nitin Chawla, Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, DCPI.
The study also revealed the potential of Playmation as a new way for families to play together, with 67% of kids and 79% of parents saying they would like more playtime as a family. While active play is the type of play parents enjoy the most with their kids, currently only one in five finds time for it every day, and three quarters would like to do more of it. Nearly all parents (98%) also believe it is important that their children engage in imaginative play.
Recently added to Time To Play Magazine’s “Most Wanted” list for the holidays, along with other holiday “hot toy” accolades from Parents magazine, Toys “R” Us, The Toy Insider and the National Parenting Publication Awards, the Playmation Marvel’s Avengers Starter Pack includes five connected toys: one piece of Avenger Gear (Repulsor), two Power Activators and two Smart Figures – a Super Hero (Captain America) and a Super Villain (Iron Skull), as well as 25 missions. Getting started is easy, strap the high-tech Repulsor Gear onto your arm (it fits adults, too!) and listen closely to JARVIS as he takes you through the tutorial on how to control your new Gear, inspired by Iron Man technology.
“This is classic play re-imagined for the tech-savvy world. It’s narrative-based, imaginative play that allows kids to play as their heroes and imagine themselves in battles alongside their favorite Marvel Avengers characters. The immersive play experience is active and exciting for kids of all ages and represents a completely new category of toys,” said Jim Silver, Editor in Chief and CEO of TTPM.
Additional connected toys available now include: Smart Figures – Iron Man, Black Widow, HULK, M.O.D.O.K., Ultron Bot, and Hulkbuster – which help players unlock new storylines and abilities when placed on the Power Activator and connected with Avenger Gear; and the Prowler Bot – a robotic villain – who can find and hunt your Avenger Gear with 360 degree movement, while taking on dozens of enemy personas and abilities making game play even more challenging.
Along with the Starter Pack and other connected toys, fans can download and access theAvengersNet App where you can register your Avenger Gear to see progress, explore additional locations and characters, check out and test Avenger Gear upgrades, gain access to new missions and more. The AvengersNet App is available in the Apple App Store. An Android version of the app is currently in development.
Playmation Marvel’s Avengers uses familiar technologies including smart toys, wearables, wireless technology, motion sensors and more, but applies them in ways that are completely new to create a compelling play experience. Playmation is purposely not tethered to an Internet connection so players can run around and explore each adventure from anywhere they want – a bedroom, living room or yard. With multiplayer modes, players can sync their Avenger Gear to tackle missions and combat arenas together, or face-off in competitive play.
“With the launch of Playmation, we are not only creating a new play experience for today’s kids but celebrating a new chapter in our long-term partnership with Disney,” said Jerry Perez, SVP Global Brand Marketing, Hasbro. “Playmation has been a true collaboration, from global consumer research to product design and development, and we look forward to sharing this amazing new system of play with kids and families around the world.”
The Playmation Marvel’s Avengers Starter Pack has a suggested retail price of $119.99 and is available in the United States and Canada at mass and specialty retailers, such as Amazon.com, Best Buy, Game Stop, Target, Toys “R” Us, and Walmart, as well as select Disney Store locations and DisneyStore.com. Additional Playmation Marvel’s Avengers connected toys compatible with the Starter Pack, such as Smart Figures and the Prowler Bot are also sold separately.
Offered by PowerA, families can also choose from a selection of Playmation recharging solutions and accessories now available, including:Playmation Home Base – to store your gear in between battles; Playmation Avengers Lab Gear Bag – for taking your gear on-the-go; Playmation Repulsor Recharge Pack – provides up to five hours of play on a single charge and fits securely onto the bottom of the Repulsor; and Playmation Activator Recharge Pack –fits securely onto the bottom of the Power Activator and provides up to 10 hours of play on a single charge.
Families that are coming to the Disney Store to pick up Playmation Marvel’s Avengers (either from pre-orders or to purchase that day), will be given the opportunity to participate in a personalized pick-up ceremony taking place in select Disney Stores across the United States and Canada beginning now through the holidays. When guests purchase Playmation Marvel’s Avengers, JARVIS will make an announcement in-store thanking guests for choosing to help the Avengers in their fight against Ultron.
CHOC Children’s and Disneyland Resort, two beloved Southern California icons devoted to the happiness and well being of children, will come together on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015 to present the heart-warming annual CHOC “Walk in the Park.” This year’s event is all the more special as CHOC “Walk in the Park” commemorates its 25th silver anniversary against the sparkling backdrop of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration.
CHOC “Walk in the Park,” presented by the Disneyland Resort, is the largest and most unique single pediatric walk event in the nation. Among the event’s estimated 15,000 walkers are participants from across the U.S. and around the world, including Canada, Mexico, Australia and Japan.
Reaching this year’s goal of $2.5 million will represent a cumulative sum of $25 million raised since the Walk’s inception in 1990. Money generated by the Walk supports a variety of patient and family programs, as well as education, research, and the development and adoption of the latest technologies to advance the health of CHOC patients.
The 2015 Walk covers three miles through Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park where “CHOC walkers” get a special peek at the magic of the Disneyland Resort before the parks open to the general public. At the end of the 5k walk, the event continues in the resort’s Downtown Disney District where event sponsors, hospital support groups, shops and restaurants have special offers for participants.
Love, joy, gratitude and remembrance will fill Main Street, U.S.A as Walk participants celebrate the lives of children saved by CHOC Children’s, and honor the memory of those children who bravely lost their battles against serious diseases or illnesses. Nearly 1,000 teams are expected, and include current and former patients and families, as well as doctors, nurses and other medical professionals.
Another way for people to support the event is to register for the Walk as a “Sleeping Bear.” A nod to CHOC’s mascot, Choco, this special designation allows CHOC supporters who cannot make it on Walk day to still raise money and support CHOC Children’s. “Sleeping Bears” receive a CHOC Walk T-shirt and are eligible to earn prizes from their fundraising efforts. Information on how to become a “Sleeping Bear” can be found on the CHOC “Walk in the Park” homepage under “Register.”
“I want to thank everyone who has helped to make CHOC Walk such a beloved and highly anticipated annual event over the past 25 years,” said Kimberly Chavalas Cripe, president and CEO, CHOC Children’s. “With everyone’s support, I know we will reach our $3 million goal for 2015. We especially appreciate the support and love shown to our patients and their families from our valued teams, corporations, sponsors and our dear friends at Disneyland Resort. Their support is an incredible way to mark the Walk’s silver anniversary.”
“For more than five decades, the Disneyland Resort has been a proud supporter of CHOC Children’s,” said Michael Colglazier, president of the Disneyland Resort. “We congratulate them for the incredible work they continue to do for children and families throughout our community, and we look forward to hosting their largest fundraising event, CHOC Walk in the Park, once again on our property.”
The popular Walk is the biggest annual fundraising effort for CHOC Children’s, a regional pediatric health care system that includes two hospitals, many primary and specialty care clinics, and four clinical centers of excellence – the CHOC Children’s Heart, Neuroscience, Orthopaedic and Hyundai Cancer Institutes.
Event and registration information can be found at www.chocwalk.org and real-time event information can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
CHOC Children’s is a regional pediatric health care system that includes two hospitals, many primary and specialty care clinics, and four clinical centers of excellence – the CHOC Children’s Heart, Neuroscience, Orthopaedic and Hyundai Cancer Institutes. Walt Disney was a champion for CHOC and was even on the hospital’s first board of directors more than 50 years ago.
The 2015 Walk covers three miles through Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park where “CHOC walkers” get a special peek at the magic of the Disneyland Resort before the parks open to the general public. At the end of the 5k walk, the event continues in the resort’s Downtown Disney District where event sponsors, hospital support groups, shops and restaurants have special offers for participants.
There are many great reasons for families to take part in the CHOC Walk, including the following:
1. Participating in the CHOC Walk and supporting CHOC Children’s is an opportunity to carry on Walt Disney’s passion for supporting the health and wellness of the children in the community surrounding the Disneyland Resort and the advancement of pediatric medicine. Raising money for CHOC Children’s provides parents the opportunity to teach their children about the importance of helping others, as monies raised through supporting the CHOC Walk help to support the research conducted at and care provided by CHOC Children’s, as well as the hospital’s world-class programs sought after by families throughout the country.
2. By raising money for the CHOC Walk, Walkers can earn prizes, including free Disneyland Resort tickets that can provide a cost-saving option for families planning a Disneyland Resort vacation. Participants who raise between $375 and $599 earn one Disneyland Resort 1-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket. Participants who raise $600 or more earn two Disneyland Resort 1-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Tickets.
3. By participating in the Walk, families are not only helping to further CHOC’s mission, they are also able to gain a unique look at the Disneyland Resort through the Walk experience, purchase reduced-rate group ticket admission for the parks as part of the perks of participating in the Walk and enjoy special discounts in Downtown Disney the day of the Walk. Together, all of these make the CHOC Walk an ideal time to plan a family getaway or stay cation to the Disneyland Resort.
In order to purchase the reduced-rate group tickets, Walkers must present their CHOC Walk In the Park wristband at a Disneyland Resort Ticket Booth to purchase a special CHOC-Tober Disneyland Resort 1-Day Park Hopper ticket for $81 or a 1-Day 1-Park Ticket for $51 for use on the day of the walk or another visit to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. A maximum of 5 tickets may be purchased per wristband. The offer is valid on 10/11/2015 and tickets expire 11/6/2015.
Event and registration information can be found at www.chocwalk.org and real-time event information can also be found on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The hidden gem of New York has made its hilarious return to Orange County with a brief run in the beautiful Samueli Theater at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Forbidden Broadway has been around since the early 80’s with many renditions parading much of today’s most popular Broadway hits. It’s an outrageously funny show that left many of us with tears from laughter. This is the definition of “laugh out loud” funny! It’s a show for anyone that knows even just a little Broadway music or just wants to enjoy a mockery of the unsaid ridiculousness found it popular musicals of today.
While the show is designed truly as a night club performance, it’s the intimacy of the space and the performance that makes it a special night for the audience. The cast of 4 insanely witty and multi-talented characters will wow you with their range, physical humor and comedic timing. Each cast member is very different from the other all attributing to countless acts and characters from a laundry list of different Broadway shows.
Forbidden Broadway hits the ground running with one song after another starting with Annie to a hilariously epic number dedicated to Les Miserables. With the cast of 4 frantically running around and nearly non-stop singing, there is a brief intermission before leading to the likes of Wicked, Once, and The Book of Mormon, just to name a few! Each bit seems equally as funny while the original writer and creator Gerad Alessandrini achieves comedic gold without needing to be crude or vulgar; relatively I guess.
The show truly does not have a plot, but rather the audience is treated to medley of familiar songs all with updated lyrics poking fun at the show it is famous from. It’s downright silly and campy, and that’s okay! Forbidden Broadway isn’t trying to be anything it’s not. The performance are over-the-top, on purpose, but while the singing may not be top-notch it’s still pretty spot on. I had no complaints to how any of the performers sounded and was more impressed with how many different styles they must sing than anything else.
I would expect there may be a few insider references that most wont get, but there is enough other gags and jokes that should have your gut busting with laughter. There is a plethora of bits that work well with many standout performances based off Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Avenue Q and ones previously mentioned.
The cast includes Gina Kreiezmar who has been in the production since 1992, Kevin B. McGlynn, Trisa Rapier, and Marcus Stevens who all have an impressive background including off-Broadway experience. Each one fits their roles impeccably and were a delight the entire show. Without a perfect cast, I can see this show falling flat easily as it’s dependent on just 4 performers and one incredible pianists that plays the entire show. This show featured Catherine Stornetta who is also the mastermind behind the orchestration of Forbidden Broadway as well as the off-shoots Forbidden Hollywood and Forbidden Christmas.
While the show holds it own and has a long history, I also want to mention about the perfect venue at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The Samueli Theater is a multi-purpose venue that does small-stage productions, wedding receptions, special event dinners, and more. It has different configurations including risers, standard rows of chairs, and in this scenario a more night-club set-up with tables for four and nice little flickering battery operated candles in the tables center. It really creates a nice lounge-like setting with concessions being allowed to be brought in. Therefore don’t overly do it with drinks before the show, you can purchase more at the concession stand and enjoy during it. However, they will be at theater prices can put a dent in the wallet.
Ultimately, this is a perfect night out in a great venue. It’s nearly two hours straight of light hearted fun. It’s refreshing to see a show teasing the theater scene yet rewarding as it still evident it’s a bit of a tribute. It’s a clever show that’s been around for awhile for a reason. I can see why it was such a sensation in New York and I look forward to seeing a new rendition in future years.
The show is only playing until October 4th, so while I’m writing this there are only the weekend shows left. Check out scfta.org for more information including a dinner package option with a three course meal at Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge right next door.
Peco Bill Tall Tail Inn at Magic Kingdom has revamped there menu, featuring tasty Tex-Mex cuisine.
New entrees include rice bowls and burritos with your choice of beef, chicken, or veggies. Fajitas sizzle with delicious steak or chicken. For a lighter option, try the Southwest Chicken Salad. Fans of the fixin’s bar needn’t worry, it’s back and better than ever with tasty sauces, salsas, peppers, onions, cheese and more.
Look for traditional tortilla chips and Chicken Enchilada Soup as scrumptious side dishes. For dessert? Mini churros with dipping chocolate and Sopapillas (a crispy, puffy, fried pastry) make for a perfectly sweet ending to your meal.
We are very excited to try out the new menu. What do you think of the new options?
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