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Mac App Review: Kiwi for Gmail

Listen up Gmail users. Wouldn’t it be great if you could access Gmail on your desktop with all of the features (such as tabs, labels and themes), working properly to help you to manage your email? Well, now you can. Zive Inc. has recently launched one of the most expected and highly anticipated Kickstarter products of 2014: Kiwi for Gmail. Founded by Eric Shashoua and Ryan Shetly, the Zive team has created Kiwi to be the fully functional Gmail client for the desktop and finally free Gmail from your browser.

I’ve been using Kiwi for the past week and, by and large, I’m impressed. Here’s why.

The Interface:

Although it may have you fooled at first, Kiwi isn’t yet another browser-clone app with Gmail stuck in a window, a lick of paint and a few features thrown in; nor is it your traditional desktop mail app that does a bit of everything, but nothing quite the way you want it to. No, Kiwi offers the full and unfettered experience specifically tailored to Gmail – meaning that all of Gmail’s features look and work how Google intended them to – all within a desktop app, and free from the potential distractions of your browser.

And it works. Upon launching Kiwi, I was able to quickly and easily configure my Gmail account to work with the software and had my email displayed in seconds. From there, I noticed that everything looked exactly as how I would expect it to look within  the browser, and  all of the features I’ve come to use so much to manage my email- worked without a hitch. I was especially grateful that the priority inbox  (something I prayed any desktop email app would add) was completely functional within Kiwi in helping to focus my attention to the emails that’s most important to me.

Moreover, after some exploring, I decided that I wanted to add two of my other Gmail accounts to the app to really test its limits – and it didn’t disappoint. Switching between accounts in Kiwi is a breeze. The topmost menu bar in Kiwi easily gives users the ability to switch between up to 6 accounts with just one click, and once you log in the first time, you’re done – Kiwi won’t ask you for anymore passwords.

As for shortcuts, the Kiwi menubar icon shows a set of quick launch dropdown-style options that allow you to quickly see how many new messages are contained within each account and open any inbox with a click.

Overall, the interface within Kiwi is nearly identical to Gmail, and will require a very small amount of time to master; learn it once and you’re set.

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Email Management:

In my opinion, one of the most important things from any email app is how fast can you sort and prioritize your email. Speaking from experience, I know that when I see a huge list of emails piled up in front of me – some that are important, some that are advertisements and others that are trash – I tend to enter procrastination mode. The task looks insurmountable and not something I want to spend my time dealing with. Email nowadays needs to be pre-sorted by sophisticated software so that I can quickly move through what’s important and what isn’t.

Well, all of that is already integrated into any standard Gmail account – and now – also into Kiwi. You see, because Kiwi is nearly identical to Gmail’s interface and supports the same features, it can help you to blow past your spam messages and focus on what’s important by making use of the Gmail priority inbox – a feature Google introduced almost five years ago – and something that’s fully supported within Kiwi. The priority inbox feature helps to cut down the amount of time I spend dealing with unimportant messages and drill down to what needs to get done.

Other Features:

Gmail has become one of the most popular email services in the world – and it’s relatively easy to understand why. Over the years, Google has added a myriad of features to Gmail that extend it’s functionality beyond that of a simple mail client.

For instance, with the introduction of Google Drive, Gmail gained the ability to closely interact with files and documents that were created or uploaded to the cloud. It’s a key feature and one that’s necessary for when you just need to send that over-sized file to someone and email is the best way to do it, or when you need to attach that document you spent hours working on, but don’t want the hassle of having to download and the re-upload it as an attachment. Good news is that Kiwi makes attaching large files simple. As a test, I tried sending a 150 MB file to a colleague and Kiwi immediately noticed that I was past the 25 MB upload limit that Gmail imposes on all email attachments. From there, I clicked on the Google Drive button in the compose window and uploaded the entire file to the cloud. From there, I was able to quickly generate a shareable link to send to any contact who needs access to this file– all within Kiwi.

Email is Evolving

With the web growing as rapidly as it is, we are all in a constant state of flux, and email is no different. Today, the modern power use demands more from his/her email application service provider than ever before. Email has become cumbersome and users now want sophisticated software to help them manage their email with efficiency. Although numerous companies have taken steps to introduce new time-saving features and workflows by designing excellent in-browser user interfaces, email management from the desktop has remained largely frozen in an era of email long forgotten and, in my opinion, Kiwi offers an excellent way to fix that.

With an intuitive and easy setup process, streamlined account addition, full feature support and one click access to all your email from your desktop, Kiwi is that modern way to manage email from your desktop.

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Click below to get Kiwi for Gmail on your Mac Now:
Kiwi for Gmail, USD $10. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kiwi-for-gmail/id986304488?ls=1&mt=12
Kiwi for Gmail Lite, Free. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kiwi-for-gmail-lite/id1006184923?ls=1&mt=12

Living La Vida Lompoc

Lompoc has always been a mystery to me – a town I’ve heard of but never visited, a name on road signs along Highway 1, but never a destination. Well this all changed recently when I visited the town for couple nights and discovered a charming town, bubbling with a burgeoning wine industry, an eclectic art scene, gourmet restaurants, and a fascinating history.

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My first major find in Lompoc was Return to Freedom Horse Sanctuary (www.returntofreedom.org), where one can learn about the history and challenges facing wild horses in America. Guests can also take a tour of the ranch and get up close to some of the most unique and beautiful horses around.

At the sanctuary I met founder and president Neda DeMayo, who gave me a tour and a brief lesson of the plight of these magnificent animals. Return to Freedom is dedicated to “preserving the freedom, diversity, and habitat of America’s wild horses through sanctuary, education, and conservation, while enriching the human spirit through direct experience with the natural world.”

Located on 1,500 acres just off of California’s Central Coast, the ranch provides a safe haven to nearly 400 wild horses and 29 burros. The animals were rescued from government round-ups and potential slaughter.

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During my tour DeMayo introduced me to a herd of Choctaw horses, whose roots trace back to the days of Hernando DeSoto in the 1500s and later to the Choctaw Nation Native American tribe of the deep south and Mississippi area.

Other fascinating herds at the ranch include the Wilbur Cruce Spanish Colonial Mission Horses, which are direct descendants of Padre Kino’s original herd who arrived in America from Spain in the late 1600s. They are the only known rancher-strain of pure Spanish horses that persists in the southwest.

After the ranch, I headed back to the Holiday Inn Express, where I had a clean and comfortable suite, with a king bed, mini-fridge, microwave, large flat screen TV, an office area and free hi-speed Internet. Besides a perfect location for exploring Lompoc, the hotel also boasts a heated pool, business center, a fitness room and a tasty, complimentary hot buffet breakfast each morning.

My next stop was a visit to the “Wine Ghetto” – a collection 20 or so tasting rooms offering wines from the nearby Sta. Rita Hills region. For people in the know, the “Ghetto” has become a mecca for world-class, artisan wine production. Thanks to a rare east-west hill orientation and calcium-rich soil composition, Lompoc is a perfect place to produce wine and is in fact, currently making some of California’s best Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and other cool climate wines.

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For dinner I headed across town to La Botte Italian Restaurant (www.labotteitalianrestaurant.com/) for some authentic and delicious Italian food. Opened in 1981 by Nick and Caterina Agate, the restaurant specializes in home-made pasta sauce and specialty dishes from Central and Southern Italy.

My family-styled meal featured local wine and tender Calamari Fritti with tomato sauce, and a plate of sautéed mushrooms. Next I tried the delectable Chicken Piccata, with chicken breast, sauteed in lemon white wine sauce and topped with capers, followed by a memorable dish of Chicken Marsala, with chicken breast sauteed in Marsala wine and mushrooms.

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In the morning I strolled through Old Town Lompoc to examine the city’s renown murals. Painted on nearly 40 structures across town, the Murals of Lompoc tell a story of Lompoc’s heritage, flower industry, historic sites, ethnic diversity, scenic beauty and more.

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One of the biggest and most interesting of the paintings is “Diatomaceous Mining,” located on the old Chamber of Commerce building. This giant abstract mural depicts the city’s rich history of mining the white powdery substance called diatomaceous earth, which is used for everything from filtration purposes to mild abrasives found in toothpastes and cat litter. Another cool mural is “The Boatmen,” painted by artist John Pugh. This colorful piece looks 3D, as it shows a WWII battleship with a Native American boat cutting through its hull. The latter work of art is painted on the wall of Sissy’s Uptown Cafe (www.sissysuptowncafe.com), where I enjoyed a memorable bowl of clam chowder, a roast beef sandwich and a slice of homemade coconut cream pie.

For more information on visiting Lompoc, visit: www.explorelompoc.com.

Pixar Animation Studios To Hit D23 EXPO 2015 Aug. 14–16

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Buzz Lightyear will welcome visitors to D23 EXPO 2015 as Pixar Animation Studios celebrates the 20-year anniversary of Toy Story, among a host of exciting presentations, demonstrations and panels that pay homage to Pixar’s past while looking ahead to its roster of exciting new films. The fearless space ranger, who appeared in Pixar’s groundbreaking CG-animated feature-film debut Toy Story in 1995, as well as Toy Story 2 (1999) and Toy Story 3 (2010), has taken flight in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® six times as a giant character helium balloon, measuring 67.7-feet long, 39.9-feet wide and 34.3-feet tall. This summer, the Disney•Pixar Buzz Lightyear balloon travels to the West Coast for the first time ever, welcoming guests to D23 EXPO 2015 as it soars outside the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday, Aug. 14, 2015. D23 EXPO 2015 takes place through August 16.

CALENDAR OF KEY PRESENTATIONS/ PANELS/ EVENTS:

Every Story Is a Journey: The Upcoming Films of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios
Friday, August 14, 3:00 pm – Hall D23
After meeting the Emotions inside the mind of an 11-year-old, taking a trip to San Fransokyo where a boy genius and his robot save the world, and falling in love with a queen with icy powers who wants to “let it go,” come see where Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios plan to take you next. In what has become a D23 EXPO must-see, host John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, presents “Every Story is a Journey.” Filmmakers will unveil never-before-seen footage from Pixar’s upcoming The Good Dinosaur and Finding Dory and Disney Animation’s Zootopia and Moana. The event will include surprise announcements, musical performances, and appearances by the films’ star voice talent. Cell phones, cameras and all recording devices will be checked for this presentation.

In Conversation with the Filmmakers and the Emotions Behind Inside Out
Friday, August 14, 2015, 11:30 am – Stage 28
Get the inside story on the making of Pixar’s latest summer release Inside Out. Hear from Academy Award®-winning director Pete Docter (Up, Monsters, Inc.) and producer Jonas Rivera (Up) as they reminisce and share their personal stories of creating a world that everyone knows, but no one has ever seen.

Pixar Secrets Revealed! Hear the Stories They Didn’t Want You to Know!
Saturday, August 15, 2015, 3:00 pm – Stage 28
Ever wonder where your favorite Pixar stories began? Hear the stories you don’t know about the classic films that you love. Pixar senior development executive Mary Coleman hosts this experience, welcoming the storytellers behind some of Pixar’s most successful films, including Darla K. Anderson (A Bug’s Life, Monsters, Inc., Cars, Toy Story 3), Mark Andrews (The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Brave), Ronnie del Carmen (Up, Inside Out) and Dan Scanlon (Cars, Toy Story 3, Monsters University), as they talk about the twists and turns of crafting a narrative and share some of the crazy story ideas that didn’t make the final cut.

Toy Story: 20 Years Later, the Original Crew Looks Back
Saturday, August 15, 2015, 4:30 pm – Stage 23
From flipbooks to feature films, animation has taken audiences to fantastical new worlds, far beyond the limits of any real-world setting. Pixar Animation Studios has been at the forefront of this evolution, blurring the line between art and technology and bringing beloved characters to life with heart and humor. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of 1995’s Toy Story, the first computer-animated feature film, join members of the original crew, including filmmakers John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich, Galyn Susman, Ralph Eggleston, Sharon Calahan, Eben Ostby, Bob Pauley and Bill Reeves as they share their stories and the challenges they faced along the way.

ON THE EXPO SHOW FLOOR:

Animation – Show Floor Exhibition
For the first time ever, Pixar Animation Studios is creating a show-floor experience at D23 EXPO. Pixar teams up with Walt Disney Animation Studios for an unforgettable adventure that showcases magic from both animation studios, featuring live demonstrations, presentations and autograph signings with top filmmakers, free giveaways and interactive displays. With highlights from films like Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur, Zootopia, Finding Dory and Moana, animation fans will get the inside scoop on their favorite films and characters.

Say Aloha to John Lasseter’s Film-Themed Hawaiian Shirts
Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios John Lasseter takes Disney and Pixar animation to heart—literally. For nearly every film—from Finding Nemo and Wreck-It Ralph to Frozen and Inside Out, Lasseter has commissioned an exclusive movie-themed Hawaiian shirt. And those who know the Oscar®-winning storyteller know that he loves his Hawaiian shirts—and dons one for almost every occasion. Animation fans will see their favorite film characters “materialize” before their eyes in this colorful collection, which will be exhibited on the show floor.

Fans can take home their own shirt, thanks to Disney Store at D23 EXPO. This D23-exclusive Reyn Spooner-design features characters from all the feature films produced under the creative guidance of Lasseter. The simple, appealing collage joins many of Disney’s and Pixar’s most beloved recent characters on one wearable canvas. The shirt will retail for $99.95.

Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Through June 30, 2015, tickets are $67 for a one-day adult admission and $48 for children 3–12. Tickets for members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club are $58 for a one-day adult admission and $42 for children. Multi-day money-saving tickets are also available. D23 Members can save as much as $188 off the price of admission, based on the purchase of four three-day tickets at the D23 Member rate. For more information on tickets and the ticket pricing structure for D23 Members and general admission, visit D23EXPO.com.

LEGO Batman: Beyond Gotham for iOS – AVAILABLE NOW

The best-selling LEGO Batman franchise returns in an out-of-this-world, action-packed adventure! Play as Batman and join forces with characters from the DC Comics universe as you blast off to outer space to stop the evil Brainiac from destroying Earth.

100+ PLAYABLE CHARACTERS
Play and unlock more than 100 characters with amazing powers and abilities, including members of the Justice League, BIG LEGO Figures such as Solomon Grundy, Lantern heroes and villains, and much more. Note: all characters and abilities can be earned without additional purchases.

UNLOCK SPECIAL SUITS WITH UNIQUE ABILITIES
Grant heroes even more powers with super suits such as Batman’s bomb-igniting Demolition Suit, Robin’s elite hacker Techno Suit, Cyborg’s incognito Stealth Suit, and the Joker’s tricky Decoy Suit.

45 MISSIONS BEYOND GOTHAM

Adventure through an original story set in outer space and Lantern worlds that include Zamaron and Odym or visit familiar DC realms in the Hall of Justice, the Batcave, and the Justice League Watchtower.

EVEN MORE CHARACTERS
Collect fan favorite characters such as Batman Beyond, the Dark Knight, and Batman ’66 throughout the year with plenty more on the way (coming soon)!

DYNAMIC CONTROL STYLES
Switch between “Classic” and “Touch Screen” controls to find the play-style that suits you best.

Download it now from the App Store!

“Disney Gif” Brings Disney, Star Wars, Disney•Pixar and ABC Gifs Directly to Your Mobile Keyboard

Disney Interactive launched Disney Gif, a mobile keyboard extension that lets users easily send gifs and emojis of their favorite stories and characters via text, email, and other messaging and social platforms. Featuring content from Disney’s “Frozen,” “Star Wars”, ABC’s “Scandal,” Disney•Pixar’s “Inside Out,” classic Disney films, and much more, Disney Gif has something for every fan.

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Whether they’re feeling happy, sassy, or villainous, users can find the perfect gif in the keyboard’s curated galleries, which are categorized by emotions and Disney films and shows. More than 200 gifs are live now and more will be coming soon – keep an eye out for new additions in the featured and recently added sections. The trending category will also give users a pulse for Disney Gif’s most popular content.

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With this app, Disney is enabling fans to express themselves using beloved Disney characters and stories both through text and email messaging as well as on the increasing number of social platforms that support gif content. Disney emoji have been incredibly popular, with the #StarWarsEmojis generating more than 1 billion impressions on Twitter in the two weeks after their reveal at Star Wars Celebration. Gifs and other social content have also helped grow Disney’s social network, which has more than 1.5 billion “likes” across character and film pages on Facebook. Disney Gif extends these content offerings and makes it even easier for fans to bring them into everyday conversation.

To bring the magic to your keyboard, download Disney Gif for FREE from the Apple App Store.

How-to video:

Celebrate 4th of July Disney Style!

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If you are going to be in Walt Disney World over the Fourth of July, then get ready for a magical patriotic celebration like no other. This year Walt Disney World will be offering not one, not two, but three different firework shows in several different parks. Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios will each feature a special firework show for the holiday. Not sure which show to see? Don’t worry, because Walt Disney World will be presenting these shows on both July 3rd and July 4th! Guests can show off their patriotic Disney side in this two day celebration to honor America.

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A 14-minute fireworks spectacular rockets into the air above Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom both nights at 10 p.m. with “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky.”

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the “Coolest Summer Ever” Dance Party leads up to a “Rockin’ Fourth of July Celebration” fireworks show, a pyrotechnic, rock ‘n roll trip across America, where the DJ kicks things off at 5:45 p.m. and keeps the party going until fireworks time at 10:15 p.m.

Epcot’s awe-inspiring nighttime spectacular “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth” features a special finale with a bit of red, white and blue flare at 9 p.m. on July 3 and 4.
Epcot features a few additional fanfare festivities on July 4 to add to the flag-waving spirit of the holiday. The Voices of Liberty perform a Fourth of July concert at the America Gardens Theatre at 12:30, 1:45, and 3 p.m., and in the American Adventure pavilion at 4:15 and 5 p.m. The celebration proceeds on a high note with the Sounds Like Summer concert series onstage at the America Gardens Theatre featuring “Don’t Look Back – A Boston Tribute Band,” with performances at 5:15, 6:30, 7:45 and 9 p.m. Special patriotic character greetings also are available at various times throughout the day.

Walt Disney World’s Fourth of July firework displays are definitely a special, more elaborate production compared to the  already spectacular nighttime shows. Any of its three festive displays are not-to-miss experiences.

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Independence Day festivities cannot be complete without a few star-spangled souvenirs, including USA shirts, trading pins and red, white and blue socks. A few festive treats also will be available in various merchandise locations.

The Fourth of July fun continues at the Walt Disney World resort hotels. They will host patriotic poolside activities throughout the day for resort guests, including Fourth of July-themed crafts and games, pool parties and movies under the stars at select resorts.

Introducing Kiwi for Gmail On Your Mac Desktop

Gmail, Google’s immensely popular web-based email service, is coming to your Mac as a desktop app. Designed by Zive Inc., the Kiwi for Gmail app offers a pure Gmail experience from the comfort and convenience of your desktop.

Watch the video below to see the App in Action:

Founded by Eric Shashoua and Ryan Shetley, the folks at Zive set out to create a product that could make a real difference in some of the tools people use most often by making them beautiful, seamless and effortless – and so the idea to simplify Gmail was born.

You see, as it stands, there is no good way of accessing all of the various productivity features that Gmail offers outside of your web browser, and while mail clients like Apple’s own Mail or Microsoft’s Outlook are able to connect and download email from Gmail’s servers, they often lack the sorting, labeling, and prioritizing features that make Gmail such a powerhouse. Enter Kiwi for Gmail.

Kiwi for Gmail allows users to have unfettered desktop access to all of Gmail because it isn’t another app trying to work with every other email service know to man; Kiwi only does Gmail, and it does it well. Using Kiwi, you’ll be able to access many of the features you’ve already come to know and love, including,

  • Quick and Easy composition
  • In-app account switching
  • Powerful Search
  • Google Drive
  • Inline Buttons
  • Priority Inbox
  • Google Calendar
  • And much, much more

Kiwi for Gmail will be available on June 23rd from the Mac App Store, however at the time of this writing, you can pre-order Kiwi for 50%off the list price of $9.99 on the Kiwi for Gmail website.  Additionally, Zive will launch “Kiwi for Gmail Lite”, a free version of the app that will give you a taste of what Kiwi has to offer, with some reduced functionality. Our recommendation is to buy the full version to really experience the full functionality of the app, and with the discount, it’s $5 well spent.

Fast & Furious Zooms into Universal Studios

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The new Fast & Furious – Supercharged ride at Universal Studios Hollywood can be summed up in two words: Fast and Furious. There are many other adjectives to describe this thrilling new 3D experience, but I think the ride creators picked the best two.

Officially opening to the public on June 24, this technologically-advanced attraction  reunites stars from the popular film series of the same name in a groundbreaking, 3-D explosion of fast cars, helicopters, drones, big guns, and good guys vs. bad guys. During my preview of the ride I was literally ducking and dodging in my seat as Vin Diesel (Dominic “Dom” Toretto), Dwayne Johnson (Luke Hobbs), and they rest of their team raced through the city at speeds in excess of 120 mph to help protect a witness – all while being relentlessly chased by an evil gang.

“I get a chance to become Luke Hobbs and kick-ass…all in 3D,” said Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, after shooting the making of the ride.

Fast & Furious – Supercharged, which is part of the theme park’s legendary back lot Studio Tour, is described as a dynamic hydraulic motion-based ride that fuses sophisticated hyper-realistic special effects with a state-of-the-art 3D audio system and 3D-HD imagery, projected onto the world’s longest and most expansive 360-degree screen. Spanning nearly 400 ft in length, the sprawling custom-built screen completely encircles guest, while employing 34, 4K projectors and a sophisticated projection configuration system to envelop guests in unprecedented realism.

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Adding to the fun of the ride are “Fast & Furious” cast members who are broadcast “live” on tram monitors to provide updates of the action ahead. Along the tram route guests will also get a few glimpses numerous prop cars from the movies, including Dom’s iconic Dodge Charger.

Fast & Furious – Supercharged is the new grand finale to Studio Tour. As far as thrills and 3D action, it equals or possibly even surpasses the tram ride’s other highlight, King Kong 360 3-D. Created by film producer Peter Jackson, this adventure begins when the tram enters a darkened soundstage on Skull Island and guests are caught on a bridge, in the middle of a mega-fight between a menacing 35-ft-tall T-Rex and massive King Kong. I got so close to the action on this attraction, that I could feel the breath of the monsters and water as it flew from their bodies. To create King Kong 360 3-D, the studio surrounds the tram with two 187-ft-wide by 40-ft-high curved screens, representing the equivalent of 16 movie theatre screens.

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The narrated Studio Tour also includes a behind-the-scene drive past the neighborhood of the eerie plane crash from the movie War of the Worlds, the Bates Motel from the classic movie Psycho and the set of Jaws for an up-close look at the mechanical monster from the 1975 thriller.

Besides the Studio Tour, Universal Studios is also full of world-class theme park attractions. One of my favorites is Transformers: The Ride-3D, an immersive expedition, blurring the line between fiction and reality. Fusing HD 3D media and flight simulation technology, Transformers takes guests into a futuristic world where alien robots from the planet Cybertron fight it out on earth. Based on the popular movies, this mind-blowing attraction allows visitors to fight alongside Optimus as he tries to protect the AllSpark from Decepticons over four stories tall.

Another classic attraction is Jurassic Park The Ride, that takes guests back to the era of dinosaurs. Beginning with a peaceful boat trip through the park to get look at gentle herbivore giants such as the brontosaurus, the ride quickly gets out of control when the raft plunges 84 ft and crashes into a building full of vicious meat-eating monsters like a 50-ft-tall T-Rex.

Universal Studios Hollywood is located at 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608. The Studio Tour is included with park admission. For more information, visit: www.universalstudioshollywood.com

Cobra’s Curse Coming to Busch Gardens

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Busch Gardens Tampa has announced the opening of a new coaster coming in 2016. “Cobra’s Curse” will put a spin on family thrill rides. The spin coaster will be one of a kind, taking riders on vertical lifts and dizzying adventures all at once. On Cobras Curse, located in the Egypt area of the park, explorers will come face-to-face with an 80-foot snake icon, trek over the park’s Serengeti Plain® and discover the mysteries of an Egyptian archaeological excavation.

“This isn’t your ordinary spin coaster. In true Busch Gardens style, we’re putting a twist on this attraction and taking riders on an unforgettable and exciting journey,” said Busch Gardens Park President Jim Dean. “The addition of a family spin coaster complements the selection of thrill rides Busch Gardens offers, and we know it’s an attraction that guests from across the globe will enjoy,” Dean added. “We continue to find new and exciting ways to offer thrills for the entire family, and we know Cobra’s Curse will even further solidify Busch Gardens as Florida’s Thrill Leader.”

Cobra’s Curse will appeal to both the thrill seeker and the family group alike. With a new and diverse ride concept, the spin coaster will truly offer a one-of-a-kind experience to its riders. Want a look at what to expect? Check out this video!

Disney•Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’ Pre-Parade at Disney California Adventure Park

A celebration of Disney•Pixar’s original film “Inside Out” has started at Disney California Adventure park with special, pre-parade appearances by the movie’s main characters, the five Emotions: Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness.

Watch our full video coverage below of the pre-parade:

Arriving just ahead of daily performances of Pixar Play Parade, the “Inside Out” pre-parade brings these five new characters and their colorful, curious world right through the heart of Disney California Adventure park, allowing them to experience for the first time all the sights, sounds, smells and excitement of a day in a Disney park.

Bringing an innovative storytelling approach to audiences, the film “Inside Out” ventures inside the mind of Riley and introduces us to the Emotions that guide her. Based in Headquarters, the five Emotions are hard at work, led by lighthearted optimist Joy, whose mission is to make sure Riley stays happy. “Inside Out” is directed by Academy Award® winner Pete Docter (“Monsters, Inc.,” “Up”) and produced by Jonas Rivera (“Up”) with an original score by Michael Giacchino (“The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille,” “Up”).

The “Inside Out” pre-parade continues daily all summer long, and you can also catch Disney•Pixar’s “Inside Out” in theaters everywhere!

Disney Channel 'Teen Beach 2' Premieres June 26 @ 8 pm ET/PT

Part of the Disney Channel Original Movie franchise, “Teen Beach 2″ is the highly anticipated sequel to “Teen Beach Movie,” the #2 movie in cable TV history in Total Viewers.

TEEN BEACH 2 - "Teen Beach 2" is the highly anticipated music- and dance-driven sequel to "Teen Beach Movie," premiering FRIDAY, JUNE 26 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel. (Disney Channel/Francisco Roman) GRACE PHIPPS
TEEN BEACH 2 – “Teen Beach 2” is the highly anticipated music- and dance-driven sequel to “Teen Beach Movie,” premiering FRIDAY, JUNE 26 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel. (Disney Channel/Francisco Roman)
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Continuing the fantastical music-driven saga, “Teen Beach 2″ is set months after surfer sweethearts McKenzie (“Mack”) and Brady return from a summer adventure that transported them into Brady’s favorite 1960s beach party movie, “Wet Side Story,” only to receive a surprise real-world visit from Lela, Tanner, Butchy and their other newfound surfer and biker buddies. Knowing first-hand that the “real” world and the movie world don’t mix, Mack, Brady and all of the “Wet Side Story” friends must quickly devise a plan and use the magic of Lela’s necklace to get everyone back to their movie world before it’s too late.

TEEN BEACH 2 - "Teen Beach 2" is the highly anticipated music- and dance-driven sequel to "Teen Beach Movie," premiering FRIDAY, JUNE 26 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel. (Disney Channel/Francisco Roman) PIPER CURDA, MAIA MITCHELL, ROSS LYNCH, KENT BOYD, JORDAN FISHER
TEEN BEACH 2 – “Teen Beach 2” is the highly anticipated music- and dance-driven sequel to “Teen Beach Movie,” premiering FRIDAY, JUNE 26 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel. (Disney Channel/Francisco Roman)
PIPER CURDA, MAIA MITCHELL, ROSS LYNCH, KENT BOYD, JORDAN FISHER

The television premiere of “Teen Beach 2,” sponsored by Best Western International, Famous Footwear and BAND-AID Brand, is FRIDAY, JUNE 26 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel U.S. followed by telecasts on Disney Channels around the world. It will be available one week earlier, Friday, June 19, to verified users on the WATCH Disney Channel app and WATCHDisneyChannel.com.

Zuri's Sweet Shop Opens in Animal Kingdom

rice KrispyLocated in the new Harambe Market, Zuri’s Sweet Shop is bringing a delectable selection of sweets exclusive to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Patrice Guy, Merchandiser for Disney Theme Park Merchandise said;

“We have created approximately 80 new items that range from decorative candy apples to uniquely flavored chocolate bars to delicious popcorn,” explained Patrice. “With Zuri’s Sweets Shop, we wanted to offer highly-themed goods inspired by the sights, sounds and flavors of Africa. Many of the items will be unique to this location making them delicious gifts for loved ones, or something special to enjoy during a visit to the park.”

All the treats will feature one of three fun themes. One  can find Lion King inspired treats such as , paw shaped , Chocolate Crocodiles, and animal crackers. All of the Lion King themed snacks and treats feature some of your favorite characters including Simba, Timon, and Pumba! The second snack Another theme incorporates  colorful patterns and whimsical animals. This theme can be seen in many of the shops snacks including the Rice Krispies, chocolate-dipped coconut patties, and of course an assortment of mouse shaped  delights.

choclate and stuffThe store will also feature some special exclusives such as the five chocolate bar set including flavors such as milk chocolate with spicy cinnamon and banana chip. Another unique item is the African Spice popcorn with a hint of cardamom.popin corn

Finally, the store will also feature African spice rubs and a gourmet cocoa set. Guests will now be able to take home a bottle of there favorite “Flame Tree Barbecue Sauce!”BBQ

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