THE PEANUTS MOVIE NEW Trailer

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June 17, 2015

20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios are thrilled to share the brand NEW trailer for THE PEANUTS MOVIE! Check out the trailer to see Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved “Peanuts” gang as they make their big-screen debut, like they’ve never been seen before, in state of the art 3D animation.

Before you watch the trailer download the “Top Trailer Moments” activity sheet (link below) and look for cute moments from the trailer to check off and even draw your favorite moment in the activity sheet!

SYNOPSIS
Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved “Peanuts” gang make their big-screen debut, like they’ve never been seen before, in state of the art 3D animation. Charlie Brown, the world’s most beloved underdog, embarks upon an epic and heroic quest, while his best pal, the lovable beagle Snoopy, takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis, the Red Baron. From the imagination of Charles M. Schulz and the creators of the ICE AGE films, THE PEANUTS MOVIE will prove that every underdog has his day.

Download the “Top Trailer Moments” activity sheet

The Queen Mary's Dark Harbor Returns

By

Lake Sprenkle

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June 17, 2015

The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor Returns to the Infamously Haunted Ship October 1 with New Maze, Lullaby.

The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor rises once again from the deep history of the infamously haunted ship October 1 – November 1, 2015. Dark Harbor is thrilled to unveil the horrific new maze, Lullaby, that tells the tale of the ship’s youngest soul, Scary Mary. Lullaby will take fear-seekers on a terrifying voyage with Dark Harbor’s youngest soul, Scary Mary, who has haunted the Queen Mary ever since her horrific drowning in the poolroom in 1952. One must proceed through Lullaby with caution, as it may be the last journey through Dark Harbor as a mortal soul.

Dark Harbor guests will get lost in the depths of the Queen Mary’s haunted history through the Deadrise, Soulmate and mazes as well as visit the feared Voodoo Priestess in her Voodoo Village with dark magic gypsies in a setting wrought with shrunken heads and voodoo dolls.
Dark Harbor will introduce the new Side Show of Freaks and Oddities that will take guests through an immersive experience into the grotesque world of freaks like never before imagined. The chilling new Side Show of Freaks and Oddities, new attractions and new monsters will be orchestrated by The Ringmaster and all of the ghoulish spirits of the Queen for its most frightful season of thrills yet.
The Ringmaster will orchestrate the freaks and monsters of the Circus maze and its terrifying mad house that will disorient illusions through horrific magic, paranormal wonders and spirited thrills. The Ringmaster, The Captain and their band of spirits including Samuel the Savage, Graceful Gale, Half-Hatch Henry and of course Scary Mary will haunt the grounds of Dark Harbor nightly.

Enjoy a specialty cocktail at the Side Show Bar for an up-close and personal look behind the Side Show curtain and catch an exclusively freaky live Side Show performance.

"Frozen Summer Fun" Kicks Off!

By

Lake Sprenkle

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June 17, 2015

Olaf, Anna, Elsa and the rest of the Frozen gang head back to Hollywood Studios again this summer for “Frozen Summer Fun.” Join them for this special summer long event from June 17- September 7th as they bring some “frozen” fun throughout the park from open to close everyday! This year’s event will bring back many favorites from last year as well as introduce many new attractions for guests to see and explore. The event will include :

Frozen Royal Welcome – This procession of Arendelle’s finest happens twice each day, and this year Olaf is joining the fun. You’ll get to see Anna and Kristoff, of course, and Elsa makes an appearance on an all-new ice palace float!

Olaf’s Summer Cool Down – This new show on the event stage at the center of the park brings Olaf and some of his friends to have a little fun with everyone “In Summer.” And as temperatures heat up, Olaf happily shares a burst from his personal snow cloud to cool things off.

“Frozen Fever” – Head into the ABC Sound Studio to enjoy special screenings of the new animated short “Frozen Fever,” along with a peek behind the scenes at the making of the film.

For the First Time in Forever: A “Frozen” Sing-Along Celebration – This popular show moves into the beautiful Hyperion Theater at the heart of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where you’ll discover all-new in-theater effects and special appearances by Anna, Elsa and Kristoff.

“Frozen” Fireworks – Following the “Coolest Summer Ever” Dance Party, Olaf returns to the event stage with Anna, Elsa and Kristoff for a grand finale to the day’s festivities, kicking off an awe-inspiring fireworks display set to the glorious music of “Frozen” and, of course, a flurry of snow!

“Frozen summer fun” premium packages are also available. These extra price packages include :

Frozen Royal Welcome Viewing– watch the Frozen Royal Welcome at 10:30 am from a special location including refreshments.

For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration Seating– sing along with Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff in “frozen” favorites such as “Let it Go” and “For The First Time in Forever,” from reserved seating available for one sing-along experience.

Frozen Fireworks Viewing with Dessert Party– Watch the incredible “Frozen” fireworks display while enjoying Frozen-themed desserts and drinks. Specialty alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages are also available.

Hollywood Studios has always put its guests right in the action of their favorite movies! “Frozen Summer Fun” allows any of your “Frozen” fanatics to hop right into the movie with the many entertainment and attractions available throughout your visit!

BioWare Reveals Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ Digital Expansion — Knights of the Fallen Empire

By

Robbie Bulus

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June 16, 2015

BioWare™, an Electronic Arts Inc. studio, and Lucasfilm revealed that a brand-new digital expansion, Star Wars: The Old Republic Knights of the Fallen Empire, will be available for download on October 27, 2015. The largest story-driven expansion to date, Knights of the Fallen Empire marks a renewed focus on cinematic storytelling in Star Wars: The Old Republic by introducing a new personal story arc where player choice will shape the journey. The expansion puts the player at the center of their own personal saga, playing as the Outlander, a veteran of the Great Galactic War. The player will come face-to-face with a new enemy, the Emperor of the Eternal Empire, only to discover that his dark destiny is tied to their own. The digital expansion will deliver on the hallmarks of what makes a great BioWare game: new worlds to explore, new companions to recruit into your alliance, and a dynamic story that players will be able to shape based on the choices they make. Knights of the Fallen Empire will launch with the first nine chapters of an evolving story, with new chapters releasing regularly to offer new challenges, fresh storylines, and an expanding cast of new characters to meet and join – or betray. The expansion will also raise the player level cap to 65, and includes a Level 60 character so players can immediately jump into the new story-driven content. The expansion will be available for free* to all subscribers of Star Wars: The Old Republic.

In addition, with the launch of Knights of the Fallen Empire the original eight class stories from Star Wars: The Old Republic will be enhanced to deliver a more immersive and engaging single-player story arc for players old and new. Plus, end-game experiences in Star Wars: The Old Republic will be advanced, giving players the option to join with friends in a variety of multiplayer missions upgraded to Level 60+.

As part of the announcement, BioWare is excited to unveil the “Knights of the Fallen Empire Rewards Program”. Between now and October 19, Subscribers can earn a collectible set of rewards each month that includes the Companion Nico Okarr, Nico’s Duster and Blasters set, and a Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic-themed Swoop Bike. Players that collect all four rewards will receive as a bonus Early Access to Knights of the Fallen Empire beginning seven days prior to public release on October 20. For more information on the Rewards Program, visit: www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com/fallen-empire/rewards.

Star Wars: The Old Republic is a Free-to-Play*, award-winning MMO set thousands of years before the classic Star Wars movies. Players team up with friends online to fight in heroic battles between the Republic and Empire, exploring a galaxy of vibrant planets and experiencing visceral Star Wars combat. Now players can experience the complete storylines of the eight iconic Star Wars classes, without having to pay a monthly fee. The Free-to-Play option complements the existing subscription offering, providing greater flexibility in how to experience Star Wars: The Old Republic.

CAPTIVE – Trailer Now Available

By

Robbie Bulus

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June 16, 2015

CAPTIVE, based on a miraculous true story that drew the attention of the entire nation, is the dramatic, thrilling, and spiritual journey of Ashley Smith and Brian Nichols. After being taken hostage by Brian in her own apartment, Ashley turns to Rick Warren’s inspirational book, The Purpose Driven Life, for guidance. In reading from the book, Ashley not only finds purpose in her own life, but helps Brian find a more peaceful resolution to a harrowing situation.

CAPTIVE is in theaters September 18, 2015

Meet the Little Voices Inside Your Head – The Cast of Disney/Pixar "Inside Out"

By

Robbie Bulus

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June 15, 2015

Based in Headquarters, the control center inside 11-year-old Riley’s mind, five Emotions are hard at work, led by lighthearted optimist Joy, whose mission is to make sure Riley stays happy. Fear heads up safety, Anger ensures all is fair and Disgust prevents Riley from getting poisoned—both physically and socially. Sadness isn’t exactly sure what her role is, and frankly, neither is anyone else.

“The Emotions are kind of like the voices in our heads,” says director Pete Docter. “When we were just getting started on this film, we looked around—at our kids, friends, co-workers—and we realized that everybody has a default temperament. We all go through periods of being happy or sad, but certain people are just happy or angry or what have you. Riley is one of those happy kids. So Joy had to be the first Emotion to show up, and she has a very special bond with Riley.”

“Joy has 33 beautiful seconds of being the only one there,” says Amy Poehler, who lends her voice to Joy. “Then Riley starts to cry and Sadness shows up. Joy realizes that she’s going to have to share Riley with all the other feelings and emotions.”

When Riley’s family relocates to a scary new city, the Emotions are on the job, eager to help guide her through the difficult transition. But when Joy and Sadness are inadvertently swept into the far reaches of Riley’s mind taking some of her core memories with them — Fear, Anger and Disgust are left reluctantly in charge. “Think about that,” says executive producer John Lasseter. “An 11-year-old is left without Joy and Sadness—only Anger, Fear and Disgust. Does that sound like any 11-year-olds you know?”

During a recent press conference, we chatted with some of the voice talent and how they brought these emotional characters to life.

Q: What was it like for you all when you read the screenplay to wrap your head literally around the scope of what was going on in this movie?

Phyllis Smith: Okay, I was – as always I’m speechless – no, I was very excited to get the call and it – I really don’t know the magnitude of it even now.

Bill Hader: All right, it was great. I kind of stalked them – Pixar – I went to them. I said, “I wanna take a tour of Pixar.” This was back in 2010.

Amy Poehler: I came to the project later and they have done so much work already and a lot of people had already recorded, so I kind of got this PowerPoint presentation of what the idea was and I couldn’t believe it was the setting was the mind of and 11 year old girl.

Lewis Black: Apparently I found out I was like the first one cast so I was really the tipping point as soon as the others heard I was in it, they couldn’t wait to be with me.

Mindy Kaling: Well that is really true, it’s almost if Pixar and Pete and Jonas and the experience of working with them it’s like dating a guy.

Helping to bring the characters to life is a creative and comedic ensemble voice cast, including Poehler (“Parks and Recreation”) as Joy, Bill Hader (“Saturday Night Live”) as Fear, Mindy Kaling (“The Mindy Project”) as Disgust, Lewis Black (“The Rant is Due: Part Deux” tour) as Anger and Phyllis Smith (“The Office”) as Sadness. Riley is voiced by Kaitlyn Dias (“The Shifting”), and providing the voices of Mom and Dad are Diane Lane (“The Mystery of Love and Sex” play) and Kyle MacLachlan (“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”). “We have a dream cast,” says Docter. “We could bring in material, describe what we want out of a scene, and then workshop with them about how they might say it. They would give us what we wrote, plus plenty of improvised alternate lines. It’s been fun.”

Q: Since you played your characters perfectly and your emotions perfectly, but if you could play another emotion, what would it be and why?

Amy Poehler: I’d like to play Anger. That feels like the one that next to Joy and Sadness – for me is ind of in the driver’s seat and it’s just so funny, Anger is so funny.

Bill Hader: I would say Anger is the fun one, yes, I would like to play Anger. It’s just very therapeutic, you know. I just felt like when I was watching Lewis’ thing I’m like “God it would be nice just to go into work and be like aaaahhh.”

Phyllis Smith: Okay great, yes, I’d like to be Angry as well as Disgusted. Yes, Anger and Disgust.

Lewis Black: Yes Disgust, that’s really my second place. I’m really of the idea of just – I spend a lot of time on the road in restaurants listening to people talk and I’m just – I’m disgusted.

Mindy Kaling: I think I would be Anger. It’s not necessarily socially acceptable to be angry – a woman – and so that would be a fun thing to be able to do.

“I just love the crazy amount of heart that’s in this film,” adds Poehler. “In minutes you go from crying to laughing. And it just looks so incredibly beautiful. It is like a world that feels very familiar and really magical at the same time.”

Q: We were wondering for you ladies as producers and writers, would you ever consider doing an animated film or just even start something like a brain trust to come up with more great ideas for more diversity?

Mindy Kaling: Amy with Smart Girls is already doing something that’s so wonderful. She has six full time jobs but I love about what she’s doing is she’s – and this is important to me also – but what I’ve love is that she wants to give young girls a voice and I think it’s great.

Amy Poehler: Yes, it’s really cool to have young women like what you do. I really like young women and I love that age girl, that girl that Riley is that moment before you’ve been thrown into the snake pit.

Q: Did each of you have an imaginary friend growing up?

Bill Hader: I feel like I was someone else’s imaginary friend.

Amy Poehler: No, I didn’t have one.

Lewis Black: Most people would be talking to their imaginary friends but we would use them to beat each other up. It was really strange.

“Inside Out” was directed by Docter (“Up,” “Monsters, Inc.”), produced by Rivera (“Up”), co-directed by Ronnie Del Carmen (“Dug’s Special Mission”) and executive produced by Lasseter (“Toy Story,” “Cars”) and Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL•E”). The screenplay was penned by Docter, Meg LeFauve and Josh Cooley from an original story by Docter and Del Carmen. Academy Award®–winning composer Michael Giacchino (“The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille,” “Up”) was called on to provide the score.

Rated PG, Disney•Pixar’s original movie “Inside Out” is now playing in theaters.

Boba Fett Joins Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition As Part of Sony’s Limited Edition Offering

By

Robbie Bulus

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June 15, 2015

During the Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. E3 2015 press conference, Disney Interactive, Lucasfilm and Sony announced that Boba Fett will be joining Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition as part of a new limited edition offering. The Star Wars™ Saga Starter Pack for PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems will be the only place that fans will be able to play as Boba Fett in Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition through the holidays, and will also allow fans to get the Star Wars™ Rise Against the Empire Play Set nearly a month before it hits store shelves. As part of the announcement, the company also debuted the world premiere of the official trailer for the Star Wars Rise Against the Empire Play Set.

One of the most feared bounty hunters in the galaxy, Boba Fett will use his martial arts skills and blaster rifle to help the Galactic Empire hunt and track down prey. Instantly playable in the updated and enhanced Disney Infinity 3.0 Toy Box, Boba Fett is also unlockable in all of the Star Wars Play Sets.

The limited edition exclusive Sony offering includes:

Star Wars Saga Starter Pack for PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 (SRP: $114.99):
(1) Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition video game software
(1) Star Wars™ Twilight of the Republic Play Set piece, (1) Ahsoka Tano figure, (1) Anakin Skywalker figure
(1) Star Wars Rise Against the Empire Play Set piece, (1) Luke Skywalker figure, (1) Princess Leia figure
(1) Boba Fett figure
(1) Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition base
(1) Web Code card (unlocks content for PC/mobile)

Additional Star Wars Play Sets will be available for Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition and sold separately this holiday, including Star Wars Rise Against the Empire and Star Wars™ The Force Awakens™. In addition, players will be able to unlock the ability for all Star Wars characters to play inside all of the Star Wars Play Sets, as well as in the newly enhanced Toy Box, along with all characters previously released for Disney Infinity. The game is rated E10+ by the ESRB and will be available this fall.

French Toast Roll-Ups

By

Robbie Bulus

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June 14, 2015

[ultimate-recipe id=”18195″ template=”default”]

Street Fighter Icon Ryu Joins the Roster of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U

By

Robbie Bulus

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June 14, 2015

During a special video presentation focused on Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, the game’s director, Masahiro Sakurai, unveiled a smashing amount of new content for the games, including two new playable characters: Ryu from the Street Fighter® series and Roy from Fire Emblem. They both join Lucas from Mother 3 as new playable fighters, and are available for download now!

This additional paid content lands alongside a major software update that launched today for both systems, which also includes three new stages and many new costumes for Mii Fighters, including outfits from classic fighting series Virtua Fighter and Tekken. With these new characters, stages and costumes, top fighting game franchises Super Smash Bros., Street Fighter®, Virtua Fighter and Tekken unite for the very first time.

“Today’s update proves that the evergreen Super Smash Bros. games continue to evolve and grow with unexpected new content,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “We’re offering multiple price options and bundles for all this outstanding new content, so players can mix and match whatever characters, stages and costumes they want.”

Highlights of the update include:

Ryu from Street Fighter®: For the first time in Super Smash Bros. history, a character from the fighting game series Street Fighter® joins the battle. Iconic character Ryu, whose look in the game is based on Street Fighter II®, brings a new fighting style and feel to Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. Ryu’s traditional Light, Medium and Heavy attacks can be used depending on whether players tap, press or hold the buttons. Classic Street Fighter® moves like Hadoken and Shoryuken can be activated with just a one-button press, but players who enter the original button combinations from the Street Fighter® series will perform the same actions with higher damage. Ryu can be purchased in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U or Nintendo 3DS for $5.99 each, or both game versions together for $6.99. Purchase includes the bonus Suzaku Castle stage from the Street Fighter® series. This classic environment provides stable footing on the right side and a series of platforms on the left. It can also be played in Omega form, giving the stage a look and feel much like in the Street Fighter II® original.
Roy from Fire Emblem: A fan-favorite from his last appearance in Super Smash Bros. Melee for Nintendo GameCube, Roy from the Fire Emblem franchise returns to the series more powerful than ever before. Unlike Marth, Roy’s sword is stronger closer to the hilt, so he works better in close range. Roy also now has a Final Smash move in the form of a devastating sword blow. Roy can be purchased in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U for $3.99, or both game versions together for $4.99.
Lucas from Mother 3: As previously announced, Lucas is also available to purchase as a new downloadable character. Originating in the Japan-only Game Boy Advance RPG Mother 3, Lucas primarily uses lightning attacks to smash his opponents. Lucas can be purchased in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U or Nintendo 3DS for $3.99, or both game versions together for $4.99.
New Mii Fighter costumes: Multiple video games and characters from the past and present are represented in a new set of Mii Fighter costumes now available through the new update. Two costumes from classic fighting game Virtua Fighter are based on the Akira and Jacky characters, with Akira even maintaining his blocky polygonal look from the original game. Tekken fighter Heihachi (and his amazing hair) serves as inspiration for one costume, with additional costumes based on Isabelle from Animal Crossing, MegaMan.EXE from Mega Man Battle Network, ZERO from Mega Man X, the Inkling Girl and Boy and the squid hat from Splatoon also available. All costumes – eight in total – can be purchased in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U for $6, or both game versions together for $9.20. Costumes can also be purchased individually for $0.75 in either Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, or both game versions together for $1.15 each.
Dreamland stage: Based on the first Dreamland stage from the original Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 64, this stage returns with a few tweaks. The Dreamland stage can be purchased in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U for $1.99, or both game versions together for $2.99.
Everything: Players who want every fighter, stage, outfit and accessory featured among today’s DLC releases can buy them all at once. The whole DLC pack can be purchased in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U for $21.96, or both game versions together for $29.16.
Miiverse stage: Available now to download for free, this new stage for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U features Miiverse posts created by players all over the world. During matches while connected to the Internet, players will see Miiverse posts appear that cheer specific fighters on from the background. These messages will be pulled from individual Miiverse communities that just opened for each Super Smash Bros. character.
Tourney mode: Scheduled to launch as part of a free update in August, two new Tourney modes are coming to Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. Community Tourneys let players compete for the highest points in a certain amount of time, while regular Tourneys have a specific set of rules and only happen at select times.
YouTube replays: Coming exclusively to Super Smash Bros. for Wii U at a later date, this free new feature allows players to post replay videos of their matches on YouTube. To use this feature, players must possess a Google account. Please visit http://www.smashbros.com/us/ for additional details.
Additional Super Smash Bros. amiibo: Mii Fighters are getting their own amiibo figures! When used in the game, the Mii Brawler, Mii Swordfighter and Mii Gunner amiibo characters can be configured with custom faces and players’ collected accessories and costumes. Four additional Super Smash Bros. characters are also getting amiibo: R.O.B., Duck Hunt, Mr. Game & Watch and Falco. These new amiibo will be available this September, except Falco who will be available this holiday season. Eventually, all playable characters in Super Smash Bros. will have corresponding amiibo figures, including Mewtwo, Lucas, Roy and Ryu.
Bonus Trophies: After downloading the update, in-game bonus trophies based on Ryu and Ken from Street Fighter®, Roy, Lucas and Splatoon will be available to unlock in play. Players can collect these trophies by completing All-Star mode in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.

For more information about Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, visit http://www.smashbros.com/us/.

Remember that Wii U and Nintendo 3DS feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu or http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.

New Study Shows Disneyland Resort's Economic Impact to Southern California

By

Robbie Bulus

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June 12, 2015

Arduin, Laffer & Moore Econometrics (ALME) have announced the results of an economic impact study that shows that the Disneyland Resort is a leading contributor to the local economy, a major creator of jobs and a critical driver of California’s tourism industry.

Specifically, the report shows that spending from the millions of visitors to the Disneyland Resort each year who stay in the Anaheim Resort Area and other nearby locations, combined with the significant purchases of those local businesses, plus a payroll of 55,300 direct and indirect employees, collectively result in nearly $5.7 billion of economic activity throughout Southern California.

The Disneyland Resort, its visitors, employees and supporting third party businesses also generated more than $370 million in state and local tax revenues in fiscal year 2013.

The comprehensive study estimated fiscal year 2013 direct and indirect (multiplier) impacts using the highly regarded IMPLAN economic modelling system. Direct impacts include employee wages, vendor expenditures, third party operator revenues and offsite spending by guests. Regional economic multipliers are utilized to calculate additional output, spending and job growth that result from spending within the Disney value chain.

“The Disneyland Resort has demonstrated its ability to grow amidst lukewarm growth in the State of California since the theme park’s last economic impact analysis was conducted for fiscal year 2009. As a prime example of its impressive growth performance, total employment at the Disneyland Resort grew at a rate of 34.3 percent between fiscal year 2009 and fiscal year 2013, far faster than the 6.7 percent employment growth for the State of California during the same period,” said Ford Scudder, Chief Operating Officer at ALME.

Additional findings from the study include:

Annual Payroll and Employment

The Disneyland Resort directly employs approximately 28,000 (approximately 26,450 at the time of this study) and an additional 3,700 on-site third party employees. Disneyland Resort activity contributed to the creation of more than 25,000 indirect jobs in the Southern California region for a total of more than 55,000 jobs.
Total annual wages, including Disneyland Resort’s annual payroll, induced and indirect employment in the Southern California region, are in excess of $2.2 billion.

Geographic Benefit

The economic impact and indirect jobs created by the Disneyland Resort and Anaheim Resort Area significantly benefited communities throughout Southern California, from Ventura to San Diego Counties. Approximately 99 percent of Disneyland Resort’s employees live in Southern California.

Tourism Impact

Spending attributable to the Disneyland Resort and its visitors represented nearly a third of the estimated $9.6 billion Orange County tourism industry in 2013.
Spending by Disneyland patrons at establishments outside the Disneyland Resort totals almost $1.4 billion annually. These expenditures include accommodations, food and beverages, retail and transportation. This patron spending directly supports an estimated $364.2 million in earnings and 9,300 local jobs.

Tax Revenues

The Disneyland Resort, its visitors, employees and supporting third party businesses also generated more than $370 million in state and local tax revenues in fiscal year 2013.
Orange County communities are estimated to receive about $203 million in annual tax revenues generated by the Disneyland Resort.
Disneyland Resort accounted for $44.5 million in direct revenue to the total general fund of the City of Anaheim during fiscal year 2013. In addition, Disneyland Resort contributed $4.5 million in additional taxes to the Anaheim Tourism Improvement District.

“The Disneyland Resort was a significant contributor to California’s nearly $109.6 billion tourism market for FY 2013,” said Scudder. “Disneyland continues to be one of the top reasons why people choose to visit Southern California.”

D23 EXPO Presents Frozen FANdemonium: A Musical Celebration!

By

Robbie Bulus

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June 12, 2015

D23 EXPO 2015 attendees are in for a fun-filled musical treat when Frozen FANdemonium: A Musical Celebration! takes over the 7,500-seat Hall D23. The event, presented by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, will take place at 3:00 pm, Sunday, August 16, at the Anaheim Convention Center.

In what will be a thrilling and fun interactive experience for Disney fans of all ages, join host Chris Montan, president, Walt Disney Music, and the Oscar®-winning songwriting team of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez as they take you on a once-in-a-lifetime musical journey through the world of Frozen. This one-day-only performance features your friends from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film––including Anna and Elsa––with sing-along experiences of your Frozen favorites such as “Let It Go,” “In Summer” and more. Plus, fans can expect special surprises and fascinating stories behind some of your favorite Frozen songs.

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.

KRISTEN ANDERSON-LOPEZ, along with husband and collaborator Robert Lopez, wrote the songs for Disney’s Frozen. Anderson-Lopez and Lopez won an Oscar® and a Grammy® for the movie’s signature song “Let It Go,” and share a Grammy for the Frozen soundtrack. Their song “Moving Pictures,” sung by Neil Patrick Harris, opened the 2015 Academy Awards®. Anderson-Lopez and Lopez’s original musical “Up Here,” directed by two-time Tony® nominee Alex Timbers, will be featured in the La Jolla Playhouse’s 2015-16 season.

Anderson-Lopez made her off-Broadway debut at Primary Stages with In Transit, a musical performed entirely without accompaniment, inspired by the rhythms and sounds of life on the subway. The show earned her Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle and Lucile Lortel nominations. Together with her husband and collaborator Robert Lopez, she wrote the Annie Award-nominated songs for the 2011 feature film Winnie the Pooh, as well as Finding Nemo: The Musical. For young audiences, she was a staff writer for Nickelodeon’s The Wonder Pets and wrote book/lyrics for several of Theatreworks/USA’s stage adaptations of children’s classics. She is the recipient of the BMI Harrington Award and the Dramatists Guild Fellowship, and a frequent guest moderator of the prestigious BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop. Anderson-Lopez is a graduate of Williams College and just received the bicentennial alumni award for distinguished achievement. Also an actress, Anderson-Lopez was featured as the voice of Kanga in Disney’s Winnie the Pooh.

ROBERT LOPEZ, along with wife and collaborator Kristen Anderson-Lopez, wrote the songs for Disney’s Frozen. Lopez and Anderson-Lopez won an Oscar® and a Grammy® for the movie’s signature song “Let It Go,” and share a Grammy® for the Frozen soundtrack. Lopez is the three-time Tony® winning co-creator of the worldwide smash hit Broadway musicals Avenue Q and The Book of Mormon. Lopez and Anderson-Lopez’s original musical Up Here, directed by two-time Tony® nominee Alex Timbers, will be featured in the La Jolla Playhouse’s 2015–16 season. Their song “Moving Pictures,” sung by Neil Patrick Harris, opened the 2015 Academy Awards. Lopez shared two Emmy® Awards for his music for Nickelodeon’s The Wonder Pets and an Emmy® nomination for his work on the musical episode of Scrubs. His work has been featured on South Park, The Simpsons and Phineas and Ferb, as well as Bear in the Big Blue House, Third and Bird and Johnny and the Sprites. He has won Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, Lucile Lortel, Frederick Loewe and Edward Kleban awards. Recently, Lopez, a graduate of Yale College, became the youngest of twelve people in history who have won Emmy®, Grammy®, Oscar®, and Tony® Awards (EGOT) and the only one to have accomplished it in under a decade.

CHRIS MONTAN currently serves as president of Walt Disney Music and oversees music for a wide variety of Disney projects including all Disney and Pixar animated feature films, all Disney Theatrical stage productions, as well as the music for Walt Disney Theme Parks and Resorts worldwide. Additionally, he is executive music producer for all of the Studio’s animated features and works closely in the story process as well as helping to select musical talent. Montan joined Disney in 1984. Under his guidance the Studio has garnered an unprecedented 42 Musical Academy Award® nominations, and soundtracks from ten of the Studio’s theatrical releases have been certified multi-platinum.

"Freddy vs. Jason" coming to HHN25

By

Lake Sprenkle

-

June 12, 2015

Become the victim in some of your favorite horror films at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights in Universal Studios Orlando. For 25 years, Halloween Horror Nights has put guests right into the realm of horror movies and tv shows such as Alien vs Predator, Halloween, and The Walking Dead.

Universal Studios has announced that this year two of the most feared icons in horror film history, A Nightmare on Elm Street’s Freddy Krueger™ and Friday the 13th’s Jason Voorhees™, will be unleashed at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 25 in a terrifying new haunted house. Guests will experience the ultimate battle of evil vs. evil as witnessed in Freddy vs. Jason.

Once inside the house “Freddy vs. Jason,” guests will weave through Elm Street and straight into Freddy Krueger’s nightmares. Guests then visit Camp Crystal Lake and come face-to-face with the hockey-masked killer, Jason Voorhees.

Socalthrills.com

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