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

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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

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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.

Surprise! Netflix Releases Orange is the New Black Season 3, Early!

By

SoCalThrills Staff

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June 11, 2015

The ladies of Litchfield Penitentiary are back! Netflix surprised fans late Thursday night by releasing season 3 of Orange is the New Black, a full day ahead of the scheduled release date of June 12, 2015.

*Notification that users saw on their devices from Netflix*

The last time we saw the inmates, they were coping with the whirlwind of violence and betrayal brought upon by Season 2’s most talked-about new character, Vee (Lorraine Toussaint). Now, with Vee gone, many characters are left to rebuild fractured friendships and try to return to some sense of normalcy behind bars.

“Every person deals with the loss in her own way,” says series creator and executive producer Jenji Kohan. “Because Vee was such a powerhouse, she certainly leaves a void when she’s gone, and it’s simply human nature to try to fill an empty space.”

“I would say that this is marvellously flipped as opposed to Season 2,” says Kate Mulgrew, whose character, Red, had a particularly rough time last season. “It’s funny. It’s whimsical. It’s laugh-out-loud. … I don’t know how these writers do it, but they are so smart. They find the hook, and suddenly you’re in, you get it, and you’re on board.”

Season 3 brings back the same great characters who’ve made the show famously hilarious, heartbreaking and humbling. No longer the new girl, Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling) is embracing her power and flexing her muscles within the prison – and you better believe things get crazy! Taystee finds new leadership roles among the women while Poussey seeks a more spiritual connection. Our favorite Russian overlord, Red (Kate Mulgrew), has set her sights to getting aback to where she belongs: in the kitchen. In the process, she finds an unlikely friend in Sam Healy (Michael J. Harney). Gloria (Selenis Leyva), the current queen of the kitchen, forges an unexpected kinship with Sophia (Laverne Cox).

*Red and Gloria face off for the title of kitchen Queen*

And what about Daya? Well, she’s still pregnant; and as time passes, pressure is mounting on Daya to make a decision as to what is going to happen with the child.

And Crazy Eyes (Uzo Aduba) has always been a fan favorite. Season 3 sees Crazy Eyes switch she who idolizes others, to the one being idolized herself. Interesting, indeed!

From bedbugs to kosher meals to underwear sales, this season’s storylines have it all. But the bedrock of Orange is the New Black has always been strong characters with layered and important stories, and that’s not likely to change.

—–

Orange is the New Black has garnered three Emmy Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Peabody Award, two GLAAD Media Awards, three Critic’s Choice Television Awards, two AFI Awards and an NAACP Image Award, among other honors. The series is produced by Lionsgate Television for Netflix.

Orange is the New Black Season 3 Trailer:

New Entertainment Acts Brought to Epcot’s World Showcase

By

Lake Sprenkle

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June 11, 2015

If you are planning on visiting Walt Disney World’s Epcot in the near future, then be sure to check out some of the new entertainment acts put on around World showcase. Each of these acts are located in pavilions around World Showcase and represent the style and mood of its respective country.

B’net Al Houwariyate, a multi-generational Berber music and dance troupe from Marrakesh, illuminates the stories and experiences of women in Morocco in lively and interactive performances daily at the Morocco pavilion.

The Canadian Lumberjacks demonstrate the time-honored tradition of Canada’s great timber and logging eras in a thrilling and friendly competition, featuring axe throwing, chopping, log rolling and more. The show runs daily for guests at the Canada pavilion.

American Music Machine brings a vibrant musical energy to the America Gardens Theatre stage, with performances that convey the global influence of American popular music. The group’s repertoire includes a diverse range of contemporary and classic American pop hits, all presented in a unique style created by vocal arranger Tim Davis, whose previous credits include the hit TV series “Glee.” The group performs Wednesday through Sunday each week at the American Adventure pavilion

Strolling the quaint streets of the United Kingdom pavilion, the Paul McKenna Band, a traditional, acoustic four-piece group from Glasgow, Scotland, brings a contemporary approach to songs for guests that highlight their Scottish, folk music roots. The band can be seen performing right on the street across from the Rose and Crown Pub.

Beloved a cappella group Voices of Liberty performs outdoors twice per week, bringing a modern twist to a medley of American classics and Disney favorites at the American Gardens Theatre stage. Other days, the group performs for guests inside the American Adventure pavilion

TERMINATOR GENISYS – New Featurette

By

Robbie Bulus

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June 11, 2015

When John Connor (Jason Clarke), leader of the human resistance, sends Sgt. Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) back to 1984 to protect Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke) and safeguard the future, an unexpected turn of events creates a fractured timeline. Now, Sgt. Reese finds himself in a new and unfamiliar version of the past, where he is faced with unlikely allies, including the Guardian (Arnold Schwarzenegger), dangerous new enemies, and an unexpected new mission: To reset the future…

“Terminator Genisys” is directed by Alan Taylor. It is written by Laeta Kalogridis & Patrick Lussier. It is produced by David Ellison and Dana Gold-‐‑ berg. The executive producers are Bill Carraro, Laeta Kalogridis, Patrick Lussier, Megan Ellison and Robert Cort. The director of photography is Kramer Morgen-‐‑ thau, ASC, and the production designer is Neil Spisak. The film is edited by Roger Barton. The costume designer is Susan Matheson. The music is byLorne Balfe and Hans Zimmer is Executive Music Producer. This filmhas not yet been rated

ZOOTOPIA – Teaser Trailer

By

Robbie Bulus

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June 11, 2015

The modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when optimistic Officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy.

Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman), to solve the mystery. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootopia,” a comedy-adventure directed by Byron Howard (“Tangled,” “Bolt”) and Rich Moore (“Wreck-It Ralph,” “The Simpsons”) and co-directed by Jared Bush (“Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero”), opens in theaters on March 4, 2016.

New Details on Disney Springs- "The Edison" and "STK Orlando"

By

Lake Sprenkle

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June 10, 2015

With the many expansions coming to Disney Springs, We now have more details about two of the restaurants coming soon. The Edison, set to open in 2016, is a lavish “Industrial Gothic” style restaurant, bar, and nighttime destination that will feature exceptional classic American food, artisanal craft cocktails and unparalleled live entertainment nightly. The Edison, similar to its sister location on the west coast, will have classic 1920’s “electric company” theme. This will include an old world style, 35 foot ceilings, and multiple themed rooms to explore.

A new rendering of the STK Orlando restaurant has also been released. The location will feature rooftop dinning in a gorgeous lounge setting, an experience exclusive to this location at Disney Springs. STK will open up later this year but does not have an official date.

Universal Studios Hollywood Introduces “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” Opening Spring 2016

By

Robbie Bulus

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June 10, 2015

The countdown to “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” has begun as Universal Studios Hollywood announced the Spring 2016 arrival of the West Coast’s most anticipated entertainment experience and the introduction of the land’s signature attraction, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” in hyper-realistic 3D-HD.

"The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" at Universal Studios Hollywood - Flight of the Hippogriff concept rendering — *“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood – Flight of the Hippogriff concept rendering*

More than five years in the making, and inspired by J. K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters and the Warner Bros. films, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood will bring guests the same authenticity and storytelling found at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Japan and is expected to attract Harry Potter fans and visitors from all over the globe for decades to come.

Visitors will be swept into a fully immersive themed land that brings the Harry Potter fiction and films to life with impeccable detail and precision. “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will be faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including Hogwarts castle which will serve as its iconic focal point.

“Harry Potter is an exhilarating multi-generational global phenomenon that has captivated the world’s attention across every one of its mediums, from books and movies to exhilarating theme park adventures,” said Larry Kurzweil, President of Universal Studios Hollywood. “With its imminent arrival to The Entertainment Capital of L.A., Universal Studios Hollywood is thrilled to bring our guests a new, compelling experience of ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ as we embark on this next chapter in our storied history.”

“The momentum behind J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world is as strong as ever and we are incredibly excited to bring Hogwarts to Hollywood,” said Brad Globe, President, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “Fans around the world have experienced the magic at ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ in Orlando and Osaka and we look forward to continued success with our partners at Universal Studios Hollywood as we offer more fans a chance to step into this immersive environment.”

"The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" at Universal Studios Hollywood - Hogsmeade Village concept rendering — *“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood – Hogsmeade Village concept rendering*

Like its counterparts, Hogwarts castle will sit at the heart of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” where the land’s signature ride, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™” will take guests on a journey into many memorable scenes alongside Harry, Ron and Hermione. Traveling by Floo powder, guests will soar high above Hogwarts, partake in a Quidditch match, narrowly escape a dragon attack and have a close encounter with the Whomping Willow.

“Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” is an achievement in pioneering theme park ride technology featuring a groundbreaking robotics ride system, fused with elaborate filmed action sequences and immersive visceral effects. Sporting Quidditch-inspired 3D goggles, guests will venture through journeys experienced by Harry and his friends, spiraling and pivoting 360-degrees along an elevated ride track on a whirlwind adventure of a lifetime.

At Universal Studios Hollywood, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” will make its U.S. debut as a dynamic 3D-HD adventure designed to further immerse guests in an already captivating storyline.

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

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

As excitement builds for the Spring 2016 arrival of “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” in-park guests at Universal Studios Hollywood are able to experience and purchase authentic merchandise, including wands, robes and other collectibles from “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” available within the Features Presentation shop, located just inside Universal Studios Hollywood’s main entry.

Join the conversation online using #WizardingWorldHollywood and for all the latest news, “Like” on Facebook, follow on Instagram and Twitter at @UniStudios.

MOCKINGJAY – PART 2 Teaser Trailer "Join the Revolution"

By

Robbie Bulus

-

June 9, 2015

The blockbuster Hunger Games franchise has taken audiences by storm around the world, grossing more than $2.2 billion at the global box office. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 now brings the franchise to its powerful final chapter in which Katniss Everdeen [Jennifer Lawrence] realizes the stakes are no longer just for survival – they are for the future.

With the nation of Panem in a full scale war, Katniss confronts President Snow [Donald Sutherland] in the final showdown. Teamed with a group of her closest friends – including Gale [Liam Hemsworth], Finnick [Sam Claflin] and Peeta [Josh Hutcherson] – Katniss goes off on a mission with the unit from District 13 as they risk their lives to liberate the citizens of Panem, and stage an assassination attempt on President Snow who has become increasingly obsessed with destroying her. The mortal traps, enemies, and moral choices that await Katniss will challenge her more than any arena she faced in The Hunger Games.

Rating: This film is not yet rated
 U.S. Release Date: November 20, 2015
Running Time: n/a

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Willow Shields, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone, Natalie Dormer, with Stanley Tucci, and Donald Sutherland

Directed by: Francis Lawrence
Screenplay by: Peter Craig and Danny Strong
Based upon: The novel “Mockingjay” by Suzanne Collins
Produced by: Nina Jacobson, Jon Kilik

"Volcano Bay" Water Park Coming to Universal Orlando

By

Lake Sprenkle

-

June 9, 2015

Universal Orlando Resort has announced a project of remarkable vision: to bring to life an entirely new water theme park experience. The park will be called Volcano Bay at Universal Orlando Resort. Volcano Bay will join Universal Studios Orlando and Universal’s Islands of Adventure as it’s third park. The water theme park will be a place for the entire family, with guaranteed fun for those of all ages. The park is reimagining what it means to be a water park by bringing a new generation of aquatic thrills and fun.

Imagine a place that offers radically innovative, thrilling attractions, peaceful moments of relaxation and an inspired guest experience that will forever change the perception of water theme parks. It will be set in a highly themed, completely immersive environment inspired by postcard-perfect tropical islands. And it will be the kind of special place that only the Universal team, the same team that has changed the face of Universal Orlando Resort in recent years, can envision and create.

Universal’s Volcano Bay will be located within Universal Orlando Resort, just south of the Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Work is already underway and more details will be released in the future. The water theme park is set to open in 2017.

Universal’s Volcano Bay is the next in a series of bold and creative experiences that have opened in recent years at Universal Orlando. Beginning in 2010 with the wildly popular The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade additions grew to include Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Springfield, hometown to America’s favorite animated family, The Simpsons, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, eight new venues at Universal CityWalk, the breathtaking Cabana Bay Beach Resort and more. Also on the way in coming years are Skull Island: Reign of Kong and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort in 2016.

Socalthrills.com

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

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

D23 EXPO Presents Frozen FANdemonium: A Musical Celebration!

"Freddy vs. Jason" coming to HHN25

Surprise! Netflix Releases Orange is the New Black Season 3, Early!

New Entertainment Acts Brought to Epcot’s World Showcase

TERMINATOR GENISYS – New Featurette

ZOOTOPIA – Teaser Trailer

New Details on Disney Springs- "The Edison" and "STK Orlando"

Universal Studios Hollywood Introduces “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” Opening Spring 2016

MOCKINGJAY – PART 2 Teaser Trailer "Join the Revolution"

"Volcano Bay" Water Park Coming to Universal Orlando

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