The Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration kicks off this week with a 24-hour event on May 22-23 at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks! Some of you may be planning to arrive early in the hopes of being among the first to celebrate with us. If so, here is some important information to share with you.
Parking
Pumbaa lot will open for early arrivals at 10 p.m. the evening of May 21.
Mickey & Friends Parking Structure will open at 4 a.m. and Toy Story Lot will open at 5 a.m. on May 22.
Pre-Opening Queue
Guests may bring games, blankets, chairs, tents and sleeping bags, but guests must return these items to their cars or hotel rooms and return to the line by 2 a.m.
At 2 a.m., all guests in line will be moved through Security checkpoints to the Disneyland Resort Esplanade, where they will receive a commemorative keepsake while supplies last.
No smoking, fighting or loud music will be allowed in line.
All guests in line will be able to temporarily leave the line to use the restroom, purchase food or beverages, and return or retrieve items from their vehicles/hotel rooms.
Opening Celebration
At 4 a.m., guests who choose to begin their day at Disneyland park will be escorted onto Main Street, U.S.A., to prepare for the opening celebration moment, which will take place at approximately 6 a.m. inside Disneyland park.
Guests who choose to begin their day at Disney California Adventure park will be escorted onto Buena Vista Street at 5:30 a.m.
Costumes and Prohibited Items
Costumes for adults are not allowed for this event. Please refer to the guidelines listed here.
Be sure to check the list of prohibited items here.
Lockers in the Disneyland Resort Esplanade and inside Disneyland park will be available at 4 a.m. Disney California Adventure park lockers will be available at 5:30 a.m.
Tickets
Regular park admission used on May 22 is valid for the entire 24-hour period (6 a.m. on May 22 through 6 a.m. on May 23). A special ticket is not required for this event.
I have just caught my breath. This is one insane wild ride that could go up against any 100 MPH rollercoaster! MAD MAX FURY ROAD is exploding into theaters at full force and I am not exaggerating. Do not go in expecting some cheap action flick, this is the real deal. Prep your hands because you are not letting go from start to finish. There are no breaks in this film, it’s all adrenaline. This new adaptation/sequel of Mad Max brings the franchise to the modern era with high-flying practical stunts, intense fight scenes, along with pure and absolutely raw entertainment!
There is no catching up to GEORGE MILLER’S film, you just hit the ground running as soon as the picture hits the screen. Miller isn’t known for many films, but oddly enough also directed Happy Feet and its sequel. Okay, just forget that you even read that because there is no correlation between the two. Really, it was worth mentioning because this such a different movie than you have ever seen. This is no doubt a passion project of his that he has been trying to complete ever since Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome from 1985.
Make no mistake, this just flat out is a film you must see. No seriously, you need to see it. I’ll remind you later. However, let’s pre-warn those that may not be ready for this heart-racing experience. Mad Max is NOT about it’s compelling story. While there should be no qualms about it, do not expect to see riveting dialogue and deep quiet moments. Frankly, there aren’t any. Okay, perhaps a few words, seriously, a few. That’s partly what makes this so unique yet so wonderful at the same time. Miller creates a film where the words aren’t needed. Everything is expressed clearly with several lines spread through out.
This is not however one of those blockbuster action films that is all action and no story. Mad Max Fury Road is all about the journey. The action is incredibly well done and fitting, but with most movies with all action, it can become dull, numb and repetitive. Not in Fury Road. Every scene is just as intense as the last and the audience easily becomes immersed in this hellish world where survival isn’t certain.
No worries if you haven’t seen the originals. Hell, I haven’t and I never felt like I didn’t understand what was happening. No prior knowledge of the character(s) is needed. Thus you can just sit back and enjoy.
Hopefully by now you have seen the trailers, and even then you may not really understand the plot. It’s okay, but lets explain it a little. The films takes place in apocalyptic desert landscape apparently in the middle of nowhere (filmed North of South Africa) where there isn’t much left in humanity. Everyone has been left fighting for the daily necessities in life, including water. Within this world are two rebels on the run. One being Max himself, TOM HARDY, who we see as a captured prisoner as a hood ornament on one of the many beastly cars. The other being Furiosa, CHARLIZE THERON, a tough independent woman looking to seek survival away from an evil dictator in her search of here childhood home.
Along the way the two paths meet in one of the many stunt-driven noisy action sequences where together they may actually be able to achieve their goals. During their passing through a road of fury, see what I did there, there is a large cast of characters. Each of them are more unique than the other. The band of drivers that are on the chase for Max and Furiosa are all insane and some even a little overly characterize giving the film an other worldly feel. Everyone is fighting for themselves and are little more concerned about following their commanders demands opposed to really talking or appearing to having much of any education. This is a world that has gone back to the dark ages that are reminiscent of caveman times with subtexts of religious purity and genocide, but it’s nothing that some flipping cars and explosions may help you not take notice.
Think Water World, but with a the exact opposite landscape and done right. Tom Hardy may have just as few words as his character Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, but his interactions with Charlize Theron expresses all that the audiences needs. His words are hard to come by, but just the looks between the two are captivating enough where nothing needs to be said. Charlize is a badass one-arm-missing woman that can go to battle when needed. During her travels she is helping save several wives including a pregnant one from their city leader, Immortan Joe. This is just one of many of Millers insane clown posse like characters in the film.
As I sat and was mesmerized by the loud high energy start, I was trapped with eyes glued to the screen as every second felt as just as quick as the last. Miller takes advantage of the fast moving hectic film style that we have seen in films like The Bourne Identity, but no need for concern as Fury Road finally does it right. I felt I could actually see the action taking place and never felt lost with an epic amount of scene cuts. This fast paced endless action opening continues for what may have been 20 to 25 minutes, perhaps longer, but for an instant there was silence and the screen was black. Collectively the audience sighed and then laughed as we were happy we were all feeling this together. We got about 5 minutes of air and we were off again on the chase. The opening is of a grand finale nature, but instead here it’s just a snack as we prepare for more. I hope to hear some hootin’ and some hollerin’ in theater on opening day!
I don’t think I can mention enough that this movie is LOUD, but fitting loud. I hope the sound editing artists receives some type of award for their brilliance done in this movie. I’m not one usually for loud absurd movies, but this was truly more of a ride than anything else. I highly advise seeing this in a good theater with superior sound. The sound in this really adds another element to the film.
It’s really the action that is the star of Fury Road. The majority of the scenes and stunts were used with all practical stunts. The film isn’t CGI heavy giving it that raw gritty feel. I feel it delivers more of an impact and each sequence is respected just a little more because of it. The shots are cinematic gold. Beautiful and grand yet never too much.
The challenge will be overcoming perhaps too much positivity about this movie. I hope I am not overhyping this movie as it was gem that caught me by surprised. You’re going to want to see this one in the theater, and maybe again right after to appreciate the filmmaking aspect of it all.
Don’t forget that you should see this one. Oh, by the way, did I tell you that you should see this movie? Really, if you want to be entertained, escape from reality for 2 hours, and leave feeling that little bit of joy then see Mad Max Fury Road. Are you ready?
A rich tradition of innovation and storytelling will be on stage for the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration, beginning May 22, 2015. Three electrifying new shows will make their premieres, adding to the magical lineup of attractions and family-friendly fun that guests enjoy every day. Since opening July 17, 1955, the Disneyland Resort has grown from a single park to a world-class family destination with two renowned theme parks, three hotels and the shopping, dining and entertainment district known as Downtown Disney. As the resort continues to evolve and expand, the Diamond Celebration will recognize the innovation of the last 60 years while anticipating all that is yet to come.
The Disneyland Resort: By the Numbers
1. Since opening day in 1955, the Disneyland Resort has welcomed more than 700 million guests to The Happiest Place on Earth. That number includes guests from approximately 200 nations, nearly every country in the world today.
2. Through the years, hundreds of famous individuals have visited the Disneyland Resort, including U.S. presidents (dating to Harry S. Truman), heads of state and countless athletes, artists, authors and celebrities. The guest list is a virtual “Who’s Who” of the 20th and early 21st centuries.
3. The Disneyland Resort now employs some 28,000 cast members, making it the largest single-site employer in Orange County, California.
4. Thirty-eight different languages are spoken among Disneyland Resort cast members.
5. More than 50 scuba divers work year-round to maintain Disneyland Resort attractions, including “World of Color” at Disney California Adventure Park and Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage at Disneyland Park.
6. More than 800 species of plants indigenous to 40 nations grow at the Disneyland Resort, making it one of the most extensive and diverse botanical locales in the western United States. The landscape includes colorful flowers, 22 topiary animals and characters, and approximately 18,000 trees.
7. Mickey Mouse ear hats are the most popular Disneyland Resort souvenirs of all time, with more than 84 million “ears” sold since 1955. New “crystal” ears and other creative designs will debut during the Diamond Celebration.
8. The Disneyland Resort generates $4.7 billion annually for the Southern California economy.
New Fun at Disneyland
9. Debuting for the Diamond Celebration, “Paint the Night” will sparkle with more than 1.5 million individually controlled lights. Nearly all of those are energy-efficient, LED lights.
10. In addition to the LED lights on “Paint the Night” floats, each costume in the parade features its own sophisticated individual system of lighting controls.
11. “Paint the Night” features some subtle tributes to the classic “Main Street Electrical Parade,” including hints of that parade’s musical theme, a new “drum float” to lead the parade and, at the tip of Tinker Bell’s magic wand, a light from the original “Electrical Parade.”
12. In the new “Disneyland Forever” fireworks show, guests will enjoy pyrotechnics above them and immersive projections all around them: on Main Street, U.S.A., the mist screens on Rivers of America, the façade of “it’s a small world” and the Matterhorn. The largest use of projection mapping technology in any Disney Park will transform park locations into a magical canvas, transporting guests into Disney stories, from flying high above the London skyline with Peter Pan, dancing with King Louie of “The Jungle Book,” and seeing Nemo fly through the sky to Mount Wannahockaloogie.
13. “Kiss Goodnight,” the inspiring closing song of “Disneyland Forever,” was written by Disney Legend Richard M. Sherman. Richard also was the co-writer, with his brother Robert B. Sherman, of “it’s a small world” and the award-winning songs for the classic Disney film “Mary Poppins.” Adding another “practically perfect” touch to “Disneyland Forever” is the singer of “Kiss Goodnight” – Ashley Brown, star of the Broadway production of “Mary Poppins.”
14. A new show at Fantasy Faire in Disneyland tells the story of “Frozen,” Disney’s animated blockbuster film. The Royal Theatre’s resident storytellers, Mr. Smythe and Mr. Jones, tell the tale of Anna and Elsa in their own unique, wacky style.
MACK AND THE CARS CREW PREVIEW “PAINT THE NIGHT” (April 14, 2015) — Mack from the Disney●Pixar ‘Cars’ films, one of the characters featured in the all-new after-dark spectacular, “Paint the Night,” appears with parade performers in synchronized, LED costumes during a backstage media preview at Disneyland park. Inspired by the “Main Street Electrical Parade,” “Paint the Night” is full of vibrant color and more than 1.5 million, brilliant LED lights and features special effects, unforgettable music, and energetic performances that bring beloved Disney and Disney●Pixar stories to life. Celebrating 60 years of magic, “Paint the Night” is one of three new nighttime spectaculars which will immerse guests in the worlds of Disney stories like never before. The Diamond Celebration at the Disneyland Resort begins Friday, May 22, 2015. (Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland Resort)
More Fun at Disney California Adventure
15. In the Diamond Anniversary “World of Color – Celebrate!” nighttime spectacular, award-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris will appear in multiple film sequences with Mickey Mouse. They will host the show, with the help of some amazing special effects.
16. Part of the recent expansion of Disney California Adventure, “World of Color” uses a submersible platform that’s bigger than a football field, with more than 20,000 points of control and revolutionary lighting that infuses nearly 1,200 fountains with color — making it one of the largest show systems ever built.
17. “Anna and Elsa’s Royal Welcome” offers guests a special place to greet the popular sisters from “Frozen.” It opened in January, 2015, at the Disney Animation building.
18. The iconic Carthay Circle Theatre Restaurant and Lounge opened in 2012 on Buena Vista Street. It stands 79 feet 6 inches tall, to the top of its cupola spire, and it is approximately ¾ scale to the original Carthay Circle Theatre, the site where Walt Disney’s animated classic, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” premiered in 1937. By way of contrast, Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland stands 77 feet high and is designed to appear taller, due to forced perspective, when viewed from the other end of Main Street, U.S.A.
19. For the Diamond Celebration, Carthay Circle Theatre and Sleeping Beauty Castle will glisten and gleam as never before with brilliant diamond enhancements. On Carthay Circle Theatre, the large “Diamond D” marquee was inspired by the 1930s Art Deco movement. On Sleeping Beauty Castle, more than 100,000 blue, glass crystals will shimmer on the rooftops.
20. Cars Land is home to Radiator Springs Racers, the popular attraction that opened in 2012 at Disney California Adventure. After dark, the colorful and nostalgic appearance of the town of Radiator Springs features 16 neon signs in bright, luminous colors.
21. The cars of the Red Car Trolley attraction on Buena Vista Street are reminiscent of the historic cars of the Pacific Electric Railway system, which operated in Southern California from 1901 through 1961.
HAUNTED MANSION REVEALS LEGENDARY RESIDENT (ANAHEIM, Calif.) – The classic Disneyland park attraction will reveal one more happy haunt in late May when the legendary Hatbox Ghost reappears in the Haunted Mansion in May 2015. The Hatbox Ghost briefly materialized in the Haunted Mansion around its opening in 1969 and will reappear to haunt guests in May 2015. (Disneyland Resort)
Sixty Years of Magic
22. Disneyland Park opened July 17, 1955, with 18 ticketed attractions and five free attractions/exhibits. Opening Day highlights included the Jungle Cruise, Autopia, Mad Tea Party and Mark Twain Riverboat. Several other classic Disneyland attractions opened later in the year: TWA Rocket to the Moon on July 22, Casey Jr. Circus Train on July 31, and Dumbo Flying Elephants on Aug. 16.
23. During construction of the park, and occasionally until he passed away in 1966, Walt Disney would stay overnight in a small apartment above the Main Street Fire Dept., next to Disneyland City Hall. Today, a lamp shines continuously in the apartment window in tribute to the spirit of Walt Disney.
24. When Disneyland opened there were no A, B, C, D and E tickets. Guests paid for park admission and purchased attraction tickets inside. The first ticket books (A, B and C tickets) appeared on Oct. 11, 1955. The first E tickets appeared in 1959 and were used for newly opened attractions, Matterhorn Bobsleds and Submarine Voyage.
25. The skilled artists in the Silhouette Studio on Main Street, U.S.A., can create a silhouette portrait in 60 seconds or less.
26. The names and titles of the second-story shop windows along Main Street, U.S.A., pay tribute to cast members and others who contributed to the creation and development of Disneyland. Most of the shop names feature whimsical references to the professional specialties or hobbies of the individuals honored.
27. In contrast to the Main Street, U.S.A. windows, the second-story windows in Mickey’s Toontown are a treasure trove of trivia for Disney animation fans. They reference characters such as Scrooge McDuck and Jiminy Cricket, along with relatively obscure early-era Disney characters such as Clara Cluck and Toby Tortoise.
28. The Matterhorn Bobsleds was the first tubular steel roller coaster in the world when it opened in 1959. It set the standard for modern-day roller-coaster design.
29. Disneyland created the first daily operating monorail in the Western Hemisphere. opened June 14, 1959. Since then, the Disneyland Monorail has traveled approximately 780 million miles, enough for eight round trips to the planet Mars. The current Disneyland Monorail vehicles, the Mark VII models, debuted in 2008 and are the fifth generation at Disneyland Resort. Two other models, Mark IV and Mark VI, have been featured at Walt Disney World in Florida.
30. The Apollo moon landing in 1969 was shown live on television to Disneyland guests at the Tomorrowland Stage.
31. Having been outdone by NASA in 1969, the Tomorrowland Rocket to the Moon/Flight to the Moon attraction became Mission to Mars in March, 1975. The rocket took its final flight in 1992 and the location eventually transformed to Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port.
32. The adventures of Snow White, Peter Pan and Mr. Toad have been on display as Fantasyland “dark rides” since opening day at Disneyland. Alice in Wonderland joined this lineup in summer 1958. Pinocchio appeared in 1983 as part of the extensively enhanced “New Fantasyland.” Adding “new magic” to these classics, Imagineers recently used projections to enhance scenes in Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan.
33. The books in the library of Toad Hall in Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride have nonsense versions of famous titles, including: “For Whom the Toads Croak” and “A Tadpole Grows in Brooklyn.”
34. The guest-favorite Pirates of the Caribbean attraction in New Orleans Square features more than 120 Audio-Animatronics figures, and guests often sing along with that catchy refrain: “Yo-ho, yo-ho, a pirate’s life for me.”
35. The charming, New Orleans-themed Blue Bayou Restaurant is located inside Pirates of the Caribbean, where dining guests can watch the attraction boats glide past. The Blue Bayou is sometimes cited as the inspiration for the many “themed restaurants” around the country today.
36. The first version of the “Disneyland Main Street Electrical Parade” appeared in 1972 and went on hiatus after summer 1974. A second-generation “Main Street Electrical Parade” premiered in 1977 and ran for 20 years, retiring in 1996. It reappeared, as “Disney’s Electrical Parade” in Disney California Adventure Park from 2001 to 2010.
37. Beginning in 1997, Disneyland started celebrating the holidays with the seasonal re-theming of “it’s a small world” as “it’s a small world” Holiday. This was followed by Haunted Mansion Holiday for the Halloween and Christmas seasons beginning in 2001, Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy starting in the 2009 Halloween season, and Jingle Cruise for the 2013 holiday season.
38. The “it’s a small world” attraction remains very popular with guests, more than 50 years after debuting at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Guest research shows that one in four Disneyland guests – families with children and those who grew up riding the attraction – consider “it’s a small world” a tradition. They plan a voyage whenever they visit the park.
39. Of the five engines on the Disneyland Railroad, four are named for founders or executives of the Santa Fe Railroad. (The attraction was originally known as the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad.) The fifth engine, the “Ward Kimball,” is named for Disney Legend, animator and train enthusiast Ward Kimball (1914-2002).
40. The trains of the Disneyland Railroad have accrued enough mileage during the past 60 years to travel to the moon and back more than 250 times.
41. The troop transport vehicle at the entrance to the Indiana Jones Adventure attraction is the actual vehicle that dragged and almost ran over Indiana Jones in one of the thrilling sequences from the original “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”
42. In the early days of Tom Sawyer Island, the surrounding Rivers of America were stocked with catfish and fishing was allowed off the island’s docks.
43. The King Arthur Carrousel in Fantasyland was assembled from parts of several genuine 19th century carousels. The horses, ridden by hundreds of guests every day, are more than 100 years old. They are fully restored, one row at a time, every year.
Disneyland Resort Food and Beverage
44. Guests will find more than 140 food and beverage locations at the Disneyland Resort, including 26 full-service restaurants and themed lounges such as Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel.
45. Disneyland Resort serves more than 6,700 food items, including citrus-marinated turkey breast at Flo’s V8 Café (Disney California Adventure), Hacienda Chicken Caesar Salad at Rancho del Zocalo (Disneyland) and Fire Cracker Duck Wings at Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge (Disney California Adventure).
46. Popular snack items at the resort include gluten-free Dole Whips (2,000 consumed each day) and Mickey-shaped soft pretzels (2,000 consumed per day).
47. During the Diamond Celebration, special anniversary cupcakes will be offered at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Café in Disneyland (lemon flavor) and the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Café in Disney California Adventure (orange flavor).
48. Fresh fruits and healthful options are available throughout the parks, and guests may look for the Mickey Check () on menus in both quick service and table service restaurants to find options that meet Disney Nutrition Guidelines.
49. The number of bananas consumed by Disneyland Resort guests in a year could feed Abu (Aladdin’s monkey friend) 20 bananas a day for 62 years.
50. Napa Rose, the award-winning restaurant at the Grand Californian Hotel, has a 17,000-bottle wine cellar with more than 1,000 different labels and 80 wines available by the glass. The wine service ranks among the best in the country, with more than 30 certified sommeliers, including five who are certified at advanced level.
Disneyland Resort Hotels and Downtown Disney District
51. The Disneyland Hotel opened in October 1955 with 100 rooms. Today it offers guests 975 rooms, themed swimming pools, two towering water slides and five Signature Suites – including the Mickey Mouse Penthouse and Adventureland Suite.
52. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, which opened in 2001, was the first Disney hotel built “inside” a theme park, with an exclusive guest entrance into Disney California Adventure. It now includes Disney Vacation Club villas.
53. Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel features seaside-inspired rooms and the sensational California Streamin’ water slide into the rooftop pool. All three resort hotels offer guests early admission to Disneyland or Disney California Adventure with Extra Magic Hour.
54. Build-A-Bear Workshop is the only location in the Build-A-Bear chain to carry exclusive Disney branded merchandise and animals. The location plans to create exclusive accessories for their bears featuring the Diamond Celebration. On average, more than 3,000 new “friends” are built in the store each week.
55. RideMakerz proudly displays an original company branded NASCAR vehicle hanging from the ceiling. The car actually raced during the 2008 Daytona 500.
56. The aquarium tanks at Rainforest Café contain more than 500 fish and approximately 60 different species, including a four-foot-long honeycomb moray eel.
57. AMC Theatres recently opened an IMAX theatre and features hearing and sight-impaired equipment in their location for disabled guests.
58. LEGO Store features three Disney character-inspired statues made of LEGO bricks. The Beauty and the Beast model was built with 649,350 bricks; the Buzz & Woody are made of 675,000 bricks and the Sleeping Beauty Dragon required 2,785,950 bricks.
59. The House of Blues Anaheim venue was recently ranked seventh on Billboard Magazine’s “Top 25 Most Popular Music Clubs” in the United States. The location will feature a souvenir guitar pick and specialty cocktail for the Diamond Celebration.
60. ESPN Zone boasts more than 120 televisions, including individual screens in all of the restrooms. The location features a 10,000-square-foot arcade as well as the unique ability to host and broadcast radio and television programing from inside the venue.
As Disneyland approaches its 60th anniversary, Disney twenty-three brings readers inside the party, with an in-depth look at how the park is celebrating this milestone with new parades, spectaculars, and enhancements to popular attractions. In preparation for the landmark occasion, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club took Disney Legend Marty Sklar—who worked at Disneyland on opening day—and Walt Disney Imagineering Chief Creative Executive Bruce Vaughn on a walk through Disneyland, where they reminisce about details from the past, such as the park’s legendary opening day, and look ahead at all the excitement yet to come.
Also in the Summer issue, available exclusively to D23 Gold Members, the Walt Disney Archives unveils rarely showcased ephemera from Disneyland’s opening including a media pass and concept art for freeway billboards promoting the world’s first theme park. And for Disney parks foodies, there’s a look at some of the park’s signature snacks, from Dole Whips and turkey legs to churros and Mickey Mouse ice cream bars.
Plus, film critic, historian, and co-producer of the Walt Disney Treasures DVD series Leonard Maltin gives a behind-the-scenes look at Disney’s three big summer movies featuring exclusive interviews with Tomorrowland director Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Ratatouille), Inside Out director Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc., Up), and Ant-Man director Peyton Reed. Each director offers Maltin—who authored the book The Disney Films—a fascinating look at the creation of the colorful, complicated, and magnificent worlds of their three films.
Also included in the Summer issue of Disney twenty-three:
Rarely seen photos from the Disneyland Hotel’s storied history
A look inside a Disneyland Pitch Portfolio that was used to sell East Coast investors on Walt’s vision for the park
Fifty years of Disney Ambassadors and how they bring magic to people around the globe
Newlyweds share the stories of their beautiful Disney-themed weddings
An up-close look at the beloved animated feature Pinocchio with historian J.B. Kaufman
Regular columns including A Walk with Walt, D Society, and Ask Dave
Disney Legend Marty Sklar talking about the past and future of Disneyland as the park celebrates its 60th anniversary
A robust gallery of images of Disneyland through the years
A dazzling display of wedding cakes to bring a sweet finish to any Disney fan’s wedding, from classic confections to truly innovative tastes for all the senses
Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving late May.
Nintendo and Universal Parks & Resorts has announced plans to bring the world of Nintendo to life at Universal theme parks – creating spectacular, dedicated experiences based on Nintendo’s wildly popular games, characters and worlds.
The agreement brings two icons of entertainment together and represents a significant partnership for Nintendo as it expands the reach and popularity of its characters and intellectual property.
Universal theme parks offer incredibly popular, innovative themed family entertainment experiences based on compelling stories and characters – using powerful storytelling and innovative technology.
Nintendo has created remarkable and imaginative worlds filled with captivating stories and beloved characters. Now, for the first time, those stories and characters will be brought to life in entirely new ways – only at Universal theme parks.
The immersive experiences will include major attractions at Universal’s theme parks and will feature Nintendo’s most famous characters and games.
More details will be announced in the future, as the Nintendo and Universal creative teams work to create specific concepts.
D23: The Official Disney Fan Club announces the lineup of the most highly anticipated presentations at D23 EXPO 2015, August 14–16. The Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, will kick off the Expo on Friday, August 14. Later that same day, The Walt Disney Studios will give fans a sneak peek at all the latest from Disney Animation and Pixar. On Saturday morning, The Walt Disney Studios will preview the coming slate of live-action films from Disney, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. Then on Saturday afternoon, fans will get a preview of what’s in store at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts during a presentation hosted by Parks Chairman Bob Chapek.
To showcase these Expo favorites, Disney is creating “Hall D23,” a new 7,500-seat venue located in Hall D of the Anaheim Convention Center, so that more guests than ever can see the presentations live and in person.
The Schedule of Hall D23 Events and Presentations includes the following (times and additional announcements forthcoming; all events subject to change):
The Disney Legends Awards Ceremony will take place Friday, August 14. The ceremony, hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, will once again honor those who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy. The creativity and innovation of these visionaries and artists have earned them a place among such names as Dame Julie Andrews, Howard Ashman, Annette Funicello, Sir Elton John, Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin, Alan Menken, Hayley Mills, Fess Parker, Dick Van Dyke, Barbara Walters, and Robin Williams. At the D23 EXPO in 2013, Tony Baxter, Collin Campbell, Dick Clark, Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Jobs, Glen Keane, and Ed Wynn were inducted.
In two separate Hall D23 sessions, The Walt Disney Studios will unveil an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at its upcoming film slate. At Friday’s session, fans will go in-depth with the talented filmmakers at Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios to get a sneak peek at films such as Zootopia and Finding Dory. On Saturday, live-action titles such as Alice Through the Looking Glass and The Jungle Book and films from Marvel and Lucasfilm, along with some very special guests, take center stage.
On the afternoon of Saturday, August 15, join Bob Chapek, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, for a behind-the-scenes peek at the magical experiences and entertainment coming to Disney’s parks and resorts around the world.
D23 EXPO – From August 9-11, 2013, the Expo brings all the wonderful worlds of Disney under one roof at the Anaheim Convention Center for three remarkable days. From celebrity appearances and eye-popping pavilions to fascinating presentations and once in-a-lifetime experiences, there’s plenty of magic for everyone at D23 Expo the ultimate event for Disney fans at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. (D23 EXPO/Richard Harbaugh) TONY BAXTER
Tickets for D23 EXPO 2015 are available at a discounted price for a limited time. Until 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.
Celebrate Moms and all the reasons we love them with a brand new video from THE PEANUTS MOVIE! Featuring all your favorite Peanuts characters, this heartfelt video is a great way to show your mother just how much she means to you!
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. Snoopy, the world’s most lovable beagle – and flying ace – embarks upon his greatest mission as he takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis The Red Baron, while his best pal, Charlie Brown, begins his own epic quest. 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.
THE PEANUTS MOVIE
3D Animation
Release: November 6, 2015
Director: Steve Martino
Screenplay: TBD
Producers: Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz, Cornelius Uliano, Michael J. Travers, Paul Feig
Universal Studios Hollywood continues its “Road to Fast” campaign with the debut of a Tyrese Gibson (“Roman Pearce”) image for its all-new thrill ride “Fast & Furious—Supercharged,” opening June 25 as the grand finale of the world-famous Studio Tour.
A lengthier, more detailed look at the making-of this revolutionary new attraction, featuring commentary from the cast, including Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson and Luke Evans and the producers, can be seen here.
“You’re in Hollywood already…you’re able to get on the tram and experience your favorite movie and TV show sets; that’s a big deal. Everything about Universal Studios puts you in the driver’s seat to really experience Hollywood,” said Tyrese Gibson, adding, “Fast & Furious has the best fans in the world!”
“Fast & Furious—Supercharged” is a technologically advanced, epic ride that reunites stars from the Fast & Furious series in a groundbreaking mega-attraction designed to catapult guests into the high-stakes underground world of street racing at perceived speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour. This high-octane ride is conceived as a new installment to the Fast & Furious franchise and will debut as the grand finale to Universal Studios Hollywood’s behind-the-scenes Studio Tour that can only be experienced at The Entertainment Capital of L.A.
Disney Interactive has announced that the Star Wars™ universe will join Disney, Disney•Pixar and Marvel in Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition – the latest installment of the best-selling “hybrid toy / video game” of 2014. The Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Starter Pack will be available this fall at a suggested retail price of $64.99, and Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition promises to deliver kids and families with a wider breadth of content and variety of gameplay than ever offered from Disney Infinity, including:
Three Star Wars Play Sets, one set in the timeline of Episodes I-III, the second set during the original trilogy, Episodes IV-VI, and the third available this winter based on Star Wars™: The Force Awakens™
Additional Play Sets offering distinct gameplay and environments, including a Disney•Pixar Play Set based on the upcoming film Inside Out, and a Marvel Play Set featuring Hulkbuster Iron Man, Ultron, and other Marvel characters
A fully enhanced Toy Box with two new multiplayer Toy Box Expansion Games, Toy Box Speedway (kart racing) and Toy Box Takeover (action-adventure)
More figures of fan-favorite characters from across The Walt Disney Company, like Mickey and Minnie, Sam Flynn and Quorra from Tron: Legacy, Mulan and Olaf, among many others
“Disney Infinity is the only game where fans can play with Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars characters together in one experience,” said James Pitaro, President, Disney Interactive. “We worked closely with Lucasfilm to deliver an authentic Star Wars game experience, featuring some of the most iconic stories and characters from the past, present and future.”
Each of the Star Wars Play Sets offers distinct experiences, with varied gameplay, environments and characters. The Star Wars™: Twilight of the Republic Play Set takes place in the height of the Jedi’s powers, where players will use the Force™ and Lightsabers™ in epic battles and master their combat skills alongside Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda and Darth Maul. The Star Wars™: Rise Against the Empire Play Set will take players on galaxy-spanning missions with Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, Han Solo, Chewbacca and Darth Vader, piloting X-wing fighters or the Millennium Falcon to fight stormtroopers, or exploring and partaking in land-based missions on planets like Tatooine, Hoth, and Endor. Additionally, fans will have the unique opportunity to play with all of the Star Wars characters in all of the Star Wars Play Sets.
“Star Wars is a cross-generational franchise, and Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition creates an incredible opportunity for families and fans to relive their favorite Star Wars moments,” said John Blackburn, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Disney Infinity. “With the addition of Star Wars, Inside Out and new Disney and Marvel characters, Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition will be the most ambitious and diverse offering yet and also the most accessible, with a lower suggested retail price for this year’s Starter Pack.”
Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition will also introduce an all-new, 3-D Toy Box Hub that will make it easier for players to choose from a wider selection of gameplay experiences – including platform, racing, and farming simulation games. Two new multiplayer Toy Box Expansion Games will bring action-adventure gameplay in Toy Box Takeover and kart racing in Toy Box Speedway, where kids and families can play with popular Disney, Disney•Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars characters together in a structured setting.
Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition is being developed by Avalanche Software in partnership with Ninja Theory, Sumo Digital, Studio Gobo and United Front Games, and will be available for the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system and Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft, the Wii U™ system from Nintendo, PC and iOS and Android devices.
The Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Starter Pack will include the Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Base and video game software, the Star Wars: Twilight of the Republic Play Set, Ahsoka Tano and Anakin Skywalker character figures, and a web code card that unlocks content for PC and mobile devices. Other Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Play Sets, figures, and Toy Box Expansion Games will be sold separately.
All figures and Power Discs from the 1.0 and 2.0 editions of Disney Infinity will be compatible with Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition in the enhanced Toy Box and, for the first time, Power Discs will be sold in labeled franchise-specific packs of four. Additional Disney, Disney•Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars figures and Play Sets will be announced in the coming months.
Joss Whedon has written and directed another stellar Marvel film. Avengers: Age of Ultron measures up to what everyone has come to expect from a Marvel film within the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe with slightly serious undertones yet absolutely silly. Age of Ultron will bedifficult to disappoint, unless you one of the select few that haven’t been enjoying the previous wildly successful franchise films.
Wait, whose review exactly are you reading? Oh, I’m glad you asked. I am not a well-versed Marvel or comic book nerd. I’m actually a little jealous of those who are after the past several Marvel films. In fact, the comic book based media has grown so exponentially the last few years that I have come to wish I knew more about all of these characters and how they relate to their paper bound counterparts.
But alas, I do not. I’ve enjoyed most movies since the biggest change of style in comic book related films beginning with Iron Man to DC’s Batman Begins with me sharing the popular vote to the not so great like Green Lantern. Let’s face it though, Marvel hasn’t disappointed me with the Disney owned film properties and Age of Ultron held up in every way if not better.
Whoa. Let me slow down my praise. Avengers is one of those films that could have had just the characters all coming together to fight the bad guy, well, it is, except there is much more depth that has helped lead to its success. Age of Ultron benefits from classic Joss Whedon comedy and perhaps over characterization, which is quite the complicated task being this is a true ensemble cast.
I found myself laughing a little more than usual at Joss’s subtle humor and one-liners. He has shown a little more care toward those characters that may have not seen as much depth recently. IE: Black Widow, Hulk, and Hawkeye. Age of Ultron is a movie to pull on some emotional attachment as well as see the team overcome adversity in the team with a larger, more intuitive, antagonist. Simple enough.
Age of Ultron contains a perfect moment of all Avengers relaxed lounging around the room with each other, joking and teasing one another with it almost feeling as if we truly were just watching them on break. The scene alone has brought that moment we have all been waiting for, and it was oh so glorious. Sadly, for story progression this had to be broken up, but it wouldn’t have been much a movie without it. It’s kind of that inciting incident after all that gets the ball rolling.
The synopsis is something pretty simple, but it’s the small sub plots that really set this movie apart and make it feel as something more than the first in the series. Our friend Tony Stark has decided to take artificial intelligence into his own hands, and we know how well AI works in action movies, but his version of artificial intelligence derives directly from him bringing us a little bit of snark and sass into Ultron. This guy is basically everywhere, in every computer or electronic device throughout the entire globe. Needless to say he is one tough bad guy.
That would be pretty cool alone, but it’s his personality that makes the film actually quite refreshing. Upton is played by the almighty James Spader, who plays a perfect off-kilter Robert Downey Jr., and is actually comical. This tough, scary, unstoppable robotic beast has some wit and Whedon has blessed him with every bit of his comedic style. You try not to laugh out loud and get back to me with how you did.
Ultron definitely requires the team to work together, which creates a few cheesy bits lead by Captain America, but lets face it, WE ARE WATCHING A MOVIE BASED ON SUPER HEROS. Always good to bring that back in before you start talking about how unrealistic scenarios may be, but fortunately Avengers excels at suspending your disbelief. The movie doesn’t take anything too far and the battle scenes, while insane, are within the whelm of the MCU. Hell, at least we stay on Earth in this flick.
In order to even compete though, we do see the addition of two more Avengers; Scarlet Witch, (ELIZABETH OLSEN) and Quicksilver (AARON TAYLOR-JOHNSON). They are both welcomed additions and are introduced seamlessly. Although, apparently Scarlet Witch can do basically anything with her powers, which got me a little irked, but I guess in a super hero movie I have to let something go.
So what are you really reading this review to really see? The effects are brilliant as always. I did see it in 3D, and while I don’t think it’s a must, it didn’t hurt. It really helped the many action sequences come alive without any forced 3D or the projection feeling dim.
Many films as of late have suffered by frankly too much action. It becomes dull and tired, but Avengers finds that balance of dialogue, comedy, and action. Above all else though, the film is downright fun and never lulls. Any movie around a 2 1/2 hour length can make you think about how long it is while watching it. It’s not like we really just forget about time when watching a movie, but it’s more about flow. Age of Ultron flows, never dies out and never had that “Oh if they just ended this movie at this point” moment.
What is a must in a review for a movie pretty much everyone slightly a fan will end up seeing is to confirm that you wont be choosing poorly by seeing it. You wont! This is Marvel at it’s best and while lacking any real crazy plot, we still see an advancement in character development and a sense of direction for the Avengers team.
While I wont get into the technical aspects or actually well-acted parts, I do want to mention that Danny Elfman’s score fits perfectly. The tone of this franchise doesn’t try to be darker than it should. It’s still a super hero flick in the end and the audience gets exactly what it wants in the end. I don’t see any reason not to see this in the theater, but better make it a big screen if you can!
