[ultimate-recipe id=”17771″ template=”default”]
Nintendo and Universal Parks team up to Create New Theme Park Attractions
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 EXPO 2015 Announces Hall D23 Presentations Lineup
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.
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.
Happy Mother’s Day from THE PEANUTS MOVIE!
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
IMAGE 2 OF 6 – Tyrese / Fast & Furious – Supercharged @ Universal Studios Hollywood, Opening June 25
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.
Star Wars Joins Forces with Disney, Pixar and Marvel in Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition
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.
Movie Review – Avengers: Age of Ultron Ignites the Big Screen!
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!
Don’t miss our exclusive interview with the cast of Avengers: Age of Ultron. Click here to meet the cast!
Sushi Roku To Make Orange County Debut – June 2015
Orange County will soon be home to Sushi Roku, a contemporary sushi experience unlike any other in the region. With a menu of fresh, global ingredients presented in one-of-a-kind dishes, Sushi Roku transcends borders while still respecting Japanese tradition. The first concept to debut in Orange County from Innovative Dining Group, Sushi Roku’s 6th location is slated to open at Fashion Island in Newport Beach on June 1st.
Sushi Roku has been credited for being the pioneer of contemporary sushi, with a diverse menu that unites traditional Japanese cuisine and vibrant global flavors with the seasonal bounty our California landscape provides. Sushi Roku uses the finest, freshest fish from around the globe with the kind of artistry that can only be executed by a seasoned sushi chef to ensure an unparalleled sushi experience. Certified sake sommeliers and mixologists have crafted a diverse and exceptional beverage menu to complement the cuisine.
“We’ve been looking forward to making our debut into Orange County’s vibrant dining scene for quite some time,” said Lee Maen, Partner at Innovative Dining Group, the parent company for Sushi Roku. “We are excited to share our modern approach to Japanese cuisine as well as Roku’s outstanding level of hospitality at this stunning location in Fashion Island.”
EAT + DRINK
At the heart of the Sushi Roku menu is fresh seafood, hand-selected at the fish market every morning. The seafood is featured in the restaurant’s sashimi and nigiri sushi offerings, which include more than two dozen fish with traditional favorites such as fresh toro, uni, and hamachi. The restaurant also features a selection of signature rolls, ranging from Crunchy Spicy Tuna with avocado and Baked Lobster in creamy miso sauce, to a more intricate Katana Roll with spicy tuna and shrimp tempura topped with tuna and yellowtail. Sushi Roku’s fresh fish can also be enjoyed in a selection of hand and cut rolls.
To begin the meal, the menu features both hot and cold plates, which come from the “Garden,” “Sea,” and “Farm.” Offerings include unique dishes like Kimchee Cucumber Sunomono, Fluke Kumquat Sashimi with yuzu vinaigrette, and Sushi Roku’s signature “Hanabi,” which is spicy tuna on crispy rice. The menu also offers Japanese Salads, including an Organic Kale Salad with king oyster mushrooms, crispy shiitake, and ginger plum vinaigrette, yet another inventive dish that is globally inspired.
The restaurant’s entrees incorporate Japanese Bincho Charcoal, a traditional high-quality kilned Japanese oak that delivers and intense heat to the menu’s Filet Mignon with Ginger Teriyaki Sauce, “Ji-Dori” Free-Range Chicken, and Grilled Salmon with Roku BBQ Sauce. In addition to a selection of soups, noodles and rice, Sushi Roku’s Fashion Island location will see the addition of a Katana Robata section on the menu, with the options of five skewers – Filet Foie, Kobe Black Pepper, Shrimp Bacon, Sea Bass, and Chicken.
Sushi Roku has been recognized for its vast selection of sakes in all styles and price ranges, and this Sake Program will offer a greater variety of 300ml bottles and more sake-by-the-glass options. Guests will have the opportunity to partake in one of two Sake Tasting Flights – one with a traditional tasting of Junmai, Ginjo, and Daiginjo, and the other, with more playful options, including flavored sakes and Nigori, and sparkling varieties, such as an effervescent Star Rabbit Blueberry Sparkling Sake from Ume No Yado Brewery in Nara.
The wine list specializes in labels from around the world that pair well with Japanese cuisine: crisp whites, including bottles of premium French Champagnes, and full-bodied reds. The bar offerings tend to be as eclectic as the cuisine, with a wide variety of specialty cocktails from our in-house mixologists and signature fusions prepared with fresh-squeezed juices and premium seasonal ingredients. Among its craft cocktails is Sushi Roku’s own take on the Moscow Mule called the Far East Mule, created with Bombay Sapphire East Gin, fresh lime juice, Thai basil, cucumber, and ginger beer, and a unique scotch and sake cocktail called the Salary Man, featuring Dewar’s 12 scotch, Daiginjo sake, sour, and raspberry-cilantro mash.
Sushi Roku’s happy hour menu will feature $3 to $6 bites, including edamame with truffle butter, seared Albacore sashimi with crispy onions, and pork kakuni sliders, all of which can be paired with a fine selection of $3 beers and $4 to $7 cocktails and wines.
THE CULINARY TEAM
Sushi Roku’s menu of highly innovative, globally-inspired Japanese cuisine is curated by Executive Sushi Chef Hiroshi Shima, who has spent four decades perfecting his craft. His formal training reinforces traditional technique, but he frequently applies flavors from a variety of influences, incorporating California inspiration and nontraditional ingredients when appropriate, such as jalapeños from Latin America, French black truffles, and Italian cheeses into his offerings
Chef Hiroshi oversees a team of experienced sushi chefs at the restaurants, and in Fashion Island, has appointed resident Head Chef Shin Toyoda to keep a watchful eye over the kitchen. A native of Tokyo, Japan, Chef Shin learned the traditional “Sushi & Kappo” by training under several esteemed Master Chefs at Kanda Muromachi in Tokyo. After gaining his formal training, Chef Shin moved to Los Angeles and after getting a sense of what the Southern Californian diner was seeking by working in the region for 12 years, he joined Sushi Roku Hollywood in 1998. It was there that he began utilizing ingredients such as olive oil, chili peppers and caviar in his sushi and sashimi preparation.
Executive General Manager and Sake Sommelier for the restaurant will be Eiji Mori, who has been with Innovative Dining group for 16 years, and has served as GM of Katana Robata and Sushi Bar for the past 8 years. Mori will curate an extremely selective sake menu that embodies the complex flavors and aromas that define craft sake.
STYLE + VIBE
Sushi Roku Fashion Island will feature numerous settings for dining, including a 129-seat dining room, 16-seat sushi bar, 15-seat bar with 18-seat lounge, and 40 seats for patio dining. Under the watchful eye of Architect and Designer Ralph Gentile, the 5,100-square-foot restaurant will speak to the sophisticated sensibility for which Innovative Dining Group’s concepts are known, while highlighting natural elements that imbue the space with an understated elegance. Upon entering the restaurant, guests will be greeted by a custom chandelier inspired by sister concept, Katana Robata and Sushi Bar. Soothing earth tones will be seen throughout the space with porcelain wood grain floors, stained oak-slat ceiling, warm teak exterior and windows, 8-foot bamboo forest-inspired wall, and walnut around the sushi bar. In addition, the sushi bar will feature a unique knife-edge lit ceiling and the main bar will feature a custom, organic lit sculpture hanging above. Other features to note is a 20-foot Japanese glass screen that has been hand painted, locally made tiles and lighting, and custom-made painted spindles on the perimeter of the restaurant.
Sushi Roku Fashion Island will be located at 327 Newport Center Drive in Newport Beach (adjacent to Macy’s, across from True Food Kitchen). For more information about Sushi Roku’s menu and other locations, visit www.sushiroku.com.
FANTASTIC FOUR – NEW Character Posters Revealed!
FANTASTIC FOUR, a contemporary re-imagining of Marvel’s original and longest-running superhero team, centers on four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy.
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX, in association with CONSTANTIN FILMS and MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT, is thrilled to debut the official character posters for the highly anticipated action-adventure, FANTASTIC FOUR! Check out Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Bell in the NEW character posters below:
FANTASTIC FOUR
Action-adventure
Release: August 7, 2015
Director: Josh Trank
Screenplay: Jeremy Slater and Simon Kinberg & Josh Trank, based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Producers: Simon Kinberg, Matthew Vaughn, Hutch Parker, Robert Kulzer, Gregory Goodman
Cast: Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, Toby Kebbell, Reg E. Cathey, Tim Blake Nelson
Unique Dining, Shopping and Interactive Street Entertainment Add to the Fun of Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration
Guests May Sing Along with Resort Music Groups, Choose a Dazzling Anniversary Souvenir, Enjoy Sparkling Beverages and Special Treats, and Discover New Magic on Select Attractions
The Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration will touch every aspect of the guest experience, beginning May 22, 2015. As guests enjoy the spectacular, new shows highlighting the celebration, they’ll also encounter brilliant décor, special entertainment throughout the parks and countless opportunities to amplify the Diamond Celebration fun with food, beverage and souvenir offerings.
Guests Invited to Join the Entertainment
In addition to the “Paint the Night” parade, immersive “Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular and new “World of Color – Celebrate!” shows, opportunities for guests to become part of the musical magic of Disneyland will be found throughout the resort.
- At Disneyland:
- Guests may join a daily Diamond March-Along up Main Street, U.S.A., with the Disneyland Band and Disney characters in their sparkling, new Diamond Celebration costumes. The cavalcade concludes with a Diamond Sing-Along at Town Square in Disneyland Park.
- Also on Main Street, U.S.A., the Dapper Dans quartet will invite guests to join Diamond Sing-Alongs, while the Straw Hatters band will encourage Diamond Dance-Alongs. Every musical group across the Disneyland Resort is incorporating special Diamond Celebration moments into its shows.
- At Disney California Adventure Park:
- Guests may Dream-Along with Mickey Mouse and the Red Car News Boys, as Mickey shares a whole new song about his vision for the Happiest Place on Earth. When the Five & Dime arrive on Buena Vista Street, guests will be immersed in a joyous Dance-Along with Dime, Goofy and the boys.
- Mad T Party returns to Disney California Adventure beginning May 22, as guests are invited down the rabbit hole to experience the Diamond Mad T Party, a nighttime entertainment party inspired by Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” motion picture.
- The Mad T Party main stage will feature a live band, performing contemporary and classic rock favorites as well as newly mashed-up Disney tunes given a rare Mad T Party twist. When the band isn’t onstage, the White Rabbit DJ takes over and plays the latest, hottest dance tunes.
- Also for Mad T Party, the Hottest Deck in Town dance crew will perform their high-energy show with a new look at a new location, the Hollywood Backlot Stage.
- Diamond Mad T Party guests will also play interactive games, take photos or just chill out with a cold drink from the Drink Me Bar or Chiller truck. A new photo location combines the fantastical spirit of the Mad T Party with a tribute to Disney’s past.
Dazzling Merchandise and Souvenirs
Disneyland fans and collectors desiring a beautiful Diamond Celebration memento will find plenty to excite them at Disneyland Resort merchandise locations. More than 500 merchandise items will be available, including apparel, accessories, art, collectibles, headwear, home décor, jewelry, pins, souvenirs, toys and more.
- Headwear will include a Diamond Celebration ear hat, Minnie Mouse rhinestone-embellished headband, and youth and adult baseball hats. Also being introduced from the Diamond Collection is a crystal-encrusted Minnie Mouse headband and Mickey Mouse ear hat.
- Home Décor items will include frames, snow globes, mugs, a dinner plate, dessert plate, trivet, napkin, drinkware and bottle topper, as well as a beach towel, throws and pillow.
- Toys will include an array of plush, a fashion doll, a Diamond Celebration truck hauler, train set, playing cards, puzzles, Sleeping Beauty Castle playset and more.
- Open and limited edition pins, trading accessories, boxed pin sets and framed pin sets will be available.
- Collectors also will be interested in limited release, limited edition and crystal embellished Vinylmation.
- Art & Collectibles will include notable brands such as Precious Moments, Lenox, Highland Mint and Arribas Bros. Over the course of the celebration, fans will find artwork by Dave Avanzino, Disney Design Group (Costa Alavezos, Tyler Dumas, Susan Foy, Caley Hicks, Alex Maher, Randy Noble), Liana Hee, Ink & Paint artists, Brian Jowers, Lisa Keene, Jerrod Maruyama, Kurt Raymond, Tim Rogerson, SHAG, Javier Soto and The Thomas Kinkade Studios and Gregg Visintainer, among others.
- Made with Magic: Newly designed Diamond Celebration ear hats, wands and paint brushes will light up to accompany the big, new after-dark shows.
Diamond Celebration Food and Beverage
The Disneyland Resort is filled with a variety of popular dining options. For the Diamond Celebration, some new specialties will join the classic favorites, served in colorful Diamond Celebration souvenir containers.
- Special Diamond Celebration Cupcakes will be found at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Café (lemon flavored) in Disneyland and the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Café (orange flavored) in Disney California Adventure.
- Appropriately sparkling for the Diamond Celebration, a Pomegranate Silver Sparkler, topped with lemon-lime foam and garnished with silver flakes, will be served at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Café on Main Street, U.S.A., in Disneyland.
- At the Lucky Fortune Cookery in Disney California Adventure, a special Lucky Fortune Tea will feature mango, pineapple and passion fruit flavoring.
- Exotic new Diamond Celebration beverages will also be available at Disneyland Resort hotel locations: a Longboard Lemonade at the PCH Grill in Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, and a Wild Raspberry Rapids Lemonade at White Water Snacks in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
- Diamond Celebration Crisped Rice Treats, Caramel Corn and Cotton Candy will be available at select locations in the parks.
Select Attractions Glisten with New Magic
Disneyland Resort takes pride in keeping the guest experience sparkling and fresh, restoring and refreshing attractions on a regular basis. As the Diamond Celebration debuts, several attractions closed for renovations will reopen with some exciting changes.
- At Disneyland:
- The Hatbox Ghost, which appeared in the Haunted Mansion for a short period around the time the attraction opened in 1969, will materialize once again when the popular Mansion reopens to guests this spring in New Orleans Square. Guests will discover the ghost just before they descend into the cemetery, where the Hatbox Ghost performs an eerie trick.
- Matterhorn Bobsleds will reopen for the Diamond Celebration with new special effects. The Abominable Snowman, more exciting and ferocious, will appear in new and animated ways. A new scene will reveal some lost treasure the Snowman has been hoarding inside the mountain.
- Also reopening in May is Peter Pan’s Flight, featuring new special effects that make this classic and beloved attraction sparkle with new life. In a reimagined nursery scene, the Darling children have discovered the magic of flight as Tinker Bell flits overhead, sprinkling them with Pixie Dust. Guests will marvel at moonlit London Town and Never Land will glow in beautiful new ways.
- At Disney California Adventure:
- Grizzly Peak is expanding into the former Condor Flats area with new building exteriors, landscape features and more. A new quick-service food location, Smokejumpers Grill, opened in March, 2015, inspired by the brave men and women who fight wildfires in the California forests. When the entire area reopens on Friday, May 15, lush pine trees will bring cool areas of shade to the expanded Grizzly Peak, making guests feel as if they have been transported to California’s High Sierras. Soarin’ Over California will reopen with updates to its screen and projection system, bringing a visually enhanced experience.
Fast & Furious – Supercharged Ride @ Universal Studios Hollywood Extended Behind-the-Scenes Look
Universal Studios Hollywood shifts into high gear for the June 25 opening of “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” with the launch of “Road to Fast,” a dynamic campaign featuring a series of original images and an engrossing behind-the-scenes video, including interviews with the cast of its new thrill ride: Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson and Luke Evans.
A collection of six images, each featuring the stars of the ride depicted in a variety of action sequences, will be unveiled sequentially beginning today with a group shot of the characters racing alongside a Studio Tour tram. A lengthier, more complex look at the making-of this revolutionary new attraction, featuring insightful perspective and commentary from the cast and producers can be seen here:
“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.
Sharing their enthusiasm for the ride, the cast of “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” had this to say:
“This is new territory for us…to create something as immortal and immersive as this…that all the fans of our franchise can actually live through and be a part of,” said Vin Diesel. “It’s a testament to that loyal and dedicated fan community that has always been our #1 champion.”
“Once you go on the ride, it’s an opportunity to physically feel some of the adrenaline that we feel everyday while we’re filming,” continued Vin Diesel, adding, “Yeah, I’m excited to ride it!”
“When you have something as unique and special as the Fast & Furious franchise, you want to create an experience for the fans that they can only feel and experience at Universal Parks,” said Dwayne Johnson, continuing, “To be immortalized in a ride, is a very cooI thing. I get a chance to become Luke Hobbs and kick ass…all in 3D.”
“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!”
“It’s really a sensory driven experience, and I can’t wait to see what happens,” said Michelle Rodriguez, adding, “It’s so cool — the Studio Tour!”
“You’re completely immersed in the experience…you’re on a high-speed chase…it’s an amazing experience, and the guys that build these are true magicians,” said Luke Evans.
This dynamic hydraulic motion-based thrill ride will tell an original Fast & Furious story, fusing sophisticated hyper-realistic special effects with a state-of-the-art 3D audio system and 3D-HD imagery projected onto the world’s longest and most expansive 360-degree screen. Spanning nearly 400 feet in length to encircle Studio Tour guests within a newly constructed 65,000-square-foot structure on the legendary backlot, the sprawling custom-built screen will employ 34, 4K projectors and a sophisticated projection configuration system to envelop guests in unprecedented realism.
Coupled with an intense blend of visceral effects, “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” will take guests on a wild ride that begins the moment they board the Studio Tour. Exclusive interstitial content—that was filmed with the cast members—will be featured on the tram monitors, highlighting interactions as they engage guests en route to the ride’s climatic scenes. Along the tram route sightings of numerous prop cars from the Fast & Furious series, including Dom’s Dodge Charger, will enhance the story.
Join the conversation online using #FastFuriousRide, and for all the latest news, “Like” us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @UniStudios.
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