Zoinks! It looks Warner Bros. is looking at reviving the Mystery Inc. gang once again in live action. Deadline has broken the news that the studio is looking to reboot the series once again for the big screen, and they’ve hired Randall Green to write the script. The question then becomes, who is Randall Green, and what will be in store for the Mystery Inc. gang this time around? Green seems to be a relatively fresh face to the industry, who doesn’t have any prior credits to his name.
It’s been ten years since Scooby and the gang have been on the big screen, where they were last seen in Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, which was written by Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn, and directed by Raja Gosnell. The two films in the series starred Matthew Lillard as Shaggy, Linda Cardellini as Velma, Freddy Prince, Jr. as Fred, and Sarah Michelle Gellar as Daphne. While the first was a box office success, the second wasn’t, and plans for the third film were scrapped. It’s too bad, really, because the cast was good, and both of Gunn’s scripts were quirky and fun, very reminiscent to the show’s roots. The films led to a series of Cartoon Network prequel films instead, with a new cast, but the films weren’t quite the same.
It’s hard to make too much of this news right now, because without any other talent attached, it’s hard to get an idea of what the film will be going for. As the production moves along, and we get a director and a cast in place, we’ll be able to get of a feel for what WB wants. We can only hope the dark and gritty route won’t be followed here, because it would lose the core of what made the series so fun. One way to go though could be to follow the more recent TV series, Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorprated, which had a more central mystery at the core of the show, while still keeping the mystery of a week aspect in tact. It’ll be very interesting to see where the movie goes, and who they get involved with the production. For now though, we’ll just have to wait and see what comes of it, and I’ll leave you with the teaser from the 2002 film.
20th Century Fox has released the first clip for their upcoming sequel, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, starring Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, and Keri Russell. The new film sees the world ten years after the events of Rise of the Planet of the Apes, as Caesar (Serkis) leads the surviving apes in the aftermath of the deadly virus that spread across the world, eradicating much of the human race.
The new clip is tense and serious, as a group of humans, led by Jason Clarke, stumble into the territory that belongs to the apes. Caesar is non too happy with the human arrivals, and begins to assert his dominance on them. Check it out below.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, directed by Matt Reeves, and which also stars Keri Russell, Gary Oldman, Toby Kebbell, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Kirk Acevedo, Enrique Murciano, and Judy Greer will be released in 2D and 3D on July 11, 2014.
A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth’s dominant species.
With just six more weeks left until the release Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, it seems we’re getting into the crunch time for the marketing campaign. So with that, Marvel Studios has released the final full length trailer for the film, which is much more serious trailer, focusing on the film’s story, and the bigger implications the film will have on the Marvel universe. Check it out below.
The film, directed by James Gunn, stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, and Benicio del Toro, and will be released on August 1, 2014.
From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchises of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team—the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits—Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Quill discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand—with the galaxy’s fate in the balance.
“C’mon, bud. There’s a whole other world of dragons out there.”
*Caution, there will be spoilers ahead. So please, if you want to go into the film spoiler free, don’t read ahead*
If Dreamworks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon was the studio’s Toy Story, then How to Train Your Dragon 2, the highly anticipated sequel, is easily the studio’s Toy Story 2. Much like the aforementioned Pixar films, the new Dreamworks film has raised the stakes considerably, both in the film’s action and adventure, but in its emotional core as well. The filmmaker’s behind the movie really wanted to take the characters and the story to the next level, and it shows.
As the film opens, we learn five years have passed since the first film, and a lot has changed in Burke in that time. Hiccup and Toothless have become adventurers, flying out into the unknown and charting the world as they come across new places, as Hiccup continues to run from his duties on Burke. As their explorations grow, they stumble upon a group of Dragon Trappers, men bent on capturing Dragons to turn them into mindless creatures in an army, led by a man named Drago. But that encounter sets off a chain reaction in Hiccup’s life that he could never imagine.
Director Dean DeBlois, who helped write the first has taken over sole directional duties this time around, and it seems he was more than up to the task. He also wrote the film, and you can tell he’s fully invested in the world and the characters, He’s really taken a foot forward to make sure the universe’s expansion and storytelling feels natural, and all the characters have grown well. The time gap never feels out of place and doesn’t hurt the film, and it jumps on in a place that just feels right. It honestly works to the film’s advantage, and it catches up so effortlessly you’re swept up in it and the exposition never feels like too much.
Really, the film works so well, not just because for DeBlois’ storytelling, but the film’s actors as well. Jay Baruchel completely and utterly embodies Hiccup. There’s no other actor who could play the character the way he does. He just gets how he ticks, and the character’s mannerisms even reflect Baruchel’s, and there’s a fun moment in the film that actually makes fun of that a little bit. He’s the heart and soul of this film, and it’s Baruchel and his relationship with the characters around him that makes the heart of the film work. Hiccup and Toothless continues to grow and evolve, and is just so well defined here. It’s impressive how far it goes, and how dark it twists at one point, but to let their friendship grow, and it works in favor of the story.
He really get a chance to bring a lot of emotion to the role this time around, more than the first time around, which really works in the film’s favor. A lot of that plays into the fact that the relationship between not just his father, who is played so well by Gerard Butler, but with his mother, who he discovers isn’t dead, is huge as well. Cate Blanchett plays Valka, and she’s great in the role. She and Baruchel play off each other so well, and the relationship between them is so sweet. But it’s actually the scenes between Stoick and Valka that really tug on the heart strings.
It really makes it all the more tragic that he is killed so soon after they’re reunited while saving Hiccup, and it’s even worse that Toothless is the one who kills him. Toothless falling into being a pawn for the villain, as he’s brainwashed by his instincts, is a truly heartbreaking and moving moment in the film, and a direction you wouldn’t expect the film to go. But it’s good to see Dreamworks taking risks like this, because it’s making their film’s much more mature and much more emotionally investing. This is Pixar quality storytelling, and it absolutely sticks the landing. Of course, the way it all concludes puts us in a much happier and better place, but for a good portion of the third act, the film really takes an Empire Strikes Back approach, and it really works well.
The animation is also absolutely breathtaking, and leaves you feeling completely immersed in this world. It’s amazing how far the technology has advanced in the short time since the first film. Characters and dragons alike just look incredible, and the designs are so well done. It’s hard not to just look slack jawed at the whole thing as it plays out in front of you. The 3D is some of the most immersive, as well as beautiful, to be seen on film in some time.
How to Train Your Dragon 2 is a perfect follow up to the original. Dreamworks is really flexing their storytelling and dramatic muscles in a way that they have never done before, and they seem to be maturing as a studio. There’s very little to complain about with the film. It’s smart, funny, dramatic, and a film that just fires on all cylinders. This is Dreamworks going to Pixar’s level, and it’s good to see them stepping up their game. This is certainly turning out to be the year of sequels, and once again, this film not only capitalizes on what came before, but finds a way to build off it and become better. This is filmmaking at its finest, and it’s even better its a family film that doesn’t talk down to the audience. What a rare, and special, film this is.
The new trailer for Lionsgate Films’s The Expendables 3 has just been released. Up until now, we’d only had two teasers that showed off the cast in the film, but now, we have a story trailer, and it’s looking very good. The film follows Barney Ross (Stallone) as he’s faced with his past coming back to haunt him, in the vein of Conrad Stonebanks (Gibson), the man who helped form the Expendables team, and is now a maniacal arms dealer. The trailer features a lot of great action, some good humor, and a very impressive cast. Check it out below.
The trailer hits all the right beats, and it sure seems like this could be the strongest film in the series. It seems to have found the balance that the first two films, as fun as they are, couldn’t seem to strike. They just don’t make action movies like this anymore, so I certainly can’t wait to see this one.
The film features an all star cast of Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Terry Crews, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Kellen Lutz, Ronda Rousey, Victor Ortiz, Glen Powell, Antonio Banderas, Kelsey Grammer, and Wesley Snipes. Directed by Patrick Hughes, the film will be released August 15, 2014.
In THE EXPENDABLES 3, Barney (Stallone), Christmas (Statham) and the rest of the team comes face-to-face with Conrad Stonebanks (Gibson), who years ago co-founded The Expendables with Barney. Stonebanks subsequently became a ruthless arms trader and someone who Barney was forced to kill… or so he thought. Stonebanks, who eluded death once before, now is making it his mission to end The Expendables — but Barney has other plans. Barney decides that he has to fight old blood with new blood, and brings in a new era of Expendables team members, recruiting individuals who are younger, faster and more tech-savvy. The latest mission becomes a clash of classic old-school style versus high-tech expertise in the Expendables’ most personal battle yet.
Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” finds space adventurer Peter Quill the object of a bounty hunt after stealing an orb coveted by a treacherous villain, but when Quill discovers the power it holds, he must find a way to rally the quartet of ragtag rivals hot on his trail to save the universe.
For our Marvel Fans out there, Check-out these new Characters posters (click each one to enlarge).
Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” which first appeared in comic books in Marvel Super-Heroes, Issue #18 (Jan. 1969), stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, featuring Vin Diesel as Groot, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, with John C. Reilly, Glenn Close as Nova Prime and Benicio Del Toro as The Collector.
James Gunn is the director of the film with Kevin Feige, p.g.a., producing. Louis D’Esposito, Alan Fine, Victoria Alonso, Jeremy Latcham, Nik Korda and Stan Lee serve as executive producers. Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” is written by James Gunn and Nicole Perlman and releases in U.S. theaters on August 1, 2014.
If you’re in Los Angeles This Saturday June 21 from 1 pm – 7pm you can use your Uber App to request a ride with the one and only Optimus Prime the original Transformer Autobot.
Here is how it works:
1. Open your Uber app and select the AUTOBOTS option
2. Tap “SET PICKUP LOCATION”
3. Tap “ROLL OUT”
Now since there is only one Optimus Prime and he will be quite busy driving all over LA, be patient, if you’re lucky enough to make contact, he will roll out to your location for a 15-minute experience that surely you won’t forget!
Keep in mind this might take many tries to get the attention of the world famous Autobot, but keep trying. If you do score a ride with Optimus, send us your photos and we will feature them here on our site.
And don’t forget that ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ is out in theaters June 27th.
To download the Uber App for your iPhone Click here.
Howdy partners, it is time for what many guests and myself have all been anxious to see when word went out that the Calico Mine Ride was going to be closing to get a well deserved update just like its neighbor Timber Mountain Log Ride. With that in mind Knott’s enlisted the help once more of Garner Holt Productions Inc. (GHP) They did such an amazing job with the animatronics for the Log Ride and who better to help once more with the tedious job of making the miners of Calico Mine come back to life but GHP. Inside the mine ride they have over 45 different animatronics working seamlessly mining away hoping to strike gold.
At the grand re-opening ceremony we had Garner L. Holt, President of Garner Holt Productions Inc., Bill Butler Director of Creative Design at GHP and Darrel Anderson (the grandson of Walter and Cordelia Knott) spoke briefly. Then one of the Calico Mine trains pulled up with a Miner in one of the boxcars to welcome us all to his mine. Once he made his way down and invited us all to check out his mine and to share with him any winnings you may find inside the mine, he detonated the box of TNT setting off a chain reaction of 4 small pyrotechnics and one major kaboom. Like a start of the sound of a pistol fired at the beginning of a race we were on our way up thru the ramp queue and amongst the first guests to see this ride before opening to the public.
I have been looking forward to this re-opening for quite some time now, I felt so honored to be able to experience this ride that I recall from my childhood. Once in our open box cars and one final safety check were off into the mine.
Inside was the beautiful cavern with bubbling steam geysers. Then later you get to see the well known “Glory Hole” where you will see a lot of prospectors mining away working tediously. My favorite parts are the stalagmites and stalactites that seem to come alive and sing. The music has been re-recorded and it sounds amazing! I wish that the tour could have dropped me off so I can just stay and listen for a few hours. After the sweet serenade we take a slow advance through a rickety bridge where we can see the back side of a water fall and then you notice two animatronic vultures perched on boxes on the mountain. What could this mean? Oh no we are now entering the blasting zone. Will our train make it out alive? The special effects and lighting at the end were a great surprise that I was not anticipating and I look forward to seeing it time and time again. In fact I’m ready to go again, anyone want to join me? Well then come on down, the prospectors and I will be waiting for you at Knott’s Berry Farm in Ghost Town at the Calico Mine Ride.
Calico Mine Ride Facts!
Original Opening Date: November 22, 1960 Designer: Bud Hurlbut Original Cost: Over 1 million dollars Length of Train Track: 1,080 feet Height of the Mountain: 7 stories Number of Levels: 3 Length of Ride: 8 minutes Number of Trains:(6) 19th century-themed steam locomotives Number of Cars per Train: 5 Number of guests per train: 50 Capacity: 1,500 passengers an hour Height of Tallest Ascent: 160 Feet at a 25% slope Number of Bodies of Water: 2; 2 interior bodies of water, 5 waterfalls Gallons of Water Circulating the Mountain: 20,000 gallons Original Number of Human Figures: 40 New Number of Human Figures and Animals: 46 humans, plus dozens of historically accurate animals; bats, a dog, a mule, vultures, fish. Approximate Number of Stalactites and Stalagmites: Over 8,000 Size of the Glory Hole: 65 ft. deep x 90 ft. wide
It’s summer time and the weather is great, come visit Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang at the newly renovated Camp Snoopy which is celebrating 30 years of entertaining children and children at heart. On Thursday June 12, 2014 a select group of media were invited to be amongst the few to see the completion of Camp Snoopy. There are three brand new rides for the little ones; Linus Launcher is a hang gliding type ride where you lay down flat on your stomach and then you’re off flying thru the high sierras. Another addition is Charlie Brown’s Kite Flyer is very similar to Fiesta Village Waveswinger but for children. This ride is themed well, as the ride starts and spins it depicts how Charlie Brown’s kite is eaten by this hungry tree. Last but not least is Pig Pen’s Mud Buggies, here your little campers can climb on board a little off road vehicles and bounce around in the “mud” no mud is actually utilized. These vehicles are very small, they can accommodate up to 4 small children or 1 to 2 children and 1 adult in the back of one vehicle or just 1 adult per vehicle.
In addition to the new color scheme check out all the wonderful greenery that provides shade and some of the planters have now been lowered so any age campers can turn them into a bench to sit and relax on. One favorite ride in Camp Snoopy would have to be Grand Sierra Railroad, I rode it as a kid and I still have fond memories of that, and to now see that the Peanuts gang is added it is a great addition, you get to relax and go camping with Snoopy and the Peanuts gang.
As the 180-passenger train departs from Camp Snoopy Depot, Linus Van Pelt will narrate the eight minute journey, pointing out the rustic sights and hilarious Peanuts’ camping adventures along the way. Passengers will catch a glimpse of Charlie attempting to fish in a local stream, Snoopy and Woodstock enjoying a camp fire, and many more vignettes all featuring classic Peanuts’ action and humor.
During the grand re-opening ceremony we had many esteemed guests like the mayor of Buena Park Steve Berry, Darrel Anderson who is the grandson of Walter and Cordelia Knott and Craig Schultz son of Charles M. Schultz. They all spoke briefly about how much they have seen Camp Snoopy grow and change for the better over the years. Then Charlie Brown, Linus and Lucy van Pelt came in and did a little song and dance and then realized that they were missing the Camp Snoopy flag, thankfully Snoopy saves the day and brought the flag that Lucy forgot to pack for camping.
Since June 1959, the Matterhorn has been a highly visible landmark for Disneyland Park, a sign to travelers that they are nearing The Happiest Place on Earth. Now part of the Disneyland “Mountain Range of Thrill Rides” – including Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain – Matterhorn Bobsleds was the first Disneyland roller coaster.
The Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction is unique to Disneyland park and does not appear at any other theme park
The Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction premiered June 14, 1959, as part of the first major expansion of Disneyland Park. Other attractions celebrating their 55th anniversary this summer are the Disneyland Monorail and the Submarine Voyage.
The introduction of these big new attractions in 1959 coincided with the introduction of what soon became another Disneyland cultural icon – the “E Ticket.”
Since 1959, the Matterhorn has been the highest point in Disneyland Park, at 147 feet. It is the second-highest point in the Disneyland Resort, behind the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, which stands 183 feet tall in Disney California Adventure Park.
Matterhorn Bobsleds was the first roller coaster in the world to employ a tubular steel track and an electronic dispatch system, which enables more than one car at a time to be on the track.
The most recent update to Matterhorn Bobsleds, completed in June 2012, added glistening new paint and “snow caps” on the outside, along with new lighting on the menacing Abominable Snowman inside. New, three-person bobsleds now allow guests to be seated individually.
The attraction was inspired by the 1959 live-action Disney adventure film, “Third Man on the Mountain,” which starred James MacArthur and Michael Rennie as mountaineers. The movie was filmed in Zermatt, Switzerland, on and around the real Matterhorn.
The mountain was built to 1/100th scale of the original Matterhorn, or 147 feet versus the 14,700 feet of the original.
Scale and color were key components in the landscaping of the Matterhorn, with designers recreating the mountain meadow feel near the base of the mountain and the stark absence of growth above the timberline. Careful pruning and replacement of overgrown trees is done to maintain the proper scale.
From 1959 to 1994, the Skyway (which opened in 1956) carried guests between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, passing through an opening in the mountain.
Guests who look quickly while whizzing through the Matterhorn caverns may spot mountaineering supplies and other evidence of the “Wells Expedition.” These scenic details are a tribute to the late Frank Wells, who was President and Chief Operating Officer of the Walt Disney Company from 1984 until his death in 1994. Wells was an experienced mountain climber and skier.
The first major modifications to the attraction occurred in 1978, when the first tandem bobsleds appeared and the Abominable Snowman began to haunt the mountain caverns.
Here is the latest news at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando from our friends at Destinations in Florida Travel. This week features Fastpass+ updates, several Disney special events, and a bunch of operational updates. At Universal Orlando, we’ve got a look at the amazing new entertainment offerings coming to Diagon Alley, sneak peeks from the ‘Weasleys’ and Halloween Horror Nights info!
What’s New This Week?
Walt Disney World Resort in Florida
New! FastPass+ Experience Group Changes at Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios: As a reminder, Guests make FastPass+ selections at Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios from experience groups. This allows more Guests to secure their most-preferred experiences. For FastPass+ selections on June 16 and beyond at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Great Movie Ride will move to group 1, and at Epcot, Living with the Land will move to group 1, while Character Spot and Maelstrom will move to group 2. If you already have FastPass+ selections for either park, you will be able to keep your selections, as long as you do not cancel an entire selection set. The updated experience groups will apply to all new FastPass+ selections, including those for which a Guest cancels an entire set. Also, beginning June 12, Guests will have the option to select English, Spanish or Portuguese at any of the in-park FastPass+ kiosks.
New! Car Masters Weekend Jun 14 – 15 at Downtown Disney: Car Masters Weekend, an event that’s perfect for car lovers (and lovers of “Cars”), will return to Downtown Disney June 14 – June 15, 2014. This year, guests can cruise through over 100 classic, muscle and exotic vehicles at the Downtown Disney Car Show Presented by Meguiar’s. The cars will be displayed throughout the West Side promenade, where fans of all ages can vote for their favorite. Those who complete a voting ballot will receive a coupon for a 20% lunch discount to use at any of the following participating Downtown Disney restaurants, while supplies last: Bongos, House of Blues, Paradiso 37, Planet Hollywood, Wolfgang Puck, and Splitsville. Automotive Legend Chip Foose will be returning to the event; he’s scheduled to make celebrity appearances and will take the stage to share his passion for cars. He’s also created some brand-new merchandise, available for sale throughout the weekend. Other happenings include: Disney-Pixar’s Cars movie marathons at AMC, Live entertainment, including a DJ, National Yo-Yo Champions and DisneyQuest Animators teaching how to draw Disney-Pixar’s Cars characters, A Disney Interactive tent, where Guests can play the new Disney Infinity game, Specialty merchandise and signing opportunities with celebrities, Meet ‘n’ greet opportunities with favorite Disney-Pixar’s Cars characters and Richard Petty Driving Experience, unveiling two new Pixar cars for junior ride-alongs!
New! Watch World Cup Games from Walt Disney World: The 2014 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 12, and everyone is getting into the spirit. If you’re visiting Walt Disney World during the World Cup and wish to catch a game, you can catch it at these on-property viewing locations:
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort – Silver Screen Spirits Pool Bar and World Premiere Food Court
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort – Intermission Food Court and Singing Spirits Pool Bar
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort – End Zone Food Court and Grandstand Spirits Pool Bar
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Sanaa Lounge, Maji Pool Bar and Uzima Springs Pool Bar
Disney’s Beach Club Resort – Martha’s Vineyard
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort – Banana Cabana Pool Bar
Disney’s Contemporary Resort – The Wave … of American Flavors
The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – Crockett’s Tavern
Disney’s Old Key West Resort – Gurgling Suitcase
Disney’s Polynesian Resort – Tambu Lounge and Barefoot Pool Bar
Disney’s Pop Century Resort – Everything POP Shopping & Dining
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside – River Roost
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter – Scat Cat’s Club
You can also follow along with the World Cup at Rainforest Cafe at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Odyssey at Epcot, as well as ESPN Club and Big River Grille & Brewing Works at Disney’s BoardWalk!
New! World Cup-themed Fun at Walt Disney World: Guests can also celebrate the World Cup with some exclusive Disney experiences. For instance, a themed Goofy topiary is featured at Epcot for a special photo opportunity. From June 9-July 13 at the Germany pavilion inside Epcot, a Disney-created soccer experience is available for anyone wanting to practice his or her skills. For those interested in adorning themselves in themed apparel, specialty merchandise is available in select retail locations across property, including the new United World Soccer store at Downtown Disney.
New! Villains Unleashed Event Announced for August 23, 2014: A brand new special event will take place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Aug 23, 2014 8pm -1am — Villains Unleashed! Beware the power of evil as many of your favorite Disney villains run wild in Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a special after-hours night of mischief and mayhem capped off with a wicked fireworks spectacular! Tickets are on sale now, $67 (adults) and $62 (ages 3-9) + tax.
New! Attraction Photos Automatically Linked to Memory Maker: As of Tuesday, June 3, Guests who purchase and link Memory Maker and have a MagicBand linked to their My Disney Experience account will have their attraction photos automatically associated to their accounts without stopping at the counter to claim their photos. This functionality will be available at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Test Track, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, DINOSAUR and Expedition Everest.
New! Check Quick Service Receipts for Coupons: Guests who visit certain quick-service dining locations in Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort theme parks June 10 through July 14 will receive a coupon attached to their receipt. The coupon offers 20 percent off purchase at participating merchandise locations during store opening and 1 p.m. between June 10 and July 15.
New! Changes in Animal Kingdom Due to Harambe Nights: In preparation for Harambe Nights, Africa will close at 6 p.m. every night the Harambe Nights event takes place through August 9. On these days, Tusker House will have its last seating at 4:30 p.m., and there will be no dinner period.
New Arcade Enhancement at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside: The Medicine Show Arcade at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside now offers a prize hub for Guests. Several games have the ability to add e-tickets to our Guests’ arcade cards after they play the game. Guests are able to collect as many e-tickets as possible, and they can redeem their e-tickets for prizes by scanning their arcade card at the prize hub. Each redemption game will have a yellow label if it is eligible for the prize hub.
New! Evening Shuttle Test from Downtown Disney West Side: Shuttle vans will be available midnight-1:45 a.m.to transport Guests to the Marketplace bus loop, which services Walt Disney World Resort Guests until 2 a.m. Vans will leave from the OPQ lot at the end of the West Side promenade behind Cirque du Soleil.
New! Walkway from TTC to Disney’s Polynesian Resort Closed: To accommodate renovations at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, the existing sidewalk between the resort and the Transportation and Ticket Center will be closed. Beginning June 10, pedestrians will be directed to use a different path between the two locations.
New! Block -out Date Lifted on Military Park Hopper Tickets July 4th: Support for U.S. military personnel and retirees is a longstanding Disney tradition. Both the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort offer promotional, multi-day park hopper tickets at a discounted price on participating U.S. military bases. The block-out on use of these tickets on Friday, July 4, has been lifted at Magic Kingdom Park, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. There are currently no remaining block-out periods for the 2014 Disney Military Promotion
Reminder: New! Richard Petty Debuts Piston Cup Junior Ride-Along Cars June 14: Two vehicles from the “Cars” franchise, Aiken Axler and Sage VanDerSpin, are about to make their debut at the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Walt Disney World Resort as a part of the new Junior Ride-Along program. In it, children ages 6 to 13 (and at least 48 inches tall) will have the chance to experience real-life racing excitement as they ride shotgun with a professional driving instructor for three thrilling laps in a specially equipped Piston Cup race car. Junior Ride-Alongs do not require reservations and are given on a first-come, first-served basis. Find more, visitDrivepetty.com or call 800-237-3889.
Reminder! 2014 “Star Wars” Weekends Continue Through June 15: At “Star Wars” Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Guests can see celebrities from the films and television series and enjoy special shows and panels at various locations in the park. Returning this year are the shows: Behind the Force: “Star Wars Rebels”, Stars of the Saga and Obi-Wan and Beyond starring James Arnold Taylor. Also returning this year are “Legends of the Force” Motorcade and Celebrity Welcome, Padawan Mind Challenge and DJ Lobot Dance Party. New this year will be nightly “Symphony in the Sky” fireworks and the diningand experience options we mentioned previously. The celebrity host this year is James Arnold Taylor along with co-host Ashley Eckstein. The celebrity guests for Weekend V are James Arnold Taylor, Ashley Eckstein, Dee Bradley Baker (Voice of Captain Rex and Commander Cody in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”), Matt Lanter (Voice of Anakin Skywalker in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”), Steve Blum (Voice of Zeb Orrelios in “Star Wars Rebels”), Tom Kane (Voice of Yoda in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”) and Cat Taber (Voice of Padme Amidala in “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”).
Reminder! Some Performances of Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Cancelled: Due to upcoming concrete work on Main Street, U.S.A., there will not be morning performances of the Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party on the following dates: June 3, June 6 and June 13. The parade will only perform at 5:40 and 7 p.m. on these dates.
New! Merchandise Events:
June 12 – 22: Find the latest releases from Precious Moments doll designer and artist Linda Rick at Once Upon A Toy in Downtown Disney Marketplace. Add to your collection and meet representatives June 12 – 22 and June 26 – July 7. Look for a special appearance by Linda throughout the day, each day, June 12 – 15 and July 3 – 6.
June 12 – 15: Look for special appearances by artist Larry Dotson throughout the day at Main Street Cinema in Magic Kingdom Park
June 14: World-renowned Celebrity DJ Pauly D will appear in the Downtown Disney Marketplace from Noon to 1 p.m. to sign his recently released line of DJ Pauly D headphones from SMS Audio.
June 14 – 15: It is Car Masters Weekend at Downtown Disney. Special merchandise will be available at various locations.
June 18 – 22: Artist Greg McCullough returns to Art of Disney in Epcot.
June 20 – July 3: Artist David E. Doss will be appearing daily at Art of Disney in Downtown Disney Marketplace. Stop in and find a new piece of art to add to your collection!
June 21: Stop by Animation Gallery inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the limited edition release of “Studio Flashback,” featuring Oswald, and meet the artists from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.. Can’t make it to the event? Order yours now!
June 26 – 29: Look for special appearances by artist Larry Dotson throughout the day at Main Street Cinema in Magic Kingdom Park
June 28: Now, all the world is Figment’s stage! To celebrate the launch of the new, limited edition figurine, Figment Actor, sculptor Jacqueline Perrault will be on hand for a special appearance and signing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 3 to 4 p.m. at Art of Disney in Epcot. Unable to make it? Take advantage of a special pre-purchase opportunity now through June 27. Also appearing for a special artist signing will be Kevin-John from 1 – 3 p.m.
Closures and Refurbishments
Click here to view the latest renovations and closures at Walt Disney World Resort.
Universal Orlando Resort
New! Halloween Horror Nights Schedule and Tickets Available Now: Halloween Horror Nights returns to Universal Orlando on select nights Sep. 19-Nov. 1, 2014. Watch your worst nightmare take shape as Universal Studios Florida theme park is transformed into the award-winning Halloween Horror Nights 24. See if you can survive all-new haunted houses, spine-chilling street experiences, outrageous live shows, and more! Here are the dates for this year’s spooktacular event! Scheduled dates are:
Event tickets can be purchased either on their own or as part of a Universal Orlando package.
New! AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead’ to Return to Halloween Horror Nights: After rave reviews from fans on both coasts, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood are bringing back AMC’s “The Walking Dead” to Halloween Horror Nights for an unprecedented third consecutive year. Horror-hungry fans will experience all-new terrifying mazes inspired by Season 4.
New! Entertainment Details Announced for Diagon Alley: Imagine wandering up the cobbled street of Diagon Alley, turning into nearby Carkitt Market, and enjoying a live performance by one of the wizarding world’s most popular singing sensations or seeing stories from The Tales of Beedle the Bard come to life right before your eyes. Universal Orlando Resort revealed the exciting details behind the unique entertainment and interactive experiences that will debut as part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, the all-new, magnificently themed land opening this summer at Universal Studios Florida.
While exploring the streets of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, guests will be able to enjoy the following shows:
The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a new stage show taking place within Carkitt Market, a covered, outdoor shopping area inspired by London’s famous markets. The show will feature a troupe of four from the Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts who have set up to perform a trunk show using stylized scenic pieces, props and puppetry fabricated by Emmy-award-winning designer Michael Curry. Curry is best known as the production designer on projects including the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony and the 2012 Super Bowl halftime show. The performers will retell two of the famed tales of Beedle the Bard, a 15th-century author of wizarding fairytales. The show will feature “The Fountain of Fair Fortune”, in which three witches and a knight meet in their attempt to reach the Fountain in an enchanted garden, and “The Tale of the Three Brothers” – featured in the seventh film “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1” – in which three wizard brothers come face to face with Death.
The Singing Sorceress: Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees, a musical performance featuring the ever-popular singing sensation of the wizarding world, known from the books as Molly Weasley’s favorite singer, who she listens to on the WizardingWireless Network. The swinging show will feature never-before heard songs including, “A Cauldron Full Of Hot, Strong Love,” “You Stole My Cauldron But You Can’t Have My Heart” and “You Charmed The Heart Right Out Of Me”. These titles were all created by J.K. Rowling and the lyrics also include never-before-revealed information on Celestina’s wand from Pottermore.
There will also be various interactive opportunities for guests to enjoy while visiting London and Diagon Alley:
The Knight Bus, which provides emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard in the Harry Potter books and films, is located in the London area of the new land. Guests will be able to meet and chat with the Knight Bus Conductor, and witness his rapport with the shrunken head hanging from the rear-view mirror. The iconic three-story, purple Knight Bus was inspired by its first appearance in the third film, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.”
Gringotts Money Exchange, a place where guests will be able to interact with a Gringotts bank goblin and exchange their Muggle currency for Wizarding Bank Notes. These bank notes can be used within both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade (and throughout the rest of Universal’s two theme parks) to purchase snacks and items from the shops.
Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC, one of the wizarding world’s premier wand shops. Visitors to Ollivanders will step into the small, dusty shop and experience “a wand choosing a wizard” firsthand, reminiscent of one of the most iconic scenes from the Harry Potter books and films. This interactive experience is also available at Ollivanders in Hogsmeade at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
New! Construction Walls Down at London Embankment of Diagon Alley: On Monday, June 9th, constructions walls came down around Hogsmede Station and the London Embankment. Both areas looks spectacular, but neither are open to the public as of this writing. A grand opening date has not yet been announced for Diagon Alley.
New! Universal Orlando Official App Announced: Universal Orlando Resort launched a new mobile application today that gives guests full control of their adventure by providing immediate attraction wait-times, interactive park maps, customizable favorites lists and more – all with the swipe of a finger. The app is available as a free download for Apple and Android mobile devices. Android – http://bit.ly/1nwUznz Apple – http://bit.ly/1hIfKUb
New! Park-wide Free Wifi Access: Universal announced the debut of free park-wide mobile Internet access from Xfinity WiFi. When you’re in the parks or Universal CityWalk, just look for “xfinitywifi” on your mobile device and follow the steps to get started.
New! DJ Sandman Spinning Live at the groove? Jun 14: Electrifying South Florida’s most high-profile celebrity events, Mr. Sandman has become one of the most sought-after DJs in the local entertainment scene. A-list celebs like Jennifer Lopez, Eva Longoria, Shaquille O’Neal, Common and numerous others continue to call upon Mr. Sandman to bring his trademark sound and style to their star-studded events. Sat • June 14, Doors Open @ 9pm, 21+ only | $7 Cover. VIP Bottle Service Available. FREE Parking for Florida Residents (after 6pm)
Closures and Refurbishments
Universal’s Islands of Adventure
None scheduled
Universal Studios
Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular: 6/15 no show scheduled
When Heather isn’t busy sharing Planning tips about Walt Disney World, the Disneyland Resort, Universal Orlando, and more, you can find her planning Disney and Universal Orlando vacations. Contact her on Facebook at Heather Abbott-Agent with Destinations in Florida. For more info and to book your travel, use the Price Your Vacation Form in the Sidebar or click here. You can also call 877-918-8941 and ask for Heather to book. Make sure to mention that you were referred by Socalthrills.com! Safe travels everyone!
The new ABC series, Resurrection, starring Omar Epps, Kurtwood Smith, and Frances Fisher, really seemed like a breath of fresh air last season. It seems that viewers are slammed with so many medical and crime dramas, with the occasional sitcom for good measure, the network TV landscape has become a bit mundane. But this new series, which finds a town in Arcadia, Missouri, experiencing a very strange phenomenon: loved ones who had died before are miraculously returning to life, but with no idea how or why it’s happening. The reappearance of these people begins to tear the town apart at the seams, as the occurrences are met with love by some, and rivaled by others, pitting faith, friendships, and family against each other, as the mystery deepens on just how these people are coming back.
The show really feels like a return to form in some ways for the alphabet network, who has been trying to recapture the magic of their supernatural survival show, LOST, since the show ended in 2010. Despite the numerous attempts of shows like Life on Mars, a remake of the UK series of the same name, Flashforward, and The River, none of them were able to grab viwers for more than a season, leading to cancelation early on. But Resurrection has managed to avoid these pitfalls, and the reason for that is the condensed season of eight episodes really pushes the show forward quickly, grabbing the audience out the gate and never letting up, until the final episode. These shorter seasons mean less filler and fluff, letting the shows speak for themselves without trying to fill a twenty two episode season. It just works much better, and Resurrection has become an example of that.
It helps that the show is led by three fantastic leads in TV veterans Omar Epps, from House, M.D., Kurtwood Smith from That 70’s Show, and Frances Fisher from Eureka and Titus, with newcomer Landon Gimenez helping round out the very impressive cast. Epps’ Special Agent Martin Bellamy isn’t a huge departure from his character of Foreman on House, but really, he plays the role very well, with a lot of compassion for people, and the situation around him. He’s a very good leading man, and the role really fits him, and he has an everyman quality that really makes him easily accessible and likable right away. But it’s really Kurtwood Smith and Frances Fisher who standout as Lucille and Henry Langston, the parents of Jacob, the boy who died twenty years ago and has suddenly come back to them. The two play such emotional extremes, and their performances are so raw and real, you really feel for them. While France’s character Lucille is happy to have her son back, in the way any mother can be, sure it’s her son, Henry is on the other end of the spectrum. He’s so torn by the situation, not sure what to make of it, and really unsure if this is his son or not. He wants to believe, but knowing the fact that he died so long ago, the pain is hard to overcome and for him to believe this is really him, and Smith plays with so much passion and emotion, you really feel the struggle he’s grappling with. It’s really these actors that really drive the series forward, and really make it worth watching.
Resurrection: The Complete First Season comes to DVD with a select few bonus features to pad the set. It’s nothing special, really, with all of them really feeling more like a little bit of fluff, but fans will be happy with the inclusion. The features include:
On Location in Georgia: A short three minute video showing what it’s like to film the series in Georgia. It’s a nice little watch, but it would be great if it was longer, because it feels all too brief.
Three Deleted scenes: The scenes really feel more like extensions of the scenes already in the series. They total about seven minutes, and really don’t offer anything new for the viewers.
Blooper Reel: Most DVD sets from ABC/Disney come with a standard three minute blooper reel, which is definitely harmless fun, showing people as they flub lines and scenes from the series.
Resurrection: Building a Mystery: The final feature is one, much like the first, I really wish was longer. It’s a great look into the time that the show runners, actors, producers, and writers have really put into bringing this show to life. It deals with their personal beliefs a bit, while also talking about the mystery in the show, and the lengths they’re going to make it work. It’s fascinating, but runs just about four minutes, which really doesn’t feel like enough time to talk about it. It would have been fantastic to see a longer making of on this series.
Resurrection: The Complete First Season comes to DVD with a fantastic eight episode first season, that will grab you from beginning to end. Since the season is so short, the show really moves quickly, never losing sight of the core mystery and feeling like there’s too much fluff to pad the episodes. Bolstered by excellent performances, the show really first on all cylinders well. It’s too bad the DVD set really doesn’t offer more in the way of special features, but really, we’re here for the episodes, and those are just a bonus. Overall, it’s a nice set for a very good show, and it’s definitely worth a look.
At this year's Annecy’s International Animation Film Festival, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios offered a series of surprises that thrilled festival goers.
Jared Bush, Walt Disney...
